Gerard Masih and his family moved to the United States from Pakistan when he was 9 years old. He brought with him many family traditions… his love of food, hunting and most importantly… Jesus. We talk a lot about the persecutions of Christians that drove his family out of his country after the first Gulf war, our experiences hunting ducks and geese and his path to establishing his walk and relationship with Jesus. I always thoroughly enjoy our conversations and am thrilled to bring some of those discussions to you!
Cole and I discuss our affliction of catching redfish on the fly, how God’s mercy has impacted his life and role of provider for his wife and how his content creation company, Going Native was formed as well as some of the future projects.
Ep. 38 - John Brooker - John Brooker Photo
Jun 08, 2022
https://runforgod.com
Ep. 37 - Mitch McLaughlin - Brothers Under Christ
May 25, 2022
Mitch McLaughlin
Brothers Under Christ
Mitch McLauflin is an educator in Altus, OK. He contacted me 2 years ago about using our men's 8 week bible study for his men's group BUC or Brothers Under Christ. Needless to say I was floored since no one had really paid much attention to our efforts to create a video study plan that made it easy for someone to lead a men's small group. I stayed in touch with Mitch and we became good friends very fast. We made a trip to Oklahoma to hunt with Mitch and his family and friends and then had Mitch down to Mississippi to show him how we do it in the timber. While in Oklahoma we filmed Mitch's episode of Project Identity which will be dropping within the next few days. In this episode of the podcast we talk about both hunts and his episode as well as a couple of other things. Thanks for listening!
I have been trying to grab some time to have todays guest on the podcast for several months now. His company makes one of the most important pieces of gear that any hunter uses… your choke tubes. You guys know we have been shooting JEBS chokes for some time now, we love their consistency and the peace of mind that we have knowing that, when the moment of truth comes and its time to pull the trigger, we absolutely know where our shot string is going… we may still miss, but we know that our gear is functioning exactly as it’s supposed to and we know what our patterns are doing at different ranges and weather conditions. Trey Sears of JEBS chokes is of course who I am talking about. We had a great conversation about how JEBS got started, what makes a good choke “good”, the importance of patterning your shotgun and knowing where your shot string is going and we even tell some hunting stories as well. As much as we love their chokes, we love the people at JEBS even more.
You know, we talk a lot about Tanglefree’s products, their durability and functionality and quality and we should… they make the best waterfowl products on the market today, hands down. But look, we want to do business with people we know and like and trust and I can tell you that the folks at Tanglefree are some of the finest people we have had the chance to meet and work with and that company culture starts with our guest today, Cory Foskett. I am so excited to finally have Cory on to talk with you guys and he is also super stoked to talk to all of you. We talk about Cory’s background growing up in CA on his grandparent’s cattle ranch, surprisingly, Cory was not a duck hunter, and we discuss when he finally came to his senses and started feathers instead of antlers. We discuss TF’s unique approach to relationship-intentional business and company culture, we talk about how they approach new products and the incredible amount of time they spend in research and development to ensure that if a product fails, it will fail in their hands and not yours. We talk about their unwavering commitment to customer service and customer satisfaction. One thing that was very clear in my discussions with Cory is that they will move heaven and earth to make you a customer for life. We also talked a lot about their approach to authentic content and product representation because they know that waterfowlers have their bs detectors on 24/7 and they owe you the most honest experience possible when shopping through their product selection. I had a great discussion with Cory, it was certainly worth the wait and we are just so thankful and blessed to have the relationship with have with the entire TF crew
Ep. 34 - Spence Halford - Rolling Thunder Game Calls
Nov 11, 2019
Spence Halford
Rolling Thunder Game Calls
Spence Halford is the founder and owner of Rolling Thunder Game Calls. We have a very interesting conversation about his faith, his company, his calls and finally his view on where the sport is heading. Spence is one of those guys that you feel like, after just meeting him, you’ve known him all your life. We go into details about the “re-emergence” of the cut down call and the subtle difference between the several different models Spence produces. Please hit the links below, follow and support Spence and Rolling Thunder.
Ep. 33 - Dustin Roddy - Cache River Farms
Nov 05, 2019
Dustin Roddy
Cache River Farms
My guest today has been on the podcast before and I just love our conversations because of the heart he has for the heritage and history of our sport. Dustin Roddy of Cache River Farms and I talk about the progress he has made over the summer on several of his farms, we talk about moist soil management and we talk about how to identify and control one of the most invasive pests known to farmers and duck club managers…. Army worms!
Ep. 32 - Tony Turnbow - Hardened to Hickory
Oct 02, 2019
Tony Turnbow
Hardened to Hickory
Tennessee historian Tony Turnbow joins us to recount the Natchez Expedition during the War of 1812, in which Andrew Jackson’s troops marched from Natchez to Nashville, and the militia general’s fierce, long-standing rivalry with an army brigadier general that earned the profoundly stubborn soldier the moniker “Old Hickory.” The middle-aged, militarily inexperienced Jackson promised the farmers and other Tennessee volunteers he recruited that he would protect them in the midst of complex relationships with various Native American nations on a freezing winter trek to engage the British. Turnbow uses newly uncovered documents to show that Jackson’s intense competition with Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson for control of the soldiers and of necessary supplies plagued Jackson more than the British troops he intended to drive out of the South. Wilkinson, who envied Jackson’s rapport with his fighters, sought to transfer them to his own command, including by withholding needed ammunition, medicine and food; Jackson’s men died while the army failed to intervene, causing the “hardening” of the title, a transformation into an aggressively self-reliant and antibureaucratic leader. Jackson personifies a nearly Christ-like sacrificial figure who would rather die himself than leave any of his Tennessee Volunteer sons behind.
Ep. 31. Shane Olson and Grant Wisenbaker - Habitat Solutions
Aug 15, 2019
Shane Olson and Grant Wisenbaker
Habitat Solutions
My guests today are Grant Wisenbaker and Shane Olson of Salt Plains Outfitters. Grant joined us back in episode 26 and one of the things we talked about was their strategic use of and reliance on varied habitat management practices. So Grant is back but this time we have Shane Olson of Habitat Solutions joining us to go much deeper into that habitat discussion. This was an episode where I learned a lot as well as got confirmation on some things that I thought I knew. Shane has a very unique approach to developing either moist soil units or green tree reservoirs that he shared with us. We also talked a lot about the dietary needs of ducks based on stress and weather which, if you understand, can GREATLY impact your success or failure. If you know not only WHAT ducks like to eat, but when and. Why they like to eat it, you can start to notice patterns in the weather and be better able to predict what food sources the ducks will prefer based on those patterns, and if you had enough foresight to prepare those food sources, you be in a better position to be where the ducks want to be at that particular time. It was a fascinating conversation. Grant and Shane also talked about some of the services provided by Habitat Solutions whether you have a large tract of land that you want to make more appealing, whether you have a small tract that want advice on what you can do with a minimal amount of money, if you are a land owner who doesn’t hunt but you want to make your property more valuable to lease to hunters… there are solutions available. This episode is packed full of information and data and if you want to learn what you should be doing, right now, to put you and your hunting buddies in the best possible position to kill ducks as weather varies this year, you gotta listen to my conversation with Grant Wisenbaker and Shane Olson of Habitat Solutions…
EP. 30. Chase Moore - TAMU Revelation Outdoors Chapter
Aug 12, 2019
Chase Moore
Texas A & M Revelation Outdoors
My guest today has been more than a very good friend he has been a trusted advisor, he has been a prayer warrior and he has been a driving force behind some really cool new directions for the Revelation Outdoors ministry. Chase came to me a little over two years ago and asked if he could start a Revelation Outdoors chapter at Texas A & M and leverage the ROWM brand to drive interest in a men’s ministry on campus. That was a direction to which I had never really given any thought and the more Chase and I discussed how our missions overlapped the more it made sense and the dumber I felt for not thinking of it! Since that time the TAMU ROWM chapter has grown from 20 guys to what they expect to be nearly 60 this semester. They are reaching out to other campuses to duplicate what they have done at A & M as well as small men’s groups off of campus as well. I think in any pursuit, it is good to surround yourself with people who can help you see opportunities to grow that you may miss and Chase has definitely done that for us. In this episode we talk about the TAMU chapter, how it got started, their progress to this point and what is coming up this semester. I had a chance to drive over last March and cook some crawfish and speak to the guys and was just really thrilled to have a group of such Godly men of action representing the ROWM brand. It was truly a blessing. We also talked a good bit about the status, if you will, of Christianity on college campuses and that discussion really unfolded into a broader discussion of why so many men fail to engage, what are some of the obstacles or barriers that keep men from engaging and we distilled that down into two primary things… and you’ll need to listen to our discussion to see what those are! Can’t give away the entire interview in the introduction, what kind of podcast host what I be?? We finally finish up discussing the point that I think a great many men miss when they consider Jesus, and that is his personality. It’s what makes him relational to us. Hopefully you’ll take some time and read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John and when you do, I hope you’ll do that looking for all of the little nuggets and passages that show that Jesus was a man, just like you and I, with a personality that draws us in. Think of your best friend. What is it about that person that draws you to him or her? It’s their personality. And the Gospel is alive with the personality of Jesus if you look for it.
Ep. 29. David Bowen - Southwoods Duck Club
Aug 01, 2019
David Bowen
Southwoods Duck Club
My guest today is David Bowen of Southwoods Duck Club. David and I met on Instagram not too long ago, the thing that drew me to David’s page is I noticed he ran his operation out of the Mississippi Delta, which many of you know where my duck hunting heart is. As I got to know David, I learned he is a husband, a father, a brother in Christ and a Delta cotton farmer. David and I had a great conversation about something that I knew very little about and that is farming cotton. I’ve been around enough farmers to learn a little about farming beans and rice and corn, but never about farming cotton so this to me was really interesting. We talked a lot about creating habitat and making properties more attractive to hungry wintering mallards and David actually gave a really good tip for you that hunt flooded corn. He does something very interesting with his water levels to maximize the attraction of his corn crops so listen closely for that. My favorite food source to hunt over is smartweed or barnyard grass. I’ve said before, if it grows in water, chances are it’s a great duck attractant and food source and we talk about that as well. We get into what I think is the most important component of a successful duck hunt, and that is scouting. I know some of you guys are probably rolling your eyes cause you think you don’t have to scout, we go to the same few blinds on our private ground so we don’t need to scout. For the other 98% of you guys listening, pay special attention because a lot of the guys that I have hunted with, especially on the Delta public ground I hunted, were good at finding ducks, but they weren’t effective in scouting for a successful duck hunt. Now you may say what are you talking about. Stick around and listen because David and I discuss the difference in finding ducks and scouting for a good hunt. We finish up talking about Southwoods Duck Club as a public hunting club, we talk about why guys come to Southwoods, what you can expect when you go, lodging meals everything. Personally I am drawn to outfits like Southwoods that know what their focus is and don’t go outside of their core competency, and Southwoods focus is a smaller, relationship focused operation, often one group at a time, max of 8-10 guys and they are going to give you and your bro’s a great experience in camp and in the blind, you’re going to feel like you are hunting with guys that you’ve known your entire life. That’s the kind of camps and clubs I love and hearing David and his passion for the Delta and for making new friends, I can’t wait to get up to Southwoods this year. Oh yeah, we also talk about that one thing that Greyducks do that just drive you nuts so listen for that as well
My guest today is Vice President of Sales for Sitka gear Ryan Bassham. I am very excited to finally have Ryan on the podcast, not only are we a HUGE supporter of the gear and content that Sitka produces, I am also a big fan of Ryan personally. We talk about how he developed his passion for hunting growing up in Texas and how he decided to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. Ryan has hunted waterfowl on 5 continents and in 15 different countries, we talk about some of the more memorable locations he’s visited and people he met including a sketchy encounter he had in Turkey near the Syrian border. I asked Ryan about some of the misconceptions that exist about hunting in other countries because last year was our first experience leaving the country, crossing the border and hunting in Canada and I know I personally was very anxious about that whole process and I found most of the things I worried about were no factors, which lead us to a discussion about Trophy Expeditions, the value which is a company Ryan also runs with his family. We talked about the biggest value that hunters who want to travel and make expeditions to other countries, will experience when booking through Trophy Expeditions is to eliminate that fear of the unknown so you can enjoy the experience you have anticipated for so long.
We of course talk about Sitka gear, the unique differentiators and value Sitka brings by offering the finest and most effective clothing system to waterfowlers. We talk about some of the new waterfowl products that are ready for sale and whole new ladies and youth lines that are available. Ryan explains how to layer and use the gear the way it’s designed to be used to do the thing that Sitka gear does better than any other brand, and that is manage moisture to maximize the comfort of the user. Ryan talks about the right components to use based on your personal body style and hunting locations and conditions to maximize moisture control and make you more comfortable so you can stay out longer.
On a personal note, one of the things that I love and admire about Ryan is his testimony and his faith and we talk about both of those as well.
Ep. 27. Dr. Brooks Tiller - The Healthy Hunter
Jul 12, 2019
Dr. Brooks Tiller
The Healthy Hunter
My guest today is Dr. Brooks Tiller. Brooks is a doctor of physical therapy and author of The Healthy Hunter – Becoming the Ultimate Predator which is a book about improving, not becoming perfect, but improving your health so that you can live longer and be a mentor and leader to the people you love. Brooks has a unique style of blending two of the things I really love and that’s hunting and become the man that your creator expects you to be. Brooks and I had a great discussion about the foods we put into our bodies and how we can be a bit more mindful and make better choices, we talk about how making a lasting change in our lives simple, but it’s not easy. It’s going to take time and it’s going to take work. Look in the mirror…. That didn’t happen overnight and neither can you undo it overnight, but guys like Brooks provide a ton of really good information on how to eat better and how to exercise smart. We also talk about Brooks’ appearance on American Ninja Warrior and what that whole crazy experience was like, I had an absolute blast having Brooks in the studio and digging into a topic that has really grabbed my attention. We start out by reading a few of the chapters in Healthy Hunter to set up the whole discussion so lets get started with the Healthy Hunter Becoming the Ultimate Predator with our guest Dr. Brooks Tiller…
Ep. 26. Grant Wisenbaker & Brenton Washausen - Salt Plains Outfitters
Jun 25, 2019
Grant Wisenbaker and Brenton Washausen
Salt Plains Outfitters
My guests today are Grant Wisenbaker and Brenton Washausen owners of Salt Plains Outfitters in northern Oklahoma. If you want to see more ducks and geese in one place at one time, than you have probably ever seen in your life, check out Salt Plains Outfitters. I instantly fell in love with their social media pages, their images are awesome and they just have the game figured out in an area that is fast becoming the new waterfowl mecca… Oklahoma. Grant and Brenton fill us in on how they started SPO, what drew them to that particular area, all the different settings they have to hunt, the multiple different species that are available for you to hunt. Whether you like hunting in pit blinds or layout blinds… maybe you like hunting in the comfort of a frame blinds or maybe you like hiding in the decoys and having birds finish in your lap, they have it all. We talk about some of the different scenarios that may play out with all of this flooding and how that will affect crops and thus affect the fall migration. We talk about their new lodge and some of the plans they have for bringing everyone under one roof and enjoying the comradery and fellowship that only a first class lodge and hunting experience can bring. We talk about how their faithfulness to God guided them through this whole journey of starting a new business based on building relationships and how their Christ centered focus will continue to be guide everything they do. I really enjoyed having Grant and Brenton on the podcast and I think you’ll enjoy it too
Ep. 25. Blake Hamilton - Nature's Eye Consulting & Nature's Eye Media
Jun 20, 2019
Blake Hamilton
Nature’s Eye Consulting & Nature’s Eye Media
My guest today is Blake Hamilton founder of Nature’s Eye Consulting and Nature’s Eye Media. Nature’s Eye is a habitat conservation, land use and wildlife management company as well as a media and content creative group designed to tell outdoor lifestyle and conservation stories. Blake and I have become friends over the last year or so and I just love his passion and heart for people, nature, relationships and conservation. Blake and I talk about how he developed his love for conserving natural resources and habitat, his time at Mississippi State University and how he wound up working with Mossy Oak. One of the things that I love and admire about Blake is his humility and his faith in trust the Lord. He is very open and honest about not only his faith but also how during his life he has had separation from that faith as we all do. We have a pretty candid discussion about some of the life challenges Blake has encountered and through all of those highs and lows, the things that never waivered, were his focus on Christ and his passion for people and relationships. He is just a super genuine guy and I loved talking with him. We discussed the missions and goals of both the consulting and media side of Nature’s Eye and how those offerings and services can benefit the every day hunter and/or land owner. We talk about the Journey Magazine, which is an incredibly beautiful Nature’s Eye publication, all except for the issues with my photo on the cover… We talk about life, we talk about family, we talk about camp fires and deer hunting and wood ducks and green timber mallard hunts…. Blake is just a great guy with a great family and vision for working with people in the interests of conservation and telling those stories all along the way. I hope you can listen all the way to the end because Blake closes with a super touching call out to all of us and great guidance for us to live by every day. I always enjoy my conversations with Blake, I just love him and his heart for other people.
Ep. 24. John Devney - SVP, Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Jun 17, 2019
John Devney
SVP, Delta Waterfowl Foundation
My guest today is John Devney, Senior Vice President of Delta Waterfowl. John and I have been friends now for over 15 years and he has a wealth of knowledge on the challenges surrounding duck production and duck hunting. Today we talk about John’s background growing up hunting and fishing in Minnesota and how he came to work at Delta. We talk about the unique value proposition that Delta brings to the conservation and hunting conversations. Everything from balancing duck production with farming in the prairie pothole region to CRP and WRP programs here in the US, the Alternate Land Use program in Canada, the farm bill and other legislative initiatives. We also talk about Delta’s long leveraged use of predator management as a conservation tool, where it is deployed, why and the results of predator management. We discuss Delta’s First Hunt initiative and how that initiative is aimed at hunter recruitment of all ages, not only our youth but anyone who has never hunted ducks or geese, Delta’s First Hunt initiative is making great strides in increasing the number of waterfowl hunters and that conversation actually brought us to a very interesting cross roads because for those of us that hunt increasingly crowded public ground, it would seem that hunter recruitment is NOT a problem, in fact it would appear to be just the opposite. In fact there is another issue in play and that is public access, so John and I discuss how decreasing levels of public access compounds and impacts the hunter recruitment issue, really interesting perspective and look at that whole equation. We then talk about the overall conditions across the PPR and what impact the flooding conditions across the Midwest may have on duck production this year. John has been a great friend of mine for a long time and we, as waterfowlers, are truly fortunate to have John and Delta working on policies that impact the future of ducks and the future of duck hunting.
Ep. 23. James Lancaster - Deep River Fit
Jun 13, 2019
James Lancaster
Deep River Fit
My guest today is James Lancaster. The last time James was on the podcast he was planning to open a new cross fit gym in Memphis. Now that he has done that I invited him back on to talk about Deep River Fit. James always has such a positive mental attitude about everything he does, it’s really infectious! We chat about Oakley, his chocolate lab and how she’s progressing in her duck dog training, I check in on his non profit Kings of Grit which is designed to engage inmates and teach them team work through cross fit and physical fitness. We then talk about the amazing progress he has made turning an old warehouse into a complete cross fit training facility and the plans he has for the next several months. James is an obsessed duck hunter so of course we talk duck hunting and what impact all of this flooding may have on the 2019-2020 season. I love having James on, as I said he is a super positive guy and that’s the kind of people I like to surround myself with. I think you guys are going to enjoy this episode with my brother James Lancaster of Deep River Fit in Memphis TN.
Ep. 22. Richard Charlton and Phillip Armstrong - Damascus Waterfowlers & Delta Snows
Jun 10, 2019
Richard Charlton & Phillip Armstrong
Damascus Waterfowlers & Delta Snows
My guests today are two guys that I recently connected with on social media – Richard Charlton of Damascus Waterfowler and Phillip Armstrong of Delta Snows. Both Richard and Phillip super passionate duck and goose hunters, but both are medically disabled veterans who are also passionate about connecting and helping other veterans. Richard’s Damascus Waterfowl Club is located in southern Missouri and Phillip is an outfitter with Delta Snows located in the Mississippi Delta focusing primarily on snow geese and specs. Richard is also on staff with Fallen Outdoors which is a fantastic organization that connects past and current military service men and women with other service men and women through hunting and fishing. Phillip is partnered with DTD Outdoors which is a land management organization in Monroe County MS that also provides hunting opportunities to children as well as disabled veterans. When I spoke with Richard and Phillip, we talked about how veterans are uniquely qualified to help other veterans, and in doing so, actually wind up experiencing healing themselves. We talk about Their combat experience in Afghanistan, Richard while serving in the Army and Phillip in the Marine Corps. Then coming home, the challenges each faced, how they attacked those challenges and then channeled their energies into helping others. It was a really inspiring conversation with two warriors who served this country and are now serving others. I want to thank them both for their sacrifice and service
Ep. 21. Matt Roberson - Revelation Outdoors
Jun 05, 2019
Matt Roberson
Revelation Outdoors
My guest today is a guy that I am absolutely blessed to call my friend and someone you have heard me speak about many times before on the podcast, Matt Roberson. Matt is a field pastor with Revelation Outdoors, he is an ex-Army Sniper who served two tours in Iraq, came home to be a sheriff’s deputy with the Cross County Sheriff’s Department then joined the Arkansas Highway Patrol. Matt and I connected several years ago when I messaged him about possibly coming up and filming a speckled belly goose hunt. What grabbed my attention was how open and intentional Matt was about his faith and how he uses goose hunting to share the gospel. I didn’t know then, that that weekend spent with Matt on his farm outside of Wynne AR would be the start of way more than a friendship. Matt has been a spiritual grounding rod for me, when I need to talk to someone or need some guidance… whatever it is, Matt doesn’t always tell me what I want to hear, but everything he tells me is firmly based on our common faith and convictions and what we both know is biblical truth. He is a speckled belly goose fanatic and has a drive to figure out what birds are doing and thinking like no one else I have every hunted with. He is the chairman of the L’Anguille River Christian Waterfowler’s Association and one of the funniest guys I know. Believe me I spent 4 days in a truck roundtrip to and from Canada with him and at several points had to beg him to stop because my face hurt from laughing so hard. Today we talk about Matt’s time in the army and how his two tours in Iraq helped shape and define his own personal faith in Christ. We talk about our trip to Canada and tell of few stories from that trip and just have a good time catching up. I said before that he is ADD about two things: Jesus and Speckled Belly geese.
Ep. 20. Drew Seals - Nature's Eye Media
May 31, 2019
Drew Seals
Nature’s Eye Media
My guest today is a guy that I have grown to love over the last few years. Drew Seals is a talented content and film creator, super passionate and a borderline obsessive perfectionist when it comes to telling stories and drawing up emotions from film and still images. He has worked with Brian and I on several projects because the dude is crazy dedicated to getting the shot. Everytime we’ve been on location with Drew, he ALWAYS has a camera out, always, the dude never stops. Today we talk about growing up in coastal southern Mississippi, his time playing collegiate golf and what that taught him. Drew also does something that I think few people are willing to do, share their mistakes, the repercussions of those mistakes and how those mistakes actually fit into a bigger plan that he now sees and has not only fully embraced, but has poured himself into to walk the path that god has set before him. We talk about how Drew was drawn to creating beautiful moving content by a desire to film his own deer hunts and how following that dream has lead him to a career that he could have never dreamed of. Drew and I talk about our trip to Canada last year where he made the life changing decision to accept Christ and what the impact has been within his life since then. Finally we discuss his role within Nature’s Eye Media and how his talents as a creative supports the overall conservation mission of Nature’s Eye Consulting. In everyone’s life, there are a few people who just make your life more enjoyable because they are in it, and for me Drew Seals is one of those people. We have shared the bottom of trees in flooded timber, layout blinds in chick pea fields and lots and lots of windshield time and I can honestly say that I have loved every single minute of it all.
My guest today has been on the podcast before, we love having Travis Sipe on the show, we always find something constructive and interesting to talk about. Travis is the owner of Duck Wild Waterfowl outfitters in Waverly, KS. He is also a turkey hunter, a deer hunter and one of the most positive down to earth guys I know. Today we talk about his crazy successful turkey season, we talk about what he is doing to prep for the upcoming duck season and how this insane amount of water and flooding may impact crops as well as hunting this coming year. The conversation, as it usually does, takes a turn. One the things that both Travis and I are really into is self improvement and self betterment. We talk about some of the negative aspects of social media and hunting and share our thoughts and opinions on whether social media has helped or hurt the perception of hunting. We actually have a different opinion and it’s an interesting conversation because I really can see both sides of the conversation. You have instant unfettered access to everybody, immediately, and we talk about all of the different personalities we come across and how we deal with them. We talk about some of our favorite podcasts, why we like them and what we get out of them. It was a really good conversation and it’s why Travis is one of my favorite guests to have on the show.
My guest today is one of my long time friends Josh Raggio of Raggio custom duck calls. I visit Josh in his call shop in Raymond, MS. Josh and I catch up on some of our hunting memories in the MS Delta, we talk about Josh’s experience as a competition caller and how he first became interested in the art and heritage and history of turning custom duck calls. Josh had a goal of just making himself his own duck call and fell in love with the process so much that he has now turned his passion into his profession. We talk about the incredible amount of faith it took for Josh to make that move and how he has seen his faith grow throughout that process. We talk about some of the old time call makers that inspired and guided Josh and he grew as a call maker and how he eventually has developed his own style and brand. We talk about some of the stories that his call tell, we talk about the mobile call shop which I think is just one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen and we talk about a new video that will document Josh’s personal and professional journey as a call maker. We also talk about his collaboration with Filson and how that new relationship was one of the key points of validation that Josh was faithfully walking in the plan that God had called him to. The calls that Josh turns out are truly beautiful pieces of functional art that if you haven’t yet seen you absolutely must check out. I’m so happy for the success that Josh is experiencing. I had a great time catching up with my friend, old hunting buddy and master call maker… Josh Raggio….
Ep. 17. TJ Mallette - Black Duck Lodge
May 15, 2019
TJ Mallette
Black Duck Lodge
my guest today is TJ Mallette. TJ is a duck hunter and outfitters from Stuttgart, AR. He is the owner operator of the historical Black Duck lodge, right on the banks of the famous Bayou Meto and also in Saskatchewan Canada. So much history and heritage there at Black Duck. He and his soon to be wife Ashton do an absolutely fantastic job welcoming hunters to both locations and making sure that their guests not only have a once in a lifetime shoot, but also experience the warmth of true southern hospitality. One of the things that TJ and I talked about is how important relationships are in the outfitting world. So many times you hunt with an outfitter that really doesn’t seem all that interested in the people they are guiding. TJ and Ashton and the rest of the crew are super at building relationships that make their guests feel like family. I can’t wait to get up there this year and spend some time them. We also talked about how and where TJ got his start duck hunting and coincidentally he and I actually hunted the exact same place in the MS Delta, like I think the same tree! Sounds far out but I think we raced to the same hole a couple of times. I mentioned his future bride Ashton Stockwell, if you haven’t seen the recent short film Uncharted Waters, you need to. Ashton and her close circle of friends are absolutely driven to get up and get after it, they are duck killers. We talk about how TJ and Ashton met and get to share their passion of hunting and outfitting, it’s such a great story. TJ is just one of those guys that after you talk with him for 5 minutes you feel like you’ve known him a lifetime. I can’t wait to get up to Arkansas next year and spend some time with him.
Ep. 16. Paul Kurtz and Mike Swartzentruber - Hunter's Blend Coffee
May 08, 2019
Paul Kurtz and Mike Swartzentruber
Hunter’s Blend Coffee
My guests today are Paul Kurtz and Mike Swartzentruber from Hunter’s Blend Coffee. This is not just ordinary coffee dropped into a bag with antlers on it to attract hunters to buy it. Hunters Blend partners with organizations like the Sportsmans Alliance to help protect our hunting heritage by fighting anti-hunting organizations like PETA and the Humane Society of the US. These groups have one goal and one goal only, to chip away at our freedoms as gun owners and hunters, a little bit at a time, and by the time we notice what’s going on, the sort of hunting has either been radically transformed if not totally vanished. Groups like the Sportsman’s Alliance constantly watch for and fight against anti-hunting and second amendment legislation. Hunter’s Blend has also changed the way coffee is sourced and brought to you the consumer. There are so many things about that process that I did not know, so many middle men that stood between the grower and the roaster, and those middle men, many of them, are the very ones who support anti-gun and anti-hunting legislation. I bet you didn’t know that did you? I didn’t. Mike and Paul have established a direct trade model with the farmer and established new ways of compensating those farmers and the impact on those communities has been incredible. They are now seeing parents who can support their families, the poverty was so bad because there were so many people in the process that had to add their profits along the way, that many women were getting caught up in the sex trade, you don’t see that anymore with the direct trade model. You see churches that are self sustaining now all because guys like Mike and Paul decided to challenge the status quo and do things differently. We had a fantastic discussion, it was really interesting and I hope that after listening to the podcast you’ll be a little more wise about where your money is going and maybe make a small change, something as simple as where you buy your coffee has impacts in people’s lives around the world.
Ep. 15. Chef Jean Paul Bourgeois - Blue Smoke Restaurant
May 01, 2019
Chef Jean Paul Bouregois
Blue Smoke Restaurant
My guest today grew up in the small town of Thibodaux, Louisiana, and received his Bachelor’s degree at John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. He participated in an exchange program with the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon, France. After completing his formal studies, he worked at Étoile restaurant at the Domaine Chandon winery in Napa before moving to San Francisco to help open EPIC Roasthouse as a sous chef under Chef Jan Birnbaum. In 2007, he moved to St. Thomas, where he served as sous chef at two local restaurants on the island. In 2009, he moved to New York and joined the team at Maialino. Over four years, he was promoted several times and ultimately assumed the role of Chef de Cuisine of Gramercy Terrace at The Gramercy Park Hotel. In 2014, he became Executive Chef of Blue Smoke, overseeing both locations of Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard at Blue Smoke’s Flatiron location, and Blue Smoke On The Road. He is also a solid believer and follower of Christ. We talk about the many moves he made in his amazing career, totally relying on God’s plan and guidance. Jean Paul has a really interesting perspective on food, cooking, faith and how he uniquely combines all of those components to lead others to the truth of the Gospel.
Ep. 14. Josh Teff and John David Blagg - FowlCo Outfitters
Apr 27, 2019
Josh Teff and John David Blagg
FowlCo Outfitters
My guests today are Josh Teff and John David Blagg owners of FowlCo Outfitters in Northern Oklahoma. We talk about how these guys met in church and after a few duck hunting trips out west, decided to trust in God and His faithfulness and create one of the most incredible waterfowling destinations in the country. We discuss the new lodge, the super plush amenities, the warm hospitality and food and of course… the waterfowl hunting. Everything at FowlCo is first class and after my discussion with Josh and John David it’s easy to see why. These guys are first class as well. FowlCo is more than a first class duck and goose hunting destination… it is proof of what God can and will do when you faithfully follow and trust Him.
Ep. 13. Dustin Roddy and Josh Green - Cache River Farms
Apr 19, 2019
Dustin Roddy and Josh Green
Cache River Farms
My guests today are Dustin Roddy of Cache River Farms and Josh Green an area supervisor for the Arkansas Game and Fish. I was really excited to have Dustin and Josh on the show for several reasons. First to talk about the Cache River complex, so you guys that hunt Arkansas you know all about the Cache and what a fantastic river and wetland ecosystem that is especially on those major migration days, it’s a magical place.. but it also one of the most, if not THE most important ecosystem in the Mississippi Flyway for migrating waterfowl. To that end, we talk about the conservation efforts that are underway to preserve and restore the Cache. The second reason that I was excited to have them on is because of the wealth of knowledge these two guys have on how to manage properties that will attract ducks like magnets. Their Instagram page is a testament to their conservation and management strategies. The reason I wanted to talk to them about their approach to attracting and holding ducks is because there are a lot of folks out there that see what Cache River Farms is and think that they need massive tracts of land to build an effective waterfowl ecosystem. Not true. Cache River Farms is NOT a huge land tract. In fact, it’s a collection of smaller properties very similar to what most of you guys have access to or have leased. What they’ve done you can absolutely do. A lot of guys also think you need to spend massive amounts of money, also not true. We talk about some strategies that you guys can deploy, this year, to improve your properties ability to attract and hold wintering ducks and geese. The bottomline is… we’re not talking about holding all of the waterfowl on your property, our discussion is focused on how we all benefit from better more effective land use practices. Another reason I wanted Dustin and Josh to dive into these topics is because of the consultation services that they offer through Cache River Farms. Regardless of where your property’s located, Dustin and Josh can help you or your club figure out the most effective ways to maximize the production potential on your specific property. There aren’t many guys with the track records that Dustin and Josh have that are willing to share their strategies with other duck hunters. We’re a pretty secretive group, but in the interest of the notion that a rising tide lifts all boats…they understand that better habitat benefits everyone.
My guest today is Robbie Kroger. Robbie is originally from South Africa but moved to the United States and became a respected biologist working extensively in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi and Louisiana. In his 40’s, Robbie discovered a letter written to him by his grandfather explaining a high South African hunting heritage that Robbie never knew he had. This letter sparked a deep interest of hunting heritage, communities and history. The more the fire burned inside of Robbie, the more he sought to answer the biggest question asked from the non-hunting community… “Why”.
To help provide insight not seen in most network programming or on social media pages, Robbie formed a short film series titled “Blood Origins”. Each episode showcases an individual sharing their story and their “why”. Guests like Jim Shockey, Will Primos and Cuz Strickland have powerful stories to share, but the series also features unknown hunters whose passion burns just fierce and stories are just as impactful.
I sat down with Robbie in his man cave surrounded by water buffalo, leopards and a 20 foot African Rock Python… all pointing back to his South African hunting heritage that is definitely In The Blood.
My guests today are Dustin Diefenderfer and Ara Megerdichian, creators of the MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab. MTNTOUGH Fitness is an online community of men and women who are interested in improving their life performance in three areas: physical strength, endurance mental toughness. The Lab is a collection of proven exercise routines strategically created by Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and training and fitness professionals. These exercises are designed to take the extreme fitness requirements of mountain hunting athletes and deliver those routines, through step by step guidance videos, to men and women all over the world who want to be better hunters, fathers, mothers or just better humans. We talk about the intricacies of the different programs, the phases of mental and physical transformation and how the human body is capable of so much more than our human minds will allow us to believe. This is NOT another body building or weight loss program. The team at MTNTOUGH are fitness and endurance experts who understand how to unlock the physical, mental and emotional capabilities hidden inside of us all. When our mind, body and soul is optimized and working in balanced unity, we become more productive workers, leaders, spouses, parents… and even hunters.
Ep. 10. Ryan "The Buddha" Baudhuin - Off The Grid
Mar 29, 2019
Ryan “The Buddha” Baudhuin
Off The Grid
My guest today is an ex-combat Marine veteran, professional outfitter, hunter, photographer and videographer Ryan Baudhuin. Ryan is a gloriously bearded infantryman who came home from Iraq having lost brothers in combat struggling with his faith and direction in life. After going back to college, Ryan picked up a camera and started photographing his favorite subject… waterfowl… and everything changed. Ryan has gone on to film big game and waterfowl hunts all over the world and brings some of the most capitivating and dramatic images to life through his social media pages. We talk about his exploits in Africa, on the Bering Sea and even on the Rugby pitch! His network hunting show Backcountry Traditions airs on the Pursuit Channel Monday evening at 7 pm CST beginning April 1st. Ryan also has his own solo videography company called Off the Grid Videography and helps facilitate a non-profit organization which helps combat veterans, wounded warriors and children stricken with sometimes termination diseases experience their dream hunts. We had a great conversation and we look forward to many more with Ryan.
My guest today is Bryan Weight, Sponsorship and Brand Director for Retay Arms, USA. Bryan lives in an area steeped in water fowling heritage… the Chesapeake Bay are. We discuss his experiences growing up in Georgia, being exposed to duck hunting, then moving to the hallowed waterfowl grounds of the Northeast. We talk about the history of the area and the unique ways that die hards pursue the multiple species found in the Atlantic Flyway. We also talk about how his passion for water fowling eventually landed him to a career in the sport he loves. We talk about SEC football, the LSU/Auburn rivalry and seafood. We have collaborated with Bryan on several different projects and have enjoyed every single one of them. He is solid believer and follower of Jesus and a gloriously bearded duck slaying savage, and we had a great time covering lots of ground with him.
Ep 8. James Lancaster - Kings of Grit
Mar 08, 2019
https://www.gofundme.com/kingsofgrit
https://www.instagram.com/_jlancaster_/
Ep 7. Joseph Edwards - Hipster Woodsman
Mar 01, 2019
hipsterwoodsmanmedia@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/hipster_woodsman/
Ep 6. Nick Charney - Apex Ammunition
Feb 22, 2019
Nick Charney
Apex Ammunition
My guest today is Nick Charney, co-owner of Apex Ammunition. Nick is an engineer and shotshell ballistics expert currently on active duty with the United States Air Force. We caught Nick right in the middle of waterfowl and turkey seasons and talked about how Apex got it’s start, the nuances and factors that go into producing premium performance ammunition as well as the ying and yang of tweaking true Tungsten loads. We also dove into the different Tungsten ratings and how those ratings indicate overall density of Tungsten pellets. We talked through the marketing schemes of modern day ammo manufacturers and why buzz words like “speed” do not equate to a more lethal round downrange. Faster does not necessarily mean better. We then discuss the 1991 ban on all lead shot for use in waterfowl hunting. For those guys out there that say there isn’t a single shred of evidence to justify the USFWS’ decision, you’re right… there’s not a single shred of evidence.. there is a TON of it. We talk about the before and after impacts of toxic vs. non-toxic shot and then compare Bismuth to Steel and then to Tungsten. This was a super informative episode for us and we think it will be for you as well.
Ep 5. Ryan Lynton - Ryan Lynton Music
Feb 15, 2019
Ryan Lynton
Ryan Lynton Music
My guest today is Ryan Lynton, a Christian singer, song writer and worship leader from Corydon, Indiana. We talk about Ryan’s musical journey and the release of his first CD, his musical influences and passion for Jesus. We also talk about what are some of the barriers to entry for so many men when it comes to hearing, listening to and accepting the Gospel. We discuss the general lack of understanding with regards to the true nature and humanity of Jesus and why we both agree that this lack of understanding paints a picture of Jesus that most men can’t relate to and subsequently reject. We talk about his experiences as a new duck hunter also. Ryan performs one of his brand new songs for us on the podcast today. He is a talented musician and I have come to really enjoy his music.
Ep 4. Ryan Barton and Carlos Alberti - The Timber Show
Feb 08, 2019
Ryan Barton & Carlos Alberti
The Timber Show
My guests today are Ryan Barton and Carlos Alberti creators of The Timber Show. If you’re on Instagram and you hunt ducks and geese you’ve seen their page and have probably foamed at the mouth a bit. They are pure straight up flooded green timber mallard killers and do a great job of sharing their experiences through their images and posts. Today we talk about how Ryan and Carlos met and hatched the idea for the Timer Show, we talk about the brands they rely on and of course… hunting the flooded green timber of Arkansas. We take a pretty deep dive into their faith and how each has formed a unique 1:1 relationship with Christ and how the timber nurtures those relationships. It was a great conversation with two stand up guys.
My guest today is T.J. Unger. T.J. is known all over the country for his role in the Carbon TV series The Virtue TV. I haven’t known T.J. for long, but in that short amount of time we have become very good friends. Today we discuss the Virtue TV and what goes into planning, executing and delivering one of the most popular hunting shows on the net. We talk about T.J.’s hunting roots, how he got started and the roller coaster ride leading up to The Virtue. Then we talk about an event that occurred on August 19, 2017 that changed T.J.’s life forever. We talk about the automobile accident that nearly cost T.J. his life and by all accounts, should have taken his legs and his ability to ever walk again. This is the first time that T.J. has really opened up about the vivid details of the accident, the paramedics that saved him, the doctors that said he would never walk and the friends and family that proved them wrong. The accounts of T.J.’s recovery are absolutely crazy and what he did, in a very short amount of time, defies logic. T.J. talks about how his faith was strengthened and defined in and through this terrible event and anyone who doubts that God will use for good what we perceive as a tragedy needs to listen up. We are so happy that T.J. was able to stop in and share his story with us.
Ep 2. Travis Sipe - Duck Wild Waterfowl
Jan 25, 2019
Travis Sipe
Duck Wild Waterfowl
My guest today is Travis Sipe, owner of Duck Wild Waterfowl Guide Service in Waverly, KS. We first hunted with Travis in 2016 and since then he has been one of our very best friends and a must hunt location for us. Travis is just one of those blue collar guides who absolutely works his ass off to make sure that his clients are in the very best position to kill birds. His guides are incredibly accommodating and make sure that their clients feel like friends. We talk about the miserable 2018-2019 season and swap theories about what happened to the migration. Travis just opened up a new lodge so that he can spend more time with his clients and friends and it is right smack dab in the middle of some of the best greened and goose hunting you can hope to ever find. We discuss the two giants in conservation, DU and Delta, and share our feelings on what’s working and what’s not. With the level of effort and care that Travis and his crew put into their hunts it’s not surprising that before one season is over the next is already booked. We hunt with a lot of different guys, Travis is one of favorites as you’ll hear why in this episode.
Ep 1. Brian Dryden and Joey Gauthier - Passion of Pursuit
Jan 11, 2019
Brian Dryden Jr. & Joey Gauthier
Passion of Pursuit
Brian and I kick off the podcast series by laying out the purpose and format and goals for taking this new step. We answer a slew of questions about Revelation Outdoors, about Passion of Pursuit, how we produce our short films and episodes, what types of camera gear we use to film and what were some of our most memorable moments in our travels to and from different locations and destinations pursuing our passions.
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