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A blue jacket can change a life. We sit down with Michigan FFA state officer and MSU agribusiness student William Rogers to trace how one classroom broiler project became a launchpad for leadership, real business skills, and a clear career path in modern agriculture and the poultry supply chain. From public speaking nerves to state office, William breaks down the steps that built his confidence—and why those same steps create standout talent for integrators, suppliers, and agtech teams.

We unpack what FFA looks like now: an intracurricular program where Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) act as living resumes. William’s diversified livestock and crop projects taught record keeping, marketing, and financials using AET, the kind of data literacy that translates directly to farm management software, compliance, and precision ag tools. He explains how sales is really about relationships, how meeting procedure shapes executive presence, and why learning technology works best with hands-on mentorship—whether that’s drone mapping, equipment operation, or live budgeting.

This conversation shines a light on inclusion and opportunity. You don’t need a farm to find a home in FFA; photography, mechanics, research, logistics, and marketing all connect to agriculture’s ecosystem. We explore leadership conferences, the power of community service, and the mindset employers prize most: a willingness to learn and a willingness to work. If you’re a parent searching for a path for your student, a hiring manager looking for doers with initiative, or an alum ready to give back, you’ll find practical ways to plug in—from local alumni groups to statewide events and national summits.

If this story could help one student find direction, share it with them. And if you enjoyed the show, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it along to a friend who needs to hear what FFA can unlock.

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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What if your hen house burned tonight—would your plan hold? We sit down with Brett Cohrs, CRM and Senior Vice President at Palomar Insurance, to unpack what’s really changing in poultry insurance and how leaders can turn risk management into a competitive edge. From rate softening for large layered property programs to tighter appetites for smaller growers, Brett explains why deductibles are climbing, which choices actually move premiums, and how to prepare your balance sheet for higher retention without jeopardizing growth.

We get specific about fire risk in modern barns. Annual infrared scanning, true 100‑foot separation, and two‑hour fire doors in corridors and processing areas now sit at the center of underwriting scrutiny. Cage‑free has multiplied exposure: bigger single‑site values, more motors and controls, and dust acting as fine fuel. We talk through why control systems built to protect birds can unintentionally feed a blaze, and how purpose‑built barn technology can detect abnormal heat, trigger early response, and keep a local incident from becoming a total loss.

Beyond property, Brett maps the risk terrain producers often overlook: product recall in decentralized models, employment practices liability as regulations shift, cyber exposures to connected controls, and the market shocks that turn a covered loss into a larger business interruption claim. He shares practical guidance for building a winning submission—accurate valuations, defensible BI calculations, documented maintenance, and clear contingencies for parts, graders, and egg sourcing—plus scenario exercises every manager should run before renewal.

If you lead an egg or poultry operation, this conversation will help you decide where to invest first, which practices underwriters reward, and how to design a program that survives bad days and funds growth on good ones. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one change you’ll make next week to improve your farm’s risk posture.

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 slow Sunday at a neighborhood lounge turned into the spark for a national brand. Raechel Van Buskirk shares how a grumpy regular, a tray of sriracha bacon deviled eggs, and pure curiosity unlocked a simple truth: everyone loves deviled eggs, no one wants to make them. That insight carried her from bar brunches to trailers, a mall push-cart next to a missing Santa, a full-service restaurant, and now a franchise model with nationwide shipping and high-protein bowls built around eggs.

We get into the gritty details operators care about: testing flavors with real customers, pricing a labor-heavy product, making the line a show instead of a secret, and turning a nostalgic side into a year-round habit. Raechel breaks down the Shark Tank journey from the first email to a deal with Barbara and Mark, and the moment Damon called her food the best he’s eaten in 16 seasons. More important than TV praise, she explains the systems that let a humble egg travel well: chilled whites, sealed fillings, toppings, and instructions that land a “deviled egg bar” in your kitchen.

This is also a story of cost and courage. Raechel and her husband sold assets, reinvested relentlessly, and kept building through a cancer diagnosis. The leadership lessons are simple and sharp: hire for strengths, trust quickly, let experts work, and fail fast without shame. We look ahead to a Dallas-area shop where guests watch their deviled eggs, egg salads, and hot protein bowls assembled Chipotle-style—think egg whites instead of rice, big flavor, and serious protein for GLP-1 era appetites.

If you’re hungry for resilient entrepreneurship, category reinvention, and the craft of turning a commodity into culture, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves bold ideas and better snacks, and leave a review so more builders can find this conversation.

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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Power problems don’t announce themselves—they show up as dead fans, stressed birds, and energy bills that creep higher every month. We invited superintendent electrician Cody Pommer of Interstates to walk through the electrical decisions that quietly decide whether a poultry site runs smooth for years or limps from fix to fix. Together, we unpack where farms get into trouble—moisture, dust, untrained panel work—and the simple, proven steps that keep people safe and equipment alive: correct NEMA ratings, low-point drains, GFCI protection, better cable selection, and a disciplined maintenance plan.

Cody breaks down why electrical rooms pay back in longevity and safety, and why grounding and bonding are non-negotiable in wet, high-dust environments. We dig into smart controls and VFDs that fine-tune ventilation and lighting, explore modern fire detection with aspirating systems, and call out the shortcuts that cost the most—skipping VFD-rated cable, ignoring voltage drop on long runs, and leaving new equipment to soak in the weather. We also talk resilience: generator strategies that share load across houses, peak-shaving to tame demand charges, and design choices that make future add-ons cheap rather than painful.

Looking ahead, we connect the dots between reliable power and better data. AI is accelerating everything from egg counting accuracy to anomaly detection and design workflows, but it needs clean signals and thoughtful integration to shine. For smaller and mid-size barns, we highlight accessible control options that unify ventilation, feed, and lighting with mobile monitoring—practical tools that deliver immediate clarity and long-term savings.

If you care about flock health, uptime, and a utility bill that doesn’t spike when the weather does, this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with a producer who needs a safer setup, and leave a review with your top electrical headache—we’ll tackle it in a future show.

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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Episode 37 is jumping back to where it all began: Episode 1 with Benji Campbell of Cal-Maine Foods:

What does it take to lead in the poultry industry during times of unprecedented challenges? General Manager Benji Campbell of Cal Maine Foods opens up about his journey in egg production management, sharing how family entrepreneurship shaped his leadership approach from the very beginning.

The conversation takes us deep into the current biosecurity challenges facing poultry operations nationwide. Campbell explains how avian influenza has evolved to become more contagious since 2021, leaving the United States approximately 12 million laying hens short of meeting domestic egg demand. His practical insights reveal why proper protocols are critical and how most disease outbreaks can be traced back to human activity on farms.

But this episode goes beyond industry talk when Campbell shares a deeply personal story that reveals the true character of the poultry community. After his wife suffered severe injuries in a catastrophic car accident in December 2020, the industry rallied around his family with prayer and support. Three years later, colleagues still check on her recovery—demonstrating how professional relationships in this field often become meaningful personal connections.

For those navigating leadership positions, Campbell offers invaluable wisdom on balancing the 24/7 demands of poultry management with family life, building strong teams through effective communication, and embracing change when faced with the common resistance of "we've always done it this way." His parting message comes from Mark 9:23: "Everything is possible for those who believe"—a philosophy that has guided him through both personal tragedy and industry transformation.

Whether you're new to the poultry industry or a seasoned professional, this conversation provides a roadmap for leadership with integrity, resilience, and faith during challenging times.

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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When a headhunter asked Budd Bentley, "How do you feel about chickens and eggs?" in late 2019, it marked the beginning of a transformative journey. After decades in automotive engineering and technology development, Bentley was about to step into the unfamiliar world of poultry technology as President of PMSI (now Prism Controls).

In this revealing conversation with Brandon Mulnix, Bentley shares his unlikely path from solving Rubik's Cubes as a child to leading innovation in agricultural technology. His early career at Prince Corporation taught him a foundational principle: everyone starts on the manufacturing line because "what makes money is when we send product out the door." This grounding in practical operations would shape his leadership philosophy throughout his career.

Bentley's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found a mobile app development company in 2005—two years before the iPhone existed—where he learned valuable lessons about innovation timing and market readiness. When he eventually joined the poultry technology sector in January 2020 (just before COVID-19 changed everything), he brought fresh eyes to an established company. "I didn't even know what end of the chicken the egg comes out," he jokes, but he recognized the passionate team's potential for growth through process implementation.

Under Bentley's leadership, Prism Controls grew from 28 to 44 people while developing crucial new technologies like Reach, Eggsite, and Therm. His secret? "Embrace the process, and the process will set you free." By documenting workflows, separating operational activities from innovation, and implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System framework, the company created a structure that could scale without losing quality or customer focus.

As Bentley prepares for his next challenge as President of Big Dutchman USA, he reflects on what makes the agricultural technology sector special: the directness of farmers as customers. "You don't have to spend mental energy thinking about what they really mean or what they're really thinking, because they just tell you," he explains. This refreshing honesty allows technology providers to focus entirely on problem-solving rather than decoding communications.

Whether you're new to agricultural technology or a seasoned professional, Bentley's journey offers valuable insights into leadership, process development, and industry transition. Listen now to discover how documenting the invisible can transform organizations and set innovation free.

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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Ever feel like you're wearing an emotional mask at work? You're not alone. Brandon Mulnix sits down with TEDx speaker and breathwork practitioner Sam Kabert to explore the hidden mental health challenges that plague even the most successful leaders.

Sam shares his remarkable journey from building a seven-figure business while working just four hours daily to confronting a numbing depression despite having achieved all his goals. This vulnerability opens a powerful conversation about why emotional health—not just mental health—might be the missing piece in leadership development.

"Thoughts are the language of the mind, and feelings are the language of the body," Sam explains, unveiling why so many leaders get trapped in destructive patterns of compartmentalization. When we metaphorically put difficult emotions into boxes without ever unpacking them, we're simply placing Band-Aids on deeper issues that eventually manifest as burnout, physical ailments, or strained relationships.

The episode features a guided breathwork experience that demonstrates how simple techniques can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and shift brainwave states from high-stress beta to more peaceful theta waves. Sam also introduces practical tools like the WIFL (What I Feel Like expressing) technique that creates space for authentic connection in team settings.

For leaders in high-stress environments—whether first responders, poultry farmers dealing with avian influenza outbreaks, or executives facing constant pressure—this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on integrating work and personal life rather than artificially separating them. Sam's work with first responders through his nonprofit, offering free sessions and workshops focused on trauma release, highlights the universal need for emotional processing rather than emotional suppression.

Ready to transform your leadership through emotional awareness? This episode might just be the deep breath you didn't know you needed. Share it with someone who's struggling—because sometimes, acknowledging our feelings is the strongest leadership move we can make.

Connect with Sam - https://samkabert.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabert/

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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What happens when 400 vegan activists storm your chicken houses? How do you rally an entire county to defeat a ballot measure designed to eliminate family farming? And what drives someone to keep producing food when faced with one existential threat after another?

Mike Weber, fourth-generation California egg farmer, doesn't just survive challenges—he transforms them into opportunities for community building and innovation. From the moment his family decided to "bet the farm" and modernize their century-old operation, they've faced a gauntlet of trials that would have broken most businesses: activist invasions, politically-motivated ballot initiatives, and devastating avian influenza outbreaks.

"We've been tested by fire and flame and everything there possibly is in the last few years—and it's kind of made us stronger for it," Weber explains. His story reveals the remarkable resilience at the heart of American agriculture and the complex reality of farming just 35 miles from San Francisco. When vegan activists orchestrated what Weber calls a "vegan insurrection" on their property, the farm responded not with anger but with transparency. When a ballot initiative threatened all animal agriculture in their county, the Webers helped unite an entire community around their agricultural heritage, eventually winning by an astonishing 85% to 15% margin.

Most powerfully, Weber's account challenges simplistic narratives about modern farming. His operation pioneers environmental sustainability with 2,500 solar panels, innovative manure processing systems, and organic fertilizer production. When neighboring farms faced avian influenza outbreaks, Weber and his team suited up in protective gear to help contain the spread—putting community welfare above competitive advantage.

"Someone's got to feed America," Weber says when asked why he persists despite these extraordinary challenges. His philosophy of stewardship speaks to a deeper purpose: "This isn't our farm. We're just taking care of it until our dad comes back...and we want him to be really proud about where we're at."

Ready to understand what really happens behind the scenes in American agriculture? Listen now to this eye-opening conversation that will forever change how you think about the people who produce your food.

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