Leaders Of The West

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:

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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:

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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:

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

If you work behind the scenes of an equine or Western event, whether you're managing a facility, producing a show, or just getting your foot in the door, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Dana Jensen, Managing Director of The League, an organization dedicated to advancing the equine and ag event industry through education, professional development, networking, and shared standards.

Dana shares her own journey from horse-crazy kid to competitor, show producer, facility director, and eventually leader of The League. We also dive into some of the organization's incredible resources, including its Footing Academy and Certified Manager of Equine Centers credential, plus why The League recently expanded its membership to include producers, young professionals, breed associations, and others throughout the industry.

And we're sharing something exciting! Of The West and The League are joining forces for a free town hall focused on 2026 hiring trends, tips, and best practices. We'll be talking about the challenges that facilities and event producers face when it comes to finding qualified people, building stronger teams, and hiring full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary, and contract help. If you're involved in producing equine or Western events at any level, we hope you'll join us. Click here to sign up.

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

Connect with Dana:

• Visit The League’s website
• Follow on Instagram @theleaguehub

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 + Equine Hiring Town Hall from The League & Of The West
• 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

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

This is Part 2 of a two-part episode with Sharon K. Beach. Listen to last week’s episode where Sharon shared the incredible story of surviving a kidnapping, a life-threatening medical battle, and a decades-long fight within the justice system. This week, we're continuing the conversation by digging into what carried her through it all: mental toughness.

Sharon shares her ABCs of surviving: attitude, belief, and choice. She also shares how faith, forgiveness, determination, and a refusal to let her past control her helped her rebuild an extraordinary life. We talk about what it means to keep going when life looks nothing like you planned, why asking for help is a sign of strength, and how even our hardest experiences can become part of someone else's survival guide.

If you're walking through your own version of rock bottom, this conversation is a powerful reminder that healing takes time and there are people willing to help.

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

Connect with Sharon K. Beach:

• Visit her website
• Sign up for release dates and info for her book Don’t You Dare Let Go

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Ep 168: Surviving the Unimaginable with Sharon K. Beach, Pt 1: What She Lived Through
• Same Kind of Different As Me
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• 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:

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Ag + Western Career Blueprint

Some stories are too important not to tell.

This is Part 1 of a two-part episode where Sharon Beach joins me to share the remarkable story that changed her life forever. In 1989, Sharon was kidnapped and held captive for four days and five nights. What followed wasn't just a fight for survival, but years of overcoming life-threatening medical complications and navigating an incredibly difficult justice system.

In this episode, Sharon shares how faith and strategy helped her survive, the intense challenges she faced after escaping, and the resilience that carried her through it all. While this conversation is difficult, it is ultimately a story of perseverance.

Be sure to come back next week for Part 2, where we dive into the mindset, mental grit, and life lessons that helped Sharon build an extraordinary life after tragedy.

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

Connect with Sharon:

• Visit her website
• Sign up for release dates and info for her book Don’t You Dare Let Go

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• 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:

Register here for Of The West's Free Workshop - How To Get Hired:

How to Get Hired - October 2026

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

Ag + Western Career Blueprint