Good Movement Draws Good Movement

I'm excited to welcome Lydia Van Aken to the podcast today! In today's episode, we're talking about getting out of your head and into the run. Lydia shares how our emotions, beliefs, and nervous system state directly affect our horses (whether we’re aware of it or not). Building a strong connection requires self-awareness, intentionality, and learning how to regulate yourself FIRST. We also talk h...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the beliefs that keep us from asking for help. Asking for and receiving help is something I’ve been working on in my own life for quite some time now. It’s something that many of us struggle with (especially in agriculture). The truth, though? Not asking for help keeps us isolated, and honestly, that’s not benefiting anyone. As I continue working on this in my...

In today's episode, we're talking about the growing pains of boundaries, help, and working together. While we complement each other in day-to-day work (and our relationship overall), we definitely still butt heads.  We've had arguments that feel funny now (like a certain Jack Russell terrier that almost ruined our relationship)! Working cattle has taught us about reading energy, adjusting exp...

In today's episode, I'm calling out the quiet crisis in rural mental health. So many of us in agriculture have had to numb ourselves just to get through the day.  But that numbness didn't come out of nowhere. It came from surviving, and it's NOT sustainable. We can't pretend it isn't costing us something! If you're listening today and you're carrying something heavy, please know that you don'...

In today's episode, Danielle Kruse and I are talking about life after loss in rural America. Danielle and her husband had built a life in northwest Iowa, raising babies and crops and building a farm alongside his parents. Like so many rural families, there was pride, responsibility, and pressure. What Danielle didn't know was that her husband was quietly battling a drinking addiction he kept...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what to do if you can't tell what your body is saying. If you've spent years in survival mode (especially in agriculture), disconnecting from your body isn't a failure; it's a skill you learned to get through hard seasons.  Pushing through, overriding needs, and ignoring cues, that's how many of us survived. Of course, it feels confusing to suddenly be as...

In today's episode, I'm diving into the question: "What if anger isn't bad, it's just misunderstood?" Believe me, I used to be that person who felt guilty the instant anger showed up.  Anger doesn't disappear just because we pretend it's not there. It builds, simmers, and eventually leaks out in ways we don't plan for. Anger is just information about how our bodies are feeling off, unsafe, or...

There's been such a powerful ripple effect from episode 105, Comfortably Numb: When Calm Becomes Disconnection. After sharing more about it on social media, so many of you reached out with your own experiences of looking "fine" on the outside but feeling anything but that on the inside.  In today's episode, I'm talking about being "comfortably numb" and what healing feels like on the other si...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the hidden wounds behind the Four Horsemen of Communication. I really want to peel back the layers further and look at the wounds beneath the behaviors.  Stonewalling (my personal default + the one for many of you as well) is often the body's cry for safety. Our nervous system is overwhelmed and shutting down because we just can't take any more. These pat...

In today's episode, I'm talking about boundaries that grow capacity.  Many of us grew up believing we were responsible for everyone else's emotions. We learned to stay quiet, stay polite, and keep everyone happy. Unfortunately, those patterns often show up later as burnout, resentment, or the quiet ache of always being available for everyone but ourselves. Boundaries don't have to mean perman...

I'm honored to welcome my friend, Will Hudson, to the podcast today! Will's story starts like many others in ranch country: long hours, responsibility at a young age, and a deep desire to prove himself. But somewhere along the way, approval from others became his fuel, and drinking became the way to feel "good enough."  In today's episode, we're diving into what being seen and staying sober h...

Relationships are built in the day-to-day: the small exchanges, the tone of our words, and the way we handle conflict when things start to go sideways.  In today's episode, I'm diving into the Four Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse (and what to do instead). Sounds a bit dramatic (I know), but what's even more fascinating is that every single one of these horsemen has an antidote! If you...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when calm becomes disconnection. What we often call calm isn't really calm at all. On the outside, it looks steady and strong, but inside? It can feel tight, numb, or completely disconnected - it's what I like to call "comfortably numb." This is what so many of us in agriculture are taught - be tough, hold it together, and keep going (no matter wh...

In today's episode, I'm sharing why it doesn't have to be major to matter. Sometimes we downplay our pain because it doesn't look like a single, defining moment. We compare our experiences to others, dismissing our own hurts as "not that bad."  But trauma isn't measured by the size of the event - it's about what happens INSIDE of us. Pain doesn't have to be major to matter - choosing to...

In today's episode, I'm talking about going from fear-based compliance to trust-based respect. For so long, respect has been tied to compliance.  True respect isn't taught through commands or punishments; it's cultivated! When we shift from fear-based control to trust-based respect, everything changes. Respect isn't about demanding quiet - it's about making space for someone's whole self...

In today’s episode, I’m talking about why you need to stop carrying everyone else’s healing and do the work for you first. I personally had to learn the hard way that you can’t step into doing the inner work and healing for other people. If you try, it’s not going to unfold the way you hoped! You’re not meant to carry everyone else’s healing on your back. As you’re working through your own “stuff”...

In today’s episode, I’m talking about one intentional breath and why it was MY first step toward emotional healing. Back in October 2020, life felt like pure chaos. The ranch workload was heavier than ever, and I didn’t realize the toll it was taking on me until things finally slowed down.  That’s when the anxiety, chest tightness, and overwhelm hit HARD. Out of desperation, I tried one deep,...

In today’s episode, we’re celebrating the 100th episode with a ranch Q&A and real talk with Tom and me (yep, Tom had to be here for episode 100)!  We’re keeping things fun and laid-back for this one. You’ll hear us dive into questions about Tom and his emotions, how we try to help OUR kids navigate their feelings, lessons we’re still learning about communication and grace, our favorite pa...

In today's episode, I'm talking about validation, and why ignoring it isn't the answer - for yourself OR others. I was reminded of this lesson again in our own barnyard with one of our cows. When I shifted my approach and started acknowledging her nervousness instead of ignoring her (which made things worse), I could almost feel her settle. It's the same with people. We don't have to fully un...

In today's episode, I'm talking about why every emotion has a purpose, and the choice is in the response. Emotions are signals. Whether it's anger, fear, sadness, or joy, these emotions are alerting us to something. If we choose to ignore them, we miss what they're trying to tell us. Remember - every emotion has a purpose, friend. When we learn to work with them, they truly can become some of our...

In today’s episode, Tom is back on the podcast, and we’re diving into all things cows, kids, and communication gaps. Earlier this week, Tom set out to move cattle with the kids while I stayed in for a workday. What was supposed to be a simple “fun” project quickly turned into a bit of a rodeo! The heart of this episode is communication and perspective. What seems clear to one person may feel COMPL...

In today's episode, I'm diving into the concept of "manure to meaning" and why acknowledging the crap is the first step. The thing is, you can't turn crap into fertilizer right away. You have to admit it's manure FIRST, then compost it, sit with it, turn it over, and give it time to break down.  Otherwise, it won't turn into anything that will be useful!  If you're ready to start turning...

In today's episode, I'm diving into why you may be waiting for a crisis to seek help. The truth is, we don't HAVE to wait until everything feels like it's falling apart or completely on fire to reach out for support. Inner work isn't just for the breaking points. It's the fence check before the cows ever enter the pasture. It's choosing to tend to your emotional and mental health before the (you k...

In today's episode, I'm diving into why I thought I didn't get angry, but actually, I was just really good at shoving it down. If you grew up in rural spaces where stoicism and toughness are celebrated, you've probably been taught to think that anger isn't safe. Ultimately, anger isn't the enemy - it's often just the messenger. Let's stop shoving anger down and start listening to it with curiosity...

I'm excited to welcome my friend and Good Movement Collective member, Paige Dulaney, to the podcast today! In today's episode, we're diving deeper into family dynamics and emotional healing. Through some major life changes and unexpected challenges, Paige has found herself reevaluating who she was, what she needed, and how to reclaim her voice. Healing (especially emotional healing) is slow and un...