The Reverend Hunter Podcast

Fr. Ted Vitali: ”You’re taking the life that was given to you by the animal.”

Tony chats with Father Ted Vitali, a Passionist priest, hunter, philosophy professor at St. Louis University, and ethicist for Boone & Crockett. They discuss Labrador retrievers, process theology, whether animals have rights, why it's harder to kill a deer at 10 yards than at 100 yards, and having a "sufficient reason" for killing an animal. 

Fifth Monday

Tony and Brandon catch up after being separated during Covid. Brandon tells about his recent hike at Whitewater State Park, and Tony discusses his return to the BWCA to tackle the 9-mile Grand Portage. They also discuss future guests and start to plan Brandon's first-ever hunt -- for squirrels!

Ashley Peters: ”Conservation is my religion”

Tony talks with conservationist and newly-minted hunter, Ashley J. Peters, about growing up Assemblies of God, saving birds during the week and shooting them on the weekend, a dad with cancer, St. Sigurd, Larry Norman vs. DC Talk, focusing on the things we can control and letting go of those we can't, and more. Find Ashley on social media at @ashjpeters.

Mark Norquist: ”It’s better to sit in a boat thinking about God than to sit in a church thinking about fishing”

Tony sits down with Mark Norquist, founder of Modern Carnivore, and they discuss growing up in small town Brainerd, a lake cabin built in 1919, moon boots at deer camp, being welcomed at church, the death of a father, knowing where your meat comes from, and more. Find Mark at modcarn.com.

Darrin Patrick: ”There’s something about the woods”

On May 7, 2020, Darrin Patrick died. Two weeks earlier, Darrin and Tony recorded this interview. Darrin talks about his implosion and restoration, his love of hunting and the woods, why he returned to ministry, baseball, his difficult relationship with his father, and how much he loved hunting and fishing with his own kids. Tony also talks with Greg Surratt, Darrin's pastor, mentor, and friend. You can listen to Darrin talk about his fall and restoration here: https://pastorscollective.libsyn.com/darrin-patrick. You can financially support Darrin's family here: https://www.givesendgo.com/DarrinPatrick

Shug Emery: ”Good game on Friday. Too bad you’re going to hell.”

Tony talks with Sean "Shug" Emery, comic-juggler and YouTube star, about hammock camping, growing up in the South, moments of regard, singing gospel tunes over moonshine, getting sober on a cruise ship, happiness vs. joy, and more. You can watch Shug at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27nqmEhKzD9YHK1IFwG7qA and read Tony's profile of him here: http://www.startribune.com/a-staple-of-the-state-fair-shug-emery-has-an-outdoors-following-too/503858602/

Nate Pyle: ”I never wanted to be a pastor”

Tony talks with Nate Pyle, pastor and author of Man Enough: How Jesus Redefines Manhood, about being a chemistry major, reasons for getting fired from a youth ministry job, when your daughter outfishes your son, the ritual of bowhunting, why hunting shouldn't be so masculine, wooden clogs, how hunting is related to the cross and communion, and more. Find Nate at natepyle.com and see his books at https://amzn.to/2xxl7Vp.

Jessie Diggins: ”Don’t be afraid of the Pain Cave”

In 2018, Jessie Diggins won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the US in cross-country skiing, and now she is the author of Brave Enough. Tony and Jessie discuss portaging canoes in the BWCA, the challenge of overcoming bulimia, how hard it is to write a book, why dogs are the absolute best, going deep into the "pain cave," why cross-country skiing is the best sport, and much more. Find Jessie on Twitter at @jessdiggs, on Insta at @jessiediggins, and find her book here: https://amzn.to/2Q76hLc. Also check out her online booklaunch and Olympic workout on April 7 at https://loft.org/olympic-training-jessie-diggins.

5th Monday

In our first-ever Fifth Monday episode, Tony and Brandon talk about their love of dogs, the sadness of saying goodbye, how long it takes a radio DJ to record a five-hour show, and start the journey toward Brandon's first hunt. They also look back at the last couple episodes and tease some future shows.

Travis Frank: ”I was as broken as a human being can be”

Tony talks with Travis Frank, host of several TV shows, including The Flush and Due North Outdoors, to discuss growing up Catholic, becoming the best muskie guide in the world, living through your parents' divorce, when dads get custody, hitting rock bottom, getting prayed for, growing to hate fishing, reading the Bible for the first time, telling stories with compassion on TV, and more. Learn more about Travis here: http://trophyencounters.com/about-travis-frank, and subscribe to his podcast, The Flush.