- BC – Bee Centric BeekeepingWhat would beekeeping look like if it were done more from the perspective of the bee’s natural preferences? That is the concept of bee-centric beekeeping, where as many aspects as
- BC – Treatment Free vs Vaccines and Immune BoostersBased on a comment from a listener, today’s episode focuses on the ideals of treatment free beekeeping and whether or not those ideals can cross lines over into areas such
Continue readingBC – Treatment Free vs Vaccines and Immune Boosters
- BC – Ethics in HoneyIn this edition of our Beekeeper Chats, Nathalie and John tackle the subject of Honey Adulteration and the ethics that should be used when handling, marketing, and selling your own
- BC – Moving and Relocating HivesFor this week’s beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John talk about the concept of moving/relocation an established hive to a new location. Whether it is just a few feet, across your
- BC – Continuing EducationIn this beekeeper chat session, Nathalie and John discuss how important it is to always be striving to learn new aspects of your favorite hobby – beekeeping! This includes ways
- BC – Possible Effects of EMFIn today’s beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John tackle the different wavelengths of a theoretical topic… the effects of EMF on Honeybees. Do different frequencies have a positive or negative effect
- 168 – NBC pt 16 – A Langstroth Topbar Hybrid HiveFor the 16th segment in our Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with John to talk about her latest Hybrid Hive style where she has combined a permanent Langstroth hive
Continue reading168 – NBC pt 16 – A Langstroth Topbar Hybrid Hive
- BC – Fall CombinationsIn this episode our beekeepers, John and Nathalie, discuss the value of late season swarms and the cost they could pose to a beekeeper. However, could they also be put
- BC – TheologyJoin Nathalie and John as they dissect a theological social media post that they both feel was a bit presumptuous and more than a little uninformed. Whether you agree or
- BC – The Business of BeesIts time for another Beekeeper Chat… Nathalie and John as they talk about the various aspects of what a beekeeping business might entail. How can you make money with bees?
- BC – Pitfalls of BeekeepingJoin Nathalie and John and they discuss some common pitfalls that you will inevitably encounter while pursuing your beekeeping adventures. (Original Air Date: Sept 8th, 2021)
- BC – Beekeeper Chats with Nathalie B(Original Air Date: Sept 21st, 2021) Following the final episode of Season 3 of The Hive Jive, John and Nathalie sit down for an unscripted chat about their views on
- 167 – NBC pt 15 – Bruce Rodriguez on Catching SwarmsFor the 15th segment in our Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with Bruce Rodriguez from Swarmstead Bees and Gardening to discuss catching swarms to increase his hive numbers, his
Continue reading167 – NBC pt 15 – Bruce Rodriguez on Catching Swarms
- Bonus – Tangents with Tara Chapman(Original Air Date: April 22nd 2021) Continuing over from the main segment episode where Tara taught us about the uses of Propolis, this bonus episode contains all the random tangents
- Bonus – Topbar Woes(Original Air Date: April 15th 201) Today the guys talk about Ken’s Topbar that had a massive beard on the front. Could this be showing signs of swarming, or were
- Bonus – Things to Consider(Original Air Date: Jan 21st 201) In this episode Ken and John discuss a few things to consider this mid-winter, as well as tackling a listener question about what to
- Bonus – Crappy Solutions(Original Air Date: Dec 17th, 2020) Can you guess the theme of this episode? John and Ken discuss bees using feces as a deterrent against giant hornets, they also discuss
- Bonus – To Bee Proprietary or Not to Be?(Original Air Date: Nov19th, 2020) John discusses the pros, cons, and potential pitfalls of laying the groundwork for a future notification system to beekeepers in the state of TX for
- Bonus – More on Mites, Robbing, and Hats(Original Air Date: Nov12th, 2020) The guys discuss more about bees being prone to robbing this time of year, as well as clearing up some confusion about which comb/bees should
- Bonus – Almost Award Winning(Original Air Date: Nov 5th, 2020) In this episode John details how he “Almost” won the 2020 Honey Show with the exception of one small oversite. Minor details are key,
- Bonus – A Buzzy Christmas Eve(Original Air Date: Dec 24th, 2020) Ken and John are joined by a surprise guest, Max Milam, Ken’s Son! (It was a surprise for Max as he had no idea
- Bonus – Adulteration(Original Air Date: Oct 22nd, 2020) In this episode John discusses how prolific honey adulteration really is in today’s marketplace and how it affects us all. It can be difficult
- Bonus – Total BS(Original Air Date: Oct 8th, 2020 with Updated Content from Dec 22rd, 2022) In the old school style of the season one bonus episodes, this segment covers a lot of
- Bonus – Quality vs Quantity(Original Air Date: Sept 24th, 2020) After a hard spring and summer, Ken has finally come to the conclusion that next season it might be a better idea to focus
- Bonus – Going Bananas(Original Air Date: Sept 10th, 2020) The world has really gone bananas. Or at least some of the beekeepers sure have! Every so many years there are these miracle cures
- 166 – A Few Things
John has a few things he would like to share with you before we round out 2022. Tune in now to hear his podcast recommendation, updates about The Hive Jive - 165 – NBC pt 14 – Integrated Pest Management Breakdown pt 1For this month’s Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie breaks down the first two stages of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for natural beekeeping and goes into detail about how each stage can
Continue reading165 – NBC pt 14 – Integrated Pest Management Breakdown pt 1
- 164 – The Black BearWelcome to a grizzly tail from the forest… ok, so not really grizzly (though the bees would beg to differ), but it does involve a bear. A Black Bear to
- 163 -COVID Sensory Deprivation
Today John gives us an update on the current state of his health, and poses a question based on one of his current COVID related symptoms. What would beekeeping be - 162 – NBC pt 13 – Dealing with Varroa in Australia
For the 13th installment of the Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with Les Crowder to discuss the current events that are unfolding in Australia with the introduction of VarroaContinue reading162 – NBC pt 13 – Dealing with Varroa in Australia
- Bonus – Thymol Entrance Portals
(Original Air Date: Sept 3rd, 2020) Some listeners recently shared an article about a 17-year-old young lady who has invented a new entrance portal that will help treat bees for - Bonus – Where’s Your Beards?(Original Air Date: Aug 27th, 2020) Apparently, based solely on the sounds of their voices and their redneck speak, someone thought that John and Ken both had long thick beards.
- Bonus – Single Box Method(Original Air Date: Aug 20th, 2020) A little while back, a listener commented on a social media post and asked if we were ever going to discuss the single box
- Bonus – Ancient Apiaries, Methane Gas, and Brazillianized Bees(Original Air Date: Aug 13, 2020) In this episode, John and Ken learn about one of the oldest intact Apiaries to ever be discovered on an archaeological dig in Israel.
Continue readingBonus – Ancient Apiaries, Methane Gas, and Brazillianized Bees
- Bonus – What Flow Hive?(Original Air Date: Aug 6, 2020) In this bonus episode, John learns a startling revelation about the infamous (and still not assembled) Flow Hive. The guys also discuss the appearance
- Bonus – Slow and Steady Wins the Race(Original Air Date: July 30, 2020) In what is a rather quick episode, we talk about going slow and steady. Ha! Ken discusses his most recent bee removal from a
- Bonus – More with Steve Jimenez & Hives for Heroes(Original Air Date: July 9, 2020) In this bonus episode, John continues his talk with Steve Jimenez from Hives for Heroes. This conversation picks up directly from where the main
Continue readingBonus – More with Steve Jimenez & Hives for Heroes
- Bonus – The Power of Poo(Original Air Date: July 2, 2020) From horse and cow manure to misrepresented TP and even a few crappy people, this episode sure does have a lot of toilet talk.
- Bonus – Swarmageddon(Original Air Date: June 25, 2020) The colonies have divided and sent out multiple potential new colonies as Swarmageddon sets in out at Ken’s place. Could this be a repeat
- Bonus – Testy Bees, Shady Neighbors, and Queen Cells(Original Air Date: June 18, 2020) John recounts a recent bee removal with some really testy bees and their shady neighbors. Plus, we take another shot at identifying the difference
Continue readingBonus – Testy Bees, Shady Neighbors, and Queen Cells
- Bonus – You’re Running Out of Time Dude!(Original Air Date: June 11, 2020) It is now June and for many regions the nectar flow is now at its peak, but it won’t last forever. In fact, for
- 150 – NBC pt 12 – Brood Dynamics with Fonta Molyneaux
For the 12th installment of the Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with Fonta Molyneaux from Wild Everlasting Farm to discuss Brood Dynamics and how to optimize your natural beekeepingContinue reading150 – NBC pt 12 – Brood Dynamics with Fonta Molyneaux
- 149 – A Wax Challenge
Today John poses a challenge to any interested beekeeper out there who might be willing to do a little research. We’ve always heard how much honey it takes for the - 148 – NBC pt 11 – Backyard Queen RearingNathalie B. takes us on a journey of sustainably raising your own queens right in your backyard. She discusses the difference between commercial queens vs locally raised queens, as well
- 147 – El Dia De Los Tontos
Join us, as we look back from 2062 and thank you all for forty years of Hive Jive in our lives. - 146 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt 10 – James LeeNathalie B. sits down with James Lee, a natural beekeeper and licensed clinical social worker who founded the Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan, to discuss the cognitive bias and dissonance
Continue reading146 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt 10 – James Lee
- 145 – Let there be BanjosHas John completely lost his mind? Well, that remains to be seen. Join us for a special stand-alone episode of The Hive Jive and learn all about the wild and
- 144 – In Remembrance of 2021Consider this a reminder that to love and to be loved is the most important thing there is in this world. In his own words and from his personal trials,
- Bonus – Ice Chest Bees and Crazy Swarms
(Original Air Date: June 4th, 2020) In their latest misadventures, Ken comes across an ice chest full of bees, and John is called to a swarm that has over 5 - Bonus – Random Clips pt 4(Original Air Date: May 28th, 2020) Its time for another Random Clips episode. Just like the title implies, these clips are random and don’t necessarily have anything to do with
- Bonus – Bad Habit Beekeeper or just Bad Bees?(Original Air Date: May 21st, 2020) In this bonus episode John continues his rant from the main segment about the irresponsible beekeeper and the chaos the “Bad Bees” caused; while
Continue readingBonus – Bad Habit Beekeeper or just Bad Bees?
- Bonus – Beyond the Plastic Bear(Original Air Date: May 14th, 2020) Ken and John question the new temp soundboard operator, Shannon, about her thoughts on the show, as well as her experience with Honey. The
- Bonus – As the Bee Turns(Original Air Date: May 7th, 2020) The saga continues with Ken and Max and their re-queening attempts. Plus, does the color of your bee really matter?
- BONUS – A Dead Queen and New Chickens(Original Air Date: May 1st, 2020) The trial-and-error part of the learning curve continues as Ken and Max attempt their first round of re-queening on a hive that originally contained
- Bonus – The Biggest Queen You Have Ever Seen
(Original Air Date: April 23rd, 2020) While we continue our Quarantines with horrible audio quality, Ken has been working on more trap-outs from old oak trees that are going toContinue readingBonus – The Biggest Queen You Have Ever Seen
- 136 – NBC pt 9 – Natural Selection with Les Crowder
For our 9th installment of the Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie is again joined by Les Crowder as the pair discuss ideas based on an article from 2020 titled “Natural Selection,Continue reading136 – NBC pt 9 – Natural Selection with Les Crowder
- Bonus – Misadventures in Beekeeping(Original Air Date: April 9th, 2020) Ken and Max had a heck of a week trying to work their bees. So much so that Max has flipped from keeping the
- Bonus – Trapping it OutThe social distancing and lock-down of Austin continues, so the guys carry on with their telecommute remote broadcast… In this episode they discuss some of the various projects that Ken
- 133 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt8 – Intensity ThresholdsIn this latest edition of the Natural Beekeeping Corner, Les Crowder joins Nathalie for a chat about Hive Intensity Thresholds verses available forage in a region. The pair also discuss
Continue reading133 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt8 – Intensity Thresholds
- Bonus – Smokin the Good StuffJohn and Ken talk about some of the current events and John gives a high level walkthrough of a bee removal from a shed floor, and if you toss in
- Bonus – Pure Mated BloodlineIn random string of thought fashion, this episode covers Ken’s discover of Tom Seeley and his books; his incoming packages of bees; to treat or not to treat your hives;
- Bonus – More with Mary Reed and Beedazzled QueensWe continue our conversation with Mary Reed, Chief Apiary Inspector for the state of Texas where we join the gang amid a fit of laughter. All bets are off pretty
Continue readingBonus – More with Mary Reed and Beedazzled Queens
- Bonus – The 85 HP V4 Swarm Trap
What happens when you take the motor cowling from an 85 horsepower V4 Johnson outboard boat motor and turn it into a swarm trap? Well, we don’t actually know. However, - 128 – Natural Beekeeping pt 7 – Social ImmunityBees employ various strategies in order to fend off pest and diseases. Join Nathalie as she discusses how bees do this naturally at both the colony and individual level and
Continue reading128 – Natural Beekeeping pt 7 – Social Immunity
- Bonus – A Plus Bee Negative
Grab yourself a slice of strawberry cake and pull up a chair while Ken and John ramble on. Did you know that a bad combo of bee genetics can be - Bonus – From the Shores of Lake Buchanan
Join John and Ken in cabin 13 just off the shore of lake Buchanan as they discuss Ken’s absence from the last main episode, his surgery, and him missing out - Bonus – Get the Alfalfa Outta Here
Who knew that clover and alfalfa could cause such a fuss? Well, John is happy to tell us all about it while he vents about a recent encounter he had - Bonus – Moon Bees
(Original Air Date: Feb 6th, 2020) This episode has it all… no till gardening, potato tipping which is not to be confused with cow tipping, planting by the phase of - Bonus – Bees on Tinder
(Original Air Date: Jan 30th, 2020) In a fully hyped-up caffeinated sugar high type of morning, the guys are in rare form. They run through a series of seemingly unrelated - 122 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt6 – Thoughts on Unintended Consequences
In this 6th segment of our Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie talks about some of the key factors that are often attributed to honey bee colony decline… namely Varroa Mites andContinue reading122 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt6 – Thoughts on Unintended Consequences
- Bonus – Alien Bees
(Original Air Date: Jan 22nd, 2020) The guys are suffering from delirium after the never-ending listener question episode, and todays topic seems to reflect just that. Yep, Alien Bees! Don’t - Bonus – Stop Buying Almond Milk
(Original Air Date Jan 15th, 2020) Welcome to your first new Bonus episode for all you Hive Jive Junkies out there. Ken and John figured they should just start off with - 119 – End of an Era
It is time to say goodbye to yesterday… Season three of the podcast comes to a close and as the guys wrap up this little beginner beekeeping adventure that has - 118 – Crystallized with Tara Chapman
Today John is joined once again by Miss Tara Chapman from Two Hives Honey. Tara teaches us about honey crystallization, what it means, and the four main factors that contribute - 117 – Harvest Woes
This year’s honey harvest has come and gone, and it is leaving a few tears in its wake. John discusses how the main apiary did this year, or rather, how - 116 – The Slithering
This episode coils up and strikes at the heart of a slippery subject… Snakes in the bee yard. There are all kinds of different critters out there that we often - 115 – Natural Beekeeping LIVE Q&A
Recently the gang got together to host a LIVE Natural Beekeeping question and answer session. Nathalie and John answer questions ranging from keeping survivor stock, to doing brood breaks, and - 114 – Sparse Decisions
In this episode the guys discuss some of the challenges this season has presented with some areas having a sparse nectar flow and the decisions that beekeepers might be faced - 113 – Listener Questions pt 14
In this round of listener questions we hear from Mike B., Jared M., Ben I., and Connor S. Topics include how to not go broke doing removals, bees not drawing - 112 – Speculative CorrectionsThe guys have some corrections they need to make regarding speculations that were made in last week’s episodes. It turns out not all of the pertinent information was provided regarding
- 111 – Backfilling
In this very extended episode, the guys go back and cover a few items that they had meant to include in previous episodes but kept forgetting. Ken is up to - 110 – Buying Used Equipment
Today the guys are prompted by Jacob to discuss some important questions you should ask if you are considering buying used equipment. Ken has a question about swarm traps and - 109 – Ken’s ConundrumsJohn and Ken talk about potentially relocating some of Ken’s swarms out to his remote property and implementing some selective breeding and re-queening. John tells the story of a recent
- 108 – The Sting of Being NegligentA lot of drama has happened in the social media version of the beekeeping world while John was lost on a plane, so he gives us an update on the
- 107 – Natural Beekeeping pt 4 – The Peoples Hive
In this fourth installment of the Natural Beekeeping Corner Nathalie takes us on a tour of “The Peoples Hives.” What is this you ask? Well, tune in now to findContinue reading107 – Natural Beekeeping pt 4 – The Peoples Hive
- 106 – Queen ConundrumsIn this episode John elaborates on a recent listener question about queen math. This leads into some discussion about queen rearing and a few tips and trip on using the
- 105 – The Perils of ShippingThe guys discuss a recent news article about “Millions of Bees” dying after “being left in a UPS truck for weeks.” Like many beekeepers our there, John and Ken have
- 104 – World Bee Day Origins
World Bee Day is coming on May 20th. Join the gang as they speak with Jonna Sanders to learn more about the history of World Bee Day and Slovenian beekeeping. - 103 – Extra Comb and Hoarding
In this episode, John discusses the concept of excess drawn wax comb creating a hoarding desire in the bees. This is where generating extra drawn frames during your first two - 102 – Natural Beekeeping Corner pt 3
In our third installment of the Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie walks us through the differences between commercial beekeeping practices vs the urban backyard beekeeper. She also covers the benefits of - 101 – Telling the Bees
In this special edition of The Hive Jive, John takes us through the history of “Telling the Bees.” For centuries, cultures the world round have had their version of telling - 100 – Elusive Queens
Ever been in the situation where you desperately need to find a queen in order to do a split or because you are trying to re-queen a colony and you - 099 – Propolis with Tara Chapman
This week the guys are joined by Tara Chapman of Two Hives Honey to discuss the uses of propolis. Most beekeepers have a love-hate relationship with this dark sticky substance - 098 – Nucs as Resource HivesSometimes you might find yourself in a situation where you might need to do a split, but you don’t really want to increase your total number of full-sized colonies. Or,
- 097 – Missing in ActionIt is the first episode of April and Ken seems to be missing in action. Could it be a delayed April Fool’s day joke? John does a quick recap of
- 096 – The Protein of it All
Spring is finally starting to show its beautiful face, despite the calendar stating it should have started a few weeks ago now. The flowers are finally starting to bloom, albeit - 095 – Long Distance Beekeeping
Ken is making plans to finally move some of his Langstroth colonies to his property located several counties away from his home apiary. But, since beekeeping is typically a weekly - 094 – Hives for Heroes 2021
Today the guys are joined again by Steve Jimenez with Hives for Heroes to discuss all of the amazing progress the organization has made over the last year. Hives for - 093 – The Game of Drones
This might surprise you, but the answer to all of your questions is Drones. Yep! You might not have even know that you were asking a question, but the answer - 092 – Spring Mechinations
Spring is approaching for some sooner rather than others, and the guys are scheming and plotting what their first moves should be coming out of this winter. However, what are
Adventures in Beekeeping
