That Western Life

It's been a crazy year for pro rodeo and, like most fans, we are so excited that the committees and associations were able to work together to produce the 2020 National Finals Rodeo. With that being said, things look a little bit different! A new state (Texas), a new arena (Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers MLB team), new faces and, as our co-hosts put it, "Some weird numbers" - the 2020 season is going to finish with a lot of excitement.

Breaking down all things NFR 2020 kick off is co-hosts Katie Schrock and Rachel Owens-Sarno!

Read more at www.thatwesternlife.com/podcast/episode56.

If you're missing out on what would be the normal time for the Miss Rodeo America pageant, have no fear - co-hosts Katie Schrock and Rachel Owens-Sarno and the rest of the TWL Podcast team recorded a series of podcasts shortly after the 2019 National Finals Rodeo to share with you in honor of the pageant! While the pageant may have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no shot we wouldn't be releasing these amazing stories of some of the most iconic Miss Rodeo America's, their stories and what they are doing now!

Jump in as Ashley talks about being from a small rural town in North Dakota, being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing chemo and then competing for the title of Miss Rodeo America proudly wearing her wig. Then, as the leading lady of professional rodeo, Ashley was able to speak to the new Tough Enough to Wear Pink program as the perfect spokeswoman as a cancer survivor herself.

Not stopping there, Ashley continues to be a mover and shaker in the western fashion world as the founder of the Boutique Hub, the Boutique Chat podcast, online courses for boutique owners, various meet ups/conferences/summits, a part of the Western Runway magazine team, and so much more!

You won't want to miss out on this amazing story!

She's the 2019 Texas Circuit Champion barrel racer and the 2018 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year, a Texas Cowgirl that has won A LOT of money on her special horse, "LenaOnTheRocks" or "Lena." Today's guest is Jimmie Smith whose illustrious rodeo career started long before the 2018 Rookie title… she's a three-time CPRA finalist, was the 2018 Puyallup PRCA Champion and placed third at the Ellensburg (Washington) rodeo.

The impacts of the novel-coronavirus on rodeo committees and communities around the United States has been immense. We sat down at the start of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic to chat with Lakeside Rodeo of California's committee members about the painful conversation that took place to make the decision to postpone their event until 2021.

It's not the first time adversity has his this rodeo committee though - situated in the heart of San Diego, they have gone above and beyond to bridge the community gap between the urban and rural neighborhoods. They continue to work towards the 2021 event, as well as a few other smaller-scaled opportunities for their local rodeo community to stay involved and relevant during these times.

Join co-hosts Rachel Owens-Sarno and Katie Schrock as they dive deeper into the overreaching impacts of COVID-19.

Kaylin Marie Schimpf is a mom, advocate, stock contractor, and probably one of the funniest people you'll ever get to e-meet on social media. From adventures on their farm raising bucking bulls, raising horses, raising her son and, should we say, raising businesses? Kaylin also breaks down a multitude of online Facebook communities that she works with, tips for running your own Facebook community, and other social media updates.

We are excited to have her on the show to chat about the western lifestyle and advocacy!

Read more at www.thatwesternlife.com/podcast/episode52.

Janzen Tew, known to many as "Rodeo Vogue," is also the owner of Denim + Velvet Marketing - a one-stop shop for all things marketing in the western lifestyle! Janzen takes us through not only her experiences growing up that helped define who she is as a business woman, but breaks down the annual NFR fashion show, running an influencer account, and marketing in the world of rodeo.

Make sure to check out denimandvelvet.com/courses to learn more about the photography courses she's offering and, as always, find the complete show notes at www.thatwesternlie.com/podcast/episode51.

When Devan Reilly realized that his college of choice in Casper, Wyoming, didn't have his sports of football or wrestling, the former standout high school athlete decided to try the sport of rodeo. A native of Sheridan, Devan didn't have the funds necessary to buy a saddle for saddle bronc and didn't have a desire to be chased by bulls. He did have a love for legendary cowboy and country music singer Chris LeDoux and, just like LeDoux, Devan became a bareback bronc rider.

He would be more like his idol than he originally thought however as, in 2017, he started using his voice to share his love of the western lifestyle, rodeo, guided hunting, and war heroes through his Blazing Trails podcast. Today, Devan is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bareback bronc rider, guided hunter, and hobby rodeo podcaster.

Read more at www.ThatWesternLife.com/Podcast/Episode50.

Living in the cowboy country of eastern Oregon by way of Montana, we are excited to showcase Celcie Cargill of the Montana Farm Bureau to chat about how we can use the COVID-19 lockdown to become stronger ambassadors for the western lifestyle. From advocating to communications, Chelcie has been involved in policy work as the Director of State Affairs for the Montana Farm Bureau. She's also founded the year-long ACE program that stands for advocate, communicate and educate that is in its third-rotation. Learn how to have empathetic conversations that are applicable in all aspects of life in this episode with co-hosts Katie Schrock and Rachel Owens-Sarno.

Read more at www.thatwesternlife.com/podcast/episode49.

Brandi Buzzard is one cool cowgirl, rancher, runner, and mother who is doing so much good for advocating the wetsern lifestyle. Brandi joins hosts Rachel & Katie as we chat about what it's like to be one of the best in the business.

Named the 2019 National Cattlemen's Beef Assocation's Advocate of the year, Brandi has interviewed with MSNBC, Fox News, and her presence has been requested as a rural representative to chat with White House Senior Executives.

This former college rodeo athlete is a passionate breakaway roper and we chat about the future of the world of rodeo that her daughter will get to know!

Read more on the blog at www.ThatWesternLife.com/podcast/episode48.

**BEEF MONTH** Today's guest joined us at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown to record this episode and we couldn't have asked for a better guest! A teacher, a leader in the western industries, an advocate, former American Cattlewomen Executive Director, Miss Rodeo America clinician, and current business coach - Sarah J. Bohnenkamp is exactly what you need to feel motivated during these strange times!

Insights from this episode:

- The benefits of 4-H - Advocating for the cattle industry - How to promote rodeo - Tips for understanding policy - How to influence change - Social media skills for advocacy

You can learn more about Sarah J. Bohnenkamp at her website (www.SarahJBohnenkamp.com) for her consulting and coaching assistance.

Read the full show notes at www.ThatWesternLife.com/Podcast/Episode47.