Cowgirls Over Coffee

There’s the kind of work that looks good in a highlight reel, and then there’s the kind that smells like bleach in July, stretches four feet from tip to tip, and requires the audacity to keep going when it would be easier to quit. This week we sit down with Cassie Everson of Wanderlust Skulls to talk about the ditch, the mountaintop, and the discipline of making art that endures.Artist and entrepreneur Cassie Everson has been shaping the modern Western aesthetic for nearly a decade through her work as Wanderlust Skulls. If you’ve ever saved an image of a painted longhorn skull to your Pinterest board, chances are you’ve already encountered her signature pieces: bold, abstract, distinctly Western, and always authentic.But this conversation isn’t a how-to on creative business, it’s a rare look into the unglamorous, cyclical reality behind it. Cassie shares the unlikely origins of her work, from finding her first skull in a secondhand shop to teaching herself taxidermy with YouTube and grit. She talks candidly about debt, slow shows, and why art requires you to sell not just an object but a feeling. What emerges is not a formula but a paradox: the work isn’t easy, yet over time it generates a surprising sense of ease if you can resist both the panic of failure and the intoxication of quick wins.Listen In For …How Cassie defines her “modern Western abstract” style and why authenticity matters in both art and business.The early, unvarnished realities of teaching yourself taxidermy.What art reveals about selling feeling rather than product, and why story is central to connection.A candid look at the cycles of business: the moments of debt, the long seasons of silence, and the resilience required to keep going.Why meeting both the ditch and the mountaintop with the same determination becomes a critical entrepreneurial skill.The paradox of ease versus easy, and how structure allows a business to feel lighter without diminishing the work.The Vault: Cassie’s forthcoming collection of jumbo longhorns with rare shape and scale, designed as bespoke heirloom pieces.TL;DR (Minute by Minute)00:00 Why conversation dissolves comparison.05:30 Cassie’s origin story: from a thrifted skull to a modern Western aesthetic.12:00 Real vs. replica: how to identify authentic skulls and why it matters.18:40 The messy middle: early shows, financial setbacks, and learning to continue.24:15 Art as feeling: commissions, story, and connecting beyond the visual.29:50 The difference between ease and easy, and what it demands of us.34:30 The Vault preview: jumbo longhorns, rare breeding, and bespoke design.39:00 Closing: seasons, sovereignty, and the practice of mastering your craft.Where to Go From HereYour turn: what hit home? Tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and @wanderlustskulls, and let’s prove that real talk travels farther than highlight reels.Trade scrolling for structure: Download the Routine Playbook. A quick-win guide to creating sustainable practices that feel less like obligation and more like sovereignty.Collect the art, meet the artist: Explore Cassie’s pieces at wanderlustskulls.com and follow her on Instagram @wanderlustskulls for a...

September invites fresh structure and, if we’re not careful, fresh burnout. In this conversation, licensed professional counselor and Enneagram coach Becky Lauridsen reframes self-care as protection (not pampering) and opens the door to brain health with neurofeedback. From postpartum anxiety and over-functioning to rodeo performance and concussion recovery, we explore how to build capacity on purpose, before the crash out.Becky shares the origin story of IOWEME (“I owe me”), a preventative, accessible, guilt-free self-care model born from her own burnout and postpartum anxiety. We unpack the crucial difference between self-indulgence (instant relief, little ROI) and true self-care (sometimes uncomfortable, always compounding). We also trade the myth of work–life balance for work–life harmony: a “pleasing arrangement of parts” calibrated to your actual rhythms (hello, 5:30am clarity!).Then Becky takes us into ROAM (Rodeo Optimization and Mindset) and explains low-energy neurofeedback as a practical path to brain health. Think “parking brake off” for your frontal lobe: better regulation, focus, and recovery after high-intensity performance (for athletes and their horses). If you’re craving capacity that’s truly sustainable, this one’s for you.Listen in for …The self-care vs. self-indulgence distinction, and why protection beats pampering.The IOWEME model: preventative, accessible, and simple mental-health support.Work/life harmony (not balance): designing a “pleasing arrangement of parts.”The “check-engine light” for burnout (irritability over the stray socks = signal).Neurofeedback 101: electrical vs. chemical brain systems, suppression, and flexibility.The “parking brake” metaphor: why so many high-capacity women feel stuck in Delta.Performance & recovery for rodeo athletes, and why brain care must match body care.The pony case study (!) and what equine sessions revealed about regulation.TL;DR (Minute by Minute)00:00 “Conversations” > “episodes” + why listener feedback matters.01:11 Meet Becky: LPC, EMDR, Enneagram coach, LENS neurofeedback provider.06:17 Postpartum anxiety, burnout, and the wake-up call: it starts with me.10:01 IOWEME origin: from reactive therapy culture to preventative care.12:32 Responsibility & boundaries: self-care as non-negotiable, not “extra.”16:00 Self-indulgence vs self-care (instant relief vs lasting effect).18:54 “Outweigh the indulgence”: a practical rule that still leaves room for fun.23:44 Non-negotiable habits: why early-morning quiet time compounds.27:34 Work/life harmony > balance; design for your real energy ebb and flow.31:47 ROAM begins: from rodeo roots to neurofeedback certification.35:49 Neurofeedback explained: amplitude, frequency, suppression.38:59 The parking brake brain: lifting Delta lock for flexible regulation.41:01 Equine neurofeedback: the pony case and practical behavior change.43:35 Head trauma, concussions, CTE risk, and recovery as standard practice.47:26 Where to find Becky + what’s next.Where to Go From HereQuestion for you: When the day feels heavy, which shows up first: self-indulgence or true self-care? Screenshot and tag @cowgirlsovercoffee with your answer so we can crowdsource smart strategies that actually stick.The FREE Routine Playbook. Your step-by-step for routines that protect capacity (so consistency can finally kick in!). Get Yours HereJoin the Cowgirls Over Coffee Lifetime Membership. Where conversation, accountability, and routines become infrastructure....

This week Thea is joined by longtime friend and former western wedding photographer Lyndsey Garber for a reflective conversation about capacity, season of life shifts, and the slow, steady work of staying faithful in the little things.Together, they talk through the emotional complexity of leaving something that’s still working, what it feels like to carry a big vision when there’s no margin left, and how to navigate the tension between knowing you’re made for more and also being at your limit.Topics explored include:How to recognize when a season is ending even while you’re still succeeding in it.Why exhaustion and ambition so often co-exist.What it looks like to rebuild capacity through small, daily choices.Learning to audit energy and attention without slipping into a poverty mindset.How presence becomes a practice when margin is low.This conversation holds space for the in-between moments where you know you’re on the edge of something new, but it hasn’t fully taken shape yet. We chat about ambition, presence, exhaustion, time scarcity, and that sneaky poverty mentality that shows up in your calendar, your body, and your grocery store anxiety. And mostly, it’s about what it takes to stay steady and self-respecting in the middle of a capacity crisis without losing your fire or your footing.There’s no 5-step framework here. Just two women and a conversation about what’s working, what’s shifting, and how we keep showing up for the lives we believe in.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingWe talked about what no one sees: the ordinary, unglamorous work that builds something sustainable. If you’re in that part of the process, we’d love to hear about it. Tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and let us know what “faithful in the little things” looks like for you right now.

What happens when you pair a visionary with a finisher, and give them a platform to celebrate the real women shaping western life and style?This week Thea sits down with Ali Dee and Nicole James, the co-founders of Western Life & Style, for a conversation rooted in real-life entrepreneurship, deep collaboration, and the kind of bold vision that grows when women stop waiting for permission.From warehouse pop-ups to showroom floors, from a simple Instagram page to a platform that now honors Western women across the country, Ali and Nicole share the behind-the-scenes of how Western Life & Style came to life, and how the 30 Over 30 Awards became a movement of recognition, reunion, and representation.Inside this episode:How their dynamic as visionary and executor has fueled years of successful partnership.Why the Western Life & Style 30 Over 30 Awards were created and what makes them different from typical honors.The unexpected emotional impact of giving Western women their moment in the spotlight.How they build momentum without overthinking or getting stuck in fear.The real power of honoring women who are often behind the scenes, doing the unseen work.Maybe you’ve hit pause on your vision. Maybe you’ve started and stopped more times than you’d like to admit. Or maybe, like so many of us, you’re in that frustrating middle space between the idea and the arrival. Wherever you are, this episode will meet you right where you’re at with permission, encouragement, and a nudge to be just delulu enough to keep going.Mentioned in this episode:Western Life & Style on InstagramAli Dee Brand, Rodeo Ranch, and Ali.Dee.CEOZona Girl Nava – Nicole’s digital marketing agency.30 Over 30 Honoree List Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingWe want to hear the behind-the-scenes version of what you’re building, what’s messy, what’s meaningful. Screenshot this episode, tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and share what vision you’re chasing!***If this episode resonates with you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review.

If you’ve ever looked up in late July and realized summer flew by before you even caught your breath, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my personal summer strategy and showing you exactly how I’m prepping for a season of presence and restoration without letting the whole thing unravel into pure mayhem. You’ll hear the exact process I’m using this week to pre-game for summer and keep my wellbeing, family, and calendar deliberately aligned with the summer experience I’m choosing.What you’ll get out of this conversation:My “anchor experience” strategy for planning around the summer experience I want to cultivate.What obligations actually belong on the calendar this summer.How I’m adjusting routines and habits for the season ahead.A no-shame approach to auditing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.I talk meal planning, bedtime flexibility, and running a home without sacrificing summer or letting it all become a dumpster fire.What can be decided now to reduce friction, mental load, and last-minute stress.And if you’re craving a little more support this summer, I’ve got something for you. I’ll be sending out weekly emails all summer long. Short and simple notes from me to you with ideas, reflections, reminders, and a few of my favorite things to help you stay on track with a season of calibrating for presence and wellbeing. You can sign up here.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingDo you have summer traditions that keep you grounded? Are you doing anything differently this year? Tag Thea on Instagram@cowgirlsovercoffee. We want to hear what’s working, what’s shifting, and what you’re reclaiming.Sign up for Thea’s Summer Email Series to help you stay present, get grounded, and reclaim your season. Join here

May doesn’t come with twinkle lights, gifts, or permission to reset and yet it’s one of the most intense months on the calendar. In this unfiltered episode, I sit down with Meg to talk how we’re navigating this high-pressure month when you’re running a business, raising a family, and trying to stay sane in the middle of wind, branding season, and end-of-school-year chaos.We chat candidly about how the myth of “doing it all” is still showing up in subtle ways, how systems become strategy when your whole life feels over-committed, and why managing your capacity has nothing to do with being less ambitious. This episode is equal parts coaching session, permission slip, and reminder that the goal isn’t to fix everything.In This EpisodeWhy May feels like December without the joy.The “net stress analysis” I use to make hard choices (like skipping a big award event).How to measure the real cost of saying yes: emotionally, logistically, and energetically.The myth of linear priorities and why “family over business” isn’t always a useful frame.How systems aren’t just about efficiency, instead they’re your lifeline in seasons of unpredictability.Why long-range planning creates margin.The difference between working in your life and working on your life.Favorite Moments“If everything is getting done, why am I still overwhelmed?”“You’re the COO of your own life. You have departments and you need systems.”“Sometimes we live in a myth of overwhelm. And that myth is costing us margin.”Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingIf you find yourself checking all the boxes and still wondering why you feel maxed out, we’d love to hear what part of this conversation hit home. Screenshot this episode, tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and tell us about it!***If this episode resonates with you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Screenshot this episode, tag @CowgirlsOverCoffee, and share your biggest takeaway or how you’re planning to build more discipline in your life. Let’s keep the conversation going! Resources & Links:Learn more about Cowgirls Over Coffee Membership CommunityConnect with Thea and the community:Follow on Instagram @CowgirlsOverCoffee     Follow on Facebook @CowgirlsOverCoffeeMake sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss a convo!

Why is it that even when we know what we should do … when we have the plans, the goals, and even the desire, that we still don’t follow through? In this honest conversation, Thea Larsen sits down with her good friend and wellness expert Kelly Altschwager of Western Workouts to unpack the layers behind discipline, consistency, and what actually holds women back in the messy middle of growth, ambition, and identity.This episode is for the woman who’s already doing the work, but still feels stuck. Who’s exhausted by the cycle of overthinking, overcommitting, and under-recovering. Who wants to move forward, but just can’t seem to start. If you’re navigating fatigue, lack of follow-through, and the tension between what you want to do and what you actually have capacity to do… this one’s for you.In this episode, we explore:Why discipline often isn’t the starting point (and what comes before it).How capacity, nervous system regulation, and sleep hygiene affect your ability to follow through.What it really means to be consistent, and why you need rest as much as you need action.Why it’s not self-sabotage, but often self-protection (and how to tell the difference).The problem with waiting for motivation, and how to build momentum by starting smaller.The difference between physical exhaustion and emotional depletion, and why it even matters.Why personal planning systems need to be customized, flexible, and rooted in self-awareness.Perfect for you if:You're feeling overwhelmed by competing roles (motherhood, business, marriage, friendship).You’re craving structure but feel depleted, overstimulated, or burnt out.You’re tired of generic wellness advice and need something that actually fits your life.You want strategic, sustainable tools for habit-building, wellness, and productivity, that won’t end in burnout.Resources Mentioned:Learn more about Western WorkoutsExplore our full library of planning tools, frameworks, and member resources at cowgirlsovercoffee.comLet’s Keep the Conversation GoingTake a screenshot of this episode and tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and @westernworkouts with your biggest takeaway or breakthrough. Share what part of your process you're reevaluating, or what you've learned from failing forward. We grow stronger through the conversations where we learn from each other!&nbsp;***If this episode resonates with you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Screenshot this episode, tag @CowgirlsOverCoffee, and share your biggest takeaway or how you’re planning to build more discipline in your life. Let’s keep the conversation going! Resources &amp; Links:Learn more about Cowgirls Over Coffee Membership CommunityConnect with Thea and the community:Follow on Instagram @CowgirlsOverCoffee&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow on Facebook <a...

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of cyberstalking, grooming, legal system failure, and trauma - particularly involving minors. Listener discretion is advised, especially around children.In this powerful and courageous episode, Thea Larsen and Lana Wilkes sit down with Cathy Holman, also known as Prairie Wife, to unpack a reality that one rural family was quietly living through: cyberstalking, grooming, online harassment, and a justice system that doesn’t show up for our children.Together, they open the door to a deeply personal and brutally honest conversation about what happens when women refuse to stay silent. Cathy shares how her family was targeted, the legal and emotional battles that followed, and why she’s speaking up now, not just for her kids, but for every family.In this episode:What it’s like to face harassment in a tight-knit, rural community.The legal gaps in stalking and child protection laws and how they’re failing families.The emotional toll of advocacy and the personal cost of courage.Why silence and image-protection often enable predators.What it looks like to advocate for systemic change while raising children and running a household.Whether you're a mother, a teacher, a friend, or a woman trying to raise kids in a digital world, you need to hear this.Links:Following are the links to the timelines and victim impact statements Cathy mentions in our conversation.Case Timeline: Gillian HolmanCase Timeline: Preston SorensonVictim Impact Statement: Gillian HolmanVictim Impact Statement: Preston SorensonVictim Impact Statement: Cathy HolmanVictim Impact Statement: Brandi SorensenVictim Impact Statement: Dan HomanVictim Impact Statement: Ryan SorensenYou can follow developments in the case and the media coverage as Cathy and Brandi are working to bring awareness to the need law changes by following Cathy on Facebook at Prairie Wife or on her blog at Prairie Wife In Heels.If this episode sparked questions, reflections, or fire in your gut … don’t keep it to yourself. Tag @cowgirlsovercoffee on Instagram with your takeaways or questions. This isn’t a one-and-done conversation. We’re committed to keeping the spotlight on this issue, supporting needed changes, and creating a space where conversation leads to action.Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps more women like you discover strategies for ambition, balance, and...