Welcome to camp...our very first Empowerment Beyond the Barn She Stock Shows Camp. Listen closely as Paige, Reagan, Brystol, Ellie, Rylee, Dylan, and Harper share about their empowering 48 hours we spent together in the barn.

I can't thank our special coaches, and past podcast guests, Kylie Langley, Cadence Hansen, and Rilynn Buesing, for coming and teaching all the tricks! Our campers learned a lot!

My hope was that the campers would grow in trying new things, and challenge themselves in thinking, "Why not me?". I believe the mission was accomplished.

Throughout the next hour you'll hear the excitement, the giggles, and especially all the confidence. These girls killed it and I couldn't be prouder of them!

Stay tuned as 2026 dates are coming out soon! So enjoy.. Empowerment Beyond the Barn... She Stock Shows!

Ladies in the Lead meet Miss Ashley Wiebe. An FFA Advisor at Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa and doing big things with her 350 Ag students. You'll find that Ashley is passionate about what Ag and hands on learning can do for a soul.

She grew up in Southwest Minnesota on a hog farm, quickly discovered a passion for cattle and now raises high quality show lambs. She's been a judge all over this country, teaches her students about Stock show fun, including chicken judging, soils, and that preparation is key. There isn't much that Ashley hasn't done or tried.

As the oldest of 8 siblings, her journey is unique. Her energy is contagious, her work ethic her "edge", and in the stock show world she is focused and competitive. I love it. I think you will too. Let's meet Miss Ashley Wiebe!

Ladies in the Lead meet Miss Rilynn Buesing. This sixteen year old has just experienced what some might call, "The summer of a lifetime!" Being only the 3rd person to ever achieve Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog at the Iowa State Fair, Rilynn takes us through the emotions and the thrill of achieving such a huge accomplisment.

During our conversation she shares with us how the spring and summer evolved. Would you believe that her hogs actually placed last at her first jackpot? Would you also believe that her Dad challenged her after last year's state fair to win it this year? I love how Rilynn says so casually, "I just knew the hard work would make it possible!"

Like most high schoolers, Rilynn loves to play volleyball, hang out with friends, and be in the barn with her two older sisters and family. She is passionate about, "Hamilton" the musical, and even raps a little! It's amazing how cattle, hogs, and music can bring us all together.

I can't wait for you to listen in. I hope you feel the energy, the excitement and mostly the gratitude that she has for such an opportunity. She says, "Stock show is family"... Rilynn sure shows us that!

Ladies in the Lead this week we meet two outstanding high school seniors, Cadence Hansen and Molly Chapman. Both 9 year 4Her's, both representing Cedar County as our Fair Queen, and both finishing up their last Cedar County Fair 2023.

I love how this conversation centers around things coming to an end. The last time in the ring, the last set of goals, and all the feels that go with it. It's surprising how it hits each of them differently.

Both Cadence and Molly have big plans ahead; off to college and sights on what's to come. When I ask them, "What's your legacy going to be?" they each thought of others. How they hoped to be an influence and inspiration for young girls just getting started.

But as this chapter closes don't think they are done! Molly is off to the State Fair to represent Cedar County as the 2023 fair queen. Cadence, well she's got a heifer that is on fire this summer. She just represented Cedar County at the Regional Show Best of the Best, won showmanship honors, and has her sights on State Fair! The ladies have worked hard, been consistent, made friends, and created a community that supports and loves them. I'm honored I've been a part of it!

So let's get started, enjoy this last ride and meet this week's Ladies in the Lead... Cadence Hansen and Molly Chapman.

Ladies in the Lead .... Meet Kate, Kyndall, and Kennedy Burns! Excitement doesn't even begin to cover my emotions as I kick off the summer season with this powerful Mother/Daughter trio!

Honestly, I've been wanting to talk to Kate for over a year! She is someone that has been an icon for what teamwork, passion, and stock show family looks like. A cosmetologist by trade, she takes what she creates in the salon and works her magic at home. Kate is modest when she says, "Yeah I just take what I know and apply it in the barn. :)". So don't let that comment fool you, the calves look amazing! She is known for her ability to grow hair!

While some think fashion, hair, and makeup are best left out of the show ring, Kate talks about how fashion and beauty help to create the best version of ourselves. I love how she makes the connection for women and empowers clients to be their best. It's powerful.

The girls are forces of energy and excitement. They are open and freely spoken. They know their goals, their cows, and their love for dogs. Kyndall is a force in the showing and gives great advice, if I'm calm she'll, (her heifer), stays calm." Kennedy loves her time in the cooler, daily rising at 5:30 AM. She's excited to show and begin her own stock show journey.

Kate's edge.. goal setting. She knows how to break it down. Everyone's favorite part of stock show.. the family of friends and the connections you make. To be welcomed, have big goals, and those that want the best for you and your kids, there's nothing like it.

I can't wait for you to get to know them!

(Burns Angus had a huge win at Junior Nationals this year, raising the Grand Champion Angus Steer. I have no doubt that the girls were right there cheering on the final slap.)

In this week's episode we meet Miss Tess Mittag. As Manager of StockShow University, with Sullivan's Show Supply, we find Tess ...EVERYWHERE! Between running the fitting clinics, handing out the Junior Giveaways, and updating the Pulse, I was lucky enough to catch up with her at the Iowa Beef Expo.

Tess grew up in SouthWest Iowa, showing livestock from the 2nd grade. Cattle, sheep, and hogs filled the barn but Tess knew from a young age that Education was where her heart would take her. She attended Northwest Missouri State, earned her Ag Education degree and started teaching. Miss Mittag, as her students will always call her, transformed lives, set high expectations, and created opportunities. She loved each of her students like one of her own. But when the opportunity to join Sullivan's came about, she saw the chance to match her passion with her daily life.

Tess has a drive that comes from building relationships and making an impact. She loves after a weekend at StockShow U, juniors say 'thank you' and feel like family. She'll encourage anyone to attend a Junior Nationals, always ask ask ask, and find a mentor to help you along the way. Tess reminds us, "We get better when everyone gets better!"

Her secret passion, Tik Tok, find her I promise you, you won't be disappointed. So let's get started... Miss Tess MIttag!

In this week's episode we meet Mary Veatch! Someone who leads by example, makes herself "present", and calls herself a lucky penny! Nominated to me, not once but three times, I knew I had to talk to her. Can I say, "I loved it!"

As the foundation couple in developing the 13 county regional show, Best of the Best, Mary has been a "present face" in fundraising, recruiting and manager of the details. Mary is working hard to give these kids, "one more show" to get too. Mary and her husband Rob, have spent their lives supporting and building opportunities for Stock Show kids.

Mary's day job keeps her busy in the Extension office of Iowa County. 17 years she's been there, coaching and encouraging families to "Make the best better." What's she's most proud of though is her family. Commuting each weekend to be a cattle producer in Bloomfield, IA, she talks about how the family comes together to make it work. The memories, the fun, the struggles, how it's all worth it when you do it together.

She surrounds herself with good people, works hard, and has stayed true to herself. An avid Stock Show junkie, you'll always find her on the top row, steer side, at the State Fair. I'm been blessed to have spent a few hours with her in that row too, so from now on save me a seat... Ladies in the Lead meet Mary Veatch!

In this week’s episode we meet Deven Wilson.

Residing in Miles, Iowa with her husband Charlie and two sons, Hendrix (4 yrs) and Riggins (4 months), Deven is what you would say, BUSY! She is recognized Nationally as a powerful judge, works full time as the Marketing and Social Media director with SC Online Sales, a new mother of two beautiful boys, a business owner with Charlie, sells and promotes elite show heifers and steers, and a huge believer in what stock show is all about.

Deven grew up in two worlds; the city of Lansing, Michigan and on the farm with Grandpa and Grandma. She loved having experiences in both, but knew from early on, age 10, that she was passionate and competitive for the show ring.

Deven and I talk about growing up, how finding Black Hawk College changed her life, her first year of learning to judge, and ultimately making her way to SC. I love how she speaks her mind, isn't afraid to share new ideas, and is super creative. She's fiercely competitive, loves her Michigan State Spartans, and sees people for themselves. She loves a great challenge, but her favorite thing is watching her boys grow. (When Hendrix showed for the first time, it pulled on every one of my motherly heart strings).

Deven lives the Stock Show world daily. She feels so thankful for all of it. She's thankful for Charlie, his work ethic, their herd, her family, the community around her, and the success that they've been able to achieve. She knows it's not easy, and she doesn't take any of it for granted.

I can't wait for you to listen in... this week's Lady in the Lead Mrs. Deven Wilson!