Podcast
Beyond The Gate
Hosted by Mid-West Family · EN
Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.
Whether you’re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we’re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate’s open… are you ready to step through?
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Life After the Mansion: Part 2 with Mike Parson
Mar 2500:53:04Tap to summarizeWe are back with the second half of our conversation with Missouri’s 57th Governor, Mike Parson. In this episode, we move past the titles to hear the personal stories that defined his time in office, from the quintuple bypass surgery just days before his swearing-in to the "sobering" drive to Jefferson City after the call that changed everything.Now back home in Bolivar, he reflects on the grit required for leadership, his lifelong love for the Missouri State Fair, and the faith that guided him through the state’s toughest moments. It is an honest look at life after the daily grind and the lasting values that make Missouri home.Thanks to our sponsor, Co-Angler! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Milk, Eggs, & 5 Generations of Grit: The Justin Raef Story
Mar 1101:00:58Tap to summarizeJustin Raef is a fifth-generation dairyman and poultry producer from Lebanon, Missouri, whose family has been working the same land since 1916. He brings a collection of stories that define the grit of rural life, including the time he was only eight years old and sneaking out of the house at 4:00 AM to beat his grandpa to the milk barn. It's a raw and honest look at the kind of persistence it takes to keep a Century Farm thriving in 2026.Justin and Jamie explore the high-stakes reality of modern agriculture, highlighting a wild 24-hour window where Justin transitioned from a lifetime in the dairy business to a million-dollar poultry operation. With 20,000 hens now producing thousands of eggs a day alongside his dairy cows, Justin breaks down the daily grind of family teamwork and the market rollercoasters that define his "milk and eggs" lifestyle.Thanks to our sponsor, Co-Angler!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
BulkLoads: Connecting Small Truckers to Big Opportunity
Feb 2500:56:34Tap to summarizeAgriculture doesn’t move without trucks... and most of us never think about that.In this episode, Jamie Johansen talks with Jared Flinn, co-founder of BulkLoads, about the side of agriculture that keeps everything running behind the scenes. Jared shares how working in grain logistics opened his eyes to a bigger opportunity: helping small, independent trucking companies stay profitable and competitive in a tough industry.They dive into the real challenges owner-operators face, why cash flow can make or break a trucking business, and how BulkLoads grew into more than just a load board. It’s now a trusted marketplace, a funding partner, and a growing media platform telling the stories of rural America. Thanks to our sponsor, Co-Angler!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Mike Parson: A Governor, a Farm Kid, and the Road Between
Feb 1100:52:39Tap to summarizeYou’ve heard his name, but now it's time for his story. Jamie Johansen sits down with former Missouri Governor Mike Parson for his first in-depth interview like this since leaving office. In a wide-ranging, personal conversation, Governor Parson opens up about where he came from, growing up on a small farm in Hickory County, and the experiences that shaped him long before politics ever entered the picture. He reflects on his path through law enforcement, the military, business ownership, and public service, sharing stories and lessons that rarely get told once the spotlight fades. The conversation goes beyond titles and elections and gets into leadership, humility, family, and what really matters after the job ends. If you’re interested in hearing a side of a former governor you haven’t heard before, this is a must-listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Keeping the Farm in the Family
Jan 2800:44:31Tap to summarizeFarm succession planning isn’t just about land and paperwork. It’s about family. Jamie Johansen sits down with Wesley Tucker of University of Missouri Extension for a real, eye-opening conversation about what happens to a farm when the next generation isn’t prepared. Wesley breaks down why succession planning matters, why waiting too long causes the biggest family conflicts, and how communication can make or break a farm’s future. They talk about on-farm and off-farm kids, fairness versus equality, sweat equity, and why the hardest conversations are the most important ones to have while everyone is still at the table. This conversation is packed with practical advice, real-life scenarios, and moments that will make you stop and think about your own family plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →