Bites & Bytes Podcast

Farming Without Apologies: Jonathan Lawler on Bulls, Bullsh*t, and Being Real

Listen Later

Most people talk about farming. This time, we talk with someone living it.

Kristin Demoranville sits down with Jonathan Lawler, also known as the Punk Rock Farmer. He’s a full-time American farmer based in Indiana, a food security advocate, and an agricultural filmmaker who doesn’t pull punches.

Jonathan doesn’t speak in soundbites; he tells stories. About what happens when operational tech fails. About the emotional toll of farming through crisis. About how activism, algorithms, and food marketing have warped our view of modern agriculture.

This isn’t a polished farm-to-table fantasy. It’s real, raw, and exactly the kind of conversation we should be having, because how can we protect something if we don’t understand it?

You’ll hear:

  • What cyber-physical failure actually looks like when animals are on the line
  • Why food insecurity isn’t about food—it’s about broken systems
  • How social media distorts the public’s understanding of farming
  • The unseen toll of disease outbreaks, disruption, and public pressure
  • Why storytelling—not slogans—is agriculture’s most underused tool

    • If you care about food systems, or just want to hear what it’s like to farm without all the  BS… start here.

    ---------------

    🔗 Follow Jonathan Lawler, The Punk Rock Farmer

    Website: punkfarmermedia.com
    LinkedIn: Jonathan Lawler
    Instagram: @thepunkrockfarmer
    YouTube: Punk Farmer Media
    Farm:  Brandy Wine Creek Farms

    ---------------

    Episode Key Highlights

    00:04:32 – How Feeding the Hungry Became a Mission

    00:13:28 – Farmers and the Public Narrative
    00:18:15 – Animal Welfare Meets Cyber Risk
    00:22:40 – Avian Flu and the Reality of Culling
    00:26:18 – The Cost of Activist Misinformation
    00:32:40 – The Myth of the "Natural" Label
    00:38:55 – Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Power
    00:46:55 – Behind the Scenes of Ag-Focused Film
    00:49:10 – How Media Shapes Public Perception of Farmers
    00:54:10 – Why Farmers Don’t Speak Up
    01:00:38 – Final Thoughts and What Needs to Change
    ---------------

    🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:

    Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.  

    Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear!

    Substack: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.

    Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts

    Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; BlueSky

    ---------------

    🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT

    AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries.  AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience.  Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.​


    AnzenOT:  Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple.  Smart.  Swift.
    AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.  Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers. Explore the platform at anzenot.com. For demo requests or inquiries, email [email protected] or [email protected]

    ---------------

    🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak

    To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, webinar, or workshop, visit the website and submit a request.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Bites & Bytes PodcastBy AnzenSage