Brian Engleking — Lessons from the Barn, the Road, and Rebuilding

In this episode of Patio Pondering, Jim sits down with longtime friend, FarmHouse fraternity brother, and Purdue Dairy Judging Coach Brian Engleking to explore a life shaped by dairy cattle, youth leadership, and an unexpected medical crisis that forced him to rebuild from the ground up.

Brian shares his journey from growing up on a small Indiana dairy farm to becoming a Holstein classifier, evaluating more than 250,000 cows across 47 states and several countries. He reflects on how those years on the road shaped his eye for cattle, his understanding of the dairy industry, and his appreciation for the people who make agriculture work.

The conversation turns deeply personal as Brian describes the brain bleed that ended his classification career and required him to relearn basic motor skills. With honesty and clarity, he talks about the frustration, fatigue, faith, and perspective that emerged from that season of rebuilding.

Today, Brian has found his second dream job as the coach of the Purdue Dairy Judging Team, where he mentors college students in livestock evaluation, reasons, communication, and confidence.

Together, Jim and Brian discuss:

• What dairy farmers really look for when evaluating cows

• How FFA, 4-H, and dairy judging shape work ethic and leadership

• Why real conversation still matters in a phone-driven world

• How adversity can reorder a life and reveal a new calling

• The lessons agriculture teaches about resilience, purpose, and starting again

If you enjoy agriculture stories that blend livestock, leadership, and life perspective, this episode will resonate deeply.

One Year Sober - What I Learned After 365 Days Without Alcohol

In this solo episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, host Jim Smith reflects on one year of living alcohol-free — not from rock bottom or rehab, but from a quiet decision to reclaim clarity, creativity, and control.

Jim shares the real story behind his turning point — the morning-after moment that made him realize alcohol had become more ritual than reward. From there, he talks about how quitting drinking changed his focus, relationships, and mental clarity without judgment or preachiness.

If you’ve ever thought about cutting back, rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or just wondering what life feels like on the other side, this episode is an honest look at how one year sober can reshape your perspective — and your peace.

Key topics:

• Why I quit drinking after my son’s birthday party

• How the ritual of drinking was harder to break than the alcohol

• What changed in 365 days without alcohol

• How clarity, creativity, and calm replaced my nightly pour

• Why quitting drinking was the best decision I made for myself

Chloe Buchanan - From 4-H to Embryology - IVF, Leadership, and Ag Roots

Chloe Buchanan grew up in Leo, Indiana, found her footing in 4-H, and now manages a Great Lakes team at Trans Ova Genetics as a professional services embryologist—doing on-farm IVF collections, embryo transfer (fresh & frozen), and supporting cattle and small-ruminant programs. We talk about what an embryologist actually does, the difference between lab IVF roles and field PSE work, and how advanced reproductive technologies accelerate genetic progress on both seedstock and commercial operations. Chloe shares her path through Southern Illinois University (SIU), the mentors who opened doors, and how she leads a remote, multi-state team at 28—covering one-on-ones, staying connected on the road, and “leading without a title.” We also touch on Temple Grandin, why friendships and community matter in ag, and how to bring more non-traditional students into animal agriculture. If you’re curious about practical IVF, ET, and day-to-day leadership in production ag, this one’s for you.

Jerod McDaniel on Bullshit, Big Ag, and the Power of Speaking Up

We’re not pulling any punches in this episode.

Jim sits down with Jerod McDaniel, a farmer, cattleman, and unapologetic contrarian from Texhoma, Oklahoma, who’s made a name for himself by doing what most in agriculture won’t: calling out the broken systems, the lazy thinking, and the comfortable lies.

Jerod took over his family’s operation at 18 and has spent the last three decades doing things differently because the mainstream often gets it wrong. From planting low-pop corn in the dust-blown Oklahoma Panhandle to challenging the way we manage herds (and people), Jerod brings real-world wisdom and the kind of honesty that makes people squirm and think.

In this episode:

• Why he thinks most ag narratives are theater and how to spot the lies

• How learning by failure built his bullshit radar

• What cattle management taught him about human behavior during COVID

• The problem with breeding for docility livestock and in society

• How he raises kids who can think, act, and challenge the status quo

This isn’t just a conversation. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in cowboy grit.

If you’re tired of corporate-sanitized ag talk, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

Mike Pearson – Finding a Voice in Agricultural Broadcasting

Mike Pearson’s name is well-known in agricultural media, but his journey to becoming one of the most recognized voices in farm broadcasting was anything but easy. In this episode of Patio Pondering, Mike opens up about the weight of legacy—stepping into his father Mark Pearson’s role at Market to Market after his sudden passing, then later taking on another iconic position at U.S. Farm Report.

Beyond the headlines and the camera lights, Mike shares the deeply personal side of his story—his struggles with alcoholism, how it impacted his career, and the turning points that helped him rebuild. This isn’t just a conversation about farm broadcasting; it’s about resilience, redemption, and finding one’s own voice in an industry that never stops moving.

An honest and powerful discussion about pressure, expectations, and the lessons that agriculture teaches us about perseverance.

Patio Pondering Podcast - Episode #1 - Introduction

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast! I'm Jim Smith—a husband, father, farmer, and seasoned swine nutritionist—and I’m thrilled to introduce myself and the story behind the 'Patio Pondering' series. In this first episode, I’ll share the inspiration that sparked the podcast, offer a glimpse into my life and education, and lay out the vision for future episodes. Together, we’ll explore the expected and obscure stories in agriculture that shape our lives. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, a curious friend, or just intrigued by the world of agriculture, there’s something here for you. So pull up a chair, get comfortable, and let’s start pondering!