This episode wanders and flows gently through two interconnected topics: risk and relationship. 

Do connection and relationship alter our perception of risk? When you truly know another being for who they genuinely are, beyond their labels, can you have more trust in that person or animal? Would you put your child on a “dangerous” off-the-track thoroughbred? Sleep outside in an area known to have mountain lions? Choose to live in an area constantly being reborn and reshaped by active volcanoes? Living in fear means always seeing risk; living in attunement means seeing truth.

Our culture makes it difficult to open up - to find those tender places inside of us where we let ourselves explore our intuition, awareness, energy, and connection. More and more people are exploring these sides of themselves; however, even some of the most attuned humans still have an energetic governor that stops them from going too far when discomfort arises.

For instance, many empathic individuals connect strongly with nature - animals, plants, the land. We tend to have difficulty managing our feelings about the way humanity treats the land, the way humanity treats animals (horses!). If we dig into this tendency to judge other humans, what do we find? Will we allow ourselves to see what’s underneath? Anger? Pain? Sadness? Grief? Guilt for being human ourselves? What is the risk in rejecting others this way? 

Be sure to listen to this one all the way through - there is a beautiful and vulnerable epiphany toward the end that ties together the entire episode on risk and relationship with others and with the land.

Podcast Guests

Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com

Jillian Kreinbring - www.jillinakreinbringinspire.com

Jessica White Plume - @jessica.white.plume.5

Greta Matos - www.kurakuda.com

Joell Dunlap - www.squarepegfoundation.org

Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com

Music by Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.com 

What is your spontaneous reaction to the word, “Joy”? Does it evoke emotions within you? Where in your body do you feel it? What words come to the forefront to describe it? How do you know it?

In this episode, our guests endeavor to articulate the essence of Joy, while also pinpointing aspects of our humanity and culture that impede our ability to embrace it. Joy is found through a way of being - with ourselves, with the earth, with others. It’s part of our innate wisdom, something we seek and find and know within ourselves; We find joy in our ability to connect, rather than in external achievements and accolades.

If joy always resides within us, why do some of us struggle to feel it in our lives, and how do we uncover it? The gateway to joy is through getting out of our thinking brain to discover our wholeness. When we strip away the noise, self-doubt, and anxiety, we rediscover a way of being that is in alignment with our true selves and with all of nature.

This is how our horses live, where they want us to be, and where they can relate to us best. If we are perceptive to their subtle cues, we’ll discover that our equine partners (and everyone else!) will seek our presence when we’ve arrived in this space

To get there, though, we have become more content in the being of a way rather than in the doing of a thing. This journey of becoming ok with ourselves is one of the toughest and most rewarding challenges in life. Joy is the signal that we’re on the right track.

Podcast Guests:

Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com
Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com
Crissi McDonald - www.crissimcdonald.com
Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.com
Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.net
Josh Nichol - www.joshnichol.com

What is rest? With everyone seemingly “hair on fire” busy these days, the idea of rest can be really elusive to many of us. But what does it even mean? Sleep? Relaxation? Peace? Meditation? Does the body need to be still to rest? What about the mind?

In this episode, we have a lovely discussion about how we define and feel rest. While each of us is a little different in how we find relaxation, one theme is clear - restorative rest cannot happen without alignment between body and mind. And often, it’s more about stillness in the mind than stillness in the body. 

A lot of us feel stress, this tension and pressure in our society to constantly be “doing,” which brings us way up into our heads and causes incongruence with our bodies and with our natural way of being. Cultural norms create tension when our genuine selves do not fit them. We are fighting, rather than flowing; when we are in constant resistance, we wear ourselves out. 

If we can find ways to free ourselves from these expectations, to stop measuring by some standard that isn’t “us,” we can lift the heaviness in our spirits, blend with and accept what is, and consequently feel peace, joy and a sense of carefree gratitude.

Engaging in activities and experiences that foster alignment between our minds and bodies can gently guide us away from overthinking and back into the present moment. By nurturing an awareness of the innate wisdom housed within our bodies, we unlock a reservoir of inner peace, wisdom, and insight that exists within each of us. We all have this ability - being born into a body means that each of us can innately attune to the rhythms and the harmony all around us. For some, this flow state can look like gardening with your hands deep in the earth, dancing and listening to music, riding horses, making art, or cooking - whatever it is that makes us feel totally at one with what we’re doing, unaware of space and time. 

What is it for you? 

Podcast Guests:

Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com
Leslie Desmond - www.facebook.com/lesliedesmondfeelofahorse?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Gray Kyle-Graves - www.wholehearthorsemanship.com 
Jillian Kreinbring - http://www.jilliankreinbringinspired.com 
Kathy Price - http://www.kathyprice.co.uk 
Josh Nichol - http://www.joshnichol.com

Episode 11 begins with a question around how change is born and the tipping point upon which thoughts, concepts, or ways of being (and the people who carry these ideas forward) transform from the fringe to the mainstream. These evolutions in human consciousness climb toward a critical mass of acceptance until they become normalized.

The people responsible for shepherding some of these changes are often also on the fringe, outliers. What motivates them to continue their journeys, sometimes in the face of brutal isolation or social condemnation? Perhaps their drive stems from a desire to address unanswered questions or unmet needs in our culture? Or, is it that they simply can’t think of doing or being something other than what they are, despite the social discomfort? Maybe what’s different about these leaders is that they orient to the wisdom of their bodies instead of the speed of their minds. Maybe most leaders don’t even try to be leaders at all - they simply do what they love, and change flows from what they give.

In this hour-long discussion, we listen as podcasts guests hold space and gratitude for one another, demonstrating what love, support, and community look like when put into action to help a grieving friend - a perfect model of the new paradigm we’re all moving toward together and with increasing momentum. We are reminded to re-include ourselves in nature, to reconnect with the intelligence in our own systems that goes beyond our cognition and to trust that these things are normal. After all, what is it that prompts us to return to this greater awareness and connection with all beings? Love.

Podcast Guests:
Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.net
Leslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.com
Rupert Isaacson - www.horseboyworld.com
Amelia Nalli - www.amelianalliequinebodywork.com
Jessica White Plume - FB jessica.whiteplume.5
Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com/

How can we help fear become a recognizable stepping stone to curiosity and courage? Stepping into fear is a courageous act of embracing the unknown and acknowledging discomfort. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it also limits our personal growth and development. When we face our fears, we often discover inner strength, resilience, and a sense of empowerment.

In both the horse and human worlds, there is a misconception that we should avoid fear and discomfort at all costs - never pushing our boundaries or thresholds. Some corners of the equine world believe horses should never be mentally stressed at all…ever. But with this avoidance, we are handing over all of our power to fear; we are missing out on growth and fun because we are afraid of the slips and falls.

What if, instead of judging our fears as “bad” or something we should resist or avoid, we begin to recognize them as opportunities for growth and expansion? When we see fear as part of a healthy, lifelong process of being human, we are able to fully experience the journey and see that there’s really no destination - there’s no “there” there.

Immersion, rather than resistance, brings familiarity and recognition that is profoundly helpful in facing challenging times. We have the power to challenge our fears by asking ourselves questions about what else might be available to us.

This episode dives deeply into topics around fear, resistance, avoidance, growth, the conscious and subconscious mind, self trust, embodiment, courage, curiosity, and radical acceptance. Please join us for another beautiful and profound discussion, then meet us on our Facebook page to discuss!

Podcast Guests:

Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com/
Kerri Lake - www.kerrilake.com
Carla Bachmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com/
Terry Kuebler - www.terrykuebler.com/
Christine Dickson - www.onthepathcoaching.net/

Music by Mark Rashid (markrashid.com) 

This episode is all about the synchronicities many of us recognize in our lives. Little (or big!) signs can feel like delivery of deeply meaningful messages for our path in life, or simply nudge us gently toward our gifts and passions. Sometimes the universe screams, other times, there are whispers. How can we learn to tune in and allow this wisdom, these responses to our deeply felt questions? How do we recognize them without forcing or grasping, ending up in dismay as they flit away just out of reach? When we are open to meaning however it may present itself, we allow ourselves to grow and evolve into who we are in this moment.

But what happens when the conversation stops? When we are no longer feeling the guidance coming through? In some cases, an absence of signs may simply mean to “stay” with what we are doing right now. Other times, we may need to reorient our reception. When we look for signs and have an expectation around how they may arrive, we may unintentionally blind ourselves to how the conversation has changed and evolved, missing the conservation that is still there. Perhaps we just need to face it a little differently.

These times where we lose the signal may feel extremely challenging to the individual experiencing it - like an abandonment and loss of direction, full of grief and confusion. This is where we have a collective responsibility to help and hold one another through these struggles.

Many have lost a type of ritual in our culture that highly values individual responsibility. Conversations like this one are a tiny step toward re-establishing and normalizing those connections and relationships, where being seen and understood in reciprocity opens doors we never knew existed within ourselves.

Podcast Guests:

Sarah Schlote - www.equusoma.com
Christine Dickson - www.onthepathcoaching.net
Jane Pike - confidentrider.online
Jessica White Plume - www.facebook.com/jessica.whiteplume.5/
Kerri Lake - www.kerrilake.com

Music by Mark Rashid (markrashid.com)

This episode was fun for all of us. . .

The word “energy” means a lot of different things to different people. In today’s episode, we explore how each of us uses energy in our work and in our teaching. Some of us interact with energy and observe what changes physically; others work with what’s tangible and observe what shifts energetically. When we shift matter, energy changes; when we shift energy, matter changes – in the end, are we really approaching our work so differently?

Some see everything as energy, with no demarcation between people, animals, and objects other than a difference in our vibrational frequencies. Energy is information. Energy is the space between two beings - the place we enter while being totally open to receiving, to greeting. Energy is connection and intent, first to the self, then to others. Energy is creating an opening to allow connection. It’s something that must be allowed through openness and felt through awareness. Energy is the existence of movement; awareness of energy is perception and consciousness. Energy is in the integrity of your request. Energy is felt – with your horse, what does it feel like to move from a walk up into a trot? Is it fast, slow, smooth, abrupt, sticky? What if you put that feel into your body? Horses feel and understand this.

The commonality in everyone’s experiences and definitions of energy is that we’re pointing to something that is experienced or felt or sensed, which is different from thinking with the mind. Horses give us the amazing opportunity to use this ability like a language – to remember a part of us many have forgotten. 

In this episode:

Mark Rashid - www.markrashid.com
Barbra Schulte - www.barbraschulte.com
Kathy Price - www.kathyprice.co.uk
Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com
Sukie Baxter - http://wholebodyrevolution.com/about/

Music by Mark Rashid

Episode #7 explores the challenging, beautiful, and mysterious topics of death and grief. Guests on the podcast share their experiences through the transitions of loved ones with vulnerability, gratitude, and curiosity. 

Many of us in western cultures are taught to fear death and dread grief. But when we have a deep knowing inside of us that death is not the end (and birth is not the beginning), there is less reason for fear, and sadness becomes a welcome reminder of love. What would happen if we were open to exploring the mystery of life after life?

For those left behind in our bodies, grief is inevitable. Grief is when we miss the beauty of a being’s physical presence. When we miss someone, we’re missing the person that we knew here on earth, in their bodies. But where are they now? Can we still feel their presence? Does it feel the same? If it’s different, how does it feel? Can we feel it all the time, or does it fade in and out? 

The more we are open to exploring these questions in our hearts and in our bodies, the more comfort we can take in knowing that we can learn how to connect in a different way. 

Join us as we explore the rhythms and cycles of life, death, grief, connection, and consciousness as a beautiful continuum.

Participants

Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com
Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com
Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.net
Leslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.com
Crissi McDonald - www.crissimcdonald.com

Music by Mark Rashid

Episode #6 explores the suggestions that get in the way of clarity, receiving and enjoying relationships.  

This episode examines a set of questions that many people grapple with: Am I a bad person for asking for something I want? Do they genuinely want to connect with me? What does it mean if they say no? How can I interpret if the “no” is specifically relating to the task, or more generally to my request for connection?

This conversation is in the context of working and being with horses, but the angst and wisdom apply far beyond relationships with horses.

Self doubt, lack of self confidence, and guilt plague many of us when we are unsure if we “should” be asking our horses to work with us;: these feelings within us come across to the horse as incongruent, unreliable, and undependable. Even though it comes from a place of love, when we put a lot of mental and energetic focus on what we might be doing wrong, we may be inadvertently casting a shadow on our relationship.

If we dig a little bit deeper, we find a new question: what is it in us that resists receiving the gift of another’s awareness, attention, and effort? The group discusses ancient stories, how horses played a vital role in the survival of humanity. It’s revealed  that these stories can embed within us a deep sense of gratitude, reverence and joy. The joy can emanate from that person, for horses and others to sense the joy from their heart.  As we reflect on our own stories, we recognize this as an invitation to see ourselves with a new lens, revel in possibilities and different perspectives that lead to transformation.  

What if we shifted our focus from what’s wrong to all the things we are both doing right? If we could honor the horse’s immeasurable capacity for forgiveness, we’d be free to approach every day with joy, playfulness, enthusiasm, reverence, and gratitude for their choice to connect with us. How might our relationship change if we shifted our perspective in this way?
Carla Bauchmueller Kerri Lake Jessica White Plume Chris Anderson Joell Dunlap

Podcast Guests

Joell Dunlap - www.squarepegfoundation.org
Jessica White Plume - @jessica.white.plume.5
Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com
Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com
Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com

Music by Mark Rashid

Photography by Crissi McDonald

Episode #5 explores depths of self-awareness.  

This fundamental question - who am I because of my relationship with horses? - drives the conversation, exploring the limitless depths of our idea of “self,” awareness, and how we relate to all other beings. Opening the door to health and healing clears a path to empowerment, confidence, and connection that only strengthens in the face of hardship and challenge. Without those pillars - healing and empowerment - challenge becomes something we avoid. But when the ease is within us, challenge can only expand our experience, deepen our roots, and strengthen our bonds.

If we can make a shift within ourselves to place value on wellness, spaciousness, openness, and movement, we start to expand and orient toward health and relationship rather than competition, performance, and intensity. When we look at horses beyond what they can do for us, beyond technique, we can create a living art between horse and human - but only if we decide to partake in the dance that leads us to look at our own character. 

Throughout history, there have been people who seemingly work magic with horses because they were able to hear horses, because they were able to listen and relate. When we allow ourselves to trust what we see, hear, and feel, there is a beautiful unfolding of authentic relationship that gifts us the ability to believe something new and better about ourselves. When we approach horses in this way - when we weave together all the pieces that are “right” rather than trying to fix what’s “broken”, the impossible becomes possible. Struggle becomes elegance. It’s one of the great gifts of truly relating to horses. 

Podcast Guests

Jillian Kreinbring - www.jilliankreinbringinspired.com
Nahshon Cook - @nahshoncookhorsemanship
Leslie Desmond - www.lesliedesmond.com
Josh Nichol - www.joshnichol.com
Shea Stewart - www.equinebalance.net
Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com

Music by Mark Rashid

Photography by Crissi McDonald