In this week’s episode, we’re taking a little break from our usual career and business conversations for a more personal discussion. After sharing on Instagram that I don’t use certain products in my own home, I received a flood of questions about the products we do use and how I’ve approached reducing our family’s overall toxic burden. I’m not a medical professional, and I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I wanted to share what has worked for me, where I started, and why I believe small, intentional changes can add up over time.

I talk about my philosophy on low-tox living, the apps I use to research products, ways to support your body’s natural detoxification systems, and some of my favorite swaps for hair care, skincare, makeup, deodorant, sunscreen, and more. Most importantly, I share why I believe this journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t have to throw everything away overnight. Sometimes the best approach is simply replacing products one at a time as they run out and making choices that feel realistic and sustainable for your family.

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:

• Click here for all product recommendations from this episode
• Episode 85: Journey to Wellness with Jenna Ochsner
• Episode 138: Girl Talk (with Jena Oschner): Rethinking “Healthy,” Part 1
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing a lesson that came from a foggy drive across southern Idaho and the perspective it gave me about navigating uncertainty in life and business. We all go through seasons where we can’t clearly see what’s ahead, whether it’s a career transition, a business challenge, a relationship struggle, or simply feeling stuck. In those moments, our instinct is often to stop and wait for clarity, but what I’ve learned is that clarity rarely comes from standing still. It comes from continuing to move forward, even when you can only see a few feet ahead.

I also share why I think there are different types of “fog” in life, the temporary kind that clears quickly and the heavier kind that settles in for a season. We talk about the power of momentum, why movement creates clarity, and the lesson we can learn from buffalo, which instinctively run into a storm instead of away from it. If you’re navigating a season of uncertainty, this episode is a reminder that the road ahead still exists, even when you can’t fully see it yet.

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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

I’m back with another episode for our solo summer series. Today, I’m sharing a lesson that started with hard-boiled eggs and ended with a $450 plumbing bill. What seemed like a harmless tip I found online turned out to be completely wrong, and it got me thinking about how often we accept information as fact simply because we saw it on the internet. From social media posts and viral headlines to AI-generated content and misinformation, I’m diving into why it’s more important than ever to slow down, ask questions, and think critically about the information we consume and share.

I talk about confirmation bias, fact-checking, AI, social media algorithms, and the responsibility we all have to protect our credibility and the industries we care about. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that just because something sounds true doesn’t make it true. If you’ve ever shared an article without reading it, believed a viral headline, or wondered how to navigate an internet that feels increasingly difficult to trust, this conversation is for you. And yes, you’ll also leave with my foolproof 10-5-10 hard-boiled egg method.

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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

Welcome to our very first summer episode of Leaders of the West! For June and July, we’re doing something a little different around here. Instead of guest interviews, I’m spending the summer diving into more solo episodes, talking about life, business, career growth, hiring, job seeking, and the heart behind why Of The West was created in the first place. And to kick things off, we’re re-airing the most downloaded solo episode we’ve ever released, How to Push Through a Losing Season.

Originally recorded in December 2023, this episode is an incredibly personal conversation about walking through difficult seasons in both life and business. I share some of the hardest experiences my family faced, what helped us keep moving forward, and the mindset shifts that carried us through uncertainty and loss. We also talk about recognizing patterns, preparing for hard seasons before they happen, and why resilience is something we build over time. Whether this episode finds you in a difficult season right now or simply preparing for whatever life may bring next, I hope it reminds you that hard seasons never last forever.

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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Brent Turner, founder of Agri-Generational and author of Piece of Land, for a conversation that I honestly think every farm and ranch family needs to hear. We dive into the realities of succession planning, why so many families avoid these conversations, and what’s actually at stake when there’s no clear plan in place.

Brent shares how his background in financial planning and decades of working alongside agricultural families led him to focus exclusively on helping farms and ranches navigate transition, continuity, and legacy. We also talk about the emotional side of succession, the different “hats” operators wear inside a business, and why the role of “chief wisdom officer” may be one of the most important positions in a family operation.

More than anything, this episode is about building something that lasts, empowering the next generation, and making sure the future of your operation is determined by design instead of default. Whether you’re actively involved in succession conversations or hoping to create something different for your own family one day, this episode is packed with perspective and practical takeaways.

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

Connect with Brent

• Visit the Agri-Generational website

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Agri-Generational Quiz
• Peace of Land by Brent Turner
• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

I’m so excited for this week’s episode! I’m sitting down with my friend Rachel McGinn, who many of you probably know online as Rachel Joi. Rachel was truly one of the original creators sharing Western fashion online in the early days of Instagram, and in this conversation, we talk about how much life has changed since then.

From fashion and content creation to motherhood, ranch life, music, and silversmithing, Rachel shares what it has looked like to evolve through completely different seasons of life while still staying true to herself. We also talk about confidence, identity, creativity, and the reality that sometimes growth means letting go of old versions of yourself in order to step fully into the life you’ve prayed for.

Rachel also shares how she taught herself silversmithing through YouTube and online maker communities after becoming a mom of four, and why continuing to chase your own passions alongside parenthood matters. This episode is an honest conversation about reinvention, perspective, and learning to embrace the season of life you’re in rather than constantly looking backward.

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

Connect with Rachel:

• Visit her website
• Follow on Instagram @racheljoi

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Episode 21. How To Cultivate Confidence with Lindsay Branquinho
• Be A Maker School
• Walk Up Songs Spotify 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Sidney Schmidt, a Superior Livestock Auction representative, to talk about what it really looks like to build a career in cattle marketing from the ground up.

Sidney shares his journey from growing up around cattle to working in feedyards and eventually stepping into a role with Superior, where he built his book of business through relationships, trust, and years of industry experience. Superior is one of our Unlimited Hiring partners here at Of The West, and this is exactly the kind of partnership I love because it connects the right people with the right opportunities in our industry.

We also dive into the realities of earning trust in the cattle industry, balancing the needs of both buyers and sellers, and why humility and consistency matter more than any sales pitch. From lessons learned the hard way to the importance of long-term relationships and reputation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that in agriculture, people do business with people, and how you show up every day matters.

If you’ve ever been curious about a career with Superior, whether as a rep or working within one of their offices, this episode gives you a real look at what that path can look like.

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

Connect with Superior Livestock Auction:

• Visit the website
• Follow on Instagram @superiorlivestock
• Follow on YouTube @superiorlivestockauction

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 Unlimited + Concierge
• Jobs Of The West
• When a Man’s a Man by Harold Bell Wright
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Kristin Kiseljack, founder of Ida Mae Home, to talk about her journey from corporate retail buyer to building a business rooted in heritage, creativity, and American manufacturing. Kristin shares how she got her start working in global retail and import production, and how the challenges of that industry ultimately led her to bring production back to Texas. We talk about what it really looks like to build a product-based business, from managing supply chain chaos to trusting your instincts when creating something new.

We also dive into the creative side of the business, including where she finds inspiration and how trends start. This conversation is all about building something meaningful, staying adaptable, and creating products that connect with people on a deeper level.

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

Connect with Kristin:

• Visit Ida Mae Home
• Follow on Instagram @idamaehome

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Tony Lama
• Savannah 7’s
• Maverick Fine Western Wear
• Teskey’s
• Cavender’s
• Dillard’s
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Leann Saunders, president of Where Food Comes From. We talk about something that impacts every single one of us in agriculture, whether we realize it or not: third-party verification.

Leann has seen the beef industry from every angle, from working on the buyer side with McDonald's to building one of the earliest USDA process verified programs, and now working directly with producers across the country. We break down what verification actually means, why it matters, and how it connects ranchers, consumers, and the entire food supply chain.

We also talk about what this looks like from the actual verification process to the financial return, and why this isn’t about changing your operation but validating what you’re already doing. From direct-to-consumer brands to global export markets, this conversation really highlights where the industry is headed and why building trust with consumers is only going to become more important moving forward.

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

Connect with Leann:

• Visit Where Food Comes From
• Call (866) 395-5883

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• 2026 Power of Meat Study (Ann-Marie Roerink)
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

This week, I’m sitting down with Shannon “Mud” Lowery, the artist and founder behind Mud Lowery jewelry. We talk about how he built his business completely self-taught, starting with a need to support his roping lifestyle and turning it into one of the most recognizable names in Western jewelry. From those early days of figuring things out to having his pieces worn by some of the biggest names in country music, this conversation is a real look at what it takes to grow something from the ground up.

We also get into the realities behind the business, including rising silver costs, navigating creativity versus commercial demand, and what it looks like to stay true to your work in an industry that can be quick to copy. More than anything, this episode is about values, building something with integrity, and keeping your priorities straight, because at the end of the day, success doesn’t mean much if it comes at the expense of the people who matter most.

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

Connect with Shannon “Mud” Lowery:

• Follow on Instagram @mudlowery
• Follow on Facebook @mudlowery
• Follow on TikTok @mudlowery
• Visit his website

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Episode 137. Someone Copied You, Now What? With Attorney at Law, Andrea Sager
• How I Built This with Guy Raz
• 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:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed