The Storied Outdoors

In this reflective episode of The Storied Outdoors, Brad walks into the spring woods carrying more than a shotgun — he carries memory, longing, and the quiet hope of stepping into a story he never inherited. With his grandfather’s century-old gun in hand and the dawn breaking over the Mobile Delta, he recounts a season of near misses, unexpected lessons, and the slow shaping of a woodsman’s heart.

Through owl calls in the dark, conversations with his brother, and encounters that range from humorous to humbling, this story explores what it means to receive legacy not only through family, but through pursuit. It’s a meditation on patience, belonging, and the sacred work of showing up, whether or not a longbeard ever hits the ground.

For anyone who has felt the pull of wild places, wondered about the stories that formed them, or sensed that inheritance sometimes arrives from behind rather than ahead, this episode is an invitation to listen for the promise in the dawn.

Bryan, Brad, and Chase sit down to stoke the embers from Saltwater and Sharks, reflecting on fear, wonder, and faith in the deep. Together they take a deeper look at the stories, Scripture, and experiences behind the essay—exploring how God meets us in chaos and invites us back into the water with trust.

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“There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath. The same waves wash the moles of the new-built California towns, but yesterday planted by the recentest race of men, and lave the faded but still gorgeous skirts of Asian lands older than Abraham.”

– Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, Chapter 58

What do sharks, saltwater, and the sea teach us about fear, wonder, and faith?

In this wonderfully reflective episode of The Storied Outdoors, Dr. Bowers traces a lifelong relationship with the ocean from childhood awe in the Caribbean, to fear sharpened by real danger, to a hard-won return to wonder.

Along the way, dolphins dance, sharks surface, reefs shimmer, and Scripture speaks. Drawing on personal stories, biblical imagery, and the ancient human fear of the deep, this episode explores why the sea has always symbolized chaos and why God repeatedly meets His people there.

From Newport Beach to Grand Cayman, from Jonah to Revelation, this episode wrestles with the tension between beauty and danger, awe and fear, chaos and hope. It’s a meditation on the ocean as both mirror and metaphor: reflecting a broken world groaning for redemption, and pointing us toward the God who still speaks peace over the waters.

This is a story about getting back in the water—not because the sea is safe, but because God is faithful.

Brad and Bryan sit down to reflect on their recent meeting with Saddleback Leather founder, Dave Munson — a man whose business acumen is matched only by his humility, generosity, and gospel-driven imagination. Like a modern-day Matt McPherson, Munson builds excellence not for the sake of product alone, but for the sake of people. His priorities run from employees to customers to orphans and single mothers through Saddleback’s nonprofit arm, Love 41.

Their conversation wanders the trail of Munson’s fascinating life — from living in tents and working out of a Toyota Tacoma, to navigating cartel-controlled roads, to trusting God in the face of uncertainty. Along the way, Brad and Bryan marvel at the quality and longevity of Saddleback’s Indiana Jones–inspired leather goods, the kind of items built to last a century and inherit a story of their own.

The episode even detours to Japan, where a colleague shares the gospel with playful clarity, and to the cold southern winter sweeping across the country. But at the heart of the discussion is a simple truth: faith, craftsmanship, and generosity can shape a company into something far more than the sum of its products.

In this episode, Brad and Bryan sit down with leather craftsman and adventurer Dave Munson—founder of Saddleback Leather—to explore the intersection of family, risk, craftsmanship, and faith. Munson’s story is one of unlikely beginnings, from selling bags on eBay during his youth ministry years to building a global leather-goods brand shaped by adventure, hardship, and deep conviction.

They trace the Munson family’s intentional approach to raising resilient kids—complete with tent living, travel mishaps, calculated risk, and a healthy respect for bravery vs. stupidity. Dave reflects on losing millions, run-ins with cartels, and stolen shipments, yet speaks of character formation and God’s providence with surprising joy.

Along the way, he makes a compelling case for Christian entrepreneurship that doesn’t wear a label but shines through excellence, generosity, and faithful storytelling. Together they discuss Martin Luther on craftsmanship, what it means to serve customers like actual people, and the surprising ways the gospel shows up—whether in conversations with Toyota executives or in the story of a beloved dog named Blue.

Rich with humor, vulnerability, travel tales, reflections on parenting and legacy, and a vision for living one’s faith in public, this conversation pushes listeners to see adventure not as escapism but as discipleship, and craftsmanship not as branding but as service.

Purchase Dave's Book "They'll fight over it when you're dead." Click Here

Check out the article about the tents where their family lives. These tents are not your normal tents but wildly adventurous and unique. Click Here

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Visit Saddleback Leather Co. website Here

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In this episode of Stoking Embers, Bryan and Brad revisit their recent conversation with Tyler Sharp, Editor-in-Chief and Owner of Modern Huntsman. Recorded during Thanksgiving week 2025, a few days after the original interview, the pause gave time for the conversation to marinate, and just like spaghetti it was better after it sat a while and the ideas, stories, and vision Tyler brought to the table genuinely developed and jumped out. 

They unpack the tension and overlap between conservation and the roles of hunters and anglers, wrestling with what it means to “do good” while stewarding the very landscapes, waters, and wildlife we depend on. The discussion widens to explore the creative world as well: the resurgence of print, the future of storytelling, and the surprising influence of AI on culture, creativity, and even the environment through massive data infrastructure.

Throughout the conversation, Bryan and Brad recognize a growing alignment between Modern Huntsman and The Storied Outdoors—two efforts committed to elevating the narrative of outdoor pursuit, craftsmanship, and stewardship.

Finally, they revisit one of the standout moments from Tyler’s interview: an unforgettable encounter with an African lion which was easily one of the all-time great campfire stories ever shared on the show.

Whether you’re a creative, conservationist, hunter, angler, or simply captivated by adventure and good storytelling, this episode offers a thoughtful look at why these pursuits matter and how they shape us.

Tyler Sharp, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modern Huntsman, joins us to share the unlikely journey behind one of the most influential voices in modern outdoor culture. Blending art, adventure, and conservation, Modern Huntsman reframes hunting and the outdoors through responsible storytelling, cultural awareness, and ethical stewardship.

Tyler reflects on global travels—including formative time in Africa—where he witnessed the complexities of conservation firsthand. He discusses how Modern Huntsman curates photographers, writers, Indigenous voices, and scientists to tell stories that emphasize ecology, ethics, and human connection over trophies or sensationalism.

We also explore the realities of building an independent publication, navigating business pressures and editorial integrity, and how storytelling shapes conservation, culture, and the way we engage with wild places.

Whether you’re a hunter, creative, conservationist, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, this conversation invites you to slow down, look deeper, and consider why stories matter.

Ep. 164. Stoking Embers: Dr. Matt Lewis, Redeye Bass and some regrets

On this episode of The Storied Outdoors, we welcome Dr. Matthew Lewis—fisheries scientist, writer, and one of the leading voices in Southern fly fishing.

Matt takes us deep into the waters of Alabama as we explore his newest book, Alabama’s Best Fly Fishing: Complete Guide to the State's Best Fly Fishing. From childhood adventures in Geneva to his surprising career shift from human genetics to native fish conservation, Matt shares the stories, science, and soul behind Alabama’s most overlooked fisheries.

We talk redeye bass, small-stream magic, the craft of writing a guidebook, and the sacred responsibility of caring for wild places. Whether you're a seasoned angler or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this episode offers a rich look at the waters that shape the South—and the stories waiting in every riffle and bend.

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 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. We hope you enjoy this story and have a Merry Christmas!Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for a 20% discount online and in store. They have some amazing apparel and gear to outfit you for your next adventure. We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.