Mind Your Melon

This is the first episode of the "At the Table" series, in partnership with the Florida Cattlemen's Association and the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board. Dale Carlton and Millie Carlton Bolin, sixth-generation Florida ranchers, share how loyalty to the land and wholehearted devotion shape their family's enduring success and community impact. Discover how their faith and family va...

In the final episode of the Future Proof mini-series, Marshal sits down with Jacqueline Bastanzi of Weems & Sons Funeral Homes ( https://www.weemsandsonsfh.com/ ) to discuss one of the most avoided topics in modern culture: the loss of a loved one and the realities of funeral planning. Jacqueline begins by sharing her personal background and how she entered the funeral profession, along with t...

In this episode of the Future Proof mini-series, Marshal sits down with Shannon Smith and Caleb Smith of Smith Law Firm and Smith Asset Management ( https://www.smithamco.com/ ) for a multi-generational conversation about legacy, leadership, and long-term planning. Shannon, representing the second generation of the family business, and Caleb, part of the third generation, begin by sharing their pe...

Episode Description In the second installment of the Future Proof mini-series, Marshal sits down with David Bird, owner of Bird Insurance Group ( https://www.birdinsurancegroup.com/ ) , for a candid conversation about legacy, resilience, and the mindset shift required to see insurance as a tool rather than a burden. David shares his personal background growing up around agriculture and stepping in...

In this episode of the Mind Your Melon Podcast , Taylor and Marshal introduce a new mini-series called Future Proof , created in partnership with Bird Insurance ( https://www.birdinsurancegroup.com/ ) , to explore practical ways individuals, families, and businesses can proactively manage uncertainty. After a turbulent 2025, the hosts have been reflecting on stress, risk, and resilience—personally...

In this episode of the Mind Your Melon Podcast , hosts Taylor and Marshal return to kick off 2026 with a reflective look back at the previous year and a hopeful vision for what’s coming next. The hosts unpack the 2025 Mind Your Melon Annual Report, diving into highlights from the year including published research, major conferences, community events, and emerging partnerships that continue to stre...

🎙️  Presented by ⁠ Mind Your Melon ⁠ & the ⁠ Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association ⁠ Welcome to the Florida FFA Podcast Stage—your front-row seat to the stories shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you’re catching up after convention or tuning in from the classroom, these conversations are here whenever you need a little insight or inspiration. In this episode, NASCAR driver Ross Chast...

🎙️  Presented by ⁠ Mind Your Melon ⁠ & the ⁠ Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association ⁠ Welcome to the Florida FFA Podcast Stage—your front-row seat to the stories shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you’re catching up after convention or tuning in from the classroom, these conversations are here whenever you need a little insight or inspiration. In this episode, Mike Joyner and Jamie Fu...

🎙️  Presented by ⁠ Mind Your Melon ⁠ & the ⁠ Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association ⁠ Welcome to the Florida FFA Podcast Stage—your front-row seat to the stories shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you’re catching up after convention or tuning in from the classroom, these conversations are here whenever you need a little insight or inspiration. In this episode, Orlando Colonial FFA adv...

🎙️  Presented by ⁠ Mind Your Melon ⁠ & the ⁠ Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association ⁠ Welcome to the Florida FFA Podcast Stage—your front-row seat to the stories shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you’re catching up after convention or tuning in from the classroom, these conversations are here whenever you need a little insight or inspiration. In this episode, former FFA member Gina T...

🎙️  Presented by Mind Your Melon & the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Welcome to the Florida FFA Podcast Stage—your front-row seat to the stories shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you’re catching up after convention or tuning in from the classroom, these conversations are here whenever you need a little insight or inspiration. In this episode, National FFA Eastern Region Vice...

In the final episode of the  May mini-series , Taylor and Marshal step back to reflect on what they’ve learned from their conversations with  Dr. Carrie Baker  and the insights from the  Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey . This wrap-up episode takes a heartfelt look at the emotional core of agriculture—resilience, stress, risk, and above all,  hope . Through thoughtful conversation (and a fe...

In this follow-up episode, hosts Taylor and Marshal continue their meaningful conversation with  Dr. Carrie Baker , the social scientist behind the  Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey , a critical study focused on  mental health in Florida agriculture . This time, Dr. Baker takes us behind the scenes of the survey's  design, methodology, and key findings , offering valuable insight into t...

In this episode, Taylor and Marshal sit down once more with  Dr. Carrie Baker , the social scientist behind the  Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey , to explore the implications of the study’s findings and what they mean for the  future of mental health in agriculture . Dr. Baker shares thoughtful reflections on the data collected and offers a forward-looking perspective on how this research...

In this powerful episode of the podcast, Taylor and Marshal welcome social scientist  Dr. Carrie Baker , a passionate advocate for rural mental health and well-being in agriculture. Dr. Baker played a pivotal role in designing and deploying the Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey , a grassroots initiative focused on mental health in Florida's agricultural communities. Tune in as Dr. Baker...

After a short hiatus, hosts Taylor and Marshal are back and launching the May Mini-Series with a powerful new episode focused on  Mind Your Melon Foundation’s  vision for supporting farmer mental health and wellbeing. In this kickoff episode, they: Reintroduce the  Mind Your Melon   Foundation  and its mission Reflect on the last episode, recorded during the launch of the  Mind Your Melon Farmer W...

We're kicking off the new season with a few updates from Marshal, an overview of the Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey , and a discussion focused on the misconception that mental health and wellbeing is only a "young person's issue."

Happy May! For anyone who doesn't know, May is Mental Health Awareness month. We're excited to share this episode with you, particularly if you're feeling a little stuck. We'll talk about introspection and how to take proactive steps towards understanding and improving our mental health and well-being. Check out our new resource How stuck are you? in the resources section of our we...

Introducing Hot Takes and Hot Cakes - a new way to connect with producers, growers, and all Mind Your Melon fans! Marshal and Taylor introduce this new episode type and give their first hot take. Coming to a breakfast joint near you!

Welcome back to another episode of the Mind Your Melon Podcast! On this episode Taylor chats with Amanda Nigg, the owner and founder of Farm Fit Training. Here at Mind Your Melon, we believe that physical health plays a key role in our mental health. This episode will provide some insight on how to care for our bodies while also managing busy schedules on and off the farm. Amanda also shares a pow...

In this episode, Marshal and Taylor catch up on their recent travels, recap the Faith, Family and Farming mini-series, and share some big news ! -- Like what you’re listening to and want to hear more? Be sure to give a like and follow for notifications on new episode releases. Thoughts on topics and potential guests to help bring better conversations to our listeners? Please send them our way! And...

This is the final episode of our Faith, Family, and Farming mini-series and we’re excited to host John Coker, the pastor at First Baptist of Bronson, Florida. We’ve followed this mini-series throughout Advent and are wrapping up right in time for Christmas. As we know, this can be a magical time for some and a difficult time for others. During our conversation, John shares his personal background,...

Welcome back to another episode of the Mind Your Melon Podcast! During this conversation, Taylor sits down with Adrian Land Sr., a sixth generation farmer and cattleman in the Suwannee Valley area of north Florida. Aside from his extensive background in the agriculture industry, Adrian also possesses a strong faith and an academic background in theology. Farming and faith have taken him and his fa...

While providing a sense of structure and stability within our lives, faith can often lead us to a sense of purpose or personal mission, as well. In this episode, Marshal has the opportunity to sit down with his longtime friend, Kevin Hutcheson, who received the calling to minister and share his faith with communities around the world. Kevin reminisces on old times with Marshal while also telling s...

On this episode, Marshal and Taylor kick off their Faith, Family, and Farming mini-series. These episodes, which will be shared throughout the month of December, will highlight various stories and perspectives on faith and connections to the subjects of family and farming.   While it is no secret or surprise that faith can play a critical role in one’s ability to navigate difficult times, Marshal...