The weekly podcast bringing beekeepers the latest news, research, and insights on honey bees. Hosted by Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman, each episode features conversations with beekeepers, scientists, authors, and industry leaders. Whether you're just starting your first hive or managing hundreds, you'll find practical tips, fresh perspectives, and engaging stories to inspire your beekeeping journey.
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Sep 28, 2026 · 1:02:10
What does honey bee health look like when researchers examine it from the inside out? In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome three scientists from the USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee…
Sep 23, 2026 · 19:24
Artificial intelligence is rapidly finding its way into everyday tools—but where does it fit in the bee yard? In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman…
Sep 21, 2026 · 55:33
What can nearly two decades of beekeeper-reported data tell us about colony health—and what can it not tell us? In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Geoff…
Sep 16, 2026 · 24:58
Why do we smoke honey bees—and how much smoke do they really need? In this installment of his Bee Science mini-series on Beekeeping Today, Dr. Dewey Caron sends an audio postcard…
Sep 14, 2026 · 53:59
What happens when a spacecraft engineer becomes fascinated with honey bees? In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dan Seitz , an engineer from Los Alamos, New Mexico, whose…
Sep 9, 2026 · 20:04
The Varroa Treatment Series continues with another oxalic acid option: Api-Bioxal RTU , a ready-to-use liquid formulation designed for dribble application. Dr. David Peck of…
Sep 7, 2026 · 51:40
Beekeeping challenges rarely stop at national borders. This week, Jeff and Becky cross the Atlantic for a conversation with Dr. Andrea Quigley and Norman Carreck , co-editors of…
Sep 3, 2026 · 17:06
What does it look like when beekeeping equipment moves from an idea in the bee yard to full-scale manufacturing? In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott takes listeners…
Sep 2, 2026 · 12:35
This month on Winning at Honey with Stephanie , Stephanie Slater turns her attention to a honey show category that doesn't appear at every competition: pollen . Preparing pollen…
Aug 31, 2026 · 48:59
Four hundred episodes. What started with a conversation between Jeff Ott and the late Kim Flottum in Medina, Ohio, has grown into hundreds of conversations about honey bees,…
Aug 24, 2026 · 36:57
What will a healthy beekeeping industry look like five or ten years from now—and what needs to change to get us there? Recorded live at the Tri-States and Minnesota Beekeepers…
Aug 20, 2026 · 21:53
What does it take to make beekeeping look authentic in a Hollywood movie? In this BT Short, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman talk with Adam Hickman of Foxhound Bee Company, who…
Aug 19, 2026 · 27:48
Do you listen to your bees? Beekeepers rely heavily on sight when inspecting a colony, along with touch and even smell. But in this installment of Bee Science with Dr. Dewey…
Aug 17, 2026 · 39:42
What if carbon dioxide could offer beekeepers another way to control Varroa mites? In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman talk with award-winning high school researcher…
Aug 10, 2026 · 49:20
What is the current state of honey bee health in the United States? Recorded live at the Tri-States Beekeeping Conference in Fargo, North Dakota, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman…
Aug 5, 2026 · 21:20
Preparing extracted honey for competition may seem intimidating, but according to Stephanie Slater, success comes down to patience, attention to detail, and understanding what…
Aug 3, 2026 · 47:57
What happens when a beekeeper with a zoology background, a manufacturing business, and a tendency to question conventional wisdom starts redesigning beekeeping equipment? In this…
Jul 27, 2026 · 49:42
Education remains one of the most powerful tools available to beekeepers, and few people exemplify that mission better than Amy Vu. As Extension Coordinator for the University of…
Jul 20, 2026 · 41:36
Sometimes the most memorable beekeeping stories have very little to do with honey production. This week, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Nehemiah Ray, a Georgia beekeeper…
Jul 15, 2026 · 25:25
How can a honey bee with a brain smaller than a sesame seed communicate the exact location of food to thousands of nestmates? In this episode of Bee Science with Dewey , Dr.…
Jul 13, 2026 · 55:28
What can beekeepers learn from Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Georgia, and Thailand? This week Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Robert Owen, beekeeper,…
Jul 6, 2026 · 41:28
Honey bee nutrition is more complex than simply providing protein. In this episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Vincent Ricigliano to discuss emerging research…
Jul 1, 2026 · 16:31
In this Bonus Short episode of Beekeeping Today, Stephanie Slater returns with another installment of Winning at Honey with Stephanie, sharing updates from a busy start to summer…
Jun 29, 2026 · 57:34
In this episode of Beekeeping Today, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman continue the Queen Series with Dr. Jack Rath, former owner of Betterbee, veterinarian, beekeeper, and queen…
Jun 22, 2026 · 5:08
The Honey Bee Health Coalition just released the 9 th edition of the Varroa Management Guide. For many beekeepers, this guide has become the go-to reference for cutting through…
Jun 22, 2026 · 53:42
Beekeepers often think of wax production as something that simply happens when colonies build comb. But what if bees are constantly moving wax throughout the hive, recycling it…
Jun 18, 2026 · 24:49
The North American Honey Bee Expo is expanding for 2027, and organizer Kamon Reynolds joins Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman to share what attendees, educators, and prospective…
Jun 17, 2026 · 18:27
In this sixth installment of Bee Science with Dr. Dewey Caron, Dewey turns attention to one of the final major management tasks of the summer beekeeping season: removing honey…
Jun 15, 2026 · 51:26
Moving package bees across North America is a specialized business that most beekeepers never see firsthand. In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Chris Hansen of Rhinelander,…
Jun 8, 2026 · 43:50
Jennie Durant, PhD, joins Beekeeping Today to discuss her new book, Bitter Honey: Big Ag's Threat to the Bees and the Fight to Save Them . Drawing from more than fifteen years of…
Jun 3, 2026 · 16:03
In this edition of Winning Honey with Stephanie , Stephanie Slater checks in on her own honey show preparations and admits that her comb honey supers still aren't ready despite…
Jun 1, 2026 · 53:18
In this spring 2026 edition of Regional Beekeepers, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome a familiar panel of beekeepers from across North America to compare notes on how the…
May 25, 2026 · 40:07
Beekeeping Today welcomes back two familiar voices in honey bee education: Dr. Robyn Underwood and Ana Heck. Together, they discuss the growing role of the Apiculture Extension…
May 18, 2026 · 51:28
Ang Roell of They Keep Bees joins Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman for another installment of the Beekeeping Today Podcast Queen Series. Ang shares the story behind building a…
May 14, 2026 · 5:01
The Heartland Apicultural Society returns to Michigan State University May 30–31, 2026, bringing together beekeepers from across the region for two days of education, networking,…
May 13, 2026 · 20:21
Spring is a season of rapid change inside the hive, and in this Bee Science segment, Dr. Dewey Caron walks through what drives colony expansion—and how beekeepers can respond…
May 11, 2026 · 52:36
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman continue their queen-focused spring series with longtime beekeeper, researcher, and educator Randy…
May 6, 2026 · 14:29
In this installment of Winning at Honey with Stephanie Slater , Stephanie returns with seasonal reflections from Wisconsin and a practical deep dive into one of the most…
May 4, 2026 · 53:10
In this continuation of the Queen Series, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Juliana Rangel of Texas A&M University for an in-depth discussion on honey bee queen biology,…
Apr 28, 2026 · 17:35
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman sit down with Dr. Sammy Ramsey to explore his role in the National Geographic docuseries Secrets of the Bees…
Apr 27, 2026 · 52:50
In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman launch a new series focused on honey bee queens with leading researcher Dr. David Tarpy. From the start, the conversation challenges…
Apr 20, 2026 · 52:33
Mateo Kaiser joins Jeff and Becky to discuss how Bee Swarmed is changing the way beekeepers find and collect swarms. Built to connect the public with local beekeepers quickly,…
Apr 17, 2026 · 17:24
Honey show judging and beekeeper education take center stage in this final installment from the 2026 Midwest Honey Bee Expo. In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott and…
Apr 15, 2026 · 26:40
In this Bee Science Short, Dr. Dewey Caron continues his series on integrated pest management (IPM) for Varroa mites, focusing on the critical step of selecting and applying the…
Apr 13, 2026 · 53:20
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Dewey Caron for a wide-ranging discussion on Varroa management, beekeeping education, and…
Apr 10, 2026 · 22:27
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman continue their live coverage from the 2026 Midwest Honey Bee Expo, featuring two conversations focused on…
Apr 6, 2026 · 56:01
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea of Terra Vera for an update on their evolving approach to…
Apr 3, 2026 · 21:35
In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman record live from the floor of the Midwest Honey Bee Expo, bringing listeners a series of…
Apr 1, 2026 · 8:14
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Stephanie Slater launches a new monthly series focused on honey shows, judging, and the art of presenting hive products. Stephanie begins…
Mar 30, 2026 · 1:01:50
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Dr. Chip Taylor and Dr. Gard Otis for a deep dive into Africanized honey bee swarming…
Mar 24, 2026 · 10:32
In this short episode, we introduce Stephanie Slater and preview a new recurring segment focused on honey shows and judging. Stephanie joins the Beekeeping Today Podcast to share…
Mar 23, 2026 · 52:41
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman explore a topic that can divide beekeepers, almost immediately: spotted lanternfly honey. Today's…
Mar 18, 2026 · 27:37
Varroa mites are the most destructive parasite affecting honey bee colonies worldwide. In this Bee Science Short, Dr. Dewey Caron explains how Varroa destructor reproduces,…
Mar 16, 2026 · 1:01:58
Dr. Jamie Ellis joins the Beekeeping Today Podcast to discuss current honey bee research and what it means for everyday beekeeping management. Jamie directs the University of…
Mar 9, 2026 · 54:22
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Tara Dawn Chapman, founder of Two Hives Honey and author of For the Bees: A Handbook for Happy Beekeeping . Tara first joined the…
Mar 2, 2026 · 52:20
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Priyadarshini "Priya" Basu of Washington State University to discuss two major topics shaping the future of beekeeping: the upcoming COLOSS…
Feb 23, 2026 · 1:01:48
At the 2026 Midwest Honey Bee Expo, Jeff and Becky briefly introduce a live business-focused panel before turning the conversation over to experienced beekeepers representing…
Feb 18, 2026 · 25:03
In this episode of Bee Science with Dewey , Dewey Caron introduces the concept of a colony necropsy—the careful reading of hive debris to understand what is happening inside a…
Feb 16, 2026 · 48:03
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff and Becky welcome Scottish beekeeper and author Ray Baxter to explore an often-overlooked source of insight inside the hive—the…
Feb 9, 2026 · 38:34
It's no accident that How to Get Started in Beekeeping remains one of the most listened-to episodes in the history of the Beekeeping Today Podcast. In this archive special, Jeff…
Feb 2, 2026 · 53:30
In this in-depth episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Chip Taylor and Gard Otis to continue a wide-ranging discussion that began last summer on queen mating…
Jan 26, 2026 · 46:29
Listener questions drive some of the most practical and wide-ranging conversations on Beekeeping Today Podcast , and this episode is packed with thoughtful questions from…
Jan 21, 2026 · 19:18
In this inaugural episode of Bee Science with Dewey Caron, PhD , Dewey takes a close look at one of the most fundamental — and often misunderstood — aspects of honey bee winter…
Jan 19, 2026 · 58:57
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back cold-climate beekeeper and data-driven researcher Etienne Tardif, joining the conversation…
Jan 11, 2026 · 1:20:58
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 8–10, 2026. Jeff and Becky bring you the…
Jan 10, 2026 · 1:06:44
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 8–10, 2026. Jeff and Becky bring you the…
Jan 9, 2026 · 2:50
Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 8–10, 2026. Jeff and Becky bring you the…
Jan 5, 2026 · 43:29
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back one of the most influential voices in modern honey bee health research, Dr. Jeff Pettis. A…
Dec 29, 2025 · 56:07
As the year comes to a close, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. David Peck for a wide-ranging end-of-year conversation reflecting on the highs, lows, and lessons of…
Dec 22, 2025 · 43:00
This Holiday Special episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast brings together Jeff Ott, Becky Masterman, and Dr. Jim Tew from Honey Bee Obscura, for a warm, thoughtful conversation…
Dec 17, 2025 · 18:35
In this December Beekeeping Today Short, Dr. Dewey Caron offers a fascinating look at what our bees communicate through something we often ignore: hive debris. This episode…
Dec 15, 2025 · 57:39
This week on Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome AJ and Chryssa Gardner of REBEL44 to discuss an approach to beekeeping rooted in stewardship rather…
Dec 8, 2025 · 55:10
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…
Dec 1, 2025 · 50:56
This week on Beekeeping Today Podcast , Becky welcomes guest co-host Bridget Mendel as they sit down with virologist Dr. Declan Schroeder from the University of Minnesota's…
Nov 24, 2025 · 55:47
This week, we're taking a close look at the future of beekeeping advocacy with BeeCAUSE Alliance, a new organization focused on industry collaboration, communication, and…
Nov 17, 2025 · 51:48
Honey bees continue to face shifting pressures from pests, and few are as relentless as varroa mites. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Washington State University…
Nov 14, 2025 · 13:49
In this month's Beekeeping Today Podcast Short with Dr. Dewey Caron, he reflects on the many ways communication connects us — from human language to honey bee behavior. Recorded…
Nov 12, 2025 · 16:37
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Jeff Ott sits down with Jamie Walters, President of the Ohio State Beekeepers Association (OSBA), during the organization's annual…
Nov 10, 2025 · 47:30
Jeff and Becky have a special message for Beekeeping Today Podcast listeners! After decades of managing their own bees and many lessons learned on their beekeeping journeys,…
Nov 5, 2025 · 11:21
In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff and Dr. Jim Tew, from Honey Bee Obscura podcast, take listeners on a reflective visit to the A.I. Root family gravesite in…
Nov 3, 2025 · 52:40
This week, Becky Masterman and guest co-host Dr. Meghan Milbrath of Michigan State University welcome Melanie Kirby, queen breeder, educator, and pollinator specialist at the…
Oct 31, 2025 · 18:10
The Midwest Honey Bee Expo is back—and bigger than ever. Jeff and Becky talk with organizers Bill Werning and Doug Koltermann about what's in store for the 2026 event, held…
Oct 27, 2025 · 50:12
Varroa mites remain the most destructive pest facing honey bees today—but a revolutionary new treatment may finally shift the balance. In this episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky…
Oct 22, 2025 · 17:32
In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff visits the historic A.I. Root Company headquarters in Medina, Ohio—the home of Bee Culture Magazine . Sitting down with the…
Oct 20, 2025 · 47:59
It's harvest season—and for many beekeepers, that means it's time to sell honey! In this week's episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman dig into the rewarding (and sometimes…
Oct 15, 2025 · 21:12
In this October Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Dr. Dewey Caron returns from Apimondia in Copenhagen and the Washington State Beekeepers Association Conference with another…
Oct 13, 2025 · 43:49
In this special Beekeeping Today Podcast roundtable, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman gather an inspiring group of regional beekeepers from across the U.S. to share how their…
Oct 8, 2025 · 18:31
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Jeff and Becky continue their special series on Varroa treatments and control strategies with Dr. David Peck of Betterbee. In this…
Oct 6, 2025 · 49:51
Fall is one of the most critical times in the beekeeping calendar, and in this episode Jeff and Becky welcome Jim Tew of Honey Bee Obscura for a lively and practical discussion…
Oct 1, 2025 · 22:00
In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short , Jeff and Becky are joined once again by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to explore non-chemical strategies for managing varroa mites. While…
Sep 29, 2025 · 44:31
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff and Becky sit down with East Coast beekeeper and innovator Jim Fischer , the creator of Fischer's Bee-Quick . Known for its…
Sep 22, 2025 · 51:12
In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Delaney Dameron , CEO of Best Bees , to explore the growing field of corporate beekeeping.…
Sep 15, 2025 · 55:54
In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Kamon Reynolds , Tennessee beekeeper and founder of the North American Honeybee Expo (NAHBE) . Kamon shares how he…
Sep 10, 2025 · 19:57
In this BTP Short, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another of his "audio postcards," this time exploring the critical role of fat bees—also known as diutinus bees—in helping colonies…
Sep 8, 2025 · 52:35
In this milestone 350th episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Vikki Atkinson of Pennsylvania to share her deep experience managing over 100…
Sep 5, 2025 · 17:47
In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined once again by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss two thymol-based mite control options: ApiLife Var and Apiguard .…
Sep 3, 2025 · 18:06
In this BTP Short, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott of HiveAlive to share the results of a recent customer survey on overwintering success during the devastating 2024–25…
Sep 1, 2025 · 50:53
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dave Mullins of Bee Great , based in Churubusco, Indiana. Dave shares how a hobby with his father in 2014 grew into a dynamic beekeeping…
Aug 29, 2025 · 11:37
In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss HopGuard 3 , the latest version of this organically derived mite control…
Aug 25, 2025 · 46:42
In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Indiana beekeeper Dave McComb to share his journey from inheriting one defensive hive in 2018 to managing over 100 colonies, producing…
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Your podcast? Get the Podli badge for your site
