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What does it really mean to support someone? And how often do we offer advice when what someone truly needs is simply to be heard?
In this episode of the Mindful Humanship Podcast, Angie Payne and Amy Monea explore the meaning of genuine support, the importance of deep listening, and how we can create spaces where people feel safe, understood, and accepted.
They reflect on the difference between listening and truly hearing someone, drawing on their experiences with horses and the powerful connections that can happen without words. They also discuss why unsolicited advice can sometimes cause people to shut down, even when it comes from a place of good intentions.
The conversation explores finding the right therapeutic support, the importance of relationships in emotional healing, and the growing use of artificial intelligence for mental health conversations. Angie and Amy consider where technology might be helpful, where it has limitations, and why human connection remains such an important part of personal growth.
They close with a meaningful reminder that sometimes life feels too hard, and allowing ourselves to pause, rest, and ask for support is an important part of being human.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
A Moment to Reflect
Before offering advice to someone who is struggling, consider asking:
“How can I best support you? What do you need from me?”
Sometimes the most meaningful support we can offer is our presence, our willingness to listen, and the space for someone to find their own way forward.
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode of the Mindful Humanship Podcast, Angie Payne and Amy Monea explore gratitude, not simply as something we say, but as something we can intentionally notice, feel, and practice.
With Canadian Thanksgiving approaching, Angie and Amy reflect on how easy it can be to become caught up in everything happening around us. When life and the world feel heavy, intentionally noticing what we are grateful for can help shift our perspective.
They share personal gratitude practices, including taking time at the end of the day to recognize what they are thankful for, and explore the difference between simply thinking about gratitude and actually allowing yourself to feel it in your body.
The conversation also moves into relationships, individuality, and appreciating the people who make up our own “inner herd.” Angie and Amy reflect on allowing others to follow their own journeys, recognizing the people who make us feel safe and supported, and remembering that not everyone needs a backstage pass to our hearts.
Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to slow down, notice what is already present, and create space for gratitude in the middle of real life.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
“Not everyone gets a backstage pass to your heart.”
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne reflect on change, self-awareness, relationships, and the lessons horses continue to teach them about themselves. From navigating fear and the urge to back out when things feel uncomfortable to embracing the parts of ourselves we once judged, they explore how awareness creates space for compassion, growth, and choice.
Angie shares how working with Romeo has helped her recognize a tendency to “bail” when she doesn’t feel confident, and how noticing that pattern allows her to respond differently. Instead of criticizing the fearful part of herself, she can acknowledge it, offer compassion, and remind herself that she can still move forward even when something feels scary.
Amy and Angie also explore how horses have an incredible ability to reveal what we carry beneath the surface. Tension, fear, uncertainty, and protective strategies may have served us at one point, but over time they can become deeply ingrained and begin “driving the bus.” Horses invite us back into our bodies, challenge incongruence, and encourage us to show up more authentically.
The conversation then turns to relationships and self-care as Amy and Angie introduce their new Mindful Humanship card deck. Through prompts inspired by their book and their work with horses, the cards encourage reflection around safety, relationships, personal growth, and caring for ourselves so we can remain present for others.
At its heart, this episode is a reminder that personal growth isn't about fixing ourselves. It's about becoming aware of what we carry, understanding why our strategies developed, and learning to meet ourselves with greater compassion along the way.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
“It’s not about fixing because we’re not broken. We’re just carrying pain and grief and hurt and don’t know what to do with it.”
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne explore the unique power of group therapy and why healing doesn't always have to happen one-on-one. Drawing from over a decade of facilitating Mindful Humanship retreats, they share what makes group work so transformative, how horses help create deeper awareness, and why healing in the presence of others can be one of the most profound experiences a person has.
Amy and Angie walk listeners through the different types of experiences they offer, from introductory horse encounters to intensive weekend retreats designed for deeper therapeutic work. They discuss how carefully creating a safe environment allows participants to become vulnerable at their own pace while being supported by both the group and their equine co-facilitators.
The conversation highlights a powerful truth: many of our deepest wounds happen in relationships with other people, making healing in healthy relationships equally important. Through witnessing another person's story, offering compassion, and realizing we are not alone, participants often discover healing even when they aren't the one actively doing the work.
Amy and Angie also explain why their retreats are different from traditional talk therapy. Rather than simply discussing past experiences, participants are invited to reconnect the head and the heart through experiential work with horses. Together, they explore the importance of regulation, emotional congruence, and creating a therapeutic container where every participant feels safe enough to be fully seen.
At its heart, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn't happen in isolation. When we find the courage to sit in a circle, speak our truth, and allow ourselves to be witnessed with compassion, we often discover that belonging itself can become part of the healing process.
In This Episode, you'll explore:
"When we're safe enough to speak our truth, and people don't run away, healing begins."
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this special episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne welcome their first guest to the podcast: Brett Monea. Husband, father, rancher, journeyman carpenter, professional rodeo bullfighter, and the man behind much of the behind-the-scenes work that makes the ranch and Mindful Humanship possible.
Brett shares his journey growing up on a cattle farm in Alberta, finding his way into professional rodeo, and building a life rooted in agriculture, family, and community. From protecting bull riders in the arena to raising cattle on the ranch, Brett offers a unique perspective on resilience, responsibility, and what it means to care deeply for both people and animals.
The conversation explores the realities of rural life and mental health, including the challenges that come with farming, ranching, and a profession where injury is often a matter of "when, not if." Brett reflects on a recent rodeo injury, the importance of leaning on community, and how talking with others who share similar experiences has helped him navigate difficult seasons.
Amy, Angie, and Brett also dive into the growing disconnect between urban and rural communities. Together, they discuss the misconceptions many people have about farming, food production, and animal care, while highlighting the shared values that connect us all: caring for our families, supporting our communities, and creating meaningful lives.
At its heart, this episode is about community, connection, and the reminder that none of us are meant to carry life's challenges alone.
In This Episode, you'll explore:
"When things get really hard, I talk to other ranchers and realize I'm not alone. That's a huge one for me."
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
Guest: Brett Monea
🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brettmonea/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theultimatebullfightingexperience/
In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne explore the realities of partnerships and relationships, why they can feel so challenging, and what actually makes them work. Drawing from their own 10+ year partnership, they share honest insights on trust, communication, conflict, and the courage it takes to stay connected when things get hard.
From the very beginning of their relationship, Amy and Angie said “yes” before having all the answers, stepping into a partnership without fully knowing each other, but trusting the process. What started as a simple opportunity quickly became a deeply meaningful collaboration built over time.
They reflect on the intentional work that helped shape their foundation: understanding each other’s values, communication styles, emotional triggers, and needs. Through both smooth seasons and challenging moments, they reveal that strong relationships aren’t built on perfection, but on honesty, repair, and a willingness to have the hard conversations.
This episode also dives into one of the most common patterns that breaks relationships down, the tendency to stay silent. When things go unsaid, they don’t disappear… they build. And over time, they become bigger than they ever needed to be.
At the heart of this conversation is trust, the kind that isn’t instant but built slowly through shared experiences, consistency, and showing up for each other again and again. It’s also about the unexplainable side of connection, the “something” that makes certain relationships feel aligned, safe, and like home.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
“If you never want your heart broken, never get into a relationship… but is it worth it? 100% yes.”
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode, Amy Monea turns the spotlight onto Angie Payne, inviting listeners into a deeply personal and powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and the journey of finding your voice.
Angie shares her story of immigrating from London, England, to Canada at just six years old, leaving behind family, familiarity, and connection. What followed was a childhood marked by independence, loneliness, and quiet adaptation, experiences that would shape how she moved through the world for years to come.
From navigating life as a young immigrant to building a career in the fast-paced oil and gas industry, Angie reflects on the people and moments that helped shape her path, including a mentor who believed in her when she didn’t yet believe in herself.
The conversation takes a deeply emotional turn as Angie opens up about her journey to motherhood, the heartbreak of loss, the uncertainty of adoption, and the overwhelming love of finally becoming a mom. Through it all, she shares an honest truth: motherhood is both the hardest and most meaningful role she has ever taken on.
At the core of this episode is Angie’s evolution from a woman who believed she should stay silent to someone who is continuously learning to speak her truth. She explores the “pendulum swing” from having no voice to having something to say about everything, and the ongoing work of finding balance, authenticity, and intention in how she shows up.
This episode is a reminder that your value is not defined by external measures, but by who you are underneath it all, and that your voice matters more than you may have been taught to believe.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
“Who you are is enough. It is more than enough.”
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode, Angie Payne turns the spotlight onto Amy Monea, inviting listeners into a more personal and unfiltered conversation about who Amy is beyond her role as a therapist and equine facilitator. What unfolds is a rich, grounded story of growing up on a farm, embracing fear, and building a life rooted in authenticity, connection, and purpose.
Amy shares what it was like to be raised in a farming family, surrounded by multiple generations, early mornings, and the rhythms of caring for animals. From dairy farming to a cow-calf operation, her upbringing shaped not only her work ethic but also her deep respect for both animals and the land.
The conversation moves through pivotal moments in her life—from 4-H and public speaking to becoming a rodeo queen and even stepping into the arena as a rodeo clown (a lifelong dream she chose to face despite fear). Through humor and honesty, Amy reflects on how these experiences built confidence, resilience, and a willingness to try things that feel scary but meaningful.
We also hear about love and partnership, including a memorable wedding moment where her husband surprised her with a live performance—highlighting the role of support, playfulness, and shared values in their relationship.
At the heart of this episode is Amy’s philosophy on life: letting your “freak flag fly,” challenging traditional roles, and modeling authenticity for her children. Whether she’s talking about raising kids, working with clients, or caring for animals, Amy emphasizes presence, courage, and staying true to who you are.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/
Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment
Amy Monea
🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/
In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne explore the essential foundations of regulation and co-regulation, concepts that are as vital in the therapist's office as they are in the arena with horses. They break down what it actually means to "stay in your body" and why true connection only happens when our thinking brains are online.
Drawing from their own experiences as therapists and horsewomen, Amy and Angie discuss how our nervous systems constantly interact with those around us, whether we’re parenting, working with a team, or even navigating road rage on the highway. From the intensity of a horse "blowing sideways" to the quiet strength of holding space for a client, this conversation highlights how leadership is often simply the ability to stay regulated a little longer than the person (or horse) next to you.
In This Episode, you’ll explore:
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
Amy Monea
In this episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea dive into the nuance of equine communication. They challenge the common tendency to anthropomorphize horses, reminding us that while horses are sentient, they don’t think, process, or grieve in the same way humans do.
Drawing from their years of experience, they discuss the importance of seeing a horse as a horse, rather than a "tool" for therapy. From the story of Fancy’s passing and the herd's reaction to the way we misinterpret a horse's need for space as a need for comfort, this conversation is a masterclass in staying curious and letting the horse be the teacher.
In This Episode, You’ll Explore:
May the horse always bring you home.
Follow Mindful Humanship
Follow the Hosts
Angie Payne
Amy Monea
From the publisher's feed
Drawing from their work in mental health and equine-facilitated therapy, they share personal stories of how horses reflect our inner truth, challenge emotional masks, and help create a sense of…