Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten is a motivational and educational podcast. Interviews consist of three categories consisting of leaders in the equine industry, business owners or individuals with a uplifting personal experience, or myself sharing business insight. Real, raw, and completely exposed, no fluff, down to Earth interviews to help you gain the grit you need to push through another day with a smile on your face.
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70. Lee Hart: American Cowboy/EXCA/ Arrow H/Hart Training/Horsemanship Clinician/Horse Trainer/Ranch Hand
26:56
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Lee Hart is the longest returning clinician at our facility (Von Holten Ranch in Mora, MO). Lee has had one to two clinics a year since we opened our facility to the public. Yes, Lee is a fierce competitor and horse trainer, but that is not why we keep singing his praises. Lee has a way of connecting…
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69. Colton Kiso: Heath Creek Forge, bladesmith, Forged Under Fire, self taught, forge, custom knives
32:29
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten! Colton Kiso is a self taught bladesmith that lives in Missouri. Colton competed on the TV show Forged Under Fire and placed 2nd when he was 19 years old. He is now a full time bladesmith. Colton married his high school sweetheart that is a mortician. I bet you won't find another couple quite like the…
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68. Jason Worthley: stepping-up, good people, conservative, Republican, Morgan County Western District Commissioner
34:01
Welcome back to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Jason Worthley is a returning guest. Just a good guy that cares about his county and country. Jason has served under three different law enforcement agencies all while living in Morgan County. Jason in running for the Morgan County Western District Commissioner. The election is August 6, 2024. I…
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67. Ryan Goolsby and Rene Cleveland/The Little Farm Store/Online Farmers Market/Fresh Home Delivery/Local Grown Foods/Micro Dairy/Orchard/Homesteading
37:02
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. I found today's guest as a featured business in a magazine called Rural Missouri. Their business is called "The Little Farm Store". They are located East of Springfield in Mansfield, Missouri. The Little Farm Store is an online farmers market connecting fresh foods grown from local farmers to the pub…
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66. Gina Kuda/1st Generation Cattle Rancher/Female Rancher/Limousin/Show Me Select/Bulls/Replacement Heifers
48:22
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Meet female cattle rancher, Gina Kuda. Her passion is with the Limousin breed. Gina offers bull and replacement heifers. She also goes above and beyond to increase safety by halter breaking most of the bulls she sells. You are going to love this down-to-Earth, knowledgeable, hardworking cowgirl. Her …
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65. Amber Watkins: Reclaiming Dawn/ healthy products/ essential oils/ natural cleaning products/ wellness/no poisons/ homesteading
35:55
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. It is my pleasure to introduce Amber Watkins, the owner of Reclaiming Dawn. She is done with putting poisons into her body and designed a healthy line of products for skin, hair, laundry, and wellness. Amber is doing the research and finding lie after lie. One common thought that she has had to help …
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64. Bruce Whittle, DVM: equine dentistry, veterinary, Missouri vet, horse health, mule teeth, tooth extraction
1:18:03
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. I respect the man in this interview today! Meet Bruce Whittle, DVM! Not only did I have him as a guest on the podcast but I also wrote an article in Mules and More Magazine about the difficult tooth extraction he successfully completed on my mule, JoJo. Bruce Whittle is located in Trenton, Missouri w…
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63. Derek Riggs: Mid Missouri Beef/ grass fed beef/ no hormone beef / farm raised beef / birth to butcher / know where your beef came from / 5th generation female rancher (wife) / 4th generation rancher ...
46:01
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. My guest today knows how to raise a good steak! Derek Riggs and his wife, Karla, own MidMissouriBeef.com Here is what their website says, "We are a family owned and operated ranch that produces a quality cut of beef. Karla is a 5th generation rancher that grew up raising and showing purebred Charolai…
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Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. From a century farm in ruins to Missouri's Best Ranch to Country Tough Homesteading. My mission in life is to help others by helping them gain the forgotten skills to help them become more self sufficient with hands on homesteading classes.由Brandy Von Holten
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61. Chris May Oklahoma Cowboy/ Mare Man/ Swinging M Ranch/ Oil and Gas/ Horse Breeding/ American Cowboy
45:38
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Today's guest is an Oklahoma cowboy named Chris May. He and his wife and kids own a equine facility in Oklahoma. Chris has been to every continent except Antarctica with the oil and gas industry. I met Chris through Facebook and it turned out that we had a lot of the same interest in helping people b…
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60. Brenda Valentine /First Lady of Hunting/Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World/Cape Buffalo/TV Host/Tennessee Girl/Alpha Gal/Turkey Country
49:46
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. I have to take a back seat to today's very distinguished guest, Brenda Valentine, the First Lady of Hunting. Brenda has been the host of multiple TV shows: Turkey Country and Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World. She has modeled hunting attire and even authored a book titled "Hunting MisAdventures with the Fi…
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59. Erica Graham: custom leather/female leather maker/ mother of three/ American cowgirl/halter/barrel racing awards/horseshow awards/Graham Equine
24:28
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten! It is my pleasure to introduce Erica Graham with Graham Equine. She is a self taught leather maker! Mother of three, K-State graduate, and excellent horsewoman! Erica's daughter followed in her footsteps. I love to support others that are blazing their own path. It is my pleasure to introduce leather…
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58. Kody Hanner / Homestead Science/Homeschool Homestead/ Homesteading Curriculum/Idaho Homesteader/ Homeschool Mother/Conservative Values/Self Sustainable
48:43
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Today's guest is Kody Hanner! If one day we find out that we are related, it would explain a lot. We look a like, have a lot of the same values, and found each other at a homeschool expo. I love her business and she loves mine! She has written an elaborate homeschool curriculum for homesteaders! It i…
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57. Taressa Rankin :Missouri's Best Horse Trainer 2024/ Mustang Trainer/ Female Horse Trainer/ Mom of Three/ Missouri Horse Woman/ Cowgirl/Healthy Cowgirl/Grocery Store Owner
39:11
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten! You are about to meet one of my MOST people on this planet! Taressa Rankin!!! She is such a wonderful trainer, mom, wife, and friend! She is a horse trainer, homeschooler, and homesteader. This podcast is the first but not the last. If you would like to find Taressa, check her out on Facebook at Tare…
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56. Diana Thebo Markworth / Mustang Trainer/TIP program/horsewoman/clinician/The Mustang Summitt
15:00
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten! Today's guest is Diana Thebo- Markworth! She has been a familiar face at Von Holten Ranch throughout the years. From clinics, to judging, to competing, to getting married....when there's a horse involved, Diana's favorite mount is a MUSTANG. Diana is a gift to every mustang she comes across. Just a f…
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55. Logan Schrag: Kansas Cowboy/Cowboy Experience/Diamond Springs Ranch/Guided Trail Rides/Treehouse/Venue
25:36
Welcome back to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten. Today's guest is Logan Schrag, a Kansas cowboy that owns Diamond Springs Ranch. His facility offers guided trail rides, a massive treehouse that is more like a beautiful apartment for the weekend, an event venue, and something he calls the "Cowboy Experience". No horse, no problem. Logan Schrag …
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54. Michael William Green/Watkins C Ranch/ trail riding/Conservative/three generations/Leavenworth Kansas
20:14
Welcome to Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten! Meet Michael Green! He's the owner of Watkins C Ranch in Leavenworth Kansas. It is a third generation trail facility for people that do not own their own horses. Michael also does business consulting. Check them out at www.watkinscranch.net由Brandy Von Holten
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53. Liz Dingus: Never Too Late/Moving Forward After Tragedy/Death of a Child/Respiratory Therapy/Nontraditional Student/Homeschool Mom/Picking Up the Pieces/Finding Yourself/Inspirational
36:16
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! OMG, you are going to love today's guest, Liz Dingus! You will join me in rooting for her. 2021 was extremely rough on a lot of people, but it was over the top hard on Liz and her family. In 2021, she lost her mother-in-law, father-in-law, her mother, and her 21 year old son (her 5th child out o…
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52. Tony & Merry Kroeger: Community over Competition/horse boarding/weed zapper/nonchemical weed control/agriculture/Heartland Eq Stables/Missouri Equine/Horse Stables/Abundant Harvest/Pastor
37:36
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Let's meet Tony & Merry Kroeger with Heartland Eq Stables located in Sedalia, Missouri. Before the stables, they dove into a business called The Weed Zapper. This dynamic duo also pastor a church together where they have done everything from "preach, teach, and play bass" for over 30 years. The …
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51. Tony & Jenny Vaught/For the Horse Ranch/Parelli/Homeschool/Ministry/Colt Starting/Missouri Fox Trotter/Horsemanship Instructor/Gaited Horses/Husband and Wife
42:48
Welcome back to Big Boss mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today's guests are a horsemanship instruction duo named Tony & Jenny Vaught! They are a dynamic duo that has been helping horses, mules, and riders reach their next level. This is a homeschooling, ministry, karate, and amazing horsemanship married couple. They now live in Florida but frequent th…
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50. Tina Dulaban/Missouri Women in Agriculture/Women in Agriculture Conference/Soil and Water Conservation/Women Networking/Mom Time/Woman Based/Collaboration/Farmers/Farm Girls
28:47
Welcome to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Tina Dulaban is our guest today! She is the Vice Chair for the Central Region for the Missouri Women in Agriculture. MO Women in Ag put on a yearly conference called the Women in Ag Conference. The conference started in 2001 and has been going strong ever since. The event is in September and on a Mon…
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49. DVM Greg Houtsma veterinarian/equine reproduction/equine dentistry/Royal Canadian Mounted Police/animal clinic/equine lameness/Missouri vet/Born in Canada
53:40
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Meet DVM Greg Houtsma with the Warrensburg Animal Hospital located in Warrensburg, Missouri. Born in Canada, but settled in Missouri, DVM Greg Houtsma is a highly respected vet in the Midwest. He emphasizes in equine reproduction, lameness, and dentistry. He has helped us at Von Holten Ranch wit…
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48. Russ and Dina Brown/R Bar B/Topeka/Kansas/Western Store/Saddle Fit/Family Owned Business/Cowboy Hat/Horse Competitions/Trailer Sales
1:01:53
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! We have two guests today, Russ and Dina Brown, the owners of R Bar B in Topeka, Kansas! Their store is family owned with their three sons also working for the business. They sell saddles, tack, clothing, cowboy hats, trailers, bits, and everything in between! R Bar B is also hosts all sorts of c…
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47. Mark Kestner/Bluebird Outdoor Adventures/crappie fishing guide/rental RV/how to never work a day in your life/rather be fishing/family man
55:53
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today's guest is Mark Kestner. Our businesses parallel from close to the same start date and roughly the same industry. Mark has a company that is divided into three categories: rental RV, RV park, and now a crappie fishing guide service. You will love his down to Earth business plan and his wil…
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46. Alaina Cross: colt starting/American cowgirl/mustang/female business owner/hodgkin's lymphoma/positive mindset
39:14
Welcome to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today's guest is Alaina Cross! She is one amazing cowgirl! I have known her since she was a youth Extreme Cowboy Association competitor. Alaina starts colts and has even trained mustangs! Her uplifting zest for life will have you waiting for her next word. Just a kind soul and an even more amazing mo…
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45. Karen Cummings/cattle sorting/licensed massage therapist/American cowgirl/hardworking female/team penning
30:02
Welcome to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. Today we have Karen Cummings as our valued guest. She has been in my life before Von Holten Ranch. Karen is now a massage therapist and a Country Tough Trail Versatility competitor. I do not have a lot of friends that stick around for the different chapters of my life; Karen has been around for almos…
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44. Abigail Hoffman/Clinton Anderson Ambassador/Wears the Roo/Female Clinician/Iowa Horsewoman/Professionalism/Clinton Anderson Clinician Academy
35:54
Welcome to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. It is my pleasure to introduce Abigail Hoffman. Abigail is the owner of Tailwind Horsemanship, LLC and is a graduate of Clinton Anderson's Clinician Academy. Abigail is a Clinton Anderson Ambassador. Iowa is where she currently presides, but the world has no limits for this professional cowgirl. In t…
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43. Shayla Shipley/1st Generation Cowgirl/Horse Breeder/Maine Coon Breeder/St. Berdoodle/Newfi Poo/Bergerpiccard/AQHA Congress/Modern Cowgirl/
52:30
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today is a first-generation cowgirl that is blazing the way for her mother and niece to join in the passion of being top performing cowgirls! You will love the freedom and dedication of horsewoman, Shayla Shipley! I first met Shayla at a clinic where she was a way more advanced competitor that I…
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42. Lee Hart/Road to the Horse Wildcard Challenge/American Cowboy/World Champion Bronc Rider/Family Man/Calgary Stampede/Top Notch Horse Trainer/True Cowboy/Ranch Hand
1:09:19
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s guest is international clinician and world champion horseman, Lee Hart! He is my trainer and is the longest returning clinician at Von Holten Ranch. Lee has a staggering list of accomplishments including WRCA World Champion Bronc Rider to WRCA Top Hand to the American Royal Colt Starting…
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41. Mary White and Alicia Stickel/ 84y.o. Cowgirl Still Cowgirling/Horseback Riding at 80/Never Let Me Know My Last Ride
59:35
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today we have the pleasure of interviewing two cowgirls from West Virginia! Mary White, 84, and Alicia Stickel, 61, drove separately from West Virginia to attend a Big Boss Mare Production called Chix in the Sticks! Mary drove herself and set her trailer up herself! With owning a trail riding fa…
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40. Phantom V, Chris Groves and Mike Hammerly/Distillery/Alcohol/Doing Things Differently/Innovative Business/Brandy/Distilled Specialty Spirit
1:03:18
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today we have two of the five owners of Phantom V Distillery, Chris Groves and Mike Hammerly! Five friends came together to create an innovative alcohol that is closely related to Brandy (the alcohol, not me). Brandy is made from fruit, but cannot be distilled greater than 160 proof. Phantom V’s…
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39. Sarah Leonhard/Purina/Animal Nutrition/Women in Agriculture/Barrel Racer/Embryo Transfer/Cattle Rancher
46:42
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s guest does not need an introduction from me at all! Sarah Leonhard was worked for Purina for an extensive length of time. She is now an Associate Sales Manager and the Farm Consultant Team Leader. Sarah discusses Land o Lakes, the largest farmer owner cooperative in North America and its…
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38. Kim Abney Shrader Shabby2ChicBoutiques/Clothing and Accessories/Retail Store Owner/Business Woman/Taking the Plunge/Married to a Farmer
1:01:57
Welcome back to Big Boss mare with Brandy Von Holten! This week’s guest is Kim Abney Shrader. She is the owner and manager of Shabby 2 Chic Boutiques which is a retail clothing and accessories store that has a store front, a mobile boutique, and is available online! Kim manifested her boutique, after being in real-estate for years. Steve, her farme…
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37.Nikki Freeman/Weight Loss/Improved Health/Counting Macros/Cross Fit Instructor/Barre/Piyo/University of Central Missouri/College Professor
48:52
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. Today’s guest is Nikki Freeman! Nikki is a diversely talented “smartie pants and health nut”! She is a college professor at the University of Central Missouri and is a cross fit, barre, and piyo instructor! Nikki is currently working on her nutrition certification. After turning 40 she realized …
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36. Jason Worthley/Law Enforcement and BBQ/Sheriff's Deputy/Water Patrol/Support Law Enforcement/Patio 52 Bar and Grill/Restaurant near the Ozark International Speedway
1:35:32
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! If you love law enforcement and BBQ, then you are going to love this interview! Meet Jason Worthley! Jason is a homegrown Missouri boy! Jason started as a 911 dispatcher but then has had the titles of jailer, deputy, K-9 deputy, and undercover narcotics while working with the Mid Missouri Drug T…
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35. Sydney Kotow/Lady Farrier/Horse Shoer/ Canadian/Helping Horses and Mules/Love of the Forge
48:28
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! This week’s interview is with Sydney Kotow. She is a hot shoer, AKA a hot farrier that works with a forge. There are not a lot of lady farriers, and even less that work with a forge. Sydney is not a shy person and will tell you how it is! She and I will have many adventures together over the nex…
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34. Leslie Waymack Ballard/Mule Trainer/Mule Fest/Ozark Mule Days/Mule Makeover/Chuckwagon Races/Outfitter/Female Trainer/American Cowgirl
1:13:19
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s interview is with Arkansas mule trainer, Leslie Waymack! She and I were both presenters at the 2021 MidWest MuleFest. Leslie is super close to retirement from teaching high school social studies. Her plan is to become an outfitter that can go where the wind takes her. Leslie and I have s…
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33. Gary Vaughn, Jr/Coping with the Loss of a Child/Coping with Suicide/From Felony Charges to Fatherhood/Second Chances
52:22
Welcome to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. This episode is with Gary Vaughn, Jr. from Greenbrier, Arkansas. He is living proof that a man can go through heartache and move forward. Gary has turned his life around from multiple felony charges to an active member in his church. He has come back from bankruptcy to having a well-paying job that h…
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32. Jason Cook/American Cowboy/Humble/Ranch Horse/Reining/Colt Starting/Roping/Dealing with Sour Competition Horses
1:06:01
Jason Cook is an American Cowboy that had a huge influence by his great grandfather. When someone tries to explain the term “humble”, they just need to have a 5 minute conversation with Jason. He believes in a solid foundation is the root to all great horses! To excel with your equine you need to have consistency and quality. In smartness, he ranks…
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31. Hanna Perry/Custom Baby Clothes/Stay at Home Mom/First Baby/C Double H/One of a Kind Clothing
45:09
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. Today’s interview is with one very creative first-time momma, Hanna Perry! I met Hanna when she competed in extreme cowboy racing and then crossed paths again when she was the competition photographer for the Country Tough Trail Versatility National Championship! Once a year, I have a Goal Setti…
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30. Tinker Turner/American Cowboy/Family Roots/Coming Back From Tragedy/Working Cow Horse/Reining/AQHA
1:09:04
Tinker Turner is a professional. His full time job is horses. He is a trainer, instructor, clinician, and judge. He has trained, showed, and judged Professionally for 30+ years. He has won countless events in Europe and the U.S. in reining, roping, trail classes, working cow, pleasure, halter, versatility ranch horse, & colt starting challenges. So…
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Meet Stacie Smith and Mary Bell! They are two of the three ladies hosting the MidWest MuleFest! 2022 will mark their 5th year! These two ladies are a hoot! In this interview you will get to meet these two and hear their love and compassion for inclusion in the equine industry for mules. Normal people can make extraordinary impacts in the world. Sta…
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Scott Simms has many judging certifications in numerous associations. As his personal equine goals change, his focus is now on giving back and helping develop the next generation of knowledgeable cowboy and cowgirl! There's always lots to learn from people that have been there and done that. Scott is an excellent role model and has a plethora or ag…
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Bailey Marriott is blazing her OWN way through this world! She loves her family, her country, her modern day western heritage, and business! Her story will motivate and captivate you! Coffee shop, cattle rancher, and clothing and western apparel store owner/manager!! Bailey is a small town girl with big dreams!…
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24. Sean Beaver/ Veteran, Entrepreneur on a Mission to Bring Communities Together/ Great American Kites and Events
1:10:04
When you are around Sean Beaver, you feel like you are in the presence of greatness! He's a mover, a shaker, a Veteran, and is not afraid to take chances on a business venture that SCREAMS USA!!!!! Being around strong, independent thinkers will help you become a strong, independent thinker! I would highly recommend listening to this episode multipl…
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23. Alina Shcherbina/Ins and Outs of Setting Your Family Up for Financial Security After Your Death/Talking About The Hard Things
57:20
Alina Shcherbina is helping people have those difficult conversations about life insurance. This is who my husband and I have our life insurance policy through. You never know how much better you will sleep until you have your loved ones set up for financial security if tragedy strikes. There are scammers out there and different types of policies t…
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Thank you for joining Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten today! Today’s guest is one of easiest cowgirl’s in the world to love and cheer on as she blazes her own path in the equine industry, Lauren McCain! She is on the Country Tough Trail Versatility National Board, a certified judge, a horsemanship and mulemanship clinician, an equine breeder, …
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21. Maria Juarez Byrd/Be More Gracious with Your Assumptions/Mexican American/Becoming a Veterinarian
55:07
It is my pleasure to introduce soon to be DVM Maria Juarez Byrd! Maria is one of the most determined work horses I know! Everything she has worked for academically has come from huge sacrifices and pure grit. Maria had enough college credit hours from high school to expedite her time needed to obtain her undergraduate degree. After being accepted i…
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20. Hannah Kaufman/Tenacious Spirit of a Barrel Racer and Motivation to Come Back from Injury
58:43
Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s guest is one heck of a cowgirl, Hannah Kaufman! Not only is she a barrel racer, but she is extremely multifaceted in the equine industry. Hannah has made custom leather pieces that are just as beautiful as they are useable! She also trains horses to have a career in barrel racing, teache…
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Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. Today’s guest is John Sultanov. John is an entrepreneur, a business owner, a father, a husband, and an aspiring politician. John is also 2nd generation Russian American. His family fled religious oppression and Communism. He has made it his mission to get involved on a local level to ensure Amer…
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