The Germinate Podcast

Podcast: The Germinate Podcast
Host: Joe Sampson
Guest: Chelsea Bodin and David James
In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with labor and employment attorneys Chelsea Bodin and David James of Nyland Johnson Lewis to unpack one of the most complex and rapidly evolving areas of business today: the employee employer relationship.

What begins as a conversation about HR trends quickly expands into a broader discussion about how employment law has fundamentally shifted over the past decade. Chelsea and David explain how the regulatory landscape has moved from primarily federal oversight to a growing patchwork of state specific laws. With remote work expanding across state lines, employers are now navigating multi state compliance challenges even when they consider themselves local businesses.

The conversation dives into the rise of paid family and medical leave laws, the growing complexity of leave management, and how employers can balance compliance with compassion. They explore the importance of consistency in applying workplace policies and how well structured employee handbooks can help mitigate disputes before they escalate into litigation.

Joe raises the trend of fractional HR services and whether outsourcing human resources functions creates risk for small and mid sized manufacturers. Chelsea and David share insights on how organizations may unintentionally expose themselves to greater liability by underinvesting in proactive HR infrastructure, particularly in industries like manufacturing where operational disruption can have significant consequences.

The discussion also touches on the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. From clients requesting law firms to use AI tools for efficiency, to employees using AI platforms to initiate pro se litigation without attorneys, Chelsea and David explain how technology is reshaping both sides of the employment landscape.
They preview their upcoming session at the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Supply Summit and Showcase in San Antonio, where they will address evolving drug testing laws, cannabis legalization, discipline and termination best practices, and create an open forum for manufacturers to ask real time questions about workforce challenges.
At its core, this episode highlights how rapidly the employment environment is changing and why proactive education, consistent processes, and strong industry relationships matter more than ever.
Contact Information:
Nyland Johnson Lewis
Website: https://www.njlattorneys.com

Host: Joe Sampson
Guest: Roger Murdoch
In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with longtime industry leader Roger Murdoch for a wide ranging conversation about agriculture, innovation, relationships, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a changing world.
Roger’s journey into agriculture was anything but conventional. Originally pursuing telecommunications and working as a news cameraman in Wisconsin, he ultimately followed his passion for farming and earned a dual degree in Business Administration and Animal Science. From there, he built a decades long career in sales, marketing, global manufacturing, and supply chain across major agricultural equipment companies before joining Montag Manufacturing.
Throughout the conversation, Roger reflects on what he has learned from working across large global corporations, supply chain organizations, and mid market shortline manufacturers. He shares how those varied experiences shaped his perspective on customer relationships, innovation speed, and how different company structures impact the ability to bring products to market.
A key theme of the discussion is return on investment. In today’s tighter ag economy, Roger emphasizes that growers cannot simply chase yield. Instead, they must evaluate how every purchase, input, and operational decision impacts profitability per acre. From fertilizer banding versus broadcasting to smarter nutrient placement, he explains how improving efficiency can drive stronger financial outcomes even in challenging commodity cycles.
The conversation also dives into global agriculture. Roger shares insights from international markets including Australia, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Europe, discussing how production practices differ and how emerging regions are rapidly improving their output. As global crop production expands, he highlights the importance of developing new domestic demand channels such as ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel to balance supply.
Joe and Roger also discuss farm shows and their evolving role in the industry. From World Ag Expo in California to Commodity Classic and Agritechnica in Germany, Roger explains why face to face relationships still matter in a digital world. He shares why shortline manufacturers have unique advantages at international exhibitions and how organizations like the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association provide critical resources for smaller companies looking to grow.
At its core, this episode is about relationships, adaptability, and continuous learning. Roger reflects on the importance of collaboration in a small industry, the value of not burning bridges, and why innovation often moves fastest through nimble shortline companies willing to solve niche problems quickly.
Whether you are a manufacturer, dealer, grower, or industry professional, this episode offers perspective on where agriculture has been, where it is now, and where opportunity may lie in the years ahead.

Host: Joe Sampson
Guest: Jason Walsmith
In this unique and deeply reflective episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with longtime Iowa musician and creative entrepreneur Jason Walsmith, best known as one half of the band The Nadas. What begins as a nostalgic look back at the 1990s Iowa music scene quickly becomes a powerful conversation about grit, reinvention, creativity, and the courage to keep evolving.
Jason shares the origin story of The Nadas, formed in 1993 during the height of the alternative and AAA music movement. From basement fraternity parties and packed nights at the OP in Cedar Falls to recording early albums above a plumbing supply shop in Fort Dodge, Jason reflects on the scrappy, do it yourself beginnings that shaped the band’s identity.
The conversation highlights the role of producer Paul Wright in helping the band elevate their sound and discover their potential. Jason pays tribute to Wright’s mentorship and influence, explaining how his guidance transformed their early recordings and helped lay the foundation for a 30 year career.
Joe and Jason explore the realities of navigating the music industry through decades of change. From independent CD production in the mid 1990s, to Napster and file sharing, to streaming platforms today, Jason explains how the business of music has evolved multiple times over the course of their career. The discussion offers a candid look at what it means to sustain a creative life when the financial model continually shifts.
Beyond music, Jason opens up about his parallel career in photography and the internal struggle of holding two creative identities at once. For years, he wrestled with being a musician with a day job in one world and a photographer who plays music in another. Eventually, he embraced a broader truth that he is simply an artist.
The episode also dives into vulnerability, creative blocks, and the discipline required to keep writing and performing after three decades. Jason discusses how creativity is not reserved for artists. It is available to anyone willing to remain curious and step outside their comfort zone. His recent move to rural Iowa, new business ventures, and even starting a herd of cattle represent a continued willingness to grow and evolve.
Throughout the conversation, Joe and Jason reflect on the magic of live performance and the moments when energy exchanges between artist and audience transcend explanation. They discuss how those experiences, even in small libraries or intimate rooms, can feel just as powerful as large arenas when authenticity and connection are present.
At its core, this episode is about staying in the game. It is about resilience, curiosity, reinvention, and choosing to live creatively no matter your profession.

In this wide-ranging and deeply insightful episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with James Shurts of Great Plains Manufacturing for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and navigating one of the most challenging periods the ag equipment industry has faced in decades.
James brings nearly 30 years of experience across agriculture, manufacturing, product strategy, and corporate leadership. Growing up on a family farm in north-central Kansas and still actively farming today, James offers a rare blend of operational insight and firsthand understanding of the realities producers face.
The discussion opens with the importance of relationships and networks in agriculture, emphasizing how trust, shared experience, and long-term connections continue to define the industry. James reflects on his career path—from early roles at Caterpillar, to corporate leadership and consulting work, and ultimately to Great Plains Manufacturing—highlighting how each chapter shaped his approach to strategy and decision-making.
Joe and James dive into the current ag downturn, exploring why this cycle feels different from past ones. They unpack the impact of inflation, trade policy, tariffs, global demand shifts, and geopolitical disruptions, including the long-term ripple effects of COVID and the Russia–Ukraine conflict. James explains how agriculture remains fundamentally driven by demand, not price, and why inconsistent global trade policy has created prolonged uncertainty for farmers and manufacturers alike.
The conversation turns toward adaptability and diversification, particularly in light of growing competition from South America. James explains why U.S. agriculture still holds key advantages in soil health, crop quality, and long-term sustainability—but only if innovation and efficiency continue to advance.
From there, the focus shifts inside the manufacturing world. James shares how Great Plains Manufacturing has worked through organizational integration following Kubota’s acquisition, emphasizing the importance of eliminating duplication while preserving brand identity and company culture. He outlines how aligning product strategy, engineering, parts, and manufacturing under one unified structure has strengthened resilience without sacrificing independence.
A significant portion of the discussion centers on disciplined portfolio management, modular product design, and the importance of balancing innovation with operational efficiency. James explains how focusing on commonality, scalability, and real customer needs allows manufacturers to weather downturns and emerge stronger.
Joe and James also explore the growing role of AI and data-driven decision-making in manufacturing and product development. Rather than hype, James frames AI as a practical tool—one that can enhance design, improve productivity, and help teams make better decisions faster, all while supporting human talent instead of replacing it.
The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on leadership, industry involvement, and giving back through organizations like the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association. James shares why strong industry networks matter now more than ever and why shaping the future beats waiting for cycles to turn.
Throughout the conversation, one message is clear: resilience comes from intentional strategy, strong culture, and the willingness to adapt—before you’re forced to.

In this forward-looking episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with ag-tech founder and industry thought leader Chris Hunsaker for a wide-ranging conversation about innovation, efficiency, and the future of agricultural equipment.Chris shares his journey from growing up on a farm in southern Idaho to leading a technology-driven company focused on improving how farms manage operations and data. A defining moment from his childhood — watching a storm wipe out ripe wheat that couldn’t be harvested in time — shaped his lifelong interest in efficiency, timing, and helping farmers gain more control in an industry where so much is unpredictable.From there, the conversation moves into the realities facing manufacturers and farms today. Joe and Chris unpack why simply making machines “bigger and faster” has limits, how legacy systems can slow innovation, and why the next wave of progress will come from smarter automation, data use, and rethinking equipment design from the ground up.Chris challenges the traditional “feed the beast” manufacturing mindset — where factories focus on keeping lines running at all costs — and explains how inventory, batch production, and rigid processes can actually hide inefficiencies. Drawing from principles like constraint management and lean thinking, he makes the case that the future belongs to companies willing to rethink how products are designed, built, and supported.The discussion also dives into the accelerating role of AI in design, engineering, and operations. Chris explains how emerging tools are already changing how software is written and how equipment could be designed in the future, lowering the barriers to innovation and opening the door for smaller, more agile companies to compete in new ways.At the center of the conversation is a consistent theme: disruption creates opportunity. For manufacturers, shortliners, and ag-tech companies, this moment represents a chance to lead again — not by copying legacy models, but by embracing automation, smarter data use, and more flexible design approaches.Chris closes by reminding listeners that innovation in agriculture isn’t abstract — it has real-world impact. When better systems help a farmer get a crop harvested before a storm hits, the benefits are immediate and meaningful.