Cultivating Leaders

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...

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...

There is power in navigating high-stakes and emotionally charged conversations with clarity, confidence and humanity Ashley Collins, CEO of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, joins The Cultivating Leaders...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Technology in agriculture isn't about the most expensive tractors — it's about solving real problems. In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, explores...

In a culture that says, “tough it out”, perhaps the most strength comes from vulnerability and courage. In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, John Sachse – cattleman, Army National Guard officer, and AFA...

Level-up your career by investing in the relationships that really matter. David Nothmann — a seasoned strategic growth leader with 25+ years of experience in agriculture, technology, and food innovation—joins the...

Have you ever felt like an outsider in the industry you were raised in? In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, we welcome Courtenay DeHoff—television host, fifth-generation rancher, and founder of the Fancy...

What does it take to build a lasting, meaningful career in agriculture? In this episode, Matt Plitt, President and CEO of Valent USA, shares his insights on leading with intention, creating a strong workplace culture...

Great leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about trust, humility, and impact. In this episode, Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization, shares his experience on what it means to lead with integrity, empower...

Want to lead with confidence and build real connections in the agriculture industry? In this episode, Ellen Zimmerman, Director of Industry Relations for the U.S. Grains Council, shares how embracing authenticity and...

Ebony Webber never saw herself being involved in the agriculture industry. Now, she serves as the CEO of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), helping others find their place. Tune...