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Prices spike, headlines swirl, and a humble staple turns into a cultural flashpoint. We sat down with Emily Metz, CEO of the American Egg Board, to unpack how the egg industry is rebuilding trust, boosting demand, and standing up new tools to keep farmers and consumers on the same side of the table. From a 50-year mandate to market eggs and fund research, to hands-on support for producers facing biosecurity and ransomware threats, Emily opens the playbook on what it takes to lead a commodity through chaos.

We dig into how AEB’s insights engine tracks real consumer behavior and tests messaging with a custom AI model, turning data into point-of-purchase wins and new meal occasions beyond breakfast. Emily breaks down the roller coaster of COVID pantry loading, avian influenza outbreaks, and meme-ready price swings—and how every dollar now gets judged by one metric: does it drive sales? She also walks us through the hard but necessary work of correcting decades-old cholesterol myths, then harnessing momentum with Stronger by the Dozen to meet people on personal wellness journeys, from GLP-1 users seeking protein to families chasing affordable, real food.

Looking ahead, Emily shares a bold export vision. With only 3–4% of U.S. eggs currently sold overseas, she lays out a path to a cooperative model and a new global brand for U.S. eggs aimed at markets that value safety, traceability, and performance. We also go behind the scenes of the White House Easter Egg Roll—the largest public event on the White House calendar—and how AEB uses it to tell the farm-to-table story with joy and clarity.

If you care about food, farming, or the future of consumer trust, this conversation hits the sweet spot where science, marketing, and mission meet. Listen now, then subscribe, rate, and share with someone who thinks a commodity can’t reinvent itself.

Hosted by Brandon Mulnix - Director of Commercial Accounts - Prism Controls
The Poultry Leadership Podcast is only possible because of its sponsor, Prism Controls
Find out more about them at www.prismcontrols.com

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A fourth-generation story rarely follows a straight line, and George Weaver IV proves it. From sneaking into trade shows as a kid and napping under booth tables to helping steer a 90-person team, George invites us into a family business that measures success by people, not just pallets. He shares how his dad’s stroke pushed him into responsibility early, what it took to rebuild with humility, and why Westfield Egg Farm chose a model that keeps small family farms alive by letting growers own their birds, feed, and barns.

We dig into the craft of specialty eggs—think quail, duck, and heirloom blue—and why small-batch, high-precision packing is both maddening and magical. George explains how that complexity becomes a strength under pressure, especially during avian influenza, when diversified flocks and flexible schedules spread risk without collapsing supply. Strategy here is purpose-led: hire for character, train for skill, and make space for prayer and conviction when the “smart” move clashes with the right move. It’s culture as a daily practice, not a poster on the wall.

George also opens up about imposter syndrome, the myth that every young leader must plant their own flag, and the harder path of adding value to a mature, multigenerational foundation. We talk practical tools like Working Genius to map strengths and reduce friction, the shepherd’s balance between protecting a team and pushing it to grow, and how prison ministry reshaped his view of dignity, hiring, and the stories behind every resume. If you care about agriculture, family business, resilient supply chains, values-based leadership, or integrating faith at work, this conversation will stick.

Subscribe for more founder stories and real-world leadership playbooks, share this episode with someone building a legacy, and leave a review to help others find the show. Got a guest idea? Email bmulnix@prismcontrols.com and let’s keep amplifying voices that make our industry better.

Hosted by Brandon Mulnix - Director of Commercial Accounts - Prism Controls
The Poultry Leadership Podcast is only possible because of its sponsor, Prism Controls
Find out more about them at www.prismcontrols.com

Send a text

Season three opens with a candid, funny, and deeply human conversation that spans leadership change, end-of-life care, family milestones, and the surprising ways a poultry podcast can move people. Brandon shares what “managing up” looked like through a leadership transition at Prism Controls—how learning a new boss’s values and cadence sharpened communication and trust over time. Emily takes the mic to unpack her shift from a high-intensity med-surg unit to hospice nursing at a level one trauma center, showing how empathy, presence, and dignity can transform even the hardest days. Together, we reflect on a 25-year marriage, a long-running remodel that turned project management into a domestic art form, and the bittersweet edges of the empty-nest season.

We also pull back the curtain on the show’s direction: more farm stories from industry legends and rising talent, because the generational arcs, pivots, and practical wisdom inside those barns teach better than any playbook. Brandon recalls a faith-forward moment on stage—“I matter because I’m a child of God”—and how it ignited deeper conversations and personal accountability to live what he says. Then we travel to Guatemala, where a simple yes led to a 4,000-bird ministry farm, an Egg A Day approach to feed mountain communities, and a plan to scale layers where jaguars make backyard flocks impossible. Eggs become logistics, nutrition, and hope—proof that operations and compassion can align.

Finally, we keep AI grounded. Brandon uses transcripts from one-on-ones to audit his own leadership patterns and turn blind spots into follow-through. On farms, he frames AI as decision support: spotting subtle flock deviations, correlating storms, feed changes, and performance so producers can act faster with confidence. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about freeing them to be more human. Alongside this, there’s a spring triathlon on the calendar—because physical grit fuels clear thinking and long-term leadership.

Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves farm stories, and leave a review with the one insight you’re taking into work this week. Want to be a guest or nominate a quiet, generational farm? Reach out—we’re building season three around your stories.

Hosted by Brandon Mulnix - Director of Commercial Accounts - Prism Controls
The Poultry Leadership Podcast is only possible because of its sponsor, Prism Controls
Find out more about them at www.prismcontrols.com