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 60: Jim Bishop — Leadership, Identity, and the Cost of Always Being “On”
In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, I sit down with longtime friend and FarmHouse brother Jim Bishop for a conversation that took a different turn than originally planned — and ended up right where it needed to go.
Instead of focusing heavily on farm stories, Jim and I explore leadership, identity, burnout, and the human side of work. Drawing from Jim’s experience in executive leadership development and my own experiences navigating leadership in agriculture and business, we talk candidly about why work often “sucks,” how cultures drift away from humanity, and what it costs when leaders lose touch with themselves and the people they lead.
This conversation also serves as a natural companion to my recent episode with Mark Voors. Where that discussion explored leadership and growth from the bottom up, this episode continues the thread from the executive and C-suite perspective — together forming a broader reflection on leadership and personal development.
It’s a more reflective, philosophical episode than usual — a different rhythm — but an honest one. If you’ve ever wrestled with expectations, burnout, or what it really means to lead well, this conversation will likely hit close to home.