Communicating the climate crisis is a difficult and emotional task. Texas Tech University's Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is a scientist that communicates a tricky subject, yet she remains positive and continues with her work.  She's active on LinkedIn and Twitter. Subscribe to her newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/fae4224ba66d/subscribe-to-katharine-newsletter ..read more

Severe weather comes in lots of forms: drought, blizzard, thunderstorm, tornado, flooding, dangerous heat, extreme cold, and possibly more. However, weather can be hard to forecast consistently, and sometimes the public is jaded to the weather warnings. Yet weather is one of the most important factors to a successful agricultural operation, and that's why I asked KAMC-TV (ABC, Lubbock) Chief Meteorologist Ron Roberts to join me for this episode of the podcast. My husband started working with Ron in the mid 90s, I joined the staff in the late 90s, and I have enjoyed visiting with him ever since ..read more

Cindy Cunningham is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable communicators I know, especially when it comes to preparing for and responding to a crisis. She  worked in the pork industry for several years and is now at Woodruff. She is such a pro, and is always helpful to communicators from across the ag industry.  Find Cindy's company, Woodruff here: https://wearewoodruff.com/ Link to the Crisis Communications Guide: https://connect.xanedu.com/.../xan.../store/catalogue/25901 ..read more

Emily Leonard is the evening anchor for WTVA in Tupelo, Mississippi, and was previously in Lubbock at KLBK/KAMC. She is a Texas Tech graduate and an excellent reporter.  In this episode, she tells us how to be helpful to the media in the event of a natural disaster, and for some reason, her area of Mississippi has experienced more than its share of severe weather in the past few years.  Emily shares the newscast with her husband, Matt. She talks about him a lot during our conversation.  Fun fact about Emily - when Matt proposed to her ON AIR, it made Good Morning America. The cl ..read more

David Doerfert is a co-worker, friend, and mentor AND he developed the agriculture crisis management framework. Dr. Doerfert is one of the best researchers I know, and it was a joy to talk about his research and thoughts on the topic of crisis communications.  Link to book: https://connect.xanedu.com/serve/xe/xaneducustom/store/catalogue/25901/?fbclid=IwAR3olcrpbEdymSa8ii9cZrQ8owUxULr0o8p5qqH5zA48Z9_ZT2ubepSQtg0 ..read more

Faith Peppers is now the director of communications for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. However, in her career, she has managed communications for a major newspaper and the University of Georgia's agricultural extension service.  She has a wealth of knowledge and ideas on managing issues and crises and she shares her ideas with us in this episode.  The Crisis Communications Guide for Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources is available here: https://connect.xanedu.com/serve/xe/xaneducustom/store/catalogue/25901/  ..read more

For all former students requesting Lindsay Kennedy and I do a show together: we hear you and we grant your request. Dr. Lindsay Kennedy is my coworker, but more importantly, my friend and kindred spirit. Also she is an outstanding communicator. Before she came back to Texas Tech to join our faculty, she worked in the grains industry and had to manage two crises. She shares her experience in this episode. Insta: @Lindsay_onthefly My book: https://connect.xanedu.com/serve/xe/xaneducustom/store/catalogue/25901/?fbclid=IwAR0KIrpGvDR2bfZQFUgKsNs5vDNlzJhAOpdk9X8MtBkXkCkJj93TeENy_gY ..read more

Season 3 of the So You Talk to Cows podcast focuses on risk and crisis communications. I just finished by book, The Crisis Communications Guide for Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources, and I'm teaching a graduate class on the same subject this semester. The topic of crisis comm is on my brain, so let's talk more about it in the podcast! Season 3 starts on September 4. Direct link to purchase the book: https://connect.xanedu.com/serve/xe/xaneducustom/store/catalogue/25901/?fbclid=IwAR22I3YqM16dt2FxHL_MY-ntiVtAH-3TXiBFJw5da5IxbpgoykZsZQ9b-4E ..read more

I wrote a book! Not only did I write it, the book is being published. XanEdu is publishing my book and it is available. I have had conversations with several ag communicators who would like to write a book, and I encourage anyone that wants to write, to do so. It's not easy, and it's not quick, but I have loved this experience and would love the opportunity to do more of this. Maybe not this year, but soon. In this episode, we flip the format and my friends at XanEdu, Mandy Gagel and Ben Stephen interview me about my book, my writing, process, and we offer words for encouragement for anyone co ..read more

If you have attended Ag Media Summit, you have probably experienced an event planned by Diane Johnson. She is the Ft. Worth based owner of Details by Design. Although she has slowed down her business in recent years, she still plans and assists with other events.  She is highly organized  and always professional.  In this episode, she shares her suggestions for putting your best foot forward and planning a smooth event. A side note - Diane is being inducted to the Livestock Publications Council Hall of Fame at Ag Media Summit this year ..read more