The Converse Cowboy
Evan Felker of āTurnpike Troubadoursā has earned his reputation as one of the most respected songwriters in American music, but this conversation reveals what sits beneath the songs. Rather than focusing on highlights or history, this episode explores how great writing is builtāthrough attention, discipline, and a deep respect for ordinary moments. Evan reflects on why the most lasting songs donāt come from chasing significance, but from noticing what others overlook and shaping it with care. Our discussion moves beyond songwriting into the larger work of living well. We discuss...
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Foundations of Greatness ā Training Young Horses Roundtable with some of the best in the business. Dive deep into the world of starting cutting horse prospects with three of the industry's most respected horse trainers: Wes Ashlock (Abilene, TX), Richard Jordan (Idaho), Gregg Garvie (Canada). In this candid roundtable recorded live at the NCHA Futurity, Fort Worth, Texas, these unsung heroes of the cutting horse world pull back the curtain on the often-overlooked art of building foundations for future champions. From day-one colt starting and teaching horses to "reach for an answer," to...
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What happens when a breakout college breakaway roper canāt turn pro and has to get a ābig girl jobā? She accidentally becomes one of the countryās leading equine nutritionists. Dr. Jyme Nichols (Bluebonnet Feeds) pulls back the curtain on her unlikely journey from the Sandhills of Nebraska and Montana State rodeo to earning a PhD and revolutionizing performance horse feeding. In this myth-busting conversation with The Converse Cowboy, she explains why protein percentage is the LAST thing she looks at on a feed tag, how horses can get type-2 diabetes just like humans, why supplements...
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Professional tie down roper, Shane Hanchey ā 16x NFR Qualifier & World Champion. This Louisiana cowboy will be heading back to Las Vegas in December to compete at the National Finals Rodeo for the 16th consecutive time since 2010. Join host Mike Roberts as he sits down with tie-down roping legend Shane Hanchey, 2013 world champion, and American Rodeo winner. From ditching his baseball bag at 16 for a once-in-a-lifetime horse named Riataāwho carried him from youth rodeos to six NFRs and a gold buckle. Hanchey breaks down the mental gameā"Adversity breaks some men; it makes...
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Acclaimed photographer Beau Simmons at Kimes Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Beau, known for his evocative fine art photography capturing the soul of the American West, shares his journey from fashion photography to documenting the raw, authentic lives of cowboys and cowgirls. Inspired by the mantra "when you're green, you grow; when you're ripe, you rot," Beau discusses his relentless pursuit of growth, both as an artist and a person. From staging nostalgic Americana scenes at historic venues like Gruene Hall to producing a documentary on cutting horse legend Adan Banuelos, Beau...
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NCHA Hall of Famer and co-host Jesse Lennox, aka "The Louis Vuitton Vaquero" is back on the show with cutting horse legend Kenny Platt. With over $4 million in lifetime earnings and an NCHA Futurity win under his belt, Kenny shares the highs and lows of his career, from his mental toughness in the show pen to the life-changing advice that shaped his journey. Dive into raw, unfiltered stories of overcoming setbacks, the art of training great horses, and the importance of gratitude in sustaining success. Kenny reflects on his breakthrough moments, the horses that defined his career, and...
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Featuring NCHA Hall of Fame legend Jesse Lennox! Gripping tale of a border crossing gone awry, where a duffel bag stuffed with questionable "Vita bars" and a shaky love story about āShelbyā nearly derail his U.S. return. With sweaty palms and a stern immigration officer breathing down his neck, Jesseās quick thinking and cowboy charm make for a hilarious, edge-of-your-seat story. Jesse shares his cutting horse expertise, reflecting on high-stakes runs with lightning-fast horses like Boon San Baby and Cinca Im Hot. His hard-earned lessonāājust because you can, doesnāt mean you...
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Five-time world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho! Ever wondered what drives a rodeo legend to risk it all to be their best? Luke reveals the raw nerves and adrenaline rush of competing at the 2025 American Rodeo after a three-year hiatus, proving heās still got it. From his iconic āshakeā that lit up arenas to hilarious behind-the-scenes carpool karaoke with rodeo stars, Lukeās stories will hook you. Discover how he battled injuries, balanced family sacrifices, and found purpose after retiring from the arena. His candid take on mental toughness will inspire you to chase your own...
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President of Priefert Manufacturing; a powerhouse in rodeo and ranching equipment! Eddie spills the beans on transforming a family legacy into a global brand, from crafting iconic blue chutes to dominating the steel industry. With grit, humor, and a fearless approach to failure, Eddie shares wild talesālike building rocket-ship roping chutes that changed the game at the USTRC finals and bucking chutes that stormed the PBR. Discover how a competitorās taunt sparked a fire, leading to innovations that made Priefert a staple at the NFR. Eddieās philosophy? Embrace opportunities, learn from...
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Recorded at Kimes Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards, this episode features Gerry Gesell, a ranch manager, leather craftsman, polo player, cow horse competitor, podcast host, and actor. Gerry's brand, "Many Irons", born from the mantra āmany irons in the fire,ā connects cowboys, surfers, and firefighters through shared stories and wearable art. Gerry discusses transitioning from high-speed polo pony training to cow horse showing, reflecting on humbling lessons from recent competitions. He delves into his creative process behind "Laundromat Texas", a short film premiering July 27,...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Converse Cowboy, Chad Bushaw takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in rural Oregon to becoming a top wealth manager and a dominant force in the cutting horse world. He shares how a childhood field trip to Oxbow Ranch sparked his passion for horses and set him on a path that intertwined business and the equine industry.
Chad opens up about the mindset of the ultra-wealthy, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and how he leveraged his love for cutting horses to build valuable relationships in the financial world. He also dives into the challenges of wealth management, lessons learned from market crashes, and the reality of running Crown Ranch as a business.
Whether you're an aspiring horseman, entrepreneur, or someone looking to gain insight into financial success, this conversation is packed with wisdom, real-life experiences, and entertaining stories.
š§ Tune in to hear Chadās incredible story and the lessons heās learned along the way! Enjoy the show!
This episode is brought to you by:
Kimes Ranch - https://kimesranch.com
Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs - https://kerrykelleyspurs.com