Somewhere between Lewis and Tolkien and Lewis and Clark
Adventures in the outdoors, planned and unplanned, have a way of shaping us. When we take time to process our story, we find clarity in these adventures. As we reflect on them, we see how they form us. The Storied Outdoors takes time to examine our adventures through essays and interviews to draw out the clarity that has shaped us.
“Adventure, with all its requisite danger and wilderness, is a deeply spiritual longing written onto the soul of man.”
A father-and-son story set in the Alabama outdoors—this conversation with Al and Ben Bracewell of Turkey Creek Outdoors explores quail hunting, hospitality, and the deeper purpose behind gathering people in wild places.
Bird feeders, duck blinds, and the book of Philippians—Bryan and Brad discover how slowing down to watch birds might just reorient the soul toward worship.
Saddleback Leather founder Dave Munson on risk, resilience, family courage, and the craft of making things that last.
Tyler shares his unlikely journey to founding Modern Huntsman, a publication blending art, adventure, and conservation. His travels—especially in Africa—shaped a deeper understanding of cultural complexity and responsibility in the outdoors. Modern Huntsman collaborates with photographers, writers, and Indigenous voices to elevate how hunting and wild places are portrayed, focusing on ethics, ecology, and human connection rather than trophies. At its core, the project seeks to inspire stewardship, bridge communities, and remind us that true conservation is ultimately cultural. Tyler’s insights reveal why storytelling matters and how it can spark empathy, understanding, and purposeful change.
As the year winds down, Bryan and Brad gather at Turkey Creek in Jasper, Alabama, to reflect on Season 11 of The Storied Outdoors. From epic hunts and conservation conversations to mission trips, Christmas stories, and moments that shaped the year, this episode captures the heart of why stories—and the outdoors—matter so much.
In this episode, Dr. Rachel Hagues shares the remarkable journey behind Tumaini Jipya Girls’ School in Tanzania—a vision shaped by nearly two decades of research, prayer, and community partnership. From the unforgettable first day of school to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for her 40th birthday, Rachel reflects on how faith, vocation, and wilderness moments shape a life of purpose and hope.
On this episode of The Storied Outdoors, we welcome Dr. Chris Jenkins — conservationist, biologist, and storyteller of the wild. As CEO of The Orianne Society and a board member of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Chris champions reptiles, amphibians, and the public lands that shape our stories. From tracking Eastern Indigo Snakes in longleaf pine to hunting stories from the Appalachians and Idaho, Chris brings field-tested insight, science, and a deep reverence for wild places.
Wild game chef Jeremiah Doughty joins The Storied Outdoors to share his journey from beef allergy to founding From Field to Plate. We discuss his hunting schools, devotional Game & Grace, and how the true trophy is found at the table, not on the wall.
With an eager excitement we moved as stealthily as possible, so we could reposition to a solid vantage point and a good tree to lean against. Obviously checking thoroughly for snakes, quietly we set up getting our cushions in place and settled in for potentially a long wait. Our hopes were rising like the morning sun as that big gobbler strutted with gusto, oozing confidence and pride, he thundered that hillside with gobbles telling the world he was here and this was his spot.
But then.
The sea is beautiful, dangerous, and deeply honest. In its stillness and storms, it reflects our fear, our wonder, and our longing for redemption—inviting us to trust not the water beneath us, but the God who speaks peace over the deep.
In the stillness of the Alabama woods, a father and son quietly navigate the tension between taking life and honoring it. This is more than a hunting story—it’s a reflection on faith, legacy, and the sacred weight of passing down wisdom.
The Storied Outdoors is hosted by Dr. Bryan Gill and Brad Hill.
Finding clarity in the stories we tell and the adventures that shape us.
Brad and Bryan return to the fields of Turkey Creek to revisit a memorable quail hunt and reflect on the stories that shaped Season 11. From wild adventures to quiet moments of hospitality, this Stoking Embers episode gathers the sparks, stirs the fire, and looks ahead to what’s next.