The Converse Cowboy
Clinton Anderson built an empire training horses — but in this clip, he reveals the real skill that made him rich: managing people, not animals. Nine years of therapy later, he's finally saying out loud what he was really thinking for two decades while smiling at customers and biting his tongue. In this episode, Clinton opens up about: 🔹 The "pool boy" era of his career — and why biting his tongue for 20 years nearly broke him 🔹 Why 80% of his customers are women, and what that taught him about who's actually willing to learn 🔹 The math behind Down Under Horsemanship: $40 from...
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He grew up eating squirrel and rabbit, didn't taste his first steak until he was 22, and was once told that betting his future on horses was the dumbest thing he'd ever do. He went anyway. Today, Michael Cooper is an NCHA Hall of Famer, with more than six and a half million in lifetime earnings, and he's become one of the most respected cutting horse trainers in the industry. But this conversation is about far more than the wins. It's about the mindset, the mentors, and the hard-earned principles that built a champion, a businessman, and a family man who never forgot where he came from. He...
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What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your circumstances—but the story you keep telling yourself? In a unique role reversal, The Converse Cowboy steps into the guest seat, interviewed my none other that the Louis Vuitton Vaquero himself, to unpack the ideas behind his new book, "Perspective Is a Verb". What starts as a conversation about writing a book quickly becomes a deeper exploration of mindset, resilience, gratitude, manifestation, and the power of intentional thinking. Mike shares the personal experiences that shaped his philosophy—from navigating divorce and rebuilding...
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The NCHA Super Stakes delivered unforgettable runs, breakout performances, and plenty of chaos inside the cowbox — I am joined by my good pal, 'The Louis Vuitton Vaquero' aka NCHA Hall of Famer, Jesse Lennox to break it all down. From Kenny Platt’s historic dominance in the 5/6 Open to Michael Cooper’s clutch performances under pressure, this episode dives deep into the horses, the strategy, and the personalities shaping the future of cutting. Jesse gives a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens in the cowbox, how elite trainers read cattle, and why the next generation of riders...
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Aaron Watson turned down Nashville at 22 — and spent the next 25 years proving he was right. In this deeply honest conversation, Aaron opens up about building one of country music’s most successful independent careers without compromising his identity, his songwriting, or his family. He shares the real cost of chasing music for a living, surviving two vocal cord surgeries that nearly ended his career, and why becoming a father changed the way he measures success forever. This episode goes far beyond country music. It’s about resilience, reinvention, creative obsession, faith, and...
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In this episode of The Converse Cowboy, NFL veteran Davon Godchaux breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind success, discipline, and identity — after 10 years in a league where most careers barely last three. “You’ve got athletes… and then you’ve got professional athletes.” From LSU to the NFL, Davon shares the small, unglamorous habits that define longevity — the things no one sees, but everyone feels on game day. But this isn’t just about football. It’s about what happens when the dream becomes reality… and still isn’t enough. We talk about:...
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Most people don’t accidentally find their calling. Scott Slusher did. With no formal training, he borrowed a horse, a truck, and a saddle—and stepped into a world that would eventually define his life’s work. In this episode, we go beyond photography into purpose, identity, and the tension between making money and making a life. Scott shares why chasing fulfillment looks nothing like chasing success—and why uncertainty might be the clearest sign you’re on the right path. If you’ve ever questioned where you’re headed, this conversation will stay with you. This episode is brought...
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Evan Felker of ‘Turnpike Troubadours’ 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 built—through attention, discipline, and a deep respect for ordinary moments. Evan reflects on why the most lasting songs don’t 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 – 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 can’t turn pro and has to get a “big girl job”? She accidentally becomes one of the country’s 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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This episode uncovers the creative and conscious journey of professional filmmaker, Meng Lee. In this raw and heartfelt series, Meng—a Western storyteller shaped by rodeo, personal growth, and serendipitous connections—shares his path from pizza maker to capturing cowboy culture. Meng’s infectious positivity and gratitude shine through. Expect deep dives into personal growth, mentors, his love for teaching, and quirky passions like training Birmingham Roller pigeons. AI’s impact on videography, and living in the moment, this podcast blends Western grit with mindful awareness—offering listeners a front-row seat to a life lived authentically. Enjoy the show!
00:00 Introduction and Connection
02:54 Creative Collaboration and Energy
06:05 The Importance of Rituals in Creativity
09:06 Mentorship and Personal Development
12:00 The Journey into Rodeo Filmmaking
15:11 The Influence of Personal Development Literature
18:10 Awareness and Inner Work
20:57 The Challenge of Maintaining Positivity
24:04 Bringing Out the Best in Others
31:00 The Power of Competition vs. Creation
35:16 Desire and the Journey of Self-Discovery
39:12 The Evolution of MakeLine Productions
43:28 AI's Impact on Videography and Creativity
48:39 Advice for Aspiring Videographers
54:15 The Connection Between Rodeo and Community
01:00:27 The Fascinating World of Pigeon Training
01:03:20 Life as a Pigeon Trainer
01:09:39 Rapid Fire Round: Insights and Reflections
01:12:45 Messages and Life Lessons
01:15:27 Future Aspirations and Creative Projects
This episode is brought to you by Kimes Ranch, kimesranch.com