As Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky says, “Life's not supposed to be sunshine and rainbows.” But Jennifer Tirey, Illinois Pork Producers Association executive director, points out what he has to say next about moving forward is the most important part of that famous quote. Tirey is no stranger to struggles in this world. She opens up about her fight with cancer when she was a young wife, the critical role of building relationships with decisionmakers, and battles that go on behind the scene in the pork industry.

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Professors Bob Goodband and Mike Tokach are retiring after 30 years dedicated to the swine industry at Kansas State University. Discover how these legends prioritized people over publications, shaping the next generation of industry leaders with their selfless mentorship and innovative research. Tune in to hear their reflections on a lifetime of impact, the evolution of swine production, and their challenge to the pork industry.

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Chelsea Schminke Grieder, Director of Team Purebred, shares her unique and resilient journey on The PORK Podcast. Her path to leading the national youth swine organization was shaped by significant life experiences, including caring for her mother during a kidney transplant. Grieder brings a unique perspective, offering encouragement as she discusses life's ups and downs.

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No one wants their family business to look like the Dutton family’s in Yellowstone. Todd Wiley created a succession planning tool to avoid unnecessary drama and position his four children for success in their family pork operation in eastern Iowa. He believes being able to understand everyone's strengths and weaknesses will help them achieve greater success together.

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Micah Jansen knows that the key to juggling a busy life as a mother and swine tech services veterinarian at Zoetis is to differentiate the “glass balls” from the others. In other words, she’s learned how to prioritize what matters most as she strives to find a healthy balance between her passions. She joins The PORK Podcast to discuss the future of swine health and how she makes decisions with producers’ ROI in mind.

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With a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, Maddie Hokanson follows a simple but profound philosophy in life: Start with why. A seventh-generation farmer, Maddie explains how her “why” – to ensure a successful, thriving future for the generations she will never meet – drives all aspects of her life, from family to farming to advocating for the pork industry.

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The U.S. pork industry is undergoing an exciting transformation. After weathering historic losses in 2023, producers are now returning to profitability and uniting behind the bold new Taste What Pork Can Do campaign. To mark the one-year anniversary of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with National Pork Board CEO David Newman. He shares his forward-looking vision for the industry and emphasizes how authenticity and transparency are essential for driving long-term success for producers.

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