In this debut episode, I sit down with Sam Grey Horse — Austin horseman, musician, and Mescalero Apache and friend — we hope you enjoy this deeply personal conversation, as we explore his indigenous identity, survival, spirituality, and what it means to live indigenously in a colonized city. The episode weaves together storytelling, songs, and Sam’s personal upbringing in a way that defies easy categorization.

I hope you find Grey Horse's personal healing journey and Indigenous wisdom offering a roadmap for rediscovering our humanity, our sense of wonder, and our capacity for lightheartedness - even amidst the challenges of the modern world. His stories have the power to inspire more laughter, levity and harmony.

Sam shares his family history, growing up in East Austin in the 1960s, and his early experiences with horses and the rodeo culture.

He opens up about a serious horse accident in 2010 where he nearly lost his life, and in which Grey Horse had a transformative spiritual experience. This led him to reconnect with his indigenous roots and adopt his traditional name, Grey Horse.

Sam emphasizes the importance of preserving Native American culture, traditions, and wisdom, which he feels are being erased. He wants to pass these teachings down to his grandchildren.

Throughout, Grey Horse speaks passionately about the need for peace, harmony, and balance in the world, which he feels can be found by reconnecting with indigenous knowledge, ways of being and laughter.

Quote: "One of the best ways to understand a people is to know what makes them laugh. Laughter encompasses the limits of the soul. In humor life is redefined and accepted." ~ Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux), from Custer Died for Your Sins

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