True Partnership & Big Vision: A Chat with Ali Dee & Nicole James of Western Life & Style

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.

Sure you can handle it all, but where is taking you? In this deeply personal, wildly validating summer conversation, Thea sits down with longtime friend and Cowgirls Over Coffee original Audrey Hall to unpack a question many of us are circling: What happens when your capability becomes your identity … and your margin disappears?This is an episode for the woman who’s built a life she’s proud of and is left asking why it still feels so hard. For the one who gets it done, who performs under pressure, who’s known for delivering but lives in depletion.Together, Thea and Audrey explore:Why “high performance” starts to feel like a trap.The difference between nurturing your ambition vs. demanding from it.What it really costs to prove your capability over and over again.How excellence can mask burnout.Why we sometimes feel safer in stress than in stillness.And, what it means to move from rocky soil to something more nourishing.You’ll hear stories about rodeo royalty, sad girl eras, and gym floor epiphanies but underneath it all is a real-time conversation about rebuilding your relationship with ambition, restoration, and joy. If you’ve ever said, “I’m not afraid of the effort, but dang I’m tired of proving my worth through it.,” this one’s for you.Mentioned in this episode:Follow Audrey Hall on Instagram at @audreyetta.Listen to Audrey’s new podcast, Cowgirl Church.Books by Trevor Mowad: It Takes What It Takes and Getting to Neutral.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingScreenshot this episode and tag @cowgirlsovercoffee with your favorite takeaway. Tell us your flavor of patience, your version of presence, or what kind of soil you’re growing in this summer.

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.

What if summer wasn’t something that just happened to you, but something you created on purpose? In this episode, I sit down with Cowgirls Over Coffee’s own Lana Wilkes for a real-deal conversation about what it actually takes to create a summer that feels restorative, anchored, and worth remembering. NOT another one that races by in a blur of chaos, laundry, and vague "maybe we'll do that someday" plans.Overheard in this Episode: Why "maybe" is killing your summer.How to set anchor experiences that actually happen.The difference between chasing easy and creating ease.Why your routines should change with the season.The myth of the "perfect summer" and the real work of experiencing it.We're not campaigning for a Pinterest-perfect summer schedule, but challenging you to claim your time, set anchor experiences, and take the administrative burden of daily life off the plate, so you can actually enjoy the season you’re in. Whether you’re road-tripping to Alaska with five kids or just trying to get to the dang lake more than twice this summer, this episode will give you the perspective shift (and tactical insight) to make it happen.I also mention that you can use my Reset Ritual to help set the tone for summer. This is the exact framework I use anytime I need to reset. It’s genuinely not just for seasons of productivity or burnout, but for setting yourself up for presence at any time! Use it to set the tone this summer: download it here for FREE.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingTell us what you’re planning on purpose this summer. Screenshot this episode, tag @cowgirlsovercoffee because we want to hear the real version: what works, what doesn’t, and what you’re learning along the way.

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

This week, I’m joined by my good friend and western lifestyle photographer, Brooke Juma Ehlers, for a conversation that hits home in all the right places. We talk about what it really takes to build a business alongside your life without losing yourself in the process. If you’ve ever felt like your ambition and your exhaustion are in a standoff, this episode is for you.We chat about:The mindset shift that comes when “go hard” stops working.What slow burn really looks like in business and at home.Why connection is the strategic advantage most women are missing.The difference between doing less vs. doing what actually matters.What to do when your identity is built on overworking and you’re ready to change.Brooke shares how she’s shifting gears a bit from a full-time wedding photographer to launching Western Wedding Roundup, and why she’s no longer chasing “fast growth at all costs.” We discuss delegation, setting timers, reworking the way we spend our time, and how small decisions can create big freedom.This one’s for the woman with a head full of ideas, a calendar that’s borderline unmanageable, and a quiet knowing that something’s needing to shift. Whether you’re a rural creative, a solo entrepreneur, a ranch wife, a mom, or all of the above … this episode is your permission slip to stop white-knuckling it through every single day with that slow burn.Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingScreenshot this episode, tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and tell us about your biggest takeaway or what “slow burn” looks like for you. Because the more conversations we’re having, the quicker we iterate, the faster we find our capacity and the better we feel doing it!Follow Brooke on IG:  @_brookejumaphotography_Learn more about Western Wedding Roundup

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!

There’s a very specific kind of exhaustion that hits when you're holding it all together on the outside… but inside, you're at your limit. You’re still getting the things done, still showing up, still checking the boxes,  but it feels like you’re losing your grip on your own margin, your own pace, your own presence. So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together by sheer force of will, baling twine and 27 lists … this episode is for you.In today’s episode, I’m sharing the exact reset ritual I’ve used for years to get myself out of overwhelm, off the floor (literally, at one point), and back into action in a way that feels grounded and deliberate, not frantic..In this episode:The story behind this ritual and how it pulled me out of the hardest season of my life.Why “doing less” or “saying no” isn’t always the right next move, and what to do instead.The difference between habits, routines, and rituals (plus the psychological and neurological science that backs it up).A full, step-by-step breakdown of the Reset Ritual. Exactly what I do, how I do it, and how to make it yours.Snag the Workbook for FREEThe Reset Ritual Playbook I talk about in this episode is totally free. It’s the exact framework I use myself, plus a video walkthrough where I go deeper on each step. You can print it, use it with your iPad + Apple Pencil, or just jot it all out in your notebook.Tap here to get it now!Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingTake a screenshot of this episode and tag @cowgirlsovercoffee with your biggest takeaway. Whether you follow this ritual to the letter or remix it your own way, it’s all about having tools that actually work for your real life. ***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...

What does it really take to write, design, publish, and sell your own cookbook … while raising babies, running a ranch, and building a business from scratch?In this conversation, Thea Larsen sits down with her longtime friend and fellow ranch wife Meghan Gates to talk about the journey behind Foundations of Beef, the cookbook that went from idea to full-scale hardcover bestseller. From learning to cook with what you have to navigating the chaos of self-publishing, this episode pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes grit, strategy, and heart it takes to build something from the ground up.Meghan shares the origin story of her book, born out of real-life questions from direct-to-consumer beef customers, and how she created a practical, rural-rooted cookbook that teaches confidence in the kitchen. Together, they unpack the value of whole-animal cooking, the skills every home cook should master, and the beauty of doing things before you're fully ready.This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what to do with a chuck roast, felt intimidated by organ meats, or needed a reminder that building something meaningful often starts in the middle of the mess.What You’ll Hear In This Episode:The backstory behind Foundations of Beef and how a free soup cookbook helped build Meghan’s email list.Why beef shares are growing in popularity, and how to help customers feel confident using every cut.What it really looks like to self-publish (and sell) a cookbook as a ranch wife with young kids.The core kitchen skills Meghan believes every cook should master.Real talk on recipe testing, meal planning, and cooking with a rigid palate.Why sometimes the best business ideas come from answering the same question over and over again.How entrepreneurial women are creating ecosystems of income that align with their lifestyle and valuesConnect with Meghan Gates:Follow her on Instagram: @meghanlynngatesGrab the Foundations of Beef cookbook (hardcover or digital): goodhandle.net. On pre-sale now for just $29.85.Loved this episode?If this episode made you think differently about food, business, or what’s possible from your kitchen table, share it with a friend, screenshot it, or tag @cowgirlsovercoffee and @meghanlynngates on Instagram. Your feedback fuels this movement. Let’s keep the conversation going!Join the Cowgirls Over Coffee Membership – Your space for planning, productivity, and resilience-building, with the community to back you up.Follow Thea on Instagram – More behind-the-scenes conversations and strategies for balancing ambition with daily life.***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...