Permaculture Podcast by Paul Wheaton

40 Episodes
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By: Paul Wheaton

Paul Wheaton is the creator of Permies.com which has the largest and most popular permaculture community in the world! On this podcast Paul Wheaton will discuss everything from the ultimate permaculture design to compact florescent light bulbs. Commentaries and interviews with the leading voices in permaculture, homesteading, rocket mass heaters, farming, beyond organic foods, alternative anergy and living a self-sufficient life.

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Podcast 752 – The Twisted Feels of Being Angry at Good Guys – Part 2
Podcast 752 – The Twisted Feels of Being Angry at Good Guys – Part 2 episode artwork
Yesterday at 10:01 PM

Paul, Ash Jackson, Derek T, and Samantha continue discussing a selection of ways in which they see people trying to do the right thing and not quite getting it, such as insisting on heat pumps, or not flying under any circumstances, with some more the decline of communities in urban areas.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 751 – The Twisted Feels of Being Angry at Good Guys – Part 1
Podcast 751 – The Twisted Feels of Being Angry at Good Guys – Part 1 episode artwork
Last Saturday at 8:08 PM

Paul sits down with Samantha, Derek T, and Ash Jackson to weigh in on the native verses non-native plant debate (with the hidden 3rd option to just grow food), lament on Paul’s rep as the light bulb guy, and some on the environmental and ecological effects of cattle and rotational grazing.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 750 – Lab Cats – Part 2
Podcast 750 – Lab Cats – Part 2 episode artwork
07/09/2026

Paul and Stephen continue talkinging about cats, how the semi-feral cats at the lab are treated, the new cathouses built into the Library and the Solarium for both their safety and casual observation, and how many other people (such as Bill Mollison) have very different standards of cat-care.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 749 – Lab Cats – Part 1
Podcast 749 – Lab Cats – Part 1 episode artwork
07/07/2026

Paul and Stephen sit down to talk about the internet’s favourite topic: cats. And how they fit into permaculture. Honest. From Jocelyn persuading one to clear a chipmunk infestation in a day, Stephen’s favourite Donkey, to Paul’s care plan, there’s a surprising amount to talk about.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 748 – Low input heaters, Hight output gardens – Part 2
Podcast 748 – Low input heaters, Hight output gardens – Part 2 episode artwork
06/15/2026

Paul, the tinpot dictator, continues being interviewed by SuburbanBiology on his Building a Better World book, his experience with the north west power planning council, how drama sabotages almost all intentional communities, SKIP, and what Paul wants his legacy to be.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 747 – Low input heaters, Hight output gardens – Part 1
Podcast 747 – Low input heaters, Hight output gardens – Part 1 episode artwork
06/13/2026

Suburban Biology created a video of building his RMH which is a copy of the Cooper Cabin RMH. Last March, the channel’s owner visited and interviewed Paul about Rocket Mass Heaters, light bulbs, Paul’s software development chops, and the possibility of AI powered robot gardeners.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 746 – Hugelkultur Smackdown – Part 2
Podcast 746 – Hugelkultur Smackdown – Part 2 episode artwork
06/08/2026

The hugelkultur smackdown continues with Alan Booker, Andreas, Beau Davidson, and Samantha discussing bio-remediation vs. conventional ways of dealing with toxic gick, water troughs, biochar in sandy or tropical areas, and hugelkultur’s place in livestock rotation.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 745 – Hugelkultur Smackdown – Part 1
Podcast 745 – Hugelkultur Smackdown – Part 1 episode artwork
06/06/2026

Paul has rounded up Samantha, Beau Davidson and Alan booker for a smackdown on hugelkultures, strategies for building them, how (and how much) compost should be added, their orientation in relation to the terrain and sun, and how they’re perhaps not the best idea in the tropics.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 744 – Organic Bananas – Part 2
Podcast 744 – Organic Bananas – Part 2 episode artwork
05/16/2026

Cheryl’s interview continues with the topics moving onto clothes washing, with Paul still using Oasis detergent but is looking for alternatives and Cheryl uses baking soda. And on the topic of things Cheryl’s neighbours find weird – paddock shift systems, of all things.

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Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 743 – Organic Bananas – Part 1
Podcast 743 – Organic Bananas – Part 1 episode artwork
05/14/2026

Paul sits down to be interviewed by Cheryl, seeing as he’s started to loose track of what he has and hasn’t talked about and promptly started discussing bananas, why buying organic ones is definitely better, and some of the things Cheryl does that make complete sense to her, but not her normie neighbours.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Show notes and discussion

More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.


Podcast 742 – Basecamp Walkies
Podcast 742 – Basecamp Walkies episode artwork
05/03/2026

Paul and Samantha go on a walk around basecamp to plant things along the trail, find some morel mushrooms, and discuss what they’ve been finding, the Native American Camas or Quamash, the blossoming trees, and how the hugelkulturs over at Beacon Food Forest measure up to his own. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]


Podcast 741 – Eat what you Grow
Podcast 741 – Eat what you Grow episode artwork
05/01/2026

Paul sits down with Samantha to have a free-for-all on various topics, such as the eat-what-you-grow verses grow-what-you-eat philosophies, with Paul falling into the former camp with his fondness for sunchokes, some on the Gardening Gardeners programme at Bootcamp, and Missoula’s Earth Day event. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information […]


Podcast 740 – Sleaze and Anti-sleaze – Part 2
Podcast 740 – Sleaze and Anti-sleaze – Part 2 episode artwork
03/23/2026

Paul and Samantha continue discussing Spoon theory and how Bootcamp and Permies both avoid being spoon drains and potentially help regenerate spoons, while the upcoming Gardening Gardeners program is being worked on to try and take the load of obligation off of people. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]


Podcast 739 – Sleaze and Anti-sleaze – Part 1
Podcast 739 – Sleaze and Anti-sleaze – Part 1 episode artwork
03/21/2026

Paul sits down for a completely impromptu session with Samantha about the sheer amount of sleaze that has been growing (at least in the states) over the last decade, and how it drains the energy of people exposed to it, in a manner that’s best explained with cutlery? Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]


Podcast 738 – Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) – Part 2
Podcast 738 – Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) – Part 2 episode artwork
03/16/2026

Paul, Alexandra, Miranda, and M Ljin keep talking about how to get people into growing their own food, lamenting the loss of Alexandra’s local orchards, Ljin’s invading parsnips, food drying and foraging, and Montana’s famous huckleberries. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread […]


Podcast 737 – Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) – Part 1
Podcast 737 – Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) – Part 1 episode artwork
03/14/2026

Paul’s gotten tired of the whole “gardening is too expensive” thing, so has called in Alexandra, Miranda, and M Ljin to talk about ways to get hundreds of dollars of food for a few hours a week and couple of bucks. Hoop houses? Polytunnels? Experimental Rocket Mass Heaters? Or just use hugelkultur? Support the podcast […]


Podcast 736 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 3
Podcast 736 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 3 episode artwork
02/18/2026

Paul presents a revamped version of 45 permaculture solutions, without the original 45 minute time limit, in company with Samantha and Andreas. The last 14 of Paul’s new 45(6?) Permaculture solutions get a go-over with Andreas and Samantha, with them covering such ideas as cob/adobe, slip straw, STUN gardening, landraces, skiddable structures, wavy deer fences, […]


Podcast 735 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 2
Podcast 735 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 2 episode artwork
02/16/2026

Paul continues to talk about his revamped 45 Permaculture solutions with Samantha and Andreas , covering ideas such as Willow Feeders, dry outhouses, homegrown chicken feed, solar food dehydrators, berms, berm-sheds, stealth ponds, paddock shift systems, edible cleaners, and many more. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of […]


Podcast 734 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 1
Podcast 734 – 45 Permaculture Solutions – Part 1 episode artwork
02/14/2026

Paul presents a revamped version of 45 permaculture solutions, without the original 45 minute time limit, in company with Samantha and Andreas. The first of the solutions include Rocket Mass Heaters / cooktops / ovens / kilns, Lorenas, WOFATIs, Humus Wells, and of course, Hugelkultur. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More […]


Podcast 733 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 3
Podcast 733 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 3 episode artwork
02/04/2026

Paul and Peter van den Berg conclude their discussion on ways to keep a warm home in extreme conditions, with the subject shifting to the developments on the Rocket Mass Heaters in the various buildings at The Lab, and Peter’s plan for the next J-tube developments. Maybe at the next RMH Jamboree? Support the podcast […]


Podcast 732 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 2
Podcast 732 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 2 episode artwork
02/02/2026

Paul, Alexandra, and Peter van den Berg continue theorycrafting ways to keep a house warm in extreme conditions, without using electricity as mains supplies tend to fail under such conditions, and debating where a batch-box or J-tube style Rocket Mass Heater would be more appropriate. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More […]


Podcast 731 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 1
Podcast 731 – How to heat your home at minus 100 degrees – Part 1 episode artwork
01/31/2026

Paul is joined by Alexandra and Peter van den Berg to plan for keeping a house warm in extreme cold conditions, starting with the more obvious such as keeping wood indoors near the fire, lamentations on advertised efficiency ratings on wood stoves, and keeping indoor plumbing from bursting. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]


Podcast 730 – How to Heat Your Home with Green or Wet Wood – Part 2
Podcast 730 – How to Heat Your Home with Green or Wet Wood – Part 2 episode artwork
01/27/2026

Paul, Samantha, continue discussing wet and green woods as fuel, with them believing that it’s not quite so crucial for a RMH as the higher burn temps help burn the creosote. You can also use some angle iron as spacers on top of the stove with a layer of rocks on them as a ghetto […]


Podcast 729 – How to Heat Your Home with Green or Wet Wood – Part 1
Podcast 729 – How to Heat Your Home with Green or Wet Wood – Part 1 episode artwork
01/25/2026

Paul sits down to talk about how to prepare green or wet wood so it’s safe and effective for burning (and is later joined by Samantha). First off: never burn green wood – it’s a lot more work, gunks up the chimney, and gets you less heat. Store such wood indoors, on end, a few […]


Podcast 728 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 3
Podcast 728 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 3 episode artwork
12/31/2025

Andreas, Paul, and Samantha’s talk on motivation reaches into its 3rd hour as they discuss homesteading verses permaculture homesteading, the fact that many people spend too much energy on things that don’t improve short-term quality of life, and some things that can help return gumption in the short term. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]


Podcast 727 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 2
Podcast 727 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 2 episode artwork
12/29/2025

Andreas, Paul, and Samantha continue the smackdown discussing some mistakes they and others have made, such as attempting to buy a homestead on a mortgage and keeping a worky job, Ant Village’s teething issues, and how kids staying around their folks can help build long-term community. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]


Podcast 726 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 1
Podcast 726 – Permaculture Smackdown 32 – Homestead Gumption – Part 1 episode artwork
12/27/2025

Andreas takes the lead! He sits Paul down (later joined by Samantha) to talk about keeping yourself motivated and your homestead going, particularly for city folk looking to start. Easiest way is to experience a working homestead first, like bootcamp, and be part of a group (also like bootcamp). Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]


Podcast 725 – Creating Permaculture Communities with Stephen Brooks – Part 2
Podcast 725 – Creating Permaculture Communities with Stephen Brooks – Part 2 episode artwork
12/22/2025

Paul and Stephen Brooks of Ecoversity continue talking about setting up successful and enduring permaculture communities, how much turnover there is in the residents over time, getting government approval, the importance of them having fun and feeling empowered. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on […]


Podcast 724 – Creating Permaculture Communities with Stephen Brooks – Part 1
Podcast 724 – Creating Permaculture Communities with Stephen Brooks – Part 1 episode artwork
12/20/2025

Paul sits down with Stephen Brooks of Ecoversity to discuss permaculture communities and how to create them. Pretty good choice of person to talk to, considering he’s made 3 of them in Costa Rica with over 200 families taking part in them, on top of about 150 kids in the school. Support the podcast on […]


Podcast 723 – Purple Permaculture Playing Cards – Part 2
Podcast 723 – Purple Permaculture Playing Cards – Part 2 episode artwork
12/11/2025

Paul and co. (Samantha, Mike Haasl, Andres, and Julia Winter) continue their rundown of some select cards from the new Purple Permaculture Playing Cards deck, such as Paul’s in development automatic backyard food pump, hay box cookers, Ferd and Gert, and the solar food dehydrator with rocket assist. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]


Podcast 722 – Purple Permaculture Playing Cards – Part 1
Podcast 722 – Purple Permaculture Playing Cards – Part 1 episode artwork
12/10/2025

Paul sits down with a raft of people (Samantha, Mike Haasl, Andres, and Julia Winter) to discuss a few select cards of the new Purple Permaculture Playing Cards, with the first 4 being variations of Rocket Mass Heaters, namely cooktops, the Lorena, kilns, and water heaters. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]


Podcast 721 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 3
Podcast 721 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 3 episode artwork
12/01/2025

Paul continues the discussion about AI and education with Alan, Alexandra and Samantha as it moves onto SKIP, PEP, more direct forms of knowledge sharing like Alexandra’s RMH courses, SKIP going worldwide, and how preppers can benefit from hoarding knowledge and skills instead of just more guns. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]


Podcast 720 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 2
Podcast 720 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 2 episode artwork
11/29/2025

The discussion between Paul, Alan Booker, Mike Haasl, and Alexandra Malecki about Artificial Intelligence continues into the domain of trade schools and their viability with the potential of AI workers encroaching onto the field, assuming the whole hallucination issue can be sorted. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion […]


Podcast 719 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 1
Podcast 719 – An Eye Towards AI – Part 1 episode artwork
11/27/2025

Paul calls up Alan Booker, Mike Haasl, and Alexandra Malecki to talk about the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence and college, their effects on the youth of today, and possible ways through for them a rapidly changing world. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast […]


Podcast 718 – Conventional Wood Stoves
Podcast 718 – Conventional Wood Stoves episode artwork
10/11/2025

Paul calls up Uncle Mud to pointedly not discuss rocket heaters, but instead talk about more traditional wood burners, the drawbacks of low-and-slow burning overnight, airflow and intakes, thermal mass, and the Scandinavian origins of non-rocket mass heaters. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on […]


Podcast 717 – Gardening Gardeners – Part 2
Podcast 717 – Gardening Gardeners – Part 2 episode artwork
10/06/2025

Paul and Samantha continue discussing bootcamp, going over how he’s changed it since going to Portland, and how it compares to the WWoOF programme. Paul believes that bootcamp would be a good fit for many people that didn’t quite get along with WWoOf but liked the idea. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]


Podcast 716 – Gardening Gardeners – Part 1
Podcast 716 – Gardening Gardeners – Part 1 episode artwork
10/04/2025

Paul and Samantha sit down to discuss Paul’s visit to a bunch of potlucks in Portland, and how the local over-abundance of pears on the ground comes back to bootcamp and how it tries to not only grow food, but turn people into gardeners. And how it doesn’t charge rent so you’re actually free to […]


Podcast 715 – Brock’s Consultation – Part 2
Podcast 715 – Brock’s Consultation – Part 2 episode artwork
09/29/2025

Brock’s consultation continues with Paul further detailing hugelkultur use and use of paddocks to raise chickens while keeping them away from human food, and that Brock should focus on roughly a quarter acre of his land at a time and make it awesome before moving to the next. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]


Podcast 714 – Brock’s Consultation – Part 1
Podcast 714 – Brock’s Consultation – Part 1 episode artwork
09/27/2025

Brock has foolishly sent money to Paul for a consultation on his 2-acre Minnesotan property with a bunch of ash trees for the inevitable hugelkultur recommendations, a persistent department-of-making-you-sad, and a goal of feeding a family of 5 on hopefully more than sunchokes and walking onions. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]


Podcast 713 – Spokane Potluck
Podcast 713 – Spokane Potluck episode artwork
08/07/2025

Paul has wandered off to Spokane to meet up with Nicholas Thomas to have a potluck, and we get to have a potluck of pod topics! Including, but not limited to, natural control of pest (mainly earwig) populations, appropriate lawn care (build hugelkulture) and discovering new landmarks. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]