Beyond the Marbling

About Beyond the Marbling

Join Australian agricultural identity Lyndsey Douglas in exploration of the Wagyu sector in Australia and around the world. There will be characters, there will be wisdom and there will be Wagyu, delicious Wagyu. Beyond the Marbling is produced by the Australian Wagyu Association and aims to build awareness of the Wagyu industry, its supply chains, its history and its future. In each episode, Lyndsey will engage with the sector’s most prominent experts, breeders, economists and scientists to go beyond the marbling and explain what makes Wagyu the world’s luxury beef.

Publisher

Australian Wagyu Association

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jul 2024

Latest episode

2 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Mar 2026

   From Brahman to Wagyu: The Hacon family enterprise reinvented

   In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Georgia Stormont sits down with Peter and Hannah Hacon to explore their journey from running Brahman cattle to building a Wagyu herd — and the mindset shift that came with it. Their story highlights the reality of modern beef production: balancing instinct with data, tradition with innovation, and resilience with long-term vision. Together, they discuss what drove their decision to transition into Wagyu, the challenges and opportunities that followed, and how genetics, technology, and careful decision-making are shaping the future of their operation. This conversation also explores the human side of farming — raising a family on the land, building trust within a team, navigating difficult seasons, and learning to adapt in an industry where uncertainty is part of the job. Beyond the marbling, this episode is about leadership, legacy, and the courage to evolve.

2. 

   29 Jan 2026

   The Red Wagyu Revolution: Inside Akaushi Beef with HeartBrand

   Akaushi may be the lesser-known red cousin in the Wagyu family, but its impact on global beef markets is anything but small. In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Georgia Stormont sits down with JoJo Carrales, VP of Cattle Operations at Heart Brand Beef in central Texas — the largest Akaushi producer in the world. They dig into the remarkable origin story of Akaushi genetics, imported from Japan in the 1990s, and how Heart Brand built a thriving, high-marbling herd from an incredibly small gene pool. JoJo explains why inbreeding diversity hasn’t been an issue, the role of DNA verification, strategic embryo transfer, and the importance of applying relentless selection pressure on functional traits like fertility, structure, growth, feet and legs, and overall herd health. This conversation goes beyond the romance of a single beautifully marbled steak. It’s about the full equation — feed economics, maturity, days on feed, carcase weights, third-party camera grading, natural vs hormone-free programs, and the commercial reality that over 50% of beef consumed in the US is mince. JoJo also breaks down the key differences between black Wagyu and red Akaushi, and why the magic lies in balance — genetics that deliver both production performance and predictable marbling outcomes. If you love beef science, supply-chain margins, and stories about breeds that earn their keep in every climate, this one’s for you.

3. 

   21 Dec 2025

   Jess Pryles - 2025 Christmas Special

   Merry Christmas and welcome to this special festive episode of Beyond the Marbling. In this relaxed and festive chat dives into what Christmas looks like around the table. From traditional favourites to Texan twists, and how to create a show-stopping meal without the stress. Whether you’re hosting a full house, cooking outdoors in the Aussie summer or dreaming about what should be on your Christmas table, Jess brings practical advice, humour and plenty of mouth-watering inspiration. From all of us at Beyond the Marbling, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and delicious festive season.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

33

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Beyond the Marbling

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.