This episode is brought to you by ChopLocal University

About ChopLocal and ChopLocal University

Meat buyers want convenience and variety, and meat farms need a better way to market their products. That's where ChopLocal comes in.

Founded by farmers, ChopLocal features high quality products from butcher shops and meat farms near you. They are dedicated to building a more resilient supply chain for meat that benefits everyone involved, and we're certain you'll be able to taste the difference!

Want to learn more about selling on ChopLocal as a producer? Visit their website below!

• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/ (Education For Producers)
• https://choplocal.com/ (Sell or Buy on ChopLocal)

In this episode, Wendy and Risty Bryce join the show from Iowa. Wendy shares her journey as a two-time Iowa State Fair Husband Calling champion and her passion for “growing future teachers” through her work at Sioux City Career Academy. Ritsy opens up about living with a progressive neurological disease and the lessons learned through resilience and adaptation. Together, they discuss parenting, community, and the importance of kindness, humor, and support in overcoming challenges—at home, in the classroom, and beyond.

We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.

 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.

If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].

• 00:00 Welcome and Listener Engagement
• 00:22 Caite's Busy Week and Lice Troubles
• 01:58 Fall Calving and Cute Calves
• 03:38 New Bull and Farm Updates
• 04:40 Weather Challenges and School Updates
• 05:31 Family Loss and Moving Forward
• 09:53 Royal Winter Fair Preparations
• 12:03 Introducing the Guests: Wendy and Risty Brice
• 12:24 Iowa State Fair and Husband Calling Contest
• 14:40 Growing Future Educators and Relationships
• 16:06 Parenting and Family Dynamics
• 34:19 Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Fear
• 44:34 Reflecting on Early Motherhood
• 46:13 The Stigma of Teen Motherhood
• 47:24 Balancing Education and Parenting
• 50:57 Living with Disability
• 57:13 Navigating Rural Healthcare
• 01:09:52 Supporting Struggling Students