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In this episode, Aly sits down with Natallia Opalko, founder of Trucking Safety and author of Safety is the New Profit, to break down the systems and simple fixes that help small fleets improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Natallia shares the most common compliance and safety hurdles she sees, the tools that make compliance less overwhelming, and how better processes can directly strengthen your bottom line. Whether you run one truck or one hundred, this conversation offers practical steps you can put to work right away. 

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This week Aly and Smoke dive into a lesson on why winter preparation is important, a conversation about debt strategy and our mindset when financing equipment and managing growth without getting stretched too thin. We also chat about taking calculated risks in business and cattle feeding. Tune in for practical, honest insights for keeping a rural operation moving forward. 

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Hosts Aly and Smoke catch up on Smoke's time back behind the wheel - navigating sale barns, a few frustrations about how trucking has changed, and taking kids along for the ride. They also dig into the business side, from climbing insurance premiums and warranty headaches, to Trump's recent comments on beef prices and what they've really meant for beef producers. Back home, a leaky basement adds to the chaos. It's been one of those weeks at the Behrens homestead. If you need to feel better about the current state of your home or business, this episode should do it. 

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In this episode I'm joined by the rhinestone cowgirl herself, Olivia Harms. We chat about growing up on a 150-year-old ranch, running one today with her husband in Northern California, and chasing big dreams on the road. 

Olivia Harms has created her own “Rhinestone Cowgirl” sound, blending Texas, Bakersfield, and Nashville country. As the daughter of Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, Olivia debuted onstage at two days old. She was named in COWGIRL magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 and won Singer of the Year during the First Annual Women of the West Gala in June of 2022. The Country Music Artists Association of Texas announced her as 2024’s Cowboy Western Artist. She grew up on her family's 150-year-old ranch in Canby, Oregon and, while maintaining a rigorous touring schedule, resides in Northern California.

You can follow Olivia on social media and stream her music everywhere you listen. She’s also featured in the first two episodes of The Road on CBS and Paramount Plus, and you can catch her performing at NFR this year on December 4th and 6th at the Westgate Hotel NFR Party.

Singer | Olivia Harms | United States

Instagram | Facebook

Hey There Cowboy - song and lyrics by Olivia Harms | Spotify

‎Olivia Harms - Apple Music

Olivia Harms - YouTube

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This week we’re talking trucking truths — who should buy their own truck, how driver pay really works, and what happens when trucks get ordered but never used. We also touch on getting started feeding cattle. This one is a real, no-filter look at the business side of hauling livestock. 

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This week’s episode is a snapshot of life right now — the kind where life and business blur together in the best and busiest ways. We’re fresh off our wedding weekend, still soaking it in, and juggling everything that comes with it, because you have to make hay while the sun shines and that means they honeymoon can wait.

Smoke and I talk through how things look when he’s on the road and the latest in the fat cattle trade and cow buying business. It’s a little bit of wedding talk, a little bit of market talk, and a whole lot of real life.

We’re also sharing what’s ahead for the podcast and opening the door for next week’s Q&A episode. So if you’ve got questions about cattle, trucking, marriage, or rural business, send them our way!

Links & Mentions:

AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, DRONE PICTURES, GRAPHIC DESIGN

Benz Q and Catering

PAR Repair Inc.

2025 Live Cattle Basis Chart | Producers Livestock

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This week on The Rural Dispatch, we’re switching gears from hauling livestock to hauling a bar! Join me for a quick solo update on a busy week in trucking, Smoke getting back into cow buying, and the chaos of wedding week prep in our backyard. Plus, hear about our friends at Agar Transportation and PAR Repair driving a custom bar across the country — and how you could score some merch if you spot it on the road!

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This week on The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly talk trucking, cattle, and life. 

We dig into what a “slow busy season” looks like in livestock trucking, how the cattle market is shaping both hauling and beef availability, and why trucking’s connection to so many industries is both a challenge and a blessing (hello, reefer division revival!). 

If you’re curious about cattle markets, livestock hauling, or just enjoy a good trucking story, this one’s for you.

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On this episode, Aly is joined by Ashley Brincks, ag professional and leader specializing in cattle and conservation. In this episode, Ashley shares how her journey through both personal loss and professional opportunities has shaped her into the industry advocate she is today.

She reflects on the ways resilience and hard work have guided her path, and we talk about the intersection of conservation and cattle production, the importance of producer’s voices in the industry, and what the next generation of ag leaders can bring to the table.

Whether you’re in agriculture yourself or just curious about the stories behind the people who keep rural America strong, Ashley’s story is an inspiring reminder that resilience and courage can grow even in the hardest seasons.

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This week Smoke and Aly are diving into a mix of trucking life, ag seasonality, and some good old-fashioned storytelling. We chat about whether the days of handshake deals are behind us, swap stories from Smoke’s time in the truck (including 5 Hour Energy, CB radios, CDs, and stacks of DVDs), and share some ideas for Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

We also break down why fall is the busiest season for ranchers, farmers, and truckers, plus give a little update on wedding planning. 

Thanks for tuning in and engaging with the show. It means the world! Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this episode with a friend.

Links & Mentions:

Railsback Polishing Bay

Triple H Truck Wash

Randy's Diesel

Beef Hub App (use code RURAL at checkout!)

Beef Hub App
Technology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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