ASCEND by Ducks Unlimited

EP 22 - Adrian x Sisterhood of the hunt

The Turkey Hunting Lessons We Learned... the Hard Way

Every turkey hunter has a story they’ll never forget—and usually a lesson that came with it. In this special Ascend roundtable episode, Adrian , Julia , Bethany , and Erin swap some of their most memorable turkey hunting

How to Get More Turkeys: Habitat Management That Actually Works

Want more turkeys on your property? It starts with how you manage your land. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Courtney Conring, wildlife biologist and Assistant Chief of Research for Alabama Wildlife and Freshwat

Women Hunting Elk: First Archery Harvest and Hard Lessons

Learn what it really takes to harvest an elk on public land—from scouting to pack‑out—and how women are redefining success in hunting. Host Erin Crider sits down with archery guide and instructor Anna Sabotka to break do

How Farming and Soil Health Shape Wildlife, Water, and the Outdoors

Learn how farming and conservation practices directly shape wildlife habitat, water quality, and the future of the outdoors. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Joy Van Wyngarden —an Iowa farm‑raised conservation sp

The Truth About Hunting : Host Round Table, Real Stories & Lessons

What really happens behind the highlight reels of hunting and outdoor life? In this candid roundtable episode, Bethany, Adrienne, Erin, and Julia sit down to reflect on a full season of conversations, hunts, and hard-ear

Women, Wilderness, and the Will to Provide: Homesteading & Gator Wrangling

Discover how modern women are reclaiming ancestral skills—from raising and processing their own meat to handling unexpected encounters with Florida gators. Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Tiffany Sanders , homestead

Carrying in the Field: How Women Stay Safe, Confident, and Prepared Outdoors

Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life. Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Dra

Backcountry Safety for Hunters: What Every Woman Needs to Carry and Know

Learn how to stay safe, prepared, and confident in the backcountry—no matter the terrain or weather. Olympian, biathlete, firearms instructor, and trick shooter Lanny Barnes joins host Adrian to share real‑world safety i

Hunting Buddy Etiquette: Expectations, Safety, and Setting Each Other Up for Success

Learn how to prepare for your next hunt with a partner—without stress, confusion, or mismatched expectations. Host Erin Crider, founder of Uncharted Outdoors Women, sits down with her hunting buddy, Caroline Yielding. To

Finding Your Outdoor Community: How Women Build Confidence Together

Discover how women find belonging, mentorship, and confidence by stepping into the outdoors together. Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Jess Rice, founder of WildHERness , a women‑centered outdoor community built to e

The Outdoor Icks: Real Talk on Confidence, Community, and Hunting Culture

Learn how women navigate outdoor “icks,” confidence pressure, and community expectations without losing the joy of hunting. Hosted by Julia Stallings, this episode features DU Ascend host Erin Crider and Arkansas hunter

Training Your First Duck Dog: What New Handlers Need to Know

Learn what it really takes to train and hunt with your first duck dog—without pressure or perfection. Adrienne is joined by Addison Walker, an 18-year-old dog trainer assistant at Mossy Pond Lodge studying wildlife conse

Finding Confidence, Creativity, and the Outdoors with Priscilla Block

Success doesn’t mean losing who you were or what you love. Country music artist Priscilla Block joins Ascend to talk about confidence, creativity, staying grounded, and how the outdoors plays a role in her life beyond th

How to Vet Women’s Hunts, Trips, and Outdoor Groups

Not every women’s hunt or retreat is created equal, and some should raise red flags. Erin Crider sits down with Kelly Godfrey of Texas Women Outdoors to walk through how to evaluate women’s hunts, fishing trips, and outd

Common Deer Hunting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Every hunter makes mistakes; the best ones learn from them. Adrian Jessen is joined by professional angler and hunter Anastasia Patterson to break down the most common mistakes women make while deer hunting, from gear ch

From Clay Shooting to Hunting: Building Confidence with a Shotgun

Shooting clays and hunting birds are not the same, and that gap frustrates a lot of women. Julia Stallings is joined by shotgun instructor Brandy Elrod to break down how to transition from the clay target field into real

Raising Kids Outdoors: Conservation Starts at Home

You don’t need big land or big policy to raise conservation-minded kids. Bethany Beathard sits down with Amy Hall to talk about parenting, hunting, and how everyday outdoor moments like fishing trips, predator encounters

Duck Migration, Weather, and Realistic Expectations for New Waterfowl Hunters

Why don’t the ducks show up when social media says they should? In this episode, Erin Crider is joined by Ducks Unlimited conservation leader Sarah Fleming to break down how duck migration actually works, and why weather

Handgun Training, Mindset, and Personal Safety for Women

Handgun training isn’t just about the gun; it’s about mindset, responsibility, and awareness. Host Adrian Jessen is joined by firearms educator Beth Alcazar to discuss what women should consider before buying a handgun,