Sometimes the most profound teachers are the ones who never speak a word. Horses have a way of showing us what we most need to see in ourselves, if only we’re willing to listen.

In this episode, I welcome back the deeply gifted Kim McElroy, a visionary artist, author, and intuitive who has inspired me for years through her devotion to the soul of the horse. Kim has a unique ability to listen beyond words, to tune into the messages animals carry, and to translate their wisdom through her art and storytelling.

We revisit her connection with her beloved mare, Dharma, a post-traumatic ex-racehorse whose journey opened Kim's heart and path as an animal communicator. Kim shares the extraordinary moment she discovered Dharma’s reflection in her own eye, and how that image eventually became a key part of a bestselling oracle deck.

We explore powerful questions like whether horses choose their roles with us, and how we can better honor their spiritual presence. Kim also tells the story of receiving a vision of the Council of Horses, a sacred gathering that inspired her newest work and Oracle deck.

Whether you have horses in your life or simply feel called by their presence, this conversation will remind you of the magic that lives in deep connection and quiet listening.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

- The story behind the miracle of Dharma’s Reflection
- How Kim learned to listen to horses and herself through animal communication
- Reflections on healing, soul contracts, and the emotional lives of ex-racehorses
- The spiritual journey that led to the Council of Horses
- Insights into the evolving role of horses in therapy and human growth
- The art of creating sacred work with animals as your guides

Resources and Links:
Kim’s art and Oracle decks: www.spiritofhorse.com
Send one of Kim’s Spirit of Horse e-cards: www.spiritofhorsecards.com
Follow Kim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiritOfHorseGallery/

If you have ever felt moved by the gaze of a horse or longed for a deeper connection with the natural world, this episode is for you.

Tune in and let Kim’s story open your heart to the beauty, presence, and purpose that lives within and around us.

Support the show

Connect with me in the following ways:
www.theadventureparadox.com
Facebook
Instagram
catcaldwellmyers@gmail.com

What does it really mean to be the best parent you can be? For me, it’s not about perfection — it’s about presence, flexibility, and listening. In this minisode, I’m recording from our dream horse trailer after a beautiful weekend of horse camping, before heading off on a family vacation. Because showing up for my kids means giving them my full attention when it matters most — and carving out time beforehand to speak from the heart.

This episode is for the parents, the seekers, the ones who are walking (or riding) the path of doing things differently. I reflect on what it means to parent with intention, how horses continue to teach us about rhythm and rest, and why we all need to build in space for recovery — even in the middle of the adventure.

Inside this minisode:

• Why I pre-recorded this episode with my kids in mind
• Listening to our children (and their need for rest)
• A glimpse into our upcoming trip to Briar Fest — horse-lover heaven
• Greek mythology, horse evolution, and the wisdom they carry
• A sweet moment with a handwritten note for my daughters
• How parenting, like riding, is all about presence and the long ride

Whether you’re traveling this summer, building a life on your own terms, or simply trying to be present with your kids, I hope this conversation brings you some light, laughter, and a little room to breathe.

Come find more reflections, updates, and stories at
www.theadventureparadox.com

Thanks for listening, and may you enjoy the ride.

Support the show

Connect with me in the following ways:
www.theadventureparadox.com
Facebook
Instagram
catcaldwellmyers@gmail.com

Some conversations remind you why you do the work, and this is one of them. Wendy Snyder is a parenting educator, family life coach, and founder of Fresh Start Family. She’s also a mom of two teens and someone I’ve long admired for her honesty, grace, and commitment to helping families break generational cycles with compassion. Wendy teaches parents how to go from stressed and reactive to peaceful and empowered using a firm and kind, connection-based model. Her work is rooted in powerful parenting, not permissive, not authoritarian, but grounded in dignity, respect, and real tools for real life.

In this conversation, we go deep into what it means to raise strong-willed kids (and why it’s a gift), how to respond instead of react (even in the car), and why humility, not perfection, is the parenting superpower we all need. Whether you're navigating toddler meltdowns, teen pushback, or just trying to stay calm at the gas station after a long day, there is something here for you.

Topics We Covered:

• What positive or powerful parenting really means
• Why strong-willed kids are future leaders
• How to stop using shame, bribes, or threats and what to do instead
• Supporting your child by healing your own inner child
• What to do when you're triggered and exhausted
• How to “pull over” emotionally and physically in tough moments

Key Takeaways:

• Strong-willed children invite us into growth; they’re not problems to fix
• Slowing down gives you space to respond with wisdom, not reactivity
• You don’t need to force apologies; you need to teach peaceful resolution
• Modeling calm and compassion teaches more than any rulebook ever will
• You’re not a bad parent; you’re just healing in real time, alongside your kids

Links & Resources:

• Website: https://freshstartfamilyonline.com/
• Podcast: The Fresh Start Family Show
• Instagram: @freshstartwendy / https://www.instagram.com/freshstartwendy/
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@wendysnyder-freshstartfamily
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshstartfamily
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-snyder-freshstartonline
• Free Quick Start Learning Bundle: freshstartfamilyonline.com/power
• Firm and Kind Parenting Blueprint: “Fresh Start Family + Firm and Kind Blueprint”
• Read Wendy’s viral articles: “I Left Bruises” and “The Night I Threw a Book at My Kid”

If you needed this conversation, share it. With your partner, your best friend, your sister, or someone in the grocery store line. Let’s keep lifting each other up as we raise the next generation, one moment of grace at a time.

Support the show

Connect with me in the following ways:
www.theadventureparadox.com
Facebook
Instagram
catcaldwellmyers@gmail.com