Conversations at The Cowgirl

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 b...

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 le...

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 i...

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 m...

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...

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...

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 perform...

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. D...

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...

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 e...

This week, host Madison Ward sits down for a conversation with the creators of Escaramuza, the Poetics of Home : photographer Constance Jaeggi, poets ire'ne lara silva and Angelina Saenz, and Dr. Marcela Fuentes. This project combines original portraiture and ekphrastic poetry to delve into themes of family, identity, and gender within the escaramuza community. The exhibit will be accompanied...

This week, join photographer Constance Jaeggi as she discusses her experience researching, shooting, and crafting the series of portraits, Escaramuza, The Poetics of Home. View Constance's work at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas as part of the new exhibition, Soldaderas to Amazonas:  Escaramuzas Charra s Jaeggi has studied at the New York Film Academy and most...

The exhibition of photography by Constance Jaeggi was commissioned specifically for Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras at the Cowgirl Museum. Jaeggi has studied at the New York Film Academy and most recently completed a Master of Art History and Art World Practice at Christie’s in London. Her work has been internationally exhibited and published notably by The Guardian and  The Washington...

Paola Pimienta, Ambassador of the U.S. Coordination of Charrería and Reina Nacional, has been an invaluable resource to the Museum during the creation of the new exhibition,  Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras.  Join Paola as she sits down with host Madison Ward to reflect on her time serving as Ambassador and Queen and discusses how charrería has shaped her life.

“There’s something about getting to share your knowledge and passion with another that is a gift.” Hear 2018 Cowgirl Honoree Camilla Naprous talk to Dr. Diana Vela about the process of matching horses and actors, how her family got into the entertainment industry, and a few of her plans for the future. Listen on Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcast, and Apple Podcast.

In the final episode of the first season of the Museum’s podcast She Said What – Conversations at The Cowgirl we chat with the new 2021 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association President Jimmie Gibbs-Munroe. She is a 1992 Cowgirl Honoree and was born into the heritage of the 101 Ranch. She has recently been elected as the current WPRA president for a 3rd term. During her previous term...

In today’s episode we talk with 1995 Cowgirl Honoree Barbara Van Cleve at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana for the Cowgirl Fall Roundup. Her photography work is renowned for realistically portraying ranch life in the modern West. Raised on the family’s Montana ranch, she learned ranch life as a participant, with photography as an avocation. Van Cleve taught English Literature and Photography at De...

Episode three of She Said What – Conversations at The Cowgirl podcast is formatted differently than our other interview episodes. We discuss both the public and private life of one of the most well-known cowgirls ever – 1984 Honoree Annie Oakley. In this conversation, we talk about aspects of Oakley’s life, beyond her world-acclaimed sharp shooting skills, which most listeners are not familiar wit...

In today’s episode we talk with incoming 2021 Patsy Montana Award Recipient Christina Voros, who is a cinemaphotographer. She has worked on the hit series “Yellowstone,” being the only female director and director of photography. She has also worked with industry leaders such as filmmaker Tate Taylor and producer Oprah Winfrey. We are excited for our listeners to learn who Voros is and how she wen...

Welcome to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame new podcast – She Said What – Conversations at The Cowgirl! In our first episode we talk with cutting horse champion, 1997 Honoree Lindy Burch and western artist, 2007 Honoree Donna Howell-Sickles during Cowgirl Spring Roundup at The Resort at Paws Up in beautiful Montana. Burch holds the distinction of winning the National Cutting Horse Asso...

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame has a new podcast – She Said What – Conversations at The Cowgirl. I’m your host Madison Ward, the director of public engagement at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Dr. Diana Vela, the associate executive director will join me in conversations about cowgirls, history, and the West. We'll take deep dives into our archives and collections, tal...