He was there at 3:30 in the morning on opening day and didn't leave until 1 a.m. He writes 90 pages of copy for a 208-page publication, sends up to 14 news releases a day during the show, manages 60 sponsored social posts across the run, and does it all with a team of four. Oh, and he started the whole thing 13 months ago.

Kyler Hardegree is the communications assistant at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo — one of the largest livestock shows and fifth largest rodeos in the world — and this episode pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to pull off a 23-day event when you're the one holding the camera, writing the captions, pitching the media stories, and building the content calendar all at once.

If you've ever wondered what a career in event communications or ag media actually looks like day to day, this one is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

Connect with Kyler:

She knew she wanted to go to Oklahoma State University when she was seven years old. She applied nowhere else. And somehow, the girl from Turlock, California who loved English class and Angus cattle ended up exactly where she was supposed to be - managing editor of the Angus Journal in St. Joseph, Missouri, six years and counting.

Megan Silveira is one of those people who makes it look easy, but this episode pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a career in agricultural journalism including: the interview prep, the unglamorous office work, the AP style rules she once resented and now swears by, and the secret novel series she published on Amazon without telling a single soul, including her mom.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a creative trying to find your lane, or someone who just wants to hear how one of ag's best storytellers thinks — this one's for you.

In this episode, we cover:

Connect with Megan:

Books & Resources Mentioned:

She started photographing goats at 15 with zero experience, made an ad in Microsoft Word, and somehow convinced herself she had it covered. Spoiler: she did not. But that scrappy, full-send mentality is exactly what built Samantha Rainey of Story Haus Collective into one of the most versatile creatives working in agriculture today.

At 24, Samantha is a videographer, graphic designer, web designer, and brand strategist who has worked across livestock, wildlife, real estate, weddings, and reproductive science — all while finishing her degree at Texas Tech online from Kansas and Georgia. In this episode, she gets refreshingly honest about burnout, the unglamorous reality of the creative life, and why she thinks stopping before you feel ready is the biggest mistake you can make.

In this episode, we cover:

Connect with Samantha:

Books & Resources Mentioned:

What happens when a livestock judge who swore she'd never do "creative stuff" ends up building a thriving ag marketing business? You get Linay Williams — founder of Black Creek Innovations, former Director of Marketing at Texas Tech's Davis College of Agriculture, and current VP of Advertising at Texas Farm Credit.

In this episode, Linay gets real about the full arc of her career: freelancing right out of Texas Tech, growing Black Creek into a multi-client agency, burning out after baby number two, stepping back into a full-time role, and now consulting again on her own terms. She's the first to say that "doing it all" is a myth — and she's got the glass ball theory to prove it.

In this episode, we cover:

Connect with Linay:

Books & Resources Mentioned:

Tyler Schuster is a development professional at Texas Tech's College of Agriculture, host of the Basically Famous podcast, and founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Brands & Blazers. Born and raised on her family's ranch in Texas, Tyler brings a uniquely grounded perspective on building community, owning your personal brand, and showing up boldly in both life and career.

In this episode, Whitney and Tyler dive into what it really looks like to build a life and a brand through intentional action, community-seeking, and a whole lot of showing up.

What we cover:

Resources mentioned:

Connect with Tyler:

Connect with ClubCultivate:

Revenue does not equal profit. In this solo episode, Whitney breaks down the Profit First system by Mike Michalowicz and explains how this simple framework can help creative entrepreneurs organize their finances, pay themselves consistently, and build a healthier business.

Instead of waiting to see what’s left at the end of the month, this system flips the traditional equation and puts profit first.

• Why revenue numbers online can be misleading

Profit First Book – Mike Michalowicz

Open the five bank accounts

Decide your percentage allocations

Review your expenses

Start implementing on the next 10th or 25th

Read the book for the full framework

If you enjoy these solo episodes and conversations around building sustainable creative businesses, make sure you're following Club Cultivate wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to create content inside a breed association (or how to break into that world), this episode is for you. Kelsey Vejraska shares how she went from “I know nothing about a camera” to Audio Visual Specialist at the American Hereford Association, plus practical advice on storytelling, gear, inspiration, and fast turnaround event coverage.

What breed association “content” work actually includes (and why the title rarely says “content creator”)

How Kelsey learned video quickly: repetition, mentoring, and “YouTube University”

Where to find inspiration outside the ag space without copying

How storytelling gets stronger when you research well and ask better questions

What gear is truly essential for travel-heavy livestock + event coverage

How to balance video vs photo vs graphics so you’re not “making noise to make noise”

The mindset shift Kelsey wishes she had earlier: confidence, tunnel vision, and less comparison

Kelsey Vejraska — Audio Visual Specialist at the American Hereford Association, creating photo/video/design content for events, digital marketing, and on-farm features across the industry.

Links mentioned:

American Hereford Association (socials mentioned in episode)

Sunny Okanagan Angus: @SunnyOKAngus (Kelsey noted this is the tag)

Book

Steal Like an Artist (Austin Kleon)

Learning / inspiration

YouTube (editing + skill-building)

TikTok (especially for graphic design tips)

Adobe MAX (conference she wants to attend)

Gear (Kelsey’s essentials)

Sony cameras: A7R series + A7S III (film-focused)

Lenses: 70–200mm f/2.8, 24–70mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8

Audio: Rode shotgun mic (on-camera), Sony wired mics, DJI wireless mics (not her favorite)

Drone (regularly used for variety/angles)

Tripods: lightweight Manfrotto

Cases: moving from Pelican to Condition One case (likes the wheels/handle/foam)

Editing: Adobe Premiere (referenced)

If this episode made you think “I want that job” or “I need to get better fast,” hit follow/subscribe on Club Cultivate so you don’t miss the next creator conversation.

In this episode of the Club Cultivate Podcast, Whitney sits down with social media strategist Taylor Caruso to unpack what’s actually working in social media right now. From building content pillars and planning smarter, to using AI without losing authenticity, this conversation is a tactical and honest look at growing a business online without burning out.

If you’ve ever wondered whether social media is “worth it” for your business or how to make it feel less chaotic, this episode is for you.

Why content pillars are the foundation of a strong, sustainable social strategy

How to blend personal and business content without confusing your audience

What planning a month of content really looks like behind the scenes

How to track whether social media is actually driving sales

Where AI fits into your workflow (and where it shouldn’t)

Why “create without consuming” might be your best strategy this year

The biggest mindset shift Taylor had to make as a business owner

Taylor Caruso

Taylor is a boutique social media strategist who works with small to mid-sized businesses across industries including hospitality, fitness, weddings, and personal brands. She specializes in building personalized strategies that prioritize authentic connection while driving measurable growth.

Connect with Taylor:

Vista Social – Social media scheduling + analytics platform

ManyChat – Automation tool for tracking engagement and clicks

Hot Smart Rich Podcast – Founder-focused business podcast

The Market Podcast by Sauce Media – Social media + marketing conversations

ChatGPT – AI tool for content brainstorming, ideation, and workflow efficiency

Connect

In this episode of the Club Cultivate Podcast, Whitney Whitaker sits down with Monica Hild of Four Back Photography for a highly tactical conversation on livestock photography, specifically photographing and marketing sheep for online sales.

Monica shares how she went from a science-minded animal health background to becoming a go-to sheep photographer, and breaks down the fundamentals every breeder and photographer needs to know, from camera settings and gear to ethical editing, picture-day prep, and why good imagery directly impacts livestock sales.

Whether you’re a breeder taking your own photos or a creative looking to improve your livestock photography skills, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

How Monica learned livestock photography through trial, error, and real business need

Why understanding light and camera fundamentals matters more than expensive gear

When auto settings work and when you must shoot manual

Monica’s recommended camera gear for livestock photography

How to photograph sheep so they read accurately and sell honestly

What ethical editing looks like (and where the line should be drawn)

Why professional photography builds buyer trust and credibility

How breeders and photographers can better plan for picture day and sales timelines

The importance of evaluating livestock, not just taking a “pretty” photo

Monica Hild

Instagram: @fourbackphoto

Book: While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger

Follow along for weekly conversations with host, Whitney Dahmer as she visits with creatives in the agriculture and western industries!

Instagram: @clubcultivate

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s working to grow their skills in this space.

Summary

In this episode of the Club Cultivate podcast, host Whitney Whitaker welcomes Joelynn Rathmann, a seasoned livestock photographer, to share her journey and insights into the world of photography within the livestock industry. Joelynn recounts her early fascination with photography, sparked by livestock shows in her childhood, and how she navigated her career path through various internships and experiences. She discusses the evolution of livestock photography, the importance of understanding livestock anatomy, and the balance between artistic expression and client expectations. Joelynn emphasizes the significance of building trust with clients and the emotional impact of photography on both the subjects and the audience.

livestock photography, Joelynn Rathmann, Club Cultivate podcast, creative journey, photography tips, livestock shows, animal photography, career advice, photography evolution, client relationships

"You can teach anybody to take good pictures, but you cannot teach anybody how to understand livestock."

00:00 Introduction to Joelynn Rathmann