Explore every episode of the podcast The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader
Dive into the complete episode list for The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Ep. 194: Jay Nichol: Why Most Hunters Fail Before They Leave the Truck
22 Sep 2026
02:09:50
Jay Nichol spends around 140 days a year in the mountains. He guides black bear, mule deer, mountain goat and coues deer across British Columbia, Alberta and Mexico, and runs The Mindful Hunter, an unsponsored gear-review and podcast platform that has grown into Mindful Hunter Outfitting, the Forged in the Backcountry apparel line, and Mindful Munitions, a new Canadian store for the gear he trusts.
In this conversation with Travis Bader, Jay explains what he changed after too many clients missed their shot in spring bear camp, how 18 years of sobriety shaped the way he leaves home for a hunt, and what sends hunters out of the backcountry early.
_____ The Silvercore Club keeps you sharp and has your back. $5M excess liability insurance for hunting, fishing, and shooting across Canada and the US, member discounts, and a community that gets outside. $59/year. Join the Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club
This content is for information and entertainment only. Nothing here is professional, legal, or safety advice. Firearms, hunting, and outdoor activities carry real risk. Know and follow the laws that apply to you, use safe practices, and get proper training from qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed. Silvercore accepts no liability for how this information is used.
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00:00 Introducing Jay Nichol 03:00 Leaving home at 15 04:00 Only as sick as our secrets 08:00 Stolen CDs and the start of addiction 14:00 Addiction as a sense of purpose 18:00 The rite of passage nobody gave him 24:00 Letting people help you 26:00 Two mistakes: no mentor, no community 32:00 The annealing hot take 35:00 University with no high school diploma 40:00 Proving something to his father 43:00 Ego death and moments of clarity 49:00 Clean your house before you leave 52:00 The dark years, 2023 and 2024 56:00 Tapping out versus breaking 1:01:00 Why men talk shoulder to shoulder 1:09:00 Hours per day doing what you love 1:12:00 Anger as fuel, and compartmentalizing 1:17:00 Telling his daughter no 1:19:00 1,200 rounds in five days 1:22:00 The kneeling logging road shot 1:24:00 Buy a 223, shoot 1,000 rounds 1:27:00 Kill the weak parts 1:30:00 Zone two and the StairMaster 1:36:00 Travis on going into AFib 1:42:00 The illusion of learning 1:45:00 Nothing died, so you failed 1:47:00 36 deer in 105 minutes 1:50:00 Spend it on field days, not a spotter 1:52:00 Forged in the Backcountry 1:56:00 Outfitting in BC, Alberta and Mexico 2:00:00 Launching Mindful Munitions 2:04:00 Why the focus is men
Ep. 193: Mark Twight: Trained the 300 Cast, Then Walked Off Aquaman
08 Sep 2026
03:25:30
Mark Twight joins Travis Bader on the Silvercore Podcast for a conversation about alpinism, Gym Jones, the training behind 300, and life after peak performance. The booking took five years and one condition: in person only.
Twight climbed in the Alps, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, including The Reality Bath, a route that went unrepeated for 37 years. He climbed the Slovak Direct on Denali in 60 hours with Steve House and Scott Backes. His books Extreme Alpinism and Kiss or Kill were picked up well outside climbing, including by military units who found the chapter on attitude and character applied to their work. He later worked on nine feature films, most of them with director Zack Snyder, building physical transformations against production deadlines.
In this conversation, recorded in person in Montana, Twight talks about what separated him from better technical climbers, why he keeps walking away from things at the top, and what he has found in the valley since.
Topics covered: - Growing up the son of a National Park Service law enforcement ranger - Taking up shooting in 1995, and mentors including Brian Enos and Pat Rogers - Getting disqualified before firing a shot in his first match in 21 years - Self image, permission to fail, and why some competitors stall - Mount Hunter in 39 hours nonstop, and the arithmetic of pack weight - Writing while drinking, and the decision to stop - Building the cast of 300, and why fast results do not hold - Leaving the Aquaman job when the paycheque became the only reason to stay - Declining physical capacity, and purpose after achievement
A conversation about total commitment, and the bill that comes due for it.
Learn more about Mark Twight: Website: https://www.marktwight.com Substack: https://marktwight.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wfmft
_____ The Silvercore Club keeps you sharp and has your back. $5M excess liability insurance for hunting, fishing, and shooting across Canada and the US, member discounts, and a community that gets outside. $59/year. Join the Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club
This content is for information and entertainment only. Nothing here is professional, legal, or safety advice. Firearms, hunting, and outdoor activities carry real risk. Know and follow the laws that apply to you, use safe practices, and get proper training from qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed. Silvercore accepts no liability for how this information is used.
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00:00 Five years and a one word reply 06:20 A ranger father, an anti-authority son 12:50 Nine films, mostly with Zack Snyder 17:20 Forty pounds and a changed life 20:00 Extreme Alpinism reaches Special Forces 26:50 The mountains are not clever, men are 28:40 Guns are stupid, then a range day 31:30 Brian Enos, Gunsite and mentors 41:50 Back to competition, DQ'd first match 49:40 You never outperform your self image 51:20 Permission to fail 57:20 Seven lives in one lifetime 1:01:00 Mount Hunter, 39 hours nonstop 1:04:50 The Slovak Direct in 60 hours 1:11:00 Why he stopped climbing 1:16:30 Writing drunk, and what it cost 1:29:00 Coming down to the valley 1:38:40 Borrowed beliefs and in-group politics 1:44:40 Hunters, conservation, common ground 1:47:20 Paragliding before anyone knew how 1:56:40 Something to rebel against 2:00:20 The first gym, and what it taught him 2:06:40 Invitation only, everyone on parole 2:12:30 300 and the website that crashed 2:16:30 Fear, rationalization, walking away 2:23:20 Walking off Aquaman 2:31:50 Fast results are unstable results 2:46:20 Why dangerous things matter 2:51:40 Risk tolerance over technical skill 3:03:40 No off-ramp for veterans and athletes 3:08:00 Intent instead of intensity 3:17:30 Saying goodbye to Daryl Miller 3:23:20 What success means at 65
Ep. 192: "I Wanted to Live My Life Armed" | Ian Sim Returns
25 Aug 2026
02:39:56
Ian Sim spent nearly three decades in the RCMP. In December, alone in his apartment, the strokes came. He saved the wine, booked an Uber to emergency because it was faster than an ambulance, and days later faced a decision about a clot-busting drug with minutes on the clock and nobody to call. The man who returns to the Silvercore Podcast is in what he calls the afterglow. Colours are brighter. Food tastes better. Any familiar face is an old friend. Ian cold-called the SAS out of directory assistance and got a yes. He policed Wreck Beach by getting out of the car and learning names. He wrote a counterterrorism paper that got him summoned to the principal's office, and he has rebuilt his off-duty carry proposal into something a province could adopt on its own. And he answers the question an RCMP recruiter asked him at 19: do you have a healthy or an unhealthy interest in firearms? His answer got the room to go quiet. Ian speaks as a private citizen. His views are his own, not those of the RCMP.
_____ The Silvercore Club keeps you sharp and has your back. $5M excess liability insurance for hunting, fishing, and shooting across Canada and the US, member discounts, and a community that gets outside. $59/year. Join the Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club
This content is for information and entertainment only. Nothing here is professional, legal, or safety advice. Firearms, hunting, and outdoor activities carry real risk. Know and follow the laws that apply to you, use safe practices, and get proper training from qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed. Silvercore accepts no liability for how this information is used.
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00:00:00 Welcome back 00:01:00 The warning shots 00:12:00 The big one 00:18:00 The clot buster decision 00:29:00 A song and a $5 bill 00:43:00 Is there any such thing as a coincidence? 00:53:00 A Reaper in the desert 00:56:00 Cold-calling the SAS 01:04:00 The afterglow 01:12:00 They don't look like supermen 01:19:00 Radio, Wreck Beach and who works for whom 01:32:00 Smart on crime 01:35:00 Off-shift carry, the proposal rebuilt 01:48:00 Define the problem first 01:55:00 The paper and the principal's office 02:10:00 A Liberal beat him to it 02:14:00 "I wanted to live my life armed" 02:26:00 The next sidearm 02:36:00 Courts and credibility 02:38:00 Until next time
Ep. 191: The Next Mission: Kyle Lamb on Cancer, Faith, and the Poems He's Never Published
11 Aug 2026
02:34:39
Retired Delta Force Sergeant Major Kyle Lamb returns to the Silvercore Podcast to talk about his new book, The Next Mission, co-authored with his wife Melynda. Kyle spent 21 years in the US Army, 15 of them in Delta Force, and fought in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.
The day episode 124 finished recording, Kyle got a phone call telling him he had bladder cancer. He had just told Travis, on tape, that he was living as though he had six months left. What happened next changed how he and Melynda live.
In this conversation:
The phone call after the last podcast, and the lung finding that followed for his wife Why The Next Mission reads the Bible through a special operations lens, and why Bible scholars are not the audience Ehud the left-handed assassin, and how researching a bronze dagger led to Herodotus and tin from ancient Britain The Apostle Paul chained to a Roman soldier, and the two words that would have stopped his beating Why Melynda's name is on the cover, and the five chapters she red-X'd out of Leadership in the Shadows Two poems read aloud that have never been published anywhere Twelve years without a drink, and the conversation in Hawaii that changed how he saw it Why the Christian who did the most for his faith in two years is a Muslim friend What tribe actually means, and why it has nothing to do with skin, geography, or religion The redactions left visible in the book, and the note inside the cover confirming no AI was used
The Next Mission is 432 pages, published June 6, 2026. Signed and personalized copies are available direct from Viking Tactics. It is priced at $27.17, a reference to Proverbs 27:17, iron sharpens iron.
Kyle Lamb and Viking Tactics Signed copies: https://www.vikingtactics.com/shop/the-next-mission/ Stay in the Fight Foundation: https://www.vikingtactics.com/stay-in-the-fight-foundation/ Team VTAC Podcast: https://kylelamb.libsyn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikingtactics
00:00 The best conversations happen off the record 01:41 Welcome back, Kyle Lamb 02:19 The year-end question, and what happened that same day 03:40 "Mr. Lamb, you've got bladder cancer" 04:50 Then it was his wife 06:20 What he said to God in the truck 11:20 Time is the gift 13:30 Nims Purja and purpose after achievement 16:20 What's the mission today? 23:00 How the book started: Ehud and the bronze dagger 26:10 The Apostle Paul, chained to a Roman soldier 30:15 Battlefield reflections and the audiobook 31:15 Why Melynda's name is on the cover 33:50 Speaking, elk season, and his grandson's first hunt 36:10 The attention span of a squirrel 39:40 The Kyle pile 45:40 The guns he'd never get rid of 50:20 Commander's intent: reach the unreachable 51:30 Don't wear your faith as a badge 55:20 The Muslim friend who sent him a Bible verse 1:04:20 What tribe actually means 1:08:30 How his prayers changed 1:11:50 Twelve years without a drink 1:14:30 What an answer to prayer looks like 1:21:00 The farther from the flagpole 1:26:20 "If I shoot guns, I get paid" 1:29:20 The path of Musashi 1:34:40 Two poems, never released anywhere 1:46:10 What the public doesn't see 1:47:20 The five chapters his wife red-X'd 1:50:50 Putting the light on evil 1:51:50 Meek is not weak 1:56:40 Cutting twenty percent 2:00:40 Why he writes at a sixth grade level 2:15:20 Do you feel guilt? 2:22:20 The motorcycle in the classroom 2:26:30 Where to get the book, and why it costs $27.17 2:28:20 The redactions and the unit approval
Ep. 190: John Barklow: They Needed a Mountain Warfare Expert. They Picked a Diver.
14 Jul 2026
01:42:51
John Barklow spent 26 years in the U.S. Navy, most of it teaching Naval Special Warfare how to survive the coldest, most unforgiving mountains on earth. After 9/11 the military needed mountain warfare experts and almost none were left. They picked a diver from Cleveland, Ohio, and his work went on to reshape cold weather survival training for a generation of special operators.
In this conversation, Travis Bader and John go far past gear. They get into the mindset that keeps you alive when things go wrong, the difference between chasing happiness and building satisfaction, and why the hunting and firearms communities are so quick to turn on their own. John breaks down his famous rewarming drill in full: what to do if you fall in cold water in the backcountry, why you keep your wet clothes on instead of stripping them off, and how your own body heat dries your system from the inside. He explains how to train it safely in your own backyard before your life depends on it.
He also tells the story of a British Columbia horseback hunt that nearly ended under 1,400 pounds of falling horse in the dark, opens up about two hip replacements and refusing to let the old man in, and shares, for the first time publicly, who wrote the foreword to his new book.
Some of the best survival lessons of your life are the ones John learned the hard way, so you don't have to.
John's first book, Knowledge from Storms, is available for pre-order now. This episode includes a giveaway. Details are in the show and on our channels.
00:00 Cold open: they picked a diver 01:00 The best introduction he's ever had 02:00 Cleveland, Ohio does not grow mountain men 05:00 Enlisting in the Navy at 19 07:00 The cardinal direction: a heading he couldn't name 08:00 Breaking the script he was handed 10:00 Happiness versus satisfaction 17:00 The harder you work, the luckier you get 18:00 When it goes wrong in the mountains, who does he call? 21:00 COVID, and the birth of Knowledge From Storms 23:00 The inciting incident: his drill in a competitor's marketing 27:00 Why the hunting and firearms communities eat their own 28:00 The camo wars, and refusing to fight in public 31:00 Trust is slow to earn and fast to lose 34:00 Travis at 16: the station wagon, the cabin, and hypothermia 38:00 Where he learned cold: diving, the Sierras, and Mark Twight 41:00 After 9/11: rebuilding a lost cold weather capability 42:00 Making the soldier durable 45:00 The rewarming drill on camera, and Adam Foss 47:00 The static rewarming drill: clothing is shelter 48:00 Why building a fire can be the wrong first move 49:00 Trap the heat, then move 51:00 An hour in: the shivering stops 54:00 Do it in your backyard, not in the middle of nowhere 57:00 Granddad in denim, and what modern gear actually changed 59:00 The active rewarming drill: one bucket, any trailhead 1:02:00 Mark Twight wrote the foreword, announced here first 1:05:00 Extreme Alpinism: the book that prepared men for war 1:06:00 Going light without getting forced out: the margin of safety 1:09:00 Three days pinned in a Mount Rainier blizzard 1:11:00 Planning builds confidence, confidence builds decisions 1:13:00 Keeping your world small when the float plane leaves 1:16:00 We romanticize the mountains. Here is the rest of it. 1:19:00 The PPCLI research miss 1:20:00 The BC horseback hunt that went wrong 1:22:00 1,400 pounds of horse in the dark 1:24:00 Giardia, and the unforced error he owns 1:28:00 Two hip replacements, and not letting the old man in 1:32:00 Who the book is for 1:35:00 OutdoorClass and Montana Knife Company 1:38:00 Start higher on the mountain, but climb it yourself 1:39:00 Student of the game: enjoy where you are
Ep. 189: Why This Wildlife Artist Hides His Paintings in the Wilderness | Casey Braam
30 Jun 2026
01:31:47
Get the free bear guide Casey Braam and Travis Bader made, and enter to win an SAI Optics red dot, at : Silvercore.ca/bear
Every download is a contest entry. Silvercore Club members are entered for free automatically, and can earn a second entry by downloading the guide.
Wildlife artist Casey Braam hikes into wild places, paints what he finds, posts clues online, and gives the painting to the first person who figures out where he is and hikes out to meet him. He calls it the Art Outside Project. In his second time on the Silvercore Podcast, 101 episodes after his first, Casey explains why he is doing it. The reason is bigger than art. It comes down to getting people outside and teaching them to actually see the world they live in.
Casey and Travis also go deep on spring bear hunting: reading sign, judging and selecting bears, why patience and selectivity make the whole thing richer, and the hard-earned rule that can save your hunt, shoot a bear until it is down and done. From there it opens up into what makes any outdoor experience richer over time, the value of risk and the "question mark," raising kids who get dirty in a world full of cameras, and why there is no fence between us and the natural world.
If you have ever felt like you walk through the woods on autopilot, this episode is about switching that off.
00:00 Why he gives his paintings away 01:53 The bear skulls, the invitation, and two styles of hunting 05:09 Hunting for the experience, not just the kill 07:35 Eleven bears in a day, and the animal he knows best 14:09 The free bear guide, and why every bear looks 400 pounds 16:20 A mama and cub at fifteen yards 18:28 "It's not the one": passing on a taker 21:00 The propeller-sound bear and a tactical retreat 25:00 Tiffany's shot, and the bear that got back up 28:44 Shoot it till it's down: tracking, anatomy, and lost bears 33:00 Why cranked magnification gets you killed up close 38:45 The Art Outside Project, and what sparked it 40:50 Why getting people outside changes them 45:24 Teaching your lazy brain how to actually see 52:38 Two hours on a shoreline he'd seen a hundred times 55:29 What makes a painting, or a meal, worth more 1:00:09 How any business can steal this playbook 1:04:07 The ingredients of a richer adventure 1:07:02 Closer to death, more alive: the question mark 1:17:12 Who's standing next to you when it happens 1:18:33 Raising kids who get dirty in a panopticon world 1:25:10 No fence between us and nature 1:29:41 The giveaway, the guide, and the gear
Blair Hagen has spent 30 years fighting Canada's firearms laws, and now, days after the National Firearms Association lost its president Rick Igercich, he is the one holding it together. In this episode of the Silvercore Podcast, Travis Bader sits down with Hagen, executive vice president and now acting president of the NFA, for a clear-eyed look at where Canada's gun fight actually stands in 2026: the assault-style firearm confiscation, the Order in Council (OIC) bans, the handgun freeze, and the amnesty that keeps getting extended because almost no one is complying. Hagen survived two armed robberies behind the counter of a Vancouver gun store, then was refused a permit to protect himself. He explains why firearms in Canada get banned for how they look rather than what they do, why a serious gun charge is the first thing a prosecutor drops, why the numbers behind the confiscation do not add up, and the one thing every gun owner can actually do that works. What we get into:
Why "assault-style firearm" is a political marketing term, not a legal one The "comply or become a criminal" trap inside the current buyback Estates, the handgun freeze, and how a widow loses a collection's value The NFA Save Firearms program and storing prohibited firearms legally Whether you can still buy and transfer a handgun in Canada, and where an Authorization to Carry fits in
Whether you have owned firearms your whole life or have never touched one, this is a conversation about property, rights, and who decides what is yours.
00:00 Cold open 00:46 Remembering NFA president Rick Igercich 02:28 How Blair got into the fight: the registry and David Tomlinson 08:38 Canada's gun culture, and a global audience listening 12:49 Two armed robberies behind the counter 17:00 Denied a carry permit in a store full of guns 20:19 "What can I do?" and the early '90s political wasteland 26:00 Property rights and the slippery slope 30:35 The amnesty extension and the courtroom no-win 34:32 Why gun charges get dropped first, and "assault-style" spin 40:49 Estates, the widow problem, and the caliber ban 48:24 "We do not make mistakes": the inheritance test case 50:44 Magazines, deactivation, and rules you can't comply with 57:03 OIC chaos and the meaningless word "variant" 1:03:15 Aesthetics over ballistics: why guns really get banned 1:09:41 Talking guns with someone who fears them 1:13:22 The handgun freeze and the Save Firearms program 1:22:00 The toll of 30 years on the line 1:24:45 Cooking the numbers: only 4,000 Mini-14s? 1:29:00 The quiet plan to put gun stores out of business 1:33:31 The Conservative Outdoors Committee and revolving-door courts 1:37:57 Which org to support, and what you can actually do 1:45:08 Closing, and Blair's goodbye to Rick
Ep. 187: The Price of Speaking Up: Fined $29,000 for Walking in the Woods | Jeff Evely
02 Jun 2026
01:37:40
Jeff Evely served 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He came home, retired to his hometown in Cape Breton, and within months found himself arrested at a war memorial he was trying to guard, then later fined nearly $29,000 for walking in the woods during a Nova Scotia fire ban.
He fought back. And he won.
In this conversation, Travis sits down with Jeff to unpack the $29,000 ticket, the court win against the Nova Scotia government, the trucker convoy and Rolling Thunder arrests, and what it actually takes for one person to push back against institutions that have stopped listening. They also get into the Fourth Turning, stoicism, Carl Sagan and skepticism, the limits of the courts, why politics is downstream from culture, and the deepest personal cost Jeff has paid for standing on principle. A conversation about courage, consequences, and what it costs to hold the line.
00:00 Cold open 00:42 Twenty years in, vaccine mandates out 02:00 Refused at the Legion, the lone protest begins 04:09 Trucker Convoy, taking down the fence 05:00 Arrested walking to the war memorial in his medals 07:00 Rolling Thunder and the limits of standing on your rights 10:10 The Fourth Turning and why institutions are collapsing 18:17 Anything currently going right 20:51 Portapique, gun policy, and the firearms debate 23:51 Wildfires, arson, and the climate narrative shift 25:28 How the Silvercore Club came to exist 35:42 The $29,000 fine and the court win 46:00 Why courts alone won't change the culture 48:15 Carl Sagan, skepticism, and a logical framework 52:20 COVID, the fog, and the totalitarian impulse 59:41 Anarcho-tyranny and the strategy to destabilize 01:03:00 Shame, accountability, and bringing consequences back 01:14:00 May Day Kids in Crisis and confronting Poilievre 01:22:32 Victimhood, cultural Marxism, and the trans question 01:28:40 The greatest price: his daughter 01:31:09 Raising kids on logic, what could change his mind 01:35:00 Hard times, strong men, and how we raise the next generation 01:37:13 Close
Ep. 186: The Pentagon Just Released 162 UFO Files. A Canadian Forces Insider Read Every One.
19 May 2026
01:46:55
Last Friday, the Pentagon released 162 declassified UFO files through a brand-new portal called PURSUE. The first formal federal release in 80 years. Some are calling it disclosure. Some are calling it a nothing burger. Rocky Swanson has spent his life inside the kind of system that handles this material. Joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets at twelve. Served a full career in the Canadian Armed Forces, including a NORAD posting. Came home and became deputy fire chief in the town he grew up in. He was approached by the federal government to advise on a Canadian UAP initiative alongside sitting members of parliament. He was a guest co-host on a podcast that interviewed Lue Elizondo, the former Pentagon official who put UFOs on the front page of the New York Times in 2017. He got close enough to see the seams.
In this episode Travis and Rocky walk through the Pentagon release, the actual evidence in the new tranche, why three pilots are not the same thing as three radar tracks, why Skinwalker Ranch matters more than people think, what really happened inside AATIP, who Bob Lazar actually is, and why the most interesting UAP case Rocky has ever encountered did not come from the Pentagon at all. It came from an F-18 pilot over the Canadian Arctic. Rocky believes in the possibility of life out there. He does not believe the people on stage right now are the ones who have found it. If you came to this conversation looking for someone who will tell you what to believe, you are in the wrong place. If you came looking for someone who will tell you how to think about this honestly, settle in.
00:00 Cold open. The Pentagon just released 162 UFO files 01:50 How a mutual friend's UAP footage started this conversation 03:40 The conservation officer sighting that no one can explain 07:30 Reading the Diary of a CEO UFO episode like a detective 09:20 What an actual thermal imagery expert sees in the new footage 17:00 The Nimitz Tic Tac case is not what you think it is 21:00 Rocky admits he was starstruck by the Pentagon witnesses 24:00 Wile E. Coyote, age 9, and Rocky's own first UFO sighting 27:00 The 2016 moment that pulled him back into the rabbit hole 33:00 Applying arson investigator rigor to UFO claims 36:00 Why the Go Fast, Gimbal and Tic Tac videos were chosen 39:30 Why is Trump releasing the files now? 42:00 The intelligence friends who believe, and won't say why 45:00 What would actually change Rocky's mind 47:00 Rocky's CIA-adjacent contacts and how grifts get built 50:00 The isotopic ratio testing story that fell apart 51:00 When the Pentagon tried to read him in to NORAD programs 54:00 The Sky Canada Project, and what Canada is actually doing 56:00 Asking the base commander permission to study UFOs 57:00 F-18 pilots who saw things they couldn't explain 1:01:00 Japan Airlines Flight 1628 and the Arctic walnut-shape sighting 1:03:00 The Canadian general who became Rocky's most credible witness 1:09:00 Collective ignorance versus a cabal 1:12:00 Bob Lazar has the credibility of a Labrador retriever 1:15:00 Those who talk don't know. Those who know don't talk. 1:19:00 Skinwalker Ranch and the dino beaver problem 1:23:00 How Paul Hellyer got used by the UFO community 1:26:00 Religion, ufology, and the snake-kissing Pentecostal connection 1:28:00 Admiral Tim Gallaudet, hauntings, and pre-positioned belief 1:33:00 Why humans are drawn to this in the first place 1:39:00 Science asks questions. Ufology asks you to believe. 1:42:00 What Obama actually said. What Trump actually meant. 1:45:00 Don't be pulled down the rabbit hole 1:46:00 The series begins. What we'll do next.
Ep. 185: 37 Dead at the Bluebird Cafe: Why Canada Won't Talk About It with Dr. Noah Schwartz
05 May 2026
01:43:11
Dr. Noah Schwartz is the political scientist who decided he could not write honestly about Canada's gun community without going through the licensing system himself. He took the PAL. He took the RPAL. He sat at 84 kitchen tables across this country. What he found is a story most Canadians have never heard.
In this episode we cover the largest deliberate mass casualty event in Canadian history that almost nobody remembers, why the handgun freeze was announced after a shooting in Texas, the policy framework Czechia used after a university massacre that did the opposite of what Canada did, and what it means that single-shot black powder pistols were banned alongside Glocks.
01:37:15 What he would tell a PhD student starting on Canadian firearms policy
01:39:00 Suppressors and the next policy fight
01:40:29 Closing message to young Canadian hunters and sport shooters
01:42:34 Wrap
Ep. 184: The Secret Language of Animals: How to Hear What the Wild is Saying About You | George Bumann
21 Apr 2026
01:53:28
George Bumann can hear a coyote two miles away and tell you there's a wolf on the ridge. He's watched ravens rat out approaching eagles before they're visible. He's tracked a mountain lion by thinking like one until the birds around him started treating him like a predator.
The uncomfortable truth? Every time you step into the woods, the entire landscape is already talking about you. Your location, your mood, your intentions. All of it, broadcast across hundreds of yards before you see a single animal.
George spent four decades decoding animal language from his home at the edge of Yellowstone. In this episode, he reveals what the animals are actually saying, why experienced hunters are still missing most of it, and the one skill you can start practicing this weekend that changes everything.
0:00:00 - Introduction and sponsor messages 0:01:54 - George Bumann joins the Silvercore Podcast 0:03:09 - What inspired George to write Eavesdropping on Animals 0:04:00 - Tracking foxes as a kid and the mystery of how animals know you're there 0:05:16 - Why George stopped hunting: health, family history, and an honest reckoning 0:09:00 - Why stepping away from hunting actually deepened his understanding of wildlife 0:11:19 - The Eden epiphany: the moment birds revealed the hidden language of the wild 0:16:02 - The coyote's word for "wolf" and how George reads animal alarms at distance 0:21:03 - Establishing a baseline: spotting the absence of normal 0:22:00 - Spidey sense, military awareness, and why rural kids have the sharpest instincts 0:25:24 - Indigenous wisdom: thinking happy thoughts on a moose hunt 0:27:27 - Your emotional state changes how animals perceive you 0:30:00 - Clever Hans the horse: what animals read in us that we don't know we're broadcasting 0:34:00 - Tracking a mountain lion by getting inside its head 0:37:48 - Crows that recognize your vehicle and hold grudges 0:42:37 - Ravens and wolves: Norse mythology meets field observation 0:49:13 - A grizzly bear encounter in British Columbia 0:54:28 - When the squirrels alarm you, the hunt is over 0:56:13 - The chickadee alarm system: counting the Ds to measure danger 1:00:00 - Trying to outsmart ravens (and failing) 1:03:20 - How your mood changes every animal encounter 1:07:07 - Prairie dogs describing your shirt colour and how fast you walk 1:08:06 - Disabilities as superpowers: ADHD, hearing loss, and trained senses 1:14:04 - Sitting with Jon Young and discovering what 70 observers reveal 1:17:41 - How AI is transforming animal language research 1:22:00 - Why game calls fool judges but not turkeys 1:24:45 - How do you call a beaver? 1:29:54 - Animal accents: why crows sound different in California, Alaska, and Maine 1:35:20 - The honeycomb landscape: reading the shape of silence 1:36:08 - Don't walk like a human: moving through the woods like a squirrel or turkey 1:40:24 - Why being quiet and receptive makes you a better person, not just a better hunter 1:44:47 - Silvercore Club member question: the single most important thing you can start doing now 1:46:22 - Faith, nature, and finding your church outside 1:49:40 - It's about belonging: why nature connection fights loneliness and depression 1:52:49 - Closing thoughts and part two teaser
Ep. 183: Charged by a Brown Bear at 2 Meters - Torkel Norling on Tracking, Stress & the Never-Quit Mindset
07 Apr 2026
01:46:29
Torkel Norling does 200 to 300 wounded game recoveries a year. He gets called by Swedish police in the middle of the night to track traffic-hit wildlife, hunts brown bears and lynx with dogs he's bred himself, and just wrote the book on modern blood tracking. Literally. In this episode, we cover the massive differences between Swedish and North American hunting culture, what happens during a real police tracking callout at 2 AM, a brown bear charge that stopped two meters from his face, the mental framework that separates good trackers from great ones, and why the "never quit" attitude matters more than breed, gear or method. Whether you track with dogs or alone with flagging tape and a headlamp, this one's for you.
Guest referral by Erik Rohdin of Nordic Tales and American Trails. - https://open.spotify.com/show/0S6FLXVhVbXXD802ws5j1w
[00:00:00] Intro and welcome [00:02:12] Swedish government-hunter relationship vs. North American friction [00:04:53] 12,000 wildlife accidents a year: Torkel's tracking operation [00:06:00] Moose population decline, wolves and Allemansrätten (right to roam) [00:07:44] BC vs. Sweden moose numbers and management philosophy [00:10:02] Why Sweden shoots cows and calves first, the science behind it [00:13:52] Wolf politics, the rural-urban divide [00:16:00] Two hunting traditions: independent forest dogs vs. continental driven hunts [00:18:48] Travis's Swedish hunting experiences, from Sollerön to the Norma estate [00:25:18] Advice for hunters without dogs, and why Torkel says there's no substitute [00:28:18] Police callout walkthrough: what happens when the phone rings at 2 AM [00:33:33] Hulda the scent hound, trained to only track on asphalt [00:36:22] The two-dog system, switching from tracker to bay dog [00:38:25] Close calls with wounded game, the mentality that separates good from great [00:40:52] The brown bear stories, dog sacrifice and a charge in the dark [00:46:36] Why Torkel felt zero stress with a bear two meters away [00:48:33] Travis on tunnel vision: skiing, motorcycles and a grizzly survivor [00:51:24] The stair model for stress, starting low and staying below the red line [00:53:14] Inoculation training: visualization, close-range drills and the safety bubble [01:01:02] Physical fitness as the foundation for mental toughness [01:02:16] The never-quit attitude, what elite trackers all have in common [01:06:21] Breaking tracking into single missions: find the start, follow the track [01:08:00] When you lose the trail, go back to the beginning and find your mistake [01:13:53] Practical tips for tracking without a dog [01:18:11] Drones, night vision, thermal: what Sweden allows after the shot [01:20:55] How Swedish hunt teams self-regulate without conservation officers [01:24:00] Bear hunting regulations, the two-dog limit and Plott Hounds from North America [01:29:44] Dog injuries and the reality of close-quarters predator work [01:35:05] Old methods vs. new, why emotion and tradition block progress [01:40:22] Top performers share knowledge freely, ego kills development [01:44:27] Where to find Modern Blood Tracking and how to connect with Torkel
Ep. 182: "I Shouldn't Still Be Here" | Sir Drifto on Risk, Adventure & Knowing When to Stop
24 Mar 2026
01:25:17
Nathan James, known online as Sir Drifto, holds the world altitude record for the highest electric paramotor flight and has flown hundreds of miles in a vintage open cockpit biplane with his dad. He's also the kind of guy who once tried to fly a paramotor under a bridge and lost his sponsorship in the process.
In this conversation, we talk about what happens when the risk-to-reward ratio flips, why real adventure can't be bought through a booking agent, the Camel Trophy / Defender Trophy comeback, growing up on dirt bikes and two-strokes, what every young person should experience at least once, AI and predictive surveillance, and why the simplest eras might have produced the most capable people.
Nathan is heading to British Columbia for the Defender Trophy, the successor to the legendary Camel Trophy, and this conversation captures exactly the kind of person they'd want behind the wheel.
05:20 Dirt bikes at eight and the berm that changed everything
08:33 Counting birthdays you didn't expect to reach
10:13 Regret as the real balancing act
11:50 Contrived hardship vs. real challenge
14:23 What every young person should experience once
17:36 The Wall-E problem and the softening of capability
22:01 Technology, instant gratification, and lost patience
24:06 Face-to-face connection as the future commodity
27:21 Photoshopping a report card and the sinking jet boat
30:29 The world record electric paramotor flight
40:42 The altitude and would he do it again
42:12 Why winter was the only option
43:22 Flying a Piper Cub cross-country with his dad
47:15 The broken fuel gauge and cornfield contingencies
52:11 The Defender Trophy (Camel Trophy successor) in BC
57:56 Whether it'll be televised
01:00:23 Safety third
01:01:17 Flying a paramotor under a bridge
01:04:12 The helicopter laser incident and federal consequences
01:12:28 AI, facial recognition, and pre-crime prediction
01:16:54 Favorite movies and books
01:22:06 Write down your bucket list and challenge every excuse
Ep. 181: "The Old Version of Yourself Has to Die" | Josh Botha
10 Mar 2026
01:33:46
Josh Botha showed up to his first precision rifle match with a blind-magazine .204 Ruger and no idea what he was doing. A decade later, he's a four-time Team Canada World Championship competitor, senior designer at MDT (Modular Driven Technologies), founder of the BC Precision Rifle League, and the man behind North Star Precision Training.
In this episode, Josh shares his journey from South Africa to England to BC, how archery led him into the precision rifle world, what it's really like inside MDT's culture, and the massive news about MDT acquiring Lone Peak Arms. We dig into the mental game of competitive shooting, the NRL Hunter format, wind reading, barriers to entry for new PRS shooters, the role of faith in business and life, and why one person stepping up can change everything.
🎁 This month we're giving away a SAI Mini Red Dot to an active Outpost listener - Silvercore Club members, activate the Outpost in your member portal to enter!
4:24 Growing Up in South Africa & Moving to England
7:00 Family Moves to Canada: Landing on Canada Day 2006
8:33 BC as the Best of South Africa and England Combined
10:00 From BCIT Mechanical Engineering to "Pretensioneer"
11:55 MDT's People-First Culture and Hiring Philosophy
13:16 MDT's Origin Story: From Rooster33 to Martin's Vision
14:28 MDT Acquires Lone Peak Arms: What It Means
16:50 Passion vs. Career: Drawing the Line
18:48 How Archery Led Josh Into Precision Rifle
21:00 First PRS Match: A .204 Ruger and No Idea
22:00 The BC Sniper Match & Why the PRS Community Is Different
27:00 PRS Attracts "Weird Gear Math Nerds" — And That's Great
28:00 The Mental Game: Almost All of It Is Mental Now
29:13 Conscious Competence to Subconscious Mastery
30:06 Wind Reading: The Great Equalizer
30:50 Barriers to Entry: Cost, Fear & PRS .22 Matches
33:50 Launching North Star Precision Training
37:00 Training Venues & The BC Long Range Problem
38:00 Biggest Mistakes New Precision Rifle Shooters Make
39:27 Dealing with Match Pressure & First-Stage Jitters
41:00 NRL Hunter: The Most Fun Match Format Explained
46:00 Gear vs. Skill: LRF Binos, Tripods & Weight Limits
48:03 MDT's Content & Media Strategy: Becoming a Media Company
52:00 Education as Marketing: Magpul, Glock & MDT
54:50 AI in the Firearms Industry: Spanish & French YouTube Channels
57:37 Suppressors: Will MDT Get In the Game?
59:00 Fighting for Suppressor Legalization in Canada
1:02:49 The Power of One Person to Create Change
1:07:55 Leveraging Mentors & Asking for Help
1:08:46 Faith at MDT: A Quiet But Real Foundation
1:11:05 Josh's Faith Journey & Losing His Mom
1:13:29 A Transformative Six Months: Growth Through Trials
1:16:27 What's Next: 4th World Championship & Rimfire in Lithuania
1:19:00 Building a World Championship Rimfire Rig
1:20:14 Product Design: When "Done" Meets "Perfect"
1:23:21 MDT's Most Popular Products (Magazines & Chamber Flags)
1:24:38 CAPRA: The Canadian Precision Rifle Association Board
1:26:39 Addressing Conflict of Interest Criticism
1:30:28 Growth of PRS in Canada: From 75 Members to National Teams
1:32:12 Where to Find Josh & Final Thoughts
Ep. 180: The Outpost
24 Feb 2026
00:14:01
This episode introduces something new inside the Silvercore Club.
It’s called The Outpost.
A private weekly podcast for members where I share reflections from the field, lessons that stay with me, and thoughts that don’t always fit the format of the public show.
In this episode, I explain what The Outpost is and why I created it, and then share one of those private recordings titled Bear With Me.
Some experiences change how you see preparedness, responsibility, and awareness.
Ep. 179: Melt Your Face Off Hot Wing Challenge | The Wild Kitchen x Silvercore
10 Feb 2026
01:28:24
This was supposed to be a hot wing challenge. It turned into something else.
We sat down to take on a melt your face off hot wing challenge and ended up in a real conversation about food, marriage, work, ambition, comfort, and the choices that shape a life over time.
The heat ramps up fast. Talking becomes harder. Filters disappear.
We talk about building something from scratch, walking away from paths that look good on paper, raising kids with intention, food as memory, food as connection, and why comfort has a way of slowly pulling people off course.
This episode also introduces The Wild Kitchen Podcast, a show about food, authors, hunters, foragers, and people who still know how to make things with their hands and feed the people they love.
Nothing here was planned. Nothing was cleaned up to make it tidy.
If you’re into honest conversations, good food, and doing things the hard way on purpose, this one will land.
00:00 We commit to the hot wing challenge 01:45 Why the first attempt failed 04:10 What The Wild Kitchen is really about 07:30 Starting something and sticking with it 10:50 Food, memory, and why meals matter 14:40 The meals that never leave you 18:20 Heat kicks in and thinking gets harder 21:45 Comfort food and emotional attachment 24:50 Death row meals and what they reveal 30:15 What we wanted to be as kids 35:05 Leaving the path you were expected to follow 39:40 Work that feels honest 45:30 Food, family, and presence 50:00 Heat level check and regret 53:10 Old skills in a modern world 58:20 Belief, curiosity, and asking better questions 01:03:45 Pushing through discomfort 01:07:40 Failure, momentum, and self trust 01:12:20 Dealing with criticism 01:16:10 Grandparents, food, and inherited habits 01:20:40 Preservation, fermentation, and patience 01:24:10 Processing animals and community 01:28:10 What the future actually looks like 01:32:30 Final wing and closing thoughts
Ep. 178: Why Training Fails Under Stress | Chris Butler on Perception, Video Evidence, and Use of Force
27 Jan 2026
01:05:06
What looks obvious on video often tells the least important part of the story.
Chris Butler has spent decades inside high consequence decision making, as a search and rescue technician, a police inspector, a force science instructor, and an expert witness called into hundreds of use of force cases. In this conversation, we dig into how stress bends perception, why traditional training often fails under pressure, and how video evidence can mislead investigators, leaders, and the public.
We explore the difference between performance and learning, why mistakes are essential for real skill acquisition, how decision making degrades under stress, and what trainers, coaches, and leaders across any field can learn from force science.
This episode is for anyone responsible for training others, leading teams, or forming opinions based on partial information.
Key themes and takeaways
Why performance during training is not the same as learning
How retention and transfer actually work under stress
The danger of linear, checkbox driven training models
Decision training vs technique training
Why video evidence feels convincing but can be wrong
Frame rates, fisheye distortion, and perceptual gaps
Leadership responsibility when public emotion is high
Moral courage and restraint in the age of instant judgment
Who this episode is for
Law enforcement and military trainers
Coaches and instructors in any high pressure domain
Leaders responsible for public trust
Civilians who want better frameworks for evaluating viral footage
00:00 Pressure bends perception and memory 01:10 Meeting Chris Butler before COVID shut everything down 03:00 From search and rescue to policing 05:10 When training mistakes nearly got people killed 07:30 Why personal skill does not equal teaching skill 09:45 The failure of linear, technique based training 12:10 Why law enforcement training ignores learning science 14:20 Performance vs learning explained 16:45 Retention and transfer, what actually matters 19:20 Why firearms qualification is meaningless 22:00 How force on force training changes outcomes 24:30 RCMP research and evidence based qualification changes 26:40 Decision training vs technique training 29:50 Why mistakes are essential for learning 33:10 The danger of spoonfeeding solutions 36:30 Why training under pressure works 39:10 Can this apply outside law enforcement 41:40 How experts analyze use of force incidents 44:10 Why video never tells the full story 46:50 Frame rates, missed actions, and false conclusions 49:30 Body cameras distort distance and threat perception 52:30 Leadership failure under public pressure 55:10 Moral courage and protecting your people 57:50 Final thoughts on training, leadership, and restraint
Ep. 177: SBS Special Forces Veteran on Violence, Awareness, and Self Protection
13 Jan 2026
01:36:50
Violence arrives fast and leaves a long shadow.
Former British SBS Special Forces veteran Sonny Smith returns to the Silvercore Podcast for a grounded conversation on awareness, personal safety, and the realities of physical confrontation.
Drawing from experience in UK Special Forces, executive protection, surveillance work, and professional bare knuckle boxing, Sonny talks through how people are selected as targets, how situations escalate, and where confidence drifts ahead of capability. We discuss awareness as a practiced discipline, avoidance as a measure of competence, and the responsibility that comes with force.
As the conversation deepens, it turns inward. We explore life after high risk work, mental health, identity, and the weight carried once the external danger fades. Sonny speaks openly about his personal experiences with ayahuasca as part of a broader reflection on trauma, accountability, and integration, without instruction or advocacy.
This episode is a clear-eyed look at judgment, restraint, and what survival demands, both in moments of danger and across a lifetime.
00:00 – Why most people misunderstand violence 03:45 – Bare knuckle boxing and reality versus fantasy 08:55 – Confidence, competence, and dangerous gaps 13:40 – Awareness without paranoia 18:25 – How predators actually select targets 23:10 – Situational awareness beyond buzzwords 28:00 – Subtle cues people miss before violence starts 33:15 – Why most self protection training fails 38:05 – Avoidance as a trained skill 43:20 – When violence becomes unavoidable 48:10 – Knives, firearms, and uncomfortable truths 54:30 – The psychological cost of physical confrontation
Mental Health and Psychedelics
01:00:05 – Life after violence and high risk careers 01:04:30 – Trauma, identity, and suppressed damage 01:10:15 – Why some people turn to ayahuasca 01:16:40 – Expectations versus reality 01:22:30 – Integration, responsibility, and accountability 01:28:10 – Mental health without shortcuts 01:33:40 – What survival actually means long term
Ep. 176: What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?
30 Dec 2025
01:05:41
As the year comes to a close, I reached out to a small group of past guests and asked them one question. What do you want to be remembered for? Their answers, and my own, are shared here. This episode is chaptered. Listen straight through, or move to the voices that resonate most with you. Take your time with it.
This is the final episode of the Silvercore Podcast for 2025 This Year End project is Silvercore Podcast Ep. 176
### Thank you to the guests who took part in this project
If you’d like to learn more about the people who shared their reflections, you can find them here.
Colin Dowler Colin keeps a low public profile. His story was first shared here: Silvercore Podcast – https://www.silvercore.ca/podcast/ep-09-now-youre-bleeding-too-bear
April Vokey Anchored Outdoors Website: https://anchoredoutdoors.com Podcast: https://www.anchoredoutdoors.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilvokey
Jason Budd Tantalus Mountain Guides Website: https://tantalusmtnguides.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tantalusmtnguides/
Ep. 175: The Explosives Expert Who Refuses to Live a Small Life
16 Dec 2025
01:09:04
Matt Barnett grew up dreaming about explosives. At fourteen he blew up his hand, looked death in the face, and kept going. Today he is one of the most fascinating figures in the world of high explosives, working with everything from avalanche control to government agencies and major media productions.
This conversation goes far beyond blowing things up. Matt opens up about the accident that reshaped him, the philosophy that guides his life, the power of visualization, raising strong kids, and why danger and purpose are tied together for anyone who wants to live a real life.
If you have ever wondered what drives someone to chase a childhood obsession into a career most people would never dare to try, this episode will pull you in. Explosives, chemistry, freedom, leadership, self reliance, personal growth, and the fire it takes to build something meaningful. It is all here.
What you will hear in this episode: • How a kid with a chemistry set became an explosives expert • The accident that nearly took Matt’s life and what he learned from it • Why humans are wired to crave controlled danger • The mindset that separates dreamers from builders • Raising kids in a world that fears risk • What freedom, responsibility, and legacy really look like • Why modern society is starving for men who refuse to live small lives
If you love conversations about resilience, purpose, freedom, and the people who shape their own world instead of waiting for permission, this one will hit home.
00:00 The spark that starts a life in explosives 00:41 Travis welcomes Matt Barnett 01:00 Why humans are drawn to things that go boom 01:51 Order, chaos, and the intoxication of controlled destruction 02:42 Childhood experiments with fireworks and gunpowder 04:18 Matt learns to make black powder at seven 05:00 The obsession with creating without limits 06:07 Chemistry, invention, and the ADHD mind 07:27 Growing up with explosive hobbies 08:57 Talking openly about dangerous knowledge 10:41 Where the line sits between education and harm 11:49 Using explosives to make the world safer 13:01 Childhood accidents and lessons learned 16:04 Matt’s near fatal blast at fourteen 17:50 Seeing the reality of destruction up close 19:14 How the accident changed his view of war and life 20:00 Parents, dynamite, and early experiments 22:00 Raising kids around explosives and responsibility 24:00 How business in the energetics world really works 25:16 The surprising truth about social media and notoriety 26:00 What it is like to film explosive content 27:32 The camera confidence Matt learned as a kid 28:36 What Matt would tell his younger self 29:00 Building a business inside a maze of regulation 30:15 Travis compares the Canadian system 33:00 The cultural divide in how nations regulate freedom 36:00 Why local control matters 38:06 The challenges of trying to build in Canada 40:41 A firearms case that shaped Travis view of the system 43:18 Matt’s drive through Canada and observations 45:00 Understanding different legal cultures 46:27 The origin of Benetti 46:44 What impresario means to Matt 48:00 Why Matt teaches leadership 50:15 When leadership pushes people to leave the status quo 51:00 The clients who can afford it, and those who truly need it 52:00 What legacy really means 53:16 Why his children are his real contribution 54:00 Raising kids like frontier families 55:56 The human experience is not meant to be safe 57:00 Why some of us need risk to feel alive 58:00 Matt’s time in the hospital and what it taught him 59:37 The turtle that changed everything 01:00:20 The power of visualization 01:01:20 What Matt sees for his future 01:03:00 Why the world still needs wild men 01:06:00 Final thoughts on compassion, responsibility, and becoming better humans 01:08:45 Closing
Ep. 174: Inside the CIA: A Case Officer’s Untold Stories
02 Dec 2025
01:25:33
Doug Patteson spent years overseas as a CIA case officer recruiting assets, running operations, and navigating a world built on secrecy and human psychology. After leaving the agency, he brought that experience into Hollywood, advising major studios on how the intelligence world actually works. In this conversation, Doug opens up about the realities of spycraft, the pressure of living a hidden life, the toll secrecy takes on families, and the lessons he carried forward into leadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence. We talk about failure, character, why good officers think differently, and how real fieldwork looks nothing like what you see on screen. This is a rare look at the human side of intelligence work from someone who lived it.
00:00 - CIA Case Officer Shares His Untold Story 00:27 - Hollywood, Field Ethos, and Experience in the Real World 01:01 - Hunting in Alberta and a Windstorm That Took Out the Camp 03:27 - Jet Lag, Knee Surgery, and Still Making the Hunt Happen 05:05 - Tents Collapse and a Middle of the Night Escape 06:40 - Learning Elk Country and the Strength of a Good Team 07:39 - Too Many Hunters in the Backcountry and Finding True Remote Ground 08:51 - Blaze Orange, Local Laws, and Staying Visible in the Field
10:52 - Doug’s Path Into the CIA 11:47 - Analysts vs Operators and Why Doug Was an Unlikely Recruit 13:34 - Thinking Differently in the Field 14:24 - Living Under Cover and What It Does to Family 16:34 - The Moral Weight of Secrecy 18:19 - Polygraphs, Personal Choices, and Agency Tests 20:53 - When Character Cracks Reveal Themselves 22:07 - Why Doug and His Wife Eventually Left the Agency
23:48 - How Spies Are Recruited and What That Relationship Looks Like 27:43 - Is Spycraft an Art or a Science 29:05 - Lessons From the Field That Still Matter Today 31:51 - Emotional Intelligence and Radical Self Awareness 34:31 - Failure as a Teacher and Raising Resilient Kids 35:34 - Faith, Family, and Keeping a Moral Compass Straight 37:07 - Losing His Wife to Early Onset Alzheimer’s 39:30 - What Hard Times Reveal About Character
41:28 - Choosing Love When Life Gets Hard 43:50 - Stopping, Regrouping, and Choosing a Better Path 45:24 - Being Human, Failing Forward, Resetting the Next Day 47:52 - Letting Go of Failure and Moving Ahead Clean 49:23 - Good, Better, Best and Remembering to Celebrate Wins 51:16 - Burnout, Friends, and Iron Sharpening Iron
55:23 - What Hollywood Misses About the CIA 57:30 - Conspiracies, Secrets, and What Actually Leaks 01:00:33 - Mistakes, Coverups, and How Narratives Twist
01:02:12 - The Explorers Club and DefenderX 01:04:35 - Amphibious Land Rovers and Journeys Nobody Has Done Before 01:06:21 - How Extraordinary Teams Form
01:08:03 - Leadership Lessons From a Life in the Field 01:09:20 - Capacity vs Capability and Hiring for Character 01:11:27 - The Hardest Thing You Have Ever Done 01:13:03 - Ethical Failures and What They Reveal 01:18:22 - Hiring, Firing, and Getting People on the Right Bus 01:22:32 - Necessary Endings and Knowing When Paths Diverge
01:24:12 - Wrapping Up and What’s Coming Next
Ep. 173: From the Alps to Africa: Photographer Florian Wagner on Wild Living, Helicopters, and the Meaning of Freedom
18 Nov 2025
01:13:55
Florian Wagner has lived a life that most people only dream about. A helicopter pilot, paragliding instructor, and celebrated adventure photographer, his work has appeared in National Geographic, Playboy, and Leica campaigns. From crossing Australia on a motorcycle to photographing Spirit Bears in Canada and flying through the Okavango Delta, Florian’s journey captures what it means to live close to nature.
In this conversation, we explore how he turned risk into art, why he believes adventure is the truest teacher, and how hunting reshaped his connection with the land. Florian shares his experiences photographing for Leica, collaborating with Hornady and Savage Arms, and how self-hypnosis and mindfulness helped him rebuild after personal and physical setbacks.
This episode is a window into the mind of a man who’s seen the world from above, from horseback, and through the lens of purpose.
🎧 Brought to you by the Silvercore Podcast Hosted by Travis Bader - outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and storyteller. Silvercore Club members receive exclusive discounts, training, and access to The Outpost private podcast.
🛠️ This episode is made possible in part by Armament Technology — providing world-class optics from Tangent Theta, SAI, and Tenebraex. Silvercore Club members save 10% on Tangent Theta, 15% on SAI, and 20% on Tenebraex.
00:00 – Intro: From the Alps to Africa Meet Florian Wagner, helicopter pilot, paragliding instructor, and adventure photographer for National Geographic, Playboy, and Leica.
01:28 – Escaping the Boarding School Walls Florian shares how a restrictive childhood sparked his obsession with freedom and flight.
02:40 – Self-Taught Paragliding and the Camera That Started It All How a forgotten camera and a hunger for the sky began a lifelong creative journey.
04:59 – From Playboy to Pilot: Adventures Behind the Lens Florian’s unlikely path from photographer to helicopter pilot and adventure storyteller.
06:29 – Wine Tasting by Helicopter — the Playboy Assignment That Changed Everything How one bold pitch turned into a dream project.
07:56 – Freedom and Risk Management Florian reflects on what boarding school taught him about independence and why adventure is his true classroom.
08:10 – Riding Through Africa: Healing Through Safari A moving story of loss, recovery, and rediscovering purpose on horseback in Kenya.
09:56 – The Power of Self-Hypnosis How Florian used autosuggestion to overcome adversity, rebuild confidence, and enhance creativity.
13:40 – Elk Hunts and Broken Ribs: Stories From the Outback Florian recalls his Australian motorcycle crash and what it taught him about limits.
16:29 – When the Supermarket Closes A profound reflection on self-reliance and what it truly means to live close to nature.
19:32 – Learning to Hunt: From Photographer to Provider How Florian went from capturing wildlife to understanding his place in the natural cycle.
22:01 – Hunting as Connection, Not Competition Why he never carries both a camera and rifle, and what that choice means.
23:22 – Bridging Old Traditions and Modern Hunting Florian contrasts European elitism with the hands-on North American model.
24:46 – Using Every Part: The Ethics of Sustainable Hunting From chamois leather lederhosen to Defender seats — nothing goes to waste.
26:16 – Emotional Storytelling and Authentic Failure The Norwegian hunt that didn’t go as planned — and why that honesty matters.
31:04 – Showing the Struggle: Why Failure Connects Us Travis and Florian discuss how real stories can shift perceptions around hunting and the outdoors.
33:36 – Respect for Life: Trophy Hunting and Conservation A deeper conversation about ethics, balance, and how hunting can protect wildlife.
36:22 – Inside Africa’s Complex Reality From elephants to poachers — why Florian believes perspective matters more than judgment.
42:54 – Rhino Poaching and the True Cost of Demand Florian shares what he saw firsthand in Kruger National Park and how misinformation fuels destruction.
46:39 – Tourism, Trophy Hunting, and Balance in Africa How ethical hunting can support communities and restore ecosystems.
47:05 – Horseback Safaris and Staying Alive Among Lions Why riding through Africa is as humbling as it is exhilarating.
52:30 – How to Prepare for a Horseback Safari What kind of training you actually need — and why honesty with your skill level matters.
56:21 – The Waters Project: Capturing the World’s Lifeblood Florian’s global mission to document water through aerial photography and storytelling.
59:54 – The Hidden Stories of Water From sinking Venice to vanishing glaciers — how water connects us all.
1:01:47 – Precision, Focus, and the Art of Helicopter Photography Why preparation and discipline keep him alive and creative in the sky.
1:02:40 – Inside the Explorers Club The legendary organization behind the first North and South Pole, and first Moon expeditions.
1:04:49 – City Overload: Finding Calm Through Nature Florian and Travis discuss overstimulation, mindfulness, and why cities can drain the soul.
1:08:58 – Sharp Senses, Wild Minds Florian’s take on ADHD, awareness, and why he sees sensitivity as a survival advantage.
1:11:53 – Disconnected from Nature The story of students who couldn’t walk in a forest — and what that says about modern life.
1:13:23 – The Call of the Wild Why Africa’s rawness keeps pulling Florian back, and how adventure makes us feel alive.
1:13:45 – Evolving Adventures How his career is shifting toward guiding and storytelling, keeping curiosity alive.
1:16:23 – Stay in Motion Florian’s philosophy for life and creative longevity — never stop learning, never sto...
Ep. 172: He Sold His House to Follow His Dream: Jesse Reardon’s Fishin' With Dad Story
04 Nov 2025
00:16:59
What happens when someone decides to stop dreaming and start doing? In this heartfelt episode, Travis reconnects with Jesse Reardon, former cameraman for Jim Shockey and now the creator of The Fishing With Dad Show. Jesse sold his house to follow his dream, traveling Canada with his son, learning from other anglers, and capturing the bond between fathers, families, and the water.
Travis and Jesse talk about fear, imposter syndrome, and what it takes to pursue something meaningful even when it’s uncomfortable.
Ep. 171: He Left Med School to Live Wild in Alaska | Rick Matney of Chrome Chasers
21 Oct 2025
01:02:58
When Rick Matney walked away from a medical career to build Chrome Chasers with his wife Dori, he wasn’t chasing money, he was chasing meaning.
From guiding in the Alaskan wilderness to cooking world-class meals from what he catches and forages, Rick lives a life that blends science, survival, and soul. In this episode, Travis Bader travels to Wrangell, Alaska to discover what makes this place—and this guide—so special.
They dive into:
Rick’s drastic right turn from med-school valedictorian to bush guide
What it takes to thrive in the Alaskan backcountry
Lessons from years of hunting, trapping, and foraging
Working with MeatEater and building a business rooted in conservation
How food becomes the bridge that connects people to nature
👉 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the outdoors, mindset, and mastery. 🎧 Listen to The Outpost—Silvercore Club’s private members-only podcast—for deeper, personal stories and tips. 🎯 Silvercore Club members get discounts on top optics through Armament Technology and more: https://silvercore.ca
00:00 – Intro & Armament Technology sponsor 01:00 – Welcome to Alaska and Chrome Chasers 03:00 – The reality of Wrangell and life in a temperate rainforest 07:15 – From valedictorian to fishing guide: the moment everything changed 10:45 – Trading med school for a life of wild purpose 13:00 – Generations of hunters, trappers & foragers 16:30 – Cooking as a survival skill turned artform 19:55 – From field to fine dining and global recognition 21:00 – Guiding style and the pursuit of perfection 23:15 – Working with MeatEater and sharing the love of food 26:00 – Guiding is psychology: reading people in the wild 28:50 – Failure as a teacher and the importance of letting clients learn 33:40 – The perfect guest and embracing discomfort 36:00 – Bears, storms & real Alaskan wildlife 40:20 – Growing up skiing, racing, and learning risk 42:25 – Reloading, precision rifles & finding calm in focus 45:30 – Why he guides today and what he’s truly chasing 48:20 – Favorite fish to catch and client stories 55:00 – The future of Chrome Chasers and ethical harvest 1:01:00 – Final thoughts & closing
Ep. 170: Inside the Norma Factory: How Swedish Precision Builds the World’s Most Trusted Ammunition
07 Oct 2025
01:21:24
He’s the storyteller behind one of the most respected names in ammunition. Jonas Hellentin of Norma Ammunition joins Travis Bader for an inside look at how one of the oldest ammunition makers in the world continues to innovate while staying true to its roots.
From the Swedish forests to the Norma factory floor, Jonas shares the brand’s 120-year legacy of craftsmanship, how their bullets are tested, and why Scandinavian hunting culture values precision, ethics, and community above all else.
This episode explores the balance between tradition and technology, the ethics of hunting, the coming lead-ban challenges, and what it means to carry pride in every round.
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02:00 – Welcome Jonas Hellentin: carrying Norma’s legacy forward
04:00 – Travis’ visit to the Norma factory in Sweden
07:00 – Inside the factory: automation meets human craftsmanship
09:00 – What makes Norma different from other ammunition makers
11:00 – The philosophy behind “It’s up to you”
13:30 – Swedish teamwork and the “hive mind” culture
17:00 – Hunting traditions: inclusivity and heritage in Sweden
21:00 – The origins of Norma Ammunition – from Norway to Sweden
27:00 – Multi-generational craftsmanship and pride in the factory
31:00 – From brass cup to finished cartridge: how ammo is made
34:00 – The overlooked secrets of ammunition accuracy
40:00 – Human error and humility in shooting
43:00 – Norma’s innovation in bonding technology
48:00 – The story behind Norma’s eco-friendly packaging
51:00 – Social media restrictions and reframing the outdoor message
55:00 – Education through Norma Academy and building trust
59:00 – The importance of unity in the hunting and shooting community
1:03:00 – Hunters as stewards of nature
1:05:00 – Testing and the science of ballistic gel
1:09:00 – Eureka moments and lessons learned in R&D
1:11:00 – Deciding which new calibers to develop
1:12:00 – The lead ban and its ethical implications
1:18:00 – The future of hunting and responsible innovation
1:20:00 – Closing thoughts and Norma Academy links
Ep. 169: How OnX Changed Hunting Forever with Dylan Dowson
23 Sep 2025
01:05:24
He grew up in the wide-open country of eastern Montana, chasing elk bugles and learning the outdoors with his dad. Today, Dylan Dowson has spent over a decade with OnX Hunt, shaping how hunters connect with the land through technology and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into Dylan’s journey from small-town Montana to the forefront of digital mapping, the secrets behind OnX’s explosive growth, and the tension between tradition and tech in hunting. Dylan also shares unforgettable hunting stories, from calling in elk to the legendary “Scuba Moose” adventure in British Columbia. Whether you’re an old-school map-and-compass hunter or a tech-savvy explorer, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and stories that remind us why we hunt.
📌 Topics include: Growing up hunting in Montana How OnX became an essential hunting tool Elk hunting strategies during the rut Balancing technology with tradition Family hunting and raising kids with a connection to food The unbelievable “Scuba Moose” recovery story
🎯 Don’t forget: Silvercore Club members get access to exclusive tips from Dylan and other industry leaders. Learn more at silvercore.ca.
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro – Montana roots and OnX beginnings 06:00 OnX growth, marketing, and storytelling 12:00 Rangefinders, tech, and the ethics of hunting technology 17:30 Elk hunting strategies and advice 27:00 Calling elk vs. spot-and-stalk tactics 37:00 Family hunting and raising kids with food awareness 44:00 Axis deer in Hawaii & the “Scuba Moose” story 1:04:00 Final thoughts and advice
Ep. 168: Brotherhood, Resilience, and Firearms: David MacDonald Returns
09 Sep 2025
01:53:24
David MacDonald’s story is one of survival, service, and strength. After surviving 47 broken bones from an IED blast in Afghanistan, he rebuilt his life, helped others with PTSD, and now manages Beretta Defense Technologies in Canada.
In this powerful conversation, we explore:
The legacy and future of Beretta and its global brands.
The reality of firearm laws and politics in Canada.
The overlooked mental health challenges men face, from veterans to fathers.
The importance of brotherhood, community, and purpose.
This episode goes far beyond firearms, diving into resilience, family, and what it means to live with meaning.
00:00 – Silvercore Club giveaways & guest intro 01:54 – David MacDonald returns to the podcast 02:35 – Beretta Defense Technologies explained 04:23 – Beretta’s 500-year legacy & family ownership 06:46 – Beretta group brands: Benelli, Sako, Tikka, Steiner & more 09:15 – Behind the scenes at the Tikka & Sako factories 13:46 – Barrel life myths & factory standards explained 17:58 – Human error vs equipment failure in firearms 20:55 – Gun customization, training, and marketing 25:05 – The Canadian handgun freeze & firearms politics 31:00 – Buyback programs, registries & advocacy challenges 36:50 – The firearms community’s internal conflicts 40:50 – Educating the public about Canadian gun laws 47:00 – Navigating bureaucracy & firearms policy 55:00 – Fatherhood, change, and raising kids differently 01:01:13 – Postpartum depression, PTSD & men’s mental health 01:15:30 – Social media, loneliness & the need for men’s groups 01:28:00 – Suicide, warning signs & supporting friends 01:43:00 – Nature, hunting & outdoors as therapy 01:49:00 – Service, veterans, and reclaiming identity 01:52:07 – Closing thoughts & community challenge
Ep. 167: Ex-Soldier Turned Lawyer Exposes the Truth
26 Aug 2025
01:14:05
Phillip Millar went from soldier to lawyer, and he’s never stopped fighting battles that matter. In this episode we get into the lessons he carried from military service into the courtroom, the cost of speaking out, and why telling the truth can make you a target.
This is a raw, unfiltered look at courage, conviction, and the price of standing your ground.
0:00 – Intro – Soldier to Lawyer 3:42 – Lessons from the Military 10:15 – Speaking Truth to Power 18:07 – The Price of Challenging the System 26:55 – Stories from the Courtroom 35:20 – Media, Spin, and Public Perception 44:12 – Standing Up When It Costs You 53:05 – Why Courage Matters More Than Comfort 1:03:10 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Ep. 166: The Trade Gap Is Killing Us - Here’s What No One’s Talking About
12 Aug 2025
01:17:52
Zach Hanson was thriving in the world of AI and big tech...until the layoffs came. Two mortgages, a family to support, and no job in sight, he did what few with a white-collar background ever dare: he turned to trapping to survive. In this raw and timely conversation, Zach reveals how losing the comfort of corporate life reconnected him to skills that most of society has forgotten, skills that may be our only hedge in an uncertain future.
Travis and Zach explore what it means to be truly self-reliant in a world increasingly propped up by fragile systems. From welding school to wolf trapping, from modern brain rot to the mental health cost of career fragility, this is a conversation about grit, identity, and rediscovering the value of getting your hands dirty. Zach's new book, The Trade Gap, might just be the blueprint for how to stay human in an AI-powered world.
00:01:42 – The nostalgic charm of Merits Café and small-town hospitality
00:04:50 – Fishing in Idaho and the surprising joy of tenkara rods
00:08:00 – Life in Atlanta, Idaho and Travis' transformative trip to the Hansons' cabin
00:09:55 – From white collar to off-grid: Zach’s journey into trapping and trades
00:10:45 – Laid off and out of options: how trapping paid the mortgage
00:14:10 – Welding school, starting from zero, and why it matters
00:15:30 – How America abandoned trades and built a fragile workforce
00:18:45 – The great shift in education: STEM vs. self-reliance
00:22:15 – Redefining general education and the modern renaissance person
00:26:50 – The Venn diagram of AI and trades: where the winners will be
00:30:05 – Brain rot, social media, and the cost of convenience
00:34:45 – Travis' AI blunder with GSP and the perils of outsourcing sincerity
00:39:00 – Should we disclose when AI helps us? Ethical lines in creativity
00:44:20 – The power draw of AI and the trades crisis nobody’s ready for
00:47:05 – Oklahoma’s model for reviving trades in high school
00:52:25 – TVM vs. TVE: Why building it yourself will always matter more
01:00:55 – What do you really do? Redefining identity outside of job titles
01:04:00 – What success looks like when you stop chasing titles
01:10:30 – A friend lost to suicide and the mental health cost of obsolescence
01:15:15 – The Adobe example: fear of learning something new vs. choosing growth
01:17:00 – Why The Trade Gap is ultimately about giving people more options
Ep. 165: What Are You Really Chasing? Ron Spomer on Ego, Legacy, and the Soul of the Hunt
29 Jul 2025
01:19:01
Ron Spomer has hunted wild terrain across six continents, tested elite gear, written thousands of articles, and shaped how generations think about the outdoors. But none of that explains the man behind the rifle.
In this rare and deeply personal conversation, Travis Bader sits down with the legendary outdoorsman to ask what no one else does: What’s he really been chasing?
Ron opens up about the quiet moments that changed him, the ego traps of the industry, and why the biggest threat to hunting today isn’t anti-gun activists, it’s our own disconnection from nature, each other, and ourselves.
They dive into legacy, ethics, spiritual frequency, and the kind of beauty that doesn’t need a trophy photo to matter. This episode will change how you see the wilderness, and your place in it.
00:00 – Silvercore Club & Outpost intro 02:00 – Ron Spomer joins, and Travis shares why he’s inspired by him 04:15 – The high school English teacher who changed Ron’s life 06:00 – Discovering writing and the innate drive to be in nature 08:00 – Early childhood, grouse hunting, and connection to the woods 10:00 – “What am I really chasing?” – Beauty, vibration, and truth 13:00 – Finding the tiniest flower: humility and connection 15:00 – Vibrations, radios, and the unseen ways we connect to nature 17:00 – What should people be asking Ron that they never do? 20:00 – “Hunt honest, shoot straight”: ethics, integrity, and legacy 22:00 – Urbanization, habitat loss, and hard truths hunters avoid 25:00 – Modern media, YouTube, and sneaking conservation into ballistics 27:00 – First-time elk hunters and rediscovering awe 30:00 – Self-reliance, sourdough, and the post-COVID outdoor renaissance 33:00 – Surprised to still be alive—and grateful 35:00 – Land stewardship and making old dreams real 37:00 – Type II fun and memorable hardship in the wild 39:00 – Free beauty: the magic of seeing what’s unearned 41:00 – The cost of a career away from home and fighting ego 44:00 – German hunting traditions and communal values 48:00 – Division in the hunting world and how storytelling bridges it 50:00 – Social media negativity, comment sections, and fragile egos 53:00 – Industry rivalry vs. respect: why competition helps 56:00 – Optics innovation and price vs. value 58:00 – The power of narrative branding in optics and firearms 01:02:00 – Storytelling to survive censorship 01:04:00 – Travis on rebranding to Silvercore Outdoors 01:06:00 – Where did all the outdoor heroes go? 01:08:00 – The Rifleman and restoring personal responsibility 01:10:00 – Legacy: Passing on a love for wild places and honest hunting 01:14:00 – Hunters as conservationists—and how to reclaim the role 01:17:00 – Final reflections on legacy, mentorship, and shared joy 01:18:00 – “Where are you taking me moose hunting next?”
Ep. 164: Why You’ll Freeze in a Crisis... and How to Stop It
15 Jul 2025
01:36:59
What do elite performers, world-class cops, and Olympic athletes have in common? They train the mind as hard as the body. In this mind-expanding conversation, Travis Bader is joined by Jeff Johnsgaard, veteran police officer, Force Science Institute consultant, and founder of Training on Purpose by Design.
Jeff has taught use-of-force and high-stakes performance across four continents and multiple tier-one units. But in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain, not just on tactics, but on the mental software upgrades that determine who thrives in danger and who shuts down.
You’ll learn:
How to reframe fear as fuel.
Why most training creates failure under real pressure.
The shocking truth about “slow trigger presses.”
How elite operators pre-live critical incidents through mental rehearsal.
Why your body can’t tell the difference between imagining and doing.
What’s wrong with the way we teach cops, kids, and executives—and how to fix it.
This one isn’t just for shooters or law enforcement. It’s for anyone who wants to perform better when it counts.
00:00 – Silvercore Club updates & member perks 02:00 – Jeff Johnsgaard introduction: Who he trains and why 06:45 – “I’m a software guy”: Why mindset beats gear 10:15 – Threat vs. Challenge: The mindset that rewires your physiology 14:00 – The turning point: When Jeff realized words were weapons 20:30 – Mental rehearsal saves lives: The traffic stop study 26:00 – Michael Phelps, Wayne Gretzky, and world-class visualization 32:30 – The trap of post-performance rumination 34:45 – Failure is feedback, not a flaw 37:15 – Motivation: The forgotten force multiplier 41:30 – Why “slow trigger press” ruined Travis’s shooting 45:45 – Own your grip, own your trigger 48:45 – The most dangerous training scar in law enforcement 52:00 – How Jeff taught his daughter to drive like a tactical thinker 56:45 – Translating this to business and leadership 01:01:00 – The power of pre-experiencing critical moments 01:06:30 – Feed-forward vs. feedback: Escaping toxic rumination 01:12:00 – Using emotion, breathing, and body anchors to perform 01:17:00 – Visualizing for peak performance vs. anxiety 01:23:30 – “Prehabilitation”: Training like a combat veteran—before the fight 01:27:00 – One truth Jeff would pass on if he had to start over 01:33:00 – The Circle of Excellence: Anchoring performance states 01:36:00 – Wrap-up and resources
Ep. 163: Banned in Canada: Why Suppressors Are Safer Than You Think
01 Jul 2025
01:17:53
Canada bans suppressors. But in the U.S. and Europe, they’re considered essential safety tools. In this episode, Travis Bader sits down with Kyle Grob of KGM Technologies, a leading U.S. suppressor manufacturer, to dismantle the myths, politics, and science behind silencers.
Kyle shares how suppressors became wrongly vilified, how health and safety data is driving legal reform in the U.S., and what Canadians are missing due to outdated, emotion-driven laws. From engineering accuracy to military adoption, Travis and Kyle dive into real-world implications, regulatory nightmares, and what it would take to make change in Canada.
This is not about stealth. It’s about safety, hearing protection, and common sense.
🔗 Share this episode. Tag Silvercore. Let’s elevate the conversation.
00:00 Intro 02:00 Suppressors in Canada and why they’re banned 05:45 U.S. history: suppressors & the NFA 09:00 Canada copied U.S. law without evidence 11:00 Health & safety driving U.S. suppressor reform 14:00 The Hearing Protection Act & federal deregulation 17:00 Travis's DIY suppressor story 21:00 Engineering precision: EDM & gas dynamics 28:00 POI shift and suppressor consistency 31:00 Travis’s baffle strike experience 35:00 Volume vs. baffle design for noise reduction 38:00 ATF regulation and KGM’s compliance 44:00 Canadian held in U.S. prison for barrel trace 47:00 Logic vs. emotion in firearms policy 59:00 Step-by-step approach to Canadian reform 01:06:00 Future of integrally suppressed rifles
Discover the elite insights of former JTF2 Operator, world-champion endurance athlete, and high-performance coach, Shaun Taylor. In this exclusive conversation, Shaun shares powerful lessons from decades of trial and error, guiding you on the path to superior sleep, effective stress management, optimal nutrition, hormonal optimization, and an unbreakable mindset. Whether you're a performance-driven athlete or simply seeking to live your best life, learn the strategies Shaun employs daily to maintain peak performance and personal fulfillment.
1:57:00 – Exploring peptides: potentials and pitfalls
1:59:00 – Routines, mindset, and finding your purpose
2:05:00 – Final thoughts & what's next
Ep. 161: Beyond the Case: Leadership and Innovation with Nanuk’s Charles Benoit
03 Jun 2025
00:57:02
What makes a product truly stand the test of time in a world of disposable everything?
In this episode, Travis Bader flies to Montreal to go behind the scenes with Nanuk, a Canadian company building ultra-durable cases trusted by first responders, hunters, military, and outdoor professionals around the world. But this isn’t just a story about rugged gear. It’s about values, vision, and how leadership and culture shape what we build and how we live.
Nanuk’s VP of Marketing, Charles Benoit, joins Travis to explore the evolution of gear that lasts a lifetime, the balance between work and family, and the deeply human moments that remind us what really matters. From gear innovations and recycled materials to a canoe rescue that saved a life, this conversation covers it all.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the gear you trust or how to build something meaningful in your own life, this episode delivers.
Ep. 160: Paragliding Near Death, Rebuilding Millions, and Chasing Steelhead
20 May 2025
01:03:58
Malcolm Wood’s Relentless Quest for Life
In this captivating episode of the Silvercore Podcast, Travis Bader sits down with Malcolm Wood, a man who has built a life that straddles the worlds of high-stakes adventure and global impact. From producing award-winning environmental documentaries praised by David Attenborough to launching successful restaurants and high-end fishing lodges.
Malcolm’s story is one of passion, resilience, and relentless drive. He recounts paragliding off Himalayan peaks, navigating near-fatal accidents, and building businesses from napkin sketches by campfires. Malcolm opens up about facing adversity, overcoming the mental challenges of extreme sports, and using setbacks as fuel for future success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a man who refuses to back down.
00:00 – Introduction: Mentorship Through the Silvercore Club
01:00 – Why Malcolm Wood Was Travis Bader’s Inspiration to Start Paragliding
03:00 – Paragliding in the Himalayas: Aerial Sports and Mental Chess
04:00 – How Steelhead Fishing and Business Go Hand in Hand
07:00 – The Napkin Business Plan: Building a Lodge on a Whim
08:00 – Planning and Strategy: Malcolm’s First Rule of Business
10:00 – Adversity and Resilience: Losing Everything in the 2007 Recession
13:00 – Dyslexia and the Power of Turning Weaknesses into Strengths
15:00 – The Victim Mindset vs. Self-Motivation: Lessons from Entrepreneurship
17:00 – Homeschooling, Education, and the Value of Failure
19:00 – Extreme Sports as Meditation: The Mental Highs and Lows
21:00 – UN Mountain Hero of the Year: Malcolm’s Work on Climate Documentaries
24:00 – The Last Glaciers: Capturing Climate Change Through Extreme Sports
27:00 – Near-Death Experiences: Crashes, Injuries, and PTSD
32:00 – Teaching NIMS Purja to Paraglide: Breaking Records in the Himalayas
34:00 – Manaslu Massacre: Walking Away from Dangerous Expeditions
36:00 – The Rule of Threes: Assessing Risk in Business and Extreme Sports
38:00 – Business Lessons Learned from Paragliding and Climbing
40:00 – Malcolm’s Daily Routine: Time Management and Family Priorities
45:00 – Skeena Spay Lodge: More Than Just a Fishing Business
50:00 – Malcolm Would: A T-Shirt Slogan Born from Boldness
52:00 – The Last Glaciers: A Must-Watch Film for Outdoor Enthusiasts
55:00 – What Legacy Does Malcolm Want to Leave Behind?
Ep. 159: After the Election: What Now for Canada's Firearms Community?
08 May 2025
01:33:24
After the dust settles from Canada’s federal election, what does it all mean for gun owners? In this episode of the Silvercore Podcast, I sit down with Daniel Fritter from Calibre Magazine to talk about why it’s not all doom and gloom.
We dig into the missed opportunities, surprising shifts, and overlooked reasons for optimism. From navigating political tactics to finding ways to make your voice heard, we break down actionable steps that every firearms owner can take right now to stay in the fight and keep pushing forward.
Plus, for Silvercore Club members, there's a private episode packed with even more practical advice on how to turn frustration into real, impactful action. If you’re frustrated or feeling stuck, this episode is packed with insights to help you turn that frustration into positive action.
00:00 - 02:00: Intro – Welcoming Daniel Fritter and setting the stage
02:01 - 08:00: Election breakdown – What went wrong for the Conservatives?
08:01 - 14:30: Why millennial voters didn't show up – A missed opportunity
14:31 - 20:00: The long ballot and wasted political tactics
20:01 - 24:30: The implications of Carney's win for firearms owners
24:31 - 29:30: Guns, crime, and the media – Shifting narratives
29:31 - 35:00: Defensive gun use and rising crime – What gun owners need to know
35:01 - 40:00: The power of local advocacy – Why meeting with your MP matters
40:01 - 46:00: How gun owners can mobilize and make their voices heard
46:01 - 52:00: Lessons from the US – Avoiding a divided gun culture
52:01 - End: Key takeaways – Optimism, action, and why the fight isn't over
Ep. 158: This Will Hurt: But It Might Just Save You
06 May 2025
01:35:45
Chris Hunt forged Code of the West from the ashes of loss, burnout, and a mind that wouldn’t quit. In this unvarnished talk, he digs into suicide’s scars, sleepless nights, and a brain scan that flipped the script—plus a dark laugh or two. It’s not motivation, it’s discipline that pulls you through, he says. From rodeo plans to gear drops, he’s building a lifeline for the heavy-hearted. This hits deep, but if you’re lost, it might just point you home.
00:00:13,170 - Intro & Silvercore Club - Welcome to the Podcast 00:00:40,860 - Meet Chris Hunt - Introducing Chris Hunt 00:01:55,275 - Impact of Code of the West - Changing Lives 00:02:23,745 - Messages from Followers - Voices of Resilience 00:04:59,355 - Happiness as Process - The Pursuit of Happiness 00:06:16,695 - Chris’s Struggles & Origins - From Loss to Purpose 00:08:02,804 - Friends’ Deaths Story - Facing Mortality 00:10:07,500 - Aftermath of Loss - Cascading Grief 00:11:13,140 - Reframing Life & Death - Living and Dying Well 00:12:17,325 - Suicide’s Ripple Effect - Pain Transferred 00:13:09,045 - Building Code of the West - Crafting a Philosophy 00:14:24,345 - Brain Scan Revelation - Understanding the Mind 00:16:46,035 - Movement Equals Life - Forward Momentum 00:17:07,425 - Sleep Strategies - Mastering Sleep 00:19:55,095 - Managing Data Overload - Taming the Brain 00:21:50,145 - Early Career Moves - Chasing Ambiguity 01:16:45,360 - Generational Reflections - Bridging Worlds 01:19:20,265 - AI and Modern Change - A New Era 01:20:41,174 - Thoughts on Legacy - Beyond Statues 01:22:03,690 - Death as Exploration - Embracing the Inevitable 01:22:35,415 - Future of Code of the West - What’s Next for Code of the West 01:24:06,960 - Documenting Stories - Show, Don’t Tell 01:25:16,245 - Rodeo Plans - Code of the West in Action 01:27:01,635 - Huckberry Collaboration - Gear with Purpose 01:30:12,480 - Zane Gray Influence - Roots of the West 01:33:31,170 - Willingness to Fail - Authentic Grit 01:34:53,310 - Wrapping Up - Leaving a Legacy 01:35:29,219 - Closing & Thanks - A Lighter Farewell
Ep. 157: How a Rock Band in Iraq Turned Into a Survival Gear Empire
22 Apr 2025
01:05:26
What do you get when you mix raw adventure, music tours in war zones, bowhunting in Africa, and building one of the most respected survival gear companies in North America? You get Christian Schauf.
In this episode, we go far beyond the typical founder story. From recording with Prince to launching survival kits that save lives, Christian opens up about what drives him: faith, fitness, hunting, entrepreneurship—and doing something meaningful with this short time we’re given. We talk about moose hunting in BC, building gear that’s actually reliable when things go sideways, learning from failure, and the mindset needed to push forward when most people quit.
Whether you’re into the outdoors, business, or just trying to live a more intentional life, this one’s for you.
36:00 – Designing gear that prevents emergencies before they escalate
37:00 – Color-coded, instructional layout of kits to reduce panic and improve usability
39:00 – Making gear intuitive even for non-experts
40:00 – No formal training offered yet, but strong content and future plans
41:00 – Most popular products: jump starters, first aid kits, survival kits
43:00 – Essentials Christian always carries, layering gear in “concentric circles”
44:30 – Saving his dog’s life with the Triage Kit
45:00 – Future of the company: growth, wholesale expansion, tariffs disrupting progress
47:00 – Transparent supply chain talk, China, FDA rules, and pricing realities
48:30 – Importance of American manufacturing and balancing affordability
49:30 – Drawing business parallels to survival mindset
50:00 – Upcoming hunts in South Africa (for school meat programs) and New Zealand
52:00 – Christensen Arms rifle use in mountainous terrain
54:00 – Travis’s Molokai access deer story and equipment mismatch
56:00 – Reaffirming the value of knowing your gear deeply
57:00 – Touching on faith, legacy, and leading by example
58:00 – Christian’s approach to faith: live it, don’t preach it
Ep. 156: Surviving Alone: The Wilderness Philosopher Who Hunted Wolverine with a Hatchet
08 Apr 2025
01:34:46
He rode freight trains across America, lived with nomadic reindeer herders in Siberia, and became a household name after winning Alone in the Arctic. But Jordan Jonas is more than a survivalist—he's a philosopher forged by hardship.
In this episode, Travis Bader sits down with Jordan for a raw and real conversation on solitude, family, faith, failure, and the uncomfortable truths we face when stripped of distraction.
They explore the mental battles of being truly alone, the lessons from Siberian trappers and prison-hardened mentors, and the generational strength passed down through adversity.
Whether you're a hunter, a parent, a spiritual seeker, or someone grappling with modern life's noise—this episode will stay with you.
🔥 Topics include:
What Alone doesn’t show you about survival
How to confront yourself in silence
The gift of failure and discomfort
The legacy of hardship and how it shapes us
Faith, family, and keeping joy through suffering
🎯 Perfect for fans of Man’s Search for Meaning, Alone, and anyone seeking deeper connection with nature and self.
⏱️ Timestamp Chapters – Silvercore Podcast 156: Jordan Jonas
00:00 – Intro: The Outdoors Reveals Who You Pretend to Be 00:59 – Why Jordan Jonas stood out: solitude, humility, and raw truth 02:17 – Riding with nomadic reindeer herders and hunting wolverine with a hatchet 03:22 – Hollywood connections, Megan Hine, and FOX’s ‘Extracted’ 05:16 – Technology, connection, and craving the wilderness 07:25 – Starlink fears, forced disconnection, and focus 09:00 – ADHD, distraction, and being an info concierge 09:50 – Origin of “Hobo Jordo”: Riding freight trains across America 12:42 – Nearly drowning on a train in a puddle during a storm 14:00 – Police chases, jail time, and the underground hobo network 19:33 – Genius-level hobo maps and community secrets 19:53 – How a spontaneous prayer led Jordan to Siberia 22:00 – Life in a Siberian village: cow milking, hay scything, and survival 24:17 – Learning to trap solo in the Siberian wilderness 26:22 – Falling through ice, hard lessons, and resilience 27:40 – Mental isolation: when unresolved thoughts fester 28:50 – The power of writing things down in solitude 30:52 – Advice for someone struggling with being alone 31:49 – Where Jordan’s calm mindset really comes from 33:31 – Three pillars of resilience: Reading, heritage, and personal experience 35:49 – Jordan’s dad: strength through suffering, humility through hardship 39:18 – Relationships as anchors for mental strength 42:03 – Embracing discomfort and growing through failure 43:56 – The moose miss: turning failure into fuel 45:26 – Encouragement for those battling inner demons 46:22 – Developing emotional strength through adversity 47:56 – Third-party perspective: How future you will view your actions 50:44 – What 10 items Jordan brought on Alone and what he’d change 53:22 – Gill nets, axes, and the tools of true survival 53:41 – Nikki’s experience getting pulled at day 52 55:10 – Why Jordan worried they’d pull him for being “too skinny” 56:16 – Post-Alone blessings: family time and purposeful living 58:06 – Joy, gratitude, and the awareness that nothing is guaranteed
Ep. 155: Choosing Life: A Journey Back from the Edge
25 Mar 2025
01:43:17
Heath Jackson was moments away from taking his own life. In this powerful conversation, he bravely shares his gripping journey through intense trauma, depression, and near-fatal decisions, ultimately rediscovering purpose and rebuilding his life. Heath’s story is raw, honest, and profoundly inspiring—a must-listen for anyone facing tough times or seeking strength through adversity.
*(Listener discretion is advised as this episode discusses suicide and self-harm.)
Learn more about Heath Jackson:
https://www.instagram.com/mbada_
https://www.truehaven.ca
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation, help is available.
🕒 Timestamps of Key Moments:
0:01:47 – Introduction to Heath’s unique background and early life in Zimbabwe.
0:13:10 – Experiences with anti-poaching and survival training.
0:42:49 – Life-changing motorcycle accident story.
0:54:36 – Heath's darkest moment, suicide contemplation, and critical turning point.
1:06:30 – How Heath began reclaiming his life, step-by-step.
1:11:05 – Importance of a meaningful support network and mental health awareness.
1:19:40 – Heath’s advice and empowering takeaways for others facing despair.
Ep. 154: Sheep Hunting, Grizzly Bears & the Outdoor Community
11 Mar 2025
01:16:25
Recorded live at the Wild Sheep Society of BC's Western Hunting Expo, this episode brings together industry leaders and passionate outdoorsmen to discuss the evolution of hunting, firearms policy, and conservation efforts. Join Travis Bader, Sean Zubor, and Joe Eppele as they explore the deeper meaning of hunting beyond the harvest, the importance of unified advocacy, and the shifting societal views on outdoor traditions. From grizzly bear conservation to firearms legislation and the camaraderie of the hunting community, this conversation pulls no punches. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or new to the outdoors, this episode will change the way you think about the future of our wild spaces.
🔹 Inside This Episode:
✅ The real impact of the Wild Sheep Society on conservation
✅ Why hunting is seeing a resurgence (and why that matters)
✅ The firearms debate – is it really about public safety?
✅ Grizzly bear populations, conservation, and human-wildlife conflict
✅ How hunting unites people from all walks of life
✅ Why protecting outdoor traditions requires a different approach
📢 Silvercore Club Members: Get 25% off Beretta Group clothing and 10% off everything else on Stoeger Canada! Join the Silvercore Club today: [link]
[00:00:00] - Introduction: Wild Sheep Society Expo & Beretta Group Partnership
[00:02:10] - How hunting brings people together from different backgrounds
[00:04:04] - What the Wild Sheep Society really does for conservation
[00:09:57] - Why is hunting becoming “cool” again?
[00:13:17] - Hunting as the ultimate equalizer – shared struggles, shared rewards
[00:17:41] - The mental clarity that comes from hunting & being outdoors
[00:30:07] - The problem with banning grizzly bear hunting
[00:35:59] - Do ravens lead hunters to success? A theory on birds & gut piles
[00:42:55] - The "death by a thousand cuts" approach to firearms bans
[00:50:38] - Why logical arguments won’t work against emotional policy-making
Ep. 153: The Government Is Watching - And Stéphane Monette Knows It
25 Feb 2025
01:06:23
For over 1,775 episodes, Stéphane Monette has spoken his mind. An extremely positive, and passionate lifelong hunter, entrepreneur, and CEO of Fermé Monette, he built a business around the outdoors—only to find himself on a government watchlist for speaking out.
This episode dives into the hard truths behind social media censorship, the battle over hunting rights, and the real impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on the industry.
🔥 What’s inside this episode:
🎯 The shocking moment Stéphane learned his content was being monitored
🎙️ How he fought back against social media bans & government pressure
🦌 The hidden reality of CWD and its devastating effect on the hunting industry
🛑 Why anti-firearm policies are built on myths, not facts
🏹 Life on Anticosti Island—115,000 deer, no predators, and a hunter’s paradise
👊 What it takes to succeed in business and life
This isn’t just another hunting story—it’s a wake-up call for anyone who values personal freedom.
🔔 Subscribe now & hit the bell so you don’t miss out.
This episode isn’t just about hunting—it’s about who controls the narrative.
📢 What do you think? Are hunters and firearm owners being silenced? Drop a comment below.
Travis introduces Stéphane Monette, highlighting his experience in hunting, media, and business.
[02:00] Meeting at SHOT Show
Discussion on SHOT Show 2024, industry trends, and the reality of post-event sickness.
[06:00] The Business of Hunting Products
How Fermé Monette evolved from real deer urine attractants to synthetic solutions.
The impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on hunting regulations.
[12:00] Anticosti Island & Early Days as a Hunting Guide
A deep dive into life on an island with over 115,000 whitetail deer and no predators.
Stéphane’s journey into guiding at just 16 years old.
[18:00] Cooking, Hunting & The Wild Food Movement
How his culinary background influences his connection to hunting and food.
The growing trend of hunters embracing ethical food sourcing.
[24:00] The Social Media Battle & Censorship of Hunting Content
The challenges of posting firearms-related content on Facebook, YouTube & Instagram.
How Stéphane built his own platform after being restricted online.
[32:00] Government Monitoring & The Hunting Industry
Stéphane shares shocking details about government agencies monitoring his content.
How he uses his platform to push for fair regulations.
[40:00] The Role of Firearms in Outdoor Life
Firearms as a tool vs. the political debate around gun ownership.
The misconceptions about handguns in Canada.
[50:00] The Power of Consistency in Media & Business
Stéphane has hosted 1,775+ episodes of his show, Angeas, and reveals the secret to longevity.
The impact of daily content creation on influence and business growth.
[56:00] Final Thoughts & Advice
Why perseverance, staying true to values, and daily effort make all the difference.
Ep. 152: Why We Hunt: The Wild Food Revolution with Jesse Griffiths
11 Feb 2025
01:11:45
Jesse Griffiths isn’t just a chef—he’s a hunter, butcher, and James Beard award-winning author who’s on a mission to reconnect people with their food. From tracking feral hogs to teaching butchery and conservation, Jesse brings a no-nonsense approach to ethical hunting and cooking.
In this episode, we dive into the truth about wild hogs, why Jesse is committed to hunting locally, the surprising impact of invasive species, and the deeper connection between hunting, conservation, and food. We also swap stories about overcoming school struggles, the MeatEater crew, and the primal draw of hunting, its process and our connection to nature.
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a passionate foodie, or someone who just wants to understand where their meat comes from, this episode will challenge the way you think about food, conservation, and the hunting lifestyle.
📌 [00:00:00] Intro – Meet Jesse Griffiths: Chef, Hunter & Wild Food Advocate
📌 [00:00:35] How a Signed Copy of The Hog Book Brought This Episode Together
📌 [00:01:52] Why Travis’ First Hog Hunt Was a Bust (& Why He’s Going Back)
📌 [00:02:16] Jesse’s Mission: Teaching People to Hunt, Butcher & Cook
📌 [00:04:19] The "Why" Behind Jesse’s Passion for Hunting & Cooking
📌 [00:07:49] ADHD, Struggles in School & How Unconventional Thinkers Thrive
📌 [00:15:13] The Surprising Truth About Black Bear Hunting & Ethics
📌 [00:18:37] Invasive Species: Why Axis Deer & Feral Hogs Are a Growing Threat
📌 [00:26:35] Will Wild Hogs Ever Take Over British Columbia?
📌 [00:29:10] The Impossible Battle: Why Hogs Can’t Be Eradicated
📌 [00:34:02] Gloves or No Gloves? The Real Risks of Handling Wild Game
📌 [00:42:46] Jesse’s Take on MeatEater, Giannis & Steve Rinella’s Food Obsession
📌 [00:50:52] How COVID Changed the Way People Think About Hunting & Food
📌 [00:56:06] What Happens When People Stop Supporting Local Farmers?
📌 [00:57:53] Is the Future of Food Moving Toward Sustainability or Big Business?
📌 [01:02:18] The Best Wild Game Jesse Has Ever Cooked (And How You Can Do It Too)
📌 [01:07:44] Final Thoughts: How to Start Your Own Journey Into Wild Food
Ep. 151: Survival, Psychology, and Burnout: A Deep Dive with Megan Hine
28 Jan 2025
01:25:01
Join me as I sit down with one of the world’s top survival experts, Megan Hine, for a raw and thought-provoking conversation. Megan is an expedition leader, the author of Mind of a Survivor, and a key figure behind some of the most extreme survival TV shows in the world. In this episode, we explore survival psychology, the power of human connection, and how the outdoors can heal and transform.
Megan opens up about her personal experiences with burnout, the lessons she’s learned from decades in high-risk environments, and the mental toughness it takes to thrive when the odds are against you. We also discuss the role of nature in balancing the chaos of modern life and how embracing discomfort can help us grow.
This is more than just a podcast—it’s a deep dive into what makes us resilient as humans. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a psychology buff, or just someone looking to be inspired, this conversation will leave you with new perspectives and actionable insights.
0:00 - Intro: Megan Hine, Survival Expert & Author
2:10 - Behind the Scenes: Working on "Extracted" and Survival TV Shows
8:30 - Childhood Adventures: Megan’s Early Love for the Outdoors
14:50 - The Psychology of Survival: Why We Seek Nature
18:20 - Social Media vs. Real Connection: The Nature Disconnect
21:05 - Megan’s Battle with Burnout and the Road to Recovery
27:30 - ADD, ADHD, and Finding Strength in Challenges
33:45 - Flow State in Extreme Environments: Megan’s Climbing Philosophy
39:15 - Spearfishing and Connecting with Nature in North Wales
44:00 - The Meaning of Hunting and Food Connection
49:25 - Human Connection: The Key to Happiness and Resilience
52:10 - Lessons from Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
57:00 - Mental Toughness: Managing Mindset in Extreme Situations
1:02:00 - What Keeps Megan Centered in High-Stress Environments
1:05:40 - Final Thoughts: How Resilience and Connection Transform Lives
Ep. 150: Unfiltered: Jody Mitic on Addiction, Resilience, and the Fight for Veterans’ Rights
14 Jan 2025
01:10:03
This raw and unfiltered episode of the Silvercore Podcast features a deeply personal conversation with Jody Mitic, a decorated Canadian Armed Forces sniper, author, and veterans' advocate. Jody opens up about his struggles with addiction, his battles with flawed veterans' policies, and the challenges of finding purpose after life-altering injuries.
This episode is unlike any other—a mix of powerful insights, hard truths, and moments of vulnerability. While Jody's resilience shines through, the conversation also highlights the ongoing struggles he faces. This is a candid look at how personal and professional challenges intersect, and a reminder of the complexities of healing and advocacy.
Topics Discussed:
Jody’s military career and the journey to becoming a sniper.
Surviving an IED attack and its aftermath.
Addiction, recovery, and the challenges of rebuilding a life.
Advocacy for veterans' rights and struggles with government policies.
Lessons in resilience and the ongoing battle for personal growth.
00:00 – Introduction: Setting the stage for Jody’s raw story.
03:00 – Jody’s candid reflection on his addiction struggles.
10:00 – Early life, family influences, and joining the military.
20:30 – Becoming a sniper and the mindset it requires.
24:00 – The IED attack that changed everything.
30:00 – The new veterans’ charter and its personal impact.
38:00 – Political and social challenges: Being labeled a threat.
50:00 – Overcoming addiction and the ongoing fight for stability.
58:00 – Jody’s reflections on time, purpose, and the future.
Ep. 149: In the Blind: Texas Hog Hunting and the Truth About Wild Hogs
31 Dec 2024
00:55:31
Hunting wild hogs in the heart of Texas Hill Country isn’t just about the chase, it’s about understanding the land, the culture, and the stories behind the hunt. In this episode, I join my friend Trevor Gibbs for a one-of-a-kind hunting adventure. We talk about the challenges of invasive hog populations, the cultural differences between Canadian and Texan hunting traditions, and the unique taste of wild game.
This isn’t your typical hunt. From using feeders and game cameras to conversations about firearms laws and the sheer scale of the hog problem in Texas, this episode offers a deep dive into a world many don’t get to see. We even explore Trevor’s plans to turn wild hog meat into his next big product for ManBar!
So, grab a seat in the blind with us, and let’s talk hogs, hunting, and the connection to the wild. What’s your most memorable hunting experience? Share it in the comments below!
00:00 – Welcome to the Hunt: Travis kicks off 2025 with reflections on an incredible year and introduces today’s wild adventure.
01:41 – In the Blind: Travis and Trevor paint a vivid picture of the hunting setup in Texas Hill Country.
02:55 – Texas vs. BC: Comparing hunting traditions and techniques, from feeders to game cameras.
07:22 – The Hog Problem: Trevor explains the invasive hog issue and the staggering damage they cause.
12:34 – Tasting the Wild: What wild hogs taste like and how environment affects flavor.
16:35 – Expectations vs. Reality: Travis shares his visions of hunting hogs with helicopters and ARs.
18:14 – Cultural Contrast: Travis reflects on the differences in firearm attitudes between Texas and Canada.
29:37 – Firearms and Freedom: A deep dive into the politics of guns, safety, and personal responsibility.
37:20 – Hunting as a Connection: Trevor shares the emotional experience of new hunters processing their first game.
49:50 – Future of ManBar: Trevor discusses big plans for his meat snack brand and collaborations with craftsmen.
54:00 – A Final Thought: Get outside, do what you love, and share it with people you care about.
Ep. 148: UFOs, Aliens, and Unlocking Life’s Greatest Mysteries
[00:00:00] Opening and introduction to the guest, Chris Ramsay
[00:01:19] Unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs) and their impact on curiosity
[00:06:12] The role of magic as a creative and personal outlet
[00:09:58] Navigating creative challenges and audience expectations
[00:18:46] Chris’s reflections on the evolution of magic and its modern appeal
[00:27:43] Balancing content creation with personal and professional growth
[00:38:40] Chris’s transient childhood and its influence on adaptability
[00:47:12] Introduction to Area 52 and its exploration of UAPs
[00:50:45] Meditation as a tool for mental clarity and balance
[00:53:30] The significance of recent UAP disclosures in the U.S.
[00:56:05] The intersection of science, mystery, and public curiosity
[01:00:00] Chris’s approach to storytelling in an age of digital skepticism
[01:05:22] Wrapping up and final reflections on curiosity and creativity
Ep. 147: The Quiet Killer of Rights and Freedoms
06 Dec 2024
01:30:41
In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Fritter from Caliber Magazine to unpack the real story behind Canada’s newest gun ban. We talk about what it means for gun owners, the industry, and the culture as a whole. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about personal agency and how we can all step up to make a difference. Whether you’re fired up or feeling defeated, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. It’s time to stop waiting for someone else to fix things and start taking action. Let’s dive in.
[00:00:00] Introductory statement by Travis Bader.
[00:02:43] Introduction of guest Daniel Fritter.
[00:03:27] Discussion of recent gun ban and initial reactions.
[00:05:38] Phase one of the buyback program.
[00:07:57] Challenges for retailers and manufacturers.
[00:11:40] Impacts of bans on the broader firearms community.
[00:16:06] Potential future bans and political motivations.
[00:20:30] Public perception and advocacy challenges.
[00:27:11] Shifts in public opinion and potential policy reversals.
[00:33:32] Young gun owners and their role in advocacy.
[00:41:35] The importance of personal action over reliance on organizations.
[00:47:57] Call to action: innovation and personal responsibility.
Ep. 146: Rebel with a Rod: Amie Battams Hilarious Journey, Outdoor Advocacy, and Breaking Gentleman's Club Rules
03 Dec 2024
01:16:24
Silvercore Podcast 146 This Silvercore Podcast episode features the unstoppable Amie Battams—a trailblazer in the fishing and hunting world, crowned Best Influencer at the National Angling Awards.
Amie pulls no punches as she shares her bold journey, from taking on outdated traditions in exclusive fishing clubs to inspiring inclusivity in the great outdoors. With her razor-sharp wit and unfiltered honesty, Amie reveals what it’s like to challenge stereotypes, navigate social media backlash, and connect people with nature—all while keeping a cheeky sense of humour.
[00:00:00] Introduction and Silvercore Club perks
[00:06:06] Guest introduction: Amie Battams
[00:07:57] Navigating social media and public perception
[00:11:32] Overcoming shyness and embracing individuality
[00:16:31] Fishing as an urban escape
[00:20:16] Advocacy for cleaner rivers and access challenges
[00:26:09] First hunting experiences and ethical hunting
[00:27:56] Confronting misconceptions about hunting and meat
[00:31:30] Breaking barriers in the fishing world
[00:43:42] Managing ADHD and personal growth through fishing
[00:55:28] Embracing failure as a tool for learning
Ep. 145 Hunting, History, and Hits: Inside Sweden’s Wild Outdoors and Country Music Scene with Robin Winther
19 Nov 2024
01:12:37
I just got back from an unforgettable adventure through Finland, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, and let me tell you—it was nothing short of incredible. This journey started as an invite to hunt in Sweden but quickly turned into something much bigger.
In this episode, I sit down with Robin Winther, one of Sweden’s hottest up-and-coming country music stars, who also happens to be a passionate hunter and outdoorsman. Robin shares what it’s like to hunt in Sweden, from the traditions of driven hunts to the incredible teamwork that makes it all happen. We even get into some of the differences between hunting cultures in Sweden and Canada—and trust me, there are some big ones.
But this episode isn’t just about hunting. Robin opens up about his music career, how he found himself in Nashville, and what it means to stay true to your craft in a world of constant comparison. We talk about how connections, both in the field and in life, make all the difference.
If you’re into hunting, music, or just hearing a great story, this episode has it all. Sit back and enjoy the ride as we dive into a world of wild adventures, deep traditions, and unexpected friendships. You won’t want to miss this one