Best Connor Reed Podcasts (2025)

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Bird Dogs, Mentorship, and Big Thoughts with John McIltrot and Taylor Todd of Seranoa Kennels 1:51:35

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6d ago1:51:35

1:51:35

Reid welcomes dog trainer John McIltrot for Seranoa Kennels (www.seranoakennels.com) from Roundup, MT, alongside John's training partner Taylor Todd. John is a fascinating character: bird dog trainer, falconer, mentor, animal behaviorist, and prairie philosopher. He and Taylor explore concepts of animal behavior, mentorship, how to move slowly thro…

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South Dakota Round Table (Fixed) 1:34:42

14d ago1:34:42

1:34:42

In a slight departure from the norm, Reid gathers with a group of pals to debrief a pheasant hunt on a farm in Hitchcock, South Dakota. The group, spearheaded by Lyndsey Braun and Doug Duren of Sharing the Land, explores topics of land stewardship, dog work, hits and misses, and challenges faced by new hunters. It's a meandering journey with lots o…

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Episode 8 - Epilogue 2:26

15d ago2:26

2:26

In this quiet closing to Season 1, Zac offers a final word for wanderers—those who have felt otherness, loneliness, or sensitivity in a world that doesn’t always know what to do with it. A gentle moment of gratitude, reflection, and hope as the season comes to rest.By Zac Connor

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Episode 7 - The Wanderer (My Story) 5:35

16d ago5:35

5:35

In this deeply personal episode, Zac reflects on his own journey with otherness, sensitivity, and the moment everything shifted. A quiet story about loneliness, mania, healing, and what it means to move through the world as a wanderer—searching for connection, understanding, and a place to be seen.By Zac Connor

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Episode 6 - Mr. Reed 6:37

16d ago6:37

6:37

In this quiet reflection on Heretic, Zac explores Mr. Reed as a dark mirror of the season’s theme: the desperate hunger to be seen, and the loneliness that twists into control when connection never arrives. A gentle meditation on mis-seeing, longing, and the fragile hope that someone might understand the world you’ve built inside yourself.…

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Episode 5 - Powder 3:53

16d ago3:53

3:53

In this gentle reflection on the film Powder, Zac explores the loneliness of feeling too deeply and the rare relief of being understood, even for a moment. A quiet meditation on sensitivity, connection, and the heartbreaking beauty of being seen — and the ache of losing that connection.By Zac Connor

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Episode 4 - Doris 3:42

22d ago3:42

3:42

In this quiet reflection, Zac turns to Doris from The Booth at the End—a character who asks nothing and offers simple companionship. This episode explores the healing power of presence, the softness of being witnessed without expectation, and the quiet comfort of sharing a booth with someone who understands loneliness.…

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Episode 3 - Unity 4:19

22d ago4:19

4:19

In this quiet reflection on Rick and Morty’s “Unity,” Zac explores the longing to be seen and the heartbreak of losing that connection. A gentle look at identity, recognition, and the fragile hope of being understood.By Zac Connor

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Episode 2 - The Perfect Mate 3:45

23d ago3:45

3:45

In this episode, Zac reflects on Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Perfect Mate,” a story about identity, expectation, and the quiet ache of shaping yourself to meet the needs of others. Through this emotional lens, he explores what it means to be defined by the world around you — and the longing to be known for who you truly are.…

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Trailer 0:54

23d ago0:54

0:54

This trailer opens the door to Fool’s Hope, a quiet storytelling podcast about being different, longing to be seen, and finding yourself reflected in the stories that shape us. If you’ve ever felt outside your own life, this is a place to rest.By Zac Connor

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Episode 1 - The Girl in the Fireplace 4:29

23d ago4:29

4:29

A sudden realization about otherness becomes the doorway into this first story. Through the aching beauty of Doctor Who’s “The Girl in the Fireplace,” Zac traces the feeling of watching life from behind glass — and the unexpected tenderness of being briefly understood. Episode 1 invites listeners into the heart of Fool’s Hope: quiet moments where e…

1
Dedication 1:54

23d ago1:54

1:54

The Dedication is a soft doorway into Fool’s Hope — a spoken letter to those who move through the world feeling separate, strange, or quietly overwhelmed. Zac welcomes listeners into a space where their inner worlds are honored, and where stories become a way of feeling less alone.By Zac Connor

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Shotshell ballistics, reloading, and how TSS defies physics with Del Whitman 1:38:48

26d ago1:38:48

1:38:48

Del Whitman is back to help explain shotshell pressures and how to create optimal patterns. Del puts the mystery of shot ballistics into layman's terms, describing how patterns perform and how extreme pressures destroy pattern density and pose risks to fine guns. In response to a listener query, he also digs into the magical properties of TSS and T…

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A Reading: Walking into Woodcock 29:34

1M ago29:34

29:34

After too long a break, the podcast returns solo installment featuring a piece of written work originally published in Skydance Magazine. An essay about Reid's early days as a woodcock hunter is shared in response to some reflection about shooting woodcock, the particular frailty of the species, and the changes faced by a bird hunter as he gets a b…

1
The Gamekeeper's Year at Loyton Sporting 2:11:01

2M ago2:11:01

2:11:01

One for the ages... Reid is joined by Stewart McIntyre, Estate Manager at Loyton Sporting (https://loyton.com/) and winner of the coveted 2023 Purdey Gold Award for Game and Habitat Conservation. Stewart pulls back the curtain and articulates the complexity of British Game Shooting, not only as an industry but as a force for stewardship and conserv…

1
Bird Shooting In New Zealand with Poronui 1:14:57

3M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

Claire Hall and Jeff Niblette join Reid from far, far away to discuss bird shooting in New Zealand. Both are affiliated with Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting and Fly-fishing Lodge Poronui which offers walked up and driven pheasant hunting on property. Claire, a longtime Poronui staffer, speaks about the place, the region, and the hunting program, while …

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A Life on the Road with Dave Brown 1:21:02

3M ago1:21:02

1:21:02

This episode contains mild adult language that may be offensive to some. Dave Brown, owner/operator of Dave Brown Outfitters, joins the podcast to describe the life of a professional wild bird guide. For several decades, Dave has been outfitting fly anglers and bird hunters from the Mexican border into Canada, and his perspective on the guide's lif…

1
Things That Get Away 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

On this episode of the podcast, Reid provides a quick update, talks about what the season has in store, and reads a short reflection called "Things That Get Away", first published in Ginkgo Magazine. Recorded on Sept 2, the he bird season has opened in several places across North America. It always sneaks up on us!…

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Trust your Boots, with Lars Anderson of Crispi US 1:01:57

4M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Lars Anderson, Sales Customer Service Manager at Crispi US, joins the podcast to discuss all things boot-related. Lars is an avid outdoorsman and hunter who was instrumental in developing Crispi's upland-specific boot, the Upland Pro. He and Reid discuss Crispi's rise in the hunting space, the technical aspects of a mountain-style boot, boot care, …

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Recoil Pads, Butt Plates, and Other Treatments,with Del Whitman 1:39:17

5M ago1:39:17

1:39:17

Del Whitman returns to the Podcast to discuss the ways in which gunsmiths finish shotgun butts. He describes different choices and techniques, and further discusses his unique process of selecting, sizing, and fitting a recoil pad

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Community Stewardship with Ben Jones of the Ruffed Grouse Society 1:34:25

5M ago1:34:25

1:34:25

Ben Jones, President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society, joins Reid in a discussion about the great work being done on the ground at RGS, and the work that still needs attention. The duo digs into the work of listening to and coalescing the wants and needs of different groups to the ultimate good of grouse, woodc…

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Life in Mearns Mecca with Zander Ault 1:06:01

6M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

Zander Ault of Patagonia, AZ joins Reid to discuss what it's like to live and build a business in one of bird hunting's most iconic destinations. Not a hunter himself, Zander (and his partner Heidi) landed in Patagonia for the extraordinary gravel cycling, but soon found that the region was ground zero for desert quail hunters. Having opened and ow…

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ICYMI: Going nuclear - ‘We are entering an era of a new global arms race’ 24:46

6M ago24:46

24:46

A year ago this week, Tova talked to James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Amid wars in Europe and the Middle East, she wanted to assess the chances of a nuclear war breaking out and how it could start, play out and affect New Zealand. Safe to say the world's not…

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The Transformation of Orvis Hill Country: A Vision for a Premier Shooting Destination 1:06:43

6M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

In this episode, we visit Orvis Hill Country Shooting Grounds in Blue Ridge Summit, PA, where General Manager Jeremy Mays is joined by new property owner and tech entrepreneur Ben Wallace. While Orvis continues to manage day-to-day operations, Ben brings fresh investment and bold ideas to elevate the facility. Together, they share their vision, rec…

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Reloaded: All You Ever Needed to Know About Shotgun Shells, with Mike Stock and Ben Frank of Winchester Ammunition 1:14:13

6M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Bringing back a favorite episode from 2019, Reid digs deep into shot-shell development with two members of the Winchester Ammunition Team-- Mike Stock and Ben Frank. This episode explores all facets of shotgun shells including performance, construction, and the different materials that impact both. It's a great chance to "nerd out" on the nuances o…

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Tyson Tabler, 2025 Wingshooting Guide of the Year 1:05:55

7M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

2025 Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Guide of the Year Tyson Tabler chats with Reid about wingshooting in Saskatchewan, building an outfitting business in western Canada, and what keeps him coming back to guiding year after year. Tyson, a Colorado native, built his business Feathered Fowl Outfitters to deliver exceptional waterfowl and upland hunts on …

1
A Chat with Orvis Gunsmith Connor Carson 1:16:50

7M ago1:16:50

1:16:50

Reid has a chat with Connor Carson, Orvis in-house Gunsmith. Orvis has employed a full-time gunsmith (or 3) for nearly half a century, and Connor continues that tradition of repairing, maintaining, evaluating, and customizing fine guns for Orvis customers. Calling in from his bench at Orvis Sandanona, Connor discusses some favorite guns, some inter…

1
Game Warden Service, with Kyle Isherwood 1:21:47

8M ago1:21:47

1:21:47

Vermont Game Warden Kyle Isherwood joins the podcast to revisit the topic of the Vermont Warden Service. For any interested in learning more about what goes into becoming a Game Warden, and what our Warden Service does day-to-day, this is a great conversation with a great guy. Kyle discusses his personal path into the service, and also explores som…

1
In Sleeping Weather 28:12

8M ago28:12

28:12

In another solo installment, Reid shares a story first published in Shooting Sportsman Magazine. He explores old friendships, memory, and the threats to both while telling a story of a long-ago waterfowl hunt in Northern Vermont.

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Finding a Gunsmith, with Del Whitman 1:05:05

8M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Del Whitman of DC Whitman Custom Gunsmithing returns to the podcast to explore the challenge of finding the right gunsmith for your needs. Del and Reid dig into the question, and provide some thoughts on how to best assess the issues that need attention, the level of execution desired, the time and money a customer is willing to dedicate to a gunsm…

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Keeping You Gundog Safe in the Field, with Dr. Seth Bynum 1:37:55

9M ago1:37:55

1:37:55

Reid is joined by @birddogvet Seth Bynum to discuss the common field injuries that impact gundogs, and how t deal with them. Seth goes on to detail what he takes in the field with him for a first-aid kit, what protective gear he recommends, and how to complete a through tailgate check of your dog post-hunt. He also describes his journey as a hunter…

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Reloaded: From the Field to The Kitchen, with Wade Truong 1:09:40

9M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

This show was originally posted on Januaryt 21, 2022. Wade Truong of Elevated Wild joins Reid for an hour discussing food. Wade and his partner Rachel Owen built Elevated Wild as a platform to discuss hunting, fishing, foraging, mentorship, and game cooking. Wade, a Virginia native, describes his career in commercial kitchens and his journey into t…

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All About Bobwhites with Dr. Mark McConnell 1:14:24

9M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Mark McConnell, Asst. Professor of Upland Birds at MS State, joins Reid to discuss Gentleman Bob, his distribution, habitat needs, and history in North America. Mark is a biologist and hunter who has been drawn to bobwhite quail research for his entire career, and he speaks to the different habitat types that sustain bobwhites, and the ways in whic…

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Five Questions with Jesse Haller 1:29:46

9M ago1:29:46

1:29:46

Orvis product developer Jesse Haller returns to the podcast to chat about hunting, bird dogs, and gear. He and Reid swap questions in back and forth that explores favorite pieces of gear, most dreamt-about places to visit, and grail guns,

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Hunting Hells Canyon with Grant Ritchie of Minam Store 1:02:21

10M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Reid chats with Grant Ritchie of Minam, Oregon, about hunting the Hells Canyon area by raft. Grant has a long family history in the region and has been guiding cast-and-blast trips on the Snake and Salmon Rivers out of his Oregon-based Minam Store. Grant discusses his family history, his personal return to the area to become an outfitter and guide,…

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The TrapMaster by Nordic Clays, with Friis Arne Petersen and Andreas Peter Wilhelmsen 57:10

10M ago57:10

57:10

Reid welcomes Friis Arne Petersen and Andreas Peter Wilhelmsen of Denmark to the podcast to discuss their innovative new shooting device, the TrapMaster. In short, the TrapMaster is an electronic device that presents clays that are spun much like ZZ Birds, but that can be launched from a handheld device. The podcast explores the evolution of his un…

1
The Orvis Endorsement, with Dave Perkins 1:03:29

11M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

Dave Perkins joins Reid to talk a bit about the Orvis Endorsed partnership of Wingshooting Lodges, Hunting Grounds, Guides, and Outfitters. As an Owner, Board Member, and former Executive of the Company, Dave has long been committed to the idea of providing customers opportunities to have their own experiences in the field. He talks about how facil…

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Spanish Best and Other Thoughts, with writer Terry Wieland 1:35:15

11M ago1:35:15

1:35:15

Terry Wieland, longtime Gun Editor at Gray's Sporting Journal, joins Reid to discuss 40 years as a freelance gun writer, the roots of his love for journalism, and the Golden Age of Spanish gunmaking. Terry is the author of numerous books, Spanish Best among them, and this study of the Spanish trade remains the definitive work on the topic.…

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Introducing: The Artful Dodger 0:45

12M ago0:45

0:45

James Wallace was once the most revered philanthropist in the New Zealand arts community. His world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault. After a six-year legal battle - and more victims came forward - Wallace was convicted of multiple crimes and out of ways to keep his identity secret. This is the story of a disgraced k…

1
Late Season Pheasants and KAMO Inc., with Trent Leichleiter 44:52

12M ago44:52

44:52

Reid welcomes Trent Leichleiter, Managing Partner of Nebraska's Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club back to the podcast. On this visit, Trent discusses some tactics for late-season midwest roosters while also giving an update on KAMO Inc., the organization he started some years ago to mentor new outdoors people and also find forever homes for gundogs in nee…

1
Prepping Guns for Storage, with Del Whitman 1:04:56

12M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

In another chat with the great Del Whitman of D.C. Whitman Custom Gunsmithing, Reid and Del explore the proper methods for preparing guns for long-term storage. Guns left for any length of time can fall victim to moisture, oil seepage, corrosion, and a host of other ills. Del explains how to prep guns for storage in a manner that ensures their safe…

1
Ugly Dog Hunting, with Mike Neiduski 57:18

1y ago57:18

57:18

Reid welcomes Mike Neiduski of Ugly Dog Hunting back to the podcast, this time to chat about his journey toward ownership of this online retail company. Mike talks about his path, his dogs, and his commitment to a lifestyle that revolves around upland pursuits.

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Rooster Road Trip Recap 59:45

1y ago59:45

59:45

Bob St. Pierre and Andrew Vavra of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever join Reid to recap the 2024 Rooster Road Trip. This adventure took Bob, Andrew, and several other friends and partners of PF/QF on a journey across North Dakota hunting public lands for wild birds, with the goal of sharing thoughts on access, habitat, and the great conservation work…

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Temporal Investigations #5: The Devil in the Dark 35:21

1y ago35:21

35:21

Jordan time travels to the next episode of Star Trek Wars to discuss another iconic episode of The Original Series, "The Devil in the Dark". How badly will this new incursion alter the placement of the episode on the All Time List, and will it all be worth it in the end? Part 4 of a 10 part series that mixes radio drama with episode reviews from th…

1
A Ballistician Weighs In, with Tom Roster 1:15:58

1y ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Reid is joined by Tom Roster for an in-depth look at shotshell performance and lethality based on shot type, load, shot size, and overall ballistics. In a career that has spanned 50 years, Roster has become THE definitive resource on reloading and shotshell ballistics. His studies of non-toxic shot lethality in waterfowl have become the definitive …

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Temporal Investigations #4: A Taste of Armageddon 36:31

1y ago36:31

36:31

Jordan time travels to the next episode of Star Trek Wars to discuss another iconic episode of The Original Series, "A Taste of Armageddon". How badly will this new incursion alter the placement of the episode on the All Time List? Part 4 of a 10 part series that mixes radio drama with episode reviews from the first 5 Trek series, featuring new fak…

1
5 (or 7) Great Shotguns, with Greg Carpiniello Orvis Gunroom Manager 57:59

1y ago57:59

57:59

Greg Carpiniello joins the podcast again to dive into the contents of the Orvis gun racks, identifying 5 interesting guns currently for sale. Unsurprisingly, 5 guns became 7. Reid and Greg look at a few great Spanish offerings, contemporary and classic British guns, and a workhorse German O/U.

1
Meditations on Montana, Bird Dogs, and Doing it Right, with Trent Kleppen 2:28:49

1y ago2:28:49

2:28:49

Montana native Trent Kleppen joins the podcast for a wonderful and far-ranging discussion of the bird hunter's journey, love of place, and a fascination with bird dogs. In search of wild bird and untamed country, Trent has bounced from northeast Montana to Oklahoma to South Texas. His story is reflective of his innate curiosity, consideration, and …