The Cowboy Up Podcast

"Life was better when the TV shows were about cowboys rather than lawyers"    Emil Franzi Welcome to a bonus episode of The Cowboy Up Podcast … Russell and Alan and our cowboy guest had other cowboy work come up and they had to tend to those chores and duties. So we called on our good friend Harry Alexander to tell about his program and podcast called Voices of the West.  Voices of the West emerge...

Horse whisperer, leadership expert, and author Grant Golliher has spent a lifetime around horses. He knows how they think. What's more, he knows how that thinking can help humans. Grant joins Russell and Alan to talk about what leaders—from business CEOs and execs, to politicians, celebrities, and others—learn from horses at the Diamond Cross Ranch in Wyoming.

The cowboy life. It's at the heart of western culture. And it fascinates fans of the American West from west to east and around the world. Russell and Alan give an inside peek into what the cowboy life is like now and then. As Alan likes to say, "This one's a bunch of fun." 

There are silversmiths, and then there are the Patanias. As third-generation Sam Patania likes to say, beginning with his Sicilian-born grandfather, the artists in his family use jewelry as their canvas. Sam speaks with Russell and Alan about his family's exceptional silversmithing and design talents and how Patania creations became part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection.

To start off Season 3, we bring you equine bodywork expert Jim Masterson. Humans aren't the only creatures who experience physical stress and tension. Horses do too. Masterson has developed a unique, highly effective method for relieving horses of aches and pains, a process that also builds trust between human and horse. What's more, anyone can learn the Masterson Method !

Ciarra Arzaga doesn't even recall the first time she rode a horse. She was too young. But she does remember learning how to rope. Now sixteen, Ciarra regularly competes in roping and other rodeo events—and regularly wins. She talks about her technique, favorite horses, and future plans with Russell and Alan.  

Larry Martin knows writing. An award-winning author, he's penned over 60 novels, mostly westerns, plus more than a handful of screenplays. But making a movie? Martin had never tried his hand at something so out of his artistic wheelhouse. He joins Russell and Alan to share his story of how he brought his new feature film "Eye for Eye" to the silver screen.

Johnny Boggs may or may not own a six-shooter, but this western writer has won six Spur Awards for his novels and short stories. He joins the Cowboy Up team to talk about his illustrious career in journalism and fiction writing and how he adopted the West after a childhood spent in the South.

There's no doubt about it. Shoeing horses is hard work, but it's work that needs to be done. And who usually gets to do it? In this, case two veteran cowboys. You betcha, Russell and Alan have shod more horses than they can count. And here they are, shoeing another one at White Stallion Ranch.

In honor of Memorial Day, Russell and Alan recall their families' involvement with war. Those who fought, almost fought, as well as others. In true cowboy fashion, one story leads to another and to another. Be prepared to chuckle, laugh, and shed a tear or two. A hats off and a cowboy salute to all the brave souls who served the United States of America.

On June 25, 1876, General George Custer and some 200 soldiers perished in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Their wives soon learned of the outcome. They were now widows. How these women coped and survived is the subject of the new book, "The Widowed Ones," written by New Times bestselling author, actress and comedienne, Chris Enss . She chats with Russell and Alan about what she discovered about...

For 25 years, The Bill Ganz Western Band regaled audiences with cowboy music. Local bars, rodeos, even Tucson's symphony hall—the band played it all. Bill Ganz, the guitar-picking founder, joins Russell and Alan to talk about his career and the future of western music. And you betcha, Bill sings some tunes exclusively for our podcast listeners!  

In 1870, a talented young woman packed up her bags and bid adieu to a damp and chilled East Coast. Sara Plummer Lemmon would spend the remainder of her life in the West leaving a legacy still visible today. And yet, she remains in the shadows of history. Wynne Brown , author of the award-winning biography, "The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon's Life of Science and Art" brings to light the...

Gallup, New Mexico is not known as a tourist destination. Yet, this community situated near the Four Corners is rich in diversity and history. Longtime resident and past mayor of Gallup, Bob Rosebrough , joins Russell and Alan to talk about his new memoir, "A Place of Thin Veil," which brings to life the stories, mysteries, and evocative landscapes of this part of the Land of Enchantment.

The Colorado River is at its lowest levels. Is climate change the culprit? Unexpected urban growth? Mismanagement over the decades? To sort through these questions, Russell and Alan chat with experts Eric Kuhn and John Fleck, co-authors of "Science Be Dammed," a look at how this valuable resource has evolved over the past 100 years.

She was a lover of music and determined to find her way into the limelight. And that she did. Dale Evans rose to fame as an actress, singer, and wife of Roy Rogers. Historian Theresa Kaminski, author of the new biography "Queen of the West: The Life and Times of Dale Evans," shares some fascinating, behind-the-scenes stories with Russell and Alan about this Hollywood superstar.

The Supreme Court Justice turns 92 this year. What a life, what a legacy! To help celebrate both, Sandra's son, Scott O'Connor, joins Russell and Uncle Al to share stories about what life was like with a mom who shattered glass ceilings and made friends not just across America, but around the world.

If you start roping at age five, are you destined to rope in rodeos – and win? Brianna Markum-McClain would argue yes. This talented cowgirl chats with Russell and Alan about what it's like to grow up on a ranch, own a rodeo company, and be headed to Vegas for team roping finals!

Saddle up and give a listen to Russell and Alan as they swap stories from the range. You'll also hear from a few western writers coming live from the Tucson Festival of Books where they shared their stories. Storytelling – it's the cowboy way then and now!  

Bacon and eggs. Bacon and beans. Bacon in a BLT. Bacon has long been a cowboy's staple and is savored by millions. Today, Russell and Alan speak with Neil Dudley, cowboy, rancher, podcast host, and VP at   Pederson's Farms ,  a producer of natural and organic bacon and meats. Fair warning—this episode will set your mouth to watering, so get your fry pan ready!

Listen up dudes and dudines! This one's for you. Award-winning author, curator, and historian Lynn Downey shares some stories straight from the history of dude ranching. From the funny to the unbelievable to the eye-popping, dude ranching has not only impacted the travel industry, but also embedded its way into fashion, food, and, of course, fun.

Are you one of the millions of C.J. Box fans? Then you'll be thrilled to hear that he has a new book releasing. "Shadows Reel" is his 22nd novel featuring Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett and his wife Marybeth, and this one is filled with discoveries that put the Pickett family in a pair of killers' crosshairs. C.J. chats with Russell and Alan about "Shadows Reel" and a writing life that includes o...

Indeed David Rychener is a cowboy at heart.  Just like so many of us who love to listen to the lore and legends and the stories of The Cowboy Up Podcast. Today David drops in and tell stories and sing songs for Russell and Alan and you will be delighted at what you learn, what you hear, and it just might even touch your heart.

When the subject of Tombstone Arizona comes up everybody who's heard of it has some thoughts and opiniona. So join us for some more stories about Tombstone and all of the legends and lore that go with it. But let's do something different, let's talk about the Taste of Tombstone, as our guest Sherry Monahan tells you about what they would eat and perhaps you can join them at the Tombstone cookbook.

Get ready for an interesting hour as three old Cowboys tell stories about legends of the west and the history of Arizona.  Russell and Alan sit down with a cowboy cup of coffee and have a great conversation with Western historian Jim Turner.  You will be amazed as you discover all kinds of things that you never knew before, and even something about the nature of the human condition. Stories from y...