Afield with Christiana Roussel

In this episode of Afield, host Christiana Roussel sits down with Commissioner Chris Blankenship, head of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, for an in-depth conversation about the future of Alabama’s natural resources and outdoor opportunities.🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:The debut of brand-new lakefront cottages at Wind Creek State Park 🌊Commissioner Blankenship’s career journey—from game warden on Dauphin Island to leading the state’s conservation effortsThe Forever Wild Land Trust and its 300,000+ acres of preserved land across Alabama 🌿How conservation impacts local economies, especially in the Black Belt region through hunting, fishing, and timberMajor projects including new boat ramps, the Forever Wild Field Trial Area, and a $228M investment in state parksThe history and global recognition of the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo 🎣Beach restoration efforts and new public access initiatives on Alabama’s Gulf Coast 🏖SEEK Alabama and the push to use outdoor recreation as a key driver for talent recruitment and retention in the stateOutdoor Alabama Academy and the Adult Mentor Program that are helping new generations discover hunting and fishingWhether you’re passionate about conservation, love Alabama’s great outdoors, or just want to hear how smart investments in land and water shape communities and economies, this episode is for you.🌐 Learn more: seekalabama.com👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to SoulGrown for more stories from Alabama. soul-grown.com

In this episode Christiana sits down with Pam Swanner, President of Alabama Blackbelt Adventures. As one of the most popular hunting destinations in the state, Pam shares her passion for the outdoors, explains which hunt she thinks is the perfect hunt for a woman getting into the sport, and why the Belt Belt region’s rich landscape attracts tourism from all over the world.

In this episode of Afield, Christiana sits down with renowned Alabama chef and James Beard semifinalist Rob McDaniel to explore the intersections of food, faith, and conservation. Christiana shares a fun throwback picture of Chef Rob during a live-fire cooking event, after his first Birmingham restaurant, Helen has been a hit, Chef Rob is now diving deep into sustainable seafood with the launch of Bayonet—his new oyster-forward restaurant in Birmingham. As always, this episode isn’t just about food—it’s a heartfelt conversation about connecting to the land, preserving ecosystems, and how his spirituality and Southern upbringing influence every dish.About Chef Rob McDaniel: Rob is a six-time James Beard semifinalist and Executive Chef of Helen and Bayonet in Birmingham, AL. A graduate of Auburn University and the New England Culinary Institute, he blends Southern heritage, open-fire cooking, and a conservation-minded ethos into every dish.

In this premier episode of Afield, presented by Gusto Hunting Preserve, host Cristiana Roussel sits down with acclaimed wildlife artist and Alabama native Vaughan Pursell Spanjer. Broadcasting from the scenic backdrop inside Vaughan's studio at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama, this conversation weaves together themes of Southern heritage, outdoor living, and creative purpose.Vaughan’s journey begins on a 3,200-acre family property filled with creeks, hills, and hardwoods—an Alabama outdoor paradise that deeply informs her work. From barefoot childhoods chasing crawdads to painting blue herons and bird dogs, Vaughan’s connection to nature is not just nostalgic—it’s foundational. Her wildlife-inspired art reflects not only the biodiversity of the South but also a reverence for the land, instilled by a creative family and a lifestyle immersed in nature.Vaughan shares with Christiana about how her early dreams of fashion design took her from Auburn University to the fast-paced world of New York City, working for boutique designer Adam Lippes. But the grind of the industry and a season of infertility led her to a pivotal moment of reflection. While on bed rest, Vaughan reconnected with her artistic roots, starting with charcoal sketches, moving into self-taught watercolor, and ultimately creating a body of work that now graces homes, galleries, and retreats across the South.Listeners will be inspired by how Vaughan balances motherhood, artistry, and outdoor stewardship. She opens up about her faith, the influence of Southern topography, and the power of saying no to perfectionism. Her storytelling is peppered with reflections on creativity as a spiritual practice, the legacy of family, and the unique light and textures found only in the South.This episode also highlights Vaughan’s role as the founder of Hearts of Rest, a women’s faith-based creative retreat hosted at Pursell Farms. The retreat focuses on restoration, creativity, and community, making use of the natural surroundings to create space for women to reconnect with themselves and their purpose.A special moment in the episode: Vaughan’s recent artist residency in Northern France, which added new dimensions of looseness and abstract inspiration to her classically Southern style. Still, she always returns to her roots—specifically, her “secret place” at Pursell Farms, a mountaintop view where she finds peace, prays, and reflects.Whether you're a fan of wildlife conservation, Southern landscapes, outdoor living, or simply the art of storytelling, this episode offers a beautiful reminder of how the outdoors can shape our creativity, faith, and sense of purpose.