Leaders Of The West

What does it take to bring an iconic Western brand back to life, especially when everything seems to be working against you?

This week, I'm joined by Adam Trenk, attorney, entrepreneur, lifelong horseman, and owner and CEO of Genuine Billy Cook Saddles. Adam shares how a childhood connection to the legendary saddle brand eventually led him to purchase the struggling company in 2019, determined to restore its reputation for quality and craftsmanship. From navigating COVID and rebuilding the business to losing the entire factory in a devastating 2024 tornado, Adam's story is one of incredible perseverance.

We talk about the challenges of reviving a heritage brand, the importance of knowing when to change course, and how Adam's commitment to his employees has grown into an effort to help revitalize the entire community of Sulphur, Oklahoma. Plus, we discuss Genuine Billy Cook's exciting partnership with the NFR, its expansion into Western lifestyle products, and why Adam believes that anything worth doing is going to be difficult.

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

Connect with Adam:

• Visit the Genuine Billy Cook Saddles website
• Follow on Instagram @genuinebillycook

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

What happens when agriculture's future demands a different set of skills than the ones we've traditionally taught? At Iowa State University, they're doing something about it.

This week, I'm joined by Dr. Jodi Sterle, Associate Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, to talk about the university's innovative new Animal Enterprise and Innovation major. Developed with input from graduates and industry employers, this program combines animal science with business, entrepreneurship, technology, and data analytics to prepare students for the changing needs of agriculture

We also dive into the importance of internships, why students should explore career opportunities early and often, and how Iowa State is addressing the shortage of large animal veterinarians through a new early acceptance program. From rethinking traditional education to creating new pathways into the workforce, this conversation is a great reminder that preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders means being willing to do things differently.

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

Connect with Jodi:

• Email her at [email protected]

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Iowa State University Animal Enterprise and Innovation Major
• Iowa State University Production Animal - Veterinary Early Acceptance Program
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

Have you ever started your day with a full to-do list, bounced between a dozen different tasks, and somehow ended the day feeling like you accomplished absolutely nothing? You're not alone, and our constant connection to technology might have more to do with it than we realize.

In this solo episode, I'm talking about the mental overload that comes from nonstop notifications, endless distractions, and our tendency to multitask our way through life.

I'm sharing the simple changes that have helped me regain my focus, including doing one thing at a time, recognizing when I'm avoiding a difficult task, and making room for slower, more intentional activities. Because sometimes the best way to get more done, feel less overwhelmed, and be more present is to slow down.

As the saying goes, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

This episode has a little bit of a different topic, but it’s important nonetheless! Gut health is about a whole lot more than bloating, gas, or how often you poop. It can be connected to everything from stress and energy to skin, hormones, and how you feel day to day.

This week, I'm joined by Lindsey Renteria of Lindsey Marie Wellness to talk about her own health journey and how it eventually led her out of conventional medicine and into helping others improve their digestive health. Lindsey shares why she takes a "holistic but realistic" approach, looking beyond symptoms to nutrition, stress, lifestyle, mindset, and the relationship we have with food.

We also tackle some of the gut health advice that seems to be everywhere online. Lindsey shares her thoughts on elimination diets, food sensitivity testing, coffee on an empty stomach, probiotics, parasite cleanses, and why there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to taking care of your health.

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

Connect with Lindsey:

• Visit her website
• Follow on Instagram @lindseymariewellness

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

What happens when you need something that doesn't exist? If you're Sarah Calhoun, you build it yourself.

This week, I'm joined by Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants, a women's workwear company she started in 2004 after years of struggling to find work pants that actually fit women doing physical labor. With no background in apparel, manufacturing, marketing, or business, Sarah taught herself what she needed to know and built a national brand from the tiny rural community of White Sulphur Springs, Montana.

We talk about starting small, building a business in rural America, creating products designed to last, and why Red Ants Pants has become so much more than a pair of work pants. From a music festival and foundation to leadership programs and hands-on skills courses for women, Sarah shares how one simple idea has grown into something that supports women, agriculture, and rural communities across Montana.

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

Connect with Red Ants Pants:

• Check out the website
• Follow on Instagram @redantspants

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• This House of Sky by Ivan Doig
• Small Business for Dummies by Eric Tyson and Jim Schell
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

What is the thing people always come to you for? Not what you went to school for or what your job title says, but the thing that comes so naturally to you that you might not even realize it's special. That just might be your superpower.

In this solo episode, I'm breaking down what superpowers actually are, how to identify yours, and why understanding them can change the way you show up in your career and your life. I share a few of my own superpowers and how they work together, plus the self-assessment tools and reflective questions that can help uncover the strengths you may have been overlooking.

Whether you're job searching, building your personal brand, or simply trying to understand yourself a little better, knowing what makes you uniquely valuable can help you communicate it with confidence. Your superpower isn't just a career strategy. It's a tool for becoming more intentional in every area of your life.

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

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• CliftonStrengths
• DISC
• Myers-Briggs
• Enneagram
• Episode 35. Understanding Yourself and the Enneagram with Terryn Drieling
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

If you own horses or cattle, chances are you've felt the large animal veterinarian shortage firsthand. Maybe your longtime vet retired with no one to take their place, or getting an appointment that once took a phone call now means waiting weeks.

This week, I'm joined by Dr. Leslie Easterwood, clinical educator at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and longtime leader with the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She shares her path from livestock show kid to equine veterinarian and educator, then takes us inside the challenges facing large animal veterinary medicine today.

We talk about why veterinarians are leaving equine and rural practice, the impact of student debt, work-life balance and mental health, and what organizations are doing to change that trajectory. Dr. Easterwood also shares how clients can better support their veterinarians and why she remains incredibly optimistic about the future of the profession. Whether you're a livestock owner, horse owner, or a student considering veterinary medicine, this is an important conversation about a shortage that affects all of agriculture.

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

Connect with Dr. Easterwood:

• Visit the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website
• Visit The Foundation for The Horse website

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Don Clifton
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Science Certificate Program
• The Future of Equine Practitioners Symposium OEPS
• Texas Equine Veterinary Association (TEVA)
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

What happens when a rancher sees a hurdle in the cattle industry and decides to build the solution himself?

This week, I'm joined by Jake Nelson, rancher, Army veteran, and founder of CattleQuest. Jake shares how his background in ranching, military service, and entrepreneurship led him to create a tool that brings cattle market data from multiple stockyards into one place, helping producers make more informed decisions about when and where to buy and sell their cattle.

We talk about taking an idea from a conversation to an actual product, the challenge of introducing new technology into an industry that can be resistant to change, and why Jake chose to launch before everything was perfect. Jake also shares how his military experience shaped the way he approaches leadership, fear, and adversity, and why pushing through uncomfortable situations can leave you more capable on the other side.

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

Connect with Jake:

• Visit the CattleQuest website

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

This week we’re tackling an uncomfortable conversation in the job-seeking world: If you're applying for many positions and never hearing back, you simply might not be qualified for that job.

In this solo episode, I'm breaking down how to honestly evaluate whether you're a good fit for a role before you hit apply. We're talking about the "spray and pray" approach, why more applications don't necessarily equal better odds, and how to separate must-have qualifications from skills you can learn along the way. I also dig into technical skills, transferable experience, career transitions, and why sometimes taking a strategic step back can actually move your career forward.

This isn't about shrinking your goals or settling for less. It's about protecting your time, energy, and confidence by focusing on opportunities where you can genuinely compete. If you're job searching or trying to break into agriculture or the Western industry, this episode is for you.

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

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• The Ag + Western Career Blueprint
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

This week, I'm joined by Catherine Neumayr of V8 Ranch, one of the most legendary Brahman operations in the world. Catherine grew up in the cattle industry, but she and her husband, Luke, also built a wildly successful wedding photography business, photographing more than 150 weddings around the world and building their first million-dollar business without spending a dime on traditional advertising.

Today, Catherine has brought those lessons back home to V8 Ranch. We talk about why the little details matter, how to create an experience that turns customers into lifelong fans, and the four principles Catherine and Luke used to build their business. Catherine also shares how V8 creates meaningful experiences for customers and why agriculture needs people with skills and experience from outside the industry.

Whether you're running a ranch, building a business, or wondering if the skills you've developed somewhere else belong in agriculture, this episode is a reminder that there is a place for you here.

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

Connect with Catherine:

• Visit V8’s website
• Follow on Instagram @v8ranch
• Follow on YouTube @V8RanchCattle

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Purple Cow by Seth Godin
• Author Freida McFadden
• Of The West Walk Up Song Playlist
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Email us at [email protected]
• Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Mentioned in this episode:

Click below to buy your Ag + Western Career Blueprint (Code: LEADERS):

Ag + Western Career Blueprint