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 49: The Silence That Stuck With Me
In this solo episode of Patio Pondering, Jim reflects on a moment at the Indiana State Fair that left him unsettled when he witnessed something wrong and didn’t speak up. What started as an uncomfortable memory became a deeper reckoning with silence, regret, and the choices we make in real time.
This isn’t just a story about livestock or county fairs. It’s about leadership, responsibility, and the moments we carry with us long after they’ve passed. Jim shares how this experience made him reflect on times in work, home, and community where silence felt safer but left a scar.
If you’ve ever looked back and wished you’d spoken up, this one’s for you.
In this episode, I discuss:
- Why we stay silent when we know something’s wrong
- The internal battle between comfort and conviction
- How leadership often starts in everyday, unscripted moments
- What it means to carry regret—and how to be ready next time
Tune in for an honest, unpolished look at one of the hardest things to admit: the times we didn’t speak and wish we had.