Podcast
The Pork Podcast
Hosted by Farm Journal · EN
There’s just something about the story behind the story. As a storyteller, I’m always searching for ways to give readers just a little more. That’s what The PORK Podcast is all about – bringing you stories of the people and the progress of the pork industry. I’m Jennifer Shike – let’s go find just a little more.
15episodes
Episodes
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Maddison Caldwell: Recovering Loudly | Episode 46
3w ago00:44:02Tap to summarizeIn 2022, Maddison Caldwell shared a story of survival that resonated deeply across the pork industry and rural America. In honor of National Mental Health Month, host Jennifer Shike catches up with Maddison for a raw and powerful conversation on the reality of long-term healing. Read her story here: https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/industry/her-own-hand-farm-girls-miraculous-journey-death-hopeFrom navigating the "gray areas" of life to redefining what "grit" looks like in agriculture, Maddison opens up about her journey from her darkest days to becoming a beacon of hope for others. This episode isn't just a follow-up; it’s a vital toolkit for anyone in the ag community struggling with the pressure to be "perfect" or "fine."Tune in to hear: The Reality of Recovery: Why healing isn't a straight line and how Maddison manages the pressure of being the "face" of a movement. Breaking the Silence: How to move past the "grit" culture and have the uncomfortable conversations that save lives. Support Systems: The role of "uncomplicated" joy and how to stay for someone beyond the crisis moment. Whether you’re a producer, a parent, or someone fighting a silent battle, this episode of The PORK Podcast is a testament to the fact that hope is a choice we make every day.If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Anna Forseth: The Unconventional Path | Episode 45
Apr 2400:42:15Tap to summarizeDr. Anna Forseth didn’t just follow a path; she carved one. In this episode, National Pork Producers Council’s Director of Animal Health shares how her Montana upbringing forged the grit necessary to bridge the gap between local farms and global policy. From the front lines of disease defense to high-level trade negotiations in Paris, Forseth discusses the critical stakes of protecting the U.S. swine herd and why her unconventional journey provides a necessary perspective for the industry’s most pressing challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Mark Knauer: Wrestling with Sow Mortality | Episode 44
Apr 1000:41:28Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to move the needle in the pork industry? For North Carolina State University professor Mark Knauer, it takes the same discipline he learned wrestling under legendary coaches at Iowa State University: the commitment to the "grind." In this episode, we explore how Knauer is bringing elite-level precision to sow management.We discuss: The Sow Caliper: How this simple tool is saving producers money by eliminating subjectivity. The Longevity Secret: Why early growth and puberty are the best predictors of a sow’s lifetime success. Global Competition: What the U.S. must do through nutrition and health research to out-compete Brazil. Practical Research: Why the best insights come from "listening" to the pigs and the people in the barns. Whether you are a producer looking to improve your bottom line or a fan of agricultural innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in practical swine science.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →State of the Pork Industry: Spring 2026 Report
Mar 3100:47:37Tap to summarizeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Michael Williford: From the Front Lines to the Finishing Barn | Episode 43
Mar 2700:43:36Tap to summarizeAfter 20 years in the U.S. Army and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Michael Williford was ready to retire—but he wasn't ready to slow down. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from serving in the military to becoming a contract hog grower in Clinton, Ky. Discover how he used the discipline of the military to master swine management and how he’s using "black gold" to transform his family’s row-crop operation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Dusty Oedekoven: Every Decision Matters | Episode 42
Mar 1300:54:24Tap to summarizeEvery small decision matters. Whether Dusty Oedekoven, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, is talking about wrestling or swine health, he says progress starts with belief. He outlines the newly adopted path forward for the National Swine Health Strategy to help the U.S. pork industry stop living with PRRS and PEDV. Drawing on historical successes like pseudorabies eradication and his own experiences in livestock disease elimination, Oedekoven shares why he believes the industry can move from managing endemic diseases to total elimination.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Dan Hamilton: Building Resilience in the Barn and in Life | Episode 41
Feb 2700:47:19Tap to summarizeDan Hamilton, senior director for product performance at PIC, explores the vital intersection of swine genetic innovation and personal resilience. He shares how digital phenotyping and AI are revolutionizing the industry—from analyzing the "social networks" of pigs to improve welfare to using camera-based algorithms that enhance sow longevity by removing human subjectivity. While discussing the future of precision agriculture through real-time health monitoring and AI-driven feeding, he also addresses critical industry hurdles such as biological robustness and the evolving demands of pork quality. Most poignantly, he reflects on how the tragic loss of his first wife shaped his philosophy on leadership, underscoring that true success in the pork industry is built on a foundation of work-life balance, perspective, and the resilience to navigate challenges both in production and in life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Melanie Langley: Prioritize the Person Behind the Pig | Episode 40
Feb 1300:46:24Tap to summarizeBuilding trust is key to retaining top talent in the pork industry. Melanie Langley, director of people care at Fine Swine, discusses how you can transform barn culture through empathy. Langley shares her three Ps framework—protection, purpose and presence—to show how prioritizing the person behind the pig is the ultimate key to success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Harrison Furlow: Policy at the Slat Level | Episode 39
Jan 3000:41:25Tap to summarizeFrom the DC suburbs to the heart of Iowa, Harrison Furlow’s journey into the pork industry is anything but conventional. Discover why he believes producer-led advocacy is the key to a sustainable future in agriculture and how he’s helping build a more resilient industry in his new role at the Iowa Pork Producers Association.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Chet Mogler: Grow Your Operation From the Inside Out | Episode 38
Jan 1600:46:39Tap to summarizeAfter a challenging 2023, Chet Mogler of Pig Hill Farms is shifting his focus from physical expansion to professionalizing operations through enhanced biosecurity and innovative grower incentives. Learn what’s happening with their new meat company, Iowa Craft Meats, and how their farm is focused on building a resilient and sustainable foundation for the next generation of pork producers. He also shares his experience as a father of 11 children and stresses the importance of learning from others and maintaining core values in both family and business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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