Pioneer Mindset

Episode Summary This week I talk about the mindset of jealousy — why it shows up so easily, how it holds us back, and what to do instead. I talk about how comparing ourselves to others can lead us to idolize their success, dismiss our own path, and lose focus on what actually serves us. I challenge you to stop trying to be someone else and instead commit to becoming the best version of yourself. T...

Episode Summary In this milestone 100th episode, I sat down with my wife, Ellan, to share the behind-the-scenes story of our farming operation, family, and the difficult seasons that shaped us both. We walk through what it was like to move from not knowing our financial reality, to being forced to confront it head-on during a season of expansion, debt, stress, and major family change — including p...

Episode Summary As 2025 comes to a close, I walk through reframing how to approach the challenges and opportunities ahead of us in 2026. I walk through two scenarios — one driven by fear, overwhelm, and scarcity, and the other grounded in purpose, optimism, and intentional action — this episode challenges you to examine what actually motivates you to move forward. I dive into how fear can sometime...

Episode Summary As the year winds down and the holidays approach, I take a look back at 2025 — not to highlight wins, but to analyze the mistakes and learning opportunities that happened throughout the year. From communication breakdowns and rushed decisions to equipment issues, agronomic timing, and family-life lessons, this episode is an honest reflection on what went wrong, what it cost, and wh...

Episode Summary In this week's Pioneer Mindset  episode, I break down what I call the "profit gap" in farming — the space between being stuck in the trenches and reaching profitability I talk about why so many service providers in agriculture are built to help producers once they're already profitable , while far fewer are designed to help farmers and ranchers who are still grinding to get there....

Episode Summary In this episode, Garrett sits down with agricultural lender Bryce from CharterWest Bank to give producers a clearer understanding of what lenders actually look for — and how you can set yourself up for a smoother, more successful loan renewal process. They break down the realities of farm financing, why equipment and land decisions can't be based on "justifying" the numbers, and ho...

Episode Summary As we enter the final month of 2025, I break down the essential business tasks every farmer and rancher should focus on to finish the year strong and set up 2026 with clarity—not chaos. I walks through the some core areas that make the biggest impact on your financial organization, stress levels, and decision-making as we close out the year. Whether you're ahead, behind, or somewhe...

Episode Summary What It Really Means to "Provide Value" to Your Operation We all grow up wanting nothing more than to farm, but many of us work off farm jobs, build side businesses, or take big risks just to earn our way to keeping the farm alive. In this week's episode, I challenge the mindset of "just keep doing what we've always done" — and encourage you to think differently, experiment, and no...

Episode Summary In this week's solo episode of Pioneer Mindset , I dive deep into how you think about money — because your mindset around money impacts far more than just your bank account. I recently listened to one of Mel Robbins' podcast interviews with Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money .From that episode, I share my own thoughts and break down the core principles from the book a...

Episode Summary As harvest wraps up, I take a practical look at one of the most common questions farmers face each fall: is custom work worth it? Whether you're combining for neighbors, drilling cover crops, or taking on extra acres to help justify equipment costs, there are real pros, cons, and mindset shifts to consider. In this episode, I break down how to evaluate custom work in your own opera...

Episode Summary In this solo episode, Garrett opens up about the reality of "trying so hard" — in harvest, in family life, in business, and in faith. From long days in the combine to the quiet moments of reflection that come after, this conversation is an honest look at the weight many farmers carry: trying to be the best husband, father, Christian, and business owner — all at once. In this week's...

Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset , I break down one of the most overlooked skills in agriculture — decision-making. Every day, farmers and ranchers make thousands of choices, but not all of them are quality decisions. I dive into what it means to make high-quality decisions, why the process matters more than the outcome, and how improving your decision-making directly impacts pro...

Episode Summary Harvest season brings long days, high pressure, and plenty of comparison — whether it's yields, equipment, or how much progress the neighbors have made. I share an honest look at how harvest is going at Ruskamp Farms and the mindset shifts that can make all the difference. I dive into the realities of yields, basis changes, long hours, and the constant temptation to push harder — b...

Episode Summary Garrett sits down with Trent Mastny , a Nebraska-based farmer, agronomist and sales rep with JTM Ag , to explore how the next generation of soil sampling tools can help farmers make smarter fertility and planting decisions. They break down what makes zone sampling more accurate than traditional grids, how the Haney test measures real nutrient availability, and why tools like Fertic...

Episode Summary In this week's episode, I talk about one of the most universal struggles for farmers and ranchers — confidence . Whether you see yourself as naturally confident or someone who wrestles with self-doubt, this conversation dives deep into why confidence matters, how faith ties directly into it, and what practical steps you can take to strengthen both. This episode challenges you to fl...

Episode Summary In this week's episode of Pioneer Mindset , I talk about what it takes to move beyond "getting by" and stepping into true ownership—both in life and in business. Are you just keeping up, or are you stepping up as a businessman? This episode dives into the idea that to have what others don't, you must do what others won't. I apply this mindset across the CORE 4—body, being, balance,...

Episode Summary This week on the podcast, I dive into profitability! I talk why now—before harvest kicks into full swing—is the ideal time to evaluate your numbers, build crop plans for next season, and get clear on what's truly profitable in your operation. In this week's episode on profitability: Why profitability is more than just having cash in the bank The difference between cash vs. accrual...

Episode Summary This week, I sit down with Zane Abner of Tredas to dig into grain and cattle marketing strategies that help producers stay proactive instead of reactive. From handling grain carry and price spreads to managing cattle market volatility, Zane shares practical tools and mindset shifts that keep operations steady when markets swing. We explore how to create flexible plans, avoid emotio...

Episode Summary Crop insurance may not be the most exciting part of farming, but it can make or break your bottom line. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset , I sits down with crop insurance agent and advisor Landon Shafer to break down what farmers need to know heading into harvest and beyond. From understanding new program changes and margin coverage options to managing claims, price discovery, an...

Episode Summary What's driving your goals—the destination, or the journey it takes to get there? In this conversation with John Sachse of RanchFIT Coaching, we dig into the deeper meaning behind goal setting, physical fitness, and living with intention in farming, ranching, and life. From training for the Boston Marathon to hosting annual ruck events, John shares how the pursuit itself often bring...

Episode Summary Life comes at us in seasons. Some are filled with growth and excitement, others with struggle and exhaustion. And too often, we either compare our season to someone else's or complain about the one we're in—without realizing it may be the very season we once prayed for. In this week's episode I share some thoughts on embracing the season you're in: Why it's critical to acknowledge...

Episode Summary What do you want? It's a simple question—but often one of the hardest to answer. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset , I dive into the idea of happiness, contentment, and the constant pursuit of "more" in our lives and businesses. Key thoughts from this week's episode: Why "wanting everything leaves you with nothing." The tug of war between contentment and ambition. Why money may no...

Episode Summary This week, I am diving into some lessons from our recent wheat harvest. Wheat isn't a huge crop for our area, but I break down the reason why we choose to keep it in our rotation and how this season turned out for us. It wasn't a record-breaking year, but our marketing strategy turned a potential loss into a profitable crop. Tune in to for some valuable insights on strategy and mak...

Episode Summary In this episode, I tackle a big question that every operator faces at some point: Do we fix our equipment or trade it in? I walk through a recent equipment decision we face and dive into the numbers, the decision-making process, and the trade-offs involved when it comes to managing one of the biggest line items on the farm. Your operation is unique. Don't get caught chasing what th...

Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset , Garrett digs into one of the most common and costly mistakes farmers and ranchers face— poor time management . Whether you're working long days in the field or trying to balance chores, business, and family, it can feel like there's just never enough time. But what if the problem isn't how much work there is—but how we've been trained to think a...