Libsyn Directory

Bees First, Honey Second with AJ & Chryssa Gardner (364)

Release Date: 12/15/2025

Terra Vera Update: Hive Health, Biosecurity, and Varroa Control (379)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea of Terra Vera for an update on their evolving approach to honey bee health—one that goes beyond traditional varroa control. The discussion begins with a listener question on varroa management in top bar hives, highlighting the complexity of applying existing treatments across different hive configurations. From there, the conversation shifts to Terra Vera’s oxidant-based technology, which mimics natural immune responses found in mammals and honey bees. Carlos explains how...

[Bonus] Short - Midwest Honey Bee Expo Interviews: Beekeepers and Innovations (Part 1)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman record live from the floor of the Midwest Honey Bee Expo, bringing listeners a series of conversations with beekeepers, educators, and innovators shaping today’s beekeeping community. The episode captures the energy of the expo, where hundreds of beekeepers gather to learn, connect, and share ideas. From practical hive management to emerging technologies and equipment, these conversations highlight the diversity of perspectives and experiences within beekeeping. Jeff and Becky begin with David Burns, a well-known...

[Bonus] Short - Winning Honey with Stephanie Slater

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Stephanie Slater launches a new monthly series focused on honey shows, judging, and the art of presenting hive products. Stephanie begins by sharing how she got started in beekeeping, tracing her journey from attending an Earth Day presentation to becoming an active honey show competitor and judge. Her story sets the stage for a series designed to make honey shows more accessible to beekeepers at all levels. This first episode focuses on the value of entering honey shows. Stephanie explains how competition raises quality standards, helps beekeepers...

AHB Swarming with Chip Taylor and Gard Otis (378)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Dr. Chip Taylor and Dr. Gard Otis for a deep dive into Africanized honey bee swarming behavior—and what it reveals about honey bee biology. The conversation begins with a listener question on comb rotation and foundation use, offering practical spring management tips for replacing old brood frames and encouraging new comb building. From there, the discussion shifts to swarming—one of the most important reproductive behaviors in honey bees. Drawing on decades of research in South and Central America, Chip...

Bonus – Introducing Stephanie Slater: Honey Shows and Judging

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this short episode, we introduce Stephanie Slater and preview a new recurring segment focused on honey shows and judging. Stephanie joins the Beekeeping Today Podcast to share her background in beekeeping, with particular experience in participating in and judging honey shows. This area of beekeeping—often overlooked by many—plays an important role in evaluating honey quality, presentation, and craftsmanship. In this introduction, Stephanie discusses her involvement in honey shows and offers a glimpse into what goes into judging entries, from visual appearance to handling and...

Spotted Lanternfly Honey: Beekeeper Opportunity? (377)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman explore a topic that can divide beekeepers, almost immediately: spotted lanternfly honey. Today's conversation centers on spotted lanternflies, an invasive pest spreading across the eastern United States. Guests Dr. Robyn Underwood (Penn State Extension) and Dr. Ferhat Ozturk bring both field experience and research insight to the discussion. Robyn shares firsthand observations from Pennsylvania, where the insect first established, while Ferhat connects the honey produced from lanternfly honeydew to broader research on...

Bee Science: Varroa Mites with Dewey Caron (BSD-3)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Varroa mites are the most destructive parasite affecting honey bee colonies worldwide. In this Bee Science Short, Dr. Dewey Caron explains how Varroa destructor reproduces, spreads within colonies, and why understanding the mite’s biology is essential for modern beekeeping. Female Varroa mites enter brood cells shortly before they are capped and reproduce alongside the developing bee. Inside the sealed cell, mites feed on the developing bee and produce offspring that emerge with the young adult bee. Because the mite’s reproductive cycle is closely tied to brood production, populations can...

Jamie Ellis: Improving Honey Bee Health (376)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Dr. Jamie Ellis joins the Beekeeping Today Podcast to discuss current honey bee research and what it means for everyday beekeeping management. Jamie directs the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory and has spent decades studying honey bee biology, pests, and colony health. In this conversation, he shares insights from his work with beekeepers across the United States and explains how research findings translate into practical decisions in the apiary. The discussion explores how modern beekeeping continues to evolve as researchers and beekeepers work together to...

Tara Chapman: For the Bees (375)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Tara Dawn Chapman, founder of Two Hives Honey and author of For the Bees: A Handbook for Happy Beekeeping. Tara first joined the podcast during the series on building a bee business, and she returns to discuss her new book, her unconventional path into beekeeping, and why she believes every beekeeper should begin by understanding honey bee biology. Tara shares how a beekeeping class sparked a dramatic career change—from working in intelligence and traveling internationally to launching a beekeeping operation in Austin, Texas. Starting with just...

COLOSS & Honey Bee Nutrition with Dr. Priya Basu (374)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Priyadarshini “Priya” Basu of Washington State University to discuss two major topics shaping the future of beekeeping: the upcoming COLOSS North America meeting and the evolving science of honey bee nutrition. COLOSS (Prevention of Colony Losses) is an international nonprofit network of more than 2,000 honey bee researchers across 113 countries. For the first time, a multi–task force North American meeting will be held June 6–12 at Washington State University in Pullman. The event will bring together researchers, beekeepers, veterinarians,...

More Episodes

This week on Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome AJ and Chryssa Gardner of REBEL44 to discuss an approach to beekeeping rooted in stewardship rather than production. What began as a small garden project quickly evolved into a carefully managed sideline operation now spanning multiple apiaries and more than a hundred colonies.

AJ shares how observing bee behavior—and listening closely to what the bees “tell you”—shaped his management philosophy. Rather than focusing on maximizing honey yields, AJ emphasizes nutrition, gentle genetics, low mite pressure, and allowing colonies to overwinter on their own terms. That mindset has led to remarkable overwintering success and strong, resilient colonies.

Chryssa adds an important perspective on food systems, honey authenticity, and why knowing the beekeeper behind the honey matters. Together, they explain how REBEL44 produces hyper-local, varietal honeys, harvested in short nectar windows that capture the unique character of specific plants, locations, and seasons. From blackberry to Japanese knotweed, each harvest tells a story.

The conversation also explores their immersive educational experiences, where families, beginners, and even corporate groups suit up, step into the apiary, and reconnect with nature. AJ describes how these hands-on visits often change how people think about bees, food, and stewardship.

This episode is a reminder that when beekeepers slow down, observe, and put bees first, the rewards—healthy colonies, meaningful education, and exceptional honey—follow naturally.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

Rebel44 Website: https://rebel44.com
Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org
Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
The National Honey Board: https://honey.com
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

HiveIQ

HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you’re managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ’s smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com.

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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