Jamie Johansen sits down with Randy Little for an honest, entertaining look at how a dairy farm kid built one of the most recognizable Western stores in America. Randy talks about his early days milking cows in Clever, Missouri, the unexpected break that launched him into business, and the moment he decided to take a gamble on a small feed store that eventually became PFI.

He shares how bold ideas, smart branding, and a lot of hustle led to the BootDaddy brand, the catalog boom, wild promotions, national TV moments, and the growing crowds that turned PFI into a destination. Jamie also dives into Randy’s passion for agriculture, youth leadership, and the work he’s doing today to strengthen Missouri agriculture and support the next generation.

It’s a fast-moving, inspiring conversation with a man who built an empire by trusting his gut, asking big questions, and never losing sight of his roots.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Johansen sits down with Margaret Cleveland of Ozark Fisheries for a deep dive into one of the most surprising corners of rural agriculture: ornamental fish farming. Margaret is a fourth-generation fish farmer who grew up on her family’s spring-fed operation, and she shares how a single idea in 1926 grew into a nationally recognized fish farm that raises goldfish and koi for customers across North America. 🐠

She talks about the early days of the farm, the science behind raising healthy fish, and the hands-on work that goes into spawning, feeding, protecting, and shipping thousands of fish. Jamie and Margaret also explore the predators that keep everyone on their toes, the big shift toward direct-to-consumer sales, how shipping live animals actually works, and the surprising impact aquaculture has on Missouri agriculture. There are fun stories too, including tours for thousands of FFA students, wild questions from kids, Margaret’s time living abroad, and what the next hundred years could look like.

It is a fascinating look at a hidden rural industry and the grit it takes to keep a family farm running for a century.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the FIRST EPISODE of Beyond the Gate, Jamie Johansen sits down with Annette Alden, the Marketing Director for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, for a fun dive into the stories, surprises, and history behind Missouri wine. Annette grew up on a farm, built a career in agriculture and marketing, and eventually found her passion in the wine world. She opens up about how Missouri’s wine roots stretch back to the 1800s, how the industry rebounded after Prohibition, and why people across the country look to Missouri as a model for supporting wineries. 

They talk about everything wine lovers are curious about: how modern technology changed the way grapes are grown, what wine labels actually tell you, how to store and serve wine the right way, and why screw caps are not the enemy. Annette also shares fun pairing ideas, tips for exploring local wineries, and insight into big celebrations coming up in 2026 that will shine a spotlight on Missouri. 

If you love a good story, enjoy learning something new, or just want an excuse to plan your next winery visit, this episode is a great place to start.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.