Episodes
May 20, 2025
[Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron on Supering
On this special edition of Shorts, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another “audio postcard” exploring the vital role of communication in supering—adding boxes to a hive for nectar storage and honey production. Dewey explains how supering is a message...
Guest: Dewey Caron
334
May 19, 2025
Beekeeper and Congressman - Rep. Jim Himes, CT (334)
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome U.S. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District for a lively and inspiring conversation—not about politics, but about bees. A hobbyist beekeeper with a deep passion for the craft, Himes talks about beekeeping and bees in Congress, policy insights, and favorite beekeeping moments. He shares how he got started, the joys of hive management, and why working bees is his favorite antidote to the stress of congressional life.
Guest: Jim Himes
333
May 12, 2025
Regional Beekeepers: Spring 2025 (333)
In this 2025 spring beekeeping update, Jeff and Becky gather beekeepers from across the country for a timely regional check-in on seasonal progress, survival rates, and challenges. Joining the table are Ang Roell (MA/FL), Bonnie Morse (CA), Duane Combs (AZ), and Jay Williams (TN), each offering a candid look at their spring buildup after a winter marked by extremes...
332
May 5, 2025
InsideTheHive.TV with Dr. Humberto Boncristiani (332)
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani, bee biologist, educator, and founder of InsideTheHive.TV. Humberto shares his compelling journey from growing up with Africanized bees in Brazil to becoming a leading voice in honey...
Guest: Humberto Boncristiani
April 30, 2025
[BONUS] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron - Swarming
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with an “audio postcard” on one of spring’s biggest challenges: swarming. In less than 20 minutes, Dewey breaks down the science and management strategies of swarming across three...
Guest: Dewey Caron
331
April 28, 2025
Tropilaelaps and Varroa Update with Dr. Samuel Ramsey (331)
Dr. Samuel Ramsey returns to the podcast with jaw-dropping updates from his global research into Tropilaelaps and Varroa mites. In this fast-paced and eye-opening conversation, Sammy shares the latest findings from his Honey Bee-nome Project,...
Guest: Samuel Ramsey
330
April 21, 2025
Tracking Hive Theft with Deputy Sheriff Rowdy Freeman (330)
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky talk with Rowdy Freeman, a deputy sheriff from California who has become a leading figure in hive theft prevention. What began as a criminal investigation over a decade ago drew Rowdy into the world of bees...
Guest: Rowdy Jay Freeman
329
April 14, 2025
Dalan Animal Health – Vaccine Updates & Breakthrough Discoveries (329)
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Amy Floyd and Everett Hendrixon of Dalan Animal Health back to the podcast to discuss the latest developments of vaccinated honey bee queens. With spring queen orders underway, many beekeepers are exploring...
Guests: Amy Floyd, MS , Everett Hendrixon
328
April 7, 2025
Judging Honey Shows With Stephanie Slater (328)
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, certified honey judge Stephanie Slater joins Jeff and Becky to demystify the art and science of honey shows. From understanding how entries are judged to tips on preparing award-winning honey, Stephanie...
Guest: Stephanie Slater
April 2, 2025
[Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron, "Honey Bee Communication Dynamics"
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, we welcome back Dr. Dewey Caron for a quick yet insightful Audio Postcard on honey bee communication – Bee Scientist to Beekeeper, Beekeeper to Bee, and Bee to Bee. Dr. Caron shares timely advice for...
Guest: Dewey Caron
327
March 31, 2025
Univ. of Montana Beekeeper Education with Dr. Scott Debnam (327)
Online beekeeping education has come a long way—and the University. of Montana is leading the way. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Scott Debnam, head beekeeper and lead instructor for UM’s Online Master Beekeeping Program, about how...
March 25, 2025
[Bonus] Simon Mildren - Micro Honey Harvester
Welcome to today’s Beekeeping Today Podcast Short. We’re excited to have Simon Mildren, founder and CEO of HiveKeepers, an Australian agtech company revolutionizing the beekeeping industry. Simon, a firefighter turned beekeeper, has been...
Guest: Simon Mildren
326
March 24, 2025
Flow Hive's SuperLifter with Creator Cedar Anderson (326)
Beekeeping has evolved significantly over the years, and few innovations have sparked as much conversation Flow Hive's SuperLifter. In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Flow Hive co-founder, Cedar Anderson, who shares exciting updates on their latest...
Guest: Cedar Anderson
325
March 17, 2025
Predicting Honey Bee Foraging with AI - Davidson Fellow Vince Wu (325)
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome an extraordinary young researcher, Vince Wu, a high school senior and Davidson Fellow Scholarship winner. Vince’s groundbreaking research combines artificial intelligence and honey...
Guests: Dewey Caron , Vince Wu
324
March 10, 2025
Raising Package Bees & Queens with Ray Olivarez (324)
Spring is here, and if you haven’t thought about your packages and queens yet, it’s time to act! In this episode, Beekeeping Today Podcast welcomes Ray Olivarez of Olivarez Honey Bees (OHB) to discuss the intricacies of raising high-quality queens...
Guest: Ray Olivarez Jr.
323
March 3, 2025
Upscaling #5 - Lessons Learned with Ritchie Schaefer (323)
Scaling a beekeeping operation comes with unique challenges and opportunities, and in this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Minnesota beekeeper Ritchie Schaeffer shares his firsthand experience moving from hobbyist to sideliner. Starting in 2018...
Guest: Ritchie Schaefer
Feb. 25, 2025
[Bonus] Short - Colony and USDA Losses with AHPA's President Steve Coy
The U.S. beekeeping industry is facing a crisis. Honey bee losses have skyrocketed, with commercial beekeepers reporting an average of 62% colony losses since June, as reported by Project Apis m. At the same time, critical USDA bee research programs...
Guest: Steven Coy
322
Feb. 24, 2025
Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - The Business (322)
In this episode of the Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner series, we explore the business side of beekeeping with two beekeepers who successfully made the leap. Hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Tara Dawn Chapman of Two Hives Honey in...
Guests: Jay Williams , Tara Chapman
Feb. 18, 2025
[Bonus] BTP Short - 2025 Winter Losses as of Feb 18
In today's BTP Short, we talk with John Miller, of Miller Honey, who's family has been in beekeeping for over 130 years, about this winter's honey bee losses. Is it real or hyped? John provides a lifetime perspective to the losses so many beekeepers...
Guest: John Miller
321
Feb. 17, 2025
Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - The Honey House (321)
Expanding a beekeeping operation brings new challenges, especially when it comes to processing and bottling honey efficiently. In this episode, Jeff and Becky continue their series on upscaling from hobbyist to sideliner beekeeping with a deep dive...
Guest: John Rath
Feb. 13, 2025
[Bonus] BTP Short - Unusually High Winter Bee Losses!
Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts brings you a quick dive into the latest buzz in beekeeping. In this first special episode, we welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani of Inside The Hive TV to discuss the alarming commercial colony losses reported this...
Guest: Humberto Boncristiani
320
Feb. 10, 2025
Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - Equipment (320)
In the second episode of our February series, Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Beekeeper, Jeff and Becky continue the conversation with returning guests Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck from Michigan State University. This week’s focus is on one...
Guests: Meghan Milbrath , Ana Heck
319
Feb. 3, 2025
Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Beekeeping - The Bees (319)
Are you thinking about growing your beekeeping operation from hobbyist to sideliner? In this first episode of our February Upscaling Your Beekeeping series, Jeff and Becky sit down with two experienced beekeepers and educators, Meghan Milbrath and Ana...
Guests: Meghan Milbrath , Ana Heck
318
Jan. 27, 2025
Randy Oliver: Researching Better Beekeeping (318)
In this episode, we welcome back the renowned Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Randy shares his latest insights and findings, offering practical advice and groundbreaking research for beekeepers of all experience levels. From breeding...
Guest: Randy Oliver