Kyle Beshears is campus pastor of Mars Hill Church in Mobile, Alabama. He holds a PhD from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, teaches courses on religion at the University of Mobile, and is author of the recently published "Apatheism: How We Share When They Don't Care." Kyle’s favorite spaces for sabbath are in the cockpit of a kayak and among the peace of woodland trails.

We cover a lot of ground in our conversation with Kyle! We talk about his time living in Europe and one particular adventure during a pilgrimage in Spain called “The Camino de Santiago,” where he encountered all manner of Characters and we hear his reflections on this journey. We also spend some time hearing from Kyle about his experiences getting into kayaking in the vast waterways of Mobile, AL and the gulf coast.

We end our conversation hearing about Kyles latest book from B&H Publishing entitled “Apatheism.”

How can you share the gospel with someone who doesn’t care? As Western culture becomes increasingly indifferent to questions of faith, diverted by secularism, comfort, and distraction, believers encounter many people who don’t so much doubt God as they are apathetic toward him. In Apatheism, Kyle Beshears urges us to recapture the joy of our salvation and demonstrates how to faithfully display the love of Christ to apatheist friends and neighbors.

You can Follow Kyle on his instagram @kylebeshears

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Questions or Comments we would love to hear from you email us  @ [email protected]

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

When most Alabamians think about Lake Martin as a place to vacation, Emily Johnson thinks of it as home. Growing up on the water and being an artist, Emily naturally gravitated to painting fish. While this was not always her focus, 2020 presented an opportunity to move away from the medical field and pursue a full time career as an artist, an artist who paints fish… and the occasional waterfowl.

This episode gives listeners an insight into the process of painting and what inspired her to make this shift. With the help of her husband, an avid fly fisherman, and three young children who are almost old enough for more adventures, Emily hopes to paint all, or at least most, of the fish found in the waterways of Alabama. 

To buy her amazing artwork, visit her website.  www.emilygjohnson.com. 

Follow Emily on Instagram for content and videos of her work @emilyjohnsonart.

Music Written and Recorded by Brad Hill

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and cozy up by the fire for this episode of The Storied Outdoors as co-host, Brad Hill reads “Hidden Wonders,” a short story written by co-host, 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 eccentric Uncle Doc for the holidays. While this was not their original plan for Christmas, it might just be the one they needed to restore their children’s fading Christmas spirit.

“Hidden Wonders” can be found in a new book of Christmas short stories written by co-host Bryan Gill called, “Fireside Tales for Christmas.” You can purchase the paperback or eBook on Amazon.

Find “Fireside Tales for Christmas” on Amazon

Jingle bells arranged by, played, and recorded by Brad Hill

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” In this essay, Dr. Gill recalls the story of a photography trip he took with his first camera, a Pentax K1000. While this story didn't end the way he had hoped, it was redeemed 25 years later when he had a second chance at photographing a beautiful red fox. Now, when he looks at that fox, he sees much more than the photo, he sees the heartache and joy that that image evokes. 

The title, "There and Back Again: Chapter 80," is taken from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. There and Back Again is the title of Bilbo Baggins' memoir that Frodo is tasked to finish. However, Chapter 80 of this red leather covered manuscript is unwritten and that is where one story ends and another begins. 

Be sure to listen as Brad Hill artfully reads this essay written by Dr. Bryan Gill entitled, "There and Back Again: Chapter 80."

Questions and comments email us at [email protected]

Music Written and recorded By Brad Hill

In this episode we meet Todd Henrikson the Pro cycling director for Athletes In Action. Todd raced competitively for twelve years in the sport that brought him to the World Championships, U.S. U-23 National Team, and two years at the professional level. Yet, during his career there wasn’t a sports chaplain or ministry pouring into pro cyclists. Todd and Tabitha desired to change the tide by launching AIA Pro Cycling in 2012 after seeing a desperate need for there to be emotional and spiritual support for athletes across the sport of cycling. 

In this conversation we hear about Todd's journey into the world of cycling, and the tail of one of his most spectacular crashes. As we unpack this story we hear just how he has been shaped by his time in the saddle and how he is now moving to Spain to share life with pro cyclist racing on the European circuit.  

Follow Todd’s work through his social media. Twitter and Instagram  

Support the work they are doing with Athletes In Action in the Professional cycling ranks. Click Here

We would very much love to hear from you, if you have questions or comments please send them to [email protected]

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

A story of three different experiences woven together by three rivers, this episode Brad shares about how his time on these rivers serve as a reminder to the goodness he has experienced. We all need to practice remembrance for when tough times set in, these experiences of goodness serve as monument to help us remember “It won’t always be this hard.” The story tells  a small portion of his experience attending Hutchmoot , a conference hosted by the good folks of the Rabbit Room, where he sat next to the Harpeth River in fellowship with new and old friends.  The story then journeys  to Montana where he officiated a wedding for a young couple from his church, and then how he was fortunate to fly fish on the Flathead river the next day. An incredible string of events all close together and next to rivers.

Vist the Rabbit Room https://rabbitroom.com

Big Fork anglers https://bigforkanglers.com

Comments and questions, we would love to hear from you! [email protected]

Music Written and Recorded by Brad Hill

We wanted to start this season out with a bang and boy did we! In this episode, we sit down with New York Times Bestselling Author, Charles Martin and discuss writing, bow hunting, and how growing up in the outdoors has helped shape Charles' writing into some of the most vivid and compelling stories in bookstores today. Some of the books Charles has written include: The Mountain Between Us, The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, and When Crickets Cry, just to name a few. We dive into a conversation with Charles about the writing process, how it changes you, how difficult it is, and how we are meant for a garden--we are meant to be outside. We also talk about archery and the great organization of Mission Bows by Mathews. Learn more about Mission by Mathews on their website. 

Here's a little more about Charles from his website- Christy and I married in 1993. If you include dating, I’ve known and loved her for more than half my life. She is and always will be the home for my heart. We have three boys. Charlie, John T. and Rives. Folks often ask me, which of my books do I like the best. You might as well line up my sons and ask me who I love the most. My hobbies are bow hunting, working out (a blend of old school stuff and martial arts, called Fight Fit) and Tae Kwon Do. In October 2012 I earned my black belt but I’m still the least flexible person you’ve ever met. The guy that trains me, laughs every time I start warming up. My boys are far better at Tae Kwon Do than I but I doubt they have as much fun. 

You can find more of Charles' books at www.charlesmartinbooks.com/books. 

Questions and comments send them to [email protected]

Music written and recorded by Brad Hill

Welcome to season three of The Storied Outdoors! This episode is a little bit of a hybrid, and not the type of hybrid bass Brad and Bryan caught on the fishing trip down the Tallapoosa River either. This episode is an introduction to season three, a recap of season two, and the retelling of a fishing trip that Brad and Bryan had over the summer with Craig Godwin at East Alabama Fly Fishing. We also talk about the Release of Bryan's first novel, The Devils in Alabama. 

As for Craig Godwin and the boys at East Alabama Fly Fishing, you can't beat their hospitality and ability to put you on aggressive bass that will explode on a top water bugs. Heck, these bass even exploded on streamers! If you're looking for a fun trip on pristine waters in the state of Alabama, give these guys a call. They'll treat you right. 

Not only is Craig a great fishing guide, he is one of the best photographers I've seen. His work is incredible. Check him out here at Craig Godwin Photography.

Bryan's novel, The Devils in Alabama is a southern suspense novel set in Alabama. Main character, Drake Tatum is in desperate need of money to pay off a debt he owes, but his measly income as a newspaper intern in Birmingham, Alabama isn't enough. With resignation letter in hand and every intention to seek a job with better pay, his fiery female boss drags him on an assignment to investigate the sudden rise of sports betting halls in the state—a world he knows well from his gambling habit. Fueled by the guilt of a childhood accident and obligated to fund his father’s opioid addiction, Drake's thirst for money sinks him deeper into the sinister underbelly of Alabama. Will he be consumed by the tangled web of illegal gaming, drug trafficking, corrupt politicians, football, and religion? Or will he reconcile the guilt of his past and escape the grip of these devils? The Devils in Alabama is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. To read more of the first pages of this novel, visit Bryan's website.

Here are a few Instagram handles you'll want to start following.

East Alabama Fly Fishing- @eastalabamaflyfishing

Photographer and guide, Craig Godwin- @craig__godwin

Craig's photography business account- @godwin.photography

Music written and recorded by Brad Hill