Rural Roots and Cowboy Boots: Marriage, Mayhem, and Manure—Welcome to the Good Life.

For the first time on Rural Roots and Cowboy Boots , we’re turning the microphones over to the next generation. In Episode 14, we introduce our kids—Caden and McKayla—and let them tell their side of the story. Who they are. What they’re doing now. And what it was really like growing up in a family built on rural roots, hard work, and a whole lot of personality. From funny family questions to hones...

In this episode of Rural Roots & Cowboy Boots , we’re diving into four conversations that reflect real marriage, real life, and the changing seasons we all go through. Segment 1: Do You Have to Wear a Wedding Ring If You’re Married? We talk about symbolism, expectations, trust, and why couples see this differently. Segment 2: Is There Still Magic in Christmas When the Kids Are Grown? A convers...

In this episode, we catch up after a busy few weeks and talk through the things that have been on our minds lately — our trip to Texas, the traditions that make this season feel like home, the unexpected energy from the student section at a game, and a moment to reflect on what we’re thankful for right now. It’s an easy, honest conversation about family, perspective, and the small things that remi...

Patrick and Amy dive into how women are shaping the future of American agriculture, share updates from their D.C. advocacy work, and break down what’s really happening behind the government shutdown headlines and SNAP delays. Then they close things out on the front porch — talking empty-nest life, new adventures, and a few laughs about Amy’s Pilates journey. #RuralRootsAndCowboyBoots #WomenInAg #R...

After a short break, Patrick and Amy saddle back up to talk life, cattle, and community. From the North Carolina State Fair to what’s really happening in the beef industry, they cover it all with honesty, humor, and heart. Segments: • The Reason for Disappearance • State Fair Stories • Cattle Industry Update • Front Porch Talk on ST & RBI Because sometimes you have to live the story before you...

Not every battle is worth fighting. In this episode, Patrick and Amy share why sometimes the wisest choice is to sit an argument out—and how that lesson shows up in classrooms, communities, policy, and even on the front porch. From Amy’s trip to Boston, to Patrick’s meetings in Washington on beef inspection policy, to the challenges of rural health care, this conversation dives into what it means...

From Yellowstone’s geysers to the porches of small-town America, we’re exploring legacy, growth, and what it means to live the good life. In this episode: - Reflections on Yellowstone with wisdom from Aldo Leopold & John Muir - Rural growth — prosperity or invasion? - Families, schools & Main Street as the heartbeat of community - Front Porch Talk — neighbors, hope, and real solutions “Yel...

Zep’s recovery, back-to-school season with kids in grad school, and why education feels more about money than learning. From NC’s tourism-driven school calendar to rural schools where “equal” doesn’t mean “identical,” Patrick and Amy end on the porch asking what puzzle pieces we’re missing in raising kids today.

This week, the farm saw it all—Zeppelin’s unexpected accident that had us racing to the vet, a surprise “lovers’ lane” encounter on the front path, and the tough calls that come with life, love, and livestock. From heartache to hilarity, we’re unpacking the moments that remind us every decision—big or small—shapes our story.

Patrick’s fixing fence posts, Amy’s disinfecting everything in sight, and both are chasing a little screen-porch sanity. In this 45-minute roller-rodeo we: Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy with Patrick’s best wreck stories. Episode_5_Rural_Roots_a… Spotlight the unsung ranch women who keep cowboys upright—“Some heroes wear capes; ours show up in Carhartt and wield a cordless drill.” Compare an...

Welcome back to Rural Roots and Cowboy Boots — where marriage, mayhem, and manure meet the moonlight! In this episode, we reflect on the glow of recent late-night conversations, the beauty of owning our mistakes (even the big ones), and why some of the most legendary people in our lives never make the headlines. From small-town heroes to stories that hit home, we’re shining a light on the folks wh...

Amy's trip to Africa, Patrick being stuck in the school car line, and their son moving to another house. Between takeoffs, tearful goodbyes, and USDA label drama, they're learning what it really means to let go- of kids, chaos, and control.

In this episode, Amy and Patrick pull up their chairs and dig into what it means to stay married—and stay sane—when the world feels a little sideways. From seeing things differently to figuring out how to walk through life as partners (not opponents), this one’s about grace, grit, and the daily work of choosing each other. You’ll laugh, nod, maybe shake your head—but either way, you’ll hear a real...

In our very first episode of Rural Roots and Cowboy Boots, we pull back the curtain (or maybe just swing open the barn door) on who we are, how this podcast came to be, and what you can expect in the weeks ahead. We’re talking about how a cattleman and a small-town girl ended up building a life full of grit, grace, and good stories. You’ll hear a bit about marriage, ranching, raising kids, and why...