The Storied Outdoors

Ep. 182: Season 11 Stoking Embers and the End of an Era In this episode of the Storied Outdoors, Brad and Bryan recap their quail hunting adventure at Turkey Creek Outdoors Lodge. Bryan recalls his first quail hunt, and they reflect on several stories of their day with Ben and Al Bracewell. They also look back at season 11 highlights and the guests who joined them this season. In the final segment...

Quail Hunting in Alabama: A Conversation with Al & Ben Bracewell of Turkey Creek Outdoors In this episode of  The Storied Outdoors , we sit down with Al and Ben Bracewell, the father-and-son team behind Turkey Creek Outdoors—a premier hunting lodge located in Eldridge, Alabama. Spanning more than 2,000 acres of diverse terrain, Turkey Creek has become a sought-after destination for those looki...

In this reflective episode, Bryan and Brad sit back down after their conversation with Kevin Burrell, author of Considering Sparrows , to linger a little longer in the world of birds, beauty, and attention. From the everyday entertainment of backyard bird feeders to the surge of birding during COVID, they explore how these small, winged moments invite us to notice something deeper. Bryan shares ho...

In this episode of  The Storied Outdoors , Bryan and Brad explore the rich connection between  birdwatching and the Book of Philippians , inspired by a recent conversation with author Kevin and his beautifully illustrated new book on birds and faith. We had a wonderful discussion about backyard bird feeders — complete with mischievous squirrels, bold woodpeckers, and hovering hummingbirds — unfold...

In this episode, Bryan and Brad return to the fire to  stoke the embers  of “Maybe Today, Granddad,” rekindling the flame of spring mornings spent chasing longbeards with a century-old shotgun and a heart full of memory. They sift through the smoke of missed shots and close calls, turning over the coals of legacy, brotherhood, and belonging. What does it mean to carry a grandfather’s gun into the...

In this reflective episode of The Storied Outdoors , Brad walks into the spring woods carrying more than a shotgun — he carries memory, longing, and the quiet hope of stepping into a story he never inherited. With his grandfather’s century-old gun in hand and the dawn breaking over the Mobile Delta, he recounts a season of near misses, unexpected lessons, and the slow shaping of a woodsman’s heart...

Bryan, Brad, and Chase sit down to stoke the embers from  Saltwater and Sharks , reflecting on fear, wonder, and faith in the deep. Together they take a deeper look at the stories, Scripture, and experiences behind the essay—exploring how God meets us in chaos and invites us back into the water with trust. Email us thestoriedoutdoors@gmail.conm

“There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath. The same waves wash the moles of the new-built California towns, but yesterday planted by the recentest race of men, and lave the faded but still gorgeous skirts of Asian lands older than Abraham.” – Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, Chapter 58 What do sharks, saltwater, an...

Brad and Bryan sit down to reflect on their recent meeting with Saddleback Leather founder, Dave Munson — a man whose business acumen is matched only by his humility, generosity, and gospel-driven imagination. Like a modern-day Matt McPherson, Munson builds excellence not for the sake of product alone, but for the sake of people. His priorities run from employees to customers to orphans and single...

In this episode, Brad and Bryan sit down with leather craftsman and adventurer  Dave Munson —founder of Saddleback Leather—to explore the intersection of family, risk, craftsmanship, and faith. Munson’s story is one of unlikely beginnings, from selling bags on eBay during his youth ministry years to building a global leather-goods brand shaped by adventure, hardship, and deep conviction. They trac...

In this episode of Stoking Embers, Bryan and Brad revisit their recent conversation with Tyler Sharp , Editor-in-Chief and Owner of Modern Huntsman . Recorded during Thanksgiving week 2025, a few days after the original interview, the pause gave time for the conversation to marinate, and just like spaghetti it was better after it sat a while and the ideas, stories, and vision Tyler brought to the...

Tyler Sharp, founder and Editor-in-Chief of  Modern Huntsman , joins us to share the unlikely journey behind one of the most influential voices in modern outdoor culture. Blending art, adventure, and conservation, Modern Huntsman reframes hunting and the outdoors through responsible storytelling, cultural awareness, and ethical stewardship. Tyler reflects on global travels—including formative time...

Ep. 164. Stoking Embers: Dr. Matt Lewis, Redeye Bass and some regrets

On this episode of  The Storied Outdoors , we welcome Dr. Matthew Lewis—fisheries scientist, writer, and one of the leading voices in Southern fly fishing. Matt takes us deep into the waters of Alabama as we explore his newest book,  Alabama’s Best Fly Fishing: Complete Guide to the State's Best Fly Fishing . From childhood adventures in Geneva to his surprising career shift from human genetics to...

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and cozy up by the fire for this episode of The Storied Outdoors as Brad Hill reads “Hidden Wonders,” a short story written by Dr. Bryan Gill. “Hidden Wonders” follows the Heatherford’s, a family whose plans were thwarted by an unexpected blizzard that grounded all southbound flights out of New York—including theirs. With limited options, they decide to drop in on their...

One of Bryan’s mentors, Calvin Miller once wrote, “Much of Christmas’ beauty is in its sameness. The same traditions. The same meals. The same songs. The same story. Yet each Christmas is a little different.” Just like your favorite Christmas movies and songs are played and replayed each year, we’re replaying four of our past Christmas story episodes as well as a brand new Christmas story for you...

“One Horse Open Sleigh” by Dr. Bryan Gill is inspired by the original lyrics of “Jingle Bells,” that read, “A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride And soon, Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side…” Bryan wrote this story about two little girls and a mahogany Clydesdale that loved nothing more than pulling a shiny red sleigh in the snow. The horse changes the lives of the little girls, bu...

The Christmas Pageant (A Christmas Story) by Dr. Bryan Gill is the story of a sweet family trying to figure out how to navigate the holidays after a tragic accident that took their mother and left their son disabled. After a resurgence of the town’s Christmas Pageant that reunites a town, this family finds a way to redeem their sadness with new Christmas traditions. We hope you enjoy this Christma...

The Fox and the Fawn, by Dr. Bryan Gill, is a whimsical story about a little girl and her father’s never-ending love for her. Brad Hill masterfully reads this story and makes the characters come alive. We hope you’ll enjoy this heartwarming Christmas story, The Fox and the Fawn. Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for a 20% discount online and in-store. They have some amazing appar...

Season 11 Reflections, Christmas Stories, and Adventures | The Storied Outdoors Podcast As 2025 draws to a close, it’s hard to believe just how full this year has been. In this special episode, Bryan and Brad settle into the regal lodge at  Turkey Creek near Jasper, Alabama , surrounded by towering Alabama whitetail bucks and other unforgettable taxidermy, to look back on the highlights of  Season...

Bryan and Brad gather around the figurative campfire to reignite the warmth and wonder of their recent conversation with Dr. Rachael Hagues—a remarkable scholar, adventurer, and cherished friend of The Storied Outdoors. In this reflective episode, the guys look back with awe at Rachael’s extraordinary work in Tanzania, where she helped launch a transformative girls’ school that continues to shape...

Join us as Dr. Rachel Hagues shares the powerful story behind Tumaini Jipya Girls’ School in Tanzania—nearly twenty years of research, partnership, prayer, and perseverance. From community-led vision to opening day, her journey blends faith, justice, and education. Rachel also reflects on her Kilimanjaro climb and how wilderness moments shape the stories God is writing in our lives.

Ep. 160: Stoking Embers: More Than a Hunt: The Heart and Hospitality of FowlCo Outfitters The guys sit down to stir up and stoke he embers of the conversation with Josh Teff from FowlCo Outfitters. The level of hospitality they employ at Fowlco is inspiring and a big part of our conversation. We discuss the importance of knowing people's names. Reminisce about guide experiences and how a guide...

Episode Show Notes — FowlCo Outfitters: World-Class Waterfowl Hunting & Hospitality Today on The Storied Outdoors, we welcome the team from FowlCo Outfitters—purveyors of world-class outdoor recreation and hospitality.  Based in Oklahoma, FowlCo has become one of the most respected names in waterfowl hunting, blending premier guided experiences with unmatched southern hospitality. Founders  Jo...

Stoking Embers | Reflections on Our Conversation with Dr. Chris Jenkins In this Stoking Embers episode, we look back on our conversation with  Dr. Chris Jenkins —conservationist, biologist, hunter, and CEO of  The Orianne Society . Our time with Chris lingered long after recording, stirring reflections on the connection between wild landscapes, the creatures that inhabit them, and the stories that...