Flipping the Table

Latest Episodes:

S8 - Ep#12 - Can We Become Citizens Again? A Conversation with Jon Alexander Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

We live in a challenging moment, where our traditional institutions are failing to address our many challenges. But there is hope. Jon Alexander, the British author of Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us, shares how deliberative democracy, citizens assemblies, relational public services, and wealth building are emergent around the globe. Food system transformation is one of the brightest examples of a renewed form of much needed citizenship.

S8 - Ep#11 - Old Salt Festival, P6: Land Stewards First. Ranchers Second. Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Through Timber Ridge Land & Cattle in Southwestern Alberta, the Halls are pioneering a model of ranching rooted in a simple belief: the land they steward is a gift, and it's their responsibility to leave it healthier, more resilient and abundant for generations to come. Their approach reflects what many now call regenerative agriculture or holistic management, but for the Halls, it began more simply: with a responsibility to care for a thriving ecosystem, and along the way, figure out how to make that commitment work as successful ranchers.

In the final episode of our 2026 Old Salt Festival series, Michael Dimock talks with father and son, Glen and Cody Hall, and Sheldon Atwood of Western Ranchlands Corporation about stewardship, succession and education, the interdependence of rural and urban communities in regional food systems, and what becomes possible when we manage working lands for ecological, economic and community health.

S8 - Ep#10 - Old Salt Festival, P5: You Know Wendell Berry. You Should Know Mary Berry. Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

You may know Wendell Berry for his writing on what we stand to lose through industrial agriculture—and what it will take to defend farmers, preserve small farms and agrarian culture, and advocate for equitable and ecological land stewardship. But you should also know his daughter, Mary Berry.

As Executive Director of The Berry Center in New Castle, Kentucky, Mary is carrying her multigenerational family legacy, philosophy and values into action. Through farmer education, direct marketing projects for local producers, a demonstration farm, cultural events and programs that strengthen local rural communities, Mary and her team are showing what a more equitable, ecological, and agrarian farming future can look like.

Enjoy our fifth out of the six podcasts featuring voices for the Old Salt Festival where Michael Dimock sits down with Mary to learn about the Berry family legacy, why small-farm agriculture matters, and the work of building a future in which farmers and healthy rural economies can thrive.

S8 - Ep#9 - Old Salt Festival, P4: The Heart of Rural America We Don't See Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Rural people are a minority in America and rural regions are often overlooked except during elections or farm bill debates. In Episode 4, we hear from two veteran rural advocates: Anna Claussen, Founder of Voices for Rural Resilience and Ash Hanson, CEO of The Department of Public Transformation, about the key reasons why overlooking the rural people, places and economies of our nation is a mistake. Their conversation invites us to look beyond our political and urban-rural differences to discover the culture, deep care, and creative resilience that is alive in rural communities—and what becomes possible when those strengths are recognized and supported. Rural people and communities have much to share with urban America that makes us a better nation.

S8 - Ep#8 - Old Salt Festival, P3: Two Women Redefining the Power of Partnership in Ranching Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Meet Jaimie Stoltzfus of P Bar Ranch and Cowgirl Meat Company and Amber Smith of Antelope Springs Ranch and Executive Director of Women in Ranching. Though separated by hundreds of miles, these first-generation ranchers, mothers, and collaborators are united by a common vision for the future of ranching.

Together, they share the story of an innovative partnership raising calves on Montana's Northern Great Plains and grass-finishing them in the Absaroka Mountains to produce regeneratively raised, grass-finished beef. Along the way, they reflect on breaking into a traditionally male-dominated industry, and why collaboration—not competition—is helping build a more resilient future for ranchers, rural communities, and the land.

S8 - Ep#7 - Old Salt Festival, P2: Purpose-Driven Capital for Regional & Regenerative Food Systems Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Steward and Grounded Capital are two companies aiding the regenerative agriculture sector expansion. Investment is critical, but only a part of the formula for success. Hear seasoned capital providers of good heart share where they see the opportunities and why regenerative has market momentum.

In Episode 2, Michael Dimock sits down with Steward's Alissa Welker, VP of Operations and Ryan Anderson, COO to explore the organization's unique community lending platform, which has financed more than 100 farms and regional food businesses across the country. Together, they discuss how innovative financing, local infrastructure, and stronger market connections can help regenerative agriculture grow.

Michael is then joined by Roots of Change's Coco Sanabria for a conversation with Stephen Hohenrieder, Founder of Grounded Capital. Drawing on decades of experience investing in agriculture and consumer brands, Stephen shares why regenerative food and farming is gaining traction, how thoughtful capital can strengthen entire food ecosystems, and what it will take to build a more resilient, regional food economy.

S8 - Ep#6 - Old Salt Festival, P1: Building Stronger Regional Food Systems Through The Power of Networks & Collaboration Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

This is the first of six podcasts featuring voices from this past June's Old Salt Festival. You will hear farmers, ranchers, business leaders and advocates who are creating an agrarian culture that points the way to a healthier food system in America.

In Episode 1, Michael Dimock sits down with Jose Corona, Chief Agricultural Business Officer in the Office of Kat Taylor, to discuss his work leading a farmer-guided team building the Agricultural Platform Collective—a mechanism to expand business opportunities for small farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley.

He is then joined by Conner Hackett, General Manager of Stemple Creek Ranch, one of California's leading grass-fed, regenerative livestock operations, to explore how strong networks and collaboration can help build more resilient regional food systems.

S8 - Ep#5 - Dr. Steven Chen and Erin Martin: From Regenerative Farms to Food is Medicine Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Food is Medicine is a growing movement that recognizes healthy food as a powerful tool for preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic disease. Food is Medicine goes beyond treating illness and includes addressing the underlying conditions that shape health—from nutrition insecurity and healthcare access to the strength of local and regional food systems.

S8 - Ep#4 - Marion Nestle: A timely conversation with our nation's food politics pioneer and its God Mother of Food Studies May 18, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Marion Nestle's 2002 book, Food Politics was instrumental in awakening the nation to the disfunction in America's food policy and its food system. She reflects on her path to food policy and shares her thinking about what she sees is important today for those seeking change

S8 - Ep#3 - Artist Narsiso Martinez paints portraits of farmworkers on produce boxes Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

A former farmworker himself, gifted artist Narsiso Martinez, paints farmworker portraits on flattened produce boxes, which now hang in museums, galleries and homes. Narsiso is lifting up men and women that most people never see or hear, but upon whom our very lives depend.

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