Author, essayist, and working cowboy Amy M. Hale joins the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about ranch life, public lands, and the natural world. Amy shares her experiences living and working on the Spider Ranch in Arizona, where she helps manage cattle on thousands of acres of public land while developing a deep connection to the landscape and wildlife.
Throughout the episode, Amy discusses her newest book, Drinking Wild Water, and explores the importance of understanding where our food comes from. She explains how ranching, conservation, and responsible land stewardship work together. In addition, she offers insight into the challenges and rewards of raising livestock while respecting the ecosystems that support both wildlife and agriculture.
The conversation also highlights Amy’s journey as a writer and cowboy. She reflects on life in remote cow camps, learning to work cattle, and finding inspiration in silence, solitude, and the natural world. As a bestselling Western author and performer, Amy brings a unique perspective on the traditions of the American West and the evolving role of modern ranching.
Whether you are interested in cowboy poetry, ranch life, conservation, Western literature, or Arizona history, this episode offers an engaging look at the people and landscapes that continue to shape the West. Learn why public lands matter, how food production connects us all, and what it means to truly live in harmony with nature.
The 38th Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering is held from August 6 to 8, 2026, at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center on the Yavapai College campus.
