Eric Henning brings nearly 25 years experience in the financial world to help you demystify money.
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Okayest Hunter Deer Hunting Podcast Putting an end to hunter shaming, returning to our roots as deer hunters, and having fun outdoors! Join us each week as we host a LIVE Listener Call-In Deer Hunting podcast every Tuesday, streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram at 6 PM CSD. We’re the Okayest hunting podcast in the Midwest. We keep it casual and drink bourbon and beer while chatting with known and unknown deer, elk, and other hunters around the country. Wisconsin-based deer hunting po ...
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Whether you live in a suburban condo or on an off-grid farm, you can live a greener lifestyle. In the Sustainability Book Chat we talk to authors who can help you reach your goals to achieve a more self-reliant lifestyle, whether that means starting a container garden on your balcony or having chickens in your backyard or making greener transportation choices.
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Turkey season is over. Let's talk about deer. This episode is all about summer deer prep. What to prioritize, how to make the best use of your summer, and why trail cams can be more misleading than helpful if you don’t know what you’re doing. Eric and Derek get into summer bedding, aggressive moves, buck beds, rub lines, and the high-stakes game of…
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Building a Pantry from Scratch with Kris Bordessa
26:12
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26:12Got a question or thought to share? 🤔💬 Head over to the blog post -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/building-a-pantry-from-scratch/ -- and drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what you think and we’ll be sure to reply! Description In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Kris Bordessa, author of Attainable Sustainable and the new follow-up, A…
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We went to turkey camp, drank way too much KwikTrip coffee, tested some awesome Gerber camping gear, got our butts kicked by gobblers, and had fun fishing for trout in the driftless regions of Wisconsin. It was awesome. But in between all that, we hit on something serious. Congress is quietly trying to push through a bill that would sell off 500,00…
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We cracked a bottle of bourbon with country rock artist Troy Grove and talked about his rise from viral TikToks to 6 million Spotify streams, sketchy public land hunts in Tennessee, and the fine line between writing a hunting song and scaring off half your audience. From hunter harassment to Maryland deer camp stories, this one's a mix of music, ma…
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Why Hunters Are Hanging It Up and Why Some Never Start What causes someone to walk away from something they once loved, or never try it in the first place? This week, we explore the many reasons hunters stop hunting. We cover everything from private land pressure and public land overcrowding to regulation overload, rising gear costs, social stigma,…
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Pat Newcomb isn’t just the guy behind Nukem Hunting Blinds. He’s the kind of dude who’ll bring cookies to the neighbors after a hurricane floods his warehouse. We dig into how a happy accident (shoutout Bob Ross) turned into a game-changing blind design built for real-world hunters who value speed, simplicity, and concealment. Whether the kids are …
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Turkey hunting, bourbon tasting, and big chicken energy. This episode has it all. We kick things off debating whether bringing a bow to turkey camp is brave or just dumb, then crack open a bottle of Chicken Cock bourbon (yes, really) and spiral into owl trivia, KwikTrip chicken propaganda, and questionable whiskey barrel practices. Matt Streim from…
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Almost America’s national bird. That’s where this one starts, and it spirals in all the right ways. This episode dives into what makes turkey hunting such a perfect gateway for young hunters. Between barn cats stalking the blind, 4-year-olds dropping longbeards, and kids forming camp friendships over early-morning hunts, it’s clear turkey season is…
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Scout Speer joins the crew for a glass of bourbon, a BS session, and a great conversation about music, hunting, and the wild mix of adrenaline and stillness that ties it all together. From college soccer to a budding music career with Interstate Music, Scout breaks down her path to becoming an artist, what it’s like getting discovered on Music Row,…
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Confronting CWD & Policy with Doug Duren
2:14:33
2:14:33
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2:14:33Doug Duren joins the show and discusses the Sharing the Land initiative, explaining how it connects landowners and conservationists through habitat restoration, wildlife management, and community engagement. He outlines practical approaches to managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin, navigating policy controversies, and offering solutio…
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Michael Perry is a Wisconsin-born author, volunteer firefighter, and former nurse who's spent his life mastering the art of storytelling, often about his own hilarious misadventures. Which is a prerequisite for being a guest on our podcast! We dive into deer hunting as a New Year’s ritual, being an outsider in hunting culture, and what it's like ha…
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Cliff Gray lives the kind of life that makes most outdoorsmen envious, splitting his time between guiding hunters in the mountains and spearfishing in the waters of Puerto Rico. From the reality of selling his outfitting business and navigating the unpredictability of guiding to the obsession of spearfishing and the logistics of making a life in th…
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Doing Deer Stuff with Skyler Bradley
1:22:03
1:22:03
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1:22:03Skyler Bradley joins the Okayest Hunter podcast for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and wildly relatable. From viral TikTok deer skits to the unpredictability of internet fame, Skyler breaks down how a simple idea, born from a tradesman’s workday gripes and turned into a massive social media following. It’s not just about dressing up in…
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A Conservation Crisis with Mark Kenyon
1:12:34
1:12:34
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1:12:34Mark Kenyon joins the show for a deep dive into conservation, public lands, and the growing threats to access and wildlife management. He eloquently explains how conservation should be a nonpartisan issue, yet political and economic pressures put some of the country’s most treasured outdoor spaces at risk. Mark shares insights from That Wild Countr…
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A Lifetime Learning How to Hunt Deer
1:06:49
1:06:49
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1:06:49The fellas dive into the ever-elusive mastery of deer hunting this week. Things like how experience builds in layers and how you don’t even hear the right lessons until you’ve suffered through enough mistakes to be ready for them. Buck beds, trail cam traps, wind shifts—every misstep is a lesson, whether you learn it the hard way or just listen to …
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Exploring Iowa’s Public Land: Big Rubs, Shed Hunting, and Scouting for Future Hunts In this episode of Dropping Pins, Derek embarks on his first-ever public land scouting trip in Iowa. With a possible tag draw in two years, he’s putting boots on the ground, marking stand locations, and soaking in everything the terrain has to offer. From massive ru…
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Ryan Lonergan steps into the Okayest Hunter studio and right away, it’s clear, this one’s gonna be a good time. He’s the host of the Fragout Podcast, a veteran advocate with 18 years of service work under his belt, and a guy who’s seen more than a few hard truths. The conversation swerves from the absurdity of podcasting tech failures to the real-d…
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In this episode of Dropping Pins Derek talks to central Wisconsin native Brian Dombrowski. Brian has been a serious big buck killer for a long time and spends a considerable amount of time scouting and learning the public lands of WI, as well as a few other states. Brian has killed and hunted some truly remarkable animals in different states. We di…
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This episode was chaos—just like every hunting season. Bourbon-fueled ramblings, shed hunting plans, and the occasional existential crisis about the meaning of a three-finger pour. But beneath the laughter and whiskey-soaked musings, there's gold: Iowa scouting, antler obsession, and the never-ending pursuit of finding the right place at the right …
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Dropping Pins: Zack Robb aka Stache Squatch
1:06:20
1:06:20
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1:06:20Ep. 21- Zack Robb aka Stache Squatch In this episode Derek talks with Lone Wolf Custom Gear team member, Zack Robb. Zach is from central Virginia and has transitioned from somewhat agricultural hunting land to more rigorous mountain terrain. This challenging terrain has really inspired Zack to push himself and learn to hunt mountain bucks. Zack sta…
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The Decline of Woodsmanship & The Rise of AI in Hunting
1:30:02
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1:30:02AI is creeping into every corner of the hunting world, but is it helping hunters, or just making us lazier? Greg, Eric and a handful of callers debate the rise of AI-powered trail cams, smart optics, and hunting apps that predict deer movement with machine learning. Is technology making us better hunters, or just over-reliant on gadgets? Meanwhile,…
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Dropping Pins: Alvin Sitkiewicz of Michigan Gone Wild
1:29:45
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1:29:45In this episode, Derek sits down to talk with Alvin. Sitkiewicz of Michigan Gone Wild. Michigan Gone Wild is celebrating their 10th year of production of awesome YouTube deer Camp videos. Alvin and his group of friends have been filming from lower Michigan Archery and gun hunting along with out-of-state Whitetail hunts all across the country. In th…
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This episode dives into the unique personalities and perspectives from across the Okayest Podcast Network, showcasing how there’s truly a podcast for anyone and everyone in the outdoors. From public land etiquette and gear tips to the challenges of late-season hunting and even trapping insights, the hosts share their expertise, humor, and stories. …
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Derek sits down to talk to Justin Synan from lone Wolf Whitetail Addictions and host of Run & Gun podcast. Derek and Justin talk about his upbringing of hunting public land and suburban areas of Maryland in his youth. Later in life, Justin and his family decided to move to Kentucky to pursue trophy whitetails having lived in Kentucky the last five …
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This episode was a whirlwind of hunting stories, gear talk, and camaraderie. From navigating icy marshes and late-season challenges to reflecting on the ethics of public land hunting, the crew shared insights and laughs throughout. Key takeaways included: Late-Season Hunting: Ice can shut down marsh access, pushing deer to higher ground or neighbor…
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In this episode of dropping pins, Derek sits down with Josh Beaman, a Wisconsin native who lives in the Fox Valley area. Josh talks about how he got interested in hunting big deer by going to college at UW Madison, and exploring the driftless region of Southwestern, Wisconsin. We dive into tactics for thinking about and starting to hunt hill countr…
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Refining Chaos with Latitude Outdoors
1:26:30
1:26:30
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1:26:30Ever wondered what happens when chaos meets the woods? This week, Eric and Greg sit down with Alex and Corey from Latitude Outdoors to talk about saddle hunting, product innovation, and the gritty reality of public land hunts. From getting stuck in muddy ditches to rethinking how you pack gear for efficiency, this episode is a masterclass in adapti…
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Eric goes solo to chat with JD and Cody from Primal Pursuit, two Utah-based hunters turned entrepreneurs. They share how their passion for hunting inspired their game-changing archery targets, including the lifetime-warrantied Endura Cube and their unique self-healing foam. Along the way, they dive into the challenges of backcountry hunting, the gr…
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This episode packs a punch—literally. From bourbon-fueled banter to hard lessons in deer drives, it’s everything you love about hunting stories with the "Okayest" twist. Eric, Derek, and Greg dive into chaotic coyote encounters, thick-cover tactics, and near-tree-stand disasters that somehow lead to success. We’ve got tips on keeping your feet warm…
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In this episode, Derek talks with good friend and big buck slayer Blake Below. Blake comes from an incredibly dedicated hunting family of die hard archers and Blake fell right into line. Through the years Blake has created his own success and documented many of them while self filming for the Ghost Bucks YouTube channel. In this episode we dive int…
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Deer camp vibes are in full swing! We’re chatting coyotes, chili, and classic deer camp camaraderie. Friends of Eric's take the mic in place of Greg and Derek as the crew dives into everything from quick gear grabs to KwikTrip runs, sharing laughs and stories about public land struggles, predator encounters, and the timeless "scent control vs. luck…
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Eric's redemption hunt took center stage as he shared the story of his spike buck success on public land after a tough season. Battling a cough and missing gear, he adapted, hunted from the ground, and made it happen with a well-placed shot. The episode wove humor and heart, from close encounters with bucks and lessons learned on scent and setup to…
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Dropping Pins: Derek’s Gun Season Scouting Vlog
1:21:15
1:21:15
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1:21:15In this video blog segment of Dropping Pins, Derek is scouting the National Forest in Northeastern Wisconsin for potential stand locations for next weekend's Firearms season opener. Derek revisits some of his old honey holes, but things are different…VERY different! After a large straight-line wind storm hit the area about 8 years ago, logging crew…
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This week, Derek recaps an unforgettable blacktail hunt in the rugged beauty of Oregon. From high-stakes moments to laid-back camaraderie, this is what hunting is all about. The team battled through steep shale bluffs and shifting winds while adapting to a new hunting style. But the pressure didn't stop them. Supported by friends old and new, they …
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In this week’s episode, the guys were all over the place—in the best way possible. They started off chatting about gear, sponsors, and some fresh Okayest Hunter merch, like the "hunting season survivor" crewnecks and new flannels that’ll keep you warm and lookin’ okay. They took some calls from listeners, each sharing rut updates from Illinois, Kan…
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Dropping Pins: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
44:15
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44:15In this Dropping Pins episode, Derek dives into the mindset and strategies behind successful hunts, especially with his upcoming Illinois trip. Between old spots and fresh sign, Derek breaks down the tendencies hunters have to rely on familiar locations versus taking on new territory. Through stories of past hunts with his dad, Derek shares how sti…
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The crew brings relatable stories from hunting the rut, with stories every hunter can appreciate. From last-minute second-guessing things to the thrill—and heartbreak—of tracking deer, they talk about the emotional rollercoaster of being out in the field when things don't go to plan. We dive into recent hunts, close encounters with elusive bucks, a…
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Derek shares the story of a textbook rut hunt that came together perfectly, showing just how unpredictable and rewarding deer season can be. After scouting a promising area and setting up quietly, he was ready to go—until a mature 10-pointer responded to his calling sequence and stepped into range. With a well-placed shot and the support of Eric an…
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In this episode, we take the podcast on the road, recording live from the Majestic Theater with serial entrepreneur Andy Wines. While Andy dives deep into his productive and intentional approach to work, he shares how he balances his entrepreneurial ventures with deer hunting. The conversation flows naturally from tactical hunting insights—like sco…
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Joe Van Beek joins this episode of Dropping Pins with an epic early-season deer hunting success story. As a new dad juggling family and hunting, Joe shares the detailed strategy that helped him bag one of his best bucks yet. He dives deep into how he scouted the area, set up trail cameras, and utilized unique access points to outsmart mature deer d…
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The Okayest Hunter Podcast kicks off with Greg’s return, bringing plenty of classic OHP banter. The crew dives into early-season hunting updates as Greg shares his recent bowhunting experiences, including a few close encounters but no shots fired. They strategize around an incoming cold front and juggle hunting plans with family commitments. The co…
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In this episode, Derek sits down with Big Buck Killer Ryan Glisky of Pennsylvania. Ryan starts off by talking a little bit about his early season success in Maryland this year with a great buck he took on an early season betting pattern. Ryan relates a lot of his decision-making with confidence that has been built up over the years in the areas and…
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Ryan Shutts joins Eric and Derek from Bear Archery to talk about the latest lineup of Bear bows, including the highly anticipated Persist 33, Whitetail INT, and the Legit Max. They dive into Bear Archery's mission of making hunting accessible to everyone by offering bows that are not only packed with innovative technology but are also highly adjust…
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In this episode of Dropping Pins, Derek talks with good buddy Matt Streim who owns Weathered Oaks Game Calls and is co-host of the Okayest Fisher Podcast. Although Matt cut his teeth as a Northwoods tree stand hunter, circumstances have since changed and Matt has found himself hunting areas that are lacking trees large enough to hunt from. This has…
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Eric flies solo this week, catching up with everyone right before heading off on a family vacation. With hunting season underway, he shares a sweaty 90-degree hunting recap, dealing with malfunctioning trail cams and some seriously obnoxious doe blowing his cover. You can expect the usual Okayest humor, a bit of gear talk (spoiler: mosquitoes hate …
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This episode starts off a little unexpectedly as Derek and Tony are just chit chatting before hit the record button, but things escalate quickly as they often do with good hunting stories, and Derek hits record after Tony dives into a great story about one of his first travel public land hunts. This hunt takes place before the public land DIY hunti…
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This week Derek and Eric chat with Ryan Shutts, the Product Manager behind Bear Archery’s compound and youth bow lines. Ryan shares insights on Bear’s deep-rooted tradition in archery and how they're keeping Fred Bear's blue-collar, accessible ethos alive in a world where prices keep going up. We chat about the resurgence of traditional archery, th…
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Today Derek talks to Devin Duncan of Virginia. Devin grew up hunting the vast public land mountains of western Virginia and learned the ropes from his father. Devin talks about how his dad had used mules for years to pack into remote steep terrain and also for packing out the harvest. Devin talks about the woods of his area and how the deer survive…
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In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, Jace Martinetto shares his journey from being a landscaper to becoming the producer and videographer for outdoor hunting shows, including Okayest Hunter and Jake Break Hollow. Jace discusses how his passion for videography led him to take big risks, invest in his craft, and eventually transition from h…
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Dropping Pins: Rodney Elmer of Mountain Deer
1:29:38
1:29:38
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1:29:38In this episode, Derek sits down to talk with another big buck killer from the North East. Rodney Elmer of Mountain Deer Taxidermy is a generational hunter from Vermont who chases big buck tracks through New England when the snow flies. He has been a hunter safety educator, taxidermist, and seminar speaker and most recently created a successful You…
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