Will Hudson on Being Seen and Staying Sober [episode 107]

Listen to Trading Whiskey for Witness: Will Hudson on Being Seen and Staying Sober on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice

I’m honored to welcome my friend, Will Hudson, to the podcast today!

Will’s story starts like many others in ranch country: long hours, responsibility at a young age, and a deep desire to prove himself. But somewhere along the way, approval from others became his fuel, and drinking became the way to feel “good enough.”

In today’s episode, we’re diving into what being seen and staying sober has really entailed for Will. What started as a party habit in high school and college grew into something that quietly followed him home, into marriage and fatherhood.

One day, his wife drew a line in the sand, and Will chose to step into a new life (no longer holding a bottle in his hand).

Sobriety wasn’t just about quitting alcohol for Will. It was about learning to be seen without numbing or hiding. He shares how his faith and community through Wild Courage helped him find a space to simply be witnessed, which ultimately cracked something open in him.

Will was reminded that strength doesn’t come from stuffing down our emotions, but from facing them head-on.

Now, Will’s trading whiskey for witness, he’s using what he’s learned to help others. His story is one of redemption, humility, and hope. He is proof that healing doesn’t make us weak; it makes us whole!

Meet Will:

Will grew up in Washington. He went to college at Eastern Oregon University with an Oregon State degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management. Will has always had a passion for horses, starting with 4-H, jumping, collegiate polo, and eventually making his living using them for ranch work.

Post-college, Will moved outside of Rawlins, WY, to work on the ID ranch and eventually became manager. After 10 years there, an opportunity came forth to move back to Oregon to manage a much larger ranch. Will packed up his family and headed back west. Because of the remoteness and time he was away from his family, they ultimately made the decision to move to Jordan Valley, OR, and are currently living on a ranch there.

In this episode, Trading Whiskey for Witness: Will Hudson on Being Seen and Staying Sober, we cover:

Will’s journey from ranch manager to rediscovering his faith, purpose & sobriety
How drinking became tied to seeking approval and self-worth
The moment Will’s wife’s ultimatum changed everything + what life looks like on the other side of addiction
The role of Wild Courage + the power of being witnessed without judgment or fixing
How faith, community & emotional honesty reshaped Will’s marriage and relationships
The unexpected ways inner healing has improved Will’s connection with horses & work on the ranch
Why true strength means showing up, being seen, and doing the hard inner work

Connect with Will:

Follow on Instagram @wlazyh
Send him an email at hudsonw1987@gmail.com

Connect with Terryn:

Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
Check out my website
Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com

Related Episodes:

More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:

In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.

It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow or a pair, to move out in a certain direction, and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.

Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.

We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and our approach, and we communicate with each other differently.

These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.

The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.

Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.

Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.

We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.

Tune in every Tuesday, and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!