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PODCAST

Cultivating Leaders

Agriculture Future of America

Where leadership grows.Welcome to The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, where we dig into the minds of today’s most inspiring leaders to uncover the insights, habits, and strategies that help them thrive. Brought to you by Agriculture Future of America (AFA), this podcast delivers actionable leadership lessons tailored for professionals in food and agriculture—and beyond.Each episode features candid conversations with industry changemakers, thought leaders, and innovators like New York Times bestselling

business careers

All Episodes

49:23

Designing a Successful Life with Jason Wetzler

Cultivating Leaders ·

2026/01/14

Leadership isn’t about the titles you collect or the recognition you earn. It’s about who you become and who you help along the way.Jason Wetzler, leadership speaker, facilitator and advocate for people-first leadership, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a conversation about redefining success, building identity and prioritizing purpose. From childhood moments on stage to hard-earned lessons about career, family and fulfillment, Jason shares why real leadership is rooted in service,

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49:05

Developing Future Ag Leaders with Elizabeth Galbreath

Cultivating Leaders ·

2026/01/07

Through uncertain times in agriculture, the best leaders rise to the top when they put people first and show up when the path forward isn’t clear.Elizabeth Galbraith, Professional Development Program Manager at BASF and the 2025 AFA Bridge Builder Award recipient, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share why investing in relationships is the true competitive advantage in agriculture and leadership. From growing up on a Maryland dairy farm to mentoring early-career professionals across the ag

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45:37

Preparing for the Inevitable with Hannah Thompson-Weeman

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/12/17

Preparation, transparency and trust areleadership imperatives in an industry where scrutiny is constant, and reputations can shift overnight.Hannah Thompson-Weeman, President and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to unpack what it really takes to lead through crisis in food and agriculture. With deep roots in dairy and a career spent navigating high-stakes issues, activist pressure and reputational risk, Hannah brings a calm, strategic lens to moments

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61:09

Humanity in Leadership with Jarrod Gillig

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/12/10

Clarity, candor and humility shape stronger teams and smarter decisions in an industry where every choice ripples across families, communities and supply chains.Jarrod Gillig, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Beef at Cargill, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share what he’s learned across nearly three decades inside one of the most complex protein businesses. From stewarding the people behind 90 million daily meals to navigating operational challenges that affect both producers

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50:21

Forging an Adaptive Industry with Blaze Currie

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/12/03

Leading forward demands curiosity, adaptability and team-first mentality.Blaze Currie, Practice Lead for Food & Ag at Vivayic, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore what it really takes to guide people, teams and organizations in leading agriculture. He brings a rare blend of global perspective and ag-rooted wisdom. Blaze has built a career staying curious, listening deeply, and adapting boldly.He gets candid about: Leading with Curiosity: asking questions and understanding the why

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56:33

Empowering Tough Conversations with Ashley Collins

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/11/19

There is power in navigating high-stakes and emotionally charged conversations with clarity, confidence and humanityAshley Collins, CEO of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcastto break down why honest dialogue matters. She provides tools so leaders can prepare, respond and grow through high-stakes conversations. With experience leading growers, navigating board dynamics and shaping conversations across agriculture, Ashley brings a grounded and practical

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47:11

Building Belonging in Agriculture with Kirk Maag

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/11/12

Belonging is the foundation of great leadership. But what does it really look like to lead and work in a place where you can show up as 100% yourself?In this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Kirk Maag, environmental & natural resources attorney at Stoel Rives LLP, explores authenticity, inclusion and the power of leading with belonging. From growing up on a farm in eastern Oregon to helping guide national conversations on belonging through the Cultivating Change Foundation, Kirk

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56:22

Navigating Criticism with Courage with Mark McCully

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/22

Leadership is easy when everyone agrees. But the real test comes when the voices get loud, opinions fracture and every decision is met with scrutiny.Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share how he navigates criticism, conflict, and controversy while staying true to his mission and values. From managing 22,000 members with competing priorities to weathering social media storms and high-stakes industry debates, Mark offers a candid look at

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44:50

Finding Your Place in Agriculture with Dr. Michelle...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/15

Although the connection between farms and consumers feels more distant than ever, the power of social media and transparency could be the best advocacy tool.Dr. Michelle Schack, veterinarian, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore how curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to learn can open unexpected doors in agriculture. From her start at UC Davis to her leadership role as co-founder of DairyKind, Michelle shares how she’s using education, empathy, and social media to build bridges

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57:21

Leading from the Inside Out with Jackie Applegate

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/08

Great leaders don’t just drive results. They build environments where people thrive, embrace change and foster growth.Jackie Applegate, incoming Chief Executive Officer of PBI Gordon, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore what true organizational health looks like in action. With more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and leadership, Jackie has built a career rooted in resilience and people development.Jackie gets real about:- Empowering organizational health: leading with

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46:37

Leading Across Differences with Krysta Harden

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/01

Whether you’re a student stepping into your first leadership role or a professional navigating a divided industry, this episode will challenge you to listen with intention, lead with humility and persist with passion.In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, we are joined by Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. From her roots as the daughter of peanut farmers in southwest Georgia to leadership roles in governmental agencies, Krysta has built a remarkable

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29:38

The Power of Reflection

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/20

And, that’s a wrap on season 1!In this special episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole is joined by the podcast producer, Savannah Nichols, for a trip down memory lane. The pair look back at the lessons, surprises and stories shared by 20 incredible industry leaders this season. Consider this your SparkNotes version of the podcast so you know what episodes need a listen.The CultivatingLeaders Podcast will be back with more influential agricultural leaders on October 1st!Connect with AFA

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43:48

Leading Agriculture Forward with President Zippy Duvall

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/13

Your voice, multiplied across agriculture, can change the outcome of major decisions.Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share his experience with grassroots leadership, chasing innovation and creating sustainable agriculture leaders. President Duvall has built a career on telling the story of American agriculture by leaning on his experience of growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Georgia. Today, he represents millions of

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44:00

Why Good People Win with Corey Ciocchetti

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/06

What does it really mean to live a good life and to lead with integrity?Corey Ciocchetti, nationally recognized speaker and professor, joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a powerful conversation around leading with ethics. Corey explores why good character is a non-negotiable, how to define success on your own terms and what it takes to build a life of authenticity.Corey covers how to:- Lead with Character: he argues that character should be the foundation of all leadership development, yet

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44:53

Curating a Curious and Courageous Culture with...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/07/09

Courtney White, Head of HR for BASF Agricultural Solutions North America and Global Inclusion Officer, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to dive into the power of inclusion and the value of Human Resources. Courtney shares how today’s most effective HR strategies go beyond hiring—they curate culture. He unpacks what it means to put people first, why timing matters just as much as talent, and how psychological safety drives retention and innovation. Plus, Courtney brings a powerful perspective on

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37:18

Breaking Barriers and Building Business with Suzanne...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/07/02

A fifth-generation meat purveyor has grown her business built on tradition by leading with innovation and grit.Suzanne Strassburger, fifth-generation meat purveyor and president of Strassburger Meats, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast. She opens up about the reality of being a woman leader in the meat industry and evolving her family’s business. Suzanne’s leadership mindset led her back to business school at age 50, built a culture of women employees, and enabled her to thrive through decades of

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48:27

Negotiating for U.S. Agriculture with Gregg Doud

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/25

What would be your strategy if you only had one shot to negotiate a billion-dollar trade deal?Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, joins this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast. From his roots on a Kansas farm to the global stage of international trade, Gregg shares his career journey marked by dedication, conviction and service to U.S. agriculture. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to negotiate billion-dollar trade deals, and why

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52:09

A Vision of Connecting Talent with Jessie Jarvis

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/18

What if one rancher’s vision could shape the future of the agriculture job market and create a movement of connecting leaders?In this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jessie Jarvis, a third-generation rancher, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind Of The West. Raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie shares how her entrepreneurship journey shaped her unique perspective on serving the industry, helping others build a career in agriculture, and the

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56:42

You Might Be A Bad Manager

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/11

What if the reason you're struggling as a leader isn’t your fault?Dr. Katie Ervin—author, founder, and creator of the Catalyst Workplace Model—joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for an honest conversation about what it really takes to lead without preparation, “being kind,” and bad managers. Through her career, Katie has learned the importance of vulnerability, feedback, and honesty.Katie gets real about:- Leaders are Often Set Up to Fail: People are often promoted into leadership roles without

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57:28

Curiosity, Culture and Crisis with Julie Anna Potts

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/04

What if real leadership isn’t about having the answers but rather about having the courage to ask better questions?In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole sits down with Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, to explore what it takes to lead through transformation, uncertainty, and industry evolution. She shares her experience navigating a major organizational merger, uniting stakeholders around a bold sustainability strategy, and steering the meat industry

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32 results

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