As the holiday season arrives, so does the familiar soundtrack that fills homes, offices, and festive gatherings everywhere. From classic carols about snowy sleigh rides and cozy fireside moments to modern seasonal hits, music has long been the backdrop of holiday traditions. But what if this year, alongside your favorite songs, you added something a little different to your holiday listening lineup? A new podcast series from the California Beef Council (CBC) offers just that—an engaging and meaningful way to celebrate the season by connecting listeners to the people and stories behind California’s beef industry.
Designed as special bonus content to complement the California Beef Council’s popular holiday storytelling platform, Meat Up with California Ranchers is a new podcast mini-series that brings ranching voices directly to consumers. The series expands on CBC’s annual holiday content focused on beef-forward recipes, entertaining tips, and seasonal inspiration, adding a deeply human dimension to the experience. Rather than simply talking about what’s on the plate, the podcast invites listeners to meet the families, producers, and communities who make those meals possible.
“At its heart, this podcast is about conversation and connection,” said Annette Kassis, Director of Consumer & Brand Marketing for the California Beef Council and executive producer of the series. “In each episode, we sit down with cattle ranchers and beef producers from across California to hear their stories—their family histories, how they care for their cattle and the land, and the traditions that make California ranching so unique. These are fun conversations with some very interesting people.”
The mini-series highlights the diversity, resilience, and innovation that define California’s beef industry. Each episode offers a candid look at the lives of ranchers and producers whose work is deeply tied to the land, shaped by generations of experience, and continually evolving to meet modern expectations around sustainability, animal care, and environmental stewardship.
Listeners are introduced to a wide range of voices from across the state, each bringing a distinct perspective shaped by geography, heritage, and personal journey. One episode features San Diego County ranchers Alli and Bryce Fender, co-owners and operators of the Flying F Ranch. The couple is known for their memorable motto, “We Give a Flying F About Beef,” which reflects their hands-on, transparent, and values-driven approach to ranching. Through their conversation, listeners gain insight into how younger generations of ranchers are blending tradition with bold branding and direct engagement with consumers.
Another episode spotlights Nicole Morris, a fourth-generation dairy farmer and dairy science college professor widely recognized online as “The Milk Diva.” Beyond her academic work, Morris has earned national recognition for coaching one of the country’s top dairy cattle judging teams. Her story illustrates the intersection of education, advocacy, and hands-on farming, showing how modern producers wear many hats while staying deeply connected to their roots.
Family legacy is a recurring theme throughout the series, including in the episode featuring Jimmy and Steven Maxey, a father-and-son duo representing three generations of involvement in California’s beef industry. From ranching origins to innovative butcher shops and creative food partnerships, the Maxey family demonstrates how adaptability and entrepreneurship can keep agriculture relevant, local, and community-focused.
The podcast also features Rizpah Bellard, a social entrepreneur, cowgirl, and president of Nova Farming. Raised on a ranch and educated at Cornell University, Bellard now dedicates her work to reconnecting children and families with the origins of their food. Her episode highlights the growing importance of agricultural literacy and outreach, particularly in an increasingly urbanized state like California.
Women-led ranching stories take center stage as well, including the episode with Betsy Behlen and her daughter Brooke Helsel of the Dot Seven Ranch. Together, they represent nearly a century of family ranching history. Their conversation explores how they balance respect for long-standing traditions with a willingness to innovate, ensuring the ranch remains viable for future generations while honoring the values that built it.
Sustainability and innovation are further emphasized in the episode featuring Jack Hoekstra, a third-generation dairyman whose work bridges family tradition with forward-thinking practices. Hoekstra discusses how embracing innovation can strengthen both environmental stewardship and long-term farm success without losing sight of legacy.
Another powerful family story comes from Mike and Matt Byrne, a father-and-son team from the Robert A. Byrne Company. With a six-generation ranching legacy, the Byrnes are now leaders in regenerative ranching, rotational grazing, and wildlife-focused conservation. Their episode sheds light on how conservation and beef production can work hand in hand, reinforcing the role ranchers play in protecting open spaces and ecosystems.
Hosting the series is Monti Rossetti, whose conversational style helps draw out personal stories while making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. Meat Up with California Ranchers is produced in partnership with Hearst StoryStudio, ensuring high production quality and compelling storytelling. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms, making it easy for listeners to tune in whether they’re cooking, traveling, or relaxing during the holidays.
The launch of the podcast aligns with CBC’s broader holiday content lineup, which continues to serve as a resource for consumers looking to make beef a centerpiece of their seasonal celebrations. This year’s holiday features include The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Beef, Reinvent the Holiday Progressive Dinner Party, Holiday Treasures on a Budget, and Holiday Beef & Beverage Pairings. Together, these stories offer inspiration for menus, entertaining ideas, and practical tips designed to fit a variety of tastes, budgets, and traditions.
By pairing these culinary resources with authentic rancher stories, the California Beef Council aims to deepen consumer understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from. The podcast underscores the idea that holiday meals are not just about recipes, but about relationships—between families, communities, and the land itself.
As listeners curate their holiday playlists this season, Meat Up with California Ranchers offers a fresh and meaningful addition. It’s an invitation to slow down, listen, and connect with the people behind one of California’s most iconic agricultural industries—making the holidays not only delicious, but deeply rooted in shared stories and traditions.
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