Patio Ponderings
Exploring the Expected and the Obscure in Agriculture
From a lifetime in agriculture to deep dives into leadership, rural life, and the evolving food system, Patio Pondering is a podcast where thoughtful conversations meet the open air. Hosted by Jim Smith, Ph.D., a seasoned Swine Nutritionist, agricultural thinker, and storyteller, this podcast explores the connections between our agricultural roots and the broader world.
What started as daily reflections—scribbled with a morning coffee in hand—has grown into a podcast that uncovers the insights, challenges, and sometimes-forgotten history of the industry that feeds us all. Whether solo pondering or engaging in candid discussions with guests, this show digs into everything from livestock production to food trends, rural business shifts, and the personal stories that shape agricultural life.
Now available in both audio and video formats, Patio Pondering brings these discussions to life on YouTube and podcast platforms alike. Whether you prefer to listen on the go or watch the conversation unfold, you’ll find fresh perspectives, candid storytelling, and the kind of conversations that make you think twice.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because agriculture is more than just dirt and livestock. It’s a story worth telling.
Patio Ponderings
Episode 46: Emily Flory Carolan — From Grain Carts to Cold Calls
In this episode of Patio Pondering, I sit down with longtime Ag Twitter friend and powerhouse Corteva territory manager Emily Flory Carolan. From cold calls in cornfields to designing homes during a sabbatical from ag, Emily’s path has been anything but linear.We dig deep into:This episode is filled with humor, heart, and a powerful reminder: sometimes stepping away is what it takes to rediscover where you truly belong.Whether you’re in sales, farming, or navigating your own crossroads in ag, Emily’s story will hit home.
- Her ag roots and how a childhood moment in a grain truck shaped her early view of the industry
- Lessons learned from her dad, Chip Flory, without walking in his shadow or relying on his influence
- Building a career in ag sales as a woman, mother, and high achiever
- An unexpected shift into residential construction and what ultimately pulled her back to agriculture
- The weight of replant decisions, succession planning, and helping growers carry emotional loads
- Why Crop Tour matters, even when the data stings
- And how a grain cart mishap led to the infamous “Emily Clause” in the Grain Cart Safety Protocol on Chris Barron’s farm
Tune in and join the conversation about perseverance, perspective, and the people who make agriculture feel like family.