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Cheat Codes: Weekly Debrief is a short, weekly mini-podcast documenting real-time lessons from the barn — the wins, the setbacks, and the decisions in between.

This isn’t a clinic or expert advice. It’s documentation.
 We share what we tried, why we tried it, what worked, and what didn’t as we learn in real time.

Each week we break down:

• What went well
• What didn’t
• What we learned
• How we’re adjusting going forward

From animal health and feeding to facilities, weather, mindset, and problem-solving — this is real life, not polished theory.

No gurus. No shortcuts.
 Just a guy with a microphone, failing forward in public.

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Buying your first show calf or show lamb can be the most intimidating part of the entire show stock journey — especially for parents who didn’t grow up in the industry or who feel overwhelmed by how much has changed.

In this episode of Cheat Codes — Show Stock Edition, I sit down with Philip Doty, a breeder to talk honestly about the buying process from the breeder’s side. We break down how private treaty and auction sales actually work, what breeders notice about first-time buyers, and which questions parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask.

We discuss:

• Why breeders choose private treaty vs auction sales
• What good buyers do differently than first-time buyers
• How parents should think about budgets and expectations
• The difference between price and fit — especially in year one
• What matters most for families just getting started

This isn’t a promotional conversation.
 It’s a parent-focused discussion designed to reduce intimidation, clarify the process, and help families move forward with confidence when buying their first show animal.

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Episode 1: Feeling Behind in the Show World? You’re Not Alone.

If you’re a parent stepping into show cattle or show lambs and thinking, “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing but me,” this episode is for you.

In this first episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, I share why the show stock world feels so confusing for parents — even those with past livestock experience — and how much the game has changed over time.

You’ll hear:

• How my own background (and my wife’s) shaped our expectations
• Why buying the animal is often more stressful than feeding or showing
• What it’s really like navigating breeders, online sales, and uncertainty
• Why overwhelm isn’t a failure — it’s a signal that the system isn’t explained

This podcast exists to help parents gain clarity, not perfection — and to make sure confusion doesn’t cost kids opportunities.