The Storied Outdoors

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chris Jenkins—conservationist, biologist, storyteller of the wild, and CEO of The Orianne Society, a nonprofit working to conserve reptiles and amphibians across the Southeast. Chris also serves on the Board of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, where he advocates for protecting wild places and public lands for future generations. From tracking Eastern Indigo...

Show Notes —  Stoking Embers  with Jeremiah Doughty In this episode, we introduce a new format on  The Storied Outdoors  that we’re calling  “Stoking Embers.”  The name, sparked during a brainstorm with our friend  Hank Hershey , captures what we’ve always aimed to do— find clarity in the stories we tell and the adventures that shape us . These episodes are our chance to slow down, sit with what w...

Episode Title:  From Field to Plate with Jeremiah Doughty “The real trophy is the one you put on your plate.” Show Notes: In this episode of  The Storied Outdoors , we sit down with Jeremiah Doughty—wild game chef, hunter, and founder of  From Field to Plate . After developing a beef allergy, Jeremiah turned fully to wild game and discovered more than a new way to feed his family—he found a callin...

Season 11 kicks off with new adventures from Jekyll Island to the White River, a fresh series called  Stoking Embers , and big news ahead. Join Brad Hill and Bryan Gill for stories of faith, adventure, and reflection.

In this heartfelt season finale of  The Storied Outdoors , Bryan and Brad sit down to reflect on the remarkable guests and memorable essays that made Season Ten so special. From deep conversations to inspiring stories, they revisit the moments that left a lasting impact—and share what they’ve learned along the way. In classic Storied Outdoors fashion, this episode also takes a few scenic detours....

Episode Summary: In this deeply moving episode, co-host Bryan Gill shares a reflective and emotional story of guiding his teenage son through his first deer hunt.  A Father’s Charge  is more than just an account of a hunting trip—it's a meditation on legacy, manhood, reverence for life, and the sacred responsibility of fathers to lead with both courage and tenderness. Set in the quiet, golden ligh...

Legacy, Leadership & the Moose Story – A Conversation with Dr. Jay Wolf Episode Description: Dr. Jay Wolf served as Pastor of First Baptist Montgomery for nearly 30 years and now continues his Kingdom work as Pastor Emeritus. In this episode of The Storied Outdoors , we sit down with Dr. Wolf to talk about life, legacy, leadership, and a few unforgettable stories—like how the amazing story of...

In this soul-stirring episode of The Storied Outdoors , we welcome Jim Barger Jr. —a nationally recognized trial lawyer, acclaimed author, environmental advocate, and College Professor. But his résumé only scratches the surface of a man whose life is deeply rooted in story, place, and purpose. From his childhood on the coastal shores of St. Simons Island, Georgia , to the literary halls of Ole Mis...

“The deer hunter habitually watches the next bend; the duck hunter watches the skyline; the bird hunter watches the dog; the non-hunter does not watch.”— Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 1949 A Feather For My Hat – Pheasant Hunting, Heritage, and Outdoor Legacy In this episode of *The Storied Outdoors*, we take you deep into the heart of South Dakota’s upland fields for an unforgettable pheasa...

In this episode, we’re joined by Damion Bankhead , a wildlife and nature portrait photographer based in Birmingham, AL, whose work goes beyond simply capturing images—it’s about revealing the beauty both around us and within us. Damion’s journey into photography started young, seeing the world in pictures before he even had a camera in hand. His passion took a defining turn on a simple hike when h...

The Storied Outdoors with Aaron Scheer In this episode of The Storied Outdoors , we welcome Aaron Scheer, Executive Director of Centershot Ministries. As an expert bowhunter and passionate archery advocate, Aaron has dedicated his life to using the sport as a tool for faith-based outreach. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Aaron leads Centershot Ministries, a program that equips churches and communit...

Join us for an exciting return conversation with Ben Meadows on  The Storied Outdoors  podcast! Ben is an avid outdoorsman, storyteller, and the driving force behind Dorsal Outdoors. Known for his passion for fly fishing, hunting, conservation, and capturing outdoor adventures through storytelling, Ben is truly our kind of people. In this episode, we dive deep into Ben’s latest project—a powerful...

Ep 145: Trent Ellis: Social Media Comedian/ Redneck Recorder Title:  Hunting, Humor, and Storytelling with Trent Ellis Summary: Welcome back to  The Storied Outdoors , where we find clarity in the stories we tell and the adventures that shape us. In this episode, we sit down with  Trent Ellis —a husband, father, outdoorsman, and social media personality known for blending  hunting and humor  acros...

In this episode, we are joined by Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois—an acclaimed chef, storyteller, and outdoorsman whose passion for Southern cuisine is matched only by his love for hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. Chef Jean-Paul brings a deep appreciation for food, tradition, and the stories that connect us, from his roots in Louisiana to cooking across the country. In this episode of The Storie...

In this action-packed episode of  The Storied Outdoors , Brad and Bryan reunite with some unforgettable past guests for an adventure that will go down in the record books. Joining them are Captain Blake Walters, aka the  Fairhope Fly Guy , along with Dr. Hank Hershey and Dr. Hugh Cheek, as they relive a truly epic day of fly fishing for redfish. From poling skiffs through glassy marsh waters to he...

Season 10 Premiere: A Reunion of Storytellers, Adventure, and Reflection The  Storied Outdoors  podcast kicks off its  tenth season  with an unforgettable gathering of past guests and friends, celebrating 10 seasons of storytelling, adventure, and the pursuit of meaning in the great outdoors. Hosts  Brad Hill and Bryan Gill  are joined in person by  Dr. Hank Hershey, Dr. Hugh Cheek,  and Mobile-ar...

Bryan and Brad sit down to reflect on an incredible Season 9 of The Storied Outdoors! Like trying to pick a favorite child, they highlight some of the most memorable interviews—conversations with Kansas Sartin and the team at Pakmule, Courtney Ellis, Leonce Crump, and many more inspiring guests. This season has been a journey of fresh perspectives and familiar voices, all coming together to share...

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome two incredible guests to  The Storied Outdoors : Pastor Joby Martin and author Charles Martin. Joby, the founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, is not only a devoted husband and father but also an “epic outdoorsman,” as described by our mutual friend Léonce Crump. With countless hunting stories and a deep well of spiritual insig...

In this episode of The Storied Outdoors , we welcome Matt Russell, a 70.3 Ironman Champion, professional triathlete, coach, and one of the fastest athletes in Kona Ironman World Championship history. Raised on a New York farm, Matt shares how his upbringing shaped his determination, work ethic, and love for the outdoors. Matt’s story is more than just about podiums and records—it’s about faith, re...

We’re genuinely blessed to welcome back Wade Blevins, a cherished regular on The Storied Outdoors and a man with stories as vast as the waters he loves to fish. In this episode, Wade opens up about a life-threatening experience that forever etched itself into his journey. What unfolds is more than a recounting of events—it’s a deep dive into how trials can refine our focus, intensify our purpose,...

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...

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...

“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, but th...

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...

In this episode Brad and Bryan give a mid-season catch-up and introduce a 5-episode miniseries of Christmas stories that will start today and lead up to Christmas Day. 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...