Carole Jackson-Holyan is a proud citizen of the Navajo Nation, rodeo champion, entrepreneur, and cultural advocate. Carole’s story is one of breaking barriers—from becoming the youngest INFR world champion in barrel racing at just 11 years old, to serving as the first and only woman commissioner and vice president of the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

We’ll talk about her journey in the arena and beyond—how her father’s legacy inspired her to champion Native athletes, how she’s grown into a leader for Indigenous women through business and mentorship, and how she continues to bridge cultures through rodeo, education, and community.

So saddle up and join us as we celebrate the power of heritage, leadership, and perseverance—this is Cowgirl Beyond with Carole Jackson-Holyan.

Nancy Martiny is a master saddle maker and a true artisan of the American West. From her ranch in May, Idaho, Nancy has spent more than three decades crafting saddles that are as functional as they are beautiful. Her work is rooted in tradition, mentorship, and the belief that true craftsmanship takes time, heart, and a steady hand.

We’ll talk about how she got her start as a young girl carving leather alongside her father, how mentorship from the legendary Dale Harwood shaped her path, and what it means to be one of the few women mastering a trade long dominated by men. We’ll also dive into her role as a mentor herself—passing down the art of saddle making through her work with Art of the Cowgirl.

So settle in and join us for a conversation about craftsmanship, legacy, and the women keeping Western tradition alive—this is Cowgirl Beyond with Nancy Martiny.

Sarahmarge “Wink” Crigler is a fourth-generation rancher and the heart behind Arizona’s historic X Diamond Ranch: a place where conservation, cattle, and community come together.

From her early days as a teacher and horsewoman to becoming one of the most respected stewards of Western land, Wink has dedicated her life to preserving both the natural landscape and the traditions that ride alongside it. She’s the founder of the Little House Museum, co-founder of the Ranching Heritage Alliance, and recipient of the National Rangeland Management Award.

In this episode, Wink shares stories from her life on the ranch—what it means to protect the land for future generations, the lessons learned from her father’s wisdom, and why the cowboy way is, as she says, “the only life we ever knew.”

Join us for a journey through the high country of Arizona with a true guardian of the West—this is Cowgirl Beyond with Wink Crigler.

Welcome back to Cowgirl Beyond, the official podcast of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame—where we go beyond the exhibits to share the stories of the women shaping the West.

Cheryl Cody is a woman whose life has always centered on two things: horses and words. From the rodeo arena to the editor’s desk, Cheryl has spent her life both living the Western story and telling it.

Raised in a military family that moved often, she always found her way back to horses. That passion evolved into a remarkable career as a competitor, writer, photographer, and event producer whose impact can be felt across the performance horse world.

A two-time PWRA champion, award-winning journalist, and co-founder of Rein In Cancer, Cheryl has paired her talent for storytelling with a deep commitment to the horse community. Through Pro Management, Inc., she has also helped shape some of the industry’s most prestigious events, including the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, and The Run For A Million.

In this episode, Cheryl shares how mentorship, hard work, and heart guided her path—and how her journey continues to inspire riders, writers, and dreamers across the West.

Join us for a conversation with a true storyteller of the saddle: 2025 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductee, Cheryl Cody.

This week, Madison is joined by National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Director of Research and Education, Bethany Dodson and Information Literacy Librarian and Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Jason Vance to discuss 2024 Cowgirl Honoree, The Pack Horse Library Project.

The Pack Horse Library Project ran from 1936 to 1943, with librarians on horseback traveling 10,000 square miles of rugged eastern Kentucky to provide reading materials to isolated families, some of the hardest hit by the Great Depression. The WPA “book women” rode out at least twice a month, in all kinds of weather, with each route covering 100 to 120 miles a week. At its height, the program helped serve almost 100,000 people. By the time the Pack Horse Library Project ended in 1943, it had made a lasting impact on the people of rural Appalachia.

To learn more about The Pack Horse Library Project, click here: https://www.cowgirl.net/portfolios/thepackhorselibraryproject/

Visit the Cowgirl Museum online at www.cowgirl.net, on social media @cowgirlmuseum, and in person at 1720 Gendy Street in Fort Worth, Texas.

This week, Madison talks with 17-time world champion and 2024 Cowgirl Honoree, JJ Hampton. In this exclusive interview, we learn about little girls who dressed as JJ for Halloween, the story behind her signature purple hat, and her hopes for the future of breakaway roping. JJ dubs her induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame “the honor of all honors” and shares how she hopes the legacy of her induction will inspire future generations of her family.

Keep up with JJ Hampton on Instagram @jjhampton18x and jjhampton.com.

Follow the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame on social media @cowgirlmuseum and visit cowgirl.net.

This week, listen to Madison's exclusive interview with 2024 Cowgirl Honoree, Beth Cross, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ariat International. Beth shares her unconventional career path from working as a cook on a salmon processing boat in Alaska to becoming CEO of an international western apparel brand, and at what point she and her team knew they had created something really special with Ariat performance boots. Beth reveals Ariat's namesake, the company values that have contributed to over 30 years of success, and a quote that inspires her to take every setback as an opportunity: "I'm either winning or I'm learning."

Connect with Ariat on social media @ariatinternational and visit ariat.com.

Be sure to follow the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame @cowgirlmuseum and rate and review Conversations at the Cowgirl.

Welcome to Season 3 of Conversations at the Cowgirl! This season, host Madison Ward sits down with each of the 2024 Cowgirl Honorees and Special Award Winners. First up is Kaila Mussell- the first woman to become a professional saddle bronc rider since the formation of the PRCA in 1993. Tune in as Kaila discusses the mechanics of bronc riding as a woman, 101 Ways to Break Your Neck by Frank E. Dean (which Kaila dubs “the best book ever”), and her experiences opening up about her mental health. Kaila Mussell possesses incredible talent horseback and outside the arena, and we are honored to welcome her into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame!

Connect with Kaila on social media @KailaMussell and follow the National Cowgirl Museum @cowgirlmuseum. 

*Content warning: mild language

In this season's final episode, host Madison Ward takes us behind-the-scenes in a conversation with the Museum's Associate Executive Director of Exhibits and Education, Dr. Diana Vela and Curator of Collections, Ashley Kowalski.

Diana and Ashley share highlights and challenges they experienced in the creation of this exhibition and explain how Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras is different from any exhibition they have created before.

Join host Madison Ward as she sits with award winning artist and 2023 Cowgirl Honoree, Gladys Roldan-de-Moras to discuss her career painting scenes of escaramuzas and charreria. Roldan-de-Moras shares her inspiring story of following her passion for art and her Mexican heritage and the impact it has made on her life. She also explains her processes when painting the colorful vestidos worn by the escaramuzas and the capturing movement of the dangerous sport. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to visit the Museum’s newest exhibition, Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras, on display until December 31, 2024. Learn more at www.cowgirl.net. 

Follow the National Cowgirl Museum on Instagram: @cowgirlmuseum and Facebook: @NCMHOF.