The Mountain Dude Podcast

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down for a real, candid conversation about balancing hunting, family, faith, and the demanding pace of everyday life. After two back-to-back episodes with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, the guys shift gears and recap their own hunting seasons — the highs, the lessons learned, and the encounters...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call, founder of Gritty Films and one of the most respected voices in western hunting and backcountry preparation. Brian breaks down what it really takes to stay consistent as a hunter year after year—from physical and mental preparation to decision-making in the mountains. We talk discipline, respo...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down again with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to design and build gear trusted by backcountry hunters. From trekking poles to teepees, titanium stoves to headlamps, Brice and Jeff open up about the multi-year development cycles, product failures, engin...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call—better known as Gritty—to unpack the early days of hunting films, the rise of his platform, and how he helped shape the modern era of outdoor storytelling. Brian walks through his transition from self-filming hunts to building a podcast that drew tens of thousands of listeners and introduced a...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to unpack one of the most compelling brand journeys in the hunting industry today — from a single pair of trekking poles to one of the fastest-growing backcountry gear companies. This conversation goes far beyond gear. Brice and Jeff open up about faith, family...

Got questions? Send us a text! In Part 2 of our deep-dive with Kyle Kamp, Founder of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, we get into the gritty, practical, real-world fueling strategies hunters actually need in the backcountry. Kyle breaks down how to build a full day of food on the mountain, why most hunters bonk under high-intensity output, how to time slow and fast digesting carbs, and why protein is ofte...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis Stokes sits down with Kyle Kamp, founder of Valley to Peak Nutrition, to break down the fundamentals of nutrition for everyday life and for backcountry hunters who demand more from their bodies. Kyle shares his powerful personal story—growing up with poor eating habits, reaching 270 pounds as a young man, and ultim...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family. From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit,...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Joe Elliston, Co-Founder of Initial Ascent, for a deep dive into the man behind the brand. From his childhood adventures and early hunting roots to the lessons learned through leadership, loss, and faith—Joe opens up in a raw, heartfelt conversation that goes far beyond gear talk. He shares stories of fam...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brad Brooks, CEO and Founder of Argali Outdoors, to talk about building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting brands in the West. Brad shares the story behind Argali’s mission to create lightweight, durable gear for serious hunters, his roots in the mountains of Idaho, and the lessons learned balanc...

Got questions? Send us a text! This episode pulls back the curtain on Dennis Stokes, co-founder of Initial Ascent, in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s not about how the company started (you can find that story elsewhere). This is about Dennis, himself, his upbringing, battles with pride, lessons learned through failure, and the relentless mindset that shaped him. From dirt roads in rural Flor...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down to recap his 2025 early season — chasing antelope across Idaho’s high desert, learning through missed shots, and staying grounded through it all. From spot-and-stalk bowhunting challenges to lessons in faith, family, and perseverance, Chris dives deep into what hunting really teaches you when things...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Young to hear the full story behind his new elk hunting film Late Season Legacy, filmed by Clint Easley of Revol Entertainment and premiering on the Vortex Nation YouTube Channel. What started as a dream tag for a once-in-a-lifetime Idaho elk hunt turned into something far deeper — a story...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Richard Bettencourt and his dad Dick Bettencourt of Steep Kuntry Outdoors — a father-and-son elk hunting duo who represent what hunting is really about: grit, family, and perseverance. From their first archery bull to building Steep Kuntry into a respected western hunting brand, the Bettencourts share the...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jim Naccarato, founder of Iron Mountain Skull Hangers. From backcountry elk hunts to building some of the most trusted European mount hangers in the industry, Jim shares his story of grit, determination, and craftsmanship. We dive into unforgettable elk hunting encounters, lessons from years of chasing bu...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, filmmaker, hunter, and founder of Revol Entertainment, to uncover what really goes into crafting powerful hunting films in the backcountry. From wedding shoots to wild terrain, Clint shares the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes chaos of filming in unforgiving environments. Whether you're chasing bulls with a bow o...

Got questions? Send us a text! Last week's episode's audio was the story part, btw. We apologize. In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunter, and one of the most dialed riflemen you'll ever meet. From growing up on a California cattle ranch to navigating high-stakes situations as a game warden and cop, Rodg...

Got questions? Send us a text! Rodger Holscher is back in the studio—and this time, it’s not just tactics and gear talk. This is full-on story mode. From nearly bonking out after three days without a spoon to punching his tag on a bull at 12 yards, Rodger walks us through some of his most unforgettable backcountry hunts with Chris and the crew. Whether it’s calling in elk from the side of the road...

Got questions? Send us a text! Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the one factor that separates successful hunters from those who come home empty-handed: mental toughness. From chasing bugles deep in September elk country to grinding through long solo hunts, Chris shares personal stories of struggle, failure, and brea...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding officiant with over 1,500 ceremonies under his belt. From the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to hauling 50 animals a year off Utah’s peaks, Dave’s story is one of relentless drive and intentional living. He opens up about the training and nutrition that keep him g...

Got questions? Send us a text! On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ev...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast , we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of faith—to hear his incredible journey from killing his first bull at 12 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in the elk hunting world. Cody shares raw, emotional stories from his early hunts with family, lessons learned from football...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game. From his stormy-night birth in rural Idaho to bowhunting elk for over three decades, Dirk walks us through the experiences that shaped him. You’ll hear the story of his first elk, t...

Got questions? Send us a text! Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the mindset and strategies that have kept him punchin...

Got questions? Send us a text! In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all with a wild twist of humor and honesty. If you’re i...