ASCEND by Ducks Unlimited

Learn how to find safe, welcoming hunting opportunities—even if you’ve never hunted before. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Sisterhood of the Hunt co-founders Jaycey Stone and Laurel York, who have helped hundreds of women connect through guided hunting trips, outdoor adventures, and mentorship opportunities across the country. What started as a small group of 10 women quickly grew into a...

Every turkey hunter has a story they’ll never forget—and usually a lesson that came with it. In this special Ascend roundtable episode, Adrian , Julia , Bethany , and Erin swap some of their most memorable turkey hunting experiences, from birds that mysteriously came back to life after the shot to all-day crawls across open country and mountain hunts for Merriam’s turkeys. Along the way, they disc...

Want more turkeys on your property? It starts with how you manage your land.  Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Courtney Conring, wildlife biologist and Assistant Chief of Research for Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, to break down what really drives turkey populations—and what landowners can do to improve them. From food sources and cover to prescribed fire and predator pressure,...

Learn what it really takes to harvest an elk on public land—from scouting to pack‑out—and how women are redefining success in hunting.  Host Erin Crider sits down with archery guide and instructor Anna Sabotka to break down her first public‑land archery elk harvest in Colorado—and everything that came with it. From scouting and studying elk behavior to calling strategies, shot execution, and a bru...

Learn how farming and conservation practices directly shape wildlife habitat, water quality, and the future of the outdoors.  Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Joy Van Wyngarden —an Iowa farm‑raised conservation specialist and former watershed coordinator—to unpack how planting, soil management, and land stewardship influence everything from deer and ducks to clean water and food systems. J...

What really happens behind the highlight reels of hunting and outdoor life? In this candid roundtable episode, Bethany, Adrienne, Erin, and Julia sit down to reflect on a full season of conversations, hunts, and hard-earned lessons. Instead of a single guest, this episode brings together the voices behind the podcast to unpack what stood out most from unforgettable guests and powerful community mo...

Discover how modern women are reclaiming ancestral skills—from raising and processing their own meat to handling unexpected encounters with Florida gators. Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Tiffany Sanders , homesteader, hunter, nurse, and nuisance‑gator responder, to explore what self‑sufficiency really looks like in today’s world. Tiffiny shares firsthand stories from the field, including the...

Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life. Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Drake Waterfowl spokeswoman and former gun‑industry marketer, to discuss what women need to know about concealed carry, field carry, legal realities, holsters, draw practice, and stay...

Learn how to stay safe, prepared, and confident in the backcountry—no matter the terrain or weather. Olympian, biathlete, firearms instructor, and trick shooter Lanny Barnes joins host Adrian to share real‑world safety insights from decades of high‑stress shooting, extreme cold exposure, and deep‑country hunting. Lanny breaks down what actually causes most backcountry emergencies, what to pack, ho...

Learn how to prepare for your next hunt with a partner—without stress, confusion, or mismatched expectations.  Host Erin Crider, founder of Uncharted Outdoors Women, sits down with her hunting buddy, Caroline Yielding. Together, they share what they’ve learned through years of upland, waterfowl, turkey, and big‑game hunts across Wyoming and Colorado. From communication and gear planning to shootin...

Discover how women find belonging, mentorship, and confidence by stepping into the outdoors together. Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Jess Rice, founder of WildHERness , a women‑centered outdoor community built to empower beginners and seasoned outdoorswomen alike. Together, they explore what community really means for women entering the outdoor world—breaking down barriers, building skills,...

Learn how women navigate outdoor “icks,” confidence pressure, and community expectations without losing the joy of hunting. Hosted by Julia Stallings, this episode features DU Ascend host Erin Crider and Arkansas hunter and storyteller Maggie Williams—two voices known for empowering new women hunters and redefining what outdoor culture looks like. Together, the three break down the unspoken norms,...

Learn what it really takes to train and hunt with your first duck dog—without pressure or perfection. Adrienne is joined by Addison Walker, an 18-year-old dog trainer assistant at Mossy Pond Lodge studying wildlife conservation, with hands-on experience training hunting and competition retrievers. In this episode, Addison breaks down what beginners need to know before bringing a dog into the duck...

Success doesn’t mean losing who you were or what you love. Country music artist Priscilla Block joins Ascend to talk about confidence, creativity, staying grounded, and how the outdoors plays a role in her life beyond the stage. This episode is about representation, inspiration, and showing younger women what’s possible. Topics include: Staying authentic as success grows Being visible for the next...

Not every women’s hunt or retreat is created equal, and some should raise red flags. Erin Crider sits down with Kelly Godfrey of Texas Women Outdoors to walk through how to evaluate women’s hunts, fishing trips, and outdoor events before you book. This episode empowers women to ask better questions, protect themselves, and find safe, legitimate communities. Topics include: Green and red flags when...

Every hunter makes mistakes; the best ones learn from them. Adrian Jessen is joined by professional angler and hunter Anastasia Patterson to break down the most common mistakes women make while deer hunting, from gear choices to decision-making in the stand. This episode uses humor and honesty to turn mistakes into learning opportunities. Topics include: Gear and setup mistakes Judgment calls gone...

Shooting clays and hunting birds are not the same, and that gap frustrates a lot of women. Julia Stallings is joined by shotgun instructor Brandy Elrod to break down how to transition from the clay target field into real-world hunting with confidence. This episode focuses on gun fit, recoil management, practice strategies, and how proper instruction saves money, time, and frustration. Topics inclu...

You don’t need big land or big policy to raise conservation-minded kids. Bethany Beathard sits down with Amy Hall to talk about parenting, hunting, and how everyday outdoor moments like fishing trips, predator encounters, and quiet walks shape lifelong values in children. This episode reframes conservation as something personal, accessible, and rooted in family time. Topics include: Introducing ki...

Why don’t the ducks show up when social media says they should? In this episode, Erin Crider is joined by Ducks Unlimited conservation leader Sarah Fleming to break down how duck migration actually works, and why weather, flyways, and timing matter more than viral hunting clips. This conversation helps new waterfowl hunters set realistic expectations, understand migration science, and approach the...

Handgun training isn’t just about the gun; it’s about mindset, responsibility, and awareness. Host Adrian Jessen is joined by firearms educator Beth Alcazar to discuss what women should consider before buying a handgun, how to find the right trainer, and why situational awareness matters as much as equipment. This episode focuses on confidence over fear and preparation over panic, offering grounde...

Can you raise a hunting dog without sacrificing your family or your sanity? Bethany Beathard sits down with professional dog trainer Destiny Thomasson of Hund + Soul to talk about training gun dogs in real life. They cover puppy foundations, introducing gunfire safely, managing training with kids at home, and keeping dogs conditioned year-round. This episode is for women who want working dogs and...

Do you need to grow up hunting to belong outdoors? The women of Ascend say no. In this premiere episode, hosts Adrian Jessen, Bethany Beathard, Erin Crider, and Julia Stallings share how they each found their way outside—later in life, through different paths, and without having all the answers. They talk honestly about starting late, learning as adults, building confidence, and why community matt...

Ascend is a podcast for women who want to feel confident outdoors —whether you’re hunting, fishing, shooting, hiking, or just starting to wonder if you belong there. Hosted by four women with very different paths into the outdoors, each episode explores how to build skills, find mentors, ask better questions, and grow into your own outdoor identity, without gatekeeping or pressure to be perfect. I...