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Ryan Martin has never been particularly afraid to say what he thinks, even when his opinion runs against conventional wisdom.

Ryan is a meteorologist, grain originator, farmer, seed salesman, and one of the two people who encouraged me to start the Patio Pondering Podcast. So, with Episode 100 right around the corner, it seemed appropriate to finally invite him onto the patio for Episode 99.

What followed wasn't really a conversation about weather.

We talked about why agriculture struggles with uncertainty, our fear of being wrong, what failure actually means, how farming has changed Ryan's perspective, and why relationships may matter more than we sometimes admit. We wandered into farmers advertising themselves, the changing scale of agriculture, opportunities for the next generation, and whether we spend too much time protecting the status quo.

But one idea kept resurfacing: listening.

Ryan believes good conversations require us to hear what someone is actually saying, even when we disagree. Near the end, he put it another way: agriculture needs more discourse, not discord.

That's probably a pretty good description of what we try to do here on the patio.

Join Ryan Martin and me for a conversation about agriculture, relationships, uncomfortable questions, and the value of occasionally being willing to admit we might be wrong.

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Most agricultural businesses begin with a business plan.

New Ag Supply began with a farmer trying to solve a problem.

In this episode, I sit down with Kansas farmer and New Ag Supply founder Brian Sieker to talk about the entrepreneurial mindset that has quietly shaped agriculture for generations. What starts as a conversation about planter parts quickly becomes a discussion about trust, relationships, purpose, and why the best businesses are built by helping other people succeed.

Along the way we explore:

• Why entrepreneurs are often driven by problems, not profits
• Building a business while returning to the family farm
• Trust versus technology in modern agriculture
• Helping other agricultural entrepreneurs succeed
• Why relationships still matter in an increasingly digital world
• The future of entrepreneurship in agriculture

Whether you farm, own a business, or simply enjoy conversations about leadership and innovation, Brian offers thoughtful insights into what it means to build something that lasts.

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We've all said it.

Somebody ought to do something.

Somebody ought to volunteer. Somebody ought to run. Somebody ought to help.

It's an easy sentence to say because "somebody" doesn't have a face.

But every once in a while, life asks a harder question:

What happens when somebody has a name...and that name is yours?

In this solo episode, Jim explores the other side of leadership. The previous episode focused on knowing when to step back and let others lead. This conversation asks when experience becomes responsibility and when it's time for us to step forward.

Whether you're thinking about your community, your family, your church, your business, or your own life, this episode is an invitation to ask one simple question:

Where are you uniquely qualified to serve?

Because leadership isn't always about taking charge.

Sometimes it's about recognizing that the person you've been waiting for is already looking back at you in the mirror.