That Western Life

In this episode, Jesse Jarvis shares her journey through the Western industry, the evolution of her platform Of the West, and insights on industry hiring, branding, and professional growth. We explore how to attract talent, the importance of personal branding, and navigating industry challenges. In this episode, Jessie Jarvis shares insights on career development, industry trust, and the future of...

That Western Life is back for Season 7. After a few years away from the microphone, host Katie Schrock is bringing the podcast back with a renewed focus on the people, stories, and conversations shaping the modern western industry. This season returns to the classic That Western Life format: 50% rodeo and 50% everything else that makes up the western way of life. That means agriculture, ranching,...

Welcome to Part I of our Western History deep dives with our resident That Western Life historian Katie Surritt and co-host Katie Schrock. Make sure to tune in bi-monthly for all things western lifestyle on the That Western Life Podcast.  Summary: Starting with the first arrival of cattle to the Hawaiian Islands, the That Western Life team take a deep dive into the history of the Paniolo and the H...

It's time for the start of Season 6 of the That Western Life podcast and we are excited to bring back your co-hosts Katie Schrock & Rachel Owens-Sarno. Season 6 will also include co-hosts Saddle Bronc Rider Joe Harper & Western Historian Katie Surritt.  In this episode:  Breakdown of the State of the PRCA Address by CEO Tom Glause Number of members, permits, rookies, rodeos, performances and payou...

There's been a new movement in the past year regarding rodeo athletes placing an emphasis on athlete as a big part of their budding career success. Natasha McCann grew up an athlete before a major injury sidelined her from her collegiate dreams. A resilient young lady, Natasha became a buckaroo riding colts and then, on the side, got her EMT license and worked in an ambulance. Her passion for fitn...

Rookie Saddle Bronc Rider Q Taylor is on the hunt for his first National Finals Rodeo - no small feat for a first year professional rodeo cowboy! The 21 year-old Casper, Wyoming, native had a stellar permit year in 2022, and is one of the great young guns that the That Western Life podcast team is following through the 2023 season.  Currently sitting #2 in the Resistol Rookie Standings, Q dives in...

To sit down with the iconic brand of Wrangler has been on our podcast bucket list for quite some time and we were fortunate enough to have the Vice President and General Manager of Wrangler Western Wear, Allen Montgomery, on the podcast for a unique insight into rodeo's largest apparel brand. Not only do we discuss the history of Wrangler, who they build their products after, but also their upcomi...

EXCLUSIVE As JR Robles entered Round 3 of Road to the Horse, the first time competitor wasn't showing any nerves. In fact, cool as a cucumber (on the outside), JR was sitting undefeated in any round he had competed in in the horse starting competition after winning every round and the Wild Card Competition months previously in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the two rounds leading up to the finale a...

This episode is brought to you by COWGIRL Magazine who will be celebrating their 2023 COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 Honorees  at the Gala at The Drover Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, this March. This amazing event is in it's fourth year with That Western Life podcast co-host Katie Schrock being a 2021 honoree.  This year, the COWGIRL 30 Under 30 events will host a breakout brunch session Saturday midd...

While this title may allude to all things breeding barns on our current trend of breeding season and derby/futurity horse preparation, this episode is so much more than this. Co-Host Katie Schrock first met Rachel Pozzi through online Facebook Group resources regarding sprint horses, Appaloosa's, and rodeo horses. Rachel jumps on the show with Katie and TWL co-host Rachel Owens-Sarno to chat all t...

When it comes to the history of the American Cowboy, modern media has painted the picture to look one way, when the reality shows that enslaved African Americans known as "Cow Boys" were truly the icons that changed the west, creating a unique equalizer post Emancipation Proclamation. Katie Surritt & Katie Schrock take a deep dive into the history of African American cow boys and the impacts they...

It's that time of the year when we start planning out what will be hitting the ground in the following year. Whether it's for the futurity or derby pens or you're looking to spruce up your rodeo string - Outback Stallion Station in Caldwell, Idaho, has an impressive roster of stallions and breeding options to help you make those dreams a reality! Whitley Sharp is the manager and a partner of Outba...

If you know us, you know that we are obsessed with anything related to stats with rodeo and, thanks to the Facebook algorithm, we found a like-minded individual in Amber Case during the 2022 National Finals Rodeo. We dive into the statistics of racehorses barrel racing as a second career, the best stock in the barrel pens today, and some of the work it takes to be a producer. Learn more at https:/...

Jona Robles didn't start in the horse world, in fact, he only got started with horses when he was trying to impress a girl. A former professional basketball player and walk-on kicker for the University of Oregon, Jona had his degree in psychology and thought he'd always use that degree. But his education, combined with his physical athleticism, made horses an exciting challenge and one that he sta...

It's been a wild 2022 and we are so grateful for everyone that has joined our show as a guest, field reporter or an avid listener! Thank you to all of you and we look forward to an exciting 2023! Join hosts Katie Schrock, Rachel Owens-Sarno and Joe Harper. 

Join us for the Recaps of Rounds 4 through 6 of the 2022 National Finals Rodeo with saddle bronc rider Joe Harper and co-hosts Rachel Owens-Sarno & Katie Schrock. We chat through each event, what we've liked, past trends and current trajectories and how ALL of it plays into the 2022 World Title Race! Read more at https://www.thatwesternlife.com/podcast/episode112 . 

Joe Harper & Katie Schrock break down the first two rounds of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, and place their Round 3 predictions. When it comes to rodeo, Stetson Jorgensen is doing exactly what he said he would do: be consistent. Caleb Smidt is putting on a CLINIC despite the fact he only practiced once before the NFR. Additionally, Joe breaks down the bronc matchups we will see i...

We don't talk about Bruno? You might not, but we definitely do here on the That Western Life podcast when it comes to first time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Kade Bruno. Raised by a bull riding father, Kade switched to the sport of saddle bronc and it has paid off well for him. After an explosive 2022 season, Kade takes the time to talk with us on the show with his travel partner and TWL co-hos...

Heading towards his fourth consecutive National Finals Rodeo sitting number one in the world, Idaho's own Stetson Jorgensen didn't always steer wrestle. In fact, he beat out fellow NFR bull riding qualifier Garrett Smith for the Idaho High School Rodeo bull riding title when they were first getting their careers started. Mounted on the #3 Nutrena Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year Mable, we dive de...

When it comes to making the National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas, Nevada, there is a lot more strategy that goes into play than most people would ever realize - even those that may consider themselves high level rodeo fans. Diving deep into the impacts of rodeo counts, rodeo rule changes, rodeo administration and more, saddle bronc rider Joe Harper and steer wrestler Cody Cabral share wi...

The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund will always hold a special place in our hearts for its impact on the professionalism of pro rodeo, as well as the work Justin Boots does to take care of our contestants and athletes not only in the arena, but outside of the arena walls as well. We dive into the history of the JCCF, the brand that is Justin Boots, and the founding people of the Justin Sports Medicine T...

Learning from home, at your own pace is the mission behind the Be A Maker School - an online community dedicated to preserving the western crafts and arts of makers. Organized and spearheaded by Nevada Miller, a silversmith from the high desert, Nevada's mission has grown over the years to create this unique opportunity to learn and grow about the western trades to create your own style and market...

Alden Stehly is a the third-generation of her family to be a part of the Thoroughbred Racehorse scene. Her great grandfather was the first to catch the bug after owning stockyards throughout southern California and being asked to auctioneer for a racehorse sale. He changed the game of racehorse auctions from slower paced, art gallery style bidding, to the cadence and energy that we are familiar wi...

Kim Rounds first came on our show at the start of Season 3 and is back for a second round as a part of our collaboration with COWGIRL Magazine's 30 Under 30 Program. A specialty beef programs manager and all beef exports listed under her job title at 5 Rivers Cattle Feeders, Kim's also in charge of social media and other outreach such as facility tours. As of late, Kim's hard work has been recogni...

After 100's of rodeos competed in from October 2020 to September 2021, after horse changes, injuries and unforeseen obstacles have forced flexibility and perseverance, and after nine grueling rounds of the Super Bowl of Rodeo - the National Finals Rodeo Round 10 kicks off TONIGHT.  And it's going to be one to remember. Nearly every event comes down to a coin flip over who could win and, if those t...