The Storied Outdoors

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.

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 Christmas episode written by Dr. Bryan Gill and read by Brad Hill. Intro music is also presented by Brad Hill.

“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 that’s not the only transformation that takes place. Enjoy this story that takes a peek into the fictional life of the iconic Christmas card image of a horse-drawn sleigh. 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.

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.

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.

In this episode Brad and Bryan give a mid-season catch-up and introduce a 5-episode miniseries of Christmas stories that will start today and lead up to Christmas Day.

One of Bryan’s mentors, Calvin Miller once wrote, “Much of Christmas’ beauty is in its sameness. The same traditions. The same meals. The same songs. The same story. Yet each Christmas is a little different.” Just like your favorite Christmas movies and songs are played and replayed each year, we’re replaying four of our past Christmas story episodes as well as a brand new Christmas story for you this season. Play them while you’re driving to see family and friends, while you’re tying flies, or wrapping those last minute presents.

The first story, written by Dr. Bryan Gill and read by Brad Hill, is brand new and entitled “Christmas Jubilee.” It’s a story about a young boy who spends the week of Christmas with his grandparents on Mobile Bay. While he’s there, he casts a net for shrimp, sets traps for crabs, and fishes for speckled trout from his grandparents’ pier. He also finds himself trying to help fix a feud between his Pawpaw and neighbor. He soon finds out that this feud is too big for him to fix by himself and without a Christmas miracle, his Christmas vacation on Mobile Bay as well as his Pawpaw’s friendship with his neighbor might be ruined.

We hope you enjoy this new story and some “sameness” during this Christmas miniseries. And from Brad and Bryan at the Storied Outdoors, Merry Christmas!

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Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for 20% of online and in store.

Questions or comments email [email protected] we would love to hear from you. 

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

In this episode, we sit down with Léonce B. Crump Jr., an author, international speaker, and co-founder of Renovation Church in Atlanta. Léonce is not only a devoted pastor and civil rights activist but also an avid outdoorsman, chef, and former NFL player. Before stepping into pastoral ministry, Léonce was a collegiate All-American wrestler, played football at Oklahoma University, and spent time as a professional athlete in the NFL.

I first met Léonce on a pheasant hunt in South Dakota, where he endured my snoring as my roommate. Despite that, we quickly formed a bond while sharing the outdoors. I knew then that I wanted to have him on the podcast to share his unique stories and perspectives on life, faith, and the beauty of creation.

During our conversation, Léonce takes us on a journey through his upbringing in Louisiana, sharing early memories of falling in love with creation. He recounts the awe-inspiring experience of fishing in Scotland and reflects on moments in nature that have caused him to pause and marvel at the glory of God, echoing the words of the Psalmist.

As a pastor, Léonce brings a unique perspective to the outdoors, sharing how specific experiences in creation have brought the Word of God to life for him. And, of course, we couldn’t resist swapping a few wild stories—from near-death adventures to hilarious mishaps, like nearly drowning while swimming to shore in tropical waters.

This episode is a mix of humor, reflection, and inspiration—an invitation to explore how the outdoors shapes our faith and our stories.

Visit www.leoncecrump.com to learn more about Leonce and his work.

Buy Leonce’s Book “The Resilience Factor” Here

Follow Leonce on Instagram Click Here

Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for 20% of online and in store.

Questions or comments email [email protected] we would love to hear from you. 

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Storied Outdoors! In this episode, we sit down with Casey—a devoted husband to Jennifer, a proud dad, and an outdoorsman who lives and breathes adventure. From his passion for duck hunting to his experiences in ultra trail running and catching redfish in South Louisiana, Casey exemplifies The Storied Outdoors. Whether he's teaching duck calling, guiding hunting trips, or reflecting on life lessons learned in the field, Casey shares a wealth of experience and a heart for showcasing the beauty of God’s creation.

When we first connected with Casey about coming on the show, he was busy catching redfish in the marshes of South Louisiana—just another day in his adventurous life. Beyond his love for hunting and fishing, Casey has also tackled incredible challenges, including completing a 50k ultra trail race in 2019, proving his dedication to pushing limits both on land and water.

In this episode, Casey shares his journey into the great outdoors, starting with his earliest memories of discovering his love for nature and how his dad played a pivotal role in shaping his passion for hunting and fishing. He reflects on his time working at Kanakuk, where transformative experiences and lessons left a lasting impact. Casey’s enthusiasm for duck hunting is unmistakable as he explains how this passion developed and how guiding duck hunting trips during college helped him hone his skills and pay his way through school, all while learning the art of hospitality.

Casey opens up about the challenges and joys of balancing family life with outdoor pursuits during duck hunting season. He reveals his favorite species to hunt and what inspired him to create a Spotify channel dedicated to duck calling instruction. Throughout the conversation, Casey shares how time spent in nature has helped him witness God’s truth, beauty, and goodness. He also recounts a defining moment in the outdoors that shaped his life and, around our “digital campfire,” tells the heartwarming story of his duck dog’s extraordinary retrieve that earned her a well-deserved cheeseburger.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves hunting, fishing, or outdoor adventure. Packed with compelling stories, reflections, and valuable life lessons, Casey’s journey will inspire you to connect more deeply with the wild and the Creator who made it.

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Pull up a chair to our digital campfire, and join us for this inspiring conversation with Casey!

Join us for an exciting new episode with Capt. Blake Walters, an avid angler and longtime friend of The Storied Outdoors! Blake, now launching his own guide service in Fairhope, AL, has been fishing the Gulf Coast since he was a kid, mastering every species across Mobile Bay’s rich waters and surrounding shorelines. With a background in the canoe and kayak industry and experience on the kayak tournament trail, Blake has honed his skills and knowledge, bringing a unique perspective to his clients.

In this episode, Blake takes us through the journey that sparked his passion for fishing, sharing thrilling stories of memorable catches and the unforgettable fish that lit his love for fly fishing. Tune in to hear about his approach to guiding, his philosophy on creating amazing fishing experiences, and what it's like to hit the water with a guide who’s as passionate about the sport as he is about sharing it. Don't miss out on this episode with Blake—a genuine friend, an expert angler, and a true Gulf Coast local!

Listen now for inspiration, laughs, and a dive into the world of Gulf Coast fishing with Capt. Blake Walters.

Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for 20% of online and in store.

Questions or comments email [email protected] we would love to hear from you. 

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

 In this episode, Courtney Ellis joins us for a chat about bird watching! She is an author, speaker, pastor, and host of “The Thing With Feathers Podcast.” Courtney is also a birder, encourager, and inspiration-giver based in Orange County, California, where she lives with her husband (also a pastor!) and three children. Together, they serve at the Presbyterian Church of the Master. She holds a Master’s degree in English literature from Loyola University and a Master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Courtney’s newest book, Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief, is available now anywhere books are sold.

We loved this conversation so much! We chatted about how birding can be a way to work through grief and also geeked out on some of our favorite personal birding encounters.

We hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to buy Courtney’s newest book.

Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for 20% off online and in-store.

Questions or comments, email [email protected]. We would love to hear from you. 

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill

Our guest this week is Anthony Overton, Professor and Department Chair of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Samford University. Anthony holds a Ph.D. In Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an M.S. in Fisheries Management-Forest Resources from the University of Georgia.

He is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and has been highly published in the field of fisheries and fisheries management. He is a certified Fisheries Biologist and champion of Environmental Health and Sustainability Research in Aquatic Studies. In addition to his professional career as a professor, Anthony serves on the board and is a past president of the Cahaba River Society.

Dr. Overton is also a member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, an organization comprised of fishermen and other experts in the field of fishery from across the Gulf of Mexico. He has also served as a member of multiple Technical Working Groups with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and served on advisory panels of the International Committee for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. We know you will enjoy this episode as much as we did.

Visit Redbeardsoutfitter.com and use promo code TSO for 20% off online and in-store.

Questions or comments, email [email protected]. We would love to hear from you. 

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill