Ladies In the Lead... She Stock Shows!

Welcome to camp...our very first Empowerment Beyond the Barn She Stock Shows Camp. Listen closely as Paige, Reagan, Brystol, Ellie, Rylee, Dylan, and Harper share about their empowering 48 hours we spent together in the barn. I can't thank our special coaches, and past podcast guests, Kylie Langley, Cadence Hansen, and Rilynn Buesing, for coming and teaching all the tricks! Our campers learned a l...

Ladies in the Lead meet Miss Ashley Wiebe. An FFA Advisor at Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa and doing big things with her 350 Ag students. You'll find that Ashley is passionate about what Ag and hands on learning can do for a soul. She grew up in Southwest Minnesota on a hog farm, quickly discovered a passion for cattle and now raises high quality show lambs. She's been a judge all over th...

Ladies in the Lead meet Miss Rilynn Buesing. This sixteen year old has just experienced what some might call, "The summer of a lifetime!" Being only the 3rd person to ever achieve Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog at the Iowa State Fair, Rilynn takes us through the emotions and the thrill of achieving such a huge accomplisment. During our conversation she shares with us how...

Ladies in the Lead this week we meet two outstanding high school seniors, Cadence Hansen and Molly Chapman. Both 9 year 4Her's, both representing Cedar County as our Fair Queen, and both finishing up their last Cedar County Fair 2023. I love how this conversation centers around things coming to an end. The last time in the ring, the last set of goals, and all the feels that go with it. It's surpri...

Ladies in the Lead .... Meet Kate, Kyndall, and Kennedy Burns! Excitement doesn't even begin to cover my emotions as I kick off the summer season with this powerful Mother/Daughter trio! Honestly, I've been wanting to talk to Kate for over a year! She is someone that has been an icon for what teamwork, passion, and stock show family looks like. A cosmetologist by trade, she takes what she creates...

In this week's episode we meet Miss Tess Mittag. As Manager of StockShow University, with Sullivan's Show Supply, we find Tess ...EVERYWHERE! Between running the fitting clinics, handing out the Junior Giveaways, and updating the Pulse, I was lucky enough to catch up with her at the Iowa Beef Expo. Tess grew up in SouthWest Iowa, showing livestock from the 2nd grade. Cattle, sheep, and hogs filled...

In this week's episode we meet Mary Veatch! Someone who leads by example, makes herself "present", and calls herself a lucky penny! Nominated to me, not once but three times, I knew I had to talk to her. Can I say, "I loved it!" As the foundation couple in developing the 13 county regional show, Best of the Best, Mary has been a "present face" in fundraising, recruiting and manager of the details....

In this week’s episode we meet Deven Wilson. Residing in Miles, Iowa with her husband Charlie and two sons, Hendrix (4 yrs) and Riggins (4 months), Deven is what you would say, BUSY! She is recognized Nationally as a powerful judge, works full time as the Marketing and Social Media director with SC Online Sales, a new mother of two beautiful boys, a business owner with Charlie, sells and promotes...

This week's episode we meet Jess Horras, the successful owner of The Baden Baldy Boutique! (For me, I love how boutiques follow us across the map. I love how they give us that Stock Show look.) The Baden Baldy Boutique was created in the spring of 2020, right at the start of CO-VID. When most were settling down, Jess was opening a new online business. She'll say it was the best time to open up, "E...

In this week's episode we meet Katlyn Cain. An overall stock show "enthusiast", she has it going on. A livestock judge, hog producer, and mentor, Katlyn finds many ways to be a Leader in this industry. Her energy makes her a force on the microphone, and her passion helps kids be their best... well that makes her a great Lady in the Lead. Located in West Central Iowa, Katlyn and her husband Zach, o...

In this week's episode we meet Miss Renee Thompson, an outstanding Ag educator and FFA Advisor. If you're like me she'll blow you away! Renee and her husband Jim, live outside of West Branch, Iowa and run Thompson Swine Genetics. Together they use their farm to provide students the opportunities to show pigs, (maybe chickens), but really learn about life. Lessons that teach about care for stock, h...

In this week's episode we kick off Season 3! Ladies in the Lead ... Meet Macy Marek! (What an amazing place to start 2023!) Macy is the 2nd of 4 girls from a 6 generational farm in Washington County Iowa! An inspiring and active hog judge, you are going to find that she takes learning, teaching, and being on the mic to a whole new level. Macy attended Iowa State University, and pursued her passion...

Season 2.. The Edge.. it's a wrap. Listen in as Austin and I recap the highlights of some amazing conversations. Nine weeks ... wow! It's been awesome. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I can't wait for 2023!

This week we finish a 2 week conversation with Kandy Schminke. In part 1 we discussed her journey in the stock show world, this week we cover her health. Kandy bravely shares with us her journey through a long illness with a final diagnosis that led to a kidney transplant. With two autoimmune diseases wreaking havoc on her body, decisions had to be made, not with days but within hours. She shares...

In Part 1 of a 2 week series, we get to meet Mrs. Kandy Schminke... famously known for Schminke Genetics, World Renowned Judge, and friend to all. I have to admit that when I started Ladies In the Lead, Kandy was on my top ten list to get to interview! I might have been a little star struck.. I might still be! She's pretty cool! Kandy shares about the 40 years of hard work, challenges, and how her...

In this week's episode we meet Mrs. Mallory Knapp. Co-owner of MK Livestock, she's a proud wife to Kade, a new mother to MaKenna, and a strong cattle producer. When we sat down she was in the middle of helping her Mom decorate her antique store where she graciously took the time to share her Stock Show story. It's a good one! She would say her journey is nothing fancy. I'd disagree. She would say...

In this week's episode we meet Cassidy Moore. Stay tuned as the podcast ends, you'll hear we jump right in with a funny, but let's be honest, truthful story of how the trailer lot in Kansas City needed help! After 4 hours of waiting, this Lady in the Lead stepped out and got things moving! I love it! Cassidy is an example of what it means to give back. Always committed to a high level of excellenc...

In this week's episode we meet Miss Brooklyn Curtin. The oldest of three, Brooklyn has certainly made her mark in and out of the show ring. She works extremely hard, has unwavering dedication, and big goals to achieve. The Curtin Family knows what it takes to get there and Brooklyn is definitely making her mark. At age 21 she owns her own business, Elite Therapies! She's a 3rd year student at Iowa...

In this week's episode we meet Mrs. Casey Anderson. Casey grew up showing heifers and loved the Junior National Simmental scene. The best part for her... the contests! In fact, during her first Junior Nationals she didn't even take a calf, she went for the experience. She is the Co-Chair of the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show and knows the impact this show has. She's proud of achieving huge fun...

In this week's episode we meet Shae Becker. Currently a 4th year pharmacy student at the University of Iowa, a full-time athlete on the row team, she knows how to manage the details and make things happen. I've watched her year after year show and she is a force. She's competitive, smart, and knows what it takes to get one to the backdrop. (Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Hog at the Iowa State F...

In this week's episode we meet Miss Molly Mormann. A native from Manchester, Iowa, an Iowa State Grad, a cattle producer, and a Business Marketer! She is professional, hard working, and committed to promoting agriculture. I love that she sees "stock show" as being confident, respectful and presenting yourself in your best light. When we met I found her on the farm doing what she loves most, raisin...

In this week's episode we meet Ava Noonan, a junior at Cascade High School. This young lady has had the summer of her life. Listen as she talks about the work, the fun, and the big goals achieved. Oh and don't think she's done yet! She has a steer Ozzy that she absolutely adores and she's headed to Denver with big goals. I love how she talks about her family. She proud of how her sisters and paren...

We are just too excited for the next season of Ladies in the Lead that we just had to release a sneak peak! Check out these clips from conversations with Ava Noonen, Molly Moorman, and Shea Becker as a teaser for what's to come. Thank you to Kabela Brothers Cattle for sponsoring this episode- be sure to stop by the Heros and Legends sale on October 2nd to see some amazing calves for next year's ru...

Wow can you believe it? Season 1 is a wrap. Enjoy as I recap my favorite moments, capture the big ah ha's, and share a little more about the platform, my dream, and love for George Strait! Season 2 it's coming.... don't worry I've got big plans ..... and I can't wait to share them with you! Until then.. see you out on the road!

In this week's episode we meet, Kiley Langley. A senior at Wilton High School, I love how her FFA farm and a simple sign up sheet, changed her life. She made a choice to try something new; sheep, goats, and pigs. She tried them all, and stuck with the lambs! Not letting any opportunity pass her by, she found a mentor, someone who knew what they were doing and soared! Now she's a showmanship champi...