Western Life & Style Trailblazers

Ali Dee and Nicole James
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Business
  • Updated Bimonthly

Join us on Western Life & Style's Trailblazers Podcast, a business podcast focused on the western industry hosted by Emmy Award winning TV Personality and brand owner, Ali Dee, and Nicole James, a western business owner and master of social media and sales. Each episode we sit down with successful professionals in the field to learn about their careers, businesses, and the lessons they've learned along the way. From ranching and farming to fashion and rodeo, our guests come from all corners of the western industry to share their stories and advice on what it takes to thrive in this unique and dynamic market. Whether it's uncharted challenges or outstanding triumphs, these trailblazers offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to blaze their own path to success. If you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, Trailblazers is the perfect resource for anyone wanting to make their mark in the western world. Tune in and join the conversation on Trailblazers.

  1. 3d ago

    EP. 22: Bonnie- Jill Laflin: Horses, Heroes, And Keeping it Real on What Success Costs

    Horses don’t just look powerful, they can change how a person feels in minutes. Nicole James sits down with Bonnie-Jill Laughlin to talk about the heart behind her nonprofit, Hounds, Heroes, and Horses, including equine therapy for disabled veterans, children of fallen soldiers, and support for first responders. We get into why the horse-human connection can be so grounding, especially when someone is carrying grief, trauma, or stress, and how Western community support turns healing into something people can actually access. From there, we shift to NFR week and Bonnie-Jill’s new event, Her Arena, a charity-forward brunch experience in Las Vegas built to highlight women in rodeo and the people who make the sport happen on and off the dirt. We talk awards, panels, Junior NFR involvement, and why breakaway ropers deserve more attention, not less. Bonnie-Jill also shares how she’s working to honor Oakland’s legacy in a lasting way that inspires the next generation. We also keep it real about what success costs, how faith helps when life doesn’t go to plan, and why it’s okay if your path doesn’t match anyone else’s, whether that means building a big career, building a family, or building both with the right support. And yes, we have fun with NFR fashion trends: fringe, sparkle, turquoise, bold accessories, colored cowboy hats, and the simple rule that still matters, wear your hat forward. If you love rodeo, Western lifestyle, women’s leadership, and stories with purpose, hit subscribe, share this with a friend headed to NFR, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. What part of Western culture do you want to see celebrated next? Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  2. Sep 23

    EP. 21: Shantelle Girard: The Hat Bar That Went Coast To Coast

    A brand that starts in a vintage camper and ends up coast to coast doesn’t happen by accident. We sit down with Chantel Girard, the owner of Rancher Hat Bar, to unpack how a kitchen-table side hustle in 2022 turned into a full-blown Western fashion phenomenon with 19 locations nationwide, hundreds of employees, and nonstop pop-ups, weddings, and corporate events. If you’ve ever wondered how a “product” becomes an experience people line up for, this conversation gets specific fast.  We walk through what the Rancher Hat Bar experience actually feels like: the giant wall of cowboy hats, the loud fun energy, and the step-by-step customization process using steam, shaping, brim cuts, branding, and accessories that can be deeply personal (think horse hair bands or fabric from a wedding gown). We also talk authenticity in Western style, from carrying well-known hat brands like Stetson and Resistol to making sure there’s something for everyone, whether you want classic cattleman vibes or bold, modern flair.  Then we shift into the real behind-the-scenes work of scaling: hiring when you’re a control freak, building a team you trust, and managing the chaos of rapid growth from a headquarters in Scottsdale’s Air Park. We also preview Rancher’s big National Finals Rodeo presence in Las Vegas, including Cowboy Christmas and multiple casino partnerships. Subscribe for more Western business stories, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review telling us what you want to hear next. Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  3. Sep 15

    EP. 20: Leigh Martin: From Custom Saddles To Popular Western Handbags

    Somebody copies your product, steals your photos, and sells a $6.99 “version” with a “100% leather” claim. What do you do next? We talk through that reality with Leah Martinez, owner of Alamo Saddlery, and it turns into a bigger conversation about craftsmanship, community, and what authentic Western style actually costs to make. Leah shares the real story behind Alamo Saddlery, from its roots as a high-end saddle maker to the brand fans now recognize for statement handbags at NFR and major Western events. We get specific about what most shoppers never see: producing around 2,000 saddles a year, making saddles under one roof, and why saddle fit matters more than any price tag. If you ride, compete, or just care about horse comfort, this part is a must. From there we shift into Western fashion and the design mindset that made Alamo bags blow up on TikTok and Instagram. Leah explains how she starts with function, spots a need in the market, and builds something that feels elevated and practical, like her clear stadium bag created to meet clear bag policies without looking cheap. We also share where to find Alamo during NFR at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino in the Cowboy Roper Marketplace (booth 603), plus how to shop vendor markets in a way that supports handmade makers and small businesses. If you care about handmade leather goods, Western handbags, custom saddles, and keeping “Made in USA” more than a label, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe, share with a friend headed to NFR, and leave a review with your best tip for supporting makers. Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  4. Sep 7

    EP. 19 Alexis Kimzey: How Faith and Hard Work Saved Me

    You can grow up surrounded by rodeo and still feel like you have to “earn” your place. That’s why this conversation with Alexis Kimsey hits so hard. We talk about what it’s like to build a Western career from the inside out, from her family’s Bloomer Trailers roots to her drive to tell the stories that never make the scoreboard. Alexis shares how she found her lane in rodeo media, why she took early writing gigs so seriously, and how that willingness to work turned into bigger opportunities, including live hosting and audio coverage that helped widen the spotlight on rodeo life. Then we shift into the part of the journey that’s rarely said out loud: motherhood, health, and identity. Alexis opens up about severe preeclampsia, postpartum depression, and the feeling of losing herself after having kids. Out of that hard season, she and her husband build SageSense, a clean fragrance and non-toxic candle brand rooted in ingredient research, customer trust, and a mission to make home feel peaceful. We also talk about being open about faith as a business owner, and what happens when that choice brings backlash or social media censorship. We wrap with the fun stuff that still matters: NFR fashion, Cowboy Christmas reality, and the pressure social media can put on Western style. Alexis predicts a return to timeless looks, vintage pieces, and a less-is-more approach, while reminding us that comfort and confidence are always in style. If you care about the rodeo industry, Western lifestyle, clean home products, or building a brand with heart, you’ll take something practical from this one. Listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of Alexis’s story do you relate to most? Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  5. Aug 27

    EP. 18: Paige Murray: From Small-Town Horse Girl To Western Storyteller

    She didn’t grow up in a rodeo family, but she still found her way to the heart of the Western world. I’m joined by Paige Murray, one of our Western Life and Style 30 Over 30 winners, for a candid, warm conversation about building a cowgirl life one bold pivot at a time, starting with a horse-loving childhood in Lancaster, South Carolina and a Clemson animal science path that kept evolving. Paige walks us through the surprising career steps that shaped her voice and confidence, from promotional modeling to traveling the country with NASCAR as Miss Sprint Cup, where she fell in love with broadcast journalism. That storytelling skill set later takes her to Ride TV, a move to Fort Worth, and a key moment at the National Finals Rodeo where she meets Ty Murray. From there, we talk real ranch life in Stephenville, Texas, the seasons of becoming a mom, and what it looks like to choose work that fits your family while still feeding your ambition. We also dig into Paige’s children’s book journey and the heart behind the Rosie the Horse series, including Rosie’s Wild Ride, Rosie’s Ranch Rescue, and Rosie’s Cowboy Christmas. If you care about Western children’s books, cowgirl representation for young readers, and how authors handle rejection, Paige shares the honest version. And yes, we get into the legendary “funny farm” too, why animals are genuinely therapeutic, and how ranch chores can be the best kind of reset. If you enjoy conversations about Western women, creative careers, ranch living, and following passions without losing the fun, press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review. Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  6. 11/13/2025

    Ep 17: Rooted In Grit: Judy Wagner’s Journey

    A ranch kid with eight siblings. A marketer without a formal degree. A leader who turned Western heritage into living, breathing brand love. Our conversation with Judy Wagner charts a path powered by grit, purpose, and the kind of storytelling that slows a noisy room and makes people feel seen Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  7. 10/16/2025

    Ep 16: From Small-Town Indiana to Shaping Western Sports: Jenna Morr on building brands, athletes, and a movement

    A small-town girl who planned on dentistry ends up redefining how the world sees cowboys and cowgirls...this is Jenna Morr's story, and it’s packed with lessons any brand or athlete can use. We sit down with Jenna to chart her leap from Big Ten athletics and the Denver Broncos to PBR, Cavender’s, and now Teton Ridge, where she leads social and content across properties like The American Rodeo, the Arizona Ridge Riders, the Cowboy Channel, and Cowboys & Indians. The throughline is simple and powerful: authenticity scales, polish does not. Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

  8. 08/28/2025

    Ep 15: Interview with Cowgirl Cait: Saddle Up for Second Chances

    The power of defying expectations runs throughout Cowgirl Cait's Oponski's blood. As a first-generation cowgirl who built a horse rescue from scratch, Cait demolishes the myth that you need generational knowledge to make an impact in the Western community. Follow us on IG here. DM us on IG for sponsorship info or how we can help promote your business on our wildly popular social media pages.

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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Join us on Western Life & Style's Trailblazers Podcast, a business podcast focused on the western industry hosted by Emmy Award winning TV Personality and brand owner, Ali Dee, and Nicole James, a western business owner and master of social media and sales. Each episode we sit down with successful professionals in the field to learn about their careers, businesses, and the lessons they've learned along the way. From ranching and farming to fashion and rodeo, our guests come from all corners of the western industry to share their stories and advice on what it takes to thrive in this unique and dynamic market. Whether it's uncharted challenges or outstanding triumphs, these trailblazers offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to blaze their own path to success. If you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, Trailblazers is the perfect resource for anyone wanting to make their mark in the western world. Tune in and join the conversation on Trailblazers.

Information

  • Creator
    Ali Dee and Nicole James
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Western Life & Style Trailblazers
  • Show Website
    Western Life & Style Trailblazers

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