Mindful Humanship

Mindful Humanship

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Drawing from their work in mental health and equine-facilitated therapy, they share personal stories of how horses reflect our inner truth, challenge emotional masks, and help create a sense of safety without judgment. This conversation also clears up common misconceptions about equine therapy and explains the deeper, trauma-informed work they practice.

Jul 2

Ranching, Rodeo, and the Power of Community | With Brett Monea

In this special episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne welcome their first guest to the podcast: Brett Monea. Husband, father, rancher, journeyman carpenter, professional rodeo bullfighter, and the man behind much of the behind-the-scenes work that makes the ranch and Mindful Humanship possible. Brett shares his journey growing up on a cattle farm in Alberta, finding his way into professional rodeo, and building a life rooted in agriculture, family, and community. From protecting bull riders in the arena to raising cattle on the ranch, Brett offers a unique perspective on resilience, responsibility, and what it means to care deeply for both people and animals. The conversation explores the realities of rural life and mental health, including the challenges that come with farming, ranching, and a profession where injury is often a matter of "when, not if." Brett reflects on a recent rodeo injury, the importance of leaning on community, and how talking with others who share similar experiences has helped him navigate difficult seasons. Amy, Angie, and Brett also dive into the growing disconnect between urban and rural communities. Together, they discuss the misconceptions many people have about farming, food production, and animal care, while highlighting the shared values that connect us all: caring for our families, supporting our communities, and creating meaningful lives. At its heart, this episode is about community, connection, and the reminder that none of us are meant to carry life's challenges alone. In This Episode, you'll explore: Life Behind the Ranch Gates: Brett's journey from growing up on a cattle farm to becoming a professional rodeo bullfighter.What a Rodeo Bullfighter Really Does: The teamwork, courage, and split-second decision-making required to protect riders in the arena.When Injury Becomes Part of the Job: Brett's reflections on recovery, resilience, and navigating uncertainty after a serious rodeo accident.The Mental Health Challenges of Agriculture: Understanding the unique stresses faced by farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.The Importance of Community: How neighbors, family, and fellow ranchers step in when life becomes overwhelming.Finding Joy Amid the Hard Work: Why moments with cattle, horses, family, and the land make the challenges worthwhile.Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: Breaking down misconceptions about farming, food production, and animal welfare.The Reality of Raising Food: What it means to care deeply for animals while also understanding their role in feeding people.Why Shared Experience Matters: How talking with people who truly understand your struggles can be one of the most powerful forms of support.Living a Meaningful Life: The values that connect us, regardless of where we live or what work we do."When things get really hard, I talk to other ranchers and realize I'm not alone. That's a huge one for me." May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/ Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1 Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment Amy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/ Guest: Brett Monea 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brettmonea/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theultimatebullfightingexperience/

44 min
Jun 2

Partnerships, Trust, and the Courage to Stay

In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne explore the realities of partnerships and relationships, why they can feel so challenging, and what actually makes them work. Drawing from their own 10+ year partnership, they share honest insights on trust, communication, conflict, and the courage it takes to stay connected when things get hard. From the very beginning of their relationship, Amy and Angie said “yes” before having all the answers, stepping into a partnership without fully knowing each other, but trusting the process. What started as a simple opportunity quickly became a deeply meaningful collaboration built over time. They reflect on the intentional work that helped shape their foundation: understanding each other’s values, communication styles, emotional triggers, and needs. Through both smooth seasons and challenging moments, they reveal that strong relationships aren’t built on perfection, but on honesty, repair, and a willingness to have the hard conversations. This episode also dives into one of the most common patterns that breaks relationships down, the tendency to stay silent. When things go unsaid, they don’t disappear… they build. And over time, they become bigger than they ever needed to be. At the heart of this conversation is trust, the kind that isn’t instant but built slowly through shared experiences, consistency, and showing up for each other again and again. It’s also about the unexplainable side of connection, the “something” that makes certain relationships feel aligned, safe, and like home. In This Episode, you’ll explore: Why Relationships Are So Hard: Understanding why connection is often the biggest challenge people bring into therapy.Saying Yes Before You’re Ready: How their partnership began with trust instead of certainty.Building a Strong Foundation: The importance of values, communication, and emotional awareness in relationships.The Danger of Silence: Why avoiding conversations leads to bigger problems over time.Vulnerability & Safety: The moment a relationship becomes a space where you can truly be yourself.Trust Over Time: How trust is built slowly through actions, not words.Navigating Conflict: Learning to work through tension instead of avoiding it.Balancing Differences: How opposite personalities can strengthen a partnership.The Mystery of Connection: Why some relationships work in ways we can’t fully explain.Love Comes With Risk: The reality that meaningful relationships require courage and vulnerability.“If you never want your heart broken, never get into a relationship… but is it worth it? 100% yes.” May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/ Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1 Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment Amy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

32 min
May 17

The Heart of Angie: Finding Your Voice, Owning Your Story

In this episode, Amy Monea turns the spotlight onto Angie Payne, inviting listeners into a deeply personal and powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and the journey of finding your voice. Angie shares her story of immigrating from London, England, to Canada at just six years old, leaving behind family, familiarity, and connection. What followed was a childhood marked by independence, loneliness, and quiet adaptation, experiences that would shape how she moved through the world for years to come. From navigating life as a young immigrant to building a career in the fast-paced oil and gas industry, Angie reflects on the people and moments that helped shape her path, including a mentor who believed in her when she didn’t yet believe in herself. The conversation takes a deeply emotional turn as Angie opens up about her journey to motherhood, the heartbreak of loss, the uncertainty of adoption, and the overwhelming love of finally becoming a mom. Through it all, she shares an honest truth: motherhood is both the hardest and most meaningful role she has ever taken on. At the core of this episode is Angie’s evolution from a woman who believed she should stay silent to someone who is continuously learning to speak her truth. She explores the “pendulum swing” from having no voice to having something to say about everything, and the ongoing work of finding balance, authenticity, and intention in how she shows up. This episode is a reminder that your value is not defined by external measures, but by who you are underneath it all, and that your voice matters more than you may have been taught to believe. In This Episode, you’ll explore: The Immigrant Experience: Moving countries as a child, navigating loneliness, and adapting without support systems.Childhood Resilience: Early independence and the emotional impact of growing up without extended family nearby.Mentorship & Opportunity: How one person’s belief can change the trajectory of your life.The Journey to Motherhood: Loss, adoption, and the reality that parenting is both challenging and deeply rewarding.Motherhood Truths: Why no parent gets it right all the time, and why repair matters more than perfection.Finding Your Voice: Breaking free from the belief that women should stay silent.The Pendulum of Expression: Moving from silence to overexpression and learning to find balance.Authenticity & Self-Worth: Understanding that your value lies in who you are, not what you achieve.Wisdom Across Generations: The importance of modeling self-worth, courage, and truth for children and grandchildren.“Who you are is enough. It is more than enough.” May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/ Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1 Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment Amy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

26 min
May 2

Amy Monea: Roots, Risk, and Living True to Yourself

In this episode, Angie Payne turns the spotlight onto Amy Monea, inviting listeners into a more personal and unfiltered conversation about who Amy is beyond her role as a therapist and equine facilitator. What unfolds is a rich, grounded story of growing up on a farm, embracing fear, and building a life rooted in authenticity, connection, and purpose. Amy shares what it was like to be raised in a farming family, surrounded by multiple generations, early mornings, and the rhythms of caring for animals. From dairy farming to a cow-calf operation, her upbringing shaped not only her work ethic but also her deep respect for both animals and the land. The conversation moves through pivotal moments in her life—from 4-H and public speaking to becoming a rodeo queen and even stepping into the arena as a rodeo clown (a lifelong dream she chose to face despite fear). Through humor and honesty, Amy reflects on how these experiences built confidence, resilience, and a willingness to try things that feel scary but meaningful. We also hear about love and partnership, including a memorable wedding moment where her husband surprised her with a live performance—highlighting the role of support, playfulness, and shared values in their relationship. At the heart of this episode is Amy’s philosophy on life: letting your “freak flag fly,” challenging traditional roles, and modeling authenticity for her children. Whether she’s talking about raising kids, working with clients, or caring for animals, Amy emphasizes presence, courage, and staying true to who you are. In This Episode, you’ll explore: Growing Up on the Farm: How multi-generational farm life shaped Amy’s values, independence, and connection to animals and land.The Impact of 4-H: Building communication, leadership, and confidence through hands-on learning and public speaking.Doing Scary Things Anyway: Amy’s experience becoming a rodeo clown and why leaning into fear can be life-changing.Love, Partnership, and Support: A story of connection, music, and showing up for each other in meaningful ways.Breaking Gender Roles: Teaching her children that identity and responsibility aren’t limited by traditional expectations.The Beauty of Farm Life: Finding purpose in caring for animals, feeding families, and living close to nature.Authenticity and Self-Expression: Embracing who you are fully and modeling that courage for others.Looking Ahead: Amy’s vision of aging, reflecting, and continuing to build a meaningful life rooted in relationships and purpose.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/ Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1 Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment Amy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

31 min
Apr 14

Regulation, Co-Regulation, and the Power of Presence

In this episode, Amy Monea and Angie Payne explore the essential foundations of regulation and co-regulation, concepts that are as vital in the therapist's office as they are in the arena with horses. They break down what it actually means to "stay in your body" and why true connection only happens when our thinking brains are online. Drawing from their own experiences as therapists and horsewomen, Amy and Angie discuss how our nervous systems constantly interact with those around us, whether we’re parenting, working with a team, or even navigating road rage on the highway. From the intensity of a horse "blowing sideways" to the quiet strength of holding space for a client, this conversation highlights how leadership is often simply the ability to stay regulated a little longer than the person (or horse) next to you. In This Episode, you’ll explore: Defining Regulation: What it means to stay present, keep your "upstairs brain" on, and ensure your emotions haven’t hijacked your nervous system.The Reality of Dysregulation: A look at "flipping your lid" and why, in survival mode, we lose access to the best parts of ourselves and our learned strategies.The Magic of Co-Regulation: How one person’s regulated state can act as a lighthouse, drawing others and horses back to a state of calm and safety.Leadership in the Arena: Angie shares a powerful story about "Cowboy Matt" riding Romeo; a lesson in how presenting leadership, even when you feel fear, can prevent a situation from escalating.Regulation Over Strategies: Why coping skills only work when you are regulated, and why therapists prioritize state over "tools" in the early stages of healing.It’s Not an Emergency: Amy reflects on riding Ringo and how a leader’s ability to communicate that a situation is safe allows others to move from hysteria back into their skills.Presence Over Words: Why soft presence and "holding the feeling" inside you is far more effective than verbal instructions when someone is in a dysregulated state.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichmentAmy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

44 min
Apr 1

The Language of the Horse and the Myth of "Fixing"

In this episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea dive into the nuance of equine communication. They challenge the common tendency to anthropomorphize horses, reminding us that while horses are sentient, they don’t think, process, or grieve in the same way humans do. Drawing from their years of experience, they discuss the importance of seeing a horse as a horse, rather than a "tool" for therapy. From the story of Fancy’s passing and the herd's reaction to the way we misinterpret a horse's need for space as a need for comfort, this conversation is a masterclass in staying curious and letting the horse be the teacher. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: Seeing the Horse as a Horse: Why it’s vital to move away from "clinical" labels and respect the horse's actual nature and needs.The Danger of Projection: How humans often project their own trauma or emotional needs onto horses, and why that hinders true connection.Fancy’s Story: A moving reflection on the death of a herd member and what the horses’ reactions taught Angie about grief and safety.Misinterpreting Touch: Why "petting" isn't always a reward and how to tell when a horse is actually asking for space rather than affection.The "Window of Tolerance" at the Ranch: How horses naturally move in and out of regulation and what we can learn from their ability to "come back" to peace so quickly.Client Interpretation: Why the most powerful moments in equine work happen when the client finds their own meaning in the horse's behavior.Leading with Softness: A look at the "Buddy" story, how meeting a horse's physiological needs can instantly shift a high-stress situation.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichmentAmy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

3 sec
Mar 16

Navigating the Shadows of Shame

In this episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea move into deeper, more sensitive territory. They open with a trigger warning as they dedicate the conversation to exploring the complex and often paralyzing experience of shame. Drawing from their clinical experience and personal reflections, they discuss how shame differs from guilt and the ways it can make us feel fundamentally "wrong" or unlovable. They explore how shame manifests in our bodies and behaviors often leading to "velociraptor or spider monkey" reactions and how the non-judgmental presence of a horse can help us begin to untangle these heavy emotions. This is an invitation to sit with the hard parts of being human and to remember that even when you can't hold hope for yourself, there are others (and horses) who can hold it for you. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: Understanding the Weight of Shame: Defining what shame is and why it feels so much more personal and destructive than simple guilt.The Physicality of Shame: How our bodies react when we feel exposed or "not enough," and why we often want to hide or lash out.Horses as Mirrors of Truth: Why horses are uniquely capable of sitting with us in our shame without judgment, providing a safe space to decompress.The "Velociraptor" Reaction: A candid look at the messy, reactive behaviors that often stem from a place of deep-seated shame.Breaking the Cycle of "I'm a Terrible Person": Strategies for finding that tiny piece of self-worth even when your internal narrative is telling you otherwise.The Power of Holding Hope: Why community and professional support are vital when you are too deep in the "shame storm" to see your own value.Deservingness and Healing: Reclaiming the truth that you deserve support and connection, regardless of the stories shame tries to tell you.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichmentAmy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

30 min
Mar 3

The Power of Boundaries and Relational Clarity

In this episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea lean into the essential, and often uncomfortable, topic of boundaries. Picking up where their previous conversation left off, they explore how lessons learned from horses can be directly applied to human relationships to create greater depth, respect, and richness. They discuss the common pitfalls of boundary-setting, such as the "indignation" we feel when someone breaches a limit we never actually voiced. By moving away from emotional outbursts and toward clear, calm communication, Angie and Amy demonstrate that boundaries aren't about building walls, but about providing the clarity needed for true connection to flourish. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: The Relational Foundation: Why every interaction at the ranch, and in life, is rooted in the quality of the relationship.Communicating the "Unspoken": Moving past the expectation that others should "just know" your limits through hints or "side-eyes".The Clarity of the Horse: How horses respond to clear, non-emotional boundaries and what humans can learn from that immediate feedback loop.Boundary Breaches as Conversations: Shifting from hurt feelings to productive dialogue by asking, "Did I actually communicate this?".The "Yes" and "No" of Relationship: Navigating the vulnerability of stating what you will or won't honor respectfully.Deepening Connection through Limits: How setting clear boundaries actually makes a relationship richer and meaningful rather than pushing people away.Modeling for the Next Generation: The messy but rewarding process of teaching children (and learning from them) how to respect personal space and emotional needs.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichmentAmy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

32 min
Feb 19

The Mystery of Presence and the Art of Messy Healing

In this episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea dive into the profound mystery of how they seem to "just know" what we need, even when we haven’t found the words ourselves. Drawing from 25 years of experience and personal vulnerability, they explore why the journey of healing is rarely a "pretty" process and why self-compassion is often the most difficult, yet transformative, work we can do. Through stories of "stage four jerk" horses and the challenges of setting human boundaries, Angie and Amy discuss the power of showing up, the necessity of community, and why asking for help is the ultimate act of deservingness. Whether you are navigating the cycles of shame or learning how to get "bigger" in your own life, this conversation invites you to honor the messy, creative artwork of your own growth. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: The Mystery of "How They Know": Reflecting on the intuitive connection between horses and humans that science is still trying to catch up to.Healing Beyond the "Pretty" Narrative: Why real transformation is a messy, creative process rather than a perfectly scripted journal entry.The Cycle of Shame and Outbursts: Understanding how trauma-driven reactions can lead to self-validation of negative beliefs and how to break the loop.Compassion as Deservingness: Why making the first phone call or booking a session is the initial step in believing you deserve to feel better.The "Stage Four Jerk" Lesson: How a difficult horse named Romeo taught the power of being "big and clear" without being emotional.Communication vs. Indignation: Why we can’t be angry at others for breaching boundaries we never actually communicated.Community vs. Individualism: Reclaiming the truth that we aren't meant to do life or healing in isolation.May the horse always bring you home. Follow Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/Mindful Humanship Book: https://a.co/d/96gsBL1Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichmentAmy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

32 min
Feb 2

What It Means to Be Mindfully Human

In this introductory episode, Angie Payne and Amy Monea explore what it truly means to be mindfully human and how horses invite us into presence, honesty, and deeper self-awareness. Drawing from their work in mental health and equine-facilitated therapy, they share personal stories of how horses reflect our inner truth, challenge emotional masks, and help create a sense of safety without judgment. This conversation also clears up common misconceptions about equine therapy and explains the deeper, trauma-informed work they practice. Whether or not you’ve ever been around horses, this episode invites you to slow down, get curious, and reconnect with what’s real inside you. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: What “mindful humanship” really meansHow horses mirror our inner truth and emotional stateThe role of presence, safety, and honesty in healingWhy curiosity is more powerful than self-judgmentHow lessons from horses apply to everyday human relationshipsWhy this work isn’t about fixing yourself, but honoring where you areMay the horse always bring you home. Follow the Mindful Humanship Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhumanship/ Mindful Humanship Book - https://a.co/d/96gsBL1 Follow the Hosts Angie Payne 🔗 Website: https://www.equineenrichment.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineenrichment/?hl=en Amy Monea 🔗 Website: https://www.heardwellness.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardwellne55/

22 min

10 Episodes

Drawing from their work in mental health and equine-facilitated therapy, they share personal stories of how horses reflect our inner truth, challenge emotional masks, and help create a sense of safety without judgment. This conversation also clears up common misconceptions about equine therapy and explains the deeper, trauma-informed work they practice.

Creator

Mindful Humanship
Years Active

2K
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
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© 2026 Mindful Humanship
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Mindful Humanship