One of my favorite things to do when I was little was sit in my Grandma Ruth’s gold, 1970s-style, plush rocking chair. We’d rock around in circles as she’d tell me story after story. Looking back, I can’t believe I took every story she told me as truth. Honestly it wasn’t until after she passed away in 2018 that I began to find out some of her stories were stretched just a little bit.
But, oh did she know how to tell a good story.
That’s where my passion for storytelling began. I’ve thought about my grandma a lot as I’ve spent time talking to young journalists about writing since I started in this role at Farm Journal’s PORK.
No, Grandma Ruth wasn’t a writer. But she was a supreme storyteller who knew just how to weave all the details together in a way that made you feel like you were there. She knew just what would make my eyes grow big as I literally sat on the edge of her lap hoping the story would last just a little longer.
I think that’s why I’m stepping out and trying a new thing with The PORK Podcast. Our first episode drops on Friday, Oct. 11. You can find it anywhere podcasts or found or watch on Farm Journal’s YouTube channel.
Sometimes the stories need to last a little longer.
My goal is to tell the story behind the story in everything I do. But sometimes the stories extend past the space allowed. This podcast will give me the opportunity to bring some of these stories of our industry to life in a different way. You’ll be able to hear from real people about their real life in almost real time.
We’re going to have fun with this, but we’ll make sure you take away a few important things, too.
Knowing who to start the podcast with wasn’t easy. But I decided to start where my passion lies: connecting the next generation to the opportunity in the swine industry. My article, “Don’t Say the S-Word,” caught a lot of steam this summer so I decided to go back to where my career kicked off and visit with Jesse Heimer.
It’s a little uncanny how our paths have continued to cross since we first met in 1998 when I was a National Swine Registry intern and he was involved in the first steering committee to help form the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA). In 2000, I was hired to start up NJSA and he became the organization’s first president. A lot’s happened in both of our lives since then. I couldn’t be more excited to share our conversation about the momentum and synergy we are seeing right now in the U.S. pork industry.
I encourage you to go follow The PORK Podcast as I weave together stories that reflect the passion, determination and innovation of the U.S. pork industry.
Your Next Read: Don’t Say the S-Word
