This is a great episode where Riley talks about how to start and train a horse, and how to bring a young man into adulthood. Riley is a Wyoming raised cowboy with a heart for God and a love of helping men get better in this crazy world we live in. He will inspire you and make you want to do better in everything you do. Sit back and enjoy. We are cleared for takeoff. #heartlanders #horse #ranch

Mitch and I have known each other since the late 90s. He is a father, grandfather, preacher, pilot, business owner, and cowboy who is kind to all and has a heart to help wherever he sees the need. Just the sort of great man that you would want in politics. We have a great talk about this wonderful world we live in. Thanks for joining me. We are cleared for takeoff.

In this episode I get to interview an interesting and multifaceted cowboy/game warden, Scott Brown. Scott shares some of his tricks for starting colts, riding horses, raising kids, surviving a law-enforcement career and navigating this tricky world we live in. He is a down-to-earth and humble man that has a lot of great stories and insights, and you are going to want to know him better after this interview. We are cleared for takeoff.

This is an interesting conversation with Mike Norris. Mike is a farrier with over 30 years of experience, having started his career in Colorado at the Colorado School of Trades in 1993 while I was still running that school. His specialty is the long-footed horse, and we get to talk about shoeing in that world. He is colorful character, to put it mildly, and hides nothing as he tells stories of a wild ride through life. Mike hides nothing as he talks about losing his son, scrapes with the law, and dealing with truck-defacing peacocks. This conversation took over two hours, but it felt like 20 minutes. Listening to it will be the same, so I hope you enjoy it.

Bud and Hannah met when they attended Heartland Horseshoeing School, where they return every year to play a part in the lives of the incoming new students. I sat them down to discuss their paths to becoming farriers, challenges faced, and their future aspirations. Hannah details her transition from a medical secretary in Alaska to becoming a farrier, while Bud shares his experience working on a dairy farm and as an arborist before deciding to pursue farriery. They emphasize the importance of hard work, passion, and good client communication. We talk about their business, injury experiences, and the importance of horsemanship and practical skills in their profession. They also touch on their goals of expanding their practice to include more farriers and reflect on the various aspects of farriery, including shoeing techniques and the industry's future.

Renowned farrier Jace Ellis shares decades of experiences from his life and career. He attended horseshoeing school in 1984 and has been shoeing horses ever since. Farriery has allowed Jace to do anything he has ever wanted to do in this life.

Jace recounts various aspects of his career including his first marriage, his son following in his footsteps, and the challenges of maintaining both personal relationships and business standards over the decades. His insights delve into the technical and business sides of being a farrier, alongside memorable stories of dealing with bad horses and complex shoeing techniques. Besides farriery, Jace has a rich life filled with cowboy activities, competitive coyote hunting, and an affinity for camp cooking. He also shares pearls of wisdom and reveals personal interests, emphasizing the importance of doing what you love, regardless of the challenges.

I get the honor or introducing you to expert farrier, horseman, pickup-man, and longtime friend, Robert McClaran. This episode is filled with personal stories, professional insights, and a deep appreciation for the craft and community of farriery. We talk about the cold plunge routine and its benefits, Robert's experiences with picking up broncs at rodeos, and the profound impact of community and mentorship in his life. The best seat in the house at a rodeo is on a horse in the middle of the arena, but right now, it is wherever you are sitting to enjoy our little visit. We are cleared for take off.

This episode is about Shearer Wludyka, a Heartlander from Anderson, South Carolina, who attended Heartland Horseshoeing School in 2013. Shearer reflects on her journey, detailing her challenging childhood in foster care and how she pursued higher education, eventually earning a degree in graphic design. Despite working corporate jobs, she found her passion in horseshoeing. Shearer shares her experiences building a successful farrier business, her approach to therapeutic shoeing, and her aspirations to start a horseshoeing school. She emphasizes the importance of hard work, people skills, and ongoing learning in her career. You are going to get a lot out of this conversation. We are cleared for takeoff.