Farming Without Apologies: Jonathan Lawler on Bulls, Bullsh*t, and Being Real

Most people talk about farming. This time, we talk with someone living it.

Kristin Demoranville sits down with Jonathan Lawler, also known as the Punk Rock Farmer. He’s a full-time American farmer based in Indiana, a food security advocate, and an agricultural filmmaker who doesn’t pull punches.

Jonathan doesn’t speak in soundbites; he tells stories. About what happens when operational tech fails. About the emotional toll of farming through crisis. About how activism, algorithms, and food marketing have warped our view of modern agriculture.

This isn’t a polished farm-to-table fantasy. It’s real, raw, and exactly the kind of conversation we should be having, because how can we protect something if we don’t understand it?

You’ll hear:

• What cyber-physical failure actually looks like when animals are on the line
• Why food insecurity isn’t about food—it’s about broken systems
• How social media distorts the public’s understanding of farming
• The unseen toll of disease outbreaks, disruption, and public pressure
• Why storytelling—not slogans—is agriculture’s most underused tool

If you care about food systems, or just want to hear what it’s like to farm without all the  BS… start here.

---------------

🔗 Follow Jonathan Lawler, The Punk Rock Farmer Website: punkfarmermedia.com LinkedIn: Jonathan Lawler Instagram: @thepunkrockfarmer YouTube: Punk Farmer Media Farm:  Brandy Wine Creek Farms

---------------

Episode Key Highlights

00:04:32 – How Feeding the Hungry Became a Mission 00:13:28 – Farmers and the Public Narrative 00:18:15 – Animal Welfare Meets Cyber Risk 00:22:40 – Avian Flu and the Reality of Culling 00:26:18 – The Cost of Activist Misinformation 00:32:40 – The Myth of the "Natural" Label 00:38:55 – Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Power 00:46:55 – Behind the Scenes of Ag-Focused Film 00:49:10 – How Media Shapes Public Perception of Farmers 00:54:10 – Why Farmers Don’t Speak Up 01:00:38 – Final Thoughts and What Needs to Change ---------------

🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:

Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.  

Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear!

Substack: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.

Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts

Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; BlueSky

---------------

🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT

AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries.  AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience.  Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.​

AnzenOT:  Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple.  Smart.  Swift. AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.  Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers. Explore the platform at anzenot.com. For demo requests or inquiries, email [e-mail] or [e-mail]

---------------

🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak

To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, webinar, or workshop, visit the website and submit a request.