Bear Grease

On this episode, the crew exchanges gifts, eats Christmas cookies, dissects the Folsom site even more, and introduces a new guest. Clay makes an apology to early Christmas light hangers. The crew tries to understand why the Folsom hunters killed so many bison. Clay gives away Josh's muzzleloader in the gift exchange and Josh handcrafts a belt buckle for Daniel. This episode is full of good Christmas vibes, and though Brent couldn't make it, he leaves a special holiday tribute to the crew. Merry Christmas!Connect with Clay and MeatEaterClay on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb sits down with Teddy Villines, father to Cody Villines and uncle to Caylon Villines featured in the last episode.  He is a lifelong Ozark logger shaped by generations of hard work, handshake deals, and respect for the land. Teddy shares stories from a life spent in the woods, including close calls, brutal injuries, and a terrifying runaway log-truck wreck that forced him to confront who is truly in control. More than a logging story, this episode is about character, faith, and legacy. What it means to provide for your family, keep your word, and face life’s dangers with humility. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past several weeks, Brent's been hitting the road from Tennessee to Pennsylvania as a goodwill ambassador, and meeting people from all over the eastern half of the country. We get the hunt and sports show stops, but guest lecturing at the University of Tennessee? What were they thinking? Pull up a chair and find out for yourself. It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.  Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by Bear Grease featured cousins Caylon and Cody Villines, as well as Waylon Villines. The Villines family has been logging Newton County, Arkansas, for generations, and they’ve got the stories to prove it. Join us as we talk about Ozark heritage, the transition from old-school timbering to the modern era, and the grit it takes to remain a woodsman in the 21st century. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many of us getting our children and the younger members of our family outdoors is a priority. How we get them outside and what we do once they're there can set the stage for how they view that experience for years to come. Brent's sharing a listener's story along that theme. Brent's also offering his own thoughts how he handled getting his own children outside; what he did right and maybe what he could've done better. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb visits Newton County, Arkansas, to talk to Cody and Caylon Villines. They're woodsmen, hunters, and the most recent line of generations of loggers cutting hardwood in the Ozarks. They talk about the craft of selective logging, the evolution from horses to heavy equipment, and the quiet code of contentment passed down from their fathers. They also talk about the danger. From freak accidents to lost friends to a moment witnessing a miracle in the woods, this is an honest, deeply personal look at life in one of the country’s deadliest professions. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a listener's story about passing down the appreciation for wild things to Brent's first solo squirrel hunt, this week's This Country Life is sure to be one of your favorites. As a bonus, the recipe of how Brent's mama fried all the squirrels she nor his dad would eat is in here along with the reason why neither one would partake. Get the grease hot! We've got squirrels to fry. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Misty Newcomb, Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, along with Backwoods University Podcast's Lake Pickle in the Tecovas Hot Seat.  Fresh off the release of the CBS Sunday Morning feature with legendary journalist Ted Koppel at Arkansas bear camp, the crew gives context and details of what happened behind-the-scenes. It was an unscripted weekend of uncertain expectations, tough hunting, and a turn-the-table conversation around the campfire leading to a tense moment where a missed shot at a black bear puts the spotlight squarely one particular hunter. The crew shares what the cameras didn’t show and their thoughts and impressions of their time with iconic news man Ted Koppel. Plus, Clay reflects on the black bear that helped inspire his upcoming book American Bear and the deeper history of bear reverence across cultures. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that snow and ice can disrupt the lives of people who don't get a lot of it. Brent's no different, and it may affect him more than most. He's snowed in at his studio and talking about a smorgasbord of things today that may or may not go together. You'll just have to listen and see what we mean. It's random stories time on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb dives deep into the world of mules, mule skinners, and the quiet kind of backcountry wisdom you only earn from miles in the saddle. Alongside legendary Arizona cowboy and Bear Grease Hall of Famer, Warner Glen, and mule trainer and clinician, Ty Evans, Clay explores why serious mountain hunters trust mules over horses, and how their self preservation instinct can be a virtue. They also discuss what these tough, insightful animals can teach us about grit, leadership, and self-control.   Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Brent's trying his hand at competition gumbo cooking. He and his friends from the Cache Bayou Hound and Mallard Club have entered a gumbo cooking contest. If it was a gumbo eating contest they'd win easily but it's not. Do they have the right stuff to come out on top, you'll have to listen and find out for yourself. He's also sharing a listener story about the perils of extreme cold weather duck hunting that could've ended tragically and almost did.   Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb—alongside Bear Newcomb, Dr. Misty Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker—is joined by Clay’s squirrel-hunting “sensei,” Michael Lanier. The crew covers a wide range of topics, from Clay’s trophy deer “Jimminy Christmas” and his relationship with his Tecovas boots to the pressing question of whether he needs a haircut. The conversation eventually goes full mule when Michael brings his trusty mule, Willard, into the studio, sparking a deeper discussion about the recent Bear Grease Podcast episode on Ty Evans. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's talking about music this week and the role it plays in his life. We can all relate to the moment when a song from your past takes you to a remembered place or triggers a memory of people or events. Hearing new songs that describe what you thought was indescribable is another joy altogether. Having the opportunity to spend time with the artists that can do that makes for a great story we think you'll enjoy. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb interviews Ty Evans, one of the country’s top mule trainers and clinicians. After a broken femur in the arena benched Ty’s rodeo career, he began studying a different approach to training horses and mules than the "Cowboy Way". One based not on brute force, but on trust and understanding how animals actually think. What he discovered taught him that sometimes the solution to problems isn't doing more of the same, but adopting an entirely new way of seeing the world.   If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone needs help from time to time, and it's human nature to offer to do so. There are many ways to do it and this week, Brent's talking about how a conversation he had years ago with an unknown mentor continues to help him today. He's also issuing a challenge to help an organization that's helping people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors. Hands of a Sportsman non-profit: http://www.handsofasportsman.org/ Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by their primary care physician, Dr. Adam McCall, for a wide-ranging conversation on men’s health—physical, mental, and spiritual. With so much conflicting advice circulating online and across social media, it can be difficult to know what actually matters. Together, they offer a balanced, practical perspective on staying fit, healthy, and grounded in the modern world. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's out with the boys this week and they're all chasing rabbits. Well, more like following the dogs that are chasing the rabbits. He's giving insight into how a rabbit hunt with dogs is done, why it's so special to him, and where it ranks on his list of favorite things to do. The results may surprise you. Bubba, it's time to cut the pups loose on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re diving deep into the heart of southern cultural identity and the mind of Jerry Clower. Does that name ring a bell? Jerry was thrust into national fame in the 1970s when a story he told about coon hunting topped the country charts. I’m interested in those odd places where rural culture -- and specifically hunting -- crosses tracks with the mainstream. Wilson Rawls bridged that gap with his book “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and Jerry did it with comedy about hunting varmints. He’s been gone for a long time, but I was able to meet up with his old Amite County neighbor in East Fork, Mississippi: a man named John Newman. He’ll give us a behind the scenes look into who Jerry was, and some of it may surprise you. And believe it not, Brent Reaves met Jerry Clower and saw his famed Gold Cadilac. Brent swears it was as long as a battleship. Trust me boys and girls, you’re not going to want to miss this one! If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Projects come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they work out, other times, they don't. Brent's sharing a project that didn't work out like he'd hoped, and a new project he's hoping will. Get your clipboards ready, it's time for This Country Life on MeatEater's podcast network! Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by MeatEater crew members Steven Rinella, Dr. Randall Williams, Janis Putelis, and Brent Reaves, plus special guest Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours. The crew breaks down the Bucky Garrison episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, swaps stories from the first half of the MeatEater Christmas Live Tour, laughs through Clay’s failed “captive cervid” joke, and confirms the rumors about a new Turnpike Troubadours album on the horizon. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.