Wild Faith Podcast

Deer season is getting closer, and this episode is packed with everything from whitetail trivia and legendary buck stories to saddle hunting setups and preseason gear talk. We put our deer knowledge to the test with challenging trivia questions covering deer biology, aging bucks, record-book whitetails, state-by-state hunting facts, and some surprising statistics that even experienced hunters may...

Happy 250th Birthday, America! In this episode, Luke and I sit down and catch up on everything from summer life, gardens, family adventures, and storms rolling through the Midwest to the excitement of another hunting season right around the corner. We talk deer season goals, South Dakota plans, introducing our kids to the outdoors, hunting dogs, conservation, and the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt. As...

In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Ray and Krysta Howell of Kicking Bear Ministries to talk about the journey that led to one of the most impactful outdoor ministries in the country. We dive into how Ray's love for hunting and the outdoors eventually grew into a calling to reach kids and families through archery, mentorship, and the Gospel. Ray shares stories from some of his most mem...

Burnout is real—and it's affecting far more people than we realize. In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Jesse Urban, co-founder of Be Still Retreats, to talk about his faith journey, the calling behind Be Still, and the growing crisis of burnout among pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday men. We dive into the importance of rest, why so many people struggle to slow down, and how God...

On this episode, we recap our recent trip to Basswood Lake in the BWCA. Jake, Jordan, and Ryan experienced the Boundary Waters for the first time, and together we share stories from an unforgettable few days in the wilderness. We talk about the incredible fishing, the beauty of Basswood Lake, and what it's like to truly get away from it all in one of the most remote places in Minnesota. From chasi...

How many times have you said "I'm good" when you really weren't? We are back with The Check-In, and this week we're talking about the pressure men feel to always have it together. The truth is, a lot of us are carrying more than we let on—stress, responsibility, anxiety, exhaustion, and the fear that being honest will make us look weak. In this episode, we unpack why men stay silent, the lie that...

A lot of men say they want change. Peace. Freedom. Discipline. Healing. But what if part of us is still clinging to the very thing keeping us broken? This week we dive deep into the story of the crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda in The Gospel of John 5, where Jesus asks a question that still cuts straight through the heart of men today: "Do you want to be healed?" We unpack why so many men stay...

Turkey season came to an end in the best way possible. In this episode, me and my brother recap the final days of the season, the ups and downs along the way, and both punching our tags before spring came to a close. There’s just something special about those last few mornings in the turkey woods knowing another season is about over. We talk lessons learned, favorite moments from the spring, and w...

Late season turkey hunting is where things start getting real. The woods get quieter, birds stop following the script, and every hunt starts feeling more like a chess match. In this episode, we talk through how our mindset and tactics change once the season starts winding down and why this stretch of the season might actually be some of our favorite days to hunt all spring. We dive into midday run...

This week we break down Luke’s Wisconsin turkey and talk all things hill country hunting in the bluffs of Wisconsin. From tough terrain and bird movement to setups and calling strategies, we dive into what has worked for us and what has flat out humbled us this season. We also talk learning through failures, celebrating the victories when things finally come together, and just have a good BS sessi...

Early season can be some of the toughest turkey hunting of the year. The birds are still grouped up, gobblers are locked down with hens, and if you’re hunting before hens start nesting, it can feel like every tom in the woods is answering… but none of them are coming. In this Turkey Talk segment, we’re talking through why those first couple weeks can be such a grind and what to do when birds are s...

Grouped-up birds can make even good turkey hunters question everything. In this Turkey Talk segment, we’re breaking down how to call to flocked-up turkeys when gobblers are locked down with hens and nothing seems to be working. We get into when to call, when to shut up, how to work the hens instead of the gobbler, and why sometimes the best move is just keeping it simple and letting the woods do t...

We kicked off turkey season the right way down in SE Minnesota at the farm. Miles walked, boots worn out, and plenty of birds to keep us humble. Toms grouped up, birds playing games, and one of those weekends where you earn every opportunity. Long days, short nights, and even with Evan battling being sick, it was an absolute blast. This year at camp we had the whole crew. Luke, Evan, Erik, and Sam...

Turkey season is finally here. In this one, we’re just kicking it around like we always do heading into opening weekend. Talking about what we’re seeing, what we’re hearing from other hunters, and how this season’s shaping up across Minnesota and beyond. We get into it all… gear not being ready yet calling practice and setups how birds have been acting early and what we’re expecting heading into a...

Rain wind crappy weather whatever it is if you want to kill a turkey you better learn how to hunt in it. This episode we get into what we’re actually doing when the weather turns. When we’re going and when we’re not. How birds react in wind vs rain and where we’re trying to be when it gets nasty. We talk calling adjustments, moving more when you can get away with it, and why getting tucked into th...

The world feels loud right now—constant noise, stress, and things you can’t control. In this solo episode, Luke talks about why getting into the woods—especially during turkey season—has a way of resetting your mind and bringing you back to what actually matters. From early mornings chasing gobblers to just sitting in silence, this is about how the outdoors helps you slow down, think clearly, and...

If you’re struggling to close the deal on turkeys, it’s probably not your calling—it’s your setup. In this episode Luke breaks down turkey setups that actually kill birds and how to run early season decoy strategies that bring gobblers into range. With turkey season here, this is all about simplifying your approach and focusing on what really matters when it’s time to sit down and get ready. If yo...

Solo episode this week just catching you up on life lately. It’s been a busy couple weeks. Talked through Easter, welcoming my new niece into the world, and just how good it feels to finally be heading into spring. Feels like a reset in a lot of ways. Turkey season is right around the corner here in Minnesota and I’m fired up. Going to be a fast start and a lot coming quick. Also talked about a ne...

In this episode, I walk through how I film my turkey hunts — the gear I’m using, how I set it up, and what’s actually worked for me in the woods. Nothing crazy or overcomplicated. Just a simple setup that lets me capture the moment without taking away from the hunt. I also talk through how I approach filming in real time, what I focus on when birds are working in, and a few things I’ve learned the...

If God is good… why does life hit this hard? In this episode of Wild Faith, we step into one of the hardest questions men wrestle with—but rarely say out loud. Suffering, silence, pressure, and the weight of trying to lead when everything feels uncertain. This isn’t a polished answer or a surface-level conversation. It’s real. It’s raw. And it’s grounded in the truth of the cross. We talk about wh...

In this episode of Wild Faith, we break down our camera gear setup for filming hunts, built specifically for fast-paced, run-and-gun style hunting.   With turkey season right around the corner, we’re dialing in a system that’s lightweight, efficient, and ready for anything—because when a gobbler fires off at 80 yards, you don’t get a second chance to fumble with gear. As we gear up for spring, we...

Turkey hunting has a way of making you feel like you did everything right… and still got beat. In this episode, I break down two of the most common situations every hunter runs into — birds hanging up just out of range and gobblers that go completely silent. Most of the time, it’s not random. There’s a reason it’s happening. I walk through what those birds are actually doing, why it happens, and h...

This week on the podcast we sit down with DJ Dean from Weatherby and cover everything from spring turkeys to faith in the outdoors. We kick things off talking about Weatherby’s legacy in the hunting world and dive into their new turkey shotgun lineup, including the Sorix and Element II. DJ breaks down what actually matters in a turkey gun when you’re sitting against a tree with a bird closing the...

On this episode of Turkey Talk, Evan and Luke sit down with DJ Dean of Weatherby to talk about chasing turkeys in the West and what makes hunting Merriam’s turkeys different from birds in the Midwest. DJ shares insights from his experience hunting big country out west, including how terrain, elevation, and wide-open landscapes change the way you locate and hunt gobblers. The guys discuss scouting...

In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls to talk about elk hunting, turkey hunting, and why the outdoors can be the ultimate reset button for a man. Dirk has spent years in the mountains chasing elk and mastering the language of bugles, cow calls, and the chess match that unfolds every September in the backcountry. But the conversation doesn’t stop there—we...