The Poultry Leadership Podcast
The Poultry Leadership Podcast is the only podcast dedicated to leadership development for commercial poultry professionals. Hosted by Brandon Mulnix, Director of Sales and Marketing at Prism Controls, new episodes drop every week.
Each episode features candid conversations with farm owners, integrator executives, poultry veterinarians, equipment manufacturers, and allied industry professionals across egg, broiler, and turkey operations. Topics include HPAI biosecurity, farm automation, poultry house ventilation, egg production management, financial leadership, and the personal journeys of the people building careers in commercial agriculture.
Whether you manage a 100,000-bird operation or you’re just entering the industry, the Poultry Leadership Podcast gives you the insight, strategies, and connections to lead better — in the barn and beyond.
New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio.
This podcast is brought to you by Prism Controls — farm automation and controls technology built for poultry producers. 45 years of expertise in environmental controls, egg flow systems, fire risk mitigation, and barn management technology.
Latest Episodes
Recent Episode Resources
Find rich resources for each episode here, curated to bring you the most value.
Animal Welfare Audits: Ryan Bennett, American Humane Certified – Ep. 48
Episode 48 Summary UPDATE: Ryan Bennett was last on this show in July 2024 as Executive Director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare...
What Not to Cut When Egg Prices Are Killing Your Margins: Curtis Novak, Alltech – Ep. 47
Episode 47 Summary Egg prices can fall faster than your feed bill, and that’s when “normal” nutrition habits start burning cash. We sit down with Curtis Novak, PhD, Director of Poultry at Alltech,...
Feeding the World with Eggs: How the International Egg Foundation Builds Sustainable Farms – Ep. 46
Episode 46 Summary The International Egg Foundation is building an infrastructure of hope across nutritionally disadvantaged regions — and the humble egg is at the center of it. When a teacher...
I Did Things I Had No Business Doing — AI Made That Possible – Brandon Mulnix – Ep. 45
Episode 45 Summary Most leaders in the agricultural industry know AI is coming. Far fewer have actually figured out how to use it in a way that makes their day-to-day leadership better — not...
Beyond Breakfast: CEO Emily Metz on AI Models, Cholesterol Myths, and the White House – Ep. 44
Episode 44 Summary 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...
A Stroke, Specialty Eggs, and HPAI: George Weaver’s 4th-Gen Trial by Fire – Ep. 43
Episode 43 Summary 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...
Season 3 Kickoff: AI, a Hospice Nurse & a 4,000-Bird Leap of Faith – Ep. 42
Episode 42 Summary Season 3 of The Poultry Leadership Podcast opens with a unique, candid conversation as Emily Mulnix takes the mic to interview Brandon. Together, they bridge the gap between...
From Blue Jackets to Boardrooms: How FFA Skills Shape the Leaders of Tomorrow – Ep. 41
Episode 41 Summary The path to leadership in agriculture begins long before the corporate job title. In this episode, we sit down with Michigan FFA State Officer William Rogers to trace how a simple...
Building the Favorable Plan Underwriters Want to See with Palomar’s Brett Cohrs – Ep. 40
Episode 40 Summary Insurance expert Brett Cohrs, CRM and Senior Vice President at Palomar Insurance, unpacks what's truly changing in the poultry insurance market and how leaders can turn...
Turning Deviled Eggs into a Shark Tank Success Story with Raechel Van Buskirk – Ep. 39
Episode 39 Summary Entrepreneur Raechel Van Buskirk shares how a simple idea—everyone loves deviled eggs, but no one wants to make them—turned a nostalgic side dish into a national franchise,...
Before the Burnout: Electrical Wisdom from Interstates Superintendent Cody Pommer – Ep. 38
Episode 38 Summary In this essential episode, superintendent electrician Cody Pommer of Interstates breaks down the critical electrical decisions that determine the longevity, safety, and...
Replay: Everything is Possible, Interview with Benji Campbell, Cal-Maine Foods, Episode 1 – Ep. 37
Episode 37 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he revisits his first episode with Benji Campbell of Cal-Maine Foods, exploring leadership during unprecedented challenges in the poultry industry. Key...
Chickens and Transitions: Big Dutchman USA’s New President Budd Bentley – Ep. 36
Episode 36 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Budd Bentley, who transitioned from automotive and tech to lead poultry technology at Prism Controls (formerly PMSI) and now Big Dutchman...
How Emotional Health Transforms Leadership – Ep. 35
Episode 35 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and TEDx speaker Sam Kabert to explore the hidden mental health challenges faced by successful leaders. Sam shares his journey from building a successful...
Bet the Farm: Mike Weber’s Fight Against Activist Attacks & Avian Flu – Ep. 34
Episode 34 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he sits down with Mike Weber, a fourth-generation California egg farmer. Discover how his family has transformed challenges into opportunities,...
Money Matters: The Financially Healthy Leader – Ep. 33
Episode 33 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix in a powerful conversation with Matt Paradise, who overcame teen homelessness and addiction to become a financial wellness expert. Learn how financial...
Amish Farms, Modern Solutions: How Michiana Equipment Bridges Two Worlds – Ep. 32
Episode 32 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he sits down with Jay Dee Graber, President of Michiana Equipment, operating at the intersection of traditional Amish farming and modern poultry...
Knowledge is Borrowed: Leadership Lessons from Herbruck’s Mohamed Mousa – Ep. 31
Episode 31 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Mohamed Mousa, whose journey from a childhood in Egypt to a leader in animal welfare transformed an entire industry. Key Takeaways:...
The Future of Chicken: Inside Cobb-Vantress’s Genetic Revolution – Ep. 30
Episode 30 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he sits down with William Herring, VP of Cobb-Vantress, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, camera technology, and poultry genetics. Key...
From Death-Defying Risks to Honoring Heroes – The Remarkable Journey of John Graham – Ep. 29
Episode 29 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Jay Halliday of Vaxinova for a heartfelt conversation about servant leadership, going beyond traditional management advice. Key Takeaways: Servant...
Servant Leadership: Why Your Questions Matter More Than Your Answers with Jay Halliday – Ep. 28
Episode 28 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Jay Halliday of Vaxinova for a heartfelt conversation about servant leadership, going beyond traditional management advice. Key Takeaways: Servant...
The Purpose Factor: Discover Your Purpose and Fulfillment with Brian Bosché – Ep. 27
Episode 27 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Brian Bosché, author of "The Purpose Factor," about his systematic approach to discovering purpose. Learn how Brian overcame personal...
Healthy Animals and Efficiency: Why Ventilation is Your Farm’s Unpaid Employee – Ep. 26
Episode 26 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Eric Rupnow of J&D Manufacturing, exploring how ventilation technology transforms livestock operations. Key Takeaways: Ventilation as...
Eggs for Ethiopia: A Child’s Step of Faith That’s Still Changing Lives 10 Years Later – Ep. 25
Episode 25 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he shares the inspiring story of Biruk Van De Stroet, an 8-year-old Ethiopian adoptee who started "Biruk's Egg Project." What began with a few chickens...
Building a Legacy in the Egg Industry: Jim Dean’s Inspiring Story – Ep. 24
Episode 24 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he explores the remarkable journey of Jim Dean, a pioneer in the egg industry. Discover his path from a challenging childhood to building successful...
Aron Ralston on Survival, Adversity, and the Unsung Heroes of Farming – Ep. 23
Episode 23 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he welcomes Aron Ralston, whose incredible story of survival was depicted in "127 Hours." Discover his journey of resilience after being trapped by a...
Nest Fresh: First in the US to Raise In-Ova Sexed Chicks with Jasen Urena – Ep. 22
Episode 22 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he journeys with Jasen Urena, Executive Vice President of Nest Fresh Farms. Learn how Jasen's Hispanic heritage and bilingual skills helped build...
Anticipatory Thinking and the Future of Agriculture with AI – Daniel Burrus – Ep. 21
Episode 21 Summary Daniel Burrus, a visionary futurist, joins the Poultry Leadership Podcast to discuss AI's revolutionary power in agriculture. He shares insights from his research and ventures,...
Balancing Personal and Professional in Poultry: Insights from Brandon and Emily Mulnix on Leadership, Family, and Community Ties – Ep. 20
Episode 20 Summary New Description: Brandon and Emily Mulnix discuss their personal and professional journeys, from Emily's nursing background to Brandon's diverse career. They explore the impact of...
Transforming 18 Acres: A Century of Farming at Kreher Farms – Hal Kreher – Ep. 19
Episode 19 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he sits down with Alex Corcoron, Director of Broiler Marketing and Incubation Services at Hybrid Turkeys. Discover the dynamic world of turkey genetics...
Pioneering No-Chick-Culling Agriculture: Silvin Faulstich on Ova-Sexing’s Role in Transforming Poultry Farming – Ep. 18
Episode 18 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he welcomes Silvin Faulstich of Respeggt Group to discuss "in ova sexing," a groundbreaking technology to identify chick gender before hatching. This...
Incremental Change – Ryan Bennett – IPWA & US-RSPE – Ep. 17
Episode 17 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he welcomes Ryan Bennett, Executive Director of the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance....
Scaling Success: Greg Schonefeld’s Journey from Auditing Derivatives to Transforming Agricultural Leadership with Ag Installers and EOS Insights – Ep. 16
Episode 16 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he uncovers Greg Schonefeld's inspiring journey from big four accounting to leading Ag Installers and hosting the Eggheads podcast. Key Takeaways: Leap...
Fostering a Vibrant Poultry Team – Leadership Lessons with Hinda Mitchell – Ep. 15
Episode 15 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Hinda Mitchell, President of Inspire PR Group, as they discuss building a resilient workforce in the poultry industry. Learn how to attract and retain...
Hatching Humane Solutions in Poultry with Chloe Kleinheinz – Egg Innovations – Ep. 14
Episode 14 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Chloe Kleinheinz of Egg Innovations. Discover her journey from academia to leading a humane revolution in the egg industry. Key...
Cracking the Code of Poultry Genetics: Steve Welch on Shaping the Future of Egg Production and Personal Triumphs – Ep. 13
Episode 13 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Steve Welch of Hendrix Genetics as they discuss groundbreaking advancements in poultry genetics, aiming for hens that lay 500 eggs over 100 weeks. Key...
Pivoting with Purpose: Kim and Randy Weinstein on Mastering Career Transitions in Poultry Recruitment – Ep. 12
Episode 12 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Kim and Randy Weinstein of Scramble Staffing. Discover their personal journeys into poultry recruitment and how they connect talent with...
Advocating for Agriculture: Emily Ellis Discusses Building Trust and Sustainable Practices in Animal Ag – Ep. 11
Episode 11 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Emily Ellis from the Animal Agriculture Alliance for a discussion on advocating for agriculture. Discover how to give a voice to farmers and foster...
Crafting a Blueprint for Sustainable Leadership and Personal Growth with Brian Fretwell – Finding Good – PEAK 2024 – Ep. 10
Episode 10 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix in a deep dive with Brian Fretwell on the vital role of human connection in leadership. Discover how forming deep, meaningful relationships is a...
Unscrambling the Dynamics of Egg Pricing with Market Reporter Karyn Rispoli – Urner Barry – Ep. 9
Episode 9 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix and Karyn Rispoli for an insightful discussion on the egg industry's economics. Karyn, an agricultural market reporting force, reveals the factors...
Weighing in on Scales: Larry Behrens Uncovers the Value of Accurate Measurement – Ep. 8
Episode 8 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he uncovers the essential role of scales in agriculture with Larry Behrens, a weighing industry veteran at BinTrac. Learn how Larry's extensive career,...
Innovations and Safety at the Forefront of Poultry Industry – Brandon Mulnix – IPPE 2024 Recap – Ep. 7
Episode 7 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he takes you behind the scenes of IPPE 2024, discussing key insights and future directions for the US poultry sector. Key Takeaways: IPPE 2024 Success:...
The Life of a Poultry Editor – Meredith Dawson – Watt Publications – Ep. 6
Episode 6 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he interviews Meredith Dawson, an editor at Watt Publications, for insights into the poultry industry. Key Takeaways: Meredith's Role: She manages...
Passion & Purpose – Sean Ryan – Prism Controls (PMSI) – Ep. 5
Episode 5 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Sean Ryan, an engineer and product development expert at Poultry Management Systems. Discover Sean's journey into the poultry industry and...
Flock Planning & HPAI – Bruce Dooyema – Versova – Ep. 4
Episode 4 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he interviews Bruce Dooyema, a poultry industry veteran with over 50 years of experience. Learn about his journey from a family farm to managing...
Peak Performance Coaching for Business Leaders-Brian Bosley-Ep. 3
Episode 3 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix as he interviews Brian Bosley on how to achieve "Peak Performance" and grow as a leader through coaching. Key Takeaways: Peak Performance: It's about...
IPPE 24′ Tips, Nath Morris-President US-Poultry & EGG- Ep. 2
Episode 2 Summary Join Brandon Mulnix as he chats with Nath Morris, President of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. Discover Morris's unique career path, the vital role of the US poultry and egg...
Everything is Possible, Interview with Benji Campbell, Cal-Maine Foods, Ep. 1
Episode 1 Summary Join host Brandon Mulnix in his first episode with Benji Campbell of Cal-Maine Foods, exploring leadership during unprecedented challenges in the poultry industry. Key Takeaways:...