The Heart of Rural America

What happens when a food safety expert, homesteader, and educator decides to reinvent the way families learn about agriculture?

In this inspiring conversation, Amanda sits down with Kody Hanner, founder of Homestead Education, to discuss the growing movement toward self-sufficiency, homeschooling, and reconnecting families with where their food comes from.

Kody shares the personal story that transformed her family's life after her husband was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, leading them to embrace a healthier lifestyle centered around raising their own food, homeschooling their six children, and building a thriving homestead in North Idaho.

Together, Amanda and Kody explore why practical life skills matter now more than ever, how agriculture education can shape future generations, and why entrepreneurship is key to keeping rural America strong. They also discuss the importance of work ethic, raising resilient children, supporting local farmers, and creating new opportunities for family farms through direct-to-consumer agriculture.

Whether you're raising kids on a ranch, living on a small acreage, or simply looking for ways to become more self-sufficient, this episode is filled with practical advice and encouragement to take the first step.

In Part 2 of American Land and Legacy's exclusive gubernatorial candidate interview series, Amanda Radke sits down with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden ahead of the July 28th runoff election.

With the same questions put to both candidates, this conversation gives landowners a direct side-by-side look at where each man stands on the property rights issues that matter most to South Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

https://www.americanlandandlegacy.org/

Coming off a first-place finish in the June 2nd Republican primary with 31% of the vote in a four-way race, Toby Doeden sits down with Amanda Radke for a direct, issue-focused conversation on the property rights topics South Dakota landowners care about most.

This is Part 1 of American Land and Legacy's two-part exclusive interview series ahead of the July 28th runoff election, where Doeden will face Interim Governor Larry Rhoden. With thousands of landowners reaching out to Amanda asking who to support, she took the question straight to the candidates themselves.

https://www.americanlandandlegacy.org/

Amanda Radke hosts a property rights rally at the Capitol Rotunda, South Dakota, highlighting the importance of property ownership and the ongoing fight to protect landowners from eminent domain for private gain. The event features speeches from several key figures, including Senator Mykala Voita, Attorney General Marty Jackley, and Senator Mark Lapka who announce a new constitutional amendment to prohibit eminent domain for private gain. The rally celebrates past victories while rallying support for continued efforts to safeguard property rights, emphasizing the unity and determination of South Dakota farmers and ranchers in defending their land and freedoms.

In this powerful episode of The Heart of Rural America, host Amanda Radke welcomes back Senator Mark Lapka of South Dakota for a no-holds-barred conversation on property rights, grassroots activism, and groundbreaking legislation that could reshape the future for rural landowners.

Fresh off a record-breaking rally at the South Dakota Capitol, Senator Lapka shares exclusive insights on two major legislative efforts:

👉 HJR 5001 – A proposed constitutional amendment that would ban eminent domain for private gain in South Dakota, protecting landowners from seizure by private corporations.

👉 SB 88 – The Bosley Bill – Named after farmer Jared Bosley, this bill addresses invasive land surveys and aligns South Dakota law with a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that protects private property from unauthorized corporate intrusion.

Amanda and Senator Lapka reflect on the rising momentum of the property rights movement, the power of grassroots advocacy, and why farmers and ranchers across the state—and the country—are stepping up to defend their land.

In this first episode of the Heart of Rural America podcast for 2026, host Amanda Radke reconnects with her friend Calli Thorne, a ranch mom, entrepreneur, and fellow speaker. They discuss the challenges and rewards of operating a USDA federally-inspected beef plant named Yellowstone River Beef, their experiences in the cattle industry, and the importance of a positive mindset in overcoming business obstacles. Calli shares her strategies for balancing multiple responsibilities, including motherhood, business, and public speaking, by using a method of delegating or ditching tasks to focus on what truly matters. The episode delves into themes of entrepreneurship, leadership, and maintaining mental well-being while managing a busy, fulfilling life.

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke welcomes her middle sister, Courtney Coughlin, a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and homeschooling mother of four. They discuss Courtney's various ventures, including her boutique CCXO and her cut flower business, Three Sisters Blooms. The sisters reflect on the importance of family, faith, and community, and share their predictions for business trends in 2026. They also offer practical advice for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of authenticity, intentionality, and habit stacking. The episode concludes with a look ahead to 2026 and a special surprise for listeners.

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke welcomes back Chris Earl of CK6 Consulting to discuss the current state of the American beef industry. They review the past year's sales and reflect on the significant improvements in beef pricing for producers. Chris shares his insights on the economic and political factors that are shaping the industry, the importance of resilience, and the fundamental role of faith in his personal and professional life.

They also delve into their collaborative projects like Bid on Beef and the All American Angus Beef brand. Chris emphasizes the essential values of family, mentorship, and hard work, urging young cattle producers to leverage these favorable times for the industry. The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the challenges and blessings of the cattle business, framed by their shared faith and commitment to service.

It’s been said that the farm and ranch is the best place to raise children. As a mom of four kids, I feel so blessed to be able to teach kids about life, faith, family, community, and being true stewards of the land, livestock, and the people around them through the avenue of raising cattle.A calling from God led Tyler and I to become licensed foster parents in 2019, and since then, we’ve had a dozen kids come and go on the ranch.

It’s been a humbling experience and a shared family mission that has taught us plenty of lessons and has helped us grow in our faith, empathy, and commitment to serve others well.On this week’s episode, I chat with fellow foster mom and Nebraska cattle rancher, Jessi Grote, to discuss her experiences as a foster mom and the new organization they have started to continue to serve families stepping into these hard spaces.

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke visits Cowgirl Confident in Afton, Oklahoma to explore key topics in agritourism and veterinary practice. Amanda interviews Arielle Honovich from Ridge Ranch, NY, about her journey into livestock breeding and agritourism near New York City. Arielle shares valuable insights on managing farm operations, handling visitors, and the importance of adapting business strategies to local opportunities.

Next, Dr. Mindy Mayfield, an Oklahoma veterinarian, discusses her seminar 'Chute-side with Dr. Mindy,' focusing on practical knowledge for new cattle producers and the unique challenges faced by female vets in rural settings. Dr. Mayfield offers an honest look into the financial pressures, emotional stress, and balancing acts required in the veterinary profession. This episode highlights the power of community, mentorship, and resilience among women in agriculture.

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke highlights Taylor Blake, a viral social media sensation and a Florida farm girl at Knuckle Bump Farms. Taylor shares her journey of merging her love for farming and social media, starting with her viral TikTok video featuring her emu, Emmanuel. She discusses the importance of authenticity, consistency, and finding unique content from everyday farm life. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of community, mentorship, and supporting fellow entrepreneurs in the agriculture industry. Taylor offers practical advice for rural entrepreneurs looking to build their brand and monetize their social media presence. This episode is full of inspiring stories and valuable insights on leveraging social media for agricultural success.

In this solo episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, Amanda Radke dives deep into the logistics and strategies behind building a successful direct-to-consumer beef business. Sponsored by Reverse Rocking R Ranch, the episode begins with the promotion of their annual bull and female sale.

Amanda recounts the journey of launching bidonbeef.com, an auction platform for premium American Angus beef, discusses lessons learned, and highlights the significance of marketing, quality assurance, and distribution. She introduces her new 'Bulletproof Your Beef Business Academy,' offering one-on-one coaching to aid producers. Detailed insights on finance management, identifying target customers, shipping logistics, and effective marketing techniques provide valuable advice for beef entrepreneurs.