The Profitable Steward – Details, episodes & analysis

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 In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen is joined by Tom Curtin for a rich conversation on stockmanship, horsemanship, and the everyday principles that improve livestock handling on the ranch. Tom shares how his early ranch life in Montana, his time at the King Ranch under Buster Welch, and years spent learning from legendary horsemen shaped his understanding of how cattle and horses respond to pressure, movement, and straightness. 

This episode dives into the importance of straight lines in stockmanship, how to build a straighter and more confident horse, and why proper positioning matters when handling cattle. Tom explains how improved cattle handling, better timing, and a deeper understanding of the point of influence can lower stress, reduce sickness, and improve the overall flow of ranch work. 

They also discuss practical applications for weaning calves, working pairs, sorting cattle, moving livestock, and using dogs effectively, all through the lens of low stress handling and better stockmanship. If you want to improve your livestock handling, strengthen your horsemanship, and better understand the connection between pressure, movement, and animal behavior, this episode is full of practical wisdom you can take straight to the pasture. 

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen is joined by Kyle Lechtenberg for a thoughtful conversation about the future of the family farm, the pressures driving farm consolidation, and the financial disciplines needed to build a more profitable farm business.

Kyle shares his background growing up in a large farm family in Nebraska and explains how those early lessons in work ethic, stewardship, and continuing education shaped his work in agricultural consulting today. Together, Jared and Kyle unpack the financial realities many producers face, including family living expenses, farm profitability, banking decisions, business risk, and the importance of treating agriculture like a true business without losing the heart of it.

They also discuss how an agriculture business strategy, long-term thinking, and a willingness to adapt can help producers navigate the changes happening across rural America. From farm transition planning and legacy to the challenges of keeping younger generations engaged, this episode offers practical insight for anyone who wants to strengthen both their business and their family culture.

If you care about profitable farming, farm succession, ranch management, and protecting the values of the family farm while preparing for the future, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

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Estate planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but avoiding it can be costly.

In this episode of the Profitable Steward, Jared Sorensen sits down with estate planning attorney Brandon Dean Rains for a practical, plain-language conversation about how farm and ranch families can protect their land, their family relationships, and their legacy.

Together, they cover:

• When and why to form LLCs for farms and ranches
• How asset protection really works in agriculture
• The difference between a will and a trust
• How to think about guardianship for young children
• Succession planning when kids are still young
• Life insurance as a tool for keeping the ranch intact
• Common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them
• Why communication matters more than documents

This episode is especially valuable for farmers and ranchers entering 2026 who want to stop postponing hard conversations and start building a plan that serves future generations.

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In Part Two of this special 2026 series, Jared Sorensen reads the full public-domain classic As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, a short book packed with timeless principles on thought, character, purpose, and personal stewardship.

This episode is for farmers, ranchers, and legacy-minded leaders who want to strengthen what’s happening beneath the surface, because your thoughts shape your emotions, your decisions, and your results. James Allen’s message is simple and powerful: you become what you consistently think about, and the inner world of the mind eventually forms the outer world of circumstances.

If you want more clarity, discipline, and steadiness in 2026, this reading will help you reset your foundation and rebuild from the root.

Best experienced after Part One.

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 In this powerful kickoff episode for 2026, Jared Sorensen, founder of Ag Steward, shares a deeply personal and practical message inspired by the classic book As a Man Thinketh. Recorded for farmers, ranchers, and legacy builders, this episode explores how unmanaged thoughts quietly shape emotions, decisions, and long-term outcomes. 

Jared breaks down three foundational principles that have influenced how he leads, stewards land, builds businesses, and raises his family. You’ll learn practical tools to recognize negative thought patterns, replace them with truth, and create space for clarity, focus, and inspired action. 

Inside this episode, you’ll discover: 

• Why most people stay stuck even when they work hard
• How thoughts drive emotions, actions, and results
• Practical tools to capture and redirect negative thinking
• Why focus, not willpower, creates lasting change
• How stewardship begins below the surface, at the root level

This episode also introduces The Steward Builder, a practical and affordable membership designed to help farmers and ranchers stop drifting and start building with intention, clarity, and peace.
 
If you’re entering 2026 with uncertainty, pressure, or big decisions ahead, this episode will help you reset your foundation and move forward with confidence.
 

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 This episode explores: 

• Why quiet goodness often leaves the deepest impact
• The spiritual discipline of giving without being seen
• The humility required to receive help and grace
• How Christ’s gift sets the pattern for a transformed life

Whether you’re listening during the Christmas season or any time of year, this message is a reminder that true love does not announce itself. It simply shows up.
 
🎁 Bonus: Jared is also giving away a free digital copy of his book Searching for Home, Finding Grace. 

Link: https://www.agsteward.cc/searching-for-home-finding-grace-ebook
 
Merry Christmas, and may you be blessed as you strive to do good and leave no tracks.
 

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Discover how to design profitable, resilient agricultural landscapes using the principles of restoration agriculture. In this episode, Jared Sorensen hosts renowned agroforestry expert Mark Shepard for a deep, practical conversation about transforming degraded land, capturing water, integrating livestock, and building perennial ecosystems that thrive under stress. 

Whether you're a rancher in the high desert, a farmer in the Midwest, or a land steward anywhere in between, Mark breaks down how to: 

• Shape land to harvest and store water naturally
• Use perennial systems to build soil and long-term resilience
• Integrate crops, trees, and livestock into one profitable system
• Reduce inputs while increasing total ecosystem yield
• Apply restoration agriculture at backyard scale or large-acreage scale

Mark also shares insights from real projects across the U.S., and explains how restoration agriculture supports long-term profit, stewardship, and ecosystem regeneration.
 

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared sits down with AJ Richards, founder of FromTheFarm.org, to talk about the future of ranching, food security, and building a resilient, profitable direct-to-consumer model.

AJ shares his journey from ranching roots to creating a nationwide platform connecting consumers directly with farmers and ranchers—cutting out middlemen and helping producers keep more of the retail dollar.

They also dive into:
 • The current state of the livestock industry
 • The fragility of our modern food system
 • Why herd numbers are at record lows
 • AJ’s recent meetings in Washington D.C. advocating for producers
 • The importance of public land grazing
• How consumers and ranchers can work together to change the system

If you’re a rancher looking for a better market, a consumer who wants real food from real people, or someone who cares about the future of American agriculture—this conversation is for you.

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen sits down with rancher and marketing coach Amy Hay (Sell Beef Direct) to unpack a proven, step-by-step system for selling meat direct to consumer—without guesswork. You’ll learn how to build a simple sales platform, attract the right customers, and turn stewardship into sustainable profit.

What you’ll learn:

• The 5-piece platform that converts: social → website → landing page → email → store
• How to identify and target real buyers (not freebie seekers)
• Why landing pages beat websites for conversions (and what to put on them)
• Email that sells: subject lines, cadence, and tracking what works
• Pre-selling quarters/halves, deposits that reduce no-shows, and simple bundles
• Shipping vs. local drop points, and using subscriptions for steady cash flow

Guest:
Amy Hay — Rancher & Founder, Sell Beef Direct
https://www.sellbeefdirect.com/

Helpful for:
Cow-calf, stocker, mixed livestock, small to mid-scale producers, and anyone ready to launch or scale DTC meat sales.
Sign up to get personalized help to sell any farm-raised product.
https://www.sellbeefdirect.com/agsteward

Don’t miss the Profitable Regeneration Summit (FREE): https://legacy.agsteward.co/register-october

Two days of practical, profit-first strategies for regenerative farms and ranches—featuring Dr. David Kohl and 

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, host Jared Sorensen welcomes rancher and cowgirl Haley Potter, who joins live from cow camp in Montana. Haley shares her ranching heritage, the challenges of bookkeeping in agriculture, and how her work with Ambrook is helping ranchers and farmers gain financial clarity.

You’ll discover:

• Why keeping accurate books is key to stewardship and profitability.
• How ranchers can track enterprises like cattle, hay, or horses to make smarter decisions.
• Ways financial transparency reduces stress in generational transitions.
• How regenerative practices and financial tools can work together to keep families independent and resilient.

Whether you’re a rancher, farmer, or ag entrepreneur, this conversation offers real stories and practical tools to strengthen both your operation and your stewardship.

Resources Mentioned
👉 Learn more about Ambrook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiZ-5WTUAOM
👉 Register for the next Profitable Regeneration Summit: https://legacy.agsteward.co/register-october

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