Meatgistics Podcast: From Animal To Edible

This week, Jon and Ali kick things off with a summer sausage taste test, sampling and comparing flavors to find out what truly stands out. They then dive into an age‑old debate: What is the best Super Bowl party food? After that, they review an impressive custom smokehouse owned by a Meatgistics community member, highlighting its unique features and craftsmanship. To wrap things up, they enjoy an exhilarating moment watching an exciting fish catch that’s sure to put a smile on your face. It’s a flavorful mix of taste testing, food talk, community creativity, and a dash of outdoor fun!

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Jon and Austin tackle some big topics this week! They discuss the Department of Justice investigating Cargill, the legalities of selling state-inspected plants and products across state lines online, and then have some fun by creating their own “Meat Lineup”—their dream team of seasonings sold at Walton’s. It’s a mix of industry news, legal insights, and a little bit of competition you won’t want to miss!

In this special episode, Jon sits down with Brett Walton, CEO and co-owner of Walton’s, for a candid conversation. They cover a range of topics—from the journey of building Walton’s into a trusted name in meat processing to reflections on leadership, industry trends, and what’s next for the company. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to Meatgistics, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the men behind the brand.

This week, Jon and Austin serve up a sizzling episode packed with flavor and controversy. They dive into Arby’s new steak nuggets, explore the wild idea of making a dip can full of jerky, and challenge each other with a 10-question meat quiz. Things get serious as they discuss how contaminated meat can lead to UTIs, the euthanization of four gray wolves, EBT system issues affecting food access, and the latest on Brazil meat tariffs. It’s a mix of meat science, industry news, and a dash of wild trivia—don’t miss it!

This week on the Meatgistics podcast, Jon and Austin dive into Walton’s exciting new collaboration with The Flush, featuring a limited-edition gift box available at waltons.com. With college football season kicking off, the guys discuss past and upcoming games. Jon rambles about his rough experience with meat stocks, and the duo discusses the rising price of steak. To wrap things up, there’s a pop-quiz on which states lead the nation in cattle supply! Can you guess the top ones? It’s a mix of meat, money, and football you won’t want to miss!

This week on the Meatgistics Podcast, Jon and Austin dive deep into the cold, discussing how long different meats can safely stay in your freezer before flavor or quality takes a hit. Chat writes a fiery rant about lab-grown meat that’ll get you thinking and laughing. The guys also share their latest video where they process a deer themselves, talk about the recent spike in bear attacks, and end the show with some hilarious deer videos for the Wild Card segment. It’s a perfect mix of meat talk, mayhem, and a touch of madness, just how we like it.

This week on the Meatgistics podcast, we sat down with Will Hartnett, FFA Advisor for Wall ISD, for an insightful conversation of agricultural education. Austin and Jon then sample Jon’s homemade Pheasant Rangoon and a variety of Buc-ee’s jerky flavors while diving into topics like the emotional connection people have with steak and a wild story about someone using lasers to protect their flock from bird flu.

Ali and Jon enjoy sausage in red sauce with pasta while Jon counts down his top 5 favorite dishes to make with sausage. They dive into GMO labeling, calorie talk, and recent listeria recalls before discussing the shocking aftermath of a brutal bear attack. A mix of food talk, health news, and wild survival stories all packed into one episode!

This week on the Meatgistics podcast, Jon sits down with Kurt Ratzlaff from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers for a flavorful and insightful conversation. They sample cranberry summer sausage and discuss holiday brat ideas like reindeer sausage. The discussion also covers conservation efforts, hunting dog mishaps, and the unpredictable world of coyote hunting. Plus, Kurt finally got to process a Bison! Whether you're into wild game, gear talk, or just love a good outdoor story, this episode delivers a hearty slice of it all.

This week we’re breaking down the top 5 hacks for processing deer snack sticks from grind to smoke, and everything in between. Then we switch gears and dive into the wild world of dining out, including some recent restaurant mishaps, when it’s okay to send food back, and whether leaving that Yelp review actually makes a difference.