In this first episode of the Heart of Rural America podcast for 2026, host Amanda Radke reconnects with her friend Calli Thorne, a ranch mom, entrepreneur, and fellow speaker. They discuss the challenges and rewards of operating a USDA federally-inspected beef plant named Yellowstone River Beef, their experiences in the cattle industry, and the importance of a positive mindset in overcoming business obstacles. Calli shares her strategies for balancing multiple responsibilities, including motherhood, business, and public speaking, by using a method of delegating or ditching tasks to focus on what truly matters. The episode delves into themes of entrepreneurship, leadership, and maintaining mental well-being while managing a busy, fulfilling life.

00:00 Welcome to the Heart of Rural America

00:34 Catching Up with Calli Thorne

02:43 Challenges and Triumphs in the Beef Industry

09:09 Balancing Business and Personal Life

14:16 Mastering the Art of Saying No

20:42 Empowering Women in Agriculture

27:49 Final Thoughts and New Year Motivation

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Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke welcomes her middle sister, Courtney Coughlin, a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and homeschooling mother of four. They discuss Courtney's various ventures, including her boutique CCXO and her cut flower business, Three Sisters Blooms. The sisters reflect on the importance of family, faith, and community, and share their predictions for business trends in 2026. They also offer practical advice for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of authenticity, intentionality, and habit stacking. The episode concludes with a look ahead to 2026 and a special surprise for listeners.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:59 Wedding Preparations and Sisterly Competition

01:50 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Family Business

03:29 Flower Business and Community Engagement

05:51 Beauty Products and Coaching Team

07:41 Social Media Strategies and Predictions for 2026

11:38 In-Person Events and Shopping Trends

16:07 Grandma Core and Embracing Slow Living

18:18 Family Time and Work-Life Balance

18:45 Scheduling Meaningful Moments

19:19 Involving Kids in Work

20:20 The Importance of Community and Family Farm

21:07 Habit Stacking for a Better Life

23:39 Admin Nights: Combining Work and Socializing

26:26 Faith and Family Values

28:39 Intentional Living in 2026

29:59 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Shop Red Aspen: https://redaspenlove.com/pages/incentive?srsltid=AfmBOopNOkswz8PWWlG-dJfmkmIG30focRh90PpRD91xzZowMyvRnzNJ&pws=amandaradke

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke welcomes back Chris Earl of CK6 Consulting to discuss the current state of the American beef industry. They review the past year's sales and reflect on the significant improvements in beef pricing for producers. Chris shares his insights on the economic and political factors that are shaping the industry, the importance of resilience, and the fundamental role of faith in his personal and professional life. They also delve into their collaborative projects like Bid on Beef and the All American Angus Beef brand. Chris emphasizes the essential values of family, mentorship, and hard work, urging young cattle producers to leverage these favorable times for the industry. The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the challenges and blessings of the cattle business, framed by their shared faith and commitment to service.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:44 Reflecting on a Successful Year

02:49 Market Challenges and Opportunities

07:12 Faith and Business Philosophy

11:14 Family and Mentorship in Ranching

15:35 Bid on Beef and Market Evolution

25:02 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

t’s been said that the farm and ranch is the best place to raise children. As a mom of four kids, I feel so blessed to be able to teach kids about life, faith, family, community, and being true stewards of the land, livestock, and the people around them through the avenue of raising cattle.A calling from God led Tyler and I to become licensed foster parents in 2019, and since then, we’ve had a dozen kids come and go on the ranch. It’s been a humbling experience and a shared family mission that has taught us plenty of lessons and has helped us grow in our faith, empathy, and commitment to serve others well.On this week’s episode, I chat with fellow foster mom and Nebraska cattle rancher, Jessi Grote, to discuss her experiences as a foster mom and the new organization they have started to continue to serve families stepping into these hard spaces.Learn more about Foster The Love With Beef here: https://www.facebook.com/fosterlovewithbeefLearn more about foster care and adoption: https://americaskidsbelong.org/Presented by CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock | Meats by Linz | Linz Heritage Angus

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke visits Cowgirl Confident in Afton, Oklahoma to explore key topics in agritourism and veterinary practice. Amanda interviews Arielle Honovich from Ridge Ranch, NY, about her journey into livestock breeding and agritourism near New York City. Arielle shares valuable insights on managing farm operations, handling visitors, and the importance of adapting business strategies to local opportunities. Next, Dr. Mindy Mayfield, an Oklahoma veterinarian, discusses her seminar 'Chute-side with Dr. Mindy,' focusing on practical knowledge for new cattle producers and the unique challenges faced by female vets in rural settings. Dr. Mayfield offers an honest look into the financial pressures, emotional stress, and balancing acts required in the veterinary profession. This episode highlights the power of community, mentorship, and resilience among women in agriculture.

00:00 Introduction to The Heart of Rural America Podcast

00:42 Arielle Honovich: From Teaching to Agritourism

02:16 Challenges and Opportunities in Agritourism

05:11 Building a Supportive Community

07:27 Dr. Mindy: Practical Veterinary Advice

10:18 The Realities of Being a Rural Veterinarian

14:07 Balancing Family and Veterinary Practice

15:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke highlights Taylor Blake, a viral social media sensation and a Florida farm girl at Knuckle Bump Farms. Taylor shares her journey of merging her love for farming and social media, starting with her viral TikTok video featuring her emu, Emmanuel. She discusses the importance of authenticity, consistency, and finding unique content from everyday farm life. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of community, mentorship, and supporting fellow entrepreneurs in the agriculture industry. Taylor offers practical advice for rural entrepreneurs looking to build their brand and monetize their social media presence. This episode is full of inspiring stories and valuable insights on leveraging social media for agricultural success.

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this solo episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke dives deep into the logistics and strategies behind building a successful direct-to-consumer beef business. Sponsored by Reverse Rocking R Ranch, the episode begins with the promotion of their annual bull and female sale.

Amanda recounts the journey of launching bidonbeef.com, an auction platform for premium American Angus beef, discusses lessons learned, and highlights the significance of marketing, quality assurance, and distribution. She introduces her new 'Bulletproof Your Beef Business Academy,' offering one-on-one coaching to aid producers. Detailed insights on finance management, identifying target customers, shipping logistics, and effective marketing techniques provide valuable advice for beef entrepreneurs.

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books

Learn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this compelling episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke brings back guest Dave Duquette of Western Justice. Duquette discusses his latest documentary on property rights titled 'The Great Pocatello Land Grab,' which reveals the forced annexation of historic ranches in Pocatello, Idaho, and exposes corrupt developer schemes. The conversation also covers broader issues in rural America, such as the challenges of protecting family farms from urban encroachment and rights violations, the controversial federal management of wolves, and the dire situation of wild horses and burros on public lands. Duquette emphasizes the importance of awareness and collective action within the agricultural community and shares insights on how individuals can protect their lands and livelihoods.

Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle

Use code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.com

Save on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/

Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books