The Adventure Paradox

Some conversations open a door inside us that we didn’t even know was waiting. This episode is one of those sacred moments. I had the honor of speaking with Sandra Kobsar, a VIP guest from the Speak Truth to Live Summit, whose honest and emotional journey moved me deeply. Sandra is a licensed professional counselor and behavioral mental health specialist who supports children through resilience-bu...

A Tribute to Love, Marriage, and Growing Together Thirteen years ago, I said “yes” to a life of adventure — not just in wild places, but in partnership. In this special anniversary minisode, I’m reflecting on what marriage has taught me: the beauty, the challenges, and the unexpected ways we grow into new versions of ourselves alongside the ones we love. This is a love letter, a story of becoming...

Sometimes the most profound teachers are the ones who never speak a word. Horses have a way of showing us what we most need to see in ourselves, if only we’re willing to listen. In this episode, I welcome back the deeply gifted Kim McElroy, a visionary artist, author, and intuitive who has inspired me for years through her devotion to the soul of the horse. Kim has a unique ability to listen beyon...

What does it really mean to be the best parent you can be? For me, it’s not about perfection — it’s about presence, flexibility, and listening. In this minisode, I’m recording from our dream horse trailer after a beautiful weekend of horse camping, before heading off on a family vacation. Because showing up for my kids means giving them my full attention when it matters most — and carving out time...

Some conversations remind you why you do the work, and this is one of them. Wendy Snyder is a parenting educator, family life coach, and founder of Fresh Start Family. She’s also a mom of two teens and someone I’ve long admired for her honesty, grace, and commitment to helping families break generational cycles with compassion. Wendy teaches parents how to go from stressed and reactive to peaceful...

Some moments stick with you — not because you planned for them, but because they show up right when your soul is ready. In this minisode, I share a story from the trail that caught me by surprise. I came across a photo of a Navajo woman named Effie, riding her white horse, Rhythm, against the red canyon walls of Monument Valley. What started as admiration for a beautiful image turned into somethin...

Sometimes, it’s not the biggest accomplishments that change us the most, but the quiet moments in the barn, the breath of a horse on your hand, the deep knowing that we’re here to serve and be served by the animals who walk this life with us. In this episode, I’m so excited to welcome back MJ Evans, also known as Margi. MJ is a bestselling author, lifelong horsewoman, and someone I deeply admire f...

It’s summertime in the Tetons, and with it comes the beauty, the chaos, and the paradoxes of this season of horses, children, wildflowers, and yes, laundry. In this solo minisode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of our summer rhythm here at The Adventure Paradox. From the joy of wildflowers to the unexpected grit of “Barrel Club” with my daughters, I’m reflecting on what it really means to show...

I recorded this episode on a summer walk—with the wind in my hair, the dogs off-leash, and my heart cracked wide open. In this final roundup from the Speak Truth to Live Summit , I’m bringing you seven more powerful conversations that have shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. These guests showed up with courage, creativity, deep healing, and big truth—and I’m so honored to share a taste of each of t...

This summit has changed me deeply, and these stories will do the same for you. Today I’m bringing you the second batch of powerhouse voices from our Speak Truth to Live Summit —seven more heart-bursting, truth-sharing, trail-blazing humans who cracked me wide open in the best way. This is your invitation to breathe in their medicine, their stories, their hard-won wisdom. Each one of these guests s...

You know that feeling when you're doing something for the very first time? Maybe it’s hosting your first summit or picking up the mic for your first podcast interview, or even saddling up for your actual first rodeo. There’s something sacred about beginner’s mind—the humbling, exhilarating truth that we’re always growing, always learning. In this episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of...

" When you speak your truth to live, you step into the life you were always meant to live." This solo episode is a special one—recorded straight from my dream horse trailer (yes, the one I manifested). I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes story of the Speak Truth to Live Summit —how it came to life, what it’s taught me already, and how speaking my truth has opened doors I didn’t even know w...

A Mother’s Day walk full of giggles, farting rainbows, wild kid rumors (lightning strikes?! flipped cars?!), bathroom humor, marshmallows, and lollipops. Just a silly, semi-professional stroll & horse-ride with Mom, Dad & the chaos crew 💓😍. Motherhood is beautiful, messy, and full of moments that stretch us, especially when fur babies are part of the family, too. 💛 This is your gentle r...

In this special minisode, Cat honors National Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day by sharing heartfelt reflections on the impact teachers and students have on our personal growth. 🌱📚 From her experiences teaching at a Montessori school to the lessons learned from her students, Cat reminds us that learning and teaching help us discover our voice. 🎤✨ She encourages everyone to take a momen...

In this episode of the podcast, Cat dives into the importance of truly listening — not just to the outside world, but to our own thoughts and beliefs. She explains how our brains operate in seasons and how recognizing these patterns can help us navigate personal growth more gracefully. Using the example of political discussions, Cat illustrates that it's often our underlying beliefs, not pure...

This episode dives into how we speak to ourselves, especially when negative self-talk arises, and how humor can be a powerful tool to shift our mindset, build compassion, and reconnect with others. Our guest, Bryan Lee (aka Bullseye the Clown), shares how his life transformed from one marked by bullying and trauma to a purpose-driven mission of spreading joy through clowning. Bryan begins each day...

In this minisode, I talk about how we can shift negative self-talk by learning to "talk to our brains" with kindness and humor. I share a story I saw online about someone who named her brain "Becky" and tells it, “We’re not doing this today,” when negativity creeps in. It reminded me how we can reset our thoughts at any time. I explore the idea that thoughts often aren't b...

In this episode, I reflect on the power of humor—especially in the messiness of parenting and real life. I kick things off with a live stream moment when I discovered toothpaste on my hairbrush during a team meeting… courtesy of my kids’ April Fool's prank. That launched me into a bigger conversation: when do we know the joke is over? I share some personal stories—like a cringey-but-funny mom...

 In this live minisode, I reflect on the often-overlooked power of the pause —those moments when life invites us to slow down, listen, and just be . Whether it’s an unexpected snowstorm, a literal stop on a canyon road, or simply the hum of a washing machine in the background, I explore how pauses shape our growth, creativity, and clarity.  I talk about the difference between a pause and a full st...

In this short and humorous minisode, I dive into the theme: “Yeah, but does it turn you on?” — not in a risqué way, but in the sense of what lights you up in life. I reflect on a technical hiccup (being muted on Zoom), the value of having guests who keep you accountable, and the joy of engaging in things that truly excite you.  I share a story about working with my horse, Jet — how even the things...

Welcome to our April Fool's Series leading up to our podcasting summit... no kidding! These will be short minisodes with a few surprise interviews in there (or is that a joke? We'll see;) Our theme this month is to take podcasting seriously while simultaneously having a really good time doing it. If you are interested in learning to podcast, please check out our masterclass on my website...

In this episode, I reflect on the power of listening to yourself and the importance of both what you say and what you don’t say. I share how replaying our own words—whether through podcasting or voice notes—can offer new insights into our thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Sometimes, what we don’t say holds the key to deeper self-awareness and clarity about our true desires. I also talk about dea...

This episode is an oldie but a goodie from 1 year ago! This episode is a deeply personal and transformative call to action centered around one simple but powerful question: "What did you just say?" I believe this question can act as a mirror to reflect whether our words truly align with our actions and values. By examining the disconnect between what we say we want and how we behave, we...

In this minisode, I reflect on my recent ski trip to Italy and my practice of identifying a “story of the day” throughout the journey. I share five key stories from the trip: Day 1 – The Injury & Perseverance: Our group, led by Crystal Wright, set out with enthusiasm, but early on, a skilled skier injured her knee. Despite the pain, she pushed through and skied a treacherous Russian road with...

Have you ever felt weighed down—literally and figuratively—by all the “stuff” we carry? Whether it’s an overpacked suitcase, emotional baggage, or the simple overwhelm of daily life, sometimes less really is more. That’s why I couldn’t wait to sit down with today’s guest, Natalie E. Tackett, and talk about how simplifying our travel wardrobes can lead to a more freeing and joyful experience. Natal...