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 58: Brian Engleking — Lessons from the Barn, the Road, and Rebuilding
In this episode of Patio Pondering, Jim sits down with longtime friend, FarmHouse fraternity brother, and Purdue Dairy Judging Coach Brian Engleking to explore a life shaped by dairy cattle, youth leadership, and an unexpected medical crisis that forced him to rebuild from the ground up.
Brian shares his journey from growing up on a small Indiana dairy farm to becoming a Holstein classifier, evaluating more than 250,000 cows across 47 states and several countries. He reflects on how those years on the road shaped his eye for cattle, his understanding of the dairy industry, and his appreciation for the people who make agriculture work.
The conversation turns deeply personal as Brian describes the brain bleed that ended his classification career and required him to relearn basic motor skills. With honesty and clarity, he talks about the frustration, fatigue, faith, and perspective that emerged from that season of rebuilding.
Today, Brian has found his second dream job as the coach of the Purdue Dairy Judging Team, where he mentors college students in livestock evaluation, reasons, communication, and confidence.
Together, Jim and Brian discuss:
- What dairy farmers really look for when evaluating cows
- How FFA, 4-H, and dairy judging shape work ethic and leadership
- Why real conversation still matters in a phone-driven world
- How adversity can reorder a life and reveal a new calling
- The lessons agriculture teaches about resilience, purpose, and starting again
If you enjoy agriculture stories that blend livestock, leadership, and life perspective, this episode will resonate deeply.