EmpowerU: The Schaaking Speech... The Post Game Sort Featuring Scott Schaake

Podcast: EmpowerU
Hosts: Weston Hendrix, Luke Domingue
Guest: Scott Schaake
Release Date: October 22, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes "post game" of the American Royal Steer Show with renowned judge and cattleman, Scott Schaake. The conversation offers listeners not just detailed show insights and candid reflections on livestock judging, but also a powerful industry commentary on integrity, family, and leadership—punctuated by Schaake’s viral “Division 2 Speech.” The episode provides practical judging wisdom, memorable stories, and a heartfelt call for positive change in the livestock show world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scott Schaake’s Background and Approach

• [00:51] Schaake introduces himself as a Kansas native, longtime Kansas State professor (now retired, full-time rancher), and a repeat judge at the American Royal.
• Reflects on retiring to ranching:
  “Several people ask, how is it being retired? It's a lot of work. I think I should have my real job back so I can go in and take a little nap…” (Scott, 00:51)

2. Pre-Show Philosophy: Expectations, Goals, and Nerves

• [02:06–04:09] Schaake says he treats every show with the same excitement, regardless of size or prestige.
  • High motivation and expectations, particularly as the American Royal has improved in quality in recent years.
  • Goal: Stay consistent to his own standards: muscularity, structural correctness, freshness, and youthfulness in the chosen steers—not just picking "leftovers" from other shows.

3. The Impact of Ring/Facility on Judging and Presentation

• [05:25–07:14] Touches on how rings and facilities (lighting, color, etc.) can affect cattle presentation and the future of the show’s venue.
  • “Lighting is a big factor in some of these arenas. There’s all kinds of things that you really don’t think about until you step into it.” (Scott, 06:41)

4. Family, Teamwork, and Judging With His Son

• [07:14–09:58] Judging with his son Shiloh was a personal highlight, reinforcing the family focus of junior shows.
  • Both sons participated: one as superintendent, one as judging partner.
  • Values alignment and ease of decision-making: “He and I see them exactly the same. So there really was no discussion. ...It was fun though. Big honor."

5. Navigating the Show: Detailed Class Analysis

A big portion is devoted to a class-by-class breakdown of the show, with Schaake’s logic, priorities, and reflections on animal type, structure, muscle, youthfulness, presentation, and showmanship.

Notable Class Comments & Quotes:

• Class 1:
  “The gate opens...both Shiloh and I looked at each other and said, well, this is pretty simple. We got something to tie into because he really just kind of set the bar.” (Scott, 11:50)
• Class 3:
  “There’s little things and you throw that extra shot of frame and then he becomes kind of the outlier in the class...” (Scott, 14:57)
• Class 5:
  “All four in the top have structure issues.” (Host, 18:45)
• On division champions:
  “I thought the three champions really for the things we wanted to do...we wanted to keep them muscular. Carcass had to be right in terms of fat and those three were fine. But rib cage, keep them fresh looking.” (Scott, 20:38)

Practical Insights:

• Emphasis on balancing soundness and muscle—refusing to change standards mid-show for convenience.
• Willingness to leave animals unplaced if they didn't meet target traits, to ensure exhibitors pay attention to oral reasons and feedback.

Judging Ethos: Consistency and Integrity

• [34:45] On structural issues:
  “If you’ve said early on in the day that you will accept that it don’t bother you, then rock right on. You use it. ...We were tough on structure, right. ...I don’t think you switch gears in the middle of the game.” (Scott)
• [41:42] On class toughness:
  “I judge with, in my mind what I want... we find it and not so much comparison.”

The Speech: Industry Wake-Up Call

Division 2 Speech: Context & Purpose

• [61:24–67:01] Schaake blew up social media with his passionate mid-show speech, addressing:
  • Judge accountability and transparent, accurate class descriptions
  • The damaging trend of parent/industry negativity, entitlement, and misplaced priorities (especially visible on social media)
  • Reminder that livestock shows should be for youth development, not adult ego

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s gotten to where parents act younger than their kids... It was one of those things where I think we needed to address it. I’ve told several people I planted the seed. We’ll see who listens, we’ll see who cares.” (Scott, 67:01)
• “Why do we do it? It’s for the kids, and they use the livestock as a tool to develop them.” (Host, 69:02)

Reaction & Endorsement From Hosts

• Both Weston & Luke reinforce the message—urging gratitude, humility, and learning rather than blame-placing and social media bashing.
  • “If your livestock ... didn’t win ...be grateful you were up there at the top, and then if you weren't...listen to the judge...and learn how to get better.” (Host, 71:29)

Industry Integrity, Politics, and Judging Realities

• [73:34] On accusations of “politics” in judging: “People that do well under certain judges all the time is because they pay attention and, and they find and feed one that fits that judge...it’s not politics.” (Scott)
• [74:06] On judge selection and experience: “Most of those people that are judging them (big shows), they're highly qualified because they've done, they've done 252 county fairs, and each county fair gives them a hamburger, a Coke, and maybe a piece of apple pie... so. Right. You pay your dues...”

The Future: Commercial Connection & Industry Trends

• [77:33–79:42] On whether show ring can reconnect to commercial sector:
  • Skeptical, but sees hope if breeding side is prioritized for true functional traits
  • The industry trends swing—extremes eventually give way to correction
  • “It’ll come back eventually someday, I hope.” (Scott, 79:42)

Family, Personal Growth, and a "Show With Purpose"

• [80:15–83:04] Encourages parents to let kids find their own path:
  • “Let your kids figure out what they really want to do. Don’t try to live your dreams through them.”
• Proposes a “show with a purpose:”
  Kids manage their animals alone, swap species, focus on personal growth and skills—no parents, no drama.

Notable/Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On going slow and being thorough as a judge:
  “I slowed the show down with my little speech, but... not a bad thing.” (Scott, 10:22)
• On showmanship and animal prep:
  “That calf’s hair was so dense. So I mean it’s like, it’s just like perfect clip job... but I’ll guarantee you, one thing, if they got some chest and they're opened up there and they got some width back in their pins, they're naturally got some width to them, right?” (Scott, 38:18)
• On kids, parents, and the future:
  “Kids are very impressionable...but you know what else?...kids know right from wrong.” (Scott, 76:37)
• On cyclical trends in the industry:
  “The pendulum will always swing. We'll go to the extreme, and then we'll realize…Whoops. ...It never stops in the middle, but it'll always swing back and forth.” (Scott, 79:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:51: Schaake’s Introduction and Background
• 02:06: Mindset and Goals Going Into the Show
• 07:24: Family Focus—Judging With His Sons
• 11:50–21:33: Detailed Class-by-Class Show Analysis
• 34:45: Structural Soundness and Consistency in Judging
• 61:24: Motivation For “The Speech” and Industry Context
• 67:01: On Negativity, Industry Culture, and Social Media
• 73:34: The “Political” Judging Discussion
• 77:33: Reconnecting the Show Ring to Commercial Cattle
• 80:15: Parenting, Youth Development, “Show With a Purpose”

Conclusion

This episode gives listeners unprecedented access to both the technical and emotional landscape of major livestock judging. Scott Schaake is candid, incisive, and wise, sharing lessons that transcend the steer show and reach into the broader challenges—and opportunities—of contemporary agriculture. The now-famous “Division 2 Speech” urged the industry to return to humility, honesty, and a focus on youth development—a message the hosts and listeners were deeply moved by.

Bottom Line:
Schaake’s post-game sort wasn’t just a livestock lesson—it was a values lesson for everyone connected to the show ring. His hope: that the seeds he planted for civility, integrity, and genuine leadership will take root—one family, one judge, one show at a time.

Find Schaake’s speech on Facebook under Showtimes for the full impact, and stay tuned for more post-games from EmpowerU as they continue to spotlight the people—and the values—driving the livestock industry forward.