This episode starts in the kitchen with chef and Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Marie Bennett, who shares her professional kitchen wisdom that anyone *renters included* can use to make their cooking space more efficient and joyful.

Then, we head to the red rock canyons of Utah, where former miner Grant Johnson spent 30 years carving his off-grid dream home by hand.

Also, beekeeper Ariel Silva, aka Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram, explains how to start a hive in your own backyard, no matter where you live—even if it’s a rooftop in the city.

We also tackle listener questions about cracked ceilings, old doors, keeping woodpeckers away, and bricks shaken loose by an explosion.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Smarter Kitchen Flow: How thinking in zones—prep, cook, serve, store, and clean—can turn any kitchen into a more functional and stress-free space. (0:54)

Ceiling Cracking?: What might cause a piece of drywall to sag from the ceiling, and why you don’t have to panic right away! (8:53)

Woodpecker Deterrent: Woodpecker’s marking up your home? We might have the fix to make your home less attractive to them. (17:28)

Hanging an Old Door: Why building a new door frame may be the best way to hang an antique door. (22:13)

Post-Blast Brick Repair: How structural cracks in brickwork can hide deeper issues, and why replacing the full façade might be necessary if insurance allows. (28:00)

Life Inside Stone: One man spent 30 years hand-blasting a 5,700 sq ft home into solid rock—and why living in stone can bring unexpected peace. (32:27)

Backyard Beekeeping Basics: Learn everything you need to start your own beehive from Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram (40:49)

On this This Old House Radio Hour, we’re helping parents breathe a little easier with a full guide to babyproofing your home, courtesy of Stephanie Lyons from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. From newborn-safe sleep setups to toddler-proof kitchen fixes, we cover every stage of early development with tips that make your home safer—without turning it into a padded cell.

Then we visit the Massachusetts South Shore, where New York Times bestselling author J. Courtney Sullivan tells us how a weathered beach cottage became her real-life literary retreat—and the unexpected joys of moving back to her hometown.

Plus, Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein of Cheap Old Houses showcase a $35,000 Arkansas cottage and a 150-year-old general store in Pennsylvania ripe for restoration. And, as always, our team of experts take your home improvement calls, from shifting laminate floors to hurricane-proofing stucco, fridge mishaps, and generator upgrades.


In This Episode You Will Learn:

How to babyproof for every stage: from newborns to crawling toddlers (1:03)

How to shift floating floorboards a DIY Trick (8:13)

Safe and simple ways to repair cracks in stucco around windows (17:32)

Installing the right portable generator safely for hurricane prone homes (26:25)

How to keep your A/C running efficiently by cleaning filters and avoiding overcooling (39:13)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we explore the spaces that bring us together—both inside and out. Architect and author Charlie Hailey joins us to discuss the surprising resurgence of the American porch, what makes it such a powerful space for connection, and how to design one that enhances airflow, light, and livability. Then we head to Morrison, Colorado, where musician Nathaniel Rateliff gives us a tour of his rustic mountain hideaway—complete with a recording studio and cliffside views. In our call-in segment, we tackle everything from crumbling brick railings to filling in a missing hot tub hole in a deck, choosing smart venting options for old houses, and whether to trust those free arc fault detectors from your insurance company. Finally, Kamaria Gray of Detroit’s Hood Stead Farm shares tips for starting an urban garden anywhere—even on a windowsill. Whether you’re a DIYer, a porch-sitter, or a green thumb in training, this episode’s packed with inspiration and smart advice you can use.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

[0:55] – Porch design tips: Six-sided structure, passive cooling, sloped floors, air circulation, screened protection, blue ceiling effect
[8:35] – Masonry fix: Water-damaged brick, bugs under brick, how to stop freeze/thaw damage
[17:03] – Deck repair: How to fill an old hot tub hole, reframe and weave in decking, DIY structure support
[21:22] – Arc fault detectors: Are they worth it? Pros, cons, privacy concerns, and DIY monitoring alternatives
[26:24] – Bathroom ventilation: How to vent through a soffit, prevent rot, best practices for short overhangs
[40:29] – Urban gardening tips: Soil prep, composting, what to grow first, pest deterrents, low-stakes learning
[49:55] – Simple Fix: Remove lint from roller covers with painter’s tape for smoother paint jobs