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In this powerful and hope-filled episode, we sit down with Nicole, Director of Bridle Up Hope, to explore how equine-assisted learning is transforming the lives of women and girls struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, low confidence, and emotional overwhelm. Recorded during Women’s History Month and in recognition of International Women’s Day, this conversation honors women’s resilience while addressing the very real mental and emotional challenges they face today.

Research shows that girls experience confidence gaps and anxiety at an early age, often carrying those struggles into adulthood. Nicole shares how Bridle Up Hope was created to meet women and girls exactly where they are — offering a safe, non-clinical, heart-centered approach to healing, personal growth, leadership development, and emotional resilience through equine-assisted experiential learning.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, Bridle Up Hope uses Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to help participants build self-awareness, emotional regulation, trust, and self-worth by working alongside horses. Nicole explains why horses are such powerful teachers, how their intuitive nature helps participants reconnect with their inner strength, and why this approach is especially effective for those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected.

In this episode, we dive into:
• What Bridle Up Hope is and who it serves
• The inspiring origin story behind the organization
• What a typical experience looks like for girls vs. women
• How equine-assisted learning supports mental health and confidence
• How the 7 Habits come to life through experiential learning in the barn
• Emotional and confidence shifts participants experience
• Stories that capture the heart of Bridle Up Hope’s mission
• Why scholarships and accessibility are essential to their work
• How parents, mentors, and leaders can support women and girls
• What “hope” truly means in the healing journey

Nicole also shares deeply personal insights from watching women and girls rediscover their voice, courage, and worth — reminding us that healing is possible at every stage of life. For anyone silently struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, or the pressure to hold it all together, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you are not alone — and that hope is closer than you think.

✨ Connect with Bridle Up Hope:
Listeners can learn more, get involved, volunteer, donate, or explore upcoming programs by visiting Bridle Up Hope online and following them on social media. Community partnerships, donor support, and shared stories are all vital to expanding their mission of hope and healing for women and girls.

📘 Recommended Resource:
Check out Face-Lift: Embracing Hope Through Your Heartaches, a powerful book for anyone walking through grief, transition, or personal growth. The book is available through online retailers including Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, coach, leader, or someone seeking confidence, emotional healing, or personal growth, this episode offers encouragement, insight, and practical hope.

If this conversation inspired you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today. What

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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February is often called the month of love—but this conversation explores a different kind of love: the kind that holds people accountable, demands commitment, and believes in transformation even when it’s hard.

In this episode, we sit down with Clay Josewski from The Other Side Academy, a long-term residential recovery program in Salt Lake City, Utah, helping men and women overcome addiction, criminal behavior, and homelessness—without therapists, medications, or short-term treatment models.

Unlike traditional rehab, The Other Side Academy (OSA) is built on radical accountability, peer-led structure, meaningful work, and a 2–3+ year commitment to change. Residents take responsibility for daily operations, resolve conflict face-to-face, and rebuild trust, dignity, and purpose one day at a time.

Clay’s own journey reflects the power of this model. Once a high-achieving student whose drug use escalated into years of addiction, DUIs, and criminal charges, Clay entered OSA as an alternative to prison. What began as a two-year commitment became 4.5 years of transformation. Now 8 years clean, Clay serves as a full-time staff member, helping others find the same hope and restoration he did.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What makes The Other Side Academy different from traditional recovery programs
• Why long-term recovery is essential for lasting change
• How peer accountability and real responsibility fuel transformation
• What it looks like when someone becomes “someone new”

Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply drawn to stories of hope, redemption, and second chances, this episode is a powerful reminder: people can change when they are loved enough to be held accountable.

As Clay often says, “Saving lives is the new drug.”

🎧 Listen now to learn how recovery, responsibility, and belief can help people cross over to the other side of their story.

Connect with The Other Side:

https://www.theothersideacademy.com

Purchase a copy of Face-Lift: Embracing Hope Through Your Heartaches through your local bookstores, on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.

https://www.amazon.com/Face-Lift-Embracing-Hope-through-Heartaches-ebook/dp/B0BW7V1ZHP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RAUIL7X1YC1J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-Ve__Zl40SyAjR7COFwSag.BaJdzjKkt7eAe3N4yn60R7d1cjWnRqJ9HTi9mAQTi0E&dib_tag=se&keywords=face-lift+by+holly+curby&qid=1770239421&sprefix=face-lift+by+holly+curb%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1

Related Episodes:

Season 2 Episode 19 - Breaking the Chains of Addiction

Season 3 Episode 27 - New Year, New You, New Years Resolutions with the Home Boys

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Leading With Love: A Valentine’s Day Episode on Faith, Leadership, and Influence

Discover how God’s love can transform the way you lead—at home, at work, and in every relationship. Practical stories, faith-filled insights, and leadership lessons you can apply today.

Leadership begins with love — and the way we understand God’s love shapes how we lead at home, at work, and in our faith.

In this Valentine’s Day–themed episode, we explore what it looks like to lead from a place of identity, faith, and intentional love. Through real-life parenting stories, biblical truth, and practical leadership insight, this conversation invites you to rethink influence, presence, and purpose.

You’ll hear about:

• Modeling God’s love for our kids in tangible ways
• Teaching generosity and compassion through anonymous acts of kindness
• Why leadership starts with who you are, not what you do
• What Jesus shows us about servant leadership
• How love rooted in faith changes the way we lead others
• A clear and hope-filled explanation of the Plan of Salvation

This episode is for parents, leaders, and anyone who wants to live and lead with more purpose, faith, and heart.

💗 If this episode encouraged you, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast. Your reviews help others discover this message and grow alongside our community.

Purchase your copy of Face-Lift Embracing Hope Through Your Heartaches from your local bookstores as well as online retailers such as Amazon, Target, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. This month, all proceeds will benefit Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Thank you for sharing the love.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.