Beyond The Gate

Justin Raef is a fifth-generation dairyman and poultry producer from Lebanon, Missouri, whose family has been working the same land since 1916. He brings a collection of stories that define the grit of rural life, including the time he was only eight years old and sneaking out of the house at 4:00 AM to beat his grandpa to the milk barn. It's a raw and honest look at the kind of persistence it takes to keep a Century Farm thriving in 2026. Justin and Jamie explore the high-stakes reality of modern agriculture, highlighting a wild 24-hour window where Justin transitioned from a lifetime in the dairy business to a million-dollar poultry operation. With 20,000 hens now producing thousands of eggs a day alongside his dairy cows, Justin breaks down the daily grind of family teamwork and the market rollercoasters that define his "milk and eggs" lifestyle. Thanks to our sponsor, Co-Angler!

Agriculture doesn’t move without trucks... and most of us never think about that. In this episode, Jamie Johansen talks with Jared Flinn, co-founder of BulkLoads, about the side of agriculture that keeps everything running behind the scenes. Jared shares how working in grain logistics opened his eyes to a bigger opportunity: helping small, independent trucking companies stay profitable and competitive in a tough industry. They dive into the real challenges owner-operators face, why cash flow can make or break a trucking business, and how BulkLoads grew into more than just a load board. It’s now a trusted marketplace, a funding partner, and a growing media platform telling the stories of rural America.  Thanks to our sponsor, Co-Angler!

You’ve heard his name, but now it's time for his story. Jamie Johansen sits down with former Missouri Governor Mike Parson for his first in-depth interview like this since leaving office. In a wide-ranging, personal conversation, Governor Parson opens up about where he came from, growing up on a small farm in Hickory County, and the experiences that shaped him long before politics ever entered the picture. He reflects on his path through law enforcement, the military, business ownership, and public service, sharing stories and lessons that rarely get told once the spotlight fades. The conversation goes beyond titles and elections and gets into leadership, humility, family, and what really matters after the job ends. If you’re interested in hearing a side of a former governor you haven’t heard before, this is a must-listen.

Farm succession planning isn’t just about land and paperwork. It’s about family. Jamie Johansen sits down with Wesley Tucker of University of Missouri Extension for a real, eye-opening conversation about what happens to a farm when the next generation isn’t prepared. Wesley breaks down why succession planning matters, why waiting too long causes the biggest family conflicts, and how communication can make or break a farm’s future. They talk about on-farm and off-farm kids, fairness versus equality, sweat equity, and why the hardest conversations are the most important ones to have while everyone is still at the table. This conversation is packed with practical advice, real-life scenarios, and moments that will make you stop and think about your own family plans.

A quiet day fishing alone sparked something bigger. 🎣  Jamie Johansen talks with Ozarks native John Bledsoe, founder of Co-Angler, about how a simple idea turned into an app connecting people through fishing and the outdoors. John shares his path from growing up on Missouri waters to building a startup, taking risks, learning to code, and chasing a vision rooted in community.  They break down what Co-Angler does, why it matters, and how technology can help people get back outside and connect in real life. It’s a great listen for anyone who loves Ozarks stories, entrepreneurship, or the power of a good idea. 

Jamie Johansen sits down with Heather Mincer, the founder of Yes Honey, and her story is one of those that starts simple and turns into something way bigger. Heather talks about moving her family to rural Missouri, wanting a slower pace of life, and how raising chickens and selling at farmers markets accidentally turned into a full-blown honey-sweetened soda and sauce business. Heather gets real about her health journey with alpha-gal, reading every label, and realizing just how hard it is to find drinks and treats made with clean ingredients. That challenge pushed her to create something better, and now Yes Honey is showing up in local stores and beyond. They talk branding mistakes, rebranding, pitching to grocery stores, and what it’s actually like building a product business while being a mom and figuring things out as you go.  Learn more about Yes Honey at https://yeshoneybrand.com

Jamie Johansen sits down with Randy Little for an honest, entertaining look at how a dairy farm kid built one of the most recognizable Western stores in America. Randy talks about his early days milking cows in Clever, Missouri, the unexpected break that launched him into business, and the moment he decided to take a gamble on a small feed store that eventually became PFI. He shares how bold ideas, smart branding, and a lot of hustle led to the BootDaddy brand, the catalog boom, wild promotions, national TV moments, and the growing crowds that turned PFI into a destination. Jamie also dives into Randy’s passion for agriculture, youth leadership, and the work he’s doing today to strengthen Missouri agriculture and support the next generation. It’s a fast-moving, inspiring conversation with a man who built an empire by trusting his gut, asking big questions, and never losing sight of his roots.

Jamie Johansen sits down with Margaret Cleveland of Ozark Fisheries for a deep dive into one of the most surprising corners of rural agriculture: ornamental fish farming. Margaret is a fourth-generation fish farmer who grew up on her family’s spring-fed operation, and she shares how a single idea in 1926 grew into a nationally recognized fish farm that raises goldfish and koi for customers across North America. 🐠 She talks about the early days of the farm, the science behind raising healthy fish, and the hands-on work that goes into spawning, feeding, protecting, and shipping thousands of fish. Jamie and Margaret also explore the predators that keep everyone on their toes, the big shift toward direct-to-consumer sales, how shipping live animals actually works, and the surprising impact aquaculture has on Missouri agriculture. There are fun stories too, including tours for thousands of FFA students, wild questions from kids, Margaret’s time living abroad, and what the next hundred years could look like. It is a fascinating look at a hidden rural industry and the grit it takes to keep a family farm running for a century.

For the FIRST EPISODE of Beyond the Gate, Jamie Johansen sits down with Annette Alden, the Marketing Director for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, for a fun dive into the stories, surprises, and history behind Missouri wine. Annette grew up on a farm, built a career in agriculture and marketing, and eventually found her passion in the wine world. She opens up about how Missouri’s wine roots stretch back to the 1800s, how the industry rebounded after Prohibition, and why people across the country look to Missouri as a model for supporting wineries.  They talk about everything wine lovers are curious about: how modern technology changed the way grapes are grown, what wine labels actually tell you, how to store and serve wine the right way, and why screw caps are not the enemy. Annette also shares fun pairing ideas, tips for exploring local wineries, and insight into big celebrations coming up in 2026 that will shine a spotlight on Missouri.  If you love a good story, enjoy learning something new, or just want an excuse to plan your next winery visit, this episode is a great place to start.