Kim Rounds is a storyteller, strategist, and lifelong agvocate with a passion for connecting people to the cattle industry in ways that are real and relatable. She believes the stories we tell shape how the world sees agriculture—and she’s made it her mission to tell them well.
Kim began her career at Five Rivers Cattle Feeding by giving tours and working on their natural program, and today she serves as the leader of social media and talent acquisition for the largest cattle feeding company in the U.S. Whether she’s creating content that builds trust, showcasing life on the feedyard, or recruiting the next generation of ag professionals, Kim brings energy and authenticity to every project.
On this episode, Kim pulls back the curtain on what a feedlot is, how it operates, and why she’s passionate about being a spokesperson for the beef community—both through her role and her voice on social media..
Calli Williams, first-generation rancher and co-founder of TW Angus near Mitchell, South Dakota, shares what it really takes to build a legacy from the pasture up. Calli shares how every animal on the ranch has intention—from bulls for their annual sale, to steers destined for their direct-to-consumer beef program, to females kept to grow the herd.
Calli began sharing life on the ranch via social media, watering cattle, working the land, sharing family moments and in doing so, built more than just visibility for the business; she created real connections between producers and consumers. Today Calli is an advocate for agriculture and shares her stories with others across the world.
Jessie Jervis is a modern-day western woman who wears many hats! As a wife, mother, third-generation rancher, podcast host, and the Founder + CEO of Of The West, a job platform built specifically for the agriculture and western industries, Jessie is in lots of spaces. Born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie developed a deep appreciation for the American West from an early age.
That passion has fueled her mission to create spaces for connection and conversation, while working to ensure that the ag and western way of life thrives for the next generation. This week on the podcast Jessie shares what Of the West is and the goal to connect people in the agriculture and western industries.
Linay Williams, originally from Hondo, Texas, now calls the quaint town of Quitaque home. After graduating from Texas Tech University, she took her freelance business, Black Creek Innovations, full-time—spending seven years building a marketing agency that gave corporate America a partner who truly understood agriculture. Eventually, Linay made the leap from entrepreneur and freelancer to Communications Director at Davis College. Today, she serves as Vice President of Advertising at AgTexas.
In this episode, Linay shares valuable insight on marketing in the agriculture industry and what it takes to transition from being your own boss to thriving in corporate America.
Linay is launching her own podcast in October, you can find it on Spotify. Unbridled with Linay Williams.
Reba Mazak grew up in the cattle industry, but with three older brothers, she wasn’t always needed on the cow crew. Her path changed when she met her late husband, Paul, and together they built a cattle operation of their own. Starting with just a few acres, Reba and Paul grew their business into what it is today. Now, Reba manages ranches in both Florida and Texas alongside her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandsons. She has carried forward both her family’s legacy and the life she and Paul created. Reba is also deeply involved in industry leadership, with service in NCBA, ANCW, TSCRA, and FCA, including her role as president of the American National CattleWomen.
Inspired by her father, Dr. Morgan Treadwell developed a deep passion for rangelands and conservation. Today, she serves as a Professor and Extension Range Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Her work focuses on fire and grazing interactions within native plant communities and on developing management strategies to effectively and efficiently combat woody brush encroachment
Sierra Anthony discovered her passion for the beef industry during college when she first stepped into the meat lab. That experience set her on a path that led to launching Butcher Solutions LLC. Recognizing that butchers are the unique link between producers and consumers, Sierra knew her expertise could make a real impact. Today, she travels the country training butchers in everything from field dressing game to processing pork, lamb, and beef. Her goal is to meet people where they are at and in their facilities. In 2025, she took her skills to the next level by competing in the World Butcher’s Challenge traveling to Paris, France to compete.
https://butchersolutionsllc.com/
When Codie Wright de Secaira enrolled in a sales class at Texas A&M University, she quickly realized she had found her calling. Guided by a trusted mentor and professor, after graduation she began teaching leadership and sales courses—ultimately impacting the lives of more than 4,000 students. Today, Codie is a published author, speaker, and strengths expert who helps individuals and teams discover and build on what they do best. In this episode, Codie shares her journey, the personal strengths that guide her, and the exciting projects she’s working on next.
Podcasts
DOC - Daily of a CEO
Books she enjoys:
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets
Books she has written:
In 2020, Kaitlyn Weldon launched The Active Historian blog as a way to share her graduate research. Five years later, it has grown into a platform that highlights her adventures and discoveries across the United States. While Kaitlyn enjoys exploring all aspects of history, her true passion lies in studying women and the American West. She continues to challenge herself through courses, research, and networking opportunities. Kaitlyn holds a Master’s degree in American History from Oklahoma State University, where she focused on women’s history in the American West during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
https://www.instagram.com/the_active_historian/
https://theactivehistorian.com/
Courses
Google Digital Marketing and Ecommerce Course
Adobe Content Creator Course
Books
This week’s guest is Baleigh Creed, a western wedding photographer whose artistry has been featured in multiple publications. She’s also the owner of Western Wedding Magazine and a 2025 COWGIRL 30 Under 30 honoree. Baleigh shares the story of how she found her way into photography, the journey of building her brand, and what life looks like for her now. You’ll usually find her in dark denim, good boots, and with a JBL speaker clipped to her belt loop—ready to capture the western lifestyle she loves.
https://baleighcreedphoto.com/
https://www.instagram.com/baleighcreedphoto/
https://www.facebook.com/baleighcreedphotography/
https://westernweddingmagazine.com/
As season 8 starts we are excited to share Brands & Blazers Inc. Brands & Blazers Inc. is a 501C3 nonprofit built to empower students through professional development and attire.
Brands & Blazers will officially launch September 1st! For more information and all the details follow Brands & Blazers on Facebook and Instagram.
It is time to wrap up the season after 18 epic episodes. I am excited to share with you what I am learning and my latest adventure that I hope to launch September 1st.
I am so thrilled to continue to bring students the resources they need to be successful.
This season of the podcast is sponsored by Texas Earth!
https://www.texasearth.com/
Becky Allan grew up all over the world, but when it came time to choose a college, there was no doubt in her mind—she was headed to Texas A&M. Today, she and her husband are entrepreneurs, owning and operating three businesses while raising three boys. No two days ever look the same in Becky’s world.
Though she doesn’t come from an agricultural background, Becky has intentionally built each of her businesses around the agriculture industry, blending her passion for people with a deep respect for the rural way of life.
https://www.thegenesource.com/
This Week on the Podcast: We're joined by Victoria Heller, Senior Manager of Education at the Texas Beef Council. With a decade of experience under her belt, Victoria takes us behind the scenes of her work representing Texas cattle producers and shares some of the most exciting and impactful projects she’s been part of over the years.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Victoria is passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers through education, promotion, and research. Whether you're a beef industry insider or just curious about where your food comes from, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a fresh look at the work being done across Texas to champion beef.
Get ready for a lively and heartfelt conversation with the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Sandra Lastovica and Stephanie Lastovica Marburger! Deeply rooted in the livestock industry and proud graduates of Texas A&M University, Sandra and Stephanie bring a unique blend of experience, passion, and energy to everything they do. Their family operates Milano Livestock Exchange and Lastovica Cattle Company, while Stephanie and her husband also run Marburger Media & Marketing.
In this episode, you'll get an inside look at their daily lives, their work in agriculture and marketing, and the special bond that comes from working together as a family. With Sandra’s 20-year background in education and Stephanie’s entrepreneurial spirit, their story is a true testament to faith, family, and the power of following your passions.
https://lastovicacattlecompany.com/
https://www.marburgermediamarketing.com/
https://www.milanolivestockexchange.com/
Kristen Brown was born and raised in the heart of the Texas Panhandle, where her roots in agriculture—particularly the feedlot industry—run deep. Today, she still calls the Panhandle home, balancing life as a wife, mother, and freelance professional.
This week, Kristen shares her inspiring career journey and the pivotal role internships played in shaping her path. Her passion for communications began early, with her own newspaper column, Kristen’s Corner, during high school. We also explore her family’s experience with homeschooling, offering a glimpse into how they’ve embraced this unique approach to education.
https://www.ffcalubbock.com/iconix-learning
Kassi McPherson grew up in the heart of South Dakota, where her love for rodeo first took root. That passion carried her through college rodeo and into her academic journey. Eventually, Kassi made the bold move to Dallas to attend chiropractic school, blending her deep connection to the western lifestyle with a desire to help others heal. Today, she practices in Decatur, Texas, where she takes a truly holistic approach to wellness, focusing on helping her clients live healthier, more balanced lives. In this episode, Kassi shares how she’s bridged the gap between rodeo and medicine—including her incredible experience at the Pendleton Round-Up—and why she believes in treating the whole person, not just the pain.
Calley and Casey Means Podcast
Good Energy Book by Casey Means
https://www.totalhealthtexas.com/
Megan Terry serves as the Executive Director of the Montana Grazing Lands Coalition, where no two days look the same. In this episode, she shares how she found her dream career and what the journey looked like along the way. Megan opens up about the power of relationships in shaping her path and the responsibility she feels to support and guide the next generation of leaders.
This season of the podcast is sponsored by Texas Earth.
This week on the podcast, Lindsay Runft shares her journey from intern to returning to Certified Angus Beef, all while raising cattle and kids in rural Kansas. Lindsay dives into the power of mentorship, networking, and the impact of professional attire in shaping a career. We talk about professional development and the importance of challenging yourself when continuing to learn. One of the best takeaways? "Get on your knees and pray, and then get on your feet and work."
Lauren Perez discovered her passion for agriculture through livestock judging. After attending Butler and K-State, she pursued a master’s degree at Texas A&M University. She then spent a decade in agricultural lending before founding LEP & Associates, where she now specializes in talent recruitment, helping individuals stand out and build confidence. Lauren also launched Next Level Ag Academy, guiding professionals in developing their online presence and presentation skills. In this episode, she shares her family’s experience with last year’s Texas wildfires and how she and her husband, Drew, built Running P Cattle Company from the ground up—raising both cattle and kids along the way!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-e-perez/