Cowboy Stories

Brad Good spent most of his childhood in New Mexico but currently lives in Texas and works on the Waggoner Ranch. Throughout our visit, you could tell he has a lot of respect for the people that he has been influenced by; especially his dad and uncles. When I asked him what the best part about living this kind of lifestyle was he said, "Getting to be in the middle of God's creation." He also shares his definition of a cowboy and it might be one of my favorite definitions to date. Hope you all enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Today I visited with Hayden Ballard and Chris Heaton. We discussed the issues that come along with trying to make a living running cattle on federal lands. We spent the majority of our time talking about why ranchers care about the policies associated with national monuments and how they directly affect them. We talked about the abuse of the Antiquities Act that the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bears Ears National Monument, and the Grand Canyon National Monument were created under. Hayden and Chris were both great people to visit with about these issues. They are both 6th generation ranchers, they both have skin in the game, and they are both passionate about preserving the ranching and cowboy way of life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

PeeWee Peebles grew up in Texas but currently works on a ranch in Arizona. Throughout this episode he talks about the importance of a good cow dog, the rough terrain and type of cattle he manages, and one of the worst wrecks he’s ever been in. He loves his family and he loves Christ. When speaking about his family he said, “I couldn’t do it without them.” When asked about the coolest places he’s ever been horseback he said, “I’m blown away by God’s creation.” He is also a talented bit and spur maker. You can check out his work by searching PEEBLE BITS AND SPURS on Facebook. We had a great visit and I’m excited to share this episode with you all. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

In part 2 of my conversation with Ray, he talks about a couple more places he worked at before he ended up in South Dakota. He tells us about his time in South Dakota and how he has helped with the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Another notable thing about Ray is he is 62 years old and this year he entered the ranch bronc riding for his team at the Murdo Ranch Rodeo. That is the picture that you'll see attached to this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Ray Chanley grew up in California but currently lives in South Dakota. In Part 1 of our conversation, Ray talks about working at a sale barn while he was in school and how that led him to live the kind of life he lives. He also talks about his cross country pack trip that started on a beach in California and ended in New Mexico. That trip allowed him to have some cool experiences working for different people along the way. Hope you enjoy Part 1. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

In this episode with Skeet Gould he talks about family, his time in California, and the differences he noticed in California versus Arizona. If you've listened to Part 1 and Part 2, you know that he has also written a book. If you'd like to read more about his life and hear more stories, you can contact Skeet directly via Facebook to get a copy. Look up Skeet Gould on Facebook and send him a message. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

In part 2 of our conversation we talk about the longest place he ever stayed, learning how to AI cattle, a horse named Joe Lewis, and things he learned from Bill Howell at the Babbitts. If you like listening to his stories, you can purchase on directly from Skeet on Facebook. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Skeet Gould was born in Prescott, AZ but currently lives in Red Bluff, CA. In part 1 of our conversation, we talk about his childhood, classing cattle horseback, horsemanship, and family. When talking about eradicating screwworms he said, ““The best thing for cowmen. The worst thing for cowboys. It also affected the horses. A horse used to be taught to run to cattle….” He tells a lot of cool stories and if you want to hear more, he wrote a book called “Layin around the water hole” You can purchase one directly from him. Contact him on Facebook. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

In part 2 of my interview with Greg Snow we talk about the best part of living this lifestyle, the hardest place he’s ever left, and ranch horses. He also answers the question, “Are cowboys as good today as they were back in the day?” If you haven’t had a chance to listen to part 1, head over there first because we dive right in where we left off. Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Greg Snow was raised in Twin Falls, ID. He grew up in sports; baseball, basketball, and football. He got a job at the stockyards and that was when he first became interested in cattle. He found out there were full time cowboy jobs from Kurt Marcus articles in the western horseman and he has had the “cowboy bug” ever since. After high school, he turned down a few football scholarships and instead bought a cheap used saddle, a rope and a snaffle bit. The rest is history. He’s worked on ranches in a few different states and is a well-known name in the ranching world. I had a lot of fun visiting with him and I hope you enjoy his story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

In part two of our conversation, Steve talks about some of the best parts of living the kind of lifestyle he lives. One of which is having the opportunity to work day to day with your family. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Steve Layton has been ranching on the Arizona Strip his entire life, his family bought the ranch and moved from Southern Arizona in 1949. His grandkids are now the 5th generation on the ranch. I hope you enjoy part 1 of his story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Part 2 of my conversation with Johnny Hill. In this episode, we continue our conversation about good horses and he also gives his definition of a cowboy, “Somebody that can take a horse and go work a cow and do what he needs to do without stirrin a bunch of stuff up.” Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Johnny Hill is from the pan handle of Texas and one of the pieces of advice that he offers the younger generation is to, “Keep your mouth shut, your eyes open and leave your phone in your pocket.” Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Today we dive right in to Part 2 of my interview with Tyson Johnson. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Part 1, I recommend starting back there. In todays episode, Tyson shares a little bit more of his background, some of the things he enjoys about this lifestyle, his definition of what makes a good hand, and a few "cowboy stories." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Tyson Johnson grew up in Kanab, UT and currently lives in Oklahoma where he is the manager of Sooner Cattle Company. In Part 1 of this episode, he talks about how he fell in love with this way of life and some of the early events that led him to where he is today. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Jim Brinkman is a third generation rancher on the Pitzer Ranch (located in Ericson, NE). Throughout this episode we talk about how the Pitzer Ranch got its start, how Jim became involved, the great Two Eyed Jack, and their horse program. If you want more info on the Pitzer Ranch, click the following link. https://pitzerranch.net/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Ira Wines lives in Elko county Nevada and is currently the president of the Ellison Ranching Company. His family has been in Elko county since 1860 and his dad worked for the Ellisons when he was born. Throughout this episode he talks about his personal history and some of the day-to-day things on the ranch. If you want more information on the Ellison Ranching Company and it’s history, they just published a book and copies are available in Elko at the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum, Western Folklife Center and Northeastern Nevada Museum or by contacting the Ellison Ranching Company offices at 775-753-8826. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Jimmy Riggs is 78 years old. He and his wife Janna live on their ranch near Wilcox, AZ. In Part 2, he talks about a Ranch tour that he and his wife do every year. They joined an organization called “Wings over Wilcox” as a service to the beef industry to help educate others on where their food comes from and what their operation is like. They had 250 people tour this year over a 3 day weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Part 1, I recommend starting there first. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support

Jimmy and his wife Janna live near Wilcox, AZ. They have a pretty neat family history that he shares at the beginning of this episode. He also talks about how the railroad changed the way investors thought about ranching, and the incredible way they were able to help eradicate screwworms. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cowboy-stories/support