Leaders Of The West

We’re back this week with part two of our discussion with Jeanne Carver! If you didn’t have a chance to listen to last week’s episode, take a pause and definitely go listen to that. In today’s episode, Jeanne dives deeper into the regenerative practices her ranch uses. Jeanne was able to create the first farm group in America to reach the global standards of the Responsible Wool Standard. She shar...

Welcome to this week's episode of Leaders of the West. Let me tell you guys, you are in for a treat today! We’re sitting down with Jeanne Carver. She and her late husband, Dan, started Imperial Stock Ranch. And they also are the brains behind Shaniko Wool Company. When I first sat down with Jeanne in October, we talked all about Imperial Stock Ranch and the history of their operation and regenerat...

Welcome to the first solo episode of 2025! In today’s episode I want to talk about goals. Did you know most people don’t make it past January 14th (aka Quitters Day) with their new year goals or resolutions? How can we set forth to achieve our goals and stay on track when we know that life is going to happen? In this episode I share a different way to look at achieving your goals while aiming for...

In today’s episode we have Gatlin Didier sitting down with us. Some of you might recognize him as Darrel Bibbins, a character he created and plays that’s found wide success across social media. Gatlin shares his unique journey of growing up in rural Oklahoma, being raised in a ranching family, pursuing baseball and a law degree, moving to Hollywood, and meeting his wife. Gatlin also shares how he’...

I’m so excited to have Jena Ochsner on the show today! Jena shares her backstory on growing up, graduating with two degrees (one being in nursing), and then transitioning to working on the family farm with her husband. She’s also a mom, direct-to-consumer beef business owner, and podcaster. Jena shares her personal journey, as well as her son’s, to better health while working with a functional med...

We are kicking off 2025 with another bonus episode! Justin Bates of Strategic Financial is back with us to talk all about the stock market and investing. Investing in the stock market is a fear for many Americans but Justin is shedding light on some of the common misconceptions about the stock market and why starting small may be a good way to get started investing. In this episode, we’re covering...

It’s hard to believe that this is the last episode of 2024! It has been such a great year both personally and professionally. I have so much gratitude for all that has taken place and I want to say thank you to all of you for listening, sharing episodes, and sending me follow up questions. It all means so much to all of us who are involved in this podcast! Today we are bringing back an episode fro...

You are in for a treat on today’s episode of Leaders of the West. We are sitting down with Grant Golliher. Grant is well-known as a horse trainer and horse whisperer. He and his wife Jane own and operate Diamond Cross Ranch, which has been in Jane’s family for five generations. Grant is our first-ever author on the podcast and he wrote both Think Like a Horse: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Empa...

I’m so excited to have Brooke Yates joining us today! She is one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever been lucky enough to know. Brooke has such a unique and inspirational story. She not only owns a brand called Ranch Raised, she’s also a doctor practicing in rural Montana. Brooke shares a little about being a 5th generation Montanan and how she was practicing as a physician’s assistant...

We’re in that final push before Christmas and the new year! In today’s episode, I share a few holiday tips. I talk about how Christmas is not about gifts or material things, but more about experiences, making memories and doing acts of kindness. With that being said, I know some gifts are a must, so I share examples of more unique, sentimental gifts I like to give. I also talk about how important...

We’re back for another bonus episode with Justin Bates of Strategic Financial to chat all about the importance of life insurance. Justin was once a skeptic of life insurance before realizing just how necessary it is and now he’s joining us to share how having a life insurance policy helps protect you and your loved ones. In this episode, we are diving into the intricacies of life insurance. We’re...

I’m excited to share this unique episode with you! Today we are sitting down with Janie Johnson. She is a western sports broadcaster for RFDTV and The Cowboy Channel. She’s also the host of RanchHer. Earlier this summer I had the honor of having Janie and her entire crew at the ranch as I had been invited to be on an episode. That episode airs tonight (12/3/24) on RFDTV! In today’s episode Janie s...

I’m so excited to have one of the women I would call a role model in my life. Jodi Hendrickson is an incredible businesswoman, human, and all-around cowgirl. In this episode Jodi shares about her upbringing on a ranch in South Dakota and her time rodeoing in college. She also shares her long battle with Lyme Disease that cost her not only her health, but her career for a long time as she sought tr...

It’s hard to believe 2025 is almost here. I have been looking back at this year as well as what’s on the horizon. That’s what I’m talking about today: what’s coming up! In this episode, I am excited to dive deep into something we announced in October! In March of 2025, Of The West is launching a brand new platform called Schools Of The West. It is going to be an innovative online directory that is...

I’m honored to have Mesa Pate with us today. Mesa is a true cowgirl in every sense of the word. In today’s episode we talk about Mesa’s unique upbringing on a multi-generational ranch in Montana as well as all the traveling her rodeo family did. Mesa shares about her deeply close relationship with her mom, Tammy Pate. Together, they created Art of the Cowgirl. Mesa also shares the changes and chal...

Justin Bates of Strategic Financial is joining me once again for another bonus episode! We are covering the highly requested topics of financial debt and leverage. Understanding debt, how to approach debt, and how to leverage debt are all very important when it comes to planning and fully understanding our finances and Justin is breaking it all down for us today. In today’s episode, we are taking...

I’m so excited to have one of the most decorated rodeo athletes in barrel racing on today’s episode! Hailey Kinsel is here to share a behind-the-scenes peek into her background and the lessons she’s learned and grown from. Hailey deep dives into her upbringing on a ranch and how her passions were developed by her parents encouraging her to try different interests. They wanted her to be well-rounde...

I’m excited for today’s unique episode! I’m sitting down with Chandler Mulvaney, the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He’ll share his background and experience as well as information on the Trailblazers program, which is an extension of the Masters of Beef Advocacy program from the Beef Checkoff. I am a member of the Trailb...

In this week’s episode I’m recapping some of the time-sensitive highlights of the past several podcast episodes of Leaders of the West. These episodes include interviews with trailblazing women you won’t want to miss. I also share two professional tips I find myself using often. First, I’ll cover the importance of respectfully making introductions along with a good example of how I make introducti...

Today’s episode is a little different. Lisa Whitman is joining us to help shed light on the Beneficial Ownership Information Report. You may not know about this report or that anyone that has an LLC or corporation needs to file it based on the requirements of the Federal Corporate Transparency Act. This law was enacted in 2021 but went into effect January 1st, 2024 under the Financial Crimes Enfor...

Today we have the one and only Judy Wagner joining us! Judy is highly decorated in the western industry and I consider her a personal mentor. In this episode, Judy shares her backstory of growing up with seven siblings, losing her father at a young age, and the work ethic she gained while being raised on a Montana ranch. She also shares how she dreamt up Gator Ropes and has had such an incredible...

We are back with another bonus episode! Justin Bates of Strategic Financial is joining me to cover essential year-end finance tips for individuals and business owners for the upcoming tax season. Whether you're an employee, new business owner, or have an established business, Justin is sharing tips to help set you up for success. In today’s episode, we are looking at the importance of taking a str...

I’m excited to have my friend, Nicole Poyo Brennan on today’s episode. Nicole is an incredibly talented equine and western photographer. In this episode Nicole shares about her upbringing on the east coast, how she came to the western side of the United States, tips on time management, and how she has built her successful career. Nicole also shares information about her course, Equine Photography...

I am truly grateful to have Nevada Miller on today’s episode to share her insights on scaling a handmade business. In this episode Nevada gives tips for when you’re first starting your business, three ways to diversify your offerings, and advice when you’re first getting into trade work. This episode is filled with inspiration and wisdom from Nevada as she’s scaled her business and is teaching oth...

I’m excited to have Melissa Grimmel Schaake on this week’s episode! Originally from Maryland, she was raised on a multi-generational grain operation with a passion for livestock and a strong work ethic at a young age. She moved to the midwest to attend Kansas State University. Later, her and her husband, Shane, started a herd together before they even got married. They now proudly own and operate...