Meatgistics Podcast: From Animal To Edible

Deer Snack Sticks, Lab-Grown Meat & a Snow Leopard Scare

This week, Ali and Jon kick things off with a deep dive into deer snack sticks and how fat percentage affects texture, flavor, and overall quality. Next, they explore the growing headlines around lab-grown meat stepping away from the processing scene and what that could mean for the future of protein production. To wrap things up, they look into the aftermath of a recent snow leopard attack they found online, discussing what happened and the surprising details that followed. It’s a mix of meat science, industry shifts, and one wild story you won’t expect.

Hard Work and Heart: The Homestead Way

Jessica and David Toevs of Prairie Creek Homestead share what it really looks like to build a life rooted in rural Kansas. From modern farming and raising kids on the land to balancing creative work, tradition, and hard physical labor, this conversation explores choosing a life you didn’t plan for and discovering it might be exactly what you needed. Honest, grounded, and shaped by generations of resilience, this is a story about growing where you’re planted.
https://www.prairiecreekhomesteading.com/

Cast Iron Kennels: Bird Dogs, Better Breeding, & Guided Hunts

This week, Ali and Jon sit down with Steve Hall, a bird hunting guide and owner of Cast Iron Kennels in Iowa, to talk all things upland hunting and dog training. Steve shares his experience running a breeding kennel specializing in English Setters, offering insight into what makes a great hunting dog, how he trains them, and what goes into guiding successful bird hunts. Whether you're passionate about upland birds, working dogs, or the craft behind a well-run kennel, this episode brings expert knowledge straight from the field.

Nick Hoffman on Wild Hunts, Wagyu Jerky, & Country Music

Jon sits down with Nick Hoffman, host of Nick’s Wild Ride, for an unforgettable conversation that spans hunting adventures, culinary creativity, and music. Nick shares stories from his international hunts, including encounters with grizzly bears, poking sharks to keep them at bay, and harvesting a hippo that helped feed a community. They dive into his approach to celebrating culture through hunting, his experience making Wagyu jerky, and even his upcoming country music album set to release in 2026. This episode is packed with wild tales, cooking tips, and behind-the-scenes insights from one of outdoor TV’s most dynamic personalities.

Cheap Eats, Beef Grades & a Bison on the Loose

We kick things off with some budget-friendly food chaos before jumping into the latest meat industry news. Then we break down USDA beef grades. Prime, Choice, and Select get all the attention, but what about the others? We explain Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner, what they mean, and where those cuts actually end up.

Food, Farming, Freedom Inside Sovereignty Ranch

Jon talks with Mollie Engelhart, owner of Sovereignty Ranch, about what it takes to raise meat the right way in a system that often rewards shortcuts. They break down regenerative and organic farming practices, why soil health and animal welfare actually matter, and how Sovereignty Ranch delivers farm-fresh groceries with transparency and intention.

Christmas Movies, Football Fails, and Vintage Commercials

This week we countdown our top 10 Christmas movies, dive into the latest meat industry news, and laugh (and groan) at Jon’s football woes. We also take a nostalgic look back at one of our first older commercials and finish with a wild bear attack clip that you won’t believe. Tune in for laughs, nostalgia, and chaos.

Hunting Insights, Warehouse Contests & A Gross Meat Bet

This week’s episode kicks off with Jon talking to Emily Lehl, Hunting and Shooting Specialist at Wisconsin DNR, about her role and experiences in the outdoors. Then, Jon and Austin highlight Walton’s unique box-picking contest that celebrates the hard work of their warehouse team. Finally, things get interesting as they settle a college football bet. Austin lost, so the guys decide which gross meat he’ll have to eat as punishment. It’s a mix of hunting, behind-the-scenes fun, and a little friendly rivalry!

Turkey Trials, Iowa Hunts & a Flamethrower Surprise

Ali joins Jon and Austin for a full turkey tasting and shares stories from her Iowa Ladies Hunt, where the group headed into the field for an upland bird hunt. Austin surprises Jon with an actual flamethrower, and the guys break down recent news on Nebraska processing plant closures and what a shrinking beef herd means for the industry. Another episode packed with meat talk, hunting stories, and a little unexpected chaos.

Mitch Petrie on Outdoor Media, Hunting & Wild Game Cooking

Jon sits down with Mitch Petrie, VP of Programming at Sportsman Channel and former Country Outdoors host and executive producer, for an in-depth conversation about the world of outdoor entertainment. Mitch shares his personal hunting stories, favorite wild game cooking techniques, and behind-the-scenes experiences working with top producers and TV personalities. They also explore how outdoor content has evolved over the past 20 years—from radio shows and podcasts to upcoming TV projects. If you love hunting, cooking, and media insights, this episode is packed with great stories and expert perspectives.