The Reverend Hunter Podcast

John N. Maclean: ”Fishing home waters”

John N. Maclean is the author of Home Waters, a book about growing up as the son of Norman Maclean, author of A River Runs Through It. John and Tony talk about Norman's mixed feelings about Dartmouth College, refraining from writing personal stories until later in life, not retiring, not living in the place that is home, reading the first draft of A River Runs Through It, advice from Robert Redford, singing in the church choir, the crowded Blackfoot, and the legacy of Paul Maclean.  You can read more about John, find all his books, and order Home Waters here: https://johnmacleanbooks.com/ 

Meredith Leigh: ”I want to eat food with sun in it”

Meredith Leigh is the author of the award-winning Ethical Meat Handbook. Tony and Meredith discuss eating water buffalo in Vietnam, whether it is possible for seven billion people to eat meat ethically, what is the food Gestalt, how to "eat meat right," the power of the sun, staying calm during slaughter, the spirituality of butchery, and getting Tony over his fear of curing meat.  Find Meredith and her book at http://www.mereleighfood.com/.

Jason Mitchell: ”The unquantifiable essence of a handmade duck call”

Jason Mitchell is a champion duck caller, the heir apparent to Iverson Duck Calls, a former pastor and church planter, and a long-time friend. Tony and Jason talk about carrying a shotgun on a paper route, poaching on Mr. Hoover's ponds, ducky-sounding duck calls, the contemplative nature of a lathe, the process of the hunt running counter to your life -- and Jason gives a duck calling lesson.  Find Jason on social media @jasonmitchell, and Iverson at https://www.iversonduckcalls.com/.

Justin Juntunen: ”Sauna is a verb”

Justin Juntunen is the founder and owner of Cedar & Stone Sauna, a company that both builds custom saunas and leads sauna experiences in Duluth and around the country. Tony and Justin discuss growing up in Esko, Minnesota, sauna as a way of life, how there are more saunas than cars in Finland, why Lake Superior is a fickle mistress, keeping your head above the rocks, the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of sauna, and more.  Find out more about Justin at https://cedarandstonesauna.com/

Brian McLaren: ”The place you live is pretty amazing”

Brian McLaren is a best-selling author, pastor, activist, and avid outdoorsman. He talks with Tony about kayak fishing, taking his kids to a mucky swamp, how the wisdom of God is woven into the natural world, foolish politicians and the environmental crisis, how we can actually love the earth, how he sees the face of the divine in every living thing, having permission to doubt, and more. Find Brian and his work at brianmclaren.net.

Chris Estus: ”A loving, listening, nonreactive presence on the Appalachian Trail”

Tony's guest is Chris Estus, aka "Bone Spur," aka "The Chappalachian." Chris is the 2021 United Methodist Chaplain on the Appalachian Trail, and he checks in from a zero day in Pennsylvania. He and Tony discuss extricating from daily life to hike the trail, going outdoors to connect with others, recovery ministry, what's in Chris's pack, some of the people he's met, and more.  Watch Chris's videos from the trail here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjIaYvcrQO8aMnMXggODXqQ

Fifth Monday

Tony and producer extraordinaire Brandon catch up on their summer vacation plans, including Brandon's big trip out west and Tony's two trips to the BWCA. They also discuss Tony's 10th year of hunting and not bagging a turkey.https://www.startribune.com/bwca

Douglas E. Christie: ”Open yourself to the gift”

Tony talks with Catholic theologian and historian Douglas E. Christie about his book, The Blue Sapphire of the Mind." They discuss contemplative ecology, Thoreau's laundry, our unconscious desire for healing, asceticism, learning how to love our fellow human beings, grieving for the world, becoming less fidgety, and more.  Find Douglas's book here: https://amzn.to/3fkj1tN

Aaron Simmons: ”The existential hope of trout fishing”

Tony sits down with philosopher and trout fisherman J. Aaron Simmons, and they discuss Kierkegaard's leap of faith, doing the best you can with what you've got, how we know things, the phenomenology of fly fishing, living poetically, dancing with a river, and coming out of the pandemic. Find Aaron and his work at https://jaaronsimmons.wordpress.com/ Special Thanks to Realtor Heather Womack (https://heatherwomackrealty.com/)

Don Payne: ”The created order is a wild place”

Tony talks with theologian and hunter Don Payne of Denver Seminary. They how hunting antelope keeps Don hunting elk, mountain muleys, academics who don't understand hunting, animal-on-animal predation, overdetermining the Garden of Eden, and how Christians can respond to objections to hunting. Find Don at https://denverseminary.edu/about/departments/member/78715/  Special Thanks to Realtor Heather Womack (https://heatherwomackrealty.com/)