Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western

By Alyssa Barnes brings you your weekly dose of cowboy culture through interviews with cowboys, cowgirls, bull riders, rodeo stars, western professionals and other inspiring people within the western space.

Sports & Recreation Kids & Family Outdoor

What's Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western about?

The Earn Your Spurs podcast is a resource for anyone who has ever thought, boy, "I shoulda' been a cowboy." Good news, there's still time. The show will feature interviews with cowboys, cowgirls, authors, horsemen and other inspiring characters who are madly in love with the western way of life - all to help you unleash YOUR inner cowboy. Get your weekly dose of cowboy culture here.

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Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western episodes:

07.05.2016
Ep 55: Motherhood and Horses
When this episode is published, I will be really close to having a baby (my first) if I haven't already. So this is a very special episode for me. Andrea and I talk about what it's like to get back...
06.03.2016
Ep 54: Overcoming Negativity with Co-host Andrea Otley
In this episode, Andrea and I chat about some of the negativity that can crop up at horse events and how, as a new competitor, you shouldn't let it get you down. While most western folks are great, as we...
05.05.2016
Episode 53: Is it Really Worth it All with Co-host Andrea Otley
I recently wrote a blog post titled, "This Part Time Cowboy Lifestyle, is it Really Worth it All?" where I wrote about the reasons, even with all the struggles that go along with it, this lifestyle is totally worth it...
01.22.2016
Ep 52: Setting SMART Horse Goals for 2016
I find January to be a great time to make plans and set goals for the upcoming year. I don't know about you, but I nearly always feel like I didn't spend enough time with my horses when December rolls...
11.25.2015
Ep 51: Outside the Comfort Zone with John Harrer
The host of the Whoa Podcast, John Harrer returns to the show to talk about his experience training a wild horse for the Vaquero Heritage Trainers Challenge in Tehachapi. John didn't grow up around horses. In fact, he didn't really get...
10.22.2015
Ep 50: The Art of Barrel Racing with Heather Smith
In this interview, I talk with Heather Smith of barrelracingtips.com about the many facets of competetive barrel racing. It's such a simple concept - take your horse around 3 stationary barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. But it turns out, there...
10.01.2015
Ep 49: Horsemanship Made Simple with Van Hargis
Today's episode features an interview I did with horseman, Van Hargis for the Cowboy Champions Summit this past June. I got a lot of great feedback on this interview, so I wanted to share it with those of you who...
08.26.2015
Ep 48: East Coast Cowboy with Cliff Schadt Jr.
Cliff Schadt Jr. is not your typical cowboy. In fact, he grew up in a family of hunter jumper trainers on Long Island, New York. Even so, he knew from a young age, that there was "cowboy" in his blood....
07.22.2015
Ep 47: Epic Dude Ranch Vacation with Tom Carr
In this episode I speak to the Owner of Colorado Cattle Company, Tom Carr. He tells the story of how he came to love and later own his dream working cattle ranch/dude ranch, and why it's a great option for...
07.17.2015
Ep 46: National Day of the Cowboy with Bethany Braley
Maybe you are familiar with National Day ofthe American Cowboy already. Perhaps you have been to one of the dozens of events held across the US and even in other countries, to celebrate the iconic cowboy hero. However much you...
07.08.2015
Ep 45: Live Like a Cowboy (Without Actually Being One) with Kent Noble
When I ask my guests at the end of each episode what they think is the most important quality for any good cowboy to have, I get answers like, "integrity," "kindness," "honesty," and "grit." Never once have I heard, "the...
07.01.2015
Ep 44: Horses are Healers with Tim Hayes
In this episode, I speak with equine clinician Tim Hayes. Tim never rode a horse until he was 48 years old, but was fortunate enough to learn with some of the greatest horsemen to ever live. Today he travels the...
06.24.2015
Ep 43: The American Cowboy Hat with Keith Mundee
This week's episode features the president of American Hat Company, Keith Mundee. He shares some helpful information about how hats are made, how to judge the quality of a hat, and what the "kids" are wearing these days. And if...
06.17.2015
Ep 42: Fitness For Riders with Andrea Otley
Andrea Otley is a health and fitness coach who specializes in helping riders reach their goals. As a barrel racer and reined cowhorse competitor, Andrea understands firsthand how developing your fitness can be a huge asset for having more success...
06.02.2015
Ep 41: Cowboy Champions Summit Preview
The Cowboy Champions Virtual Summit features top horsemen and rodeo athletes sharing their expert knowledge about what it takes to be a champion. The sessions will boost your confidence and help motivate you to push yourself to the next level....
05.26.2015
Ep 40: The Dirt on Cowboy Boots with Steven Kahla
Today's episode features Brand Manager for Olathe Boot Company, Steven Kahla. We talk about fit, function and fashion of the modern-day cowboy boot. And I can almost guarantee you will learn something new (I know I did!)
05.19.2015
Ep 39: Learning to Rope the Right Way with Bret Beach
Bret Beach is a multiple time NFR qualifier and the founder of totalteamroping.com. He loves to rope and he loves teaching newcomers how to get started and how to win. In this episode, Bret offers some great advice to those...
05.12.2015
Ep 38: Adventures in Ranching with Laura Jean Schneider
Laura Jean Schneider is one half of a young ranching couple, neither of who grew up with any experience in ranching. Her husband, Sam, is a Yale architecture grad. We talk about how they were able to get their cattle...
05.05.2015
Ep 37: Reading and Writing and Rodeo with Bryce Barnes
If you listened to the Christmas episode of the show, you already met my brother Bryce. But I wanted to have him back on in a more "official" capacity. So today's episode is all about what he does as the...
05.01.2015
Bonus Ep: Whoa Podcast with Clinton Anderson
Today is a special bonus episode of the Earn Your Spurs podcast where I am going to introduce you to my friend, John Harrer of the Whoa Podcast. If you love the Earn Your Spurs podcast, you have to check...
04.28.2015
Ep 36: Bronc Rider Girl with Kaila Mussell
If you're looking for inspiration inside the world of rodeo, look no further than Kaila Mussell. Kaila started breaking colts as a kid, moved onto trick riding and just to turn the intensity up another notch, she started riding broncs....
04.21.2015
Ep 35: Ride Confidently, Ride Well with Barbra Schulte
One of the biggest struggles riders at any level have is building and maintaining confidence. After all, being an effective rider requires a strong grasp of your attitude and knowing how to use it to your advantage. Today, Barbra Schulte...
04.14.2015
Ep 34: Are You Hindering Your Horse with Karen Ososki
Karen is a Top 50 Riding Instructor with American Riding Instructor's Association and after talking with her, it is no surprise. Karen has a unique ability to teach her clients proper riding technique and form. But beyond that, she can...
04.07.2015
Ep 33: Horses Spurring Change with Jaimie Stoltzfus
I have always been interested in psychology, coaching and how the mind works. In fact, I was even a psychology major for one semester (more on that another time)... So, when I heard about life coaching and therapy using horses,...
03.31.2015
Ep 32: Goat Roping Gone Wild with Will Stevens
Will Stevens is a lot of things, including a rancher, deputy sheriff, and cafe owner. But up until a couple years ago, he never dreamed he would also become the father of the hottest sport in Texas right now. That's...
03.24.2015
Ep 31: The Four-Legged Stars of Rodeo with Cindy Schonholtz
In this episode, I wanted celebrate the four-legged stars of the rodeo arena. Unfortunately, they tend to be a little on the quiet side during an interview. So, instead, I have Cindy Schonholtz, Director of Industry Outreach and Livestock Welfare...
03.17.2015
Ep 30: Cowgirls with Curves with FJ Thomas
FJ thomas is a barrel racer, author and horse show judge. She has had a love affair with horses since she talked her parents into getting her a pony as a little girl. Her latest endeavor is a blog called...
03.10.2015
Ep 29: Cowboy Culture 101 with Dr. Richard Slatta
Today I speak with someone who has managed to make a career out of studying cowboy culture. Dr. Richard Slatta is a professor at North Carolina State University who has lived all over the west and in Latin America. We...
03.03.2015
Ep 28: Getting Acquainted and Finding Western Activities in Your Local Area
Help me celebrate 6 months of the Earn Your Spurs Podcast on this solo episode! I talk about getting to know my amazing listeners, the survey you can complete for a chance to win a pair of Cinch Jeans (everyone...
02.24.2015
Ep 27: Montana Ranch Life with Kari Lynn Dell
Kari Lynn Dell is a mother, ranch wife, author and rodeo cowgirl living on her family's ranch outside of Cut Bank, Montana on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. She is so far North, she can see Canada from her back porch....
02.17.2015
Ep 26: You Can Be a PBR Stock Contractor with Ross Coleman
If you are a PBR fan, you no doubt remember Ross Coleman from his days as a fixture on the Built Ford Tough Series. But today we're talking about the 4-legged stars of the PBR and the people who raise...
02.10.2015
Ep 25: Zero to Rodeo Cowboy in a Weekend with Lyle Sankey
Today I speak with Lyle Sankey of Sankey Rodeo Schools. Lyle was one of the few cowboys who qualified for the NFR in all three roughstock events - bareback, saddle brond and bull riding. Today he puts on schools across...
02.03.2015
Ep 24: The Cowboy Protectors with Al Sandvold
Al Sandvold has been a bullfighter for more than 20 years. Why would anyone want to fight bulls or a living, you ask? Well, Al tells us the answer, for him anyway. Learn the finer points of cowboy protection in...
01.27.2015
Ep 23: That Girl is a Cowboy with Adrian Brannan
In this episode, I talk to "Buckaroogirl," Adrian Brannan about her cowboy music, her bronc riding days and why she thinks it's so important to pass our western traditions onto anyone who is interested in listening. Adrian is so much...
01.20.2015
Ep 22: Overcoming Fear and Insecurity with Alyssa Barnes
Today, I have no guest on the show. It is just me talking about the number 1 thing that I think holds people back from living out their western dreams - fear. I talk about the inspirational Fallon Taylor and...
01.15.2015
Bonus: Cowboy Q&A
You may have heard I am developing a new podcast called Cowboy Q&A;, but I need your questions in order to roll it out! Simply go to www.earnyourspurs.com/cowboy-qa to leave me a voicemail of your question. Today's bonus episode features...
01.13.2015
Ep 21: It's YOUR Time to Ride with Christie Schulte
Christie Schulte is the director of the Time To Ride Program. Time To Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council to make horses more accessible to newcomers, especially families with kids. Today we talk about this great program...
01.06.2015
Ep 20: One Man's Journey West with Sam Finden
Sam Finden is a 29 year old blogger, author, hunter, horseman, and all-around good guy who made his way from Minnesota to Montana with the intention of living the western lifestyle. He grew up with limited horse experience and came...
12.23.2014
Ep 19: Barnes Family Christmas with Bryce Barnes
This is the special Christmas edition of the Earn Your Spurs Podcast. I have enlisted my brother Bryce to be my co-host and share some of the dysfunctional traditions in our family. Hope you enjoy it and Merry Christmas!
12.16.2014
Ep 18: Pow Pow! National Finals Rodeo 2014 Recap with Lori O'Harver
Today I am excited to introduce you to Lori O'Harver. This lady knows her bronc riding and you can find out more about that on her Bronc Riding Nation Facebook page. But today, I asked her on the show to...
12.09.2014
Ep 17: Roadie The Ranch Dog with Scott Haynes
Scott Haynes grew up on a ranch in Northeastern Montana where his family grew wheat and raised beef cattle. During his childhood, Scott developed an affinity for both ranch dogs and western cartooning. Today he has combined those two interests...
12.02.2014
Ep 16: The Beautiful Ambassadors of Rodeo with Paige Nicholson
Paige Nicholson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2013 and Miss Rodeo America 2014 talks about her upbringing, how she got involved in rodeo queen pageantry and what kind of impact her experience as Miss Rodeo America has had on her personally and...
11.25.2014
Ep 15: Success in Rodeo Looks a Lot Like Hard Work with Kelly Timberman
Unlike most professional rodeo cowboys, Kelly Timberman didn't move up through the ranks of Jr Rodeo and High School rodeo before winning a world championship in bareback riding. In fact, he didn't get on his first bareback horse until after...
11.18.2014
Ep 14: Student of the Horse with John Harrer
John Harrer is the host of the Whoa Podcast, all about horses. For such a horse enthusiast, it's hard to believe that he hasn't been riding all that long. And he taught himself the basics of horsemanship by watching Clinton...
11.11.2014
Ep 13: Horses Healing Heartbreak with Chelsey Stimson
Chelsey Stimson is a veteran of the US Navy, a military widow, and an avid barrel racer. Having been a horse lover since childhood she knew she always wanted to have horses in her life, but it wasn't until after...
11.04.2014
Ep 12: Horseback From New York to LA with Alex Cord
Alex Cord is a horseman, an author, a stage actor and a movie star. He appeared in more than 30 films including several westerns and 300 television shows. Perhaps most notably, he played Archangel on the hit series Airwolf.
10.28.2014
Ep 11: Footballs, Fat Suits and Fun Noodles with JJ Harrison
JJ Harrison has been a rodeo clown for 10+ years. He has entertained crowds at the Reno Rodeo, St Paul Oregon, the NILE and many others. In 2012 he reached the pinnacle of his profession when he was asked to...
10.21.2014
Ep 10: Dare to Be a Cowboy with Hannah-Beth Tems
Hannah-Beth Tems is just 16 years old and a senior in high school. She just started a non-profit to help kids get started in rodeo called Dare to Be a Cowboy. Hannah-Beth doesn't come from a rodeo family herself, so...
10.14.2014
Ep 9: Never Ever Ever Give Up with Amberley Snyder
This beautiful blonde rodeo gal has been cleaning up in the arena for her college rodeo team at Utah State University and on the amateur rodeo circuit as well. She competes in both the barrel racing and the breakaway roping,...
10.07.2014
Ep 8: Success Secrets of a Million Dollar Bull Rider with Wiley Petersen
Wiley Petersen was hooked on bull riding at 10 years old with dreams of becoming a professional bull rider. For anyone who has followed the PBR, you already know he went on to do just that.He qualified for 10 PBR...

What's Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western episodes:

Ep 55: Motherhood and Horses

Ep 54: Overcoming Negativity with Co-host Andrea Otley

Episode 53: Is it Really Worth it All with Co-host Andrea Otley

Ep 52: Setting SMART Horse Goals for 2016

Ep 51: Outside the Comfort Zone with John Harrer

Ep 50: The Art of Barrel Racing with Heather Smith

Ep 49: Horsemanship Made Simple with Van Hargis

Ep 48: East Coast Cowboy with Cliff Schadt Jr.

Ep 47: Epic Dude Ranch Vacation with Tom Carr

Ep 46: National Day of the Cowboy with Bethany Braley

Ep 45: Live Like a Cowboy (Without Actually Being One) with Kent Noble

Ep 44: Horses are Healers with Tim Hayes

Ep 43: The American Cowboy Hat with Keith Mundee

Ep 42: Fitness For Riders with Andrea Otley

Ep 41: Cowboy Champions Summit Preview

Ep 40: The Dirt on Cowboy Boots with Steven Kahla

Ep 39: Learning to Rope the Right Way with Bret Beach

Ep 38: Adventures in Ranching with Laura Jean Schneider

Ep 37: Reading and Writing and Rodeo with Bryce Barnes

Bonus Ep: Whoa Podcast with Clinton Anderson

Ep 36: Bronc Rider Girl with Kaila Mussell

Ep 35: Ride Confidently, Ride Well with Barbra Schulte

Ep 34: Are You Hindering Your Horse with Karen Ososki

Ep 33: Horses Spurring Change with Jaimie Stoltzfus

Ep 32: Goat Roping Gone Wild with Will Stevens

Ep 31: The Four-Legged Stars of Rodeo with Cindy Schonholtz

Ep 30: Cowgirls with Curves with FJ Thomas

Ep 29: Cowboy Culture 101 with Dr. Richard Slatta

Ep 28: Getting Acquainted and Finding Western Activities in Your Local Area

Ep 27: Montana Ranch Life with Kari Lynn Dell

Ep 26: You Can Be a PBR Stock Contractor with Ross Coleman

Ep 25: Zero to Rodeo Cowboy in a Weekend with Lyle Sankey

Ep 24: The Cowboy Protectors with Al Sandvold

Ep 23: That Girl is a Cowboy with Adrian Brannan

Ep 22: Overcoming Fear and Insecurity with Alyssa Barnes

Bonus: Cowboy Q&A

Ep 21: It's YOUR Time to Ride with Christie Schulte

Ep 20: One Man's Journey West with Sam Finden

Ep 19: Barnes Family Christmas with Bryce Barnes

Ep 18: Pow Pow! National Finals Rodeo 2014 Recap with Lori O'Harver

Ep 17: Roadie The Ranch Dog with Scott Haynes

Ep 16: The Beautiful Ambassadors of Rodeo with Paige Nicholson

Ep 15: Success in Rodeo Looks a Lot Like Hard Work with Kelly Timberman

Ep 14: Student of the Horse with John Harrer

Ep 13: Horses Healing Heartbreak with Chelsey Stimson

Ep 12: Horseback From New York to LA with Alex Cord

Ep 11: Footballs, Fat Suits and Fun Noodles with JJ Harrison

Ep 10: Dare to Be a Cowboy with Hannah-Beth Tems

Ep 9: Never Ever Ever Give Up with Amberley Snyder

Ep 8: Success Secrets of a Million Dollar Bull Rider with Wiley Petersen