In 2022, Maddison Caldwell shared a story of survival that resonated deeply across the pork industry and rural America. In honor of National Mental Health Month, host Jennifer Shike catches up with Maddison for a raw and powerful conversation on the reality of long-term healing. Read her story here: https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/industry/her-own-hand-farm-girls-miraculous-journey-death-hope

From navigating the "gray areas" of life to redefining what "grit" looks like in agriculture, Maddison opens up about her journey from her darkest days to becoming a beacon of hope for others. This episode isn't just a follow-up; it’s a vital toolkit for anyone in the ag community struggling with the pressure to be "perfect" or "fine."
Tune in to hear:

• The Reality of Recovery: Why healing isn't a straight line and how Maddison manages the pressure of being the "face" of a movement.
• Breaking the Silence: How to move past the "grit" culture and have the uncomfortable conversations that save lives.
• Support Systems: The role of "uncomplicated" joy and how to stay for someone beyond the crisis moment.

Whether you’re a producer, a parent, or someone fighting a silent battle, this episode of The PORK Podcast is a testament to the fact that hope is a choice we make every day.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Dr. Anna Forseth didn’t just follow a path; she carved one. In this episode, National Pork Producers Council’s Director of Animal Health shares how her Montana upbringing forged the grit necessary to bridge the gap between local farms and global policy. From the front lines of disease defense to high-level trade negotiations in Paris, Forseth discusses the critical stakes of protecting the U.S. swine herd and why her unconventional journey provides a necessary perspective for the industry’s most pressing challenges.

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What does it take to move the needle in the pork industry? For North Carolina State University professor Mark Knauer, it takes the same discipline he learned wrestling under legendary coaches at Iowa State University: the commitment to the "grind." In this episode, we explore how Knauer is bringing elite-level precision to sow management.
We discuss:

• The Sow Caliper: How this simple tool is saving producers money by eliminating subjectivity.
• The Longevity Secret: Why early growth and puberty are the best predictors of a sow’s lifetime success.
• Global Competition: What the U.S. must do through nutrition and health research to out-compete Brazil.
• Practical Research: Why the best insights come from "listening" to the pigs and the people in the barns.

Whether you are a producer looking to improve your bottom line or a fan of agricultural innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in practical swine science.

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