the JOE show

What happens when two twins walk into the Iowa State Fair with a pair of really good lambs and walk out with the two biggest titles of the day? Well, this year, the Williams girls did exactly that.

Whitney Williams was named Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb, while her twin sister, Lindsey Williams, took home Reserve Grand Champion. That’s an incredible accomplishment for both of them, but what makes it even cooler is that they got to experience it together.

So today, we’re going behind the scenes of that unbelievable Iowa State Fair finish, talking about their lambs, their journey to the backdrop, and what it’s really like competing against your own twin.

Will Slagle grew up on his family’s farm and livestock operation where he learned the value of hard work from a young age. Now, he’s taking that work ethic to the next level as he prepares for a Division I football career.

Whether you want to be an athlete, raise livestock, or pursue something completely different, the habits and character you build today can shape your future.

Today, we talk with Will about how young people can build those qualities, set themselves apart, and prepare for whatever comes next. He’ll also give us an inside look at what the college recruiting process is really like.

I interview livestock exhibitors from all walks of life, but this conversation felt different.

Jimmy Tibbits of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, has earned some of the industry's highest honors, including Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Market Barrow at the Wisconsin State Fair, Beef Exhibitor of the Year, and was on a nationally winning collegiate livestock judging team. Yet, when reflecting on his journey, he didn't focus on the banners or buckles.

He talked about the stories.

Because at its core, showing and raising livestock is about much more than winning. It's about the lessons learned, the friendships built, and the experiences that shape young people into the hardworking adults who are passionate about giving back to others.

The banners may hang on the wall, but the stories are what stay with us for a lifetime.

On my show and in the world of livestock, we talk a lot about winning, but anyone who’s been part of it knows the real story is about the team behind the banners. And when you reach that final year of eligibility, every step in the ring means just a little bit more and you start to see it all a little differently.

Chloe Kemp is living that right now. As she reflects on her final season showing in Oklahoma, we’re going to talk about the team that helped shape her, the lessons she’ll carry forward, and what this journey has truly meant beyond the backdrop.

Today we have a special guest on my show. He’s someone I’ve known for a long time and actually grew up showing with right here in Iowa before he moved to Texas a few years back. I’ve always known how talented he was and now the rest of the world does too after his big win in Houston. Landry Mabry recently took home one of the most competitive titles in the country, winning Grand Champion Market Hog while breaking a sale record and the internet during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Meet 21-year-old Mike McDonough from Oelwein, Iowa. Mike didn’t grow up on a farm or in a show barn, but today, he owns a 200-head show cattle operation. Mike’s journey is proof that hard work, integrity, and persistence can make anything possible and this story is sure to inspire anyone chasing their dreams.

On this episode of The Joe Show, I sit down with two showman who just put together an unforgettable run at the San Antonio Stock Show. Jett James claimed Grand Champion Steer, while his friend, Lawson Hale, followed right behind with Reserve Grand Champion Steer. We talk about the road to San Antonio, their friendship along the way, and what it takes to compete and win at one of the biggest stages in the show cattle industry.

Sometimes the biggest wins take time. On today’s episode of The Joe Show, I sit down with Maci Lynn from Georgia, who recently captured a huge victory at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. For the Lynn family, the moment was more than just a banner, it was the payoff to a journey 15 years in the making.

Welcome to the official kickoff of Season 3 of The Joe Show. The past couple of years have been an incredible ride, and I’m excited about where this next season is headed.

To open things up, we’re sitting down with a showman who’s found success not just in the ring, but on the judging side as well. That’s one of the things I love most about the livestock industry. There are so many paths you can take, and today’s guest is a perfect example of that.

Brody Moeller recently earned High Individual Overall and was a part of the High Point Team at the 2026 National Western Stock Show 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Denver, one of the most prestigious competitions in the country. We dive into what it took to reach the top, and the advice Brody has for those who want to follow in his footsteps.

When I made the sale at the Kansas City Royal this year, I got to watch Kelton Arthur, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, take his Grand Champion Steer through the ring. They read a little bio on each of us kids and I thought Kelton had a really neat story behind his steer, so I told my parents that I had to interview him. So today, we’re diving into Kelton’s journey in winning one of most prestigious shows in North America.

You might recognize my guest, Colt McComb, from your social media after his big win at the Indiana State Fair. We’ll talk about the story behind that unforgettable cowboy hat toss and the hard work that led up to it.

Talk about a summer to remember! I had the honor of having Chase Harker from Indiana on the show today. He’s a cattle kid that has been dominating on the circuit, racking up major wins at the Chi and Main Jr National Shows as well as the Simmental Junior Nationals. He also comes from a cool family with a long history in the cattle industry... So here we go!

On this episode, I caught up with Brayden Lancaster of Kentucky. He’s already had an incredible summer winning big banners at the Exposition, Springfield and Louisville! We chat about his showing career and the pigs that helped him get there.

A lot of the kids that come on The Joe Show are your typical livestock kids...work hard, win some banners, and tell their individual story. But on this episode, we are joined by a typical livestock kid that has taken social media by storm! Karis Dadson from California has used showing livestock and social media to bring our “sport” into the mainstream through her famous stare.

Meet Reagan and Rylan Miller, two accomplished sisters from Texas who have made waves this show season. From winning Grand and Reserve Champion Goat at the Texas State Fair to claiming Grand Champion Market Goat titles at both Rodeo Austin and the Arizona National, these girls have proven themselves as top-notch showmen. Don’t miss their story!

It’s Texas major season! I’ll be interviewing some of the recent champions, and first up is Cambrey Wilson. She just took home Reserve Grand Champion barrow at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo with her crossbred pig, Howard. (Got to love that name!) Fun fact, Howard was actually raised by some friends of ours here in Iowa. We’ll talk about how an Iowa-bred pig ended up in Cambrey’s hands, along with what it takes to make a winner.

On today’s show, my guest knew she had something special when she came across Thunder. Madilyn Norvell from Oklahoma took home the Grand Champion steer title at the 2025 National Western Stock Show. Tune in to hear more about her big win in Denver, other accomplishments and what makes her stand out from the competition.

The American Royal was founded in 1899 as the first-ever exhibition and sale of purebred cattle. 125 years later, the annual livestock show tradition continues with record-setting results.

On today's episode, meet Ruby Bell of Oklahoma. She showed this year's Grand Champion Market Steer at the Royal and although she's been showing for years, this was the milestone in her career.

Meet Olivia Shike—a trailblazer in the hog community. Olivia has been making waves this year with her Chesters at three national shows and then winning the Illinois State Fair market barrow show. In addition to pigs, she also shows horses, she’s involved with Queen contests and livestock judging.

Joining us is Sam Schmillen. Sam was Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb at this year’s Iowa State Fair 4H Show; however, that was not his first time on the purple chips. In today’s conversation, we talk about the lamb industry, his career thus far and the stories and lessons that have shaped Sam's journey.