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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 57: One Year Sober - What I Learned After 365 Days Without Alcohol
In this solo episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, host Jim Smith reflects on one year of living alcohol-free — not from rock bottom or rehab, but from a quiet decision to reclaim clarity, creativity, and control.
Jim shares the real story behind his turning point — the morning-after moment that made him realize alcohol had become more ritual than reward. From there, he talks about how quitting drinking changed his focus, relationships, and mental clarity without judgment or preachiness.
If you’ve ever thought about cutting back, rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or just wondering what life feels like on the other side, this episode is an honest look at how one year sober can reshape your perspective — and your peace.
Key topics:
- Why I quit drinking after my son’s birthday party
- How the ritual of drinking was harder to break than the alcohol
- What changed in 365 days without alcohol
- How clarity, creativity, and calm replaced my nightly pour
- Why quitting drinking was the best decision I made for myself
Keywords: sobriety podcast, quit drinking story, one year without alcohol, sober living, recovery podcast, self-improvement, mental clarity, bourbon habit, lifestyle change, personal growth, motivation, mindfulness, sober curious.
☕ “Sometimes the biggest change isn’t giving something up — it’s gaining yourself back.”