Each January, the International Professional Rodeo Association holds the International Finals Rodeo where the Top 15 cowboys & cowgirls in each event gather to compete for World titles. IFR 52 makes ten years since cowgirls have had the opportunity to the back in the box and compete for the IPRA World Championship title in the Cowgirl's Breakaway Roping. It's truly incredible to see how far this event has come in one decade. 

On this episode, I catch up with IPRA Cowgirl's Breakaway Roping Event Director- Cassie Vaughan. Growing up in a rodeo family with roots that run deep in IPRA history, Cassie has a special place in her heart for the association & shares what it's like serving in this director position. The talented cowgirl calls Ottawa Lake, Michigan home, where she is a 3rd grade school teacher. Cassie & her 10 year old mare Chex are headed into IFR 52 ranked #3 in the World. 

To connect with Cassie Vaughan: 

INSTAGRAM: @vaughancassie

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/cassie.vaughan.5

To learn more about the IPRA & watch IFR 52 on the Wrangler Network visit: https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/

We'd love to hear from you:

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: https://www.dakotadawnjohnson.com/

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Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

For years, I've heard people talk about the phrase "Progress Over Perfection". I've saved quote posts, read blogs & books and listened to many podcasts on the topic. However, it was rare when I actually heard someone sharing how they walked the walked not just talked the talked when it came to embracing this POP saying. The people who actually took the time to share what it looked like to embrace this way of thinking & walking it out their lives (be it home life, in their profession or learning a new skill) were the ones I learned from the most. By hearing their stories, I imagined specific areas of my life that I could embrace that POP mentality & courageously do the same. 

Progress Over Perfection was my word (ok three words) for the year in 2021. It was the phrase I reminded myself of & drew my focus back to day in and day out.  On this episode, I share what 2021 looked like for me as I walked the walked with my focus on Progress Over Perfection, what I learned from leaning into this idea & how the growth I experienced in 2021 helped me identify my word for 2022- CADENCE. 

I also share on this episode the new format for 2022 that you can expect to see from the Cowgirl Confessions Podcast. 

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INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: https://www.dakotadawnjohnson.com/

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Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

To connect with Thea:

INSTAGRAM: @thea.does.the.things & @cowgirlsovercoffee

WEBSITE: https://www.thealarsen.com/

Let's Connect: 

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com

***********************************************************************************************************

Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

When you push play on this episode you'll hear from the bold & beautiful cowgirl businesswoman Quincy Freeman Eldridge. She shares her story of how the Rodeo Q brand was born, how she navigates her roles as a rodeo wife, mama & business owner, her must haves for taking on Vegas as a vendor during NFR & much more. Quincy also gives us the inside scoop on a new project she's working on that is very near & dear to her heart. Such a fun & encouraging episode that'll have you ready to go buy your tickets to attend the NFR in Viva Las Vegas!

To connect with Quincy:

INSTAGRAM: @rodeoquincy

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RodeoQuincy

WEBSITE: https://www.rodeoquincy.com/

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com 

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Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

It's an absolute honor to share my sister in love Ayla Johnson of Ayla Johnson Photography with you on this episode. She is a wife & mother that's just as handy with a rope as she is behind the camera. Ayla finds joy using her Cowgirl roots combined with years of western retail experience as well as growing up immersed in the photography business to capture moments for families & businesses who also love the western way of life. Ayla & her husband Trenton are both real estate agents, and she is well versed in real estate photography too. Tune in to learn more about how Ayla's western roots & years of experience helped her find her very own niche in the market.  

To connect with Ayla:

INSTAGRAM: @aylajohnsonphotography

FACEBOOK: 

WEBSITE: http://aylajohnsonphotography.com/

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com

***********************************************************************************************************

Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

Have you ever met someone & instantly thought, "Man I wish I could bottle the way they make me feel?", because they have the unique ability to make anybody, even if they just met you, feel like a somebody? That's what you'll get with this episode along with a healthy dose of Jesus and the Cowgirl State of Mind put to action with our guest Miss Joni Nash. She's a freelance auctioneer & owner/ operator of the Cabin at the Coy T Ranch Airbnb located in beautiful Pawhuska, Oklahoma that has so much to share. Push play & I promise this episode will leave you & your emotional tank full. 

To connect with Joni Nash:

INSTAGRAM: @missjoninash & @coytranch

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/joni.nash & https://www.facebook.com/CoytRanch

WEBSITE: www.coytranch.com

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com

***********************************************************************************************************

Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

Hi Friend & Welcome to the Cowgirl Confessions Podcast! I'm sure glad you're here. Looking for some encouragement when it comes to juggling all the things as a wife, mama, business owner or all of the above? If so, you're at the right place sister! Push play on episode 39 to hear from Arkansas native & Western Artist Faith Andrews. I so enjoyed visiting with Faith about where she's at in this current season of life as a wife, mother & business owner as well as recent transition she's made in her business. Faith shares how she's witnessed God's goodness during this season of change for her & her business. Once Faith surrendered the ONE thing she was holding on to so tightly, a new opportunity unfolded allowing her to achieve a dream she'd had on her heart for years. This is an episode that you don't want to miss. 

To connect with Faith:

INSTAGRAM: @_wild_faith

WEBSITE: https://linktr.ee/WildFaithLinks

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INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com 

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

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Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

On this episode, I connect with entrepreneur Laura Benson of South Dakota. She is an incredibly dynamic business woman that loves to start & scale new businesses while also encouraging other women to pursue their dreams. Laura grew up working on her family's dairy farm & credits that experience for giving her a strong foundation in working hard to see a job through to fruition. She humbly shares her journey of how her online only boutique, Filly Flair, that started out in her basement has grown into a MASSIVE business with a 20,000 square foot warehouse & entire team of employees as well as the learning curve she has embraced along the way. The growth she's experienced with Filly Flair over the past 11 years has not come without challenges. Throw in some candid conversation about her & her husband's love story, building a business with littles, Benson Beef Company & how God has played a hand in it all- this is an episode that will leave you with a smile, encouragement & knowledge to boot. 

CONNECT WITH LAURA: 

INSTAGRAM: @laurabensonofficial, @shopfillyflair, @bensonbeefco

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fillyflair & https://www.facebook.com/bensonbeef

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DO YOU KNOW A COWGIRL YOU'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND TO BE ON THE PODCAST? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

FOLLOW YOUR HOST

WEBSITE: www.dakotadawnjohnson.com 

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

***********************************************************************************************************

Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota

Wow- What a Ride! September makes one year since the first Cowgirl Confessions Podcast aired & what a wonderfully wild & western ride it has been along the way! Thank you to each & every one of you that have taken the time to join us, leave a review & share this podcast with your friends that features stories of incredibly inspiring women who wear that all around cowgirl title & wear it well while managing careers, cowboys, kids & cattle in the every day arena of life. 

Episode 38 features 19- year-old Professional Breakaway Roper Sawyer Gilbert of Buffalo, South Dakota. Sawyer Gilbert has become a household name in the breakaway roping world over the past few years collecting big paychecks & experiences at the National Junior High Finals, Chris Neal's Rising Stars in Las Vegas & the Junior American just to name a few. Most recently, she walked away from both Cheyenne Frontier Days & Pendleton Round-up as the 2021 Cowgirl's Breakaway Roping Champion. While Sawyer is the second Cheyenne Frontier Days Breakaway Roping Champion, she is the first woman to have those earnings ($17,525 to be exact) count towards the WPRA/PRCA standings. On this episode, Sawyer shares what competing at the Daddy of 'Em All felt like while facing adversity & keeping a winner's mindset through it all. Sawyer lives by the motto "Don't be afraid to give up Good to be Great." She is currently ranked #2 in the WPRA World Standings. http://www.wpra.com/index.php/standings-pro-rodeo-breakaway-world-2

To connect with Sawyer:

INSTAGRAM: @sawyer.gilbertyy

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Sawyer.GilbertYY

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Be sure to check out our EPISODE SPONSOR: High Call Outfitters- Great Bend, KS-  "Where the West Meets Fashion"

WEBSITE: https://www.highcalloutfitters.com/

INSTAGRAM: @highcalloutfitters

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HIGHCALLOUTFITTERS

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Have a topic or guest you'd like to recommend for upcoming episodes? We'd love to hear from you.

INSTAGRAM: @CowgirlConfessionsPodcast

EMAIL: [email protected]

Follow your host

INSTAGRAM: @DakotaDawnJohnson

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDawnJohnson/

***********************************************************************************************************

Thank you for spending your time with me on the Cowgirl Confessions podcast. I am so glad you stopped by. If you could take a moment to share this episode and tag us on social media- I’d be happier than a cowgirl in a sea of BOGO vintage turquoise.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode. New episodes will be released bimonthly.

Please leave us a review if you feel so led by going to I tunes.  Your feedback will really help us breath the idea of grabbing life by the horns with a COWGIRL STATE OF MIND into women across the globe, some that may have never even had the privilege to throw their leg over a horse but could most certainly use the cowgirl state of mind while navigating life.

Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with that All Go & No Whoa mentality. Remember- You’re writing a story that’s worth saddling up for sister.

God Bless,

Dakota