Skip to content
A Meatsmith Harvest podcast artwork

PODCAST · arts

A Meatsmith Harvest

by Farmstead Meatsmith

This podcast is for anyone desiring to learn more about the human process of traditional, ethical, economic and delicious livestock processing and eating. Brandon and Lauren Sheard, co-hosts and owners of Farmstead Meatsmith--their small-scale, custom processing and education business--talk all things meat related: from practical knowledge to the philosophical inspiration behind growing, harvesting and eating meat.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Episode 111: Milking Dairy & Meat Sheep with Rachel & Kyle Hester, Part 2

    → In this episode, Brandon asks Rachel and Kyle all his questions about sheep milking, sheep breeds, wool processing, minerals used for health, dewormer, and fencing for sheep. They also discuss sheep harvesting and how mutton is more nutritious and flavorful than lamb. → Timestamps/Topics for...

  2. Episode 110: Milking Dairy & Meat Sheep with Rachel & Kyle Hester, Part 1

    In this episode, Brandon chats with sheep homesteaders Rachel & Kyle Hester about Romanian placinta cake, how the Hesters got into raw milk for health, sheep breeds for milking, how to start milking a meat sheep, what a milking session looks like, drinking the delicious milk, and making sheep...

  3. Episode 109: Getting a Dairy Cow With the Dougherty's, Part 2

    In this episode, we chat with Shawn and Beth Dougherty about offering liberty and experiences to homeschooled teenagers, why the Doughertys stayed in Appalachia, the Dougherty's house fire and rebuild, proximity to community as the next obstacle, starting with trash land and building up the soil,...

  4. Episode 108: Getting a Dairy Cow With the Dougherty's

    In this episode, we discussed small-scale vs. industrial-scale meat production, the ontological shift of food, the Dougherty's first dairy cow, a Catholic's view of suffering, the natural state of cows and humans, asking God what's next in the playbook, and how farming won't make you money....

  5. Episode 107: Our New Dairy Cow & the Stages of Pertussis, Part 2

    In this episode, we discuss how we treated Pertussis in our family with vitamin C, how there's no one person or group we turn to for health advice, and the power of nutrition. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 107: 0:00 Intro & the paroxysmal stage of Pertussis 8:08 Staying up every night to get our...

  6. Episode 106: Our New Dairy Cow & the Stages of Pertussis, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about our new dairy cow, Georgie, adjusting our lives around milking her, why we age the beef for our harvest classes in the walk-in for 30 days, and then we finally get into the stages of Pertussis. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 106: 0:00 Intro & our new dairy cow…

    more
  7. Episode 105: Strong Immunity & Health with Real Food, Part 2

    In this episode, we run the gamut from sharing health resources, pathologically delicious food vs real food, and palette formation to old food traditions and recipes. We answer the question: How important is fleeing the city and starting a homestead as a Christian family? Plus plenty of rabbit...

  8. Episode 104: Strong Immunity and Health with Real Food, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about whole hog utilization, what we're teaching in the Family Pig II harvest class, the benefits of our online membership, and how, through real food, we take responsibility for our health and immunity. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 104: 0:00 Intro & Family Pig II…

    more
  9. Episode 103 - From Pertussis to Pleasure to the Fourth End of Manual Labor, Part 2.

    In this episode, we discuss the seeming contradiction of Pleasure, 'becoming goods', sensitive appetites vs. intellectual delights, the four ends of manual labor, how agriculture is particularly suited to these four ends, and the duties of our state in life. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 103…

    more
  10. Episode 102: From Pertussis to Pleasure to the Fourth End of Manual Labor, Part 1.

    In this episode, we chat about raising teenagers, weaponizing germ theory, our pertussis experience, our Spring harvest classes, and the Liturgy of the Land conference. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 102: 0:00 Intro & raising teenagers 17:06 Germ theory 27:57 Pertussis experience 38:09 Family Pig…

    more
  11. Episode 101: Pursuing the Catholic Faith Through Agriculture & Family with Ted Stiritz.

    In this episode, Brandon and Ted Stiritz talk about the identity of a father, delighting in your children, humility, strengthing of the will, how to live the Good Life, and moving from the Particular to the Principle. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 101: 0:00 Class announcements & organic feed…

    more
  12. Episode 100: Farming, Wine, & Modernity with Kelsey Beck Fernandez of Finca Fernandez, Part 2

    In this episode, Kelsey and Brandon chat about biodynamic agriculture, tradition, loss of culture, Kelsey's experience at our Foie Gras class with Backwater Foie Gras, growing regional grape varieties, wine in the Mass, the Protestant Reformation, differences between Protestants and Catholics,...

  13. Episode 99: Farming, Wine, & Modernity with Kelsey Beck Fernandez of Finca Fernandez, Part 1

    In this episode, Kelsey and Brandon chat about farming and processing livestock in urban California, wine culture in Europe vs. the US, Kelsey's Family Pig class experience, and his first solo pig slaughter. Looking for more Meatsmith knowledge? Join our online membership or come to an in-person...

  14. Episode 98: Catholic Farm Dad Stuff with Mark Wertin, Part 2

    In this episode, Mark and Brandon chat more about smartphones, the value of mundane farm tasks, breeding Jersey milk cows and bulls, fencing for cows, and teaching folks (and your kids) to shoot pigs. Also, Mark wrote and performed a beautiful sonnet about shooting pigs for Brandon. Looking for...

  15. Episode 97: Catholic Farm Dad Stuff with Mark Wertin, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about Mark's beginnings in farming and his experience as a dairyman, teaching children and preserving their innocence, and how smartphones are demonic. Timestamps/Topics for Episode 97: 0:00 Intro to farmer Mark Wertin 8:27 Why did Mark start to grow food 11:10 Building…

    more
  16. Episode 94: Agrarian Thomistic Philosophy with Dr Richard Meloche, Part 2

    Agrarian Thomistic Philosophy with Dr Richard Meloche, Part 2 In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Richard Meloche on the use of natural elements in liturgies, the epistemological benefits of rural living, the loss of imagination and unique individuals due to technology,...

  17. Episode 96: St Thomas & the Ends of Labor, Part 2

    In this episode, we chat about symbolism and learning through analogy, rational creatures participating in the eternal law, Reason in exchange for physical protection, and the Four Ends of Labor. Announcements: Our Fall Family Pig Harvest class will be September 12-14. Join us to use just your...

  18. Episode 95: St Thomas & the Ends of Labor, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about our new baby, our kids keeping the fast, Easter week, St Thomas Aquinas's 'all knowledge comes through the senses' and De Regno, and reason vs. instinct. Announcements: Come to the last 3-Day Family Pig Harvest class of the season, May 16-18, where you will use only...

  19. Episode 93: Agrarian Thomistic Philosophy with Dr Richard Meloche, Part 1

    In episode 93, we chat with Dr. Richard Meloche of the Alcuin Institute about the music in our home, Thomistic philosophy, 'coming to farming' for the food, the spiritual parfait of Grace and Nature, textual references to 'The Good Life,' and why the rural life is the best way to obtain the...

  20. Episode 92: The Virtue of Culling, Part 2

    In this episode, we chat about affection for extraneous livestock, raising longhorns for our classes, how temperament is the most important thing with cows, harvesting a cow out of a ditch, culling fencing jumping cows (and their horns), and Wallace's Three Hearts Pilgrimage. Announcements: Come…

    more
  21. Episode 91: The Virtue of Culling, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about the time of year to harvest pigs, the Mangalitza pig breed, our longhorn escapade, fast vs. slow stitch animals, and extraneous livestock. Announcements: Come to the 2-Day The Art of Foie Gras class in Louisiana this January 19-20. You'll learn the art of goose...

  22. Episode 90: The Art of Foie Gras, Part 2

    In this episode, we discussed farm tasks that build virtue, our upcoming The Art of Foie Gras class, farming as an art, the myth of "do what you love," what is the Good Life, the burden of abundance, foie gras as preservation, and horses and cows in our future. Announcements: Come to the 2-Day…

    more
  23. Episode 89: The Art of Foie Gras, Part 1

    In this episode, we discuss the French monarchy, the difference between power and authority, the history of botulism (or lack thereof), Brandon's aversion to recipes, and our upcoming Art of Foie Gras class with Backwater Foie Gras in Louisiana. Announcements: Come to the 2-Day The Art of Foie…

    more
  24. Episode 88 - Culling, Cattle Rotation, and Gregorian Chant, Part 2

    In this episode, we chat about Gregorian chant; what it is, how it's different from modern music, and how it impacts our lives. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, filming, and editing. Becoming a patron can help us keep our episode…

    more
  25. Episode 87: Culling, Cattle Rotation, and Gregorian Chant, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about the Assumption, our current virtue building, guilds & slaughterhouses of old, how our classes can get you off industrial meat, the meaning of culling, and rotational grazing on our farm. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes...

  26. Episode 86 - Of Land Hurricanes, Candle Light, and Large Living, Part 2

    Episode 86 - Of Land Hurricanes, Candle Light, and Large Living, Part 2 In this episode, we chat about soft communism, weaning yourself from the comforts of urban life, and fasting. We continue our community vs family conversation, making a case for owning a bigger home, bodies needing space, and...

  27. Episode 85: Of Land Hurricanes, Candle Light, and Large Living, Part 1

    In this episode, we discuss recent extreme weather, how much 'rejection of technology' is reasonable, what technology keeps you from learning, and attending the Mass by candlelight. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, filming, and…

    more
  28. Episode 84: Of Blood Bread, Beef Classes and Building Society, Part 2

    In this episode, we discuss the gift that is Community, Nature, Grace, & Original Sin, farming in reparation to God, the uselessness of smartphones, and the virtue of pork chops. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, filming, and editing....

  29. Episode 83: Of Blood Bread, Beef Classes and Building Society, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about raising beef and dairy cows, blood bread and modern food, and we continue our discussion on Community vs. Society. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, filming, and editing. Becoming a patron can help us keep...

  30. Episode 82: Community vs Society Part 2

    Episode 82: Community vs. Society Part 2 In this episode we chat about community, its different forms, positives and negatives, its lack of definition, its function in ideology, and what it offers. We compare it to society, how the family is the essential unit of society, and the grace family...

  31. Episode 81: Recap of our Busy Season and Community vs. Society Part 1

    In this episode, we recap our Fall harvest season, all the classes we taught, fasting for advent and feasting over Christmas, preserving and losing meat, our upcoming beef and lamb classes, and a bit on raising rabbits. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode…

    more
  32. Episode 80: Of Goose classes, the Exodus, and the 'Our Father': A Review of Fr. Vincent McNabb's The Church and the Land, Pt 2

    In this episode, we share more of our thoughts on The Church and the Land by Fr. Vincent McNabb, building topsoil with people, fleeing the city, and the dignity of the farmer. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, filming, and editing....

  33. Episode 79: Of Goose classes, the Exodus, and the 'Our Father': A Review of Fr. Vincent McNabb's The Church and the Land, Pt 1

    Sign up for the free event - Traditional Skills Summit Sept 12-15th https://www.schooloftraditionalskills.com/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=1&affid=20 In this episode, we talk about our upcoming Martinmas Goose class, all the events Brandon is participating in, our thoughts on The Church and the Land…

    more
  34. Ep 78: The Virtue of Pig Killing; Brandon's talk at The Prairie Troubadour 2022 Symposium

    Episode 78: The Virtue of Pig Killing; Brandon's talk at The Prairie Troubadour 2022 Symposium The Virtue of Pig Killing; Brandon's talk at The Prairie Troubadour 2022 Symposium. From sonnets to Cottage Economy, from Thomas Aquinas to selling cured meats, Brandon distills much of what we've been...

  35. Ep 77: From Finance to Foie Gras - Interview with Ross McKnight of Backwater Foie Gras, Part 2

    In this episode, we chat with Ross McKnight of Backwater Foie Gras about the practical element of gavage, why gavage isn't force-feeding, breed of duck, feed used, legally selling farm products, prose, and poetry. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes…

    more
  36. Ep 76: From Finance to Foie Gras - Interview with Ross McKnight of Backwater Foie Gras, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat with Ross McKnight of Backwater Foie Gras about how he began his farming journey, why he chose foie gras, tradition and moving to the land, and the mortification of farming. Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work,...

  37. Ep 75 Philosophy 101 & Family Farming Part 2

    In this episode, we chat about the breakdown of the family farm, private property, the notion of the Soul, The Church and Farming and Russian Farming by Denis Fahey, William Cobbett, and more. Introduction and Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours…

    more
  38. Ep 71: On Moving, Tradition, & Truck Tipping, Pt 2

    In this episode, we continue our conversation on moving from Washington State to just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. We chat about the changing landscape, packing up our business, and tipping our slaughter truck. Introduction and Announcements: Family Pig classes are happening in the Fall on Sept...

  39. Ep 74 Philosophy 101 & Family Farming

    In this episode, we review The Church and Farming and The Rulers of Russia and the Russian Farmers by Denis Fahey. We also chat about The Prairie Troubadour, our Membership program, and our sense faculties as they relate to farming and all life. Introduction and Announcements: Family Pig classes...

  40. Episode 73: Family Farms Part 2

    In this episode, we chat about animal family groups, cow, pig, and goat hegemony, natural law vs. naturalism, suffering, and Mass. Introduction and Announcements: Family Pig classes are sold out for Spring 2022. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when we schedule the next round of…

    more
  41. Episode 72: Family Farms, Part 1

    In this episode, we chat about Brandon's recent travels to teach classes in other states, family farms, and land management trends. Introduction and Announcements: We have two Family Pig classes in Spring 2022. Our classes make incredible gifts for anyone interested in the whole processing...

  42. Ep 70: On Moving, Tradition, and Truck Tipping, Part 1

    In this episode, we talk more about moving to Oklahoma, tradition, and leaving behind what our kids will want to inherit. Introduction and Announcements: We have two Family Pig classes in Spring 2022. Our classes make incredible gifts for anyone interested in the whole processing narrative. From...

  43. Episode 69: Bonus Episode with Daniel Firth Griffith and the Robinia Institute in The Conversationalist Webinar Series.

    In this episode, Brandon talks with Daniel Firth Griffith of the Robinia Institute in The Conversationalist Webinar Series. The topics discussed range from descaling agriculture to Aristotle. Introduction and Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of...

  44. Episode 68: We're Moving. Here's Why. Pt. 2

    In this episode, Brandon and Lauren talk about culture, the medieval village, the virtues of the intellect, science and First Principles, and the intelligence of farmers. Introduction and Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production of each episode takes hours of work, in both…

    more
  45. Episode 67: We're Moving. Here's Why. Pt. 1

    In these episodes, Brandon and Lauren talk about their decision to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma. From practical things like needing more room in the home and on the farm to the spiritual necessity of being closer to the Mass. Introduction and Announcements: Support our podcast on Patreon! Production…

    more
  46. Ep 66 Natural Law Part 2

    In these episodes, Brandon and Lauren discuss Natural Law, what it is, and how it is observable on the farm. In part 2, they continue to illustrate Natural Law with livestock death and how urbanization erases the weight of Natural Law upon us. Introduction and Announcements: Support our podcast…

    more
  47. Ep 65 Natural Law, Part 1

    In these episodes, Brandon and Lauren discuss Natural Law, what it is, and how it is observable on the farm. They also share the new direction the podcast is going, pork shares availability, and the last Summer Family Pig Class. Introduction and Announcements: Last Summer Family Pig class is…

    more
  48. Fasting, Fat and Feasting With Fat, Part 2

    In these episodes, Brandon and Lauren discuss fasting and how fat compliments it so beautifully. They share their experiences with fasting, how it has enhanced their lives, and some of the meaning behind it. In Part 2, they talk about the challenges of living in an abundant and convenient world....

  49. Ep. 63: Fasting, Fat and Fasting with Fat, Part 1

    In these episodes, Brandon and Lauren discuss fasting and how fat compliments it so beautifully. They share their experiences with fasting, how it has enhanced their lives, and some of the meaning behind it. They also suggest ways that fat can be incorporated into one's practice of fasting. In…

    more
  50. Ep. 62: Eating Geese, Broken Truck & 'Side' Farming, Part 2

    In this episode, Part 2 of a 2 part series, Lauren and Brandon discuss the benefits and challenges of taking on various farm "side' gigs (pigs, broilers, goat kids, rabbits, beef, sheep, duck eggs, vegetables). They highlight important factors that need to be taken into consideration in deciding...

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

This podcast is for anyone desiring to learn more about the human process of traditional, ethical, economic and delicious livestock processing and eating. Brandon and Lauren Sheard, co-hosts and owners of Farmstead Meatsmith--their small-scale, custom processing and education business--talk all things meat related: from practical knowledge to the philosophical inspiration behind growing, harvesting and eating meat.

HOSTED BY

Farmstead Meatsmith

Produced by Lauren Sheard

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does A Meatsmith Harvest have?

A Meatsmith Harvest currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is A Meatsmith Harvest about?

This podcast is for anyone desiring to learn more about the human process of traditional, ethical, economic and delicious livestock processing and eating. Brandon and Lauren Sheard, co-hosts and owners of Farmstead Meatsmith--their small-scale, custom processing and education business--talk all...

How often does A Meatsmith Harvest release new episodes?

A Meatsmith Harvest has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to A Meatsmith Harvest?

You can listen to A Meatsmith Harvest on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts A Meatsmith Harvest?

A Meatsmith Harvest is created and hosted by Farmstead Meatsmith.
URL copied to clipboard!