Ag State of Mind with Jason Medows: Recent Episodes
Ag State of Mind with Jason Medows
Focusing on combating the mental health crisis in agriculture, join Jason Medows every other week as he delves into the topics that are hard to talk about.
It's been a busy season for my family and I. I'm taking care of lots of cattle in addition to my full time job. I've not had a lot of time for anything extra this past week as Keri has been out of town and I've had lots of broken down vehicles. I think you can understand that it's been a little bit stressful for me and I've had to completely pause all the extra things in my life I've abstained from social media. I didn't release a podcast this week. I haven't really listened to anything besides church talks and my favorite music to help me turn down the dial on my stress. Whenever we find ourselves in these busy and stressful seasons, it's important to find techniques that help us dial down the stress. I found something that's a little silly and counterintuitive but it absolutely works! What is it? It's simple... I just smile! Whenever I find myself in a negative self talk pattern, I smile.,Every time I smile, It is a reminder that things will turn out ok. It reminds me that I have plenty to be grateful for and that I am beyond blessed.,Now I'm not sure if you're willing to look like a dufus and smile every time an intrusive thought or point of stress pops into your brain. Regardless, I believe everyone should find these turn down techniques to help them get through even their roughest times. I suggest you find that for yourself.
JIll Carr and I have been connected through social media for some time now. Recently, Jill has taken on a new business as a podcast manager/consultant, helping other entrepreneurs leverage themselves with podcasts. Jill and I talk about the challenges of podcasting and how we like to go about the ins and outs of podcasting. We then talk about some of our favorite resources. Jon Acuff's name comes up again as she recommended the book "Soundtracks." I love the work that Jill is doing. To find her work go to https://jillcarr.co/
There is so much talk about work/life balance in todays world. In fact, I gave a talk on this exact concept this past weekend at a Missouri Farm Bureau conference. Balance is something that always seems to be a moving target and it’s a hard, even impossible thing to achieve. Shane Kinne has come up with a different term for this concept to help change the way we look at it. Shane runs a consultant and coaching business with his wife Whitney where there main focus is this concept called alignment. Alignment is a new way to frame the concept of balance where all that we do, whether that be farming, parenting, town job, hobbies, etc is all in alignment with each other. It’s a value based system where you are looking at principles and how your actions reflect your principles. This was a great conversation with Shane and I’m so excited for you to hear it. Make sure you tune in to hear some of Shane’s favorite personal development resources. I’m so glad we got to finally have this podcast as technology was definitely not working in our favor. The joys of podcasting with rural internet.
What does it take to get 4 ag podcasters together to record a podcast together? A lot of prep and planning and months of advance notice apparently. Jared Luhman, Bryan Alexander, and Clay Conry are hosts of the Herd Quitter, Ranching Reboot, and Working Cows podcasts, respectively. We had the idea of the 4 of us getting together and recording a podcast. It took several months for us to make it work but man am I glad we did. We started off chatting about our regenerative ag journeys. About how context matters so much in any operation. We then chat a bit about what podcasting looks like for us and the benefits and enjoyment and education we have obtained from podcasting. We also chat a bit about the state of the American food system and where we see it going. What a great episode. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. We hope to have another episode together, this time all of us being in the same location, sometime soon.
Welcome to another episode of the Ranching Side Hustle podcast. For those of you who are new to the podcast, RSH is a subseries within ASOM where my buddy Tyler Keckley and I talk about the challlenges and day in day outs of running side hustle ranching businesses. Tyler and I both have town jobs (banker and pharmacist respectively) as well as our beef enterprises. Today, we chat about what has been going on with our ranch enterprises. We talk about what the next year may hold and a few of our new endeavors since we last talked. We chat about how we are doing a few things differently and how we are hoping they pan out for us in the next couple of months. We then shift gears completely and begin to talk about our half marathon trainings. We both have 13.1 we are scheduled to run in April. Talking about the grind that those sort of trainings can be and the challenges we have to fit it all in. Sign up for my newsletter and get a free PDF of my morning routine at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmindmorningroutine
We are about 1 month into the new year. Lots of us are being put to the test on our New Year's Resolutions. Maybe some of you have committed to learning a new skill. Last week, I read an article in Horse & Rider magazine titled "Be A Good Beginner." It it, it listed 5 attributes of what it takes to be a good beginner. 1)Be a Learner 2) Ask For Help 3) Be Goal Oriented 4) Be Willing to Work 5) Know When to have fun. Using this as a framework can be very helpful in doing all the things it takes to be successful at learning a new skill. We are never too old to learn something new. We just have to be patient and humble. Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmindmorningroutine
A very exciting episode today friends. I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with fellow podcaster Emily Reuschel. Emily is a full-time entrepreneur, passionately serving rural women through life coaching, speaking, masterminds, retreats, digital content, and my Podcast: Gather in Growth. We chat today about her journey from non ag girl to a woman fully immersed in the world of agriculture. We then talk about our personal development journeys and what directions they have taken us. We chat about how doing things in a different and niche way can be a special kind of challenge when running rural businesses. We finish up by talking about Emily's favorite personal development resources. Books listed are The Road Back to You, Atomic Habits by James Clear, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done and Quitter by Jon Acuff. Find Emily online at https://emilyreuschel.com/
It's the new year so that means it's time for goals and resolutions. I know that so many people are talking about this right now and even more have their own opinions on it. Personally, I like New Year's Resolutions and love to try and keep myself accountable to a goal. I talk today about SMART goals and how to utilize them in achieving your goals. I also talk about a concept called Habit Stacking I learned from reading James Clear's Atomic Habits. I start off the podcast by talking about all the great guests we have lined up for the new year. Thanks for all of your support for the Ag State of Mind Podcast!
Happy New Year!! Today Keri and I record another podcast together talking about balance. There are a lot of self help gurus who tell you that there is no way to achieve balance. That balance is something that is a myth and if you are balancing then something isn't getting the proper attention. We push back on that notion a little because we can balance the most important things to us. We just have to be very intentional and mindful of what we are trying to do. We talk about that today and talk about how we get all the things we do done. About how having a core value list helps us make decisions on what we spend our time and money on. We close out the podcast talking about what 2023 has in store for Keri and our yoga business. Apologies for the poor audio quality on this episode. I recorded on the wrong mic and it shows. If anything, it shows me how important the investment of a good microphone is to a podcasting business! Find Keri on Instagram @kerimedows
Several years ago we had a guy that my dad was dealing with to ride some horses in exchange to buy some colts. My dad was trying to make a deal with him when the guy said that he wasn't sure he wanted to be taking on that kind of work because he was getting ready to turn 40. My dad instantly replied to him, "What I wouldn't give to be 40 years old again." This has stuck with me. Now that I'm nearing age 40, I see dad was right. I know that 40 is not old and that people so often use age as an excuse to abstain from things that scare them. I talk a bit about that here today. Go to www.patreon.com/agstateofmind to support us!
I remember when I was buying my first car, my dad offered the advice of "the excitement won't outlast the payments." I've carried that advice into my 15 or so years of true adulthood when making financial decisions that affect myself and my family in the long term. It has helped me be much more intentional with how and why I spend my money. Check us out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/agstateofmind
A little while back, I was listening to the John C Maxwell Podcast. On there, he had a 4 part series talking about lessons learned from his dad. I thought that was so cool. So now, I have decided to do the same. My dad is on the sunset years of his life and I wanted to put this out there. Today, I want to talk about how my dad and mom have had a successful marriage of almost 66 years. How a coffee shop conversation with my dad had one of the most profound effects on how I viewed what a successful marriage looks like.
City Slickers was a big movie for me growing up. My dad loved it, my brothers loved, I loved it. We quoted it all the time. Just the other day, I saw that it was on Netflix and watched it again. That movie hits just a little bit different when you're a dad with kids than before. I talk today about how it hit me and how the parallels with myself and the main character allowed me to reflect on the goings on in my life. Brought to you by mystiklubes.com
In 2018 I met Burke Teichert who is one of my personal heroes in the ranching industry. From that moment forward I began to think differently about ranching. I began to look at it from a more holistic point of view. This has led me to change many things within our business. Today, I talk about the why behind these changes. That why is better overall health for me and my family. We get into the practices that I have changed and how getting more in sync with nature has made for better health. Brought to you by Mystik Lubricants. For a look at their full range of top-quality products, visit mystiklubes.com
I used to get super annoyed when podcasts would re release old episodes. That was before I was a podcaster. I know realize there is value in circling back to revisit old episodes. Dr Temple Grandin has one of the most special and brightest minds that has lent itself to the ranching industry. Through her groundbreaking work and research, she has revolutionized cattle handling. In a talk with a friend, I realize that this recording would be valuable to revisit due to the fact of our in depth discussion into the food supply chain. Enjoy this week's Thanksgiving episode with the great Dr. Temple Grandin. Brought to you by Mystik Lubricants. For a look at their full range of top-quality products, visit mystiklubes.com
Hello friends. I'm back again with another solo episode. In this week's episode I'm going to let you know what the podcast is going to look like going forward for a little while. I had a very clear impression that something needed to change with the podcast. I have been experiencing some severe stress in regards to scheduling podcast interviews. In an effort to keep the podcast going but still be mindful of my own mental health, you're going to see a bit of a change. Take a listen to the episode to see what these changes are going to look like. Brought to you by Mystik Lubricants. For a look at their full range of top-quality products, visit mystiklubes.com
Solo episode this week talking about some of my on the farm trials and how having patience and faith through these trials has helped me gain some appreciation and gratitude. This week's episode is brought to you by BASF
Natalie Kovarik and Tara Vander Dussen are two remarkable ladies. They have done so much to advance the true side of agriculture online in a time where there is so much misinformation spread about ag. They reached out to me to have a conversation about what they have learned and how they came together to start a course called Elevate Ag to help individuals navigate the difficult landscape of social media to tell their story of agriculture. Go to https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/ to sign up for this course
Another return podcast guest this week. We had the fortune of hearing from Whitney Kinne first on episode 72 of the podcast. Today, Whitney returns and we discuss how to incorporate her framework of R.E.S.T. into our daily lives. We talk a lot about burnout and how we can try and get proactive to avoid it. Giving ourselves a little bit of margin so we can back up when we do get overwhelmed. Check out Whitney at https://www.whitneykinne.com/
Macey Hurst has been a friend of mine for quite sometime now. She was guest way back on Episode 25 of the podcast. So much has changed for Macey since then. Her and I have actually had many chances to work together in her time with Missouri Cattlemen's Association. We chat today with Macey about how her mental health journey has evolved since we last chatted. We talk about her life transitions and how an unexpected source gave her the encouragement to take the next step on the road to better mental health. Find Macey on Instagram
Ganel-Lyn Condie is one of my favorite people on Earth. She is one of the hosts of the weekly podcast "Come Follow Me Real Talk." She is also a speaker, author, mental health advocate, and faith warrior. We chat today about how faith impacts our mental health. We also get into her 'why' around being an advocate for mental health and addiction. I'm going to be up front and honest, today's podcast was for me gang. I love Ganel-Lyn and all that she does. She is a huge influence on the way I advocate and speak about mental health. Find out more about Ganel-Lyn at https://ganellyn.com/. “This episode is brought to you by Farmingtheweb.ca Create your first listing today and receive a $15 Tim Hortons Gift Card!”
John Sachse and I connected over the summer at a Kansas Beef Council Event. John had invited me to speak at a Stockmanship event in Leavenworth, Kansas and at the event we got to visit and know one another a bit. Since then, John has moved on from Kansas Beef Council and has returned close to home to his family's seedstock operation in Eastern Kansas. Today, we talk all about how mindset matters in our daily lives. How having proper mindset can help us on our mental health journeys. John has also started his own coaching business. To reach out to John, go to jsachsecoaching@outlook.com
This episode brought to you by Performance Livestock Analytics. Shannon Ferrell is currently an Associate Professor in the Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics, where he specializes in Agricultural Law. He grew up on a cattle and wheat operation in Western Oklahoma, and obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Agricultural Economics from OSU before obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Shannon reached out to me after I put out a tweet about talking about our faith journeys and how it applies to mental health. I appreciate Shannon so much and was so happy when he reached out! Reach out to Shannon at shannon.l.ferrell@okstate.edu
This episode brought to you by Performance Livestock Analytics. Shannon Ferrell is currently an Associate Professor in the Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics, where he specializes in Agricultural Law. He grew up on a cattle and wheat operation in Western Oklahoma, and obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Agricultural Economics from OSU before obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Shannon reached out to me after I put out a tweet about talking about our faith journeys and how it applies to mental health. I appreciate Shannon so much and was so happy when he reached out! Reach out to Shannon at shannon.l.ferrell@okstate.edu
We talk all the time about being there for those closest to us. I have a story this week about a friend of mine who did exactly that. Listen to me describe an interaction I had with one of my oldest and closest friends in the world about the goings on in my life. How this friend recognized a potential issue with me and addressed it. I'm so proud of this friend and proud to have them as a friend. I encourage you all to share this episode with those closest to you about how to reach out to those who you care about. Sign up for my email list at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind
We talk all the time about being there for those closest to us. I have a story this week about a friend of mine who did exactly that. Listen to me describe an interaction I had with one of my oldest and closest friends in the world about the goings on in my life. How this friend recognized a potential issue with me and addressed it. I'm so proud of this friend and proud to have them as a friend. I encourage you all to share this episode with those closest to you about how to reach out to those who you care about. Sign up for my email list at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind
Today I go solo to talk about our two brains. I talk about reading a book by Mark Manson where he discusses our two brains... our Thinking Brain and our Feeling Brain. How all of life's decisions are a constant negotiation between these two parts of our brain. Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind Check out the link to this book in my latest newsletter https://preview.mailerlite.com/b3f2e4y6b7
Today I go solo to talk about our two brains. I talk about reading a book by Mark Manson where he discusses our two brains... our Thinking Brain and our Feeling Brain. How all of life's decisions are a constant negotiation between these two parts of our brain. Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind Check out the link to this book in my latest newsletter https://preview.mailerlite.com/b3f2e4y6b7
We are back with another Ranching Side Hustle episode. Today, Tyler and I chat about the cattle market and how we feel that today's trends are mirroring those of the 2014 cattle market boom. We chat about our possible strategies for how to mitigate this market. Most importantly, we talk about how these cattle operations are just a part of who we are, not our complete identity. Today's podcast brought to you by Douglas Plant Health. Visit DPHBIO.com to reclaim soil fertility.
We are back with another Ranching Side Hustle episode. Today, Tyler and I chat about the cattle market and how we feel that today's trends are mirroring those of the 2014 cattle market boom. We chat about our possible strategies for how to mitigate this market. Most importantly, we talk about how these cattle operations are just a part of who we are, not our complete identity. Today's podcast brought to you by Douglas Plant Health. Visit DPHBIO.com to reclaim soil fertility.
Amber Jones is founder of GraceStory Ministries. She is a peer psychoeducator and considers herself blessed to be an advocate for families and individuals who are in need of hope. Amber authors GraceStory’s Instagram blog, My_Grace_Story, where she draws from her own story of childhood trauma and her journey to wholeness in order to inspire others to take their own first, intentional steps towards healing. Amber's other favorite job titles include homeschooling momma to four precious kiddos, wife to her high school sweetheart, and beef rancher at their family-owned Devon Valley Farms. Amber and I talk this week about how faith and mental health go hand in hand. Find more about Amber and GraceStory at https://www.gracestoryministries.com/
Today I discuss how some perceived weaknesses of mine are actually strengths. How I have changed my mindset around a lot of my own personality traits. Today's episode is Brought to you by Mystik Lubricants. For a look at their full range of top-quality products, visit mystiklubes.com.
In an effort to be fully transparent on this podcast, I'm going to share with you all a little about my personal struggle with anxious attachment. It is something that I have struggled with my entire life, but didn't really understand until the last 2 weeks. In today's episode, I'm going to talk a bit about that and how a weekend trip to the lake with Keri helped me to exercise a bit of newfound autonomy. To schedule a call with me go to https://agstateofmind.com/contact-2/
Nik and Karen Fitch have an incredible story. In November 2019, Karen woke up paralyzed from the neck down. While facing their own challenges and battle, Nik and Karen launced Cuddle Cow Company. They sell blankets inspired by their love of the farm and their cattle. Part of the proceeds from their company go directly to fund Spinal Cord Research.
Alexis Johnson from Farm Tee Company joins me to day to talk about her business and how she started her mission to make high quality apparel that farmers and ranchers could wear and show their pride for where they live. We talk about the pride in loving where you farm as well as the challenges that come with building a brand. Find Alexis at https://farmteeco.com/
Guess who's back! It's me. Sorry for the long abscence in recording. I made myself a promise when I started the podcast that it would not interfere with the other things in my life. These past two weeks I've had to put my money where my mouth was. The fair and family vacation was more important than podcasting. We returned from vacation yesterday and I was back to normal today. It made me reflect on how important vacations are for the sustainability of our operation. That without breaks, we begin to spin ourselves in circles. That we are running a poor business if we cannot set it down for a bit.
Over the past week, I've become really intentional about leaving time and space for quiet and still. I feel like I have become where I always need some sort of stimulation. Keri helped me see that leaving space and quiet time in my day is essential to being my best self. I share a bit about that here today.
Happy Independence Day. This weekend I had the fortune to set down with Debby DeSpain and chat about mindfulness. We talked about how she came across my article in Progressive Cattleman by accident, but decided she needed to reach out anyway. We chat about how busy and crazy the lives of folks in agriculture can be and how implementing a bit of mindfulness into daily practice can help us be our better selves. To reach out to Debbie... email her at debdespain@yahoo.com
Sorry for getting this out a day late. We had an emergency at our house yesterday that resulted in Carter breaking his collar bone. Let's just say the podcast sort of slipped my mind. Today, I'm giving an update on the podcast and some speaking events I have had the opportunity to be involved in. Then I chat a bit about the craze that is social media in the wake of the Roe v. Wade reversal. Although we may disagree with one another, we may still be civil. Lastly, I speak about a new # on Instagram, #AgLetsTalk that allows for folks to share their mental health journey
I've long said that the thing I'm most honored and humbled by as a podcast host is when someone reaches out to me to be on the podcast. This is yet another conversation that started out that way. Camden Calloway is a sophomore at Purdue who is majoring in Agronomy. We sat down today to chat about some of the work he has been doing to advocate for mental health for the next generation of ag professionals. To get in contact with Camden, go to CamdenCalloway460@gmail.com or call him at 765-432-5063
Jake Renner and I have been connected for sometime now via social media and actually had the good fortune to meet in person at CattleCon in San Antonio 2020. Since the early days of the podcast, I have wanted to have Jake on the podcast to discuss his experience in the ag industry and how it has affected him. Jake is currently Member and Youth Activities Coordinator for the American Gelbvieh association. Jake also happens to be an openly gay man. We talk about his experiences as a gay man in agriculture and having to overcome all that can come with that. We also talk about how important it is that we focus on the things we agree on instead of what we disagree on. I consider Jake a friend and am proud and honored to have him on the podcast. Find Jake on Facebook here
"If you want to determine the nature of anything, entrust it to time: when the sea is stormy, you can see nothing clearly." If studying Stoicism has taught me anything it has taught me that it is for the best to take emotions out of decisionsI’m deeply saddened by the events that have unfolded in Uvalde this week. I think it’s important for all us to take the time to let the emotions process from this tragedy. Being a father, I empathize with the families of these children and the loss they have endured.We see so many talking about this event and now is the time for action. Now is the time to put in reforms to make sure the next school shooting does not happen.
Amelia Cottle is an educator and advocate for patients and caregivers battling Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases. We talk today about her work with this and how dementia affects so many people. We talk about the risk factors for dementia and how to possibly mitigate those. This is a very special episode for me as I have had real life experience being a family member of someone with dementia. To reach out to Ameila email her at ameliacottle@gmail.com
eff Siewicki (pronounced suh-wick-E) is a farmer and coach. Jeff started Vital Mission Farm in 2017 to grow food that is healthy for people, animals, land and environment. His mission was to innovate and develop new agricultural techniques that act as a solution to climate change while supporting farmer stability. Through a lot of hard work, trial and error, he figured out the key elements to being successful financially, mentally, and environmentally while farming on small acreage. In addition, to raising pastured poultry and perennial crops, Jeff teaches other farmers how to start and scale up a successful regenerative farm so they too can become profitable doing what they love. He is passionate about regenerative agriculture and believes that small regenerative farms are the key to improving human health, farmer success, and environmental sustainabilyFind Jeff Online at https://regenerativesuccess.com/
Today's podcast is a theme that I have been kicking around for awhile. I'm very concerned about the climate in today's world. I wanted to voice my opinions across my many platforms of how we need to pay attention in society to the things that truly matter. Go sign up for my newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind
There's honestly not much I can say that can adequately describe Brooke Taylor and her story. It's a story of grit, determination, and love. Brooke is currently battling cancer AND raising a family. Her story is too inspirational for me to describe so i'm going to just let the podcast speak for itself. Find Brooke online at www.RuralGoneUrban.com
Today is a solo episode where I’m sharing with you my incredibly stressful day this past Saturday. In an effort to be completely transparent and vulnerable on this podcast, I want to give you a little snapshot of what a stressful day is like for me. I don’t do this for you to feel sorry for me or to pity me. Instead, I want to help others know that it’s ok to have those rough days. However, it is very important to bounce back from them and not let them keep you down. I referenced a quote that my friend Clay Conry mentioned on one of his recent podcasts. His wife, Miranda, likes to say “It’s ok, we have all day!” I kept repeating that mantra all day on Saturday to keep me pushing through all the turmoil that was thrown my way. And guess what, it took all day… which was fine because “I had all day!” Show notes at https://agstateofmind.com/?p=2269
Today is a very powerful episode of Ag State of Mind. We talk to Maddie Caldwell who is a farm girl from Elmwood, Illinois. We chat with Maddie today about her battle with her mental health. In 2019, Maddie made an attempt on her life. She recovered from that, only to make another attempt in 2020. Thankfully, Maddie was resilient through her moments of mental weakness and survived both incidents. She realized that she had a story to tell to help others like herself who seem to have idyllic lives but still suffer in silence. Maddie's story resonated with me so much because I too feel like I have an idyllic life but still struggle mightily at times with anxiety. It's stories like Maddie's that inspire me to be open about my own mental health journey. Like Maddie says, it is in NO WAY for personal gain. It's to help others who are silent and seemingly alone in their struggles feel heard and seen. To reach out to Maddie, her phone number (with her permission of course) is 309-253-7142. Today's episode is brought to you by Magnetic Aghttps://magnetic-ag.com/
Today is a solo episode to give my editor, my 17 year old son Levi, an Easter break from work. Several years ago, I was introduced to a book by Dr Robert Glover called No More Mr Nice Guy. That book changed my life. It helped me to be more assertive in my relationships. Recently, I have found myself applying the principles within that book to my presence online. I no longer want to hold back the truth for the sake of being liked. "In order to think, you have to risk being offensive." - Dr. Jordan Peterson Today's episode is brought to you by Kubota. Visit them at www.kubotausa.com
Jaden Maze is a high school student from Indiana. She is doing so many remarkable things in regards to mental health in agriculture. Jaden and I were connected by our mutual friend Michele Payn and I am so thankful for the connection. As you can tell from this interivew, Jaden is ahead of the curve in talking about mental health in ag. She has a very bright future and I can't wait to see what it has in store for her. Reach out to Jaden at Jaden.Maze@weboschools.org .Todays episode brought to you by AgXplore.com
Welcome to April 2022's installment of the Ranching Side Hustle Podcast. Today, Tyler and I welcome friend Bobby Lee Hanks. Bobby Lee, like Tyler and I, has a "town job" by day. He is a small animal veterinarian in a community 45 minutes outside of Memphis, Tennessee. But when he isn't tending to people's pets, he runs Hurricane Creek Farms. HCF is a grazing operation incorporating Cow/calf, stocker, and finished cattle operations. We talk to Bobby Lee about the challenges of running a ranching side-hustle in a place where cattle are not prevalent... a challenge I myself have never experienced living in the Ozarks. We also talk about the integral part our families, namely our wives, play in our operations. Find Bobby Lee on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCneJWSzqwrwBxF4x-jyuqmw?app=desktop.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind
Today we talk to Ashley Messing-Kennedy who is dairy farmer with her family in Bad Axe, Michigan. We talk today about her journey with her mental health, namely ADHD. We talk about breaking the stigma associated with medications. We also talk about the importance of starting the mental health conversation with our children and in their schools. Find Ashley online at https://www.instagram.com/messykennedy/Sign up for our newsletter at www.agstateofmind.com
Today’s podcast is brought to you by Douglas Plant Health. To unharness your soil’s fertility and to maximize yield, consider Douglas Plant Health. Visit DPHBio.com . Today's episode features the return of our friend Michele Payn. Michele was our guest way back on Episode 6 . Today, we talk about Michele's project of Agriculture's Growth Calendar, a resource that is an easy way to give ag connected folks weekly tips on being their best selves. Check out Michele online at https://causematters.com/. To sign up for the Ag State of Mind email list, go to https://www.subscribepage.com/agstateofmind
Alright I know that the title of this podcast seems all over the place. Tyler and I actually had zero agenda going into this episode. We just started talking about our operations and how we schedule our feeding and grazing. It then it went into our mineral programs and how those have evolved. We finish the podcast by chatting about how important it is to have a spouse who is supportive of our ranching side hustles. How they do so many things for us so we can explore our passion. One of the biggest keys to a successful ranching side hustle is to first have a successful marriage. Sign up for my email list here
This episode is all over the place. We just returned from vacation and I realized we didn't have a podcast ready to go. So I sat down on Monday morning and recorded my thoughts post vacation. I talk a little bit about our time in Florida, how gratitude is a super power, and how applying the tenets of stoicism can help us calm our minds and not worry about things out of our control. We will be back next week with a regular episode. I hope you enjoy this peak into our lives this week.
I talk often about how my wife Keri is such an integral part of our podcast team. She helps so much behind the scenes with allowing me the space to operate this podcast. In October at FFA National Convention, she continued to help make this podcast what it is. She had a good conversation with today's guest Abby Heidenreich. Abby is an extension agent with Purdue University and she was at FFA with a booth for Purdue's Farm Stress project. Keri got her info and passed it along to me and a few months later we sat down and had a podcast conversation about what her and the entire team at Purdue are doing... and let me tell you I was SO impressed. Purdue is truly on the cutting edge of helping producers mitigate farm stress. To check out a little bit of what they are doing, go to https://extension.purdue.edu/farmstress/category/mental-health/
Today we finish up our conversation with Elaine Froese. I'm so thankful for Elaine's abilities as a speaker AND as a listener. She acted as my coach for most of this episode, guiding my thoughts and attitudes. Folks can get free gifts at https://elainefroese.com/farm-family-coach/ . Mental Health First aid is at www.mhfa.ca . The link for LARA Webinar on March 15 is https://laraonline.ca/event/finding-fairness-in-farm-transitions/ . The link for Farming’s In Law Factor on March 26 is https://www.iowafarmerswife.com/events . Folks can book time for a discovery call after they go to my contact page. https://elainefroese.com/contact/
Elaine Froese is a farmer and a farmer coach who specializes in farm family relationships… namely in how that translates in transitioning farms between generations. Elaine carried this episode as so much of it was so close to my heart that it left me a bit emotional. Very excited for this episode and I think you’ll agree it’s worth the wait. Here are some links provided to us by Elaine. Folks can get free gifts at https://elainefroese.com/farm-family-coach/ . Mental Health First aid is at www.mhfa.ca . The link for LARA Webinar on March 15 is https://laraonline.ca/event/finding-fairness-in-farm-transitions/ . The link for Farming’s In Law Factor on March 26 is https://www.iowafarmerswife.com/events . Folks can book time for a discovery call after they go to my contact page. https://elainefroese.com/contact/
Happy February. Welcome to the second installment of the Ranching Side Hustle Podcast. Today, Tyler and I welcome back our good friend Alli Fender of the Flying F Ranch in San Diego County, California. We talk to Alli today about the origins of her brand and how her and husband Bryce have evolved their business. Alli is a good friend and a long time supporter of the podcast and we are so thankful she joined us today to share her story!
Happy February. Welcome to the second installment of the Ranching Side Hustle Podcast. Today, Tyler and I welcome back our good friend Alli Fender of the Flying F Ranch in San Diego County, California. We talk to Alli today about the origins of her brand and how her and husband Bryce have evolved their business. Alli is a good friend and a long time supporter of the podcast and we are so thankful she joined us today to share her story!
A few months ago at the AFA Leaders conference, I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful future ag leaders. One of those individuals was Emma Seamons. Emma is a student at the University of Idaho and is doing some absolutely wonderful work online advocating for agriculture. We talk today about her journey and about her why for what she is doing. I am very excited for what the future has in store for Emma. Find her online at http://www.agwithemma.com/. Check her out all across social media. Just search "Ag With Emma"
Like many of you, I often have some sort of Internet radio going in the background while I work. I often listen to all kinds but my favorite genres are Texas Country music and Classic Rock. Well one day as I was working, a song crossed over that I didn't recognize, but found an instant connection with. I stopped what I was doing to research a bit and found that name was Brenn Hill. That was a few years ago and I have been a fan ever since. Brenn is from Utah and is passionate about the Western way of life and about agriculture. We chat today about his "why" behind his music... and I get to ask him some of the inspiration behind some of my favorite songs of his. This is an incredible episode for me to record and I hope you all enjoy it as well. You can find Brenn at https://www.brennhill.com/ and wherever you get your music online. As soon as you are done with this episode I encourage you to seek his music out and give it a listen.
This past fall, I was asked to speak at the Agriculture Future of America Leader's conference in Kansas City, MO. I was blown away by the experience and quality of the participants in this conference. In particular, I was very impressed by one particular individual, Grace Hasler. Grace was the leader of the track I was presenting to and she had an incredible energy. I knew I had to have her on the podcast. Today we chat about her experience as a student at Purdue, how COVID has affected that, about AFA, and about her plans for the future. I had a great time chatting with Grace. The future is bright!! Find Grace on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/grace_hasler/. To find out more about AFA go to www.agfuture.org
Shelbie Powell works with the Southwest Ag Center based in Tyler, Texas. We talk today about what is new with the SWAG Center and how they are stepping up their game to talk about farmer mental health. We talk about their plans for a hotline that is coming to help assist farmers in crisis. We also talk a bit about their social media campaign and how it was designed to reach farmers where they are ag. We also chat about the uphill battle that is talking to producers about mental health when they have such an independent spirit. Find SWAG Center online at https://www.uthct.edu/southwest-center-for-agricultural-health-injury-prevention-and-education-2/. Today's podcast brought to you by Xyway brand fungicides by FMC.
Today is the inaugural episode of the Ranching Side Hustle series. We are introducing this concept today with my new cohost, Tyler Keckley. We talk a bit about what we hope to accomplish with this podcast and what Ranching Side Hustle means to us. We then talk a bit about Tyler's operation and how that has evolved for him. We are VERY excited for this series and hope to see it become a podcast all on its own.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I talk today about my December break from podcasting. How I had a hard time taking my own advice of taking a break, but that I now feel refreshed and recharged for 2022. I talk about some upcoming guests and then about a new series within the podcast. My friend Tyler Keckley and I are going to be starting a series within the podcast focusing on Ranching Side Hustle. Tyler and I are both passionate about integrating agriculture entrepreneurship into our lives that include off farm jobs. Really looking forward to adding some diversity to the podcast.
Merry Christmas! Today is actually a rebroadcast of one of my favorite episodes of the podcast. My wife, Keri Medows, and I decided to record a podcast while we were on vacation this past week. This is something that I have been wanting to do for some time now, but it took us traveling 1300 miles away from home to get enough peace and space to make this happen. Today we talk about our growth as a couple, Keri's transition into farm life, and how we juggle all of the responsibilities in our life. Keri is a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. To find more out about Keri and the services she provides, look her up on Instagram @KeriMedows. https://www.instagram.com/kerimedows/
Rupa Mehta is the founder of the non profit NaliniKIDS. She is also the wife of my good friend Sam Goldberg, producer of Silo The Film. We talk today about her approach with NaliniKIDS and how she came to found the non profit. How she focuses on "emotional weight," a term I have grown to identify with strongly. We also talk about her and Sam's move to rural Pennsylvania and how she is seeing striking similarities between urban and rural living. Find NaliniKIDS at https://nalinikids.org/ and also her Word Workouts website at https://wordworkouts.org/. Today's episode is brought to you by DPH Bio https://douglasplanthealth.com/
Today we talk to Martha Trott of DeLaval, a Swedish based company that designs, manufactures and supplies integrated milking solutions with the needs of dairy farmers in mind. Martha is head of HR for the American wing of DeLaval and we talk about the importance of employee wellness during these times. We then talk about DeLaval's new Well Being 360 program they are rolling out this year
A few months ago I sat down with my friend Tracy Brunet of The Impact Farming Show. We talked about my podcast, the Enneagram, and all things mental health in ag. I wanted to share that special conversation with you guys and want you to head on over and check out Tracy on her website https://www.farmmarketer.com/
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I've talked on my social media recently about the lessons I've learned while deer hunting this year. I summarize those here today. Deer hunting is an incredible opportunity to humble yourself. You are able to learn patience and humility. I talk about my experiences with my sons this year and how I feel like they have made me a better dad and human.
Today we change it up a little. A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being a guest on the The Rural Housewives "On The Front Porch" podcast sharing my own journey. Mary and Angela were so gracious to share this episode with me so I could share it with you all as well. It is an incredible opportunity for me to share my perspective and for you all to hear me as a guest on a podcast. Thanks to Mary and Angela for having me on their podcast. Check them out at https://www.theruralhousewives.com/
Reshaping how we view anxiety. Often times, we look at anxiety as something that is bad and needs to be exterminated. However, anxiety is a sign of a healthy reaction to a negative stimuli. We need to examine the root cause of that anxiety and work on that.
Sammi Wangsness has and incredible story of perseverance. We talk today to her about her journey through school while coming to terms with ADHD. She explains how she had to find her own way and a way to work for her to succeed. Sammi and I have connected for years over social media and it was so nice to have had a conversation with her face to face. It was so much fun to record this conversation with her
Sober October continues on the Ag State of Mind Podcast. Today, we go to South Carolina to speak with my friend Daniel Hayes. Daniel and I first connected over our mutual friend Clay Conry's podcast "Working Cows." We speak to Daniel about his incredible journey through sobriety after a quite tumultuous past. We talk about how both his faith in God and his relationship with his wife helped him become the man who he is today. We then shift the conversation to him transitioning over from cattle to hair sheep on his operation and how that is benefiting his land and his way of life. If you want to reach out to Daniel his email is bootstrapfarmsc@gmail.com
Welcome to Sober October Week 2. Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Chris Beaudry. Chris is a farmer from Northern Saskatchewan with a remarkable journey of his path to recovery. I first read of Chris in my friend Allan Kehler’s book “MENtal Health: It’s Time To Talk.” I was then directed by another friend, Lesley Kelly, to speak with Chris about his story of sobriety. My son, and editor, Levi told me that it was one of his favorite episodes. I am very excited to share Chris with you all. I think you will find a lot of relatability in his story
Greetings and welcome to our Sober October. This month, we are going to be focusing on the benefits of abstaining from not only alcohol but many other things in our lives that are not serving us. As many of you know, I have been very candid and open about my sobriety and the effects that it has had on my life. We start off this month by talking to one of my favorite people in the world Nicole Rodriguez. If you are following along, you'll remember that we spoke to Nicole earlier this year. On that episode, we both wanted to chat about the benefits of abstaining from alcohol, but we ran out of time. Well, today we pick up where we left off and have the chat of how abstaining from alcohol for even just a short time can be so beneficial to our lives. I am so thankful for Nicole and her friendship and willingness to have this conversation on this podcast. I also encourage you to follow her on Instagram where she always has outstanding content. https://www.instagram.com/notoriously.nicole.rd/ Find Nicole's website here.
Today is a very special episode of the Ag State of Mind Podcast. Today is the 2 year anniversary of ASOM. This is more of a discussion/webinar/roundtable/meeting of friends than a podcast. Over the last 2 years, the podcast has afforded me the opportunity to connect and befriend lots of amazing people. Today, I get a sit down with 5 of the closest of those friends. Nathan Brown, Henry Roberts, Jeff Ditzenberger, Tyler Keckley, and Quentin Conneally are some of the best guys I know. We sit down and talk about all things mental health in ag as well as what it means to be a father. What an incredible conversation this was and I feel very proud to be a part of this great group of guys.
Emily Krekelberg works for University of Minnesota as an extension educator on farm safety & health. We first connected last May on the "Breaking Ground" webinar on mental health in ag. We talk today about her role with U of M and her journey into her dream role of incorporating mental health into farm safety. I really enjoyed this conversation with Emily and look forward to you guys hearing it as well.
Peggy Meyer is a Mental Health Professional in Rural Nebraska. We talk about the challenges facing farmers and the rural population in general in obtaining proper mental health support. We talk of the challenges of rural life and how having professional services in our small communities are a great way to bridge the gap. We also talk about Peggy's newest venture called Field Pocket... a very innovative grain marketing software. Find all about it at FieldPocket.com
The Opioid Crisis is one of the major plagues in rural America today. Talk to anyone in these communities and you're all but guaranteed that they have in some way been affected by the this epidemic. Thankfully, there are lots of efforts that have been begun to combat this. I wanted to to do my part and bring my perspective to this issue. We talk about what opioids are, why they are used, why they are a problem, and some of the solutions that are being put in place to try and curtail this crisis. Find lots of facts out at https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids
Today we go to Kentucky to talk to Danielle Hayden. Danielle lives on her family's cattle and poultry operation in the Ohio Valley Region of Kentucky. This past year, Danielle had a whirlwind of events come her way. First, she found out she was pregnant. Second, she was diagnosed with Alpha-gal Syndrome... the tick and red meat disease. I thought her story was incredibly applicable to our audience as this is something I am seeing occur quite a bit more frequently. I'm excited to announce that since recording this episode, Danielle and her husband Daniel welcomed their baby boy Laramie Ezra Hayden to the world. Find Danielle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/haydanib/ . Find her family's farm at https://www.haydenfarms.org/
Today we speak to Kacee Bohle, founder of the Corn Belt Cadence. The Corn Belt Cadence is a network for those in the agriculture industry who want to share knowledge, passion, encouragement, and guidance with each other regardless of experience, age, or location. We chat a little bit about online communities, being our own worst critic, and about the Enneagram. I'm super excited for you guys to hear from Kacee.
Addie Yoder is a farm wife, mom, coach, and podcaster fromNorthern Missouri. Her podcast . Grace and Growth with Addie focuses on personal growth and the challenges that can come from it. We connected over a quote which she shared from Brene Brown that focuses on the importance of rest in play in a busy industry like agriculture. Addie is a wealth of knowledge and I am proud to have her as guest on episode 100 of the ag state of mind podcast≥. Find her at https://www.addieyoder.com/
Today we go up the the great state of Minnesota and talk with my friend Kennedy Haney. Kennedy and I have connected over at clubhouse and she is a wealth of information when it comes to all things nutrition. We chat a bit today about her life in transitioning into life living on a fourth generation dairy farm. We then chat a bit about eating disorders and how that can look different for different people. It was such a pleasure to speak with Kennedy! Go check her out https://www.instagram.com/the.dugout.dietitian/
Back for Part 2 of our chat with Michael DeSa of the Vets in Ag Podcast. I want to begin with an apology for the abrupt ending of last week's episode. Breaking one interview into multiple episodes is a new thing for me and editing is a learning curve. I should've ended with some explanation. I appreciate the continued support of this podcast and appreciate the grace given as I continue to learn how to best produce a podcast. We conclude our conversation with Michael by him talking to me about my podcast. How it started and how it has been a form of therapy for me. We then talk about how agriculture is a form of therapy to those who return from service. Please go follow and subscribe to Mike's podcast. Look for him and I to continue to work together on projects. Find Mike and his company at https://agdconsult.com/
Today we kick off August just a little bit different with a 2 part interview with my friend Michael DeSa of the Vets in Ag podcast. In part one we talk about Mike’s beginnings. How he did not grow up in ag and how his interest was piqued while studying at Texas A& M. Then we chat about his military career and how the lessons learned from service are so applicable to agriculture and the lifestyle within. Next week we go a little deeper and it the tables turned a bit to where Mike began impromptu interviewing me. A really cool episode with an incredible guy. Go check out his work and find his podcast at https://agdconsult.com/
Today we change it up just a bit. We are going into the world of equestrian and talking to Sara Yarger. Sara came to me from my good friend Forrest Rackham who had mentioned seeing some of Sara’s work on his alma mater’s LinkedIn. We spoke about her work with Magna Halter and how it has been helpful to those with physical limitations who still want to be involved with horses. We then chat a bit a bout 4-H and it’s impact on each of us and what county fairs mean to us. Find Sara’s work with Magna halter at https://magnahalter.com/
Solo Episode reflecting on this year's county fair. Even though we were disappointed with the results of the show, we are proud that we are able to be true to who we are as a cattle operation.
Solo Episode reflecting on this year's county fair. Even though we were disappointed with the results of the show, we are proud that we are able to be true to who we are as a cattle operation.
Today I speak with Shelbie Powell and Brittney Schrick about the Southwest Ag Center. The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (Southwest Ag Center or SW Ag Center) was created in late 1995 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler to serve Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas as part of a program initiative of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The initiative established a network of centers, funded on a competitive basis, to conduct programs of research, prevention, intervention, education and outreach designed to reduce occupational injuries and diseases among agricultural workers and their families. We talk today about how mental health is being worked in to these initiatives on health and safety. To find more about SWAG Center go to https://www.uthct.edu/southwest-center-for-agricultural-health-injury-prevention-and-education-2/
Karoline Rose is the fouder of KRose Company. KRose Company is a source for cattle buying, production sale marketing, logo and website design, classified listings, and so much more. We chat about the imporance of rural business and how those businesses need to maximize their visibility. We chat about Cattleman U, a program started by Karoline to help connect cattleman from across the country to share ideas. Find Cattleman U at https://cattlemanu.com/
Michelle Bufkin Horton works for Arkansas Cattleman association and also is involved in her husband’s family’s cow calf operation. Michelle and I have been friends for sometime now but recently she reached out to me and wanted to record a podcast on the importance of hobbies. Especially in the cattle industry, we both felt like producers will say that their cattle are their hobbies. We both wanted to challenge that and say that there needs to be something outside of the industry that you can immerse yourself in so you can take your mind off of it. We each talk about our own hobbies and how we are not necessarily good at them but how they are so good for our mental health. I really had a fun time recording with Michelle. Check her out on instagram at @agandadventure https://www.instagram.com/agandadventure/
Andrea Paquette is the founder of Stigma Free Society, A Canadian non profit based out of Vancouver. We chat about Andrea’s history and how her journey with mental health lead her to found SFS. We also chat about SFS and Andrea’s newest project, the Rural Mental Wellness toolkit. We chat about the needs of the rural and agriculture communities across North America and how they need better mental health resources. This is the reason Rural Mental Wellness was born. I had a great time chatting with Andrea. You can find SFS online all across social media and at https://stigmafreesociety.com/
I feel like diversity is a word that gets thrown around a lot without really getting down to its core meaning. Diversity should come in all forms. We should be willing to surround ourselves with people who think a little bit differently than us so we are not living in an echo chamber. Within agriculture, there is so much nuance and subtle differneces in the way we practice and how we operate in our individual lives that it should be celebrated... not used as a point of contention. I chat also about diversifying our own lives. This episode was influenced by a couple of Instagram posts from a couple of great gals... Kylie Epperson (@thegratefulfarmwife) and Kathryn Mentzer (@everydayillinoisfarmfamily)
Today We welcome back our friend Sam Goldberg of Silo The Film. If you are following along, we chatted with Sam last year about Silo and the impact it had made in the time since its release. As many of you know so much has changed in the past year and we chat to Sam about how Silo and Sam have been affected this year. We also chat a little bit about a new project that Sam and his team have in the works dealing with the mental health side of agriculture. So excited for Sam and for all the new things he has going on. Find all things Silo at SiloTheFilm.com
Back to interview podcasts today. A few months ago, Elizabeth Lewan from American Psychological Association reached out to me regarding the impact COVID has had on America’s farmers. She put me in contact with Dr. Holly Roberts from the Psychology Department at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Holly and I chatted about her background in a farming community and how getting mental health care treatment into farming communities is often a challenge. We discuss that although COVID is a challenge, it also produced the opportunity to showcase that Telehealth can really work. I am very flattered that APA reached out to me and put me in touch with Holly. I’m also quite impressed that APA is recognizing this need and is going to work on it. To get in contact with Holly send her a message at hroberts@unmc.edu
Today I chat about my journey of running and how it has improved my overall health. I talk about my first half marathon and how it was likely where the idea for this podcast came about.
“Boundaries are rules you create for how other people can behave toward you” - @melrobbinsAn overarching theme in all of the content I have been consuming lately is talking about boundariesNow I’m not sure if it’s like when you get a new car and all of a sudden you see that new car everywhere... but it has been showing up significantly nonethelessI believe it is essential to set boundaries around what is most important to you.To have boundaries, you must first set priorities and then set core values around them.Everyone has different priorities.Mine are as follows...1) My faith in God2) My own health and well being3) The health and strength of my marriage4) My children5) My job6) My farm7) My church calling8) Everything elseOur priorities and the boundaries we set around them are totally up to us and we must stand firm in them... unfortunately this doesn’t mean that everyone is going to respect them how we would like them to.... and that’s ok and totally not up to us.Set firm boundaries and stick to themWhat are your priorities and boundaries?Do you have a difficult time saying “No?”Do you feel like you let others down when you can’t always be there for them?I struggle with this mightily. But setting clear boundaries can help us show up as our most authentic self.
We always talk about how busy we are… but I do think this is the busiest season of my entire life. Right now we have calving, baseball x 4 kids, a new business, and highly demanding church callings… and this silly little podcast that I release every week. This is all in addition to a 40 hour/week job at the hospital.Just whenever you don’t think you can add anything in… something else comes up. Whenever this happens, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed and only see the bad in a situation. I had this very thing happened to me this past week. Levi had a plethora of school events that all occurred on the same day. Today I talk about how that I initially reacted to that situation... and then about how I shifted my mindset around that.
Have you ever had someone come on to one of your social media pages and make outrageous claims about you and what you do? Unfortunately I had a situation like this pop up a few weeks ago. An animal activist came to my Instagram page and made some ridiculous comments. I made a video and posted it across my social media telling about this. My friend Markie Hageman reached out to me afterward and offerred her support. That prompted me to have Markie back on the podcast to talk about how to handle these types of situations. We chat exclusively about animal activists because that is who we both have come into contact with... but the lessons within can be applied to everyone with a presence on social media. This was a very valuable conversation as Markie is an incredible asset to the industry . Check her out across social media as Girls Eat Beef Too https://www.instagram.com/girlseatbeeftoo/
Veterinarians have a special place in my heart for lots of reasons. What some may know is I planned for a lot of years to be a veterinarian. But more so is the fact that I have relied for years on the expertise of vets to aid me in my cattle operation. My guest today is one of the best spokespersons for vets everywhere. Marissa Hake aka Calf Vet is a great advocate for both agriculture and veterinary medicine. We chat today about her journey as a vet. We then spend a good time talking about the mental health of vets and how that is affecting the profession. As livestock producers, I feel like we need to pay special attention to the mental health of our vet doctors. They are such integral parts of our operations. Find Marissa online at Here
Solo Episode today. There was an Instagram post a few months back where I did an introduction to new followers. In that intro, I included that I worked 40 hours a week as a pharmacist. You wouldn't believe how surprised I was to find out that many people who I interacted with often did not know that about me. I decided that I should make it a priority to include some professional information in the podcast. Today, I'm talking about how medications can be a very valuable tool in our mental health toolkit. I have taken anxiety medication since 2013 and it has been very important to me becoming a better version of myself. I share my journey with meds and how my mindset has shifted around that.
Tammy Thielman is the owner of Town and Country Counseling in British Columbia. Tammy is a Registered Masters-Level Social Worker and Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDR-CT) who offers client-centered, holistic, compassionate support to children, youth, adults, and families. We talk to day about her unique approach to mental health care. We chat a bit about how we never consider how important it is for the provider to be comfortable in their practice. That is what Town & Country is all about. Providing a tranquil atmosphere for both provider and patient to maximize therapy. Find Tammy and T&C online at https://www.townandcountrycounselling.com/
I’ve mentioned in previous episodes about my fascination with the Enneagram. It’s been very helpful in me being more self aware and in helping my marriage. Terryn Drieling is a self proclaimed Enneagram Nerd. She and her family live and work on a large ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. We talk about the Enneagram and how it can be helpful in our own personal development and in how we interact in relationships. Terryn will soon be launching a podcast of her own which is diving even deeper into the Enneagram and how it can serve rural women in their lives. Find Terryn online at https://faithfamilyandbeef.com/
Happy Easter! Some may have noticed my absence from social media this past week. In honor of Holy Week, I wanted to take the opportunity to make sacrifice in my life. That sacrifice was social media. I talk today about why I made the decision, and how it has impacted me this week. I love social media and love all the friends I have made as a result of being active on social media. However, I believe that a break from it all can be a great reset in our lives and an excellent, simple tactic to better mental health.
Pharmacists are among some of the most accessible health care professionals, especially in a rural community. They are the place where so many who cannot get into a doctor come to for immediate help. My guest today, Rebecca Henry, knows this connection all too well. Rebecca, like me, is a cattle producer and a pharmacist in a rural community. Her and her husband live outside of Moulton, Alabama. We talk about the health challenges that are facing rural America, and how a pharmacist can play an integral role in patients getting the help they need. We also spend a bit of time talking about what it’s like to have multiple passions going at once. Find more about Rebecca and her operation at https://hardinfarms.com/
Over the past couple of years, lots of things have changed around our home operation. One of the biggest things to change is how we handle our cattle when it comes time to work them. By instilling a few different tactics and attitudes, we have made working cattle a more positive, less stressful event at our place.
Earlier this month, I was asked by MOST Policy Initiative to share my perspective and personal story on rural and ag mental health on a briefing to those involved in policy decisions at the Missouri state level. I shared my perspective on the three big pillars which are inhibiting access to rural mental health care: stigma, lack of mental health care providers, and sub par internet access in rural areas. I also discuss solutions to each of these issues. I want to thank Dr. Rachel Owen and Dr. Eleni Bickell with MOST for allowing me this opportunity to speak to those who make important policy decisions in our state. Also thanks to Dr. Michael Rosemann and Professor Kathy Dothage for sharing this panel with me. As I said in my talk, I am a proud rural Missourian and I want to see our state thrive. To find out more about this panel and MOST policy initiative go to https://mostpolicyinitiative.org/mental-health-services-for-farmers-briefing/
Today's episode is not necessarily related to my farm or cattle operation but my relationship with money. I watched stories from Megan Teerlink this week and she expounded on an experience she had at Costco this week. We are always chasing money just to spend it as fast as it comes to us. What if there was another option. What if we created a new energy around money that we don't have to spend it as soon as we get it. Becoming more intentional with our money will help us create a more abundant mindset around it. Find more at https://agstateofmind.com/?p=1566
Susan Harris is an extension educator with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She specializes in rural health wellness and safety. Susan was actually guest on episode number four of the podcast where at the end of that episode we talked a little bit about the importance of sleep. Today we take a bit of a deeper dive into sleep and how it is important for us to pay attention to our sleep. Sleep should no longer be seen as a luxury but as a necessity. One edit here that I wanted to make sure to list. Around 5 minutes in to the interview Susan says that sleep is an umbrella that controls a number of health conditions. She spoke to me after we recorded and wanted to correct herself. What she intended to say is that sleep can protect against these negative health consequences. Susan is an incredible woman and I am so thankful for her long time support of the podcast. To find Susan online go to https://epd.unl.edu/profile/sharris-broomfield2
I often think of things as a purist. I think that if someone is giving me valuable information that I should take it 100 percent to heart. If I don't, then I view myself as a failure. I came to the realization just recently that this frame of thinking just isn't correct. We can take even small pieces of the good information that we hear and apply it to ourlives and view it as a success. If we define success for ourselves then success is inevitable. More at https://agstateofmind.com/?p=1556
Today we welcome back Kiah Twisselman. If you’re following along with the podcast we were introduced to Kiah on episode 38 of ASOM. She shared there her remarkable journey of losing over 100 lbs with no fad diets, no gym membership and no surgery! Just plain ok’d determination and mindset!! She returns today to discuss diet culture and how it often falls flat. We also talk a little bit about goals and mindset around them. It was so great to chat with Kiah again! To find Kiah online check her website out at https://www.coachkiah.com/
I had an experience changing out a busted pipe at one of my farms last weekend. I traditionally have not been a very good DIY guy. When something like this happens, I usually hire someone to come out and fix whatever issue I have. But something has changed in me over the last several years. I have found that I owe it to myself to take some responsibility and do the things that may scare me a bit. Being a lifelong learner is about humbling yourself and swallowing your pride. When you make a commitment to being a lifelong learner you are able to accomplish things you had previously written off. In this episode, I talk about the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. Find that book on Amazon here.
Greetings and welcome to the Diamond episode of the Ag State of Mind Podcast. Thanks to everyone for an incredible run of episodes. Going Solo today to chat about Internal Vs. External validation. We worry so much about the validation from people outside of ourselves, but do we worry about the opinion we have of ourselves enough? If we aren't happy with ourselves, then no one else's opinions will matter. Special shout out to my coach Marinda Burt for the inspiration behind this message. Go check her out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marindaburtcoaching/
It's February so that means it's time for our county fair steer projects to begin. This year is a bit different for us because we have 2 kids showing steers instead of just one. I talk today about what the county fair means to us and a little bit about the process.
Pain is something that nearly everyone has experienced. Being involved in agriculture, often times this pain can be amplified. We are often times taught to hide or mask the pain when we instead should be taking measures to do something about it. Today we welcome back Tara Haskins from Agrisafe. We were introduced to Tara on episode 44 of the podcast. Agrisafe has an upcoming webinar that is focusing on talking to farmers about their pain. We then talk more in depth about pain and specifically about opioids and how they can affect us. You can find the link to that webinar here
Greetings. Welcome to Beef Tips Volume 1. This is a new venture that I am trying out to hopefully reach a different audience with Ag State of Mind. I'm going to be focusing on the lessons I have learned on my cattle operation. Today, I'm focusing on my decision to move my calving season back until April. It has been a huge help in managing stress on our farm. I hope you all enjoy this. Please send me a DM on my social media pages to let me know what you think.
Happy Valentines today. I've made it no secret how I am interested and trying to be involved in regenerative ranching. I've found that it is the most enjoyable and economical way for me to raise my cattle and for me to be kind to the Earth. My guest today is a huge influence in my regenerative journey. Brian Alexander, The Red Hills Rancher, does some incredible, influential things on his ranch in Kansas. We talk to him today about his journey and how regenerative grazing has benefited his operation. We also chat about his new podcast which launches Feb 15. Ranching Reboot will be Conversations in land stewardship with some of today's most innovative ranchers and producers. It gives us Ideas outside the mainstream of Ranching. I'm really excited to introduce Brian and his new podcast to you guys. For more, go to https://agstateofmind.com/2021/02/14/ag-state-of-mind-ep-73---brian-alexander
n our lives and our businesses, we often find ourselves making decisions based on emotion when we should be making those decisions based on hard evidence. What if there was someone out there who could help you work through those emotions to help you make the best decision. Whitney Kinne is a leadership and career coach who helps her clients do just that. We chat today about all of the hard decisions that need to be made in our careers and how having a neutral party in these aforementioned situations can help make those decisions a bit simpler. Whitney has a significant background in agriculture with both of her parents involved with youth in agriculture as she was growing up. Whitney also for a time worked with the Missouri Beef Council as well as the University of Missouri College of Agriculture. She now resides in her childhood home outside of Clinton, Missouri with her husband and two children. Whitney and I had a fascinating conversation and I am excited for you guys to hear it. I have a strong feeling that Whitney will be back on the podcast someday. Find all the links for Whitney at https://agstateofmind.com/2021/02/07/asom-ep-72-whitney-kinne/
Extreme focus on fitness and being involved in agriculture have not always gone hand in hand. I find that odd. However, there are several in the agriculture world who are doing their best to break that. Sami Bolen is a wife, mother, rancher, MU extension agent, among other things living in Southwest Missouri. She has an incredible passion for fitness that goes hand in hand with her passion for farming. We chat a bit about her journey and how she has taken steps to keep herself as fit as possible. The highlight of the podcast to me is Sami's why behind being as fit as possible. She says she wants to be farming for as long as possible. She wants to be farming alongside as many generations as she can. See she gets it. We all need a why behind our fitness to make sure we are successful. Find links at https://agstateofmind.com/2021/01/31/ag-state-of-mind-episode-71-sami-bolen/
Leah McGrath is a Registered Dietician currently employed in retail (supermarket) dietetics. We chat today about her journey and the interesting role she plays as a supermarket dietitian. This is something I didn’t really know existed until Leah and I chatted on the podcast. We then shift to talk about the important role advocacy plays in connecting producers and consumers. About how the disruption of the supply chain helped us see how important it is to understand where the products we use originate and what steps they have to take to get into our homes. We finish by chatting about meat and the role it plays in a healthy diet. How the pandemic has shown us how important it is to families. https://agstateofmind.com/2021/01/24/ag-state-of-mind-episode-70-leah-mcgrath/
Hello and Welcome to this episode fo Ag State of Mind a proud member of the Global Ag network. Today we are continuing our series on diet and nutrition with my friend Nicole Rodriguez. I'll start off and let everyone know that the episode ends rather abruptly. We had some issues with my rural internet connection that wreaked havoc for us. We had to restart our connection once but then it finally shut off for good toward the end. The joys of podcasting with rural internet. Nicole is a registered dietician from Long Island who is an incredible advocate for the beef industry. We talk about a lot of things but we really focus on advocacy in the beef industry and how we as producers have an important story to tell to help connect consumers with their food. We also talk about relationship with food. How there are no real “good” or “bad” foods and, simply, how we should actually eat real food and stay away from liquid diets and other things of similar nature. Nicole and I originally connected on Twitter but she has become one of my favorite follows on Instagram. To find out about Nicole, her blog, and her social media, go to https://enjoyfoodenjoylife.com/
We are going to pause our month on nutrition today to chat with my friend Whitney Larson. Whitney is a farmer from Western Kansas who is an incredible advocate for farmers and in particular farmers wives everywhere. If you have been a long time listener of the podcast, you’ll recall we talked to Kylie Epperson last April who is Whitney’s cohost of the Midwest Farm Wives podcast. So today is Whitney’s turn. This is a perfect opportunity to plug an event that is coming up which was created by whitney. On February 20, 2021 there will be an online event for women in ag that is titled Cultivating Courage. There are a wide variety of speakers on a number of different topics ranging from ag literacy to field meals. I am very honored to be the only man speaking at this event and sharing my keynote on mental health and how it affects us in ag. To register for this event go to www.cultivating-courage.org
Continuing our January theme of nutrition we speak today to Cara Harbstreet, RD of Street Smart Nutrition. We chat a bit about her history and how she found her history to dietetic school. We then chat about her journey through the profession and how she founded her own business. Then we shift to speaking about her approach to healthy eating and a few of the practices she employs. We also chat about meat and how she has worked with farmers and ranchers to promote animal protein as a part of a healthy diet. Find Cara online at https://streetsmartnutrition.com/
Happy 2021!! Today I am speaking with my wife Keri Medows again about proper nutrition. Keri is a NASM Certified Trainer with an emphasis on Fitness nutrition. She is also a RYT200 certified yoga instructor. We talk about the typical new year chatter around nutrition. How nutrition and diet is not a destination and a journey. About how a lot of "lose weight quick" programs are not necessarily healthy and that we should focus on the long term in regards to our health and well being. We then shift the focus to talk about our new business venture, Kula Yoga & Fitness Studio. How we feel it's important to have businesses like this in rural communities. We finish talking about Keri's coaching business and how to get in touch with her. Check out her Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/kerimedows/
Greetings and welcome to the final episode of 2020. I appreciate you all hanging out with me this year. I cannot thank you all enough for the support and the encouragement over this last year. 2020 has been a tough year but I am thankful to have made the connections I have through this podcast. It would be nothing without all of you. Today, we speak to Isabella Schroeder, a Vet Student at Iowa State University. We talk to her about what her experience has been this year dealing with the pressures of college life mixed with COVID. We chat about the mental health of students and also the mental health of veterinarians. Great to chat with Isabella about her experience and hope it sheds some light on the pressures facing students during this pandemic.
Solo episode today that was recorded on a whim. I chat for a bit about my son Levi's integral part in this podcast through his editing and feedback. I then chat about what's to be expected for this podcast and the mission of ASOM going forward. Lastly, I talk about the Christmas season and my hope for the world. Wanting for us to return to a nation and a world who can focus on the good instead of amplify the bad. I appreciate all of you who helped this podcast grow in 2020 and look forward to more growth in 2021
Wyatt Merry is a 3rd Generation Farmer in Texoma, Oklahoma. He farms alongside his father as well as attends high school. We talk about the day to day on his farm and how he has come to gain a passion for agriculture. We then shift to talking about his life as a high school student during the pandemic and how that has affected him. Find links to all of Wyatt's pages at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/12/13/ag-state-of-mind-ep-64-wyatt-merry/
Welcome to December!! Today we go to sunny Southern California to talk to my friend Allison Fender of the Flyin F Ranch. We talk to her about her upbringing and how her and husband Bryce started their own herd. We then talk about the challenges faced when raising cattle in a place like SoCal where ag is often misunderstood. We wrap up the episode by talking about our #run1000 team where we are raising money for the Do More Agriculture Foundation. Great episode with a great gal!! Check Alli and her ranch out at https://www.flyinfranchwife.com/
Thanks to you all for tuning in this month to our series where we dive into talking about men’s health. I want to thank all of the guests this past month… Henry Roberts, Allan Kehler, Matt Niswander, and Bryan Moes for their contributions to this mission of ours. It was so refreshing to hear their perspectives and to know that there are other men who are putting themselves out there to make mens health a priority! Today, I want to wrap up November with my own perspective on what being a man and masculinity mean to me. When researching the term “masculinity,” I found a number of virtues that are associated with it. To me, there were 3 virtues that I felt stood out above the rest… Leadership, Strength, and Courage. I’m going to dive in a bit to what those things mean to me and how I strive to make them a priority in my life. I wrap up by talking how anxiety is a tool and not something we should be scared of. It’s how we deal with anxiety is where the problems come. Check out the show notes at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/11/29/ag-state-of-mind-episode-62-being-a-man/
Happy Thanksgiving week folks! Today is Part 4 and our final installment of our November series talking about men's mental health. Today, we speak with long time supporter of the show and friend Bryan Moes. Bryan is a farmer/feeder from Northeast South Dakota. We talk to Bryan about what it's like being a father on the farm, working alongside your father in a generational operation, and a bit about his business model. Bryan has been one of the top supporters of this podcast and I am grateful I can share his story with all of you.
Greetings and welcome to part 3 of our November series featuring men's mental health. Today, we speak with my friend Matt Niswander. Matt has found the sweet spot of where agriculture and medicine intersect. Matt is a Family Nurse Practitioner in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He recently opened up his own clinic to serve that rural community. Matt is also a first generation farmer. He has an incredible story of how he learned to farm from YouTube. He now raises cattle for direct to consumer sales with his wife and 3 children. As remarkable as all of that is, it's nothing compared to the story of how Matt overcame poverty and being raised in a less than ideal home. You guys will not want to miss this episode!! https://agstateofmind.com/2020/11/15/ag-state-of-mind-ep-60-matt-niswander/
Part Two of our November series focusing on men's mental health. Today, we speak to Allan Kehler of Saskatchewan, Canada. Allan was introduced to me by previous guest and friend Lesley Kelly. Allan has an incredible story of perseverance and resilience through adversity. We talk about his journey to sobriety, the struggles with maintaining and being accepted with that sobriety, and his mission to break the tough guy stigma surrounding mental health in men. Speaking to Allan is like talking to an old friend and I'm proud that I am able to share it with the ASOM audience!https://agstateofmind.com/2020/11/08/asom-ep-59-allan-kehler/
Greetings and welcome to our November theme focusing on Men's Health. Really excited for this month. Today, we speak to long time friend of the show Henry Roberts. Henry is retired Air Force as well as a retired firefighter. He has now focused his passion on mental health and being an advocate in that space. We talk about his history, his own battles with his mental health, and how he was able to get back where he wanted to be. We then talk about his advocacy and his blog that focuses on both agriculture advocacy and mental health. It was great to talk to Henry as he has been possibly the biggest supporter of this show. Check out more at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/11/01/ag-state-of-mind-ep-58-henry-roberts/
As some of you are aware, November is Men's Health Awareness month. Often times, this month is focused on physical health issues such as prostate cancer. I want to take it a step further and shift the focus of this month to men's mental health. I plan to speak to several men throughout this month to help start a more meaningful conversation around men's mental health. Today's episode is kind of a kick off for our series. Chelsea Hanson and I have been friends through social media for serveral months now. It's been a pleasure to follow along with her family's farm operation in Southern Minnesota. Recently, Chelsea reached out to me and wanted to have a discussion around the importance of males and that we need make sure our men know how important they are to families and to farms. I am very thankful for Chelsea reaching out for this conversation as it is something that I have been wanting to talk about for quite sometime now. I feel like the perspective surrounding men's health and its importance is very powerful coming from a woman. Men make sure you listen to this episode and ladies make sure you tell the men in your life about it! Find more out at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/10/25/asom-ep-57-chelsea-hanson-sass-lake-farms/
Today is a unique episode of the podcast...and if I'm being honest, it's a tad bit selfish. Megan Teerlink hosts my new favorite podcast, Getting Mindful with Megan. She takes an unique approach to mindfulness, intentionality, and self improvement by drawing from her life as a yoga practitioner as well as her own faith in Jesus. Megan's podcast and coaching has been a blessing to our family as you will find out in the podcast. I'm so excited for you guys to find out more about Megan. Find out more about Megan and a few of the things we talk about at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/10/18/asom-ep-56-megan-teerlink-getting-mindful-with-megan/
It is my belief that the mental health of students during the COVID-19 pandemic has not gotten the proper attention. We are trying to do our part here at ASOM to remedy that. Emma Rose Ploch is a student at the University of Missouri and is founder of the Ag Advocacy page Found in the Field. Today, we spend some time talking about why she went into agriculture school and how she has found her passion for ag advocacy. We then talk to her about her unique experience as a college student during the COVID-19 pandemic and how she has had to adjust to all of the different stresses that have come her way. Find more at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/10/11/asom-ep-55-emma-rose-ploch/
For lots of us, money is a point of great stress. We are always seeming to chase the dollar thinking that more money equals a better life. Our guest today challenges that a bit. Austin Black is a financial coach with a passion for helping those invovled in agriculture. Today, we chat with Austin about his services and how by changing our relationship with money, we can become happier and more ready to deal with financial stress. A great conversation. I want to also take this opportunity to let everyone know about Ag Mental Health Week. Some of my friends have put together a discussion that will be taking place all across social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) October 10-16. Just search #AgMentalHealthWeek across all the platforms to be a part of the conversation. https://agstateofmind.com/2020/10/04/asom-ep-54-austin-black-freedom-financial-coaching/
It’s Episode No. 53 and Happy 1 year anniversary to the Ag State of Mind Podcast. We are so thankful to everyone who has joined along in this journey over the past year. It is our goal over the next year to continue to bring the best content we can to the table of health in agriculture. Today, we return to speaking about the world of dairy farming and how the current ag climate is affecting dairy producers. Our guest is Dr. Amanda Stone, Assistant Professor from Mississippi State Extension. Amanda works with dairy farmers in the state of Mississippi. We connected through our friends at Agri-Safe. We talk about her background and how she ended up at MSU. Then we talk about how dairy is often misunderstood and how “animal activists” are affecting the dairy industry. We also chat about the misrepresentation of dairy in a healthy diet. We finish by chatting about her mental health first aid training which will be linked below. Great chat with my new friend Amanda! Find out more at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/09/27/asom-ep-53-is-now-live/
I always love when a farm kid goes to school, pursues a career, then uses that career to help out farmers. Monica Kramer McCojkey is a farm kid turned counselor who has returned to her roots helping out farmers in times of need. We talk about her upbringing and her journey to wanting to get back to address the issues facing farmers and farm families. We also chat a bit about how COVID has affected farm familes. Great Conversation! For links, go to our show notes page at https://agstateofmind.com/2020/09/21/asom-monica-kramer-mckonkey/
Today is a really cool episode of the podcast. My wife, Keri Medows, and I decided to record a podcast while we were on vacation this past week. This is something that I have been wanting to do for some time now, but it took us traveling 1300 miles away from home to get enough peace and space to make this happen. Today we talk about our growth as a couple, Keri's transition into farm life, and how we juggle all of the responisbilities in our life. Keri is a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. To find more out about Keri and the services she provides, look her up on Instagram @KeriMedows. https://www.instagram.com/kerimedows/
Episode 50!! We made it!! The Golden Episode!! Thank you all so much for all of the continued support throughout this year. It's been a blessing! Today we speak with Jerod McDaniel. Jerod is a rancher from the Panhandle of Oklahoma. He is also host of the Ag Uncensored podcast, which is one of the podcasts who helped me find my way to starting my own. Jerod is one of the original players on Ag Twitter. We talk about his journey there and how he grew. We then speak about the world we are living in now and how having a different perspective can improve our outlook. Find Jerod on Twitter @jerodmcdaniel
Going solo today! Today I talk about self care and how it is important to help us live our best lives. Something i don't mention in the episode that I want to include here is an analogy that was told to me by my friend Adrienne DeSutter. We have to treat ourselves as farmers as assets to our operations. We have to make sure we are taken care of so we can best manage our farm. My perception on self care changed after I heard her tell me that. In this episode, I tell a bit about what self care means to me. I then tell how structure and a schedule helped me make time for self care. I tell an example of what a typical day looks like for me and how I am able to fit self care in. Find my episode with Adrienne at https://globalagnetwork.com/ag-state-of-mind-with-jason-medows/podcast/asom-ep-32-adrienne-desutter-sow-hope-grow-hope
1st generation farms present their own unique blessings and challenges. Today's guest Nathan Brown understands this very well. From growing up working on a neighbors farm to today owning and operating his own 1000+ acre operation, Nathan can speak in depth about the experience of a first gen farmer. About 3 years ago, Nathan noticed something among his peers. He noticed that there was an increased amount of stress in the farmers he spoke to. Not being one to let things fester, Nathan began speaking out about stress and mental health in agriculture. To this day, he has started or been a part of several efforts to break the stigma of mental health in ag. Nathan is a great man and a great friend and we are proud to have him featured on the podcast today!
County Fairs are a staple in the culture of many rural communities. Along with so many other events, these fairs look so much different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, friend of the show Caroline Sicht (operator of The Farm Story website and podcast) joins us to speak about the impact county fairs have on our communities. We share a bit about the stress that we, and others in our same shoes, experienced in the lead up to the county fairs. We then share our own stories from the fair to show how they ended up a success. Caroline works so hard to make our Ag youth a priority and we are so proud to have her on the show to help her showcase that. Find Caroline's first episode with us on Episode 23. To find her online, check out https://www.tellyourfarmstory.com/
Really exciting episode today with Beth Killough of the Circle Up Experience. Beth is a lifelong cowgirl who has combined her love of horses with her love of improving people's mental health into a great approach. Beth uses horses to help humans return to their natural state of being by interacting with horses. Horses can help us learn so much about our natural, primitive selves. At the end, Beth and I switch gears a bit to talk about each of our past battles with alcohol. We are both several years sober and we talk about the struggles and joys that this journey has brought each of us. Incredible episode with an incredible woman.
Very special episode today. Dr. Temple Grandin is one of the most influential thinkers in the livestock industry. Her research has revolutionized the way ranchers and food processors handle cattle. We talk to her today about the current state of the livestock industry, How the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some of the flaws in the system, and how we can put in safety valves to ensure a food supply disruption can be avoided in the future. We then shift the focus of the conversation to speak about the mental health of not just ranchers, but also our children in the these trying times. An incredible episode with an incredible woman. Find Temple on-line at http://www.grandin.com/
Tara Haskins, DNP, RN, is a nurse with AgriSafe. She is heading up their Total Farmer Health initiative. We speak today about Tara's background in nursing and how she came to be with AgriSafe. We then talk about the challenges facing ag producers and rural America in regards to mental health. Finally, we discuss Agrisafe's upcoming webinar on Mental Health in Farm and Ranch Country. To register for this webinar go to https://www.agrisafe.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=158&Itemid=1&year=2020&month=07&day=30&title=webinar-mental-health-in-farm-and-ranch-country-how-communities-can-help&uid=b05510d54467d23ccc560480887c2d2d
Kris Miner has had an incredible journey. She has had many roles in working with youth and adults alike using restorative justice, equine therapy, and other methods to ensure their needs are met. We talk about all of this as well as her own experience with her husband's recent suicide and her own health battle. Find Kris online at https://www.circle-space.org/about/about-kris/
Katelyn Duban is the host of the Rural Woman Podcast and founder of WildroseFarmer.com. Katelyn is a great advocate for mental health in agriculture and is always open to talk about it on her podcast and social media. We talk to Katelyn about her journey through podcasting, advocacy, and farming. Katelyn has been a wonderful supporter of this show and we are so excited to finally have her on. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to find out some exciting things coming up for ag mental health!
Great episode this week with Sam Goldberg. Sam is the producer of Silo the Film. Silo centers around a grain entrapment in rural America. However, it does more than bring awareness to farm safety. There are so many aspects of rural America caught in this film: family dynamics, stress on the farm, rural economy, cohesiveness in a rural community, et. al. We talk about Sam's background and how he came to be the driving force behind Silo. We then spend some time discussing the relationships that he formed while making this film and how he was so captivated by the people in Rural America. At the end of the show, we did something different and did a "post interview' with Sam after I had the opportunity to watch the film. I wanted to discuss in greater detail some of the family dynamics captured in the film. So thankful for my connection with Sam and I'm very excited to see where he goes with Silo and other projects. Find Sam and Silo online at https://www.silothefilm.com/
Wrapping up our month featuring beef producers, we speak to Michelle Patten of Patten Bookkeeping and Consulting. We spend some time getting to know Michelle and her family's background on a ranch in Montana. We then talk about her business and how getting an operation's financials in order can help prevent a lot of mental stress for generations to come. As we all know, lots of stress is the direct result from financial issues, so we spend some time on how being more intentional with your money can help lead you to a less stressful business. Find Michelle and her business online at https://pattenbookkeeping.com/
A little change of pace today. Today is less of an interview and more of a discussion with friend of the show Trevor Williams. Trevor is creator and host of the Farm Traveler Podcast where he uses his background in Ag Education to bridge the gap between producers and consumers to understand how our food, fuel, and fiber is made. We talk about our podcasts: Our influences, what we've learned, what tools we utilize, what mistakes we've made, and where we go from here. A very cool episode for us to record. Check Trevor out wherever you get your podcasts and also his website https://thefarmtraveler.com/
Happy Father's Day everyone!! Today we stay in California and speak to Markie Hageman. Markie is a wonderful advocate for the beef industry through her social media and her freelance writing. She tells the story of how she grew up not involved in agriculture, but found her passion for it later in life. She talks about getting uncomfortable learning about the industry to help her understand. She has now started her own beef herd with some Hereford heifers so we know she is on the right start. Check out Markie on Instagram @agwritermarkie and @girlseatbeeftoo
Mindset is the key to us living our lives. It controls everything. How we approach our lives directly reflects the results we get from it. Kiah Twisselman is a California ranch girl who has an incredible story of how changing her mindset helped her become the best version of herself. Over the past year, Kiah has lost over 120 lbs and parlayed that journey into a successful life coaching business. We talk about her journey, about how beef played an integral part in her journey, and how she is helping others moving forward. Kiah is such an inspiration and we are so happy to share her story with our audience. Find Kiah online at https://www.coachkiah.com/
Today we speak with Tyler Keckley, owner/operator of Southern Roots Ranch in Northwest Ohio. Tyler is a first generation cattleman who has an incredible journey to present day. We talk about the challenges of being a first generation rancher, along with the benefits. We also speak about balancing a ranch with an off ranch job, wife, kids, and various other obligations. Check Tyler and Southern Roots Ranch out on Facebook.
Welcome to our own personal Beef Month. Today we kick off our special series on Beef with friend of the show Ryan Goodman. Ryan has worked all across the beef industry and is one of the most knowledgeable people out there. We speak to him today about the supply chain issues that are currently facing the beef industry. I believe this episode will put some of the worries around this issue at ease. We then focus the conversation to beef as a part of a healthy lifestyle and how Ryan uses beef, along with other nutritious foods, to fuel his training as an endurance athlete. A very cool episode that you will not want to miss. Check out Ryan online and links to his blog, podcast, and his other advocacy efforts at https://beefrunner.com/.
Happy Memorial Day. Part 4 of our Across the River series features University Of Illinois’ Josie Rudolfi. Josie is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at U of I. Josie grew up on a farm in Iowa and she releases her family’s story to the work she is doing today. Josie has been instrumental in providing some leading data in regards to ag mental heath. While working in Wisconsin, she helped conduct a study of farmers where the results were very intriguing to what we’ve been talking about in regards to access to mental health care in rural America. Lastly, we discuss her acronym H.E.R.D. (Hobbies, exercise, relaxation, and diversion)… all of the ways we can help manage our mental load. We discuss how to address the issue when the farmer claims he/she does not have time for those things. https://abe.illinois.edu/directory/josier
Part 3 of our "Across the River" Series. Today we speak with Kate Niemeier about her and her family's experience with suicide. A few years ago, Kate lost her brother to suicide. As hard as that was for Kate and her family, she decided to not be a victim and to begin to spread awareness. We talk to her in detail about her brother and how his death affected her. We then transition into what she is doing to raise mental awareness for the ag and rural population. Check her out at "Hope In The Hollow" on Facebook. Also, in the intro, I mention my upcoming Webinar "Breaking Ground." It is a virtual panel for farmers to attend via Zoom to talk freely about mental health in agriculture. Find link to register for that webinar at https://bit.ly/brkground
Welcome to part 2 of our "Across the River" Series. Today we talk to Deanne Frieders. Deanne is a farm wife from Illinois who, out of her own curiosity and willingness to learn, began "This Farm Girl Cooks." It is a website and blog devoted to helping feed the farmers who feed the world. It began as a place to share recipes, but has evolved into a sort of lifestyle site devoted to farm wives and all women in agriculture. We talk about her journey through the creation of this business and how it has opened up many opportunities for her. Check Deanne out on-line at https://www.thisfarmgirlcooks.com/
Part 1 of our "Across the River" Series. Today we feature friend of the show Adrienne DeSutter. Adrienne is a farm wife and former counselor from Illinois who has become an outstanding advocate for mental health in agriculture. We talk about her background and how she felt compelled to begin working on mental health advocacy in ag. Check her Facebook page out at
Chiropractic Medicine is often misunderstood and mischaracterized. Today, we talk to Ryan and Abbie Hewkin about their business and how Chiropractic medicine can be a useful tool in treating our overall health and well being. We talk about having a holistic approach to our health and learning about how all of our body is connected. We also speak about the accessibility of chiropractors in rural America and how that is a bit of an untapped resource. Check Ryan and Abbie out online at https://www.excelsiorchiro.com/
Part 2 of taking a deep dive into the world of dairy farming. Brittany Olson is a 5th generation dairy farmer from Wisconsin. We discuss her own journey with anxiety and how she has become an avid advocate for those struggling with their mental health. We talk about the pressures that come with dairy and the challenges with sharing our story.
Dairy farming is a life like no other. Over the past several years, their industry has been through the ringer. Tara from the New Mexico Milkmaid does a wonderful of telling the story of dairy farmers across the country. We speak to her about her family's operation, her role as an enviornmental scientist, and the effect that COVID-19 has had on the industry. A great conversation with such an influential woman. Go check Tara out online at https://newmexicomilkmaid.com/
For some of us American farmers, we believe that the challenges we face are unique to us in the States. The truth is, agriculture is a global community with all of us facing unique challenges. Today, we talk to Welsh farmer Will Evans about the stresses that are facing agriculture in the UK. Will is also host of the Rock & Roll Farming Podcast where he talks to folks in British Agriculture every week to highlight the unique characters involved. Go Check Will out online at http://www.rockandrollfarming.com/.
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is a multidisciplinary collaboration of five leading research and health care institutions. This collaboration brings together unique and complimentary expertise to address existing and emerging occupational health and safety issues in agriculture. Megan Schossow is the Outreach Coordinator for UMASH. Today we talk about her life growing up in agriculture and how it has helped serve her in role at UMASH. Check out UMASH online at umash.umn.edu Also Check out their incredible mental health resources page at http://umash.umn.edu/mental-health-and-agriculture/
Suicide is an issue that is very hard for most to talk about. Susan Springer is doing all she can, along with her organization Suicide Prevention Corporation of Iowa County Wisconsin to help normalize this conversation. We talk about Susan's own experience with suicide and about how her ties to the agriculture community help bring her closer to farmers in her area. Go check out Susan and her organization at https://suicide-iowacountywi.org/
Welcome to our first Bonus Episode. Today we chat with Charlotte Halverson and Linda Emmanuel from AgriSafe Network. AgriSafe was formed in 2003 by rural nurses who believed that together they could improve the health and safety of farmers and ranchers. Charlotte and Linda are both nurses who are involved with AgriSafe and today they talk with Jason about the effects of COVID-19 and its effects on the Ag community. Jason and Charlotte first discuss the virus and its origin, symptoms, and how people can reduce risk of infection. Later, Jason and Linda talk about the emotional toll that COVID-19 can take and how to best mitigate that. Agrisafe recently put out a webinar that is available to the public on COVID-19. That can be found at https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/what-ag-producers-need-to-know-about-covid19-march-23-2020.To find AgriSafe on-line go to https://www.agrisafe.org/
Amanda Radke has been a great influence on me for a lot of years. I began reading her Beef Daily Blog shortly after I graduated college and have been an avid follower ever since. She fulfills many obligations as a rancher, wife, mother, writer, and speaker from Mitchell, South Dakota. She is an incredible advocate for the beef industry and a mentor for folks like me trying to tell their story. We talk to her today about her writing on mental health and what sparked her to focus on these things in her writing. We also talk to her about her children's books and her recent experience of going viral with her message. Go check out Amanda online at https://amandaradke.com/. In the intro, I talk just briefly about a webinar taking place that is put on by the folks at AgriSafe regarding what Ag Producers need to know about COVID-19. Check that out at https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/what-ag-producers-need-to-know-about-covid19-march-23-2020
Welcome to the 4th and final installment of our series on producers and influencers from Missouri. Today on the show we talk to Macey Hurst. Macey is a very active advocate for the beef industry, in particular Missouri Beef. She is an active producer owning Lady Livestock Company with her mother and sister. We talk about how cracking the "cowboy culture" is tough when it comes to talking about mental health in the cattle industry. Find Macey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/macey.hurst/
Today is our 3rd installment of our series featuring Missouri producers and influencers. We talk today to Kylie Epperson of Vandalia, Missouri. Kylie is one half of the voices behind the Midwest Farm Wives Podcast. We speak today to Kylie about her journey from what she thought was going to be a career as a school teacher to becoming a partner with her husband in their farm operation. We also talk about Kylie's (and her partner Whitney Larson's) work in bringing light to the perspective of the farm wife, an often overlooked and unappreciated perspective. Check out Kylie and Whitney on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midwest-farm-wives/id1471900461
Today we continue our series featuring Missouri Producers and Influencers. Carey Portell makes her second appearance on the podcast. We talk about her journey into public speaking. How she overcame her naturally shy and introverted personality to become one of the more sought after public speakers in Missouri. We also talk about her overcoming her battle with prescription pain medicine after her multiple surgeries following her life changing car accident. Find Carey online at http://careyportell.com/ Link to her previous episode on ASOM https://globalagnetwork.com/ag-state-of-mind-with-jason-medows/podcast/asom-ep-3-carey-portell
Today we kick off our series highlighting Missouri agriculture producers and influencers. Caroline Sicht is a farm girl from Ashland, Missouri who has taken her love for telling others about life on her family farm and turned it into a business. Caroline runs TellYourFarmStory.com, a site where she is bridging the gap between producer and consumer. We talk about her journey from a college softball player to working as an advocate for the ag industry. Caroline has become a good friend of the show and we are excited for her new podcast!!
Cynthia Martel is an extension agent with the Virginia Cooperative Extension who is taking her recent training to the farmers she serves. We talk to her about her different roles around the country from New England to the Midwest to finally settling in Virginia. One thing that is common is we are all facing struggles everywhere. You can connect with Cynthia at cmartel@vt.edu. Stay tuned to the end of the show to find out an event where I will be speaking at the end of the month.
Today we welcome Jessica Peters. Jessica is a dairy farmer from Pennsylvania who has been very outspoken in her awareness of mental health in agriculture. Jess speaks openly on her social media page about the stresses involved in ag. She has begun a google document called "Our Ag Secrets" where people can anonymously leave their issues in this document. Go check Jess out on line on her Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/seejessfarm/. To access Our Ag Secrets doc click here Check out her blog on Hoard's Dairyman
Today on the show we have the pleasure of speaking to Jeff Ditzenberger. Jeff is a farmer from Wisconsin who has done some extraordinary work in helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health in ag. Jeff has battle with his mental health for a number of years now. After overcoming many issues, he has begun an outreach group to help others like him. To reach Jeff, find him on facebook or send an email to tugsgroup@gmail.com (Apologies for the subpar audio quality. I had a bit of an issue in the initial recording.)
Today on the show we have Michelle Jones. Michelle is a wife, a mother, and a farmer from Montana. Michelle has been very open online about her struggles with her anxiety and depression. She’s taken action to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in ag. She has a comprehensive resource page on her website that is devoted solely to mental health. Michelle is also very active in policy serving in both the Montana Grain Growers Association and on the National Association of Wheat Growers board. We talk to her about how policies are affecting the attitudes in rural America. Go check Michelle out online at bigskyfarmher.com
Ben Gotschall is a dairy farmer from Nebraska. We discuss the different anxieties that come from farming full time vs splitting the time between a town job and the farm. We also speak about the stresses facing the dairy industry. Check out Ben at https://holtcreekjerseys.com.
Today Jason speaks to Dave Pratt, CEO Emeritus of Ranch Management Consultants, the company that puts on the Ranching for Profit (RFP) schools. RFP helps its graduates find the breakthroughs that will improve the health and productivity of their ranches, the profitability of your business and the quality of their lives. Jason and Dave talks about the importance of asking why in ranching business. They speak about how the ranch operation should serve those who work and own it. That having a good quality of life should be of utmost importance to any ranching operation. Dave’s teachings have been a huge influence on our mission here at ASoM, so today’s episode is very special. Link to Dave's book Healthy Land, Happy Families, and Profitable Businesses. https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Happy-Families-Profitable-Businesses/dp/0991063406Mentioned in this Podcast: Savory Institute. https://www.savory.global/E-Myth Revisted: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
Greetings everyone! Just a short solo episode this week discussing the importance of gratitude. A short conversation I had with a mom a few weeks ago sparked some serious introspect and thought about gratitude. Gratitude is one of the strongest feelings that one can feel throughout their day. It was gratitude that helped get me through a very stressful week!
- Greetings!! We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas… we know we did!! We have a bit of a late Christmas present for you today! Jason speaks with Lesley Kelly on the show today. Lesley is a wife, mother, farmer, podcaster, blogger, and an advocate for the ag industry from Saskatchewan. Lesley is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, a Canadian non profit organization who’s focus is on combatting the mental health crisis in agriculture. We talk to Lesley about her background in both ag and in working with people and their mental health. Lesley is an amazing woman and a pioneer in working with mental health in agriculture. To find Lesley online, go to HighHeelsandCanolaFields.com. To learn more about the Do More Agriculture Foundation, go to https://www.domore.ag/about-us
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The Do More Agriculture Foundation has been a huge influence on what we are trying to do here at ASoM. Today, Jason chats with Adelle Stewart who recently has taken over the reins as Executive Director of Do More Ag. Jason and Adelle talk a little bit about her journey to Do More, the work that Do More has done and planning to do in the future, and a little bit about her passion for horses. Really excited to have Adelle and Do More featured on the podcast! Check out Adelle's profile at Do More: https://www.domore.ag/blog/2019/5/23/meet-the-board-adelle-stewartTo find out more about Do More, check them out onlinehttps://www.domore.ag/
Sorry for the delay in publishing. This week on the Podcast, Jason speaks with Holly Spangler. Holly is the Senior Editor of Prairie Farmer Magazine, a Farm Progress Publication focusing on issues in Illinois. In addition to her work with Farm Progress, Holly is a photographer, blogger, wife, mother, farmer, and 4-H leader. Holly has written several pieces focusing on mental health in agriculture. We talk about a few of those articles she's written, as well as some of the fun that her county 4-H had with the cattle show at their county fair.Check out Holly's bio on-line and links to her most recent articles at https://www.farmprogress.com/author/Holly-Spangler
Today, Jason speaks with friend of the show, Clay Conry. Clay is the driving force behind WorkingCows.net and the Working Cows Podcast. Clay is a native of South Dakota, growing up on a Cow-Calf Operation outside of Belle Fourche, SD. In additon to ranching and podcasting, Clay is also a minister. Today, Clay talks about his background in both ministry and agriculture and how he combines them into making an influential podcast helping ranchers find joy in their lifestyle.
Today, Jason talks with Cody Creelman, a veternarian and digital story teller based in Alberta, Canada. We chat about his journey from vet school to practicing vet to becoming a pioneer in the ag world telling his story online. Cody also shifts the conversation to speaking about the rate of depression and suicide in the veterinary community, something Jason was not aware of. Go check out Cody online at https://codycreelman.com/ . Cody and I talk briefly about the Do More Agriculture Foundation. To check them out go to https://www.domore.ag/about-us
Today we talk to Kathy Voth. Kathy is the editor of OnPasture.com, an online magazine that provides helpful tools for farmers and ranchers trying to get the most out of their grazing operations. We talk to Kathy about her work at OnPasture got started and how she's seen it grow and help the folks it serves. We also speak to Kathy about her own struggles with anxiety and depression and what she has done to manage them.Go check out Kathy and so many other great contributors at OnPasture.comTo contact Kathy directly email kathy@onpasture.comTo read and learn about The Western Landowners Alliance, go to https://westernlandowners.org/
Today we go across the pond to speak with Peter and Paula Hynes of Cork County, Ireland. Peter and Paula run a grass based dairy and in the last couple of years have become vocal advocates for mental health in agriculture. We speak to them today about their motivations for beginning their work, their charity auctions benefiting work in mental health in Ireland and the UK, and their approach to social media to help bring a positive light to the industry.
Today we speak again to Dr. Val Farmer. We initially hear from Val about his trip to Israel. First we speak about his visits to many of the sacred sites of world religions. We then speak briefly about the farming practices that Val observed during his visit. We then transition to talking about the current agriculture industry and the stresses farmers and ranchers face. We discuss personal and business management techniques that can help insulate us a bit against these stresses. Val has a vast archive of his writings available on-line focusing on mental health, relationships, and rural living at valFamer.com. If you want to learn more about Val and view his material, please be sure to check him out on-line.
Today Jason speaks with Michele Payn. Michele is an author, speaker, and advocate for those of us involved in agriculuture. They chat a little bit about her new book "Food Bullying" and how food bullies at the end of the supply chain are affecting producers at the beginning. Jason also speaks to Michele about her recent efforts to raise awareness for mental health within the ag community. Find Michele's books and other resources on-line at https://causematters.com/
In this episode, Jason welcomes to the show Wisconsin Dairy Farmer Randy Roecker to discuss his personal journey through mental health struggles and some of the great projects he is involved with that help raise awareness about mental health in the ag community and provide support to farmers who are interested.
In this episode, Jason interviews Susan Harris-Broomfield, Rural Health, Wellness, and Safety Educator from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, about how the recent flooding in Nebraska is affecting those in the agricultural community there, and also how sleep deprivation impacts those in the ag community.
In this episode, Jason interviews his friend and neighbor, Carey Portell, a partially-disabled rancher with an incredible and inspiring story.
In this episode, Jason interviews farm strategy expert and authorized IBC practitioner Mary Jo Irmen about farm finances and planning for the future. Jason and Mary Jo discuss mental health among farmers, abundance vs. scarcity mindsets, and how Millennials are helping shift the paradigms of industry.Check out Mary Jo at: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/Her book Farming Without the Bank challenges the traditional ways that a farming operation is financed.She also has her own podcast, Farming Without the Bank.
In our first interview episode, Jason gets an overview of mental health in rural and farming communities from Dr. Val Farmer, a well-known clinical psychologist and syndicated columnist, specializing in rural mental health and family relationships. Get more info on Dr. Farmer at: valfarmer.com. A
Welcome to our inaugural episode of Ag State of Mind! In this episode, Jason shares a bit about his background and his vision for this podcast. We hope you'll join us and find out if this podcast can benefit you!