Leaders Of The West

Hosted by Jessie Jarvis

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187

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Leaders Of The West, a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave … These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you. You’ll find new episodes, right here, every week. Don’t forget to hit subscribe, so you never miss a show. Let’s go! Website: https://ofthewest.co/ Instagram: @ofthewest.co Instagram: @mrsjjarv Facebook: @jobsofthewest

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60 recent

October 27, 202636 min

179. Rethinking Animal Science Education with Dr. Jodi Sterle

What happens when agriculture's future demands a different set of skills than the ones we've traditionally taught? At Iowa State University, they're doing something about it. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Jodi Sterle, Associate Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, to talk about the university's innovative new Animal Enterprise and Innovation major. Developed with input from graduates and industry employers, this program combines animal science with business, entrepreneurship, technology, and data analytics to prepare students for the changing needs of agriculture We also dive into the importance of internships, why students should explore career opportunities early and often, and how Iowa State is addressing the shortage of large animal veterinarians through a new early acceptance program. From rethinking traditional education to creating new pathways into the workforce, this conversation is a great reminder that preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders means being willing to do things differently. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jodi: Email her at jsterle@iastate.edu Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: Iowa State University Animal Enterprise and Innovation Major Iowa State University Production Animal - Veterinary Early Acceptance Program Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

October 20, 202620 min

178. The Hidden Reason You Can't Finish Anything

Have you ever started your day with a full to-do list, bounced between a dozen different tasks, and somehow ended the day feeling like you accomplished absolutely nothing? You're not alone, and our constant connection to technology might have more to do with it than we realize. In this solo episode, I'm talking about the mental overload that comes from nonstop notifications, endless distractions, and our tendency to multitask our way through life. I'm sharing the simple changes that have helped me regain my focus, including doing one thing at a time, recognizing when I'm avoiding a difficult task, and making room for slower, more intentional activities. Because sometimes the best way to get more done, feel less overwhelmed, and be more present is to slow down. As the saying goes, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

October 13, 202642 min

177. Holistic but Realistic Gut Health with Lindsey Renteria

This episode has a little bit of a different topic, but it’s important nonetheless! Gut health is about a whole lot more than bloating, gas, or how often you poop. It can be connected to everything from stress and energy to skin, hormones, and how you feel day to day. This week, I'm joined by Lindsey Renteria of Lindsey Marie Wellness to talk about her own health journey and how it eventually led her out of conventional medicine and into helping others improve their digestive health. Lindsey shares why she takes a "holistic but realistic" approach, looking beyond symptoms to nutrition, stress, lifestyle, mindset, and the relationship we have with food. We also tackle some of the gut health advice that seems to be everywhere online. Lindsey shares her thoughts on elimination diets, food sensitivity testing, coffee on an empty stomach, probiotics, parasite cleanses, and why there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to taking care of your health. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Lindsey: Visit her website Follow on Instagram @lindseymariewellness Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: Of The West Walk Up Song Playlist Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

October 6, 202634 min

176. Sarah Calhoun on Building Red Ants Pants From the Ground up in Rural Montana

What happens when you need something that doesn't exist? If you're Sarah Calhoun, you build it yourself. This week, I'm joined by Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants, a women's workwear company she started in 2004 after years of struggling to find work pants that actually fit women doing physical labor. With no background in apparel, manufacturing, marketing, or business, Sarah taught herself what she needed to know and built a national brand from the tiny rural community of White Sulphur Springs, Montana. We talk about starting small, building a business in rural America, creating products designed to last, and why Red Ants Pants has become so much more than a pair of work pants. From a music festival and foundation to leadership programs and hands-on skills courses for women, Sarah shares how one simple idea has grown into something that supports women, agriculture, and rural communities across Montana. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Red Ants Pants: Check out the website Follow on Instagram @redantspants Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: This House of Sky by Ivan Doig Small Business for Dummies by Eric Tyson and Jim Schell Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

September 29, 202624 min

175. Knowing Your Superpower

What is the thing people always come to you for? Not what you went to school for or what your job title says, but the thing that comes so naturally to you that you might not even realize it's special. That just might be your superpower. In this solo episode, I'm breaking down what superpowers actually are, how to identify yours, and why understanding them can change the way you show up in your career and your life. I share a few of my own superpowers and how they work together, plus the self-assessment tools and reflective questions that can help uncover the strengths you may have been overlooking. Whether you're job searching, building your personal brand, or simply trying to understand yourself a little better, knowing what makes you uniquely valuable can help you communicate it with confidence. Your superpower isn't just a career strategy. It's a tool for becoming more intentional in every area of your life. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: CliftonStrengths DISC Myers-Briggs Enneagram Episode 35. Understanding Yourself and the Enneagram with Terryn Drieling Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

September 22, 202643 min

174. What’s Really Happening with the Large Animal Vet Shortage with Dr. Leslie Easterwood

If you own horses or cattle, chances are you've felt the large animal veterinarian shortage firsthand. Maybe your longtime vet retired with no one to take their place, or getting an appointment that once took a phone call now means waiting weeks. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Leslie Easterwood, clinical educator at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and longtime leader with the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She shares her path from livestock show kid to equine veterinarian and educator, then takes us inside the challenges facing large animal veterinary medicine today. We talk about why veterinarians are leaving equine and rural practice, the impact of student debt, work-life balance and mental health, and what organizations are doing to change that trajectory. Dr. Easterwood also shares how clients can better support their veterinarians and why she remains incredibly optimistic about the future of the profession. Whether you're a livestock owner, horse owner, or a student considering veterinary medicine, this is an important conversation about a shortage that affects all of agriculture. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Dr. Easterwood: Visit the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website Visit The Foundation for The Horse website Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Don Clifton Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Science Certificate Program The Future of Equine Practitioners Symposium OEPS Texas Equine Veterinary Association (TEVA) Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

September 15, 202635 min

173. Jake Nelson Is Rewriting How Cattle Get Sold

What happens when a rancher sees a hurdle in the cattle industry and decides to build the solution himself? This week, I'm joined by Jake Nelson, rancher, Army veteran, and founder of CattleQuest. Jake shares how his background in ranching, military service, and entrepreneurship led him to create a tool that brings cattle market data from multiple stockyards into one place, helping producers make more informed decisions about when and where to buy and sell their cattle. We talk about taking an idea from a conversation to an actual product, the challenge of introducing new technology into an industry that can be resistant to change, and why Jake chose to launch before everything was perfect. Jake also shares how his military experience shaped the way he approaches leadership, fear, and adversity, and why pushing through uncomfortable situations can leave you more capable on the other side. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jake: Visit the CattleQuest website Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

September 8, 202626 min

172. Are You Actually a Fit for That Job?

This week we’re tackling an uncomfortable conversation in the job-seeking world: If you're applying for many positions and never hearing back, you simply might not be qualified for that job. In this solo episode, I'm breaking down how to honestly evaluate whether you're a good fit for a role before you hit apply. We're talking about the "spray and pray" approach, why more applications don't necessarily equal better odds, and how to separate must-have qualifications from skills you can learn along the way. I also dig into technical skills, transferable experience, career transitions, and why sometimes taking a strategic step back can actually move your career forward. This isn't about shrinking your goals or settling for less. It's about protecting your time, energy, and confidence by focusing on opportunities where you can genuinely compete. If you're job searching or trying to break into agriculture or the Western industry, this episode is for you. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: The Ag + Western Career Blueprint Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

September 1, 202642 min

171. How to Build Customer Loyalty Without Traditional Advertising with Catherine Neumayr of V8 Ranch

This week, I'm joined by Catherine Neumayr of V8 Ranch, one of the most legendary Brahman operations in the world. Catherine grew up in the cattle industry, but she and her husband, Luke, also built a wildly successful wedding photography business, photographing more than 150 weddings around the world and building their first million-dollar business without spending a dime on traditional advertising. Today, Catherine has brought those lessons back home to V8 Ranch. We talk about why the little details matter, how to create an experience that turns customers into lifelong fans, and the four principles Catherine and Luke used to build their business. Catherine also shares how V8 creates meaningful experiences for customers and why agriculture needs people with skills and experience from outside the industry. Whether you're running a ranch, building a business, or wondering if the skills you've developed somewhere else belong in agriculture, this episode is a reminder that there is a place for you here. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Catherine: Visit V8’s website Follow on Instagram @v8ranch Follow on YouTube @V8RanchCattle Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: Purple Cow by Seth Godin Author Freida McFadden Of The West Walk Up Song Playlist Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint

August 25, 202638 min

170. Joining Forces with The League and Dana Jensen

If you work behind the scenes of an equine or Western event, whether you're managing a facility, producing a show, or just getting your foot in the door, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Dana Jensen, Managing Director of The League, an organization dedicated to advancing the equine and ag event industry through education, professional development, networking, and shared standards. Dana shares her own journey from horse-crazy kid to competitor, show producer, facility director, and eventually leader of The League. We also dive into some of the organization's incredible resources, including its Footing Academy and Certified Manager of Equine Centers credential, plus why The League recently expanded its membership to include producers, young professionals, breed associations, and others throughout the industry. And we're sharing something exciting! Of The West and The League are joining forces for a free town hall focused on 2026 hiring trends, tips, and best practices. We'll be talking about the challenges that facilities and event producers face when it comes to finding qualified people, building stronger teams, and hiring full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary, and contract help. If you're involved in producing equine or Western events at any level, we hope you'll join us. Click here to sign up. Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Connect with Dana: Visit The League’s website Follow on Instagram @theleaguehub Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Resources & Links: The Ag + Equine Hiring Town Hall from The League & Of The West Of The West Walk Up Song Playlist Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Mentioned in this episode: Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS): Ag + Western Career Blueprint