The Rolling Thunder Podcast

In this episode of First Light, Chuck Halford introduces the six steps to escaping sin—beginning with honesty. He explains how true freedom starts when we’re willing to be truthful with ourselves, with others, and with God. Honesty opens the door for the next steps: humility, repentance, forgiveness, obedience, and kingdom living. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13

In Episode 10 of the First Light Podcast, Chuck Halford takes on the topic of sobriety and the pull of addiction that so many face. He reminds listeners that temptation is always present and raises an important question: Should we keep sinning just because God’s grace is always there? Chuck points to the truth that grace is not a license to remain in sin, but the strength God gives to overcome it and walk in freedom. Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

In this episode of First Light, Chuck Halford shares a heartfelt story from his life as a veterinarian, focusing on one unforgettable dog named Fighter. Born still and against all odds pulling through, Fighter lived up to her name in every way. She became a constant source of joy at the shop—greeting customers, lifting spirits, and shining light into every situation. More than just a loyal companion, Fighter was a living reminder of God’s grace and His presence in our daily lives. Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

In Episode 8 of First Light, Chuck Halford shares his story of unwavering faith and how God has been a steady presence throughout his life—from childhood to today. Raised with a deep love for the Lord, Chuck reflects on how his walk with God shaped him from a young age and gave him strength and direction as he grew. He also shares how that same faith sustains him through life’s hardest moments. In the aftermath of tragedy, Chuck has witnessed how God moves among His people—drawing hearts together, grounding them in Scripture, and bringing healing through His Word. These moments serve as powerful reminders that even in pain and loss, the Lord is working, redeeming, and revealing His unshakable love. Chuck’s story is a testimony that God is not only present in the joy and the peace—but also in the grief, the questions, and the aftermath. His faith proves what Scripture tells us: God never leaves His people. He is always there.

In this powerful episode, Chuck Halford dives into the feeling of being stuck — in life, in faith, or in circumstances beyond our control. He unpacks how difficult and disorienting these seasons can be, but reminds us that through the Lord's wisdom and guidance, we don’t have to stay there. Drawing from Romans 12:1–2, Chuck challenges us to reject the patterns of this world and renew our minds through biblical thinking — because true transformation doesn’t come from culture, but from Christ. When life feels stuck, God is still at work. As Psalm 40:2 says, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Tune in and be encouraged to lean on the Lord, renew your mind, and keep moving forward in faith.

In this episode of First Light, Chuck Halford reflects on the importance of paying attention—not just in the small details of life, but in the most important relationship we have: our walk with the Lord. He shares how being present and attentive can shape our faith, our decisions, and the way we live each day. Drawing from Scripture, Chuck reminds us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2), and to “pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and still more will be added to you” (Mark 4:24). This episode calls us to slow down, tune in, and pay attention to the One who is always present and guiding us.

In this episode of the First Light Podcast, Chuck reflects on lessons drawn from his past hunting spots and the simple tools that guided him—like carrying a compass into the field. Just as a compass points you in the right direction, he explains how faith in the Lord provides direction for life. The object of your faith, he reminds us, is what you will ultimately worship. Chuck also shares a powerful reminder: “You Can Trust the Sun.” Each sunrise declares God’s presence and prominence, a daily assurance that He is constant and unchanging. Through hunting stories, Scripture, and personal reflection, this episode encourages listeners to keep their eyes fixed on the true source of direction and strength.

In this episode, Spence gets on the phone with Kenny Winters of Winter Timber Outdoors to talk about his newest store location in Auburn, Alabama. The two dive into the vision behind the shop, the importance of location, and what makes the concept stand out. They also reflect on the value of seeing a brick-and-mortar storefront thrive in today’s waterfowl industry—a reminder that community, tradition, and face-to-face connections are still at the heart of the business.

Chuck unpacks The Four F’s — Friends, Foundation, Focus, and Faith — and how each plays a vital role in building a meaningful and God-centered life. He explores how these guiding principles can shape a believer’s journey by pursuing a deeper, more purposeful life goal. Chuck reminds listeners that while our paths may shift, and life’s direction can change over time, God remains constant — present in every decision, every step, and every season. With a blend of Scripture, personal insight, and practical wisdom, this episode offers encouragement for keeping faith at the center, no matter where life leads.

In this episode, Chuck Halford continues exploring The Four F’s — Friends, Foundation, Focus, and Faith — timeless principles for living a God-centered life. He focuses on the first two, Friends and Foundation, sharing how meaningful relationships and a solid grounding in Scripture can guide believers through every season. Chuck emphasizes that “success” isn’t measured by worldly standards, but by pursuing a life rooted in God’s presence and purpose. With heartfelt stories and biblical insight, this episode lays the groundwork for a deeper discussion that continues in the next installment.

In this episode, The Gift of Friends, Spence’s father, Chuck Halford, reflects on the blessing of friendship as described in Scripture. He shares how God’s Word reminds us that true friends are a rare and precious gift — offering support, encouragement, and accountability in our walk of faith. Through heartfelt stories and carefully chosen verses, Chuck highlights the ways in which strong, Christ-centered friendships can shape our character, deepen our faith, and carry us through life’s trials. It’s a warm and meaningful reminder of the value God places on the people He places in our lives.

In this special episode, we sit down at the Ducks Unlimited Podcast booth, from inside the DUX Expo, to talk all things waterfowl. From the energy of the show floor to the latest gear announcements, the crew dives into what made this year’s expo in Memphis one to remember. We chat about the big news from Rogue Ammo, including the drop of their new steel #6s, and get firsthand reactions from the team. Whether you missed the event or just want to relive it, this episode brings the DUX experience straight to your ears.

In this inspiring series, Spence’s father, Chuck Halford, shares timeless wisdom and heartfelt guidance for believers to carry into their daily lives. Drawing from Scripture, each episode is rooted in powerful Bible verses that serve as both a foundation and a focal point for his message. With a blend of personal insight, spiritual encouragement, and practical application, Chuck offers listeners a source of strength, perspective, and faith for every season of life. It’s a meaningful and uplifting listen you won’t want to miss.

In this heartfelt series, Spence sits down with his family to reflect on the life and legacy of their late grandfather, Berl Bartley Gary Jr, better known as Pop to those close. Through stories, laughter, and reflection, they explore the pivotal decisions Berl made and how those choices shaped generations to come. This series is a tribute to a man whose strength and values left a lasting mark on his family — a legacy worth remembering.

We're right in the thick of tradeshow season, and Spence sits down with the Road Dawgs to talk all about it. From the highs of meeting fellow hunters and industry leaders to the not-so-glamorous grind of life on the road, nothing’s off the table! The Dawgs share some hilarious moments, talk hunting, and give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like living the Road Dawg life—both in and out of the booth.

In this heartfelt series, Spence sits down with his family to reflect on the life and legacy of their late grandfather, Berl Bartley Gary Jr, better known as Pop to those close. Through stories, laughter, and reflection, they explore the pivotal decisions Berl made and how those choices shaped generations to come. This series is a tribute to a man whose strength and values left a lasting mark on his family — a legacy worth remembering.

In this heartfelt episode, Spence sits down with his family to reflect on the life and legacy of their late grandfather, Berl Bartley Gary Jr, better known as Pop to those close. Through stories, laughter, and reflection, they explore the pivotal decisions Berl made and how those choices shaped generations to come. This series is a tribute to a man whose strength and values left a lasting mark on his family — a legacy worth remembering.

This week on the podcast, Spence is joined by Matt Messer from Cotton Gin Smokers, who stopped by the shop to fire up the smoker and treat the crew to a killer lunch. They dive into all things barbecue—from techniques and flavor to what sets Cotton Gin apart—and talk through the journey that led Matt to turn his passion into a business. It's a laid-back conversation full of great food, good stories, and even better friends.

This week, we're talking machines! One of the most critical steps in building our duck calls begins in the machine shop. Every call we make passes through one of our four HAAS     machine—starting as a solid rod of acrylic and ending as a precision-cut duck call blank. Spence is joined by Daniel, Jay, and Russ—our three machinists who help keep the Rolling Thunder world turning. The guys dive into the machines they run, how they use them to craft our calls, and share their backgrounds and experiences working with large CNC equipment.

It’s time for Collect No. 6! The LA cut—known for its raspy tone from top to bottom—has been one of our most requested calls for a while now. Well, we heard you, and the guys have delivered. This week, Drake Levey and Riley Bennett from our tuning room sit down with Spence to talk about the new call model, the BruteLA, dropping July 7th. It also makes up this month’s batch of 40 Collect Calls.