Wild Strength Podcast

In this episode I welcome guest Brett Benton, an avid bear hunter and customer experience manager for Montana Knife Company. Brett grew up in Alabama and moved out West, ultimately ending up in Montana. We take a deep dive into the challenges of bear hunting and discuss the importance of understanding bear behavior, the significance of foraging skills, and the culinary aspects of bear meat and fat. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of hunting education and the joys of being in the wild.

In this episode, I sit down with Dillon Dietz, a hunter who enjoys sharing all of the highs and lows hunting offers in a comedic way. The conversation explores the importance of having fun while hunting, the pressures social media brings to hunting, and the balance between passion and business in the hunting industry.  We dive into some personal hunting experiences, the emotional connections formed through being in the woods, and the importance of understanding different perspectives on hunting. We also touch on the thrills of big game hunting and the lessons learned from mistakes in the field. 

In this episode Josh Walker, a life-long hunter and prior NFL player, discusses his experiences chasing critters all over the country. Josh shares his early hunting experiences in the Southeast and how he moved out West and transitioned to hunting in the West.  We discuss Josh’s love for chasing turkeys and his goal to harvest one in every state, as well as the challenges of elk hunting and chasing critters on public land. 

In this episode, Guy Duplantier, owner of Western Fly Covers, dives into the transformative power of hunting and the outdoors. The conversation explores personal life journeys, the importance of community, and the deep connections formed through shared experiences in nature. It also highlights how hunting can foster a certain respect for life and promote personal growth in helping to find meaning and purpose in life. 

In this episode, Tana Grenda shares her unique lifestyle living in the Alaskan bush with her family and the journey her and her husband have been on to build a life there. She discusses the challenges of subsistence living, including the high cost of living and the isolation from friends and family. Tana also talks about her journey in foster care, adopting five children, and the impact of her lifestyle on her family dynamics. Additionally, she talks about her entrepreneurial journey, starting a fitness business, and how she empowers women through outdoor retreats that focus on survival skills and personal growth. The conversation explores the themes of empowerment, personal growth, and the importance of connection. 

Live from the Mile High Hunt and Fish Expo, Whitney sits down with Dan Gates, who led the fight on Colorado’s Proposition 127 to keep mountain lion hunting alive. They discuss the ongoing challenges and victories in the realm of hunting and conservation and emphasize the importance of grassroots movements and individual engagement in legislative battles against anti-hunting initiatives. The conversation highlights the need for a consistent message against opposition, and the significance of science-based wildlife management. They emphasize the role of education in changing perceptions about hunting and wildlife management, and the necessity of building a coalition of supporters to advocate for sustainable practices. 

This conversation is in collaboration with the Through the Gates Podcast and Rokslide’s Rokcast.

In this episode of the Wild Strength Podcast, Whitney speaks with Kevin Timm, founder of Seek Outside, about his passion for the outdoors and the importance of quality gear for hunting and outdoor experiences. The conversation dives into the significance of investing in quality sleep systems and the philosophy behind Seek Outside’s approach to innovation and creating quality gear. Kevin emphasizes the importance of testing gear in real-world conditions to ensure reliability and performance. 

In this episode of the Wild Strength Podcast, Whitney sits down with Draya Grangroth– a small business owner, hunting guide, and author who has spent most of her life hunting and in the outdoors. They discuss the healing powers of wild places, the importance of solo hunting for personal empowerment, and the transformative experiences that come from being in the outdoors. Draya shares a journey of life lessons learned in the mountains and the connection between hunting, sharing wild places with others, and mental health. The conversation ends talking about Draya’s journey to becoming a hunting guide and her experiences along the way. 

In this episode of the Wild Strength Podcast, Whitney sits down with Kenneth Thrall, a lifelong hunter and employee at Kifaru International. They discuss the essential elements of hunting- emphasizing the importance of preparation, mindset, and experience in the field. The conversations underscores the value of spending time outdoors, building confidence, and developing proficiency with weapons, while also acknowledging the unpredictability of hunting and the need for a respectful approach to wildlife. 

Whitney sits down with Garrett Walker, who started High Alpine Outdoors - an outfitter for fly fishing and ice fishing in Colorado. Garrett was a mountaineer for years before he got into hunting and fishing. He talks about how he first got into chasing critters and how it became a passion of his over time, leading to the start of his outfit. Whitney and Garrett also discuss balancing work and being outdoors and share a few hunting stories.