The Germinate Podcast

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Samson sits down with Tim Burenga of WorkSaver for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, faith, and what it truly takes to build and sustain a business through uncertain times.Tim shares candid reflections on growing up in a family business, witnessing firsthand the sacrifices and pressure his parents endured during challenging economic cycles. From long hours and financial strain to the quiet strength required to keep moving forward, Tim offers a deeply personal look at the realities behind entrepreneurship that rarely get discussed.The conversation explores how strong partnerships at home shape strong leaders at work, and why surrounding yourself with the right people, personally and professionally, is essential for long-term success. Joe and Tim also dive into the importance of process, habit-building, and accountability, particularly when navigating areas outside your expertise, like finance or operations.Throughout the episode, Tim speaks openly about the role of faith, humility, and community in leadership, emphasizing that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of industry organizations like FEMA, the value of collective knowledge, and why staying connected to the broader agricultural and manufacturing ecosystem matters now more than ever.This episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation about perseverance, purpose, and the human side of business, a reminder that progress often comes not from having all the answers, but from showing up consistently, learning as you go, and leaning on the people who walk alongside you.

In Part 2 of this year-in-review conversation on The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Samson continues the discussion with Tim Dunn and Mike Parsh, diving deeper into generational change, youth development, education, and the long-term implications for the workforce.The episode opens with a candid discussion about teenagers growing up in a world dominated by smartphones and constant feedback loops. The group reflects on how social media has fundamentally changed adolescence—amplifying self-awareness, comparison, anxiety, and pressure in ways previous generations never experienced. While teenage behavior may be universal across cultures, the immediacy and intensity of digital feedback has reshaped how young people see themselves and the world.From there, the conversation shifts toward faith and meaning. Joe shares observations from college football interviews where young athletes openly credit their faith, sparking a broader discussion about whether younger generations are searching for something more grounded amid cultural noise and uncertainty. While overall religious participation may be declining, the group explores the possibility that some young people are seeking truth, stability, and purpose in response to chaos rather than despite it.A significant portion of the episode focuses on education and accountability. Tim, speaking from decades of experience in education, describes how expectations in schools have changed—particularly around grading, deadlines, retakes, and consequences. The group debates whether current systems truly prepare students for the realities of adult life and work, where mistakes often carry real and lasting consequences.Joe, Tim, and Mike connect these educational shifts to broader workforce concerns. With many young people uncertain about job availability, homeownership, and long-term stability, the conversation explores how a lack of clear goals and attainable milestones can impact motivation, responsibility, and confidence. They reflect on how difficult it has become to achieve what once felt like simple aspirations—owning a home, starting a family, building a stable life—and how that reality shapes generational outlook.The episode also examines the challenges employers face managing five generations in the workforce at once. Mike shares insights from working with organizations navigating generational differences in communication styles, expectations, benefits, and engagement. From preference for human interaction versus AI-driven support to differences in how information is consumed, the group highlights the complexity businesses face in connecting meaningfully across age groups.As the conversation closes, the group returns to a central theme: the importance of human connection, accountability, and presence. While technology and AI continue to advance, Joe, Tim, and Mike emphasize that relationships, responsibility, and shared experiences remain essential to personal fulfillment and societal stability. Rather than offering easy answers, the episode invites reflection on how individuals, parents, educators, and leaders can help the next generation find purpose in an increasingly digital world.

In this special, reflective episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Samson is joined by close friends Tim Dunn and Mike Pash for an unscripted conversation that blends technology, faith, friendship, and the importance of presence in an increasingly chaotic world The discussion opens with a candid look at technology and AI, not as a threat, but as a tool—one that should ultimately serve people rather than replace meaning or human connection. Joe shares a story about AI’s impact on radiology, highlighting how technology has made professionals more efficient without eliminating the need for human judgment. Tim and Mike reflect on where they personally engage with technology and where they intentionally step away from it.From there, the conversation naturally shifts toward purpose. Joe references a recent discussion with a college quarterback about faith and grounding life in something bigger than productivity or achievement. The group explores the idea that efficiency alone doesn’t lead to fulfillment, and that true purpose often comes from relationships, shared experiences, and intentional time away from constant noise.As the episode winds down, Joe challenges the group to reflect on highlight moments from the year, specifically moments rooted in friendship. What follows is a heartfelt exchange of memories—from dockside evenings at the Lake of the Ozarks filled with music and unexpected community, to football weekends in Iowa City that rekindled shared history, and a golf trip that brought longtime friends back together outside the routines of daily life.The episode closes with gratitude—for friendship, for family support, and for the listeners—along with a hopeful look ahead to the coming year. Rather than offering answers or advice, this conversation serves as a reminder of the value of slowing down, staying connected, and prioritizing what truly matters.

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Samson welcomes Elad Segal, co-founder and CEO of DriftSense, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends agtech innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-life perspective from Israel during an ongoing conflict .Elad joins the show from Israel and opens up about what it’s like to build a company, raise a family, and lead a team while living under rocket alarms and constant uncertainty. He shares personal stories about evacuations, parenting young children during wartime, and how his team continues to operate as both colleagues and extended family.From there, the conversation shifts into DriftSense and the real problem the company is solving in agriculture. Elad explains that most spray decisions today rely heavily on meteorology alone—but spraying success is far more complex. DriftSense brings together chemistry, equipment setup, application method, regulations, and weather into a single algorithmic engine that helps growers and agronomists determine when and where to spray for optimal results.Joe and Elad discuss why spraying is one of the most expensive and risk-filled operations on a farm, especially as labor costs rise, chemical resistance increases, and margins tighten. Elad explains why fungicides and insecticides can cost hundreds of dollars per acre, why “pray-and-spray” is no longer sustainable, and how inefficiencies in application timing and method can waste money, time, and chemistry.The episode also dives into startup realities—how DriftSense pivoted from a regulatory-first approach to a grower-first solution after speaking with hundreds of stakeholders across the ag value chain. Elad shares candid lessons on customer discovery, saying “no” as a founder, avoiding over-customization, and focusing relentlessly on real problems rather than flashy features.Joe and Elad explore the broader theme of efficiency over yield, noting that many growers are no longer interested in promises of maximum yield, but instead want tools that help them do their existing work better, faster, and with less risk. They discuss how agtech solutions work best in combination—spray optimization alongside water optimization, maintenance software, and operational tools—rather than as one-size-fits-all answers.The conversation closes with a thoughtful reflection on technology, AI, and human connection. While automation and data continue to reshape agriculture, Joe and Elad agree that trust, relationships, and real conversations remain irreplaceable. Elad shares DriftSense’s vision of becoming the gold standard for crop protection decision-making and outlines the company’s focus on specialty crops, particularly in California.Connect with the GuestElad SegalCo-Founder & CEO, DriftSenseLinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/elad-segal-ph-d-aaa91077Email: [email protected]: https://www.drift-sense.com

In this episode, Joe Samson sits down with Christopher Pudenz, Economist and Economics & Research Manager at the Iowa Farm Bureau, to unpack what’s really happening in today’s cattle and grain markets.Chris explains why his dad’s feedlot will be empty this Christmas for the first time in 50 years, how recent policy changes and plant closures have hammered cattle futures, and why “high prices cure high prices” in a cyclical industry. They also dive into corn and soybean oversupply, Brazil’s competitive edge, emerging markets like India, and how diversification in livestock and dairy can help Iowa farmers weather the storm.The conversation closes on faith, purpose, and a surprising source of optimism: a coming return to what’s real and authentic in rural America.Thank you to our sponsors:GBGI – Planter attachment parts, manufacturing & distributionWebsite: GBGIUSA.comHaven Steel – Steel products out of Haven, Kansas & McKenzie, TennesseeWebsite: HavenSteel.comFarm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) – Supporting the equipment makers who support American farmersMore informaiton on our guestGuest: Christopher PudenzRole: Economics & Research Manager (Economist), Iowa Farm BureauLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpudenzIowa Farm Bureau: https://www.iowafarmbureau.com