True Stories of Cowgirl Courage with Mary Fichtner

Debbie Lee, or Momma Lee as her son's Seal Team calls her, has walked through the hardest things in life. Instead of giving up or becoming bitter she chooses to walk with God and hold on to her faith.  She believes the key is NEVER giving up.  Debbie is a stellar example of turning pain into purpose with America's Mighty Warriors Foundation and sharing her story. She took her greatest loss and is giving back to others to help them survive. This story will buck you right off your horse of excuses, so hold on tight!https://americasmightywarriors.orgListen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Learning she was trusted helped Sequoyah Branham with anxiety and knowing she could fail and all would be okay. At the young age of 20, she is running a ranch and writing novels from her experiences of loss, learning to deal with anxiety and overcoming fear.  In her own words, "Some days you just got to slap on some lipstick and tell your anxiety to shut up! It won't listen the first time though. So you will have to tell it again." Her novel "In the Company of Cows" includes Scardy-cat horses, family relationships, social anxiety, and disenfranchised guilt. It will be released October 24!Order your copy https://form.jotform.com/232185595912160  or go to her website sequoyahbranham.comSo get your lipstick on and lean into the wind with Sequoyah. Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Allie Mae Baker, is everything you want in a rodeo queen. Of course, she is an amazing horsewoman and loves rodeo and the Western lifestyle but most importantly her beautiful, genuine heart shines through her trials and hardships. She met the man she calls her dad when she was 7 and he became a guiding light for all she does. You will definitely want to meet Allie in person at the next big rodeo and cheer her on at the Miss Rodeo America Contest this December. So get a comfy seat and wave back as she flies by on her horse!  Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

A lifetime of achievements and being in the spotlight changed overnight to trauma and hiding for KD, formally Kristen Youmans. After being crowned Miss Wyoming and going on to be a big station Newscaster KD could have never predicted what curveball would be thrown at her: she helps us all with how to hit one for a home run. I know she loves baseball so I had to use that analogy. :) Our pain has to have purpose and her words of wisdom will help you saddle up and ride again! Also, she let me wear her Miss Wyoming crown and banner and I'm not going to lie...it was fun! Please check out her website at https://www.thedeepend.org/Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Ginny's story of surviving long-term trauma and confusion finally reaches a place of courage and faith. Choosing to walk away allowed her to embrace her God-given gifts and brought her full circle to a wonderful life. And wait until you hear why cows are her favorite thing to draw and paint. You'll want your best horse for this ride! Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

At a young age, Elissa's dad taught her to make the world a better place and she has chosen to live by that. As life happened she was led on a path to a fantastic career and business from a seemingly insignificant event. Starting Elevate Wyoming has been a dream come true but believing there was still more difference to make she founded Impact WY.  Honestly, she doesn't know anything about fear or worry. Hang on tight for this story, it's a tornado!Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

It is hard to believe what one family can endure and yet hold on to their love for God and the faith to move mountains. After her own tragic accident, there was so much more to face. The hardest thing for a mom is to watch a child hurt physically and emotionally, no matter how old they are. Living in hospitals for years without answers about how things would turn out has caused Capri to lean even harder into her faith than she thought possible. You will rarely hear a Job story such as this! Listen and help us declare all that the Lord is restoring to them. You might need your slicker for the tears of pain and joy you will shed, it's a crazy ride!Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Navigating our crazy world is not for wimps, especially getting through high school, college,  choosing a spouse, and a profession while holding on to who you are. My daughter,  Roslan,  is the illustrator for our book series and has truly found her gifts and passion along with keeping her strong faith and identity intact. We can learn a lot from a Gen Z'r on how to do hard things and help young people navigate all that gets thrown at them.  This podcast is for young women, moms, and grandmas. So tighten your cinch and you will be blessed. Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Deb has gone from living her best life to having it all crash to pieces.  Her heavy heart made it almost impossible to breathe and left her wondering how she would survive the pain.  Now she is taking that pain and using it to help others. A beautiful example of taking intense pain and turning it into a purpose. You're about to hear some hard core courage so I hope you have your hard hat on! Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

It's hard to believe that someone named Joy, who had a horrific childhood and a terrible life-altering accident that almost took her life, can have so much joy she is always smiling and praising. Choosing not to be a victim of the things that happened to her allowed her to reach out and accept the love of her Savior. She has a lot of wisdom and courage to share! Get your helmet on and prepare yourself for a wild ride. Also, more grace needed! Microphone challenges continue. I apologize for the echo on the audio but it is well worth the listen. I will continue to work to improve my tech skills. Thank you for your patience. Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Fill your heart with laughter and wisdom as my mom talks of college, courtship, dancing, proposals, broken engagements, broken hearts, 68 years of marriage, and stellar grandparenting. Bonus section on finding purpose through life experiences. You will never look at your own ride the same, so saddle up!Music by Bree Morgan, "Dear Cowgirl"https://www.breemorganmusic.comListen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Hope is the theme of this episode, but not just regular hope, a hope that is way past what some might consider just plain crazy. It takes astronomical amounts of faith and courage to choose hope after the harsh reality that life sometimes deals us.  And the best part? The rewards of course. So jam your hat down for this one or it will get blown clean off! Intro and closing song is by Bree Morgan "Dear Cowgirl" And it will blow your hat clean off too!https://www.breemorganmusic.comListen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

It took dikes of courage to hold back the fear Emma had of leaving her Amish family and dealing with the stress and guilt she knew would follow. Emma shares that if she had known how hard it was going to be she may not do it again. After you hear her story you may disagree.  She has enough grit to share and inspire you to saddle up no matter what!Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Good thing Dixie was raised by parents who knew how to grow girls into courageous, strong, independent women. Especially since there were four of them. This prepared her for the valley she would be in years later. Tighten your cinch for this ride, the grit and moxie she has will challenge you to stay on your horse. And let me apologize for the background noise. We had on headphones and were at a coffee shop so we couldn't hear it. Please get a cup of coffee and pull up a chair to be there with us in person; with your grace I will continue to improve and never do one at a coffee shop again.  Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Life-changing losses made Julie call up more courage than she ever thought she had. Being married to George Howard, the University of Wyoming Rodeo Coach, and teaching 2 grade, created the life Julie had always dreamed of.  When her life got turned over she could have easily gone to a dark place through the trials, but instead walked the difficult path to hope and joy.  And wait until you hear about the angels she met along the way. Strap your spurs on and get ready to catch some courage!Listen here! https://truestoriesofcowgirlcourage.buzzsprout.com

Marion Hageman successfully raised 6 children and hosted over 40 foster kids, all the while working through hardships and never seeing anything but blessings. Their ranch house was small but their hearts were huge and Marion is a beautiful example of living each day with courage. She has always lived out the Cowboy Code and it shows in her life of ranching, hard work, and supporting a husband who was in politics.  All of her kids, including Harriet Hageman,  live with intention, sacrifice, and work ethic.  She has enough courage to spill out onto whoever chooses to accept it. Long live cowgirls! 

Meet Brenna and you will be beyond inspired to keep fighting in spite of tragedy.  Despite numerous traumas, of many different kinds, Brenna has been able to take the hard things and use them not only to help others but to shine bright in dark places. She is still in the middle of the fight but is winning each battle, one at a time. 

Growing up during World War II and losing her mom at the age of 9 threw my mom into changes and challenges that would require more courage than she knew she had.  Living a life similar to a foster kid and moving so many times she lost count not only taught her what her gifts were but helped her to embrace them.  Meet my beautiful mom, or as my Dad so loves to call her, "The Big Time Woman from Way out West!"  She will help you look at your scars differently. 

Our deepest wounds can become our greatest miracle. Sandy's life is full of contrast and unexpected turns but  proves it's never too late to find your purpose. Through many revelations and lots of challenges Sandy steps from the fire into a beautiful destiny. You will need your biggest net to catch all the courage she shares.  

An idyllic childhood and strong faith shouldn't lead to deception, heartbreak, and a test of faith, but for Rene it did. She shares many tools to mend brokenness and find a way out of despair. Forgiving something she can never forget came down to daily decisions and trusting  God. "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts ate." Joel 2:25

Growing up in the country of Trinidad taught Sabrina many things; work ethic, problem-solving, and how to choose warrioress over victimhood.  Finding her purpose has been a hard road at times but when she finally listened to the whispers of her heart she found her way. Her greatest mission now is helping other women find their purpose and having the support to shine the way they were intended. She is the successful owner of three businesses but her heart mission is an event she is the creator of called Poise, Purpose, Passion which is "For women who are willing to be vulnerable about their experiences so that others can learn from their challenges and failures as much as their successes." Catch some of her courage...it's contagious! You can find her on Facebook and Instagram: Balloon Stylist at Balloons & Bounce by Sabrina Spears and Wedding and Events Consultant at Sabrina Spears Events LLC

Have you ever heard of the 12th rabbit? A horse trainer once explained that horses and people have a 12th Rabbit. A horse can see one rabbit after another with no reaction until, for unknown reasons, the 12th Rabbit sends them into a frenzy.  Mattni had a lot of rabbits but finally met her 12th.  Join us on her journey about how she was able to saddle up and get past Rabbit number 12.

The inside story of an amazing woman who lived through harrowing and tumultuous times in Ukraine as a young girl.  As she shares the details of the many years she and her family lived in fear for their lives we get a true look at what true courage is.  A timely story of how she and her family survived is one you will want to hear.

Yes, you read that right!  This episode talks about faith, foster kids, and fortitude. You won't believe this story but you will learn that forgiveness is possible through God in all situations! Get even more details of this true but unbelievable story in Deb Moerke's book, Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace.  Available on Amazon and her website, debramoerke.com/booksFor rhyming, western, children's books please visit our website at rustysremuda.com  where you find The Heart of a Cowgirl and all podcast episodes.

Harriet was born and raised on a Wyoming ranch by parents who instilled personal responsibility.  She became one of the first females to be on the Casper College Livestock Judging Team where she also received the Casper College Outstanding Alumni Award in 2010 and was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2011.  Harriet was also nominated for The Women of Influence Award in 2017.  She is a nationally recognized expert on federal overreach and regulation. Currently, she is running for Congress in the state of Wyoming and also practicing law defending individual rights all over the US. You will never look at failure the same after you hear her story!www.hagemanforwyoming.com

CAUTION! Do not listen to this episode if you have excuses that you don't want to let go of.  Still team roping competitively at over 60 years old, your ears won't believe the challenges LindaKay  has overcome to get back in the saddle time and time again. AND, I must add an update from post this interview....she just won first place in  Las Vegas with her husband at the Patriot Las Vegas Team Roping Championships! 

The Solano's Boot and Western Wear store has been in business since 1956 and has the only known Hat Cemetery. They have overcome many trials but stayed the course in business and family to provide quality boots, hats, and everything in between. Hear their philosophy on life and a beloved story of one of their favorite hats.  Please visit their website at solanoswesternwear.com or Solano's Western Wear 101 S 2nd StRaton, NM  87740For all podcast episodes or rhyming, western, children's books find us at rustysremuda.com

Meet Cathy and hear her many stories of overcoming and how she has used her hardships to her benefit. A city girl gone country all for the love of a cowboy!  You will love her best "life hack!" as a tool for you to use in your own life.  You can follow Prairie Wife in Heels on Facebook  (PrairieWifeInHeels)  and Instagram (PrairieHeels)Please visit our website for all podcast episodes and rhyming, western, children's books:rustysremuda.com