In this cozy, spicy episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin dives into one of her favorite herbal traditions — fire cider. She shares how this zesty, vinegar-based tonic can boost your immune system, clear congestion, and bring warmth back to your winter days. You’ll learn exactly how to make your own batch at home, why each ingredient (from garlic to ginger to horseradish) plays an important healing role, and how to reuse those leftover herbs and veggies so nothing goes to waste. It’s a cheerful, no-stress guide to old-fashioned kitchen medicine — the kind of self-reliance that makes you feel capable, connected, and a little bit spicy yourself.

This cozy episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast is all about one of the simplest and most magical meals you can make: soup. Wendi shares stories from history, from her mission in Finland, and from her own kitchen about why soup is both practical and powerful. From colonial sailors who traveled with a potbelly stove to make soup at sea, to soldiers at Valley Forge warming themselves with bread and broth, soup has always meant comfort, nourishment, and resilience. Wendi reminds us that soup doesn’t need to be fancy—just water, vegetables, and love. It’s affordable, forgiving, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re feeding your family, stocking your freezer, or sharing a jar with a friend, making soup is an act of care and self-reliance. By the end, you’ll be inspired to pull out your pot, chop an onion, and let the aroma of comfort fill your home.

In this heartfelt episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares an unexpected insight she discovered about self-reliance—and how God uses our unique talents, skills, and quirks to bless others. From a pharmacy worker who saved her $100 to a friend inspired by her Transformation Journal, Wendi weaves together personal stories that reveal how heaven orchestrates everyday miracles. She reminds us that self-reliance isn’t just about independence—it’s about being prepared to give. Drawing from Marion G. Romney’s timeless quote, Wendi flips the script: instead of focusing on what we don’t have, she invites us to recognize how much we already do. By developing our gifts and drawing closer to God, we become His hands in someone else’s story. With warmth, humor, and a dash of Aunt Rose’s lemon bars, Wendi helps us see that God is the ultimate matchmaker—pairing our abilities with the needs of others in miraculous ways.

In this heartfelt and reflective episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares a lesson sparked by a question she received while teaching at the East Tennessee Homesteaders Alliance Festival: “How do you manage your time and accomplish so much?” Her answer—“I prioritize what I love”—unfolds into a tender reminder that our daily choices reflect what we value most. Wendi shares personal stories about learning new skills like quilting and cake decorating, the messy joy of imperfection, and the spiritual beauty of seeing God’s “fingerprints” in everyday moments. Through humor, honesty, and warmth, Wendi invites listeners to put themselves back on their own priority list, to learn new things simply because they bring joy, and to see self-reliance as a form of self-care and divine partnership.

In this heartfelt episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi shares the story of her family’s big move to Florida—a season full of chaos, doubt, and even heartbreak. From searching endlessly for the right house to losing their beloved Great Pyrenees, Aphrodite, she shows how God’s hand was orchestrating every detail. Wendi reminds us that chaos—whether global or inside our own homes—isn’t the end of the story. Through prayer, scripture study, journaling, and practicing kindness toward ourselves, we can align with God’s higher thoughts and discover peace even in messy seasons. This episode is both tender and encouraging, with just the right dash of Wendi’s trademark humor (and promises of chocolate for her reviewers).

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi shares her takeaways from teaching and attending the East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival. From lockpicking and yogurt-making to goat milk soap and regenerative skincare, she recounts the variety of skills, vendors, and people that made the event so inspiring. Wendi also highlights her own classes on food preservation and building a waste-free pantry, offering listeners practical ideas they can apply at home. Whether you’re just getting started with self-reliance or deep into the homestead lifestyle, this episode will spark ideas, connect you to community, and remind you that preparedness can be joyful.

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares three herbal preparations every mom needs to know—simple, effective remedies you can make right in your own kitchen. From the soothing power of an onion poultice for coughs, to the immune-boosting punch of garlic honey, to the comfort of herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, sage, and thyme, you’ll learn how to turn everyday ingredients into trusted, natural remedies for your family. These old-fashioned, home remedies for colds and sore throats are easy to prepare, gentle enough for kids, and strong enough to become staples in your family’s natural medicine cabinet. Wendi walks you through the ingredients, methods, and her own tips from years of experience as a mom and herbalist—so you’ll feel confident, prepared, and empowered the next time sickness hits your home.

n this episode, Wendi shares what’s been going on in her world as she steps into new opportunities. She talks about her upcoming presentations at the East Tennessee Homesteading Alliance Festival where she’ll be teaching on food preservation and waste-free meal planning. Wendi also introduces the Joyfully Prepared Library — her brand-new resource hub full of how-to videos, guides, and downloads — and shares how it can help you build confidence in your preparedness journey. As a newly minted Realtor, Wendi opens up about her focus on homesteading properties in Florida and her ability to connect families outside of Florida with trusted Realtors in their own state. Finally, she encourages listeners to begin preparing now for the holiday season, reminding busy families (especially moms) to take care of themselves and create peaceful systems amidst the chaos of school, sports, and holidays.

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin opens up about two things on her mind: the “Proof of Exhaustion List” we all keep in our heads and the importance of building physical strength as women. From the funny mental tally of tasks we use to justify being tired to the unexpected wrist strength gained through kneading bread, weeding gardens, and even cleaning chicken coops, Wendi shares personal reflections on motherhood, self-care, and resilience. She emphasizes why strength training isn’t just about fitness—it’s about equipping women to meet daily challenges, prevent injuries as we age, and show up stronger for ourselves and our families.

In this episode, Wendi shares a funny but profound story about a red towel and how it became a reminder of entropy—the natural tendency toward disorder. Through the powerful analogy of spinning plates on sticks, she explores why organization always seems to fall apart, how exhausting it can feel to keep everything going, and why we don’t need to spin every plate ourselves. Listeners will walk away encouraged to: Give themselves grace when things fall apart. Simplify and eliminate unnecessary “plates.” Delegate responsibilities to family, friends, or outside help. Recommit to what truly matters while taking better care of themselves. This episode is a reminder that entropy is real, but so is your strength, your effort, and your ability to choose peace.

Back-to-school season can feel like a daily pop quiz followed by a final exam—lunches in the morning, dinners at night, and everyone’s running on low energy. In this episode, Wendi Bergin shares her favorite “cushion meals” to make the first weeks of school easier, plus a simple mix-and-match lunch formula to keep kids happy and fed without exhausting mom. You’ll also hear a personal tip that’s been boosting Wendi’s energy and focus, and a quick preparedness item that brings peace of mind when packing water for school or sports.

What if hard things weren’t hard at all—just quiet gifts wrapped in discomfort? In this episode, Wendi shares a mindset shift that turns self-talk into self-kindness. Inspired by a lesson from herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt and a sweaty moment in the gym, this heartfelt episode explores how changing your inner dialogue can make space for resilience, strength, and gratitude. You’ll also get a set of reflective journal prompts to help you practice this shift in your everyday life—one gentle thought at a time.

In this short and honest episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi shares what happened when she missed releasing a weekly episode for the first time in over three years—and why that pause was powerful. With warmth and humor, she gives listeners permission to rest, break the streak, and let go of the fear that everything will fall apart if they step away. Wendi talks about ego, exhaustion, cultural pressure to push through, and how true transformation often begins with rest. She closes with gentle journal prompts to help listeners reflect and reconnect with themselves—and reminds them that they are deeply loved, even when they’re not producing anything.

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares her personal “transformation journal” practice—an easy, four-part daily routine to help you see your wins, recognize mercies and miracles, notice your own transformation, and set intentional goals for the next day. She explains how this habit was inspired by Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s “Rapid Transformation” challenge and gives real, heartfelt examples from her own life. Wendi encourages listeners to celebrate small victories, see God’s hand in everyday moments, and stay focused on meaningful goals—even when life feels messy.

“Ever wonder why I call myself the Joyful Prepper? In this episode, I share the story behind the name, how a single question changed my approach, and why I believe preparedness should be an act of love, not fear. Let’s talk about messes, failures, laughter—and how to be ready without losing your joy.”

How much water do you really need? Where do you store it? And what do you do when it runs out? In this episode, Wendi shares simple, practical ways to store, filter, and purify water before and after the storm—so you can take care of the people you love without the overwhelm.

In this episode of Joyfully Prepared, Wendi introduces her 12-Week Hurricane Preparedness Checklist—a gentle, doable approach to storm readiness that doesn’t require panic shopping or perfection. With just a few bite-sized tasks each week, you can build real peace of mind for your family in four key areas: food & water, gear, organization, and home comfort. Wendi walks you through how to use the checklist, what’s on the back (hello, waste tips and fridge hacks!), and why slow, intentional prep beats last-minute stress every time.

When the power goes out or the storm rolls in, the last thing you need is more panic. In this episode, we’re talking about how to build your 72-hour kit—what I lovingly call your Peace of Mind Bag. You don’t need camo, tactical gear, or a six-figure budget to get prepared. You just need a few basic supplies and a little bit of heart. I’ll share real-life-inspired stories (that might sound familiar), what to pack for humans, pets, and cars, and how to make this doable—even if you’ve never packed an emergency bag before. Spoiler alert: the goal isn’t perfection. It’s peace. Let’s build it together.

In this kickoff episode of the June Hurricane Prep Series, Wendi shares real-life stories and lessons learned from Hurricane Irene — including what she wishes she’d done before the storm hit. From last-minute scrambles for water and coolers to discovering broken generators and forgotten supplies, this episode gives you heartfelt, practical insights to help you prepare without the panic. You’ll walk away with tips, encouragement, and even a fun Hurricane House Hunt challenge to help you check your gear today.

In part two of this heartfelt series, Wendi shares how God gently met her in the middle of heartbreak and began reshaping how she saw herself — not just as a mother, but as His beloved daughter. She talks about the moment she realized her ultimate purpose wasn’t just tied to motherhood and how reframing her pain became a turning point in her healing. This episode is an invitation to shift how you see your life, to move from victimhood to gratitude, and to recognize that even the hardest moments can become stepping stones to something beautiful. Listen in for encouragement, honest reflection, and the reminder that your worth comes from God, not from how well you hold everything together.