The Cowboy Up Podcast

Without a doubt, "Ride Lonesome" is a classic Western. Starring the great Randolph Scott, the movie was filmed in 17 days. In his new book, award-winning screenplay writer Kirk Ellis takes a deep dive into what made this film so iconic. He saddles up to the ranch to talk with Russell and Alan about the movie, how it influenced future western flicks, and what it took to write his book "Ride Lonesom...

E28S3   Long Distance Trail Riding with Gillian Larson What does it take to ride 2600 miles on horseback? How do you prepare meals? Haul water? Care for your horse? Best ask someone who has logged thousands of miles long distance riding. Gillian Larson is that person. She's accumulated over 10,000 miles riding the backcountry and what's more, with the same two horses. Gillian chats with Russell an...

As acclaimed authors Bob Boze Bell and Jana Bommersbach write, "We know all about the bandits and bad boys, the gunfighters and goons, but not the women who held it all together with grit and spit. The reality is plain: there never would have been a settled West without the women—Native and Mexican women here first; Black and White women who followed—all settling the vast, unknown and scary lands...

Without a doubt, W. Bruce Cameron loves dogs. But unlike most dog lovers, he also writes about them. The New York Times bestselling author has over 30 books in print featuring four-legged friends. His book "A Dog's Purpose" was adapted to the silver screen and became one of the longest running feature films about dogs. Bruce joins Russell and Alan to talk about his career and introduce his new boo...

Did you guess Gene Autry? Many people do. But the famed singer only sang it, he didn't write it. Ginia Desmond reveals the true story about how this well-loved holiday song came to be. A screenplay writer and movie producer, Ginia also talks with Russell and Alan about her award-winning feature film, "Lucky U Ranch," as well as what's in the moviemaking chute for next year.

So says  Eric Perner, cattle rancher, mechanical engineer, and co-founder of REP Provisions  By working with nature (instead of against it), regenerative agriculture holds incredible promise for healing the planet while feeding our communities real food. Eric joins Russell and Alan to share the science, as well as his astounding personal experiences, behind this approach to maintaining healthy lan...

Pardis Madhavi was born in US after her Iranian parents fled Iran in the 1980s. Overtime, Pardis developed a love of horses and learning. Both have played significant roles in her life, helping her help others and endure her own hardships. Now a provost at the University of Montana, Pardis speaks with Russell and Alan about the national and international paths she has traveled.

Genealogy is all the rage. That's because we seem to have an innate curiosity about our ancestors. David A. Bowles grew up knowing the story of his family, at least back to the early 1800s. A Texan who grew up on a ranch, David became a storyteller. He joins Russell and Alan to share some fascinating stories of his pioneering family.  

Even if you don't know about their lives, you probably recognize their names. Wild Bill Hickock and Buffalo Bill Cody were considered heroes and the greatest plainsmen of their time. Award-winning author Bill Markley chats with Russell and Alan about the truths and myths surrounding these two legendary westerners.

A bunch, if you're Anne Montgomerty . This Arizonan joins Russell and Alan to talk about her varied career as a sports TV host, referee, journalist, professor, high school teacher, novelist, wild horse lover, and more. There's tons here to inspire you to aim high and try new things!  

hen you hear the word "Levis," you think of jeans. That's because Levi Strauss invented them and made them world renown. Historian and author Lynn Downey, who was the archivist for the Levi Strauss company for 25 years, chats with Russell and Alan about the man who immigrated from Germany and left an enduring legacy in the USA.

What do you think of when you hear the name Junior Bonner? Most likely Steve McQueen, cowboys, cattle, the West. But do you know the famed movie was filmed entirely in Prescott, Arizona? And it's celebrating its 50 th anniversary? Stuart Rosebrook, whose father Jeb Rosebrook wrote the "Junior Bonner" screenplay, shares the inside scoop with Russell and Alan about the making of the movie and how it...

Jon Armour never expected to meet a cattle rustler. But as it turns out, he unwittingly became good friends with one. Jon was so shocked to learn the truth about his upstanding, popular buddy, that he had to write a book about him. Jon joins Russell and Alan to talk about his new book BRANDED, a fictionalized account of the most notorious cattle rustler of our time.

Steve Hebrock knows horses, especially horses' hooves. They are a living part of the entire horse and thus, have a relationship with the horse's body and mind. Steve saddles up to White Stallion to talk with Russell and Alan about how natural equine hoofcare is done and how it affects a horse's overall well-being.

Without a doubt, Micki Fuhrman is multi-talented. She performed at the Grand Ole Opry before age twenty. Since then, she's written songs and stories and books. And now she has a new album of western songs that already has won awards. She joins the cowboys to talk about her sources of inspiration and her journey as an artist who is in love with the West.

Kathryn Wilder lived in many places around the West. Today, she makes her home on the Colorado Plateau in southwestern Colorado, near a herd of wild horses. This is where she got to know Chrome, a wild mustang that profoundly affected her life. She speaks with Russell and Alan about her experiences with the wild horses and the BLM, as well as her personal journey, all described in her award-winnin...

Growing up on a ranch, William Simpson was more than familiar with the habits of ranch horses. He never anticipated that wild horses would be so different. After spending extended time with a herd in northern California, he realized that these horses might just be able to play a role in preventing wild fires. Bill joins Russell and Alan to share how his research and innovative ideas resulted in th...

You never know who you're going to meet at a dude ranch. Pam and Ralph Ventura have been guests at White Stallion for 45 times, and they've loved every minute. They visit with Russell and Alan about why they keep coming back to the ranch and about the adventures they've had in their own careers working among the famed and fortuned.

Larry Shamis, DVM, has spent a career practicing equine medicine and surgery. He talks with Russell and Alan about some of the horses he's met, cases he's dealt with, and how these  days, fewer vets are specializing in equine health. What does that mean for ranchers, cowboys, and horse lovers? Give a listen as the vet and the cowboys weigh in on this important subject.

Some stories you just can't forget. They're too unique, too big, too awesome. Alan Day's story about creating the first government-sponsored wild horse sanctuary and caring for and training 1500 wild mustangs is one of those stories. In honor of his book "The Horse Lover" being released in a new format, Alan shares some of the wild and crazy adventures he had on Mustang Meadows Ranch.

You place your bet. Take your seat. And pretty soon, they're off! Sleek, strong, beautiful horses racing around a track. But for all that to happen, a lot of people have to lend a hand. Mike Weiss knows this. He has spent his career in horse racing wearing more hats over the years than most. He joins Russell and Alan to talk about what it takes to keep a track operating and the horses running.

Should a dude ranch getaway be on your bucket list? With over 90 dude ranches in the United States, the dude ranch vacation is becoming more and more popular. What makes it so unique? Horses, of course. But there's so much more. Today's guest visits with Russell and Alan to talk about the magic he's been finding for the past 10 years during his dude ranch getaways.

Thomas D. Clagett's newest historical novel "Line of Glory" follows the imagined hopes, fears and destinies of four people involved in the infamous 1936 Battle of the Alamo. Clagett, who had a long and successful career in film and freelance writing, chats with the cowboys about what might have happened all those decades ago in what is now San Antonio, TX.

Howard Post grew up on a ranch and fully intended to become a cowboy. Then he won an art contest at an early age. His paintings have been exhibited at the Autry Museum of the West, the Smithsonian, numerous galleries and can be found in private collections of the rich and famous. A cowboy at heart, Howard saddles up to the ranch to talk with Russell and Alan about his illustrious career.

It's a process that requires time, patience, the right materials, a lot of know-how, and even more talent. Karen Lamontagne has been crafting saddles for over 15 years and knows exactly what it takes. She chats with Russell and Alan about her Wickenburg business, Riata Saddles, and how she became one of a handful of women saddle makers in the country.