The Cowboy Cantos - Cowboy Poetry & Stories

GRANDMA NEVER SHARED HER PIE

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a humorous and heartfelt small-town tale about a grandmother whose famous pies became the stuff of family legend. For years, nobody, not friends, not neighbors, not even family, ever managed to get a slice. The mystery only deepened with every holiday gathering, every locked pantry door, and every unanswered question. Inspired in part by old country stories and memories from simpler times, this piece blends humor, nostalgia, family folklore, and a touch of backwoods mystery into a classic front-porch-style storytelling poem. If you’ve ever had a relative with a secret recipe, or a secret they never quite explained, this story may feel strangely familiar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Somersaults In The Mud

What started as a simple trip to Family Dollar turned into a full-scale backyard wreck involving leashes, mud, bruised pride, and a cat that appeared at exactly the wrong moment. In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares the true story behind an unexpected January “stampede” that left him rolling through the mud and reconsidering a few life decisions along the way. It’s a fast-moving cowboy tale filled with humor, hard landings, loyal dogs, and the kind of laughter that only comes after the bruises fade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Horseradish Hank

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a personal confession about those dangerous little red peppers hiding in Kung Pao chicken... and how they reminded him of a cowboy he once knew named Horseradish Hank. Hank had a love affair with horseradish that bordered somewhere between dedication and self-destruction. He put it on roast beef, biscuits, popcorn, pie, banana bread, and just about anything else that sat still long enough. The problem was... Hank couldn’t actually handle the heat. What follows is a humorous cowboy poem turned country comedy song about spicy food, bad judgment, watery eyes, stubborn pride, and the strange human tendency to keep going back for more punishment even when we know better. Filled with western humor, colorful food imagery, and fast two-step energy, this tale rides somewhere between cowboy poetry and old-time dancehall comedy. Best enjoyed with a grin, a cold drink nearby, and maybe a little caution around the peppers. Remember to keep your saddle cinched, ride clean, and go easy on the peppers. For more cowboy poetry and stories, visit CowboyCantos.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Power Of Faith And Attorney

What happens when life hangs in the balance and the clock does not stop? In this unforgettable Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a true story from a winter that tested everything, faith, family, and timing. Lying in a hospital bed with the odds uncertain, a major life decision still had to be made. What followed was a moment where belief and action came together in a way few ever experience. This is a story about trust. Trust in the people beside you. Trust in decisions made under pressure. And trust in something greater when the outcome is not guaranteed. It is also a reminder that life does not always wait for the right moment. Sometimes the moment finds you, and what matters most is who stands ready when it does. A powerful blend of grit, grace, and a little well timed paperwork, this episode captures the spirit of Cowboy Cantos. Real stories told straight, with meaning that sticks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Cookie’s Biscuits

Two cowboys settle in by a quiet campfire after a long day on the range. One keeps his hands busy with a knife while the other listens as the talk turns to supper and a certain batch that did not quite meet expectations. What begins as simple complaining turns into something more as the night stretches on and a small moment reveals a bigger idea. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]