The podcast Dear anyone but me and the Cowboy was founded on the understanding that generational narratives — those carried through families, communities, and cultures — function as living history and archives.
In particular, the growing prevalence of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and related forms of Dementia has reshaped family systems in profound ways. Memory loss does not affect only the individual; it reverberates through children, spouses, caregivers, and entire communities. Nearly every generation today is either directly dealing with or knows someone who is connected to someone navigating cognitive impairment.
Through intergenerational dialogue, this podcast positions storytelling as both art and intervention. Each episode creates a monologue of conversation where memory is honored, emotional resilience is strengthened, and lived wisdom is preserved before it fades. In an era marked by rising neurological disorders and widespread mental health challenges, the series offers a restorative space to safeguard legacy and reconnect fragmented generations.
Abbie was born in the Appalachian Mountains near the West Virginia–Maryland border. In her late teens, she moved south and went on to live in several states, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
She served in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years, participating in three overseas campaigns across Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar. Academically, she holds Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with her family.
Raised under the wide Texas sky, Cowboy learned the meaning of grit early on. He grew up working hard, living the kind of life that leaves a man with calloused hands and a deep respect for others. But nothing tested his spirit like seeing his beloved mother slip away, piece by piece, to dementia. Those long years taught him patience, compassion and the sharp ache of loving someone through memory loss.
In the early 1990s, Cowboy’s steady, familiar voice began booming out across Texas as he travelled as a mobile DJ. Today, that same voice and heart is working for his community on this podcast, championing support for families and care facilities touched by memory loss. He’s a big believer in looking out for each other and making sure that no one has to face dementia alone. Ask around – folks will tell you that he’s still a local boy, and still looks for ways to help others.
