Halfway Feral

A clear mammogram in March. A gut feeling that something was still wrong. By August, Khrystyne had a stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis that years of imaging had missed. The same instinct that saved her life is the one she trusts in the field — and it runs through one of the most honest, funny, and moving conversations Halfway Feral has recorded.

In this episode, hosts Kim and Austin sits down with Khrystyne "KK" — bowhunter, breast cancer thriver, and one of the most magnetic women in the outdoor community — to talk about grit, gut instinct, and refusing to let hard seasons stop you. 

In this episode:

• Why trusting your gut is a survival skill — in the doctor's office and in the field — and how to advocate for yourself when the medical system dismisses women
• Relearning your body and identity after a life-changing diagnosis, and becoming "a different kind of capable"
• Coming back to archery as an adult and the healing the sport brought
• Teaching her husband and son to hunt, and building a marriage that grows stronger in retirement instead of drifting apart
• The redemption axis deer hunt eight years in the making — the buck fever, the perfect shot, and sharing it with her best friend
• Why community is everything for women who hunt, and what you miss trying to go it alone

This is real talk between friends — belly laughs, hard truths about cancer, and everything in between. Whether you hunt, hike, fish, or you're just relearning who you are after life changed the rules, this one will stick with you.

Follow Halfway Feral so you never miss an episode, leave a review to help more outdoorswomen find the show, and stay tuned for a special breast cancer awareness campfire episode this October.

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

Women in hunting, hunting dog training, and building a business — Kristyn Steckler joins the Halfway Feral Podcast to talk through her journey from casual North Dakota outdoorswoman to avid bow hunter, upland bird hunter, and big game hunter.

Kristyn shares how she got into hunting through her husband Aaron, what it's like training pointers and flushers for field trials, raising her kids around hunting without forcing it, and how she went from working the front desk at her family's garage door company to co-founding — and eventually fully owning — The CRA Group, a commercial real estate brokerage in Bismarck, ND. She and Kim dig into what "work-life balance" actually looks like when you run a business, hunt, and raise a family with a firefighter husband on shift work, plus how the Her Outdoor Journey ambassador program helped her find her community in the outdoor space.

Connect with Kristyn: 

Instagram/Facebook @Kristyn Steckler | The CRA Group: @thecragroup

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

What would you say if a friend turned to you at a party and asked, "There's an open spot to bow hunt muskox in Greenland — want to go?" Morgan Wines said yes before she even knew the price. Four weeks later she was on a frozen river in 20-below cold, drawing her bow on only the second animal she'd ever shot with it.

This episode is for the woman who wants to say yes to the big, scary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and needs proof that you don't have to have it all figured out before you go. Morgan grew up hunting horseback in Montana, taught by her mom (a rarity in a sport usually passed down by dads and grandpas), and has turned a flexible job and a willingness to leap into hunts everywhere from Alaska to Hawaii to the Arctic.

Here's what's inside:

• The full Greenland muskox story — the four-wheeler ride across a frozen river, the language-barrier guide, the moment her bow wouldn't draw, and the one-shot recovery she still can't fully explain
• Why her mom taught her to hunt, and what it's like to grow up packing camps and processing your own elk on horseback
• Making the jump from rifle to archery: the humbling learning curve, the let-off revelation, and shooting through buck fever
• Honest talk on the real fear of bow hunting — wounding an animal — and how to carry a healthy fear without letting it stop you
• The unmatched outfitter experience: coffee and cookies served while the guides work, and getting told you "skin like an American" (not a compliment)
• Why some opportunities have to happen fast, or they never happen at all

If Morgan's story makes you want to chase your own adventure, follow Halfway Feral so you never miss an episode, leave a review to help more outdoorswomen find the show, and start saying yes to the things that scare you a little.

Resources & links mentioned:

• Inuit Outfitters (Greenland muskox and caribou hunts)
• Morgan Wines on Instagram and Facebook — @MorganWines (muskox photos are up)
• Her Outdoor Journey events — including a December elk hunt + meat processing event Morgan is hosting 

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

She shattered her leg in grizzly country, heard the bone break, and felt herself slipping toward a pinprick of light while her best friend's voice clawed her back to consciousness. Five years later, ovarian cancer and two back-to-back surgeries dropped her to walking 20 yards before exhaustion took over. So why does Heather Aldrich say she'd go right back into that same canyon?

This episode is a masterclass in adaptability, grit, and finding joy after the hard resets that life hands you. Heather — bear hunter, wall tent maker, mom, and 30-year business owner — sits down with Kim and Austin to talk about building a life in the outdoors on her own terms, and what it actually takes to recover, both physically and mentally, when your body and your plans fall apart.

Here's what you'll take away:

• The real story behind a backcountry search-and-rescue airlift — and why an SOS beacon and wilderness first aid course belong in every pack
• How to rebuild after a "hard reset": surgery, injury, illness — one honest step at a time (today 10 steps, tomorrow try for 11)
• The conservation case for predator hunting, and how to answer the trolls by leading with your "why," not just facts and figures
• Why women and kids catch the most heat in the hunting world — and why "holding the line" together matters
• Setting boundaries that protect family, business, and time in the field when you're wearing every hat
• Honest talk on the love-and-loss paradox of hunting, plus a mouse infestation on I-84 that'll make you grateful for camp

This one's for the woman who's been knocked down — by injury, illness, fear, or just a brutal year — and needs to hear that going back out is possible, on her own timeline and her own terms.

If Heather's story moved you, follow Halfway Feral so you never miss an episode, leave a review to help more women find the show, and send this to the friend who needs the reminder: be an asset, not a liability — and don't be afraid to go do the things.

Resources & links mentioned:

• Bravo Manufacturing (canvas wall tents) — https://www.bravotents.com/
  • on Facebook and Instagram @BravoMFGInc
• Two Bear Air — Montana-based search and rescue
• Brooke's side of the leg-break story — Halfway Feral Season 1, Episode 4

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

Two riders ended up in the hospital. One of only 18 big game biologists in Colorado spent 45 minutes on a runaway horse, holding on for her life past a campground full of people filming. So why does Genevieve Fuller say she'd go back and do it all again?

This episode pulls back the curtain on the "sexy" adventure trips flooding your feed — the six-day, 25-mile-a-day horseback treks across black sand and volcanic terrain that look effortless on Instagram and are anything but. If you've ever watched an outdoor trip online and thought "I could do that," this is the conversation that tells you what it actually takes to do it safely, ethically, and prepared.

Here's what you'll get from this one:

• How Genevieve built a career as a terrestrial wildlife biologist managing mountain lions, moose, and wolves — and what it's like being a woman in a competitive, historically male-dominated field
• The real fitness behind horseback riding: core, glutes, quads, and the endurance of hours of posting trot (basically squats all day long)
• How to tell an ethical horse tour from an exploitative one, and the red flags to watch for before you book
• Why "I've ridden horses before" doesn't mean you're ready, and how to actually train for a backcountry adventure abroad
• The mindset piece — staying regulated when a 1,000-pound animal panics underneath you, and why being an asset (not a liability) matters for the whole group

This one's for the outdoorswoman who wants to do hard things the right way: with preparation, humility, and respect for the wildlife, the culture, and the risk.

If this episode lit a fire under you, follow Halfway Feral so you never miss an episode, leave us a review, and share it with the adventure buddy who needs to hear "train before you book."

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

In this episode, we sit down with Natalie Anderson, a 19-year-old charter boat captain from Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, who is quickly making a name for herself in a male-dominated commercial fishing industry. From starting as a deckhand at 16 to becoming one of the youngest captains in her fleet, Natalie shares what it takes to lead on the water, earn respect, and deliver unforgettable fishing experiences.

We dive into the realities of Alaska fishing, charter boat life, sustainable fishing practices, and navigating strict fishing regulations—including king salmon limits, halibut restrictions, and the impact of industry policy on the next generation of outdoorsmen and women. Natalie also opens up about overcoming skepticism due to her age and gender, building confidence with clients, and the importance of community support and mentorship in the outdoor industry.

This episode is packed with insight for anyone interested in fishing, conservation, entrepreneurship, and breaking barriers in the outdoors—plus some incredible stories from life on the water, including landing a 200+ pound halibut.

If you’re passionate about wild-caught food, sustainable fishing, Alaska adventures, and the future of outdoor industries, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

Join us as we sit down with registered dietitian Tiffany Ricci from Bear Tooth Performance to answer the most common questions about women’s nutrition, fueling for outdoor athletes, and performance in the field.

In this episode, we break down how women should be eating to support strength training, endurance, hormone health, fat loss, muscle recovery, and sustained energy for hiking, hunting, backpacking, and long days outside. Tiffany shares practical strategies for pre-workout fueling, post-workout recovery, macro balance, and avoiding underfueling—one of the biggest mistakes women make.

If you’re an outdoorswoman looking to improve energy levels, build strength, recover faster, and perform better on your adventures, this episode gives you clear, actionable nutrition guidance without the confusion.

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

In this episode, we sit down with Juli Sanders of Rising Rose Ranch—entrepreneur, horsewoman, Her Outdoor Journey guide, wife, and mother—to talk about what it really takes to balance multiple roles without burning out. 

Juli shares how she manages a full life, stays grounded in her priorities, and continues to show up for her family, her business, and herself. This conversation is packed with insight for women navigating ambition, responsibility, and life in the outdoors.

Instagram: @risingroseranch

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

Join us as we chat with Tess of HCH Adventures as she shares what it’s like to build an outfitting business in New Mexico while raising three little ones under the age of three. From balancing backcountry life and motherhood to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship as a wife and mom, Tess offers an honest look at grit, grace, and growing a dream in the outdoors.

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co

Underwater Hunting & Life Below the Surface: Sam Zeher on Marine Science, Spearfishing, and the Florida Keys

In this episode of the Halfway Feral Podcast, Kim sits down with Sam Zeher, a boat captain in the Florida Keys who lives and works in what feels like a modern-day Jurassic World—just underwater.

Sam shares what it’s really like to be an underwater hunter, blending spearfishing, conservation, and science. With a Master’s degree in Biology focused on Marine Sciences, she brings a rare perspective on ocean ecosystems, responsible harvesting, and why understanding the environment matters if you’re going to participate in it.

They also talk about Sam’s work running ecological tours in the Florida Keys, her path into fish taxidermy, and how she documents the process through Salty Skulls Taxidermy—preserving the story behind each fish, not just the trophy.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What underwater hunting actually looks like
• Marine biology and ethical harvesting
• Life as a female boat captain in the Florida Keys
• Ecological tourism and ocean education
• Fish taxidermy and honoring the catch

This episode is for outdoorswomen who believe participation should come with knowledge—and who are curious about the wild world beneath the surface.

You can follow Sam on Instagram at @keyz_charters and check out her taxidermy: @saltyskullztaxidery

Got an outdoor adventure story to share? We'd love to hear it! Email us at [email protected] to be a guest on the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @halfwayferalpodcast

Follow Kim: Instagram, YouTube

Follow Austin: Instagram

Brands we love👇🏼

Spear Strength: Download the FREE Woman Built Wild Blueprint

Adventures: Her Outdoor Journey (CODE HOJ-KPN-15)

Nutrition: 1st Phorm

Digi-Scope: Ollin Co

Preparedness: Uncharted Supply Co