This week on Leaders of the West, Mentor March continues with Laurie Lickley, a rancher from Jerome, Idaho, a former member of the Idaho State House of Representatives, and one of the few women to have led both the Idaho Cattle Association and the Idaho Beef Council.

Laurie shares how growing up along the Salmon River shaped her work ethic and leadership style, and how she and her husband, Bill, built their lives in the beef industry during one of agriculture’s most challenging eras. From crying while moving hand lines to building a legacy in the cattle industry, Laurie reflects on the resilience required to build a life in agriculture.

We also discuss the power of mentorship, public service, and leading with both kindness and conviction. Laurie reflects on the mentors who shaped her career, the lessons she learned serving in the legislature, and why compromise, collaboration, and empathy are essential in strong leadership. Above all, she shares her hope to leave a legacy of opportunity for the next generation of leaders in agriculture.

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Connect with Jessie:

1. Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
2. Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
3. Check out the Of The West website

Resources & Links:

1. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
2. Lazy B by Sandra Day O’Connor
3. 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
4. The Millennial Ag Podcast
5. Join The Directory Of The West
6. Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
7. Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
8. Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
9. Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
10. Email us at [email protected]
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This week on Leaders of the West, Mentor March continues with Jillian Murphy, a sales strategist and former food and beverage distribution executive who helped bring brands like Boom Chicka Pop, PopCorners, and Health-Ade Kombucha to market. Jillian shares how she transitioned from corporate sales into building her own multi-seven-figure consulting business and what it really takes for products to stand out and scale in retail.

We also talk about simplifying business growth, the importance of relationship capital, and why entrepreneurs need to focus on the right audience instead of trying to sell to everyone. From 90-day business sprints to believing in the product you sell, this conversation is full of practical insight for anyone building a brand or growing a business.

Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!

Connect with Jillian:

1. Follow on Instagram @thejillianmurphy
2. Listen to her podcast, The Jillian Murphy Show

Connect with Jessie:

1. Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
2. Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
3. Check out the Of The West website

Resources & Links:

1. Relationship Bank Account by Jeff Fenster
2. Nodpod
3. Join The Directory Of The West
4. Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
5. Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
6. Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
7. Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
8. Email us at [email protected]
9. Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
10. List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

I am so excited for this episode and an announcement! This week, we are kicking off something new called Mentor March. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be bringing you conversations with people who have personally mentored me in different areas of my life, from business and agriculture to marriage, leadership, and entrepreneurship. These are the people who have shaped how I think, how I lead, and how I build.

In this episode, I share why mentorship matters so much and why it is not just for entrepreneurs or corporate leaders. We all need a board of directors in our lives. People who have walked the path ahead of us and are willing to tell us the truth. If most of what you have learned has come from other people, imagine what could change if you became intentional about who those people are. Mentor March starts next week, and I cannot wait for you to meet the mentors.

Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!

Connect with Jessie:

1. Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
2. Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
3. Check out the Of The West website

Resources & Links:

1. Join The Directory Of The West
2. Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
3. Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
4. Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
5. Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
6. Email us at [email protected]
7. Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
8. List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

This week, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Pam Minick, cowgirl, competitor, broadcaster, history-maker, and one of the most respected women in the Western industry. But more than any title she has held, this conversation is about something deeper. It’s about joy.

Pam shares her journey from growing up riding horses in Las Vegas to becoming Miss Rodeo America and breaking barrier after barrier as one of the first women to hold major broadcasting roles in rodeo. What stood out most to me was not the accolades, but her mindset. After a recent leukemia diagnosis and months of treatment, Pam made a daily decision to choose joy. That phrase became more than words. It became her anchor, her perspective, and even the name of a racehorse inspired by her resilience.

We talk about finding work you love, saying yes before you know how you will figure it out, cheering for the next generation, and why joy is not accidental. It is intentional. This episode is a reminder that no matter what season you are in, you still get to choose how you show up, and the word “can’t” shouldn’t be used.

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I’m so excited for this week’s guest, Chris Boleman, the President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. We’re just weeks away from the gates opening to one of the most iconic events in the country. Chris shares what it’s like to lead an organization of this magnitude, how it’s grown into a year-round economic powerhouse, and why their mission of supporting agriculture, education, and Western heritage remains stronger than ever.

We talk about what goes into planning a month-long live event that draws 2.7 million visitors, the power of 36,000 volunteers, and the $600 million that’s been invested back into youth, scholarships, and workforce development. You’ll also hear how the Houston Rodeo is pushing innovation while honoring tradition, from drone shows to vocational programs, and what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in collaboration and community.

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In this powerful solo episode, I’m sharing a message that’s been sitting on my heart: how our tightest grips on people, businesses, and outcomes can unintentionally suffocate the very things we’re trying to grow. Inspired by Of Mice and Men, I talk through how love can morph into control, and how that shift can affect family farms, careers, marriages, and leadership dynamics.

This isn’t a “fix it all” episode, but it is a vulnerable look at how letting go just enough might actually allow things to breathe, progress, and flourish. If you’ve ever felt like the life is being squeezed out of you, or if you’re wondering whether you might be squeezing too hard, this episode is for you.

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This week, I’m joined by Brian Moates, Head of Farm and Partner Experience at Our Farms, a growing marketplace and movement reshaping how we shop for food and support farmers. Brian has a fascinating background, from motorsports and marketing to building digital-first experiences for brands like Ford and Lincoln, and now he’s bringing that expertise to agriculture.

In this episode, we talk about how Our Farms connects local producers with consumers in a way that’s scalable, human, and values-driven. Brian shares why he’s passionate about storytelling, what shifted his view on food and farming, and how his own daughter’s health issues led to a deeper understanding of what’s really in our food. We also dive into the tech powering this shift, how Our Farms is different from traditional DTC platforms, and why small producers finally have a seat at the table.

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This week, I’m joined by Kacee Bohle, founder of AgriMinds and one of my favorite people to talk real-life leadership with. Kacee is a certified executive coach who helps people in agriculture get unstuck, communicate better, and move forward with clarity and confidence. In this episode, we’re diving deep into decision-making: what holds us back, why perfectionism gets in the way, and analysis paralysis. 

Kacee shares tools to help you trust your gut, stop second-guessing, and build momentum. We also talk about parenting and leadership, why taking small actions is the key to confidence, and how to reframe “wrong” decisions as some of your greatest learning moments. Whether you’re stuck on a business move, a life transition, or just choosing what’s next, this one will help you get going.

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We’re back for Part 2 with Jena Oschner, and this one goes deep. In this week’s episode, we talk about detoxing your home, ditching everyday toxins, and the products we actually use, without shame or fear. From face taping to Tylenol alternatives to artificial dyes, we’re covering the real-life ways we’re learning, adjusting, and finding what works for our families.

Jena also shares about her journey into homeopathy, ozone therapy, functional testing, and the things she keeps with moderation in mind. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the swaps, this episode will help you focus on progress over perfection.

Listen to Part 1 if you missed it!

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I’m so excited to be sitting down again with my good friend Jena Oschner for a raw, relatable conversation about health, healing, and doing better for ourselves and our families. Jena’s previous episode was the Leaders of the West most-listened-to of 2025! This week, we’re continuing the conversation with even more honesty, insight, and shared experiences. From navigating autoimmune diagnoses and migraines to learning how to read food labels and remove hidden toxins from our homes, we’re sharing what this wellness journey really looks like behind the scenes.

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We talk about functional medicine, regulating your nervous system, and rethinking what “moderation” means. Whether you’re already on your own health path or just curious about how to get started, this episode will meet you right where you are. Get ready for practical swaps, thought-provoking stats, and some laughs along the way. And be sure to come back next week for Part 2 of our conversation!

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