282: International Exposure
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the drastic differences in the show world outside of the US.
281: Outside the Comfort Zone
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's topic of discussion focuses on doing things outside the norm to achieve growth, educ...
280: Be Envious Not Jealous
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss how jealousy is one of the most negative factors that effect mot only the stoc...
279: Power of the Potential
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss how every single person at a show has the potential to make a positive impact ...
278: How Many Judges Does It Take?
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of using single or numerous livestock judges for shows.
277: The Journey
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan share personal experiences about “The Search,” “The Feeding,” and “The Targe...
276: To Be Determined
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss how to prepare when the Grand Drive is at a set time or different date.
275: I Said What I Said
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The topic of this week's discussion is Ryan’s latest social media post that garnered a lot of ...
274: Do Not Do It
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A follow up to last week's episode, Ryan and Dale discuss situations and things to avoid in the ...
273: Just Do It
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale offer strategies livestock show families might want to try.
272: No Judge Has a Crystal Ball
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale mainly argue over judges using projections and future predictions in their evaluation....
271: Correlation Confusion
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss correlations that may or may not hold true and have been in play in the show r...
270: From the Perspective of National Show Judges - Part 2
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this series, Ryan and Dale reveal more insights on species-specific questions from a su...
269: From a National Show Judge's Perspective – Part 1
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this two-part series, Ryan and Dale share the results of survey questions asked to 40 livestock s...
268: Protect Your Investment
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss multiple ways you can put in protect your livestock investment.
267: How Much is Too Much
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan focus on how much time is devoted to livestock show projects.
266: Cost of a Judge
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan talk about all the expenses obvious and hidden that are involved in going to judge a s...
265: Minor Breed Discrimination
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's topic explores why minor breeds are often overlooked in a grand drive.
264: Let's Make Judging Contests Great Again
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the need to evolve and make each Judging Contest as best possible.
263: All About Show Rules
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan explore the intent behind show rules and how they often produce unintended outcomes. W...
262: Feeding 101
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's topic focuses on the basics of feeding show animals in terms of nutrition, rations and s...
261: Sold
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the different way show animals are bought and sold.
260: Showbreaking 101
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale have a lengthy discussion about the methods, myths, tricks and tips of getting animals...
259: Making Contact
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss contacting judges.
258: Offense Is The Best Defense
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss how sometimes showman can't always be the "nice guy" in all situ...
257: They Said What - Part 2
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale continue the discussion on terminology that is often used at stock shows but not alway...
256: They Said What - Part 1
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss terminology often used at stock shows but not always understood.
255: Next-Level Stock Show Tech: SenseHub Unveiled
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale & Ryan chat with Merck Animal Health's Mallory Liss & Jordan Cowan about SenseHub C...
254: Stock Show Style
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale dive into the current trends in show stock presentation.
253: Weight Watchers
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The topic of discussion for this week is all things market show weight breaks.
252: Hunting Unicorns
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the importance of what to look for in a new stock show purchase.
251: DEI - Didn’t Earn It
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss a recurring theme about how work ethic effects the stock show industry.
250: Mind Your Manners
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss stock show etiquette and how we can be more accommodating and mindful of other...
249: Golden Age of Stock Shows
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale talk about how we can all try and make stock shows the best they can be.
248: Free At Last, Free at Last
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss what small animal showmen should do with their free hand while showing.
247: Skeletal Discrepancies in the Ring
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the inconsistencies among judges and across species regarding structural issue...
246: Mindblowing Mindset
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the factors that affect an exhibitor's mindset and performance in the show rin...
245: Judge What They Brought - Judging 4 of 4
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You have to judge what they bring you - Dale and Ryan discuss what would seem to be a straightforwar...
244: Subconscious Sorting - Judging 3 of 4
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Subconscious Sorting and other outside influences. Ryan and Dale have an extremely transparent conve...
243: Reasons for a Reason
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan (mostly Ryan) discuss the lack of accuracy and forethought judges give on the micropho...
242: ABCs of Judging - 1 of 4
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1 of the ABCs of Judging. Dale and Ryan talk about the basic things that are expected of judges...
241: Showmanship Struggle
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale dive into why exhibitors show differently in showmanship versus the actual show.
240: Livestock Judging Teams 2.0
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, in honor of the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest at NAILE, Ryan and Dale dis...
239: The Price Is Right
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the factors that influence the cost of show stock.
238: Decisions Have Consequences
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the impact of deciding who is judging and how it affects everything.
237: Pressure Points When Attending Major Shows
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale highlight several pressure points that cause human stress when competing at National L...
236: Trending 2.0 (4 of 4)
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back By popular demand; the TRENDING series. The fourth and final of the 4-part series covers Show C...
235: True Value of Showmanship
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss what being a great showman should be about and how it should be evaluated.
234: Trending 2.0 (3 of 4)
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand, the *trending* series, the third of a four-part series, covers show goat tre...
233: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss things that happen in and around the show ring that come off as disrespectful,...
232: Trending 2.0
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand, the TRENDING series is back. The second of the four-part series covers sheep...
231: Social Media 2.0
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale revisit the topic of social media use in the livestock show industry.
230: Now Trending 2.0
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand the trending series is back the first episode is about hog’s with Ryan’s ...
229: National Show Wars
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the positives, negatives and differences in each of the National Major Shows.
228: Attainable Achievements
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss how each stock show family should set goals for each show so each outing can b...
227: Obesity in Show Animals
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan declares war on what he believes is an Epidemic in the show ring, and Dale tries to calm him do...
226: Attitude and Atmosphere are Contagious
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss how the atmosphere and attitudes of people outside the show ring affect those ...
225: Before and After
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the critical periods before you start showing and what comes afterward.
224: Everything County Fair
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale recognize that the county fair is the lifeline of the Junior Livestock Show. They atte...
223: I Volunteer as Tribute
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale is MIA on vacation again, so Ryan discusses the importance of volunteerism in the stock show in...
222: How Old Is Old Enough ?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale brings to the forefront the trend of show stock being older and more mature … Ryan rails agai...
BTC: Trump Assassination Attempt
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss all the details and facts that have come to light 12 hours after the attempted...
221: Ring Savvy
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale explain the lost art of being Ring Savvy which can increase your competitive edge in m...
220: Snap Shot
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss how sometimes as spectators we forget the judges only get a snapshot of the an...
BTC: Debate Delusion
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan, with guest Chase, discuss the Presidential Debate fallout and the path forward.
219: Barn Blind
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the various causes and effects of the dual sides of “barn blindness.“
218: If You Know, You Know
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan try to break the surface of how crucial knowing your animal is in feeding, fitting, an...
217: Showmanship Pet Peeves 2.0
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss their latest list of showmanship faux pas currently in the show ring.
216: Crossing The Line
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss tactics that are used to influence livestock judges.
BTC: Big House to the White House
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Beyond The Circus Dale and Ryan discuss the Trump Conviction and the truth and co...
215: Define Integrity
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale survived his Out Of Africa experience and is back to discuss integrity in the stock show world....
214: Arm Yourself
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale is still missing in action during his 'Out Of Africa' excursion, so Ryan has to go solo again f...
213: What Not To Wear
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan is solo this week as Dale is in Africa fighting to stay alive! Ryan talks about show clothing c...
212: Put Me In Coach
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss all things coaching kids how to show livestock.
211: Complications with Classification
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss complications with the various methods currently utilized to determine what br...
210: Optical Illusions
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan primarily argue if methods and techniques used to create optical illusions on the show...
209: The Rona Effect
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the differences between a pre and post Covid world in the stock show industry....
208: Skeletal Build?
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan acknowledge that skeletal correctness is high on all judge’s list of priorities, yet...
207: Trends?
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan cover a topic in which they have minimal common ground. Even if you’re not intereste...
BTC - Easter Edition
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan rants about Biden declaring Easter Transgender Visibility Day. Dale talks about the Border. Bot...
206: Rank The Judge
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss an issue they have quarreled over for years, but hopefully, a solution and pro...
205: Do’s and Don’ts 2.0 - Part B
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale finish out the discussion that started last week.
205: Do’s and Don’ts 2.0 - Part A
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan rants and raves about what and what not to do. Dale listens.
203: Timing is Everything
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss how timing affects every facet of stock shows.
201: Reasons Why
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the podcast's past, present, and future.
200: Better Safe Than Sorry
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss tips to prevent theft and damage at stock shows.
199: Playing The Game
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale have real talk discussion about some of the strategies used in the world of stock show...
198: EST's in the Ring
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the increased use of the most extreme pieces (EST's) in the show ring. There ...
197: Do You Hear What I Hear?
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss listening to the judges at shows.
196: Back to Back Judges
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of having the same judge two years in a row.
BTC: The PRIMARY Path
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale break down the Iowa Caucus and discuss the path forward for the remaining Republican C...
195: Anything & Everything About Online Sales
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale breakdown anything and everything about online sales.
194: The Ten Commandments of Livestock Shows
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To start off 2024 Ryan has developed a stock show list of commandments that he and Dale discuss.
193: Livestock Judging 2.0
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale revisit all things about livestock judging contest.
192: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss how stock show families are gearing up for one of the year's most exciting and...
191: Battle of the Sexes
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Discuss how some sexes are equal in the different stock show species and other times not so...
190: Anything and Everything Cloning
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan, Dale, and the always favorite guest, Chase Hummel, discuss cloning on multiple levels.
189: Why Ask Why
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the importance of asking questions.
188: Selection Stereotypes
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dale and Ryan discuss the various factors in the selection of show prospects.
187: Judging Assistants
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan and Dale discuss the ins and outs of a two-person judging system.