Beekeeping Today Podcast - Presented by Betterbee

Author Episodes

May 26, 2025

Honey Bee Genetics & Breeding with Dr. Robert E. Page (335)

What do honey bee genetics mean for the everyday beekeeper—and how do researchers untangle traits like foraging behavior, hygienic tendencies, and even pollen hoarding? In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Rob Page, one of the world’s leading experts in honey bee genetics and author of…

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Dec. 2, 2024

World Atlas of Honey with Marina Marchese (307)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Marina Marchese, celebrated honey sommelier and author of The World Atlas of Honey. Marina shares her journey from backyard beekeeper to internationally recognized honey expert and educator. She discusses...

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Nov. 11, 2024

Dead Bees Don't Make Honey with Theresa Martin (304)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Theresa Martin, author of Dead Bees Don’t Make Honey, as she shares insights into her distinctive approach to beekeeping. Theresa, who boasts an impressive 99% colony survival rate, attributes her success to a...

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Sept. 23, 2024

The Golden Age of Beekeeping with Peter Borst (297)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Peter Borst, author of The Golden Age of Beekeeping. Peter shares fascinating insights into the history of beekeeping, exploring how the industry evolved from a disorganized practice into a standardized...

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Sept. 16, 2024

Honey Bee Veterinarians with Tracy Farone, DVM (296)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Tracy Farone, a large animal veterinarian who has applied her expertise to honey bees. Tracy shares her journey from caring for cows and horses to becoming a go-to resource for honey bee health. She...

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July 22, 2024

Observation Hives with Frank Linton (288)

In this engaging episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Frank Linton, a seasoned beekeeper and author with a deep passion for observation hives. Frank shares his unique journey into beekeeping, sparked by his grandfather's influence and reignited years later...

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June 19, 2024

Podcast Memorial to Kim Flottum (283)

During this seventh year anniversary week of the podcast, we bring you this special memorial episode honoring our former co-host, colleague, and dear friend, Kim Flottum, who passed away in December 10, 2023. This episode is dedicated to celebrating...

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May 20, 2024

Healthy Bees, Heavy Hives with Steve Donohoe and Paul Horton (S6, E4…

In this fun episode of our podcast, we're diving deep into the topics of bee health and maximizing honey production with insights from Steve Donohoe and Paul Horton, seasoned beekeepers from the UK. These experts share their pioneering strategies...

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April 15, 2024

Managing Varroa in Your Colonies with Dr. Kirsty Stainton (S6, E44)

(#273) In this enlightening episode, we delve into the complex world of Varroa management with the insightful Dr. Kirsty Stainton. As beekeepers eagerly set up their new colonies, the specter of Varroa destructor looms large, threatening the health...

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April 1, 2024

Piping Hot Bees with Dr. Thomas D. Seeley (S6, E42)

(#271) In this enlightening episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Thomas Seeley, a celebrated biologist and author, to discuss his latest book, "Piping Hot Bees & Boisterous Buzz Runners: 20...

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Oct. 23, 2023

Bee Conspiracy with Author David Boito (S6, E19)

In pop culture, beekeepers are generally portrayed as quirky side characters. There are exceptions, of course. The movie Ulee's Gold with Peter Fonda, comes to mind, as does The Secret Life of Bees, first as a novel and later a movie. Now, there...

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Sept. 11, 2023

Raising Resilient Bees with Eric and Joy McEwen (S6, E13)

Welcome to another episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast! This week, we're excited to host Joy and Eric McEwen, the authors behind the recently released book, “Raising Resilient Bees.” The McEwens offer a natural and sustainable model that focuses...

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July 24, 2023

The Mind of a Bee with Dr. Lars Chittka (S6, E06)

We are excited to bring you this packed episode. We start with Jeff talking with Becky Masterman, from the Minnesota Honey Producers Assn. about the USDA-ARS National Publication 305 (NP-305) and its importance.  Next Jeff and Kim talk with Dr....

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May 15, 2023

Varroa Control with Bill Hesbach (S5, E48)

On today's show, we invite Connecticut Master Beekeeper, Bill Hesbach back to the show to talk about the latest developments in practical varroa management. Whether you are a long time beekeeper, aka BVD beekeeper (Before Varroa Destructor) or a new...

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Feb. 6, 2023

The Drayton Hive with Author Andrew Bax (S5, E34)

Joining us today is beekeeper and author, Andrew Bax. Andrew lives in the UK and has been keeping bees for decades. Like many of us ‘older beekeepers’, he has sought out better means of managing his colonies. Andrew switched from a UK standard...

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Jan. 23, 2023

How To Taste Honey with Marina Marchese (S5, E32)

Returning to the podcast in this episode is Marina Marchese. Marina is back from a recent trip to Italy taking advanced courses from the Food Institute there in both learning, and teaching the skills necessary to claim the title of Connoisseur. Marina...

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Nov. 28, 2022

The UK's National Honey Show Interviews and Ed Colby (S5, E24)

One of the largest and perhaps oldest honey shows in the world in the UK’s National Honey Show. The first show opened in 1923 at the Crystal Palace, in London. While the National Honey Show took an understandable break during the second world war,...

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Sept. 12, 2022

Bee Time with Mark Winston (S5, E13)

Mark Winston joins us on today’s episode. Mark just retired from Simon Frazer University in British Columbia. For many years his research focused on honey bees, beekeeping and agriculture. For about a decade he was a regular contributor to Bee...

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July 4, 2022

Jim Tew - Lessons Learned Archive Special (S5, E03)

We're taking the week off to prepare for our July 4th Holiday with our families. We hope you enjoy this special from our first year of the podcast where we introduced many of you to Dr. Jim Tew. Jim cohosts the Honey Bee Obscura podcast with Kim and...

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May 16, 2022

Bee Hunting with Dr. Tom Seeley - Archive Super Episode - (S4, E48)

In this replay from the Beekeeping Today Podcast Archive Super, we talk with Dr. Tom D. Seeley. We originally talked with Tom in 2019. Dr. Seeley is a Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University where he teaches courses on animal behavior, specializing in...

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Jan. 31, 2022

Beekeepers Lab with Bee Culture's Kim Lehman (S4, E33)

We have a special treat this week because Kim Lehman has come for a visit. Kim is an educator at heart and works with children of all ages. She started her regular column, All The Buzz In Bee Kids Corner, for Bee Culture over 20 years ago, and every...

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Aug. 30, 2021

Life and Times of Bee Culture Editor, Jerry Hayes (S4, E11)

Jerry Hayes’ journey to become the current Editor of makes him uniquely qualified to lead the A.I. Root Company’s 149-year-old Magazine for Beekeepers. He started as a high school teacher in Georgia, but soon found that was not what he wanted to...

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June 28, 2021

"Work I Knew I Must" - with Tammy Horn Potter (S4, E2)

Returning to join us in this episode is Tammy Horn Potter. (She originally visited us back in Season 2!) Not only is Tammy the State Apiary Inspector for Kentucky, but she is also an accomplished author. She has just finished her fourth book entitled,...

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June 14, 2021

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins and A Beekeepers Diary (S3, E55)

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins, author of two books about beekeeping and beekeepers, is our guest today. Her first book, Bee Club Basics, Or How To Start A Bee Club, dealt with managing teachers mentors, students, classes and the basics of organizing a...

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