The Philosophical Cowgirl

Sarah Geis

4.3 (6)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The Philosophical Cowgirl is where deep thinking meets horsemanship. Join a trained philosopher and seasoned horse trainer as she delves into the intersection of life, philosophy, and the horse world. With thought-provoking conversations and insights from some of the brightest minds, this podcast goes beyond the arena to explore what horses can teach us about living well.Host: Sarah Geis Contact: thephilosophicalcowgirl@gmail.com

5D AGO

Interpretation Wars: The Most Dangerous Theory of Reading You Need to Know About

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! Sarah is joined by Christian author, literary scholar, philosopher, pastor, and longtime professor Donald T. Williams about a dangerous shift in how people are taught to read today: from seeking authorial intention (originalism) to the reader-response view that readers create meaning, a stance he calls self-refuting and morally inconsistent with a “hermeneutical golden rule” of giving authors the same good-faith interpretive courtesy we expect for ourselves. Some practical issues with this approach is that it: Undermines truth Fuels social-media chaos Affects interpretations of foundational texts like the Constitution and the Bible by transferring authority from text to reader. This post-truth environment leads to other issues like media manipulation and reactivity against views we disagree with or find uncomfortable (Huck Finn as a racist book is discussed as an example). But Dr. Williams ultimately proposes better reading and understanding skills by caring about truth, close textual analysis rather than superficial reactivity, discipleship, and prayer for revival. You can get more on Dr. Williams' views on this topic in his book 95 Theses For A New Reformation (Amazon link here: https://a.co/d/01xXRmEK). To check out the rest of Dr. William's work, check out his website at https://donaldtwilliams.com/ And his blog at https://thefivepilgrims.com/ If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

59 min
MAR 17

The Problem of Evil: Suffering, Faith, and the Search for Meaning with Dr. Douglas Groothuis

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! Why does a good God allow suffering? It’s one of the oldest—and hardest—questions we can ask. In this episode of The Philosophical Cowgirl, I sit down with philosopher and apologist Dr. Douglas Groothuis to explore the problem of evil from both an intellectual, deeply personal, and Christian perspective. Dr. Groothuis doesn’t just approach this topic academically—he has lived it. He shares reflections from his journey walking alongside his wife through early onset dementia, offering a perspective that is both philosophically rich and profoundly human. We discuss: Why the problem of evil is such a serious challenge Common responses (and where they fall short) The role of suffering in a Christian worldview How to think clearly—and honestly—about pain, loss, and faith Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation invites you to wrestle with one of life’s deepest questions. Dr. Groothuis is the Distinguished Researxh Professor of Applogetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University. Check out his website for more resources: www.douglasgroothuis.com Books by Dr. Groothuis mentioned in the show: 📘 Christian Apologetics A comprehensive and accessible guide to defending the Christian faith 👉 https://a.co/d/07D5bXPy 📘 Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament A powerful, personal reflection on love, loss, and enduring faith 👉 https://a.co/d/01zz0zuS 📗 Coming Soon: What If Jesus Was Right? (with Lindsey Medenwaldt) A fresh exploration of Jesus’ teachings and their implications for truth and reality If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might be wrestling with these questions. Chapters: 00:00 Wrestling With Suffering 00:45 Meet Dr Groothuis 03:14 Defining The Problem 05:47 Worldviews Under Pressure 10:34 Creation Fall Redemption 13:40 Personal Suffering And Trust 17:36 Where Evil Comes From 18:40 Greater Good Defense 20:20 Inscrutable Not Meaningless 23:18 Augustine On Privation 26:24 Hope In New Creation 29:28 Desire For Heaven 31:52 Good Needs God 33:58 Atheism And Meaning 35:20 Best Explanation Standard 36:34 God Who Suffers 38:28 Toxic Positivity Myths 39:55 What To Say Instead 42:39 Grief Has No Timer 44:30 Purpose Without Platitudes 49:35 Lament And Real Hope 53:41 Anger With God 55:38 Staying Engaged 56:47 Books And Writing Life #PhilosophicalCowgirl #ProblemOfEvil #FaithAndReason #ChristianApologetics #Suffering #Philosophy If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

58 min
JAN 28

Truth vs. Opinion: Why the Difference Matters More Than Ever

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! We live in a culture that treats opinions like they’re facts and feelings like they’re evidence. But truth doesn’t bend for us—and ignoring that has consequences. In this episode, we’ll explore what truth is, what it isn’t, how it differs from opinion, and why getting this distinction right matters for our lives, our relationships, and our communities. If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

30 min
06/13/2025

Manda McCarthy Talks About Her Recent NRCHA Success- And Much More

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! Manda McCarthy is a reined cowhorse trainer based in Conifer, CO. She’s got a compelling story, a deep sense of perspective, and plenty of horsemanship wisdom to share. Plus, we’ll discuss her recent NRCHA Premier Event win in the Limited Open Hackamore class at the Derby in Scottsdale! You don’t want to miss this conversation. If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

1h 8m
05/29/2025

Horsemanship, Ranching, and Ag Business With Rodney Yost

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! In this episode, I sit down with Rodney Yost—4th-generation rancher, founder of Rodney Yost Horsemanship (also the guy who started barrel horse extraordinaire, Adios Pantalones), and part of the family behind South Dakota’s Broadaxe Ranch. We had a great conversation, in which Rodney shared wisdom from a life spent training horses, insights on building and marketing a business, and how being a part of a ranching family’s legacy drives him to succeed. Follow the social media pages of both the Broadaxe Ranch and Rodney Yost Horsemanship to keep tabs on what’s going on with them in the future! If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

1h 28m
05/23/2025

What Your Vet May Wish You Knew: A Conversation With Dr Maria Brock

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! Ever wonder what your equine vet is really thinking? In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Maria Brock joins me to talk about the emotional toll of veterinary work, common client misconceptions, and the reality behind why most horse vets aren’t in it for the money. We discuss the impact of abusive clients, burnout, and what your vet wishes you understood—both about them and the horses they care for. Whether you’re a horse owner, trainer, or just curious about the human side of veterinary medicine, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the horse world’s most important but misunderstood roles. If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

1h 1m
05/07/2025

Emotional Intelligence For Horse People

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! Emotions aren’t just human terrain—our horses feel them too. In this episode of The Philosophical Cowgirl, we explore the five key elements of emotional intelligence and how they shape our horsemanship. From self-awareness to social skill, we unpack what it means to be the emotional anchor in a relationship with a prey animal that lives in the moment. If you’ve ever reacted too fast, felt misunderstood, or wondered how to become a leader worth following, this episode is for you! If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

31 min
05/01/2025

Navigating the Court of Public Opinion

Send us your thoughts and topic suggestions! In this solo episode, we wade into the stormy waters of online outrage, public perception, and the horse world’s increasingly fragile relationship with the outside eye. We'll talk about the tragic case of Dr. Shawn Frehner, a veterinarian caught in the viral crosshairs of condemnation before his side was widely heard. How should the horse industry respond to rising criticism—from animal rights activists to uninformed social media voices? And what role do we play in shaping that response? I'll unpack the importance of withholding judgment until we know more, why education must replace reactivity, and how humility might just be our strongest tool in an increasingly outrage-addicted world. If you like the show, please be sure to share it or subscribe/follow/rate and review! All these things help get the show out there and keeps it going! For questions, comments, or ideas: ThePhilosophicalCowgirl@gmail.com

28 min

4.3

out of 5

6 Ratings

The Philosophical Cowgirl is where deep thinking meets horsemanship. Join a trained philosopher and seasoned horse trainer as she delves into the intersection of life, philosophy, and the horse world. With thought-provoking conversations and insights from some of the brightest minds, this podcast goes beyond the arena to explore what horses can teach us about living well.Host: Sarah Geis Contact: thephilosophicalcowgirl@gmail.com

Creator

Sarah Geis
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The Philosophical Cowgirl
Show Website

The Philosophical Cowgirl