This week on the Stock Show Sisters podcast, co-host Ricki interviews Heather Welper, a production manager at Cultivate Agency, content creator, Hereford cattle producer with her husband Calvin, and a 2025 Cowgirl 30 Under 30 honoree. Heather shares how relationships led to her career path after earning an agricultural communications degree from Tarleton State, and why early-career in-office work builds professionalism before remote roles. She explains how her social media platform began during COVID while seeking infertility community, later evolving into stock show lifestyle and fashion guidance, emphasizing authenticity and confidence amid online criticism. Heather discusses trusting God’s timing through infertility loss and adoption of their son, Crew, and how surrender shaped major life moments. She also covers lessons from marriage, motherhood, judging local shows through reputation, personal style tips, and where to find her online.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs.

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This week on the Stock Show Sisters podcast, co-host Ricky interviews Amy Cowan, executive director of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America and director of youth activities for the American Hereford Association, about her nearly 28-year career and the value of staying with one organization. Cowan shares her northwest Iowa farm upbringing, SDSU degrees in ag journalism and animal science, a key internship with the American Shorthorn Association, and mentors who helped her grow from magazine communications to editor, marketing, and ultimately youth and foundation leadership. They discuss how junior associations and HYFA support youth through scholarships ($230,000 awarded last year), education programs like the Fed Steer Shootout, and leadership events, plus advice on planning, details, being present in-office early in careers, avoiding phone distraction, taking initiative, and adopting a “do it now” mindset.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/stock-show-sisters-website-design/

This week, Riki interviews Clancy Gunn, brand experience lead for Vermeer’s Forage Solutions and former livestock coordinator at the National Western Stock Show. Clancy shares growing up on a Colorado farm, studying agricultural communications at Oklahoma State with an animal science minor, and being influenced by mentors who encouraged her design skills. After a first job in Texas didn’t work out, she returned home, took a data-entry role at National Western, asked for opportunities, moved into marketing and then livestock marketing, and worked on the National Western Center redevelopment involving the city, county, CSU, and the nonprofit. She later joined Vermeer after a podcast connection, began as a contractor traveling the dealer network, and now leads a forage marketing team handling paid media, trade shows, sponsorships, and product launches.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

Mae Boedecker, Livestock and Rodeo Coordinator for the American Royal Association in Kansas City, shares her nontraditional path into agriculture from growing up in Frisco, Texas, starting with showing pigs through FFA. She discusses how being new to ag was intimidating, but built strengths like teachability, humility, and asking for help. Mae recounts attending Oklahoma State, switching from pre-vet to animal science production, and building community through a sorority, an ag dorm, and church. She explains how she pursued a stock show career, landed her role at the American Royal, and describes responsibilities such as DNA deadlines, stall layouts, trailer flow, breed scheduling, and planning youth and pro rodeos. Mae also offers advice on dating with faith and boundaries, job searching through persistence and networking, being open to relocation, and avoiding comparison by trusting God’s timing.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

Rachel interviews Ranch House Designs colleague Carole Arriaga on the Stock Show Sisters podcast about her 15-year journey from licensed veterinary technician to self-taught web designer and the team’s go-to Shopify expert. Carole describes her busy routine as a working mom, 4-H leader, and mentor, emphasizing handwritten to-do lists, preparation, and learning to say no to protect family time. She discusses evolving web technology, common client gaps when starting Shopify, and why businesses shouldn’t rely solely on social media due to outages or hacks. Carol outlines the wide range of products clients sell online—especially agriculture items like beef, semen, and embryos—covering complexities like shipping, subscriptions, apps, and syncing with brick-and-mortar inventory. She also shares her interest in teaching through speaking engagements, expectations around AI and compliance, and her sourdough baking and weekly raw milk routine.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

Stock Show Sisters Co-Host, Riki Nardiello, interviews Dr. Jodi Sterle of Iowa State University, a Harmon Endowed Professor and associate department chair for teaching who also serves as a provost faculty fellow expanding high-impact, hands-on learning. Sterle shares her path from growing up showing livestock on a Michigan farm, to earning an animal science degree at Michigan State and graduate degrees in swine reproductive physiology at the University of Missouri, then working 14 years at Texas A&M as the state swine extension specialist and later adding teaching, before moving to Iowa State. She emphasizes mentors, resilience, and “the world is run by those who show up,” highlights the value of clubs, internships, undergraduate research, and study abroad, explains research as curiosity and data-driven improvement, and discusses boundaries, teamwork, and tradeoffs in building a career while raising a family.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

Stock Show Sisters Co-Host, Riki Nardiello, talks with Riley Reep, Director of Youth and Communications for the Texas Pork Producers Association, about growing up in Ropes, Texas, showing pigs, and how FFA, 4-H, and public speaking helped build her confidence and leadership. She shares her path to Texas Tech, earning a degree in agricultural communications while learning to embrace discomfort, networking, and trusting God’s plan. Riley discusses how internships across agriculture led her back to Texas Pork, where she now oversees youth development programs, including Texas Bred, the Junior Ambassadors, and the Texas Pork Youth Retreat (applications open March 1; June 11–14 in College Station). She also reflects on losing her mother during college and the role of faith, community, and daily habits in navigating pressure and uncertainty.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

Stock Show Sisters Co-Host, Riki Nardiello, interviews Kass Newell of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress about her path from showing livestock to running operations for two major events. She shares her education at Oklahoma State University, OYE’s scale as the largest junior show for Oklahoma youth, and how Cattlemen’s Congress launched in 2021.

Kass discusses leading high-pressure shows, building a team-first culture, what she looks for in interns, and balancing career and family, emphasizing work ethic and strong support systems.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/

In this episode of Stock Show Sisters, Rachel interviews Ricky Nardiello, a Texas A&M student and one of the most respected young women in the livestock world. Ricky shares her journey from growing up in East Bernard, Texas, to showing multiple species like pigs and cattle, and the lessons she learned along the way. They discuss the differences in caring for various livestock, the importance of patience and discipline, and Ricky's personal experiences with social pressures. Ricky also reveals how she balances a busy life filled with internships, shows, and academics. Additionally, it's announced that Ricky will join the podcast as a co-host, bringing her fresh perspective and insights on professional development, mentorship, and faith. This episode offers a deep dive into Ricky's life, her values, and her future role in the industry.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/stock-show-sisters/

In this episode of 'Stock Show Sisters’, Rachel converses with Camille Burns, an outstanding student at Texas A&M University with a rich background in agriculture. Camille shares her experiences from growing up showing Brangus cattle and being involved in various school activities, to dealing with challenges in high school and college. The discussion covers topics like managing stress, the role of social media, overcoming disappointments, forming meaningful friendships, and balancing multiple commitments. Camille emphasizes the importance of perseverance, leadership, and surrounding oneself with respectful and supportive friends. She also shares practical advice on handling social media wisely and maintaining a professional online presence.

This podcast is made possible because of Ranch House Designs. Have a question you want to submit to guests on the show? Learn more here: https://ranchhousedesigns.com/grit-and-grace/