The Rural Dispatch

Behrens & Co

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front. I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.  I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.   If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.  In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.  Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.

  1. Sep 23

    Changing Gears: Building a Business in Trailer Repair & Sales

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Sometimes the biggest changes start with simply deciding it’s time to do something different. This week, Smoke and Aly are joined by repeat guest Paul Radloff, owner of PAR Repair Inc. and the new owner of Wagner Trailer Sales, along with Chad Evers of PAR Repair. Paul talks about moving on from Agar Transportation and making the jump to Wagner Trailer Sales, while Chad shares how he went from onion farming to dispatching trucks to working in the repair business. They get into what it actually takes to build a new shop, the day-to-day ins and outs of operating one, and the lessons that come with building something from the ground up. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Paul talks about how stepping away from dispatching trucks has impacted his health, and Chad opens up about his own health journey after recently losing 105 pounds in just four months — with more still to go. New businesses, new chapters, hard work and making changes when something isn’t working anymore. It’s a conversation about building a life and a business that works better for you. Follow along with PAR Repair and Wagner Trailer Sales for updates on their new shop and what’s coming next. Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    Changing Gears: Building a Business in Trailer Repair & Sales
  2. Sep 9

    Cattle Markets, Beef Prices & the Future of the Family Farm with Will Epperly

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! The cattle industry is facing plenty of uncertainty — from recent packing plant closures and volatile markets to the challenges of keeping the next generation on the farm. In this episode Aly and Smoke sit down with Will Epperly for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of the cattle business and what it takes to keep raising livestock in an increasingly complicated world. They talk about the impact of recent plant closures on cattle markets, how cattlemen are managing risk, and whether consumers can expect beef prices to come down. Will also shares his perspective on the challenges independent producers face and why cattlemen can sometimes become an easy target when markets and politics collide. The conversation goes beyond the markets, and touches on the difficult reality of keeping the next generation involved in agriculture. They talk about raising kids around livestock and the commitment required to keep a livestock operation going — even when life, travel, or Mother Nature gets in the way. Plus, they touch on Livestock Marketing Association's Common Ground Coalition initiatives, and just how much cattlemen truly care about the animals and lifestyle they’ve built their lives around. Will also shares about his dad’s upcoming herd dispersal at Dunlap Livestock Auction on September 16, 2026. In this episode: The current state of the cattle industryHow recent packing plant closures are affecting cattle marketsManaging risk in an uncertain marketWill consumers see beef prices come down?Inheritance taxes and keeping the next generation on the farmAccess to land for the next generation of ranchersThe never-ending fight against Mother NatureThe commitment required to keep a livestock operation goingRaising kids around cattle and livestockThe World Auctioneer ContestLMA and Common Ground Coalition initiativesThe challenges facing independent cattle producersEpperly Dispersal SaleWhy cattlemen care so deeply about their livestock and lifestyleWork, family and travelSupport the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    Cattle Markets, Beef Prices & the Future of the Family Farm with Will Epperly
  3. Aug 26

    The Greiner Guide to Business, Family, Wellness & Everything in Between

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! What can the Greiners teach us about building a successful business, raising a family, prioritizing wellness, and navigating everything in between? Matt and Ashley Greiner join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the lessons they’ve learned while building businesses, working alongside family, raising a family of their own, and making time for personal wellness. Between Greiner Buildings, real estate development, property management, a software startup, Life Styled By Us, and Ashley’s career as an ARNP while also pursuing her Doctorate, the Greiners have learned a thing or two about balancing a lot of moving parts. We talk about recognizing opportunities for change, making tough decisions, building an A+ team, and knowing when it’s time to take a different approach. We also get into the personal side of the equation — from balancing work and family to making wellness a priority and the role faith plays in their decisions. Matt and Ashley share plenty of practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and words of wisdom from their own experiences. It’s a candid conversation about business, family, wellness, faith and the many twists and turns that come with building a life and a business along the way. Follow Greiner Buildings | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok Follow Life Styled By Us | Facebook | Instagram Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    The Greiner Guide to Business, Family, Wellness & Everything in Between

Trailer

5
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front. I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.  I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.   If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.  In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.  Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.

You Might Also Like