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That Western Life Podcast

The That Western Life podcast is hosted by Katie Schrock, Rachel Owens-Sarno, Katie Surritt, and Joe Harper! Join us weekly for great conversations about rodeo and the western lifestyle.

Posts in PBR
Ep. 121 - Wrangler Western's Vice President & General Manager Allen Montgomery

To sit down with the iconic brand of Wrangler has been on our podcast bucket list for quite some time and we were fortunate enough to have the Vice President and General Manager of Wrangler Western Wear on the podcast for a unique insight into rodeo’s largest apparel brand. Not only do we discuss the history of Wrangler, who they build their products after, but also their upcoming tends with Yellowstone and Coconut Cowboys. Additionally, we talk to them about the marketing behind the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and what that week is like for them as a team to prepare for the biggest stage in the western world.

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Ep. 107 - The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund with Special Guest Author Shanna Hatfield

The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund will always hold a special place in our hearts for its impact on the professionalism of pro rodeo, as well as the work Justin Boots does to take care of our contestants and athletes not only in the arena, but outside of the arena walls as well. We dive into the history of the JCCF, the brand that is Justin Boots, and the founding people of the Justin Sports Medicine Team. Additionally, we chat with Cowboy Romance Author Shanna Hatfield regarding her writing career and how a percentage of her book sale proceeds every October 1st through Christmas Eve goes directly to the JCCF.

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Ep. 97 - Round 4 National Finals Rodeo Recap 2021

Rounds 1 through 4 didn’t disappoint for the National Finals Rodeo and we not only crowned a new Miss Rodeo America after an unprecedented two-year reign of the state titleholders, but the bareback, steer wrestling, and bull riding races are REALLY heating up.

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Ep. 80 - PBR World Finals Female Stock Contractor Paige Stout presented by COWGIRL Magazine

Paige Stout was named a COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 as a part of their inaugural class in 2020. It’s no surprise as this young woman has taken bucking bulls to the PBR World Finals five of the eight years that she has been hauling! Getting her first bull at ten years, Paige walks us through raising bucking bulls, getting her nursing degree, and what she sees as the future of women in western industries!

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Ep. 78 - McFarland Production's Natalie McFarland presented by COWGIRL Magazine

Owner of McFarland Productions, Natalie McFarland was named to COWGIRL Magazine's inaugural 30 Under 30 class in 2020. A passionate advocate for all things agriculture, her company may be best known for it's video work but her entire team works hard to provide a one-stop shop for all things digital in the western world!

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Ep. 76 - Keith Ryan Cartwright & The Untold History of the Black Cowboys of Rodeo

They ride horses, rope calves, buck broncos, ride and fight bulls, and even wrestle steers. They are Black cowboys, and the legacies of their pursuits intersect with those of America's struggle for racial equality, human rights, and social justice.
Keith Ryan Cartwright brings to life the stories of such pioneers as Cleo Hearn, the first Black cowboy to professionally rope in the Rodeo Cowboy Association; Myrtis Dightman, who became known as the Jackie Robinson of Rodeo after being the first Black cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo; and Tex Williams, the first Black cowboy to become a state high school rodeo champion in Texas.
Black Cowboys of Rodeo: Unsung Heroes from Harlem to Hollywood and the American West author Keith Ryan Cartwright talks about his unlikely career in the PBR from the world of entertainment to the production of this pivotal book. Black Cowboys of Rodeo is a collection of one hundred years of stories, told by these revolutionary Black pioneers themselves and set against the backdrop of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, segregation, the civil rights movement, and eventually the integration of a racially divided country.

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Ep. 69 - Broadcasting & Barrel Racing with Janie Johnson

We’ve mentioned Janie Johnson on all three seasons of the That Western Life, which may come across a bit creepy, but just goes to show how big of a fans we all are from the podcast! Janie is fresh off of RFD-TV’s The American, a crazy week full of tailgate parties, performances and exciting story lines, so we were excited to chat with her more about all things pro rodeo!

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Ep. 66 - Former Bull Rider Turned Bull Riding Agent, Vexil's Own Shawn Wiese

Shawn Wiese isn’t just a former professional bull rider, he’s also a bull riding agent with his XD Sports brand, the owner of Vexil clothing brand and a fellow podcaster, we are so excited to have Shawn on the show today. We dive deep into curating sponsorship relationships and how Shawn learned from each phase of his life different tools and attributes to take him to the next level and his next business.

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Ep. 46 - Courtenay DeHoff; Western Sports Television Personality

Courtenay DeHoff is a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, the host of Cowgirl Problem’s Podcast, a TV reporter, and a beef advocate that works with the NCBA. We are excited to have her on the show to talk about all things advocacy and communications with That Western Life co-hosts Katie Schrock & Rachel Owens-Sarno.

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Ep. 42 - PBR Bull Rider Ezekiel "Blue" Mitchell

Co-hosts Katie Schrock and Rachel Owens-Sarno join the PBR’s up and comer star Ezekiel “Blue” Mitchell about all things PBR and bull riding on episode 42 of the That Western Life Podcast. A 22 year-old bull rider from Texas that, despite not coming from a rodeo family, made his dreams of being a professional bull riding a reality. We also chat about Ezekiel as The Bachelor and so much more!

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