Changes at BroodMinder (363)

BroodMinder has become one of the most trusted names in hive monitoring, and in this episode the team joins Jeff and Becky to share big news, new directions, and surprising insights from the field. Founder Rich Morris, software lead Amanda Stoltz, and global collaborator Lorenzo Pons sit down together during the BroodMinder Global Summit to talk about how the company has evolved, how beekeepers use hive data today, and what’s ahead for sensor-based management. 

Rich reflects on nearly a decade of development—from early temperature sensors to today’s multi-sensor hive ecosystem. Amanda, stepping into a new leadership role, talks about improving the user experience, the move toward mobile-first viewing, and how BroodMinder is balancing innovation with accessibility for beekeepers at all levels. Lorenzo brings a global perspective, describing how sensors help European beekeepers manage pollination services and adapt to rising hornet pressure. 

Together, the team explains why simple temperature sensors remain one of the most valuable tools for understanding colony health, how hive scales help track forage conditions, and how new technologies may soon support beekeepers in detecting varroa and hornet threats in real time. They also offer a candid look at designing products beekeepers can trust, balancing subscription models with affordability, and the humorous but real “Chart Addiction Club” that forms once beekeepers start watching their colonies’ data more closely than ever. 

Whether you’re considering your first sensor or already monitoring colonies remotely, this conversation offers a clear, grounded look at how data tools are expanding what beekeepers can understand without opening a hive—and introduces the people shaping that future.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

• BroodMinder website: https://broodminder.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

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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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 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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Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC