In this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell is joined by Ali Cox, founder of Noble West, former Olympic rower, and an influential leader in agricultural marketing and sustainability. From the discipline of elite sports to the dynamic world of agribusiness, Ali shares her journey of intentional leadership, strategic decision-making, and business growth in a complex and ever-evolving industry.

Ali dives into the importance of clarity, precision, and accountability—whether in rowing at the Olympic level or managing a high-performing business. She offers a compelling look at how leadership in agriculture can balance profitability, sustainability, and consumer education, all while cultivating a thriving team culture.

This episode covers hard-won leadership lessons, including how to make tough business decisions, the significance of aligning a team’s strengths, and the necessity of clear communication to drive success. Ali also explores how marketing and storytelling can bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring that both ends of the agricultural supply chain thrive.

• Intentional Leadership & Goal-Setting – Success comes from clarity, discipline, and accountability in both sports and business. Leaders must set goals and manage teams toward achieving them with precision.
• Building a High-Performing Team – The strongest individuals don’t always make the best team; collaboration, complementary skills, and shared vision drive success.
• The Reality of Business Growth – Scaling a business involves pruning, restructuring, and tough decisions, including layoffs and shifts in strategy, to create long-term stability and growth.
• Culture Beyond Perks – True company culture isn’t about happy hours and perks—it’s about providing clear expectations, professional growth opportunities, and aligning employees with company objectives.
• The Power of Storytelling in Agriculture – Farmers and agribusinesses must strategically position their brand, communicate their value, and educate consumers to create a stronger, more sustainable industry.

• “If you say something is your goal, then it becomes my goal. And I will hold you accountable to it.” – Ali Cox
• “The strongest eight people don’t always make the fastest rowing team. It’s about precision, balance, and working in sync—just like a high-performing business.” – Ali Cox
• “Happy hours are fun, but they’re not culture. Culture is how you grow people, build systems, and create opportunities for success.” – Ali Cox
• “Farmers are making multimillion-dollar investments in sustainability and innovation. The challenge is ensuring they see a return on that investment.” – Ali Cox
• “Most people love autonomy—until they feel lost. Clear expectations and leadership presence matter more than ever.” – Mark Jewell

Join us for this high-energy, no-nonsense conversation about leadership, business growth, and the future of agriculture. Whether you're an agribusiness executive, entrepreneur, or team leader, you’ll walk away with practical insights on building a resilient, thriving business in today’s agricultural landscape.

🚀 Listen now and share with your network!

In this Teaching Thursday episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, Mark Jewell and Jon Anderson tackle one of the most pressing discussions in the industry today—intentional leadership in the face of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. With new leadership in Washington and growing concerns about the future of agriculture, Mark and Jon provide a bold, thought-provoking conversation about how agribusiness leaders can take control of their future rather than reacting to it.

With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Brooke Rollins leading the USDA, major changes in food policy, health regulations, and sustainability could impact everything from farm operations to the agribusiness supply chain. Many in the industry are feeling uncertain, if not outright resentful—but Mark challenges listeners to rethink where that resentment comes from and how the industry can step up with true intentional leadership instead of resistance.

🚜 Resentment Comes From a Lack of Intention – The times we are most resentful in life are often the times we were the least intentional. If ag is feeling backed into a corner, could it be because the industry hasn't proactively led the conversation about health, sustainability, and food production?

🛠 Intentional Leadership = Deliberate, Distinct, and Divine – Mark introduces the 3 D’s of Intentional Leadership:

1️⃣ Deliberate – Acting with purpose and foresight, not just reacting to crises.

2️⃣ Distinct – Leaders must carve their own strategic path rather than copying past approaches.

3️⃣ Divine – Rooting leadership in values, purpose, and long-term vision rather than short-term profit or convenience.

💡 Health & Food Policy Changes Are Coming—How Will Ag Respond? – The MAHA movement is focused on eliminating harmful food additives, improving nutrition, and addressing chronic disease. While farmers and agribusinesses have always played a critical role in feeding America, this shift presents a potential challenge or opportunity—depending on how ag chooses to respond.

📉 Ag’s Historic Rally Cry: Feed the World → Now What? – Over the last 30 years, the feed the world message drove massive growth in agricultural productivity. But with today’s food distribution problems and consumer distrust in industrial food, is it time for a new mission?

🤔 Is Agriculture Leading or Reacting? – The industry is at a crossroads—either step up and help shape the narrative on health, food, and sustainability, or get caught in a political battle that may not serve its long-term interests.

💬 Intentional Action Steps for Agribusiness Leaders:

✔ Engage in the Conversation – Don’t let policy be dictated without the voices of real farmers and agribusiness leaders.

✔ Innovate in Nutrition & Sustainability – Find ways to adapt to consumer demand for healthier, more transparent food production.

✔ Take Ownership Instead of Blaming Policy Makers – The best way to stay ahead of disruption is to lead the change instead of resisting it.

• "The times I’ve been...

In this special mash-up episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with three exceptional leaders—Brent from Fibertech Plastics, Jed Miller from Ag Partners Cooperative, and Jeremy Groeteke from Syngenta. Together, they explore the power of intentional leadership, the role of company culture in shaping success, and the importance of talent retention in the agribusiness industry.

Through insightful conversations, these industry leaders break down how deliberate decision-making, cultural alignment, and strategic leadership can transform businesses and empower teams. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on navigating change, fostering engagement, and building a work environment where employees thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional leadership is about clarity, focus, and purpose-driven action, ensuring teams stay aligned with organizational goals.
• Company culture is either created by default or by design—leaders must actively shape and reinforce values within their teams.
• Talent retention thrives when employees see meaningful progress and impact in their work—misalignment leads to disengagement and turnover.
• Leaders must master change management, guiding teams through transitions with clear communication and strategic direction.
• Saying 'no' is as important as saying 'yes'—staying out of the weeds allows leaders to empower their teams and focus on high-value tasks.
• Vulnerability and transparency foster trust and innovation, enabling employees to take risks and push boundaries for growth.
• Investing in team engagement, mentorship, and recognition pays off, leading to stronger employee satisfaction and higher performance.

Notable Quotes:

💡 "Culture is going to get created one way or the other. It's just either going to be by default, or it's going to be by design." - Mark Jewell

💡 "Biggest thing is making sure that the talent is working on the right problems. When talent tends to work on problems that don't get to market...the talent gets frustrated and they leave." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "To be intentional, you have to be deliberate. You can’t build a thriving team without first creating clarity and focus." - Brent

💡 "If you don't tell your story, somebody will make it up for you." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "We are responsible for taking advantage of the gifts we’ve been given—if we don’t use them, it’s like telling God ‘thanks, but no thanks.’" - Jed Miller

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is packed with practical insights from real agribusiness leaders who have built thriving teams and sustainable companies. Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, agronomist, or entrepreneur, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness, build a strong company culture, and retain top talent.

🔹 Ready to lead with intention? Listen now and take your agribusiness leadership to the next level! 🎧

In this follow-up episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell continues his conversation with Jon "The Cowboy Coach" Anderson, Senior Success Coach at The Momentum Company. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen—it lays the foundation for today's discussion on leadership mistakes that create unnecessary stress, inefficiency, and disengagement.

In this episode, Mark and Jon expand on the final three mistakes that leaders make, revealing why accountability, coaching, and recognition are essential for a thriving workplace. Whether you're managing a team or looking to improve your leadership skills, this episode will challenge you to step up and lead with greater clarity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

💡 People WANT Accountability – Despite what many think, employees crave structure and accountability because it provides them with direction and clarity. Without it, stress and uncertainty increase, leading to disengagement.

🏇 The Power of Coaching & Mentorship – Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about guidance. Like a rider with reins, a great leader knows when to give direction and when to step back, allowing people to grow while ensuring they don’t feel lost.

🎖 Recognition & Appreciation Drive Engagement – A staggering 60% of employees leave their jobs due to feeling unrecognized. Simply acknowledging good work can boost productivity by 23%, while genuine appreciation increases it by over 40%! Leaders who recognize and value their people see higher retention and stronger team performance.

🚀 Intentional Leadership Is a System, Not a Guessing Game – To lead effectively, leaders must have structured systems for setting expectations, providing direction, holding people accountable, and offering recognition.

📌 Notable Quotes:

📢 "People seek pressure so they can experience the release of pressure. They want accountability because it gives them clarity on where they stand." – Jon Anderson

📢 "The reins are not there to control—they're there to guide. Leaders should mentor their people, not micromanage them." – Jon Anderson

📢 "If you could invest in something that gave you a 23-46% increase in productivity, you'd do it in a heartbeat. That ‘something’ is recognition and appreciation." – Mark Jewell

🎯 Action Steps:

🔹 Evaluate Your Leadership Practices – Are you setting clear expectations? Are you providing guidance or just assuming your team knows what to do? Are you recognizing and appreciating your people?

🔹 Implement Regular Coaching & Feedback – Schedule consistent check-ins where you provide guidance, feedback, and accountability. If you only provide feedback when something is wrong, you’re missing a huge opportunity.

🔹 Create a Recognition & Appreciation System – Don’t just assume people know they’re valued—make it part of your leadership rhythm.

📣 Join Us for The Thriving Leader Event! 🚀

March 18-19, 2025 | Nashville, TN

🔥 The easiest way to level up your leadership is by immersing yourself in two days of high-impact training with our expert coaching team.

🎟 Register by February 21st to secure your spot!

📩 Email ani@themomentumcompany.com or visit

In this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell welcomes Joe Sampson, founder of Embo Sales Consulting, to discuss what it truly means to lead intentionally—both in business and in life.

Joe shares his journey from VP of Sales in the ag equipment space to launching his own consulting business, revealing the mindset shifts, faith, and courage required to make such a leap. The conversation also dives into grace, accountability, and what it takes to thrive in a challenging market.

If you're a sales professional, leader, or entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, this episode will challenge you to redefine intentional leadership and focus on what truly matters.

💡 Intentional Leadership Begins with Faith – Joe shares how his foundation in God guides his daily decisions, allowing him to trust the process, embrace grace, and step into opportunities with confidence.

🔥 You’re Not Built to Carry It Alone – Many leaders struggle because they try to do everything themselves. Joe and Mark discuss why surrounding yourself with the right people and seeking guidance is key to long-term success.

🔄 Times of Uncertainty Are Where Relationships Are Built – In the ag industry downturn, many salespeople are frustrated. But intentional leaders see challenges as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and position themselves for long-term wins.

🚀 Momentum Matters More Than Perfection – Progress doesn’t require massive leaps—it’s about small, intentional steps every day. Whether that’s sending a new email, making a sales call, or shifting your mindset, momentum builds success.

💰 Recognition & Appreciation Create Growth – Whether in leadership or sales, recognizing people for their efforts and appreciating them for who they are leads to higher performance and stronger retention.

🌱 "When One Seed Germinates, Others Follow" – Joe shares a powerful analogy about how growth is contagious. As leaders, we set the tone for those around us—our energy, perspective, and actions inspire others to rise.

📢 "Grace is God’s unmerited favor—you didn’t earn it, you don’t deserve it, but you still receive it for free." – Mark Jewell

📢 "You can’t focus on what you can’t control. Start each day by focusing on solutions, not problems." – Joe Sampson

📢 "Your presence as a leader means everything. People follow distinction, not wishy-washiness." – Mark Jewell

📢 "When times are tough, 90% of salespeople complain. The top 10% see the opportunity to strengthen relationships." – Joe Sampson

📢 "We’re not built to carry it alone. Lean into faith, lean into your team, and move forward together." – Mark Jewell

✅ Audit Your Leadership Approach – Are you being deliberate, distinct, and divinely guided in your decisions?

✅ Surround Yourself with Optimism – Who is influencing your mindset? Are they helping you focus on solutions or dragging you into problems?

✅ Embrace the Power of Relationships – Whether in sales or leadership, be intentional about building deeper, more meaningful partnerships—especially in tough times.

✅ Keep the Momentum Going – Progress isn’t always massive. Take one intentional action today that moves you...

In this powerful episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell welcomes Jon "The Cowboy Coach" Anderson for an eye-opening conversation about the common mistakes managers make that create unnecessary stress and inefficiencies. Jon, Senior Success Coach at The Momentum Company, shares his journey from agribusiness to leadership coaching, emphasizing the importance of intentional leadership, clarity, and communication.

From failing to set clear expectations to avoiding difficult conversations, this episode breaks down the biggest roadblocks managers face—and more importantly, how to fix them. Whether you're leading a team, a business, or your own household, these insights will help you become a more effective, confident, and thriving leader.

Key Takeaways:

🔥 Intentional Leadership Starts with Clarity – A lack of clear expectations creates confusion, inefficiencies, and frustration for both managers and employees. Leaders must define what success looks like for their teams.

🚀 Giving Clear Direction Matters – Setting goals isn’t enough; leaders must also guide their teams on how to achieve them. Without direction, employees are left guessing, which leads to wasted time and disengagement.

🤝 Regular Check-Ins Build Trust – Many leaders fail to sit down with their people beyond surface-level conversations. Strong leaders take time to understand their team’s challenges, celebrate wins, and provide support before issues escalate.

🔍 Stop Making Assumptions – When leaders don’t check in, they create stories in their minds about why employees are struggling or disengaged. Assumptions lead to misunderstandings and resentment—honest conversations lead to solutions.

🛑 Don’t Wait for Leadership to Give You Direction – If you feel lost in your role, take the initiative. Set up meetings with leadership, ask for expectations, and clarify your path forward. Leadership is not a title—it’s a mindset.

Notable Quotes:

📢 "You don’t have to wait for your leader to give you direction. If you’re not getting the support you need—go ask for it!" – Jon Anderson

📢 "We often get stuck in stories about people at work—stories that might not even be true. The best way to break free? Have the conversation." – Mark Jewell

📢 "Survival is dead. It’s time to thrive. And that means no longer just ‘getting by’ at work or in life." – Mark Jewell

Join Us for The Thriving Leader Event! 🚀

If today’s episode resonated with you, don’t miss our upcoming Thriving Leader Program, happening March 18-19 in Nashville! This immersive experience is designed to help leaders, managers, and high performers unlock their full potential with proven frameworks for clarity, communication, and leadership development.

📍 Register by February 21st to secure your spot!

📩 Email ani@themomentumcompany.com or visit TheMomentumCompany.com to learn more.

👉 Listen now and take your leadership to the next level! 🎧

In this special mashup episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark Jewell brings together the most impactful moments from four powerful conversations with agribusiness leaders: Ryan Hassebrook, Greg Peton, Gaji Balakaneshan, and Courtney VanScoy.

This episode covers essential topics like managing across generations, leading with strengths, fostering a culture of accountability, and navigating industry challenges with clarity and purpose. These guests share real-world experiences and proven strategies for intentional leadership that you can apply to your own organization.

Key Takeaways:

🔥 Measuring & Managing for Success – Ryan Hassebrook emphasizes the importance of tracking key metrics, listening to employees, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

🛠 Intentional Strategy & Communication – Greg Peton shares how great leaders create a safe space for innovation, embrace open dialogue, and adapt their communication styles to different audiences.

🌱 Building a Resilient Team Culture – Gaji Balakaneshan highlights the importance of transparency, self-awareness, and talent retention, especially in fast-changing agribusiness landscapes.

🎯 Prioritizing Leadership Clarity – Courtney VanScoy breaks down how setting clear expectations, fostering learning opportunities, and balancing autonomy with accountability helps teams thrive.

Notable Quotes:

📢 “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” – Ryan Hassebrook

📢 “If you don’t bring your ideas forward, they will never get heard.” – Greg Peton

📢 “Leadership is about guiding, not just reacting to daily fires.” – Gaji Balakaneshan

📢 “Trust is built through vulnerability and clear expectations.” – Courtney VanScoy

Join the Thriving Leader Event!

📅 March 18-19, 2025 | Nashville, TN

🔹 A high-impact leadership experience designed for agribusiness professionals.

🔹 Limited seats available! Visit https://www.themomentumcompany.com/thrivingleader2025 to secure your spot.

Don’t miss this dynamic mashup episode packed with practical leadership insights to elevate your impact in agribusiness! 🎧✨

🎙️ Replay Episode Alert! This conversation with Michael Pisciotta was one of our most downloaded episodes of 2024, and for good reason. In this episode, host Mark Jewell dives deep into the power of intentional leadership, relationship-building, and clarity in agribusiness. If you missed it the first time around, now is your chance to gain valuable insights from Michael’s experience and wisdom.

Michael Pisciotta serves as the Director of Agronomy for the Southern U.S. at Timac Agro USA. Over the past six years, his responsibilities have expanded across product management, marketing, research, development, and regulatory affairs in the specialty fertilizer industry. As a Certified Crop Advisor and a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist, Michael is a leading voice on specialty fertilizer products, fertilizer regulations, and biological product positioning for grower success. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Plant Food Educational Society and is a member of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council.

🔹 Intentional leadership starts from the heart – Michael explains why true leadership begins with genuine connection to your work and your team.

🔹 Clarity is key for effective delegation – Learn how clear expectations help empower employees and improve overall results.

🔹 The power of vulnerability in leadership – Why being open and authentic is crucial for trust and team engagement.

🔹 Creativity as an energizer – How staying creative keeps leaders motivated and inspired.

🔹 Balancing family and work life – Insights on strategic planning to ensure time for both professional and personal priorities.

💬 "Retention is recruitment, and for me, retaining and getting buy-in continuously from the folks around me is the most important thing I can do to make them feel engaged."

💬 "Power is being able to let power go. That’s going to help [team members] build what they can be."

💬 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

📖 How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – A timeless guide on relationship-building and leadership.

📖 Buy-In: How to Keep Your Good Ideas from Getting Shot Down by John Kotter – A must-read on securing support for your best ideas.

If you missed this episode when it first aired, don’t miss this opportunity to absorb powerful leadership lessons from Michael Pisciotta. Tune in and take actionable steps toward leading with intention, clarity, and impact in your agribusiness journey!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more inspiring leadership discussions!