Raising The Steaks: Craft, Care, and the Customer: What Makes a Great Steak
Steak Bites
Welcome to Raising the Steaks, a special series within the Steak Bites podcast that takes you behind the scenes at Colorado Craft Beef. We tackle listener questions, break down industry trends, and dig into the real issues shaping our food system, health, and the future of American ranching. No fluff—just honest conversations, expert insights, and a closer look at what it takes to bring high-quality beef from our ranch to your plate. In this episode, we dive deep into what truly makes a great steak—from genetics and grazing to dry aging and consumer cooking habits. Kara shares the...
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Why Craft, Legacy, and Truth Still Matter — A Conversation with Pete Roberts
Steak Bites
In this episode of Steak Bites, we sit down with Pete Roberts — co-founder of Origin USA and Jocko Fuel, and a fierce advocate for American manufacturing, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship. What starts as a sharp, 30-minute dive into the erosion of quality, the consequences of outsourcing, and the decline of U.S. industry evolves into a full-spectrum conversation about business, legacy, culture, and the future of the American dream. Pete breaks down how consumers were conditioned to trade quality for convenience, how deceptive “Made in the USA” labels mislead the public, and why...
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Raising the Steaks: From the Ground Up: How We Raise Calves—and Our Daughters
Steak Bites
Welcome to Raising the Steaks, a special series within the Steak Bites podcast that takes you behind the scenes at Colorado Craft Beef. We answer your questions, unpack industry shifts, and dive into the real issues shaping our food, health, and the future of American ranching. No fluff—just raw insight, expert takes, and an honest look at what it really takes to raise high-quality beef from pasture to plate. In this episode, Jay Knight interviews Colorado Craft Beef co-founder Kara Smith for a deep look at spring branding, animal health, and raising cattle the right way—from the ground...
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From Octagon to Homefront: UFC’s Raquel Pennington on Feeding Strength
Steak Bites
In this episode of Steak Bites, UFC champion Raquel Pennington shares a powerful look at how mental discipline, nutrition, and motherhood intersect in her life as both an elite athlete and intentional parent. She details how transitioning to a whole-food, largely carnivore-style diet—centered on high-quality red meat, eggs, fruit, and vegetables—dramatically improved her skin, energy, sleep, recovery, and overall performance. Even outside of fight camp, Raquel continues to feel stronger, leaner, and more balanced by prioritizing nutrient-dense, ancestral foods. The conversation moves from...
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It’s More Than Beef—It’s a Life’s Work
Steak Bites
Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in rural veterinary medicine—or what it takes to ensure the health and welfare of the animals that become part of our food system? In this episode of Steak Bites, Dr. Darcy joins us to share her journey as a rural veterinarian and the lessons learned along the way. From middle-of-the-night calving calls to helping ranchers navigate vaccine protocols and antibiotic decisions, Dr. Darcy brings a practical, compassionate, and deeply human perspective to animal health. She talks about the long hours, the responsibility, and the grit it takes to...
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Food, Policy & Power: How What We Eat Shapes the Nation
Steak Bites
In this episode of Steak Bites, Kara Smith sits down with Katharine Lotspeich for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of food systems, policy, and how what we eat shapes the future of our nation. Katharine brings her unique perspective, growing up on a dairy farm and working in both state legislatures and the agritech sector, providing invaluable insight into how food and agricultural policies are created—and how they often miss the mark when applied in real-world settings. Together, Kara and Katharine explore the disconnect between food production and consumption in America....
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Ranching by Nature's Clock: What Really Fuels Great Beef
Steak Bites
In this episode, Jay Knight sits down with Kara Smith to explore the realities of spring on the ranch and the deep connection ranchers have with nature. Kara explains how spring turnout—when cattle are released to graze—isn’t just about a calendar date. It’s a careful balance of temperature, moisture, and pasture readiness, especially in the unique Colorado Sandhills, where native grass supports sustainable, efficient beef production. They dive into the complexities of managing cattle on native rangeland, touching on topics like short growing seasons, animal health, and the importance...
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Flames of Excellence: Crafting a Five-Star BBQ Experience
Steak Bites
joins the podcast to discuss his passion for barbecue and live fire cooking, which started at a young age under the influence of his Texas-born father. He shares how cooking over charcoal became a lifelong love, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. Jack explains how he turned this passion into a career by hosting high-end barbecue experiences, partnering with top brands, and working with luxury hotels to elevate the backyard barbecue into a five-star experience. His philosophy centers around building community through food, connecting people to their meals, and valuing...
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Raising the Steaks: Staying True to the Craft
Steak Bites
Welcome to Raising the Steaks, a special series within the Steak Bites podcast that takes you behind the scenes at . We tackle listener questions, break down industry trends, and dig into the real issues shaping our food system, health, and the future of American ranching. No fluff—just honest conversations, expert insights, and a closer look at what it takes to bring high-quality beef from our ranch to your plate. In this episode of Raising the Steaks, we dive into the philosophy and future of Colorado Craft Beef. The discussion centers on staying true to their expertise—producing...
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Own It All: Leadership, Parenting & Growth with Jamie Cochran
Steak Bites
In this episode of Steak Bites, host Kara Smith sits down with , Chief Operating Officer of Echelon Front, to explore leadership, resilience, and the power of extreme ownership. Echelon Front, founded by former Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, is built on the principles outlined in their bestselling book, . shares her unconventional career path—leaving a secure role in higher education to take a risk with . As she initially stepped into an administrative role, her willingness to check her ego, add value, and embrace leadership ultimately led her to become COO of the company. The...
info_outlineIn this episode, Kara Smith sits down with Ryan Manion, CEO of the Travis Manion Foundation, to explore the powerful mantra "If not me, then who?"—a motto that her late brother, Travis Manion, lived by before his final deployment. Ryan shares how this phrase became the foundation’s guiding principle, inspiring her family to continue his legacy of service. The Travis Manion Foundation focuses on empowering veterans, supporting families affected by military loss, and fostering resilience in the next generation through veteran-led character development programs.
Throughout the conversation, Ryan and Kara discuss the importance of education, personal resilience, and the lessons passed down to the next generation. They touch on the values of military service, agricultural traditions, and the power of service as a healing tool. Ryan emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between the civilian and military worlds for the future and how resilience is built through stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
They also explore the role of leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries, such as the veteran and beef communities. Drawing from their personal experiences, they discuss how individuals can lead by example, showing strength, adaptability, and perseverance, while encouraging others to take on challenges and break through barriers. The conversation highlights how embracing discomfort, facing fears, and cultivating resilience can leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Learn more about Ryan Manion and the Travis Manion Foundation.
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For more information about Colorado Craft Beef, visit us online at coloradocraftbeef.com
Until next time, stay inspired and keep building your legacy with purpose.