The Pork Podcast
The Pork Podcast
There’s just something about the story behind the story. As a storyteller, I’m always searching for ways to give readers just a little more. That’s what The PORK Podcast is all about – bringing you stories of the people and the progress of the pork industry. I’m Jennifer Shike – let’s go find just a little more.Social links:
The Pork Podcast: David Newman and Glynn Tonsor: Pursuing One More Pound | Episode 49
In Episode 49 of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with two heavyweights of the industry: Dr. David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board, and Dr. Glynn Tonsor, Agricultural Economist from Kansas State University. The goal? A radical vision called "One More Pound." If every America…
46:38
The Pork Podcast: Ashley Hengen: How to Build Career 'Jungle Gyms' in the Swine Industry | Episode 48
In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Ashley Hengen, human resources manager for PIC North America, to explore the intersection of human resilience and modern agricultural operations. Ashley’s path to the swine industry was anything but linear—spanning from kinesio…
51:28
The Pork Podcast: The Pig Pays the Bills with Joe Dykhuis | Episode 47
In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Joe Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms in Holland, Mich. Although Dykhuis has deep roots in pork production, he’s not stuck in how things have always been done. As the owner of a large sow farm that relies on contract growers to finish 4…
49:48
Maddison Caldwell: Recovering Loudly | Episode 46
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…
44:01
Anna Forseth: The Unconventional Path | Episode 45
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 hi…
42:15
Mark Knauer: Wrestling with Sow Mortality | Episode 44
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…
41:27
State of the Pork Industry: Spring 2026 Report
47:36
Michael Williford: From the Front Lines to the Finishing Barn | Episode 43
After 20 years in the U.S. Army and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Michael Williford was ready to retire—but he wasn't ready to slow down. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from serving in the military to becoming a contract hog grower in Clinton, Ky. Discover how he …
43:36
Dusty Oedekoven: Every Decision Matters | Episode 42
Every small decision matters. Whether Dusty Oedekoven, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, is talking about wrestling or swine health, he says progress starts with belief. He outlines the newly adopted path forward for the National Swine Health Strategy to help the U.S. pork industry st…
54:24
Dan Hamilton: Building Resilience in the Barn and in Life | Episode 41
Dan Hamilton, senior director for product performance at PIC, explores the vital intersection of swine genetic innovation and personal resilience. He shares how digital phenotyping and AI are revolutionizing the industry—from analyzing the "social networks" of pigs to improve welfare to using camer…
47:18