The Mountain Dude Podcast
Episodes
“You Don’t Lose—You Learn” | The Mindset That Changed Everything for Dark Energy
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Garrett Aida, founder of Dark Energy, to dive deep into t...
The Real Story Behind Building a Hunting Channel | Samong Yang
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Samong Yang of Samong Outdoors to talk about his journey ...
From Combat Control to Building On Glass | Zach Adams
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Zach Adams, owner and founder of On Glass Adapter, to tal...
He Missed an Elk at 27 Yards… Then Everything Changed w/ Guy Duplantier
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Guy Duplantier, the voice behind Western Contour...
Shrink the Mountain | Brian Barney at Western Hunt Expo
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Recorded live at the Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast features a powerful,...
How to Become a Better Shooter for Hunting Season w/ Rodger Holscher
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Rodger is officially the first repeat guest on the Mountain Dude Podcast — and there’s no one better to bring back.I...
Biggest Gear Launch Ever | New Packs, Duffels & Accessories Revealed
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the largest product launch in Initial Ascent h...
Building Discipline That Lasts with Chris Young
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this solo episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we get real about what it actually takes to fill tags consistently —...
Why Most Elk Hunters Aren’t Prepared | Dan Staton (Part 2)
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dan Staton, and this episode is where things get tactical, practical, and deeply...
The Hard Years That Built ElkShape | Dan Staton’s Story (Part 1)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Dan Staton, the man behind ElkShape, to unpack the raw, unfilt...
A Conversation on Priorities: When Hunting Season Meets Real Life
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down for a real, candid conversation about balancing ...
One Misstep Ends the Goat Hunt | Brian Call
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call, founder of Gritty Films and one of the most r...
Inside the Innovation of Backcountry Gear | PEAX EQUIPMENT
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down again with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to pul...
How "Gritty" Became Gritty | Brian Call
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call—better known as Gritty—to unpack the early...
The Untold Story of PEAX: Faith, Loss, and Building a Hunting Brand from Nothing
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to unpack on...
Backcountry Fueling That Actually Works (Part 2 with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition)
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In Part 2 of our deep-dive with Kyle Kamp, Founder of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, we get into the gritty, practical, real-w...
You Can’t Out-Hunt a Bad Diet | Kyle Kamp of V2P Nutrition
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis Stokes sits down with Kyle Kamp, founder of Valley to Peak Nutritio...
Faith, Failure, and the First Bow Kill | Tim Tucker on Overcoming Target Panic
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith...
Behind the Man: The Life, Faith, and Grit of Joe Elliston
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Joe Elliston, Co-Founder of Initial Ascent, for a deep di...
Building Argali Outdoors: Brad Brooks on Hunting & Gear Innovation
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brad Brooks, CEO and Founder of Argali Outdoors, to talk ...
Dirt Roads, Discipline, and the Drive to Be Better: Dennis Stokes
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!This episode pulls back the curtain on Dennis Stokes, co-founder of Initial Ascent, in a way you’ve never heard before...
When the Shot Doesn’t Hit… What Hunting Teaches You - Chris Young
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down to recap his 2025 early season — chasing antelope ...
When God Sends You an Elk Tag | Chris Young x Revol Entertainment
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Young to hear the full story behind his ne...
From Elk Hunts to Angry Dick Leather | The Bettencourt Family Behind Steep Kuntry Outdoors
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Richard Bettencourt and his dad Dick Bettencourt of Steep...
Thriving in the Mountains Past 60. | Jim Naccarato’s Story
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jim Naccarato, founder of Iron Mountain Skull Hangers. Fr...
Behind the Lens with Clint Easley (Filmmaking, Storytelling & Real Backcountry Grit)
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, filmmaker, hunter, and founder of Revol Entertainment, to uncover what r...
Become a Better Shooter: Rodger Holscher
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Last week's episode's audio was the story part, btw. We apologize.In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast...
Law Enforcement to Long-range Expert: Rodger Holscher
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunte...
Why Most Hunters Quit Early (And How to Push Through): Chris Young
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the ...
Training, Faith & 40+ Packouts a Year: "Hollywood" Dave Beronio
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding offic...
The E-scouting Guru and the Secrets to Elk Hunting Success: Mark Livesay
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master beh...
Elk Calling Tactics, Hunting Lessons, and Real-life Challenges: Cody McCarthy
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of ...
The Legend of The Bugler: Dirk Durham
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backco...
Elk Every Year: Zach Bowhay’s Secrets to Long-Term Success in the West
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain D...
Burning Beds, Backcountry Demons & Bowhunting Elk with Nate Illingsworth
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from ...
Gear Talk Pt 2: Clothing Systems & the Merino vs Synthetic Debate
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wo...
Gear Talk Pt 1: Basecamp vs Backpack Hunting | Backcountry Nutrition, Gear Tips
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we dive deep into the backcountry, from the comfort of basecamp hunts to the grind of true backpack-sty...
The Hollywood Cameraman: Clint Easley
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, a former architect to the stars turned full-time filmmaker and mountain ...
Dan Whitmus Stabbed Himself in Alaska and SURVIVED!
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with legendary hunting guide Dan Whitmus, a man who’s lived over 30 years in the wilderne...
They've Killed Over 20 wolves! Justin and Kate Small
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!Justin and Kate Small, two of the best predator hunters on the planet, share their expertise on wolf hunting tactics tha...
GIANT IDAHO BEARS with Chris Young
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, our host Chris Young shares the full story of his 2025 Idaho spring bear hunt. From rivers crossed with...
200" BUCKS AND LIGHTNING STRIKES
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, filmmaker and backcountry hunter Martin Chagnovich shares the story behi...
Laying the Foundation: Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got questions? Send us a text!In this kickoff episode, host Chris Young along with the Initial Ascent owners Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes gather aro...