Thanksgiving is all about family traditions, nostalgic memories, and delicious food, and this special holiday episode of the Pull Up a Bale Podcast brings all of that to the microphone. Host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) welcomes her cousin Amanda Benson to share in a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation about their unique Family Thanksgiving celebrations.
Thanksgiving is all about family traditions, nostalgic memories, and delicious food, and this special holiday episode of the Pull Up a Bale Podcast brings all of that to the microphone. Host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) welcomes her cousin Amanda Benson to share in a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation about their unique Family Thanksgiving celebrations.
Pull Up a Bale Podcast is hosted by dairy farmer, homeschooling mom, and agvocate Val Lavigne. This podcast invites farmers, ranchers, educators, and everyday rural changemakers to pull up a bale and share what’s really going on, the challenges, the purpose, the grit, and the heart behind the work. From legacy and leadership to motherhood, mental health, and the power of storytelling, this show is a seat at the table for voices that often go unheard — and it’s all about building community through conversation. Listen to Pull Up a Bale Podcast now on your favorite podcast player or watch on YouTube!
Thanksgiving is all about family traditions, nostalgic memories, and delicious food, and this special holiday episode of the Pull Up a Bale Podcast brings all of that to the microphone. Host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) welcomes her cousin Amanda Benson to share in a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation about their family’s unique Thanksgiving celebrations.
If you love the holiday season, family stories, and plenty of laughs, this episode is the perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving spirit.
Celebrating Family Traditions & Holiday Nostalgia
In this episode, Val and Amanda dive into the Thanksgiving memories that shaped their childhood—from classic family dishes to the quirky habits that make every family gathering special. Their close cousin bond shines as they swap stories, bringing listeners right to the family table.
They explore everything from favorite Thanksgiving foods, to which turkey meat reigns supreme, to the traditions they still cherish today.
Listeners will especially enjoy the fun moments, like discussing whether anyone still breaks the wishbone, or discovering how fast the world’s quickest turkey carving really is!
Episode Highlights
Strong family bond and shared Thanksgiving traditions
Fun and surprising Thanksgiving trivia
Favorite family recipes and unforgettable dishes
Amanda’s hot take: dark meat turkey > white meat
Childhood memories and nostalgic stories
The true value of family gatherings during the holidays
Evolution of Thanksgiving food trends over the years
Humorous moments from past celebrations
Encouragement for listeners to reflect on their own traditions
Why You’ll Love This Episode
Packed with warmth, humor, and plenty of holiday spirit, this episode is perfect for anyone who loves Thanksgiving as much as Val and Amanda do. Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen, driving to a family gathering, or decorating for the season, it’s a delightful listen that celebrates what the holiday is truly about—family, gratitude, and connection.
Listen now atwww.pullupabale.com or wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend who loves agriculture stories!
Whether you’re in the barn, in the cab, or taking a break between chores, you’ll feel right at home.
Want to start sharing your own ag story? Visit dairygalval.com join the email list and grab Val’s free download: “Top 10 Ideas for Sharing Your Story.”
On this week’s episode of the Pull Up A Bale Podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) sits down with California dairy farmer Justin Leyendekker, known on Instagram as @jfley1287. Justin brings a powerful blend of family legacy, innovation, and agricultural passion to the mic as he shares the story behind his 2,000-cow operation and the meaning behind the memorable name, Hoppy Cows Dairy.
In this episode of Pull Up a Bale Podcast, host Val Lavigne sits down with Samantha Allen to talk Farming, Flowers, Family and Faith. Samantha is the farmer, mom and creative force behind Lane House Florals.
Listen now at www.pullupabale.com or wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend who loves agriculture stories!
Want to start sharing your own ag story? Visit dairygalval.com join the email list and grab Val’s free download: “Top 10 Ideas for Sharing Your Story.”
