The Storied Outdoors

Brad and Bryan so down together in this episode and recall some of their favorite moments from season seven and preview season eight. They also talk about some of their personal adventures that they took during the break in-between seasons that took them everywhere from the upper Delta in Mobile to the great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, and all the way to Nicaragua. We are excited 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 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 appare...

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...

Here we are, at the end of another season that was filled with amazing stories from amazing human beings. We celebrated 100 episodes this season, reconnected with a old friends, and made new ones. In this episode, Brad and Bryan recap highlights of season seven and share not one, but two HUGE, personal announcements. We think you’ll like them. We hope you have enjoyed season seven as much as we di...

Josh Spielmaker is a 33-year resident of North Arkansas. He has been married to his wife, Kristie, for 25 years, and together, they have three exceptional children. After a long career in construction and later aircraft refurbishment, he works with special needs students at Prism North America, a faith-based K-12 private school in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Josh has always had a love of the outdoors....

This is our 100th episode! And we could not think of anyone better than Jimbo Meador, Alabama fly fishing legend and outdoorsman to be our guest for this special occasion. Jimbo was on our show once before, but if you know Jimbo, there’s always more stories to tell. We were so honored to be able to sit down once again in his home office and listen to the guide stories of fly fishing, close calls o...

In this episode, we had the chance to sit down at Float Alabama with First Sergeant Rowell Guevarra and Sergeant Christopher Murphy after a long day of fishing on the Tallapoosa River. We discussed what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning as well as the many ways these men give of their time to make the lives of others better. These men have served their country well by their time in th...

In this essay by Dr. Bryan Gill, Bryan recalls a time from his childhood that shaped him in an unexpected way. He tells about his high school football days and an important lesson he learned amidst defeat. Also, he looks at two characters in CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia who had a similar arc that show that people can change, and sometimes they do. We hope you’ll enjoy this story and share it wit...

In this episode of the Storied Outdoors, we are joined by Chase Bowers, Pastor of Temple Bible Church in Texas and Josh Farmer, Regional Church Relations Manager for Compassion International as they recap some of the adventures they shared with Brad this summer at the Refuge in Wyoming. They recall stories of horseback riding, fly fishing and harrowing tales of near misses and close calls. We exca...

In this episode, we hear about two fishing trips to the same area with wildly different weather conditions. Brad explores the juxtaposition of real life and what's portrayed in social media, as well as how fishermen are generally at odds with the weather. Either way, it was exciting; fish were caught, and memories were undoubtedly made. An undisturbed river is as perfect as we will ever know,...

In this episode, we had an opportunity to sit down with Mr. Craig Haney. If you’ve been around Alabama fly fishing for any length of time you’ve heard of Mr. Haney. Although he would get on to us for calling him Mr. Haney, he is an icon in the state of Alabama for fly fishing. You can find Mr. Haney… I mean Craig, at the Orvis store in Birmingham, sharing stories, fishing spots, and conventional w...

In this episode, we are joined by artist and illustrator, Breezy Brookshire. Breezy is an Indiana native and enjoys all things books and nature and is self- proclaimed hobbit-ish. Brad and I met Breezy in 2019 at Hutchmoot in Franklin, Tennessee and fell in love with her art and illustrations. She has illustrated the likes of Audrey Bunny, A Little More Beautiful, and most recently, she illustrate...

Dr. Brian Toone, assistant professor of computer science at Samford University joins us on the show this week. You may be wondering what a professor in computer science is doing on an outdoor podcast? Well, Brian is not only a brilliant professor, he is also an avid cyclist. And when I say avid, he’s at a different level than 99% of cyclists in America. Recently, Brian competed in the 2023 Paris-B...

Chis Hanson is the founder of 3GEngagement, a digital marketing company, bourbon connoisseur, sled dog Racer, and Fly fisherman extraordinaire. Chris grew up spending much of his time in Northern Minnesota, moving all over and living in more than one place without electricity and running water. He quit school in the 8th grade and pursued a life in the woods. During that time he fell in love with t...

Yes Sgt. Amos Benjamin Sgt. Amos Benjamin is a former Marine, motivational speaker, and advocate for traumatic brain injury treatment and mental health. He recently told his story in an international bestseller book authored by Joey Jones, entitled Unbroken Bonds of Battle. Amos is a war hero, a father, husband, and a friend to many and in these two episodes, you’re going to hear an amazing story...

Ep 91: Sgt Amos Benjamin: Mental Health Advocate And Avid Outdoorsman Part 2 Sgt. Amos Benjamin Sgt. Amos Benjamin is a former Marine, motivational speaker, and advocate for traumatic brain injury treatment and mental health. He recently told his story in an international bestseller book authored by Joey Jones, entitled Unbroken Bonds of Battle. Amos is a war hero, a father, husband, and a friend...

Tune in to the season seven intro episode where Brad and Bryan recap some of the highlights of the last season and look forward to the season ahead. They tell some untold stories of their summer adventures, and some of the behind-the-scenes stories of guests to come. We’re so excited to start this season seven with you. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Be sure to use code TSO to get 20% o...

In this episode of TSO, our friend, and former guest, James D. Witmer; an old soul, a writer, a bird watcher, and a gardener as well as a husband and father shared an essay he recently wrote. James the managing editor for Story Warren, an online network founded by S.D. Smith that serves to help “foster holy imagination in the children you love.” They provide resources and media reviews for childre...

In this guest essay, entitled “Second Chances & the One that got Away,” Chase Bowers recalls a fishing trip he took as a young boy with his grandfather and father. This fishing trip proved to be the catalyst that drove a wedge between he and his dad. But, like many complicated relationships, the worst doesn’t have to be the end. And in this story, the best was yet to come, even with the one that g...

Ep 86: Season 6 Wrap Up and Recap Conversation In this episode, Brad and Bryan recap the incredible 6th season of the podcast. Incredible, of course, because of the amazing guests who shared their stories on the show. They discuss the high points of each episode and some of their favorite moments from the season. Also, they reveal some exciting news for the podcast. Be sure to listen to the whole...

Nationally syndicated radio host of the Rick and Bubba Show and best selling author, Rick Burgess and author/publisher with Iron Hill Press, Andy Blanks are returning guests to the show. These men have been on the cutting edge of men’s ministry over the last decade by providing practical resources for men through devotional books and small group curriculum. Recently, Rick wrote a 31-day devotional...

Jimbo Meador: A naturalist, Sailor, Storyteller, and Fly Fisherman Jimbo Meador is one of the most iconic figures in the sport of fly fishing. As a lifelong Alabamian, living along the gulf coast, Jimbo has arguably influenced the sport of fly fishing as much as anyone else in the last century. From kayak fishing, paddleboard fishing, retail Orvis stores, and a host of other areas, Jimbo’s hand is...

“ Whenever I find myself growing grim...I quietly take to the ship. Almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.”— Herman Melville “A Free Boat And A Magical Experience” explores what riding a bike, a drift boat, and a flats skiff all have in common. From Monroeville, Ala. to two iron man triathlons, Brad has spent many miles...