Whether you enjoy going to the gym, have a long commute, or have loads of laundry to do every week - there’s always a time that you can escape into the world of audio whether that be in a book or a podcast. Podcast’s are a wonderful way that you can escape from the world, get your creative juices flowing, learn new concepts, or keep up with your favorite industries.
Here’s our 2021 Top Podcast Recommendations:
Agricultural Podcasts
Pioneering Today - Melissa K. Norris
What can we say about this fun and educational podcast led by Melissa K. Norris, a pharmacist turned homesteader from the state of Washington. Living off the land, she was able to change her life for the better when, at the age of 29, she had a cancer scare. Increasing her food production and eating locally, Melissa was able to get off of the six prescription medicines that she’d been taking, change her entire lifestyle, and become healthy and whole again for her family.
Melissa’s tagline is “If you always wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder’s friend, than you can be friends!” As a formed Little House on the Prairie fan club member - I was in from the start! The Pioneering Today podcast has been featured nationally in the top publications. Melissa shares her wisdom, gives homestead updates on projects, interviews other industry specialists and also teaches courses.
On the Front Porch with The Rural Housewives
I have been such a fan of Angela Scott since I worked with her when I was events management coordinator and communications director for a state cattle association managing our annual convention and she was a vendor representative. Full of infectious energy, great story telling, and a profound knowledge of the western industries, it was to my great joy when she joined forces with Mary to create this podcast for rural women, by rural women, and featuring rural women.
Navigating the challenging aspects of rural housewife life and toasting the milestones you pass - this is a great podcast to check out!
Future of Agriculture
When it comes to podcasting, the best expert I know is Tim Hammerich. He’s the founder of AgGrad, the AgGrad 30 Under 30, and the Future of Agriculture podcast which, in my opinion, is nationally accepted as one of the ultimate podcasts for agriculture futures discussions. If you want to broaden your horizons about food, the future of food, and the technology and industry it’ll take to feed the world - this is the podcast for you.
Business Podcasts
The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher
Jenna Kutcher’s podcast, the Goal Digger Podcast, may be the largest stand alone podcast that I listen too with the Future of Agriculture being the only one getting close. This is a podcast geared towards women and specifically women entrepreneurs. The team that manages this podcast is ELITE and how we base a lot of the systems off of for our That Western Life podcast. Organized, dedicated and efficient - every aspect of the show from topics to guests to advertisers are carefully and methodically thought out.
If you are looking to grow your side hustle or even within your career at work - this is the podcast for you. Jenna worked corporate for Target after being a college athlete and then bought a camera off of Craigslist and became Minnesota’s top wedding photographer (with a lot of sweat, time and tears). From there, she began sharing her experiences as an entrepreneur, how to grow, where you should focus your time and attention, and then, right when it couldn’t become any better, she decided to get personal. If you want to have real-talk about life, relationships, online bullies, and loss - this is your podcast.
Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield
I discovered Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy podcast via Jenna Kutcher who was promoting her affiliate to Amy’s Digital Course Academy’s online course. That course was one of the single most expensive courses I have ever purchased (yes, I am even including college courses in this) and I wanted to make sure that I made every effort to glean $2 back for every $1 invested. This is how I got to her podcast and listening to it.
While every episode is not perfect for me, there is always something that I can take away to apply to my business or to a client. I love her guests that are diverse and both male and female super stars in the business world. Getting the inside look at the male business person’s psyche is a phenomenal way to step out and see how men see certain business issues to help with communication across the board.
The Boutique Chat by the Boutique Hub’s Ashley Alderson
Ashley Alderson’s Boutique Chat is the perfect podcast for those of you with a more boutique style business or if you are selling products that you create. Ashley is a former Miss Rodeo America and has jumped on the podcast for both her “Miss Rodeo America, Where are they now?” episode of the That Western Life podcast, but also jumped in to give us an update for businesses at the start of the pandemic. She shares authentic and real information for improving your businesses return on investments, shipping and logistics, and efficiencies.
This is also part of the dynamic team that founded Western Runway, the premier magazine of the National Finals Rodeo.
Historical Podcasts
Noble Blood
History always repeats itself so I spend a lot of time of finding out about the mistakes and success of those that came before me - sometimes LONG before me. We’re talking about the B.C. to modern times!
Author Dana Schwartz hosts the podcast and dives deep into a variety of historical nobles in educational 20-40 minute episodes. The author of three books, including her memoir Choose Your Own Disaster, she’s written for the New Yorker, Marie Clair, GQ, Glamour, Entertainment Weekly, and more.
The History Chicks
If you want to dive deeper into women specifically in history - this is the podcast for you! It also dives into fictional women as well which If ind really interesting. Part of what I love about this podcast is the “drop in time” and breaking down the propaganda, myths, and mudslinging that typically follows powerful women in history.
On their website, they say, “plan a vacation around a woman that existed long before you but, for some reason, you relate too., How you use the resources that we provide is entirely up to you!” Not all of these historical women are history and are inspiration to the creative writing part of my brain that wants to just sit in a comfy lodge and write stories that change lives! You’ll see a new twist on the That Western Life Season 4 podcast that features this soon!
Rodeo & Equestrian Podcasts
That Western Life
I have to give a shoutout to the podcast that takes up A LOT of our podcast hours these days - That Western Life. Produced by the team here at Western Insights Media, it is co-hosted by Katie Schrock and Rachel Owens-Sarno, with a group of field reporters ranging from women to men and all over North America.
A podcast dedicated to 50% rodeo and 50% other, with “other” being defined as agriculture, ranching, western lifestyle, and country music there is a variety of topics for anyone interested in the western lifestyle. In Season 3, they collaborated with COWGIRL Magazine featuring their 30 Under 30 recipients in-depth and also announced a Country Artist of the Month featuring Lonestar in the debut episode. Additionally, if you are looking for the nitty gritty stats and numbers - their National Finals Rodeo round recaps include all the information you could ever want and some!
Cowhorse Full Contact
A reined cow horse podcast hosted by Chris Dawson and Russell Dilday this is one of the most highly recommended podcasts. It’s not just for those that are cow horse enthusiasts, although those of you that crave the adrenaline of the reined cow horse arena will already probably be listening, but it’s great for anyone who is using a horse with cow horse bloodlines. This can be barrel racers, team penners, ropers, and breeders!