ASCEND by Ducks Unlimited

Why does some venison taste gamey, and what can hunters do to prevent it?Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with wild-game chef Cate Meade, a former Top 4 MasterChef finalist and Chopped: Castaways competitor, to talk about cooking, hunting, foraging, and building a deeper connection with the food on your plate.Cate explains why overcooking and under-seasoning are two of the biggest mistakes people make with venison. She also explains when a salted milk soak helps, why she prefers dry brining, how ingredients like mustard, garlic, and herbs complement wild game, and why the right finishing temperature matters.The conversation goes beyond venison. Cate discusses growing up in Chicago, discovering hunting with her father, competing on reality television, foraging for morels and wild plants, safely identifying mushrooms, and turning her connection with the outdoors into a culinary career.In this episode:• Why venison can develop a strong or “gamey” flavor• How milk, salt, and dry brining affect wild game• The danger of overcooking venison• Cate’s favorite venison dish• A simple wild-game recipe for reluctant cooks• Safe and responsible foraging• What reality cooking competitions are really like• Learning to judge doneness by touch• Respecting and using what you harvestLearn more about Cate and find her recipes:https://www.wildwoodschef.com/Follow @wildwoodchef on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0 The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

Learn how to earn credibility, navigate setbacks, and build a lasting career in the outdoor industry.Host Erin Crider speaks with Kristine Fischer, a professional bass angler who made history in 2026 by recording the largest single-day bag ever recorded by a female angler in Bassmaster history.Christine shares the years of hard work behind her success, from competing in national kayak fishing tournaments to building a career through content creation, brand partnerships, and mentorship. She opens up about facing accusations that challenged her integrity, learning to handle criticism, and why women may receive attention in the outdoor industry without always being taken seriously. Together, Erin and Christine explore how women can build sustainable careers, support one another, and create more opportunities for the next generation.In this episode, you'll learn:How Christine turned online criticism into an opportunity to demonstrate her fishing skills and teach others.Why getting noticed as a woman in the outdoor industry doesn't always translate into long-term career success.What it takes to build credibility through consistent work, patience, and genuine relationships.How to approach brand partnerships and why success often takes years rather than happening overnight.Why mentorship and collaboration matter for women entering the outdoor industry.How women can move beyond comparison and jealousy to celebrate one another's achievements.Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

A first shot can do more than hit a target. For Karen Butler, one weekend outdoors brought confidence, strength and direction at one of the lowest points in her life. That experience eventually led her to found Shoot Like a Girl and help introduce more than 50,000 guests to shooting sports.In this Ascend podcast episode, host Julia Stallings talks with Karen about helping women move from “I can’t” to “I can.” They discuss the fears that keep new shooters from starting, the mistake mentors often make when someone says she is scared, and how to create a safe first hunting or shooting experience. Karen also shares practical advice on hearing protection, range preparation, expectations in the field and why a mentor does not have to be an expert.Whether you want to try shooting for the first time or invite someone into the outdoors, this conversation offers a better way to begin.Learn more about Shoot Like a Girl: https://shootlikeagirl.com/Follow Shoot Like a Girl on Facebook and Instagram: @SLGINC2Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

In an era dominated by social media, a single photo can tell a thousand words—or ignite an online firestorm. How do the images hunters post online shape public perception, and what message are we actually sending to the non-hunting world? In this episode of the Ascend Podcast, host Adrian sits down with Dr. Britt Hosmer Longoria—traveler, PhD, storyteller, conservationist, and co-founder of the Longoria Hosmer Foundation. Following an experience where a photo of her went viral and triggered intense backlash, Britt pursued a PhD in strategic communication to dive deep into the semiotics—the signs and symbols—of trophy photos on Instagram. Britt breaks down why traditional "grip and grin" photos often translate as possession and dominance to outsiders, how subtle shifts in body language and perspective can completely change the tone of an image, and how hunters can navigate difficult, emotional conversations on social media. In this episode, you'll learn:Britt’s background growing up bird hunting in Maine and her work in African wildlife conservation What "semiotics" means and how signs/symbols in photos convey hidden messages Why traditional field photos translate differently to hunters vs. non-hunters Three simple adjustments to instantly change how your field photos are perceived The psychological impact of closed fists, direct eye contact, and showing firearms in photos How to respond emotionally—not just logically—when engaging with critics online Including "chapters" of the hunt (campfires, preparation, meals) to tell a complete story Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

Women are entering outdoor sports at record rates, but they are also leaving—or "churning"—at higher rates than men. What does it actually take to help women feel competent, confident, and eager to stay in the outdoors?In this episode of the Ascend Podcast, host Erin Crider sits down with conservation legend Christine Thomas—founder of the groundbreaking Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and Senior Vice President of Conservation on the board of Ducks Unlimited.Together, they unpack decades of research on the specific barriers women face when learning to hunt, fish, and navigate the outdoors. Christine shares how a single 1991 workshop blossomed into an international movement spanning 46 states and multiple Canadian provinces. She also dives into the psychology of confidence, why the "next step" after introductory courses is critical, and how Ducks Unlimited successfully doubled its pace of conservation to protect 1 million acres a year.In this episode, you'll learn:The origins of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and how it broke down barriersWhy women churn out of hunting and fishing at higher rates than men—and how to fix itThe critical difference in confidence between novice men and novice womenEssential foundational skills every new outdoorswoman needs before heading into the fieldHow community, camaraderie, and safe spaces keep women coming back year after yearHow Ducks Unlimited achieved its massive goal of conserving 1 million acres per yearChristine’s advice for the next generation of outdoorswomen and conservationistsFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.