The Lone Star Plate

On today’s episode, we are joined by Jordan Green, the founder of Farm Builder. 

FarmBuilder is consulting and teaching service for designing and operating pasture based livestock systems at a scale supporting full time income. Jordan is also a co-owner of J&L Green Farm, where he produces pasture based meat and eggs. 

In the last few months we’ve had some real difficulties in accessing the meat. This is because so much meat produced by farms is produced for commercial businesses, and is only packaged in commercial quantities. 

We’ve become distanced from our food, separated from where it comes from, and how it’s made.  But how did we get so detached from our local farms? And how do we fix this situation we’ve found ourselves in?

Jordan has worked in the farming industry almost his whole life, and he knows a thing or two about it, and the hardships involved with being a farmer. He explains how the modern farming industry really works, the regulations that surround it, and the daily struggles that farmers come up against. 

With practical advice for what individuals can do to help local farms, Jordan’s given me an eye opening experience of what it’s like to currently work in the farming industry. 

”The farmers are getting paid less, the stores are charging more, and it’s the guys in the middle that are making the difference.” – Jordan Green

Jon Sanchez is an amazing musician based in Austin, whom I’ve met when he played guitar with Bob Schneider.

He also plays with Chrysta Bell, and right up until the pandemic hit, he spent many months traveling and touring.

In this episode we talk about how Jon is managing the lockdown, what happens with music, we also talk a lot about food, what museums in Austin he likes, and how this whole situation is unfolding.

We enjoyed talking to each other so much, that this interview just went on and on…

Today, we are joined by Anthony De Los Santos, CEO and co-founder of website OrderText. 

OrderText is a contactless ordering website that restaurants, food trucks, and others can integrate into their business to reduce unnecessary human interaction.

At a time where everyone is focused on how to reduce the chances of spreading a virus this kind of technology has never been more useful.  It lets customers easily order from their table, and it lets staff know which table the order has come from. 

This is another company I’ve met that has been fortunate in an unfortunate situation, in that all of a sudden this is a really useful tech solution.

As we chat, Anthony explains exactly how the company works, and how he’s even looking for someone to partner up with…

”Jump in now while we’re at no cost, and help us build something cool.” – Anthony De Los Santos

On this episode, we are joined by Carl Turner and Nathan Pieratt from the curbside pickup app ‘SwipeBy’. 

With the current pandemic, restaurants, and individuals, are both looking at how they can change their eating out routine to maximise safety.

Well, SwipeBy allows restaurants to easily integrate a pickup delivery service into their business through SwipeBy app. 

They explain to me exactly how their business works and how difficult it’s been for them to find restaurants that want to use their app.

We discuss the long lasting effects that the outbreak will have on the restaurant business. We also talk about how the virus has affected our personal lives, and how our idea of what is ‘normal’ will likely never be the same…

”I believe common sense always wins, history has proven that. Sometimes it just takes a long time.” – Nathan Pieratt   

My guest today, Jacob Cohen, is a cellular molecular biologist, who also has a degree in general chemistry.

He specialises in the niche field of creating names for new pharmaceutical drugs that are being developed and produced. 

This is a man that knows his stuff about viruses. 

After explaining what he does for a living, I quiz Jacob with all the questions I’ve wanted to ask someone with this kind of knowledge. 

Are branded drugs and generic drugs really the same?

He clearly explains what is currently going on with the Coronavirus, how close we are to a cure, and when we can expect to end social distancing. 

Jacob is obviously worried about how easily this virus spreads, but he emphasises how our focus should be on hygiene rather than a vaccine. 

He understands this virus better than anyone else I’ve talked to, and after talking to him I feel like I understand it much better too…

”From a scientists point of view it’s interesting, but scary. Mother Nature is literally the most diabolical serial killer there is.” – Jacob Cohen