Finding Confidence, Creativity, and the Outdoors with Priscilla Block

Ascend Podcast Episode 9 === [00:00:00] From chart topping hits to duck blinds and decoys. We are diving in deep with Priscilla Block today. Welcome to the Ascend Podcast. A podcast by and for women in the outdoors. Every episode delivers real stories, practical how-tos and a welcoming community to help you start sharpen or rediscover your passion for the outdoors. Authentic Women. Real Stories, outdoor Adventures. Ascend presented by Ducks Unlimited, the leader in wetlands conservation. Your next adventure starts here, the Ascend Podcast. Welcome back to the Ascend Podcast, guys. I'm your host today, Bethany Beard, and [00:01:00] today we have a special guest. I'm super excited, Priscilla Block, known for her powerhouse vocals, but also her secret life in the outdoors. And I just, I'm so excited to dive into everything. Priscilla, can you introduce yourself to our guest? Hi guys. Um, I'm Priscilla. I'm so happy to be here. I've been looking forward to hanging and talking with you. Um, yeah, let's dive in. Yeah. So obviously we're talking about women in the outdoors, so give us kind of a rundown about how you got started, what your outdoor story looks like. Were you hunting as a kid? Was that like a progression? Yeah, so I didn't grow up hunting. Um, I kind of got into it over the past, I don't know, maybe like eight-ish years. Um, I had grown up around people that did hunt. One of my best friends. Um, she had always hunted her whole life. Um, but I never really got into it until I moved to [00:02:00] Nashville. And, um. You know, my, with my life just being so busy, it's kind of been this newer thing that I've found, like, as a way to just shut off. And, um, my boyfriend is a big hunter, so it's something that like we can do together. And, you know, I feel like the first time you, um. You luck out. It's like either you're in it or you're like, okay, this isn't for me. And like luckily it's something that I've really grown to love and it's been a really great, great thing for me and my mind and mental space and all the things. Yeah. So when you think Nashville, you think like the light's and the glam, but you have kind of retreated to this, you know, like you said, where you can just like, turn everything off. Are you duck hunting? Are you deer hunting? Kind of everything? I kind of do it all. Um, if someone calls me and they're like, Hey girl, you wanna come out? I'm like, I'm down. Um, you know, I, I think like my first hunt was probably, um. I wanna say I was deer [00:03:00] hunting and then Turkey hunting. And then not long ago I really got into duck hunting and that's just so fun 'cause like going with friends and, you know, it's just, it's, it's nice. Like I feel like I am the girl that like you can see like all done up and in the sparkly thing, but also like throwing on a pair of muck boots and just like going out and hunting is like totally my vibe. And it's funny because like. Every time. Like I tell people that, they're like, wait, hold on. Like, I would've never known that. Yeah. I love that. I'm, I'm definitely the girl I, my, I'll have makeup on here. I'm gonna have makeup on the duck line too. I love, um, you know, getting down a dirty though. So whenever you, um, when you are in the field, is that like influencing your songwriting? Do you feel like your time in the field? Yeah, I feel like whenever I have a minute to just kind of like. Shut off my mind to everything else that I have going on. And like, that tends to be like when I am hunting. [00:04:00] Like just when my mind, mind can be like quiet for a second. I feel like I come up with like so many different ideas and um, you know, and you know, whether I'm in the woods like deer hunting, like by myself, I love that. But even if I'm in the blind with like a bunch of friends. Just listening to people talk. Like there's so many things, like I'll write that up, that down. I'll be like, oh, that's a good, that's a good one. I'm gonna write it. I'm gonna write it down. And everyone in the blind is like, oh, Priscilla's gonna write a song and bring it back next year. Like just off of something dumb that somebody says. And, um. Yeah, so I, I feel inspired, you know, kind of everywhere. But I definitely do think whenever I can like, give myself like a moment away from everything that I get to do in my career, um, I feel I start to feel inspired again. You know, being in the public eye. Have you gotten any, like negative feedback for hunting? Do you feel like you have to kind of advocate for that [00:05:00] lifestyle or has it been accepted by your following? I think at the end of the day, like people will always have an opinion about what you do, whether you're hunting or whether you are so wearing a dress that I don't even know that you really loved. And then the internet hates it. Like it's, yes, there's definitely people that don't understand it or aren't really educated on hunting and, um, being able to, you know. What you kill and all of that. Um, so yeah, I mean there's obviously, there's always like some negative comments that come with it, but I think like. For me, like it's a part of my life and it's something that I'm proud to do. And um, so that's why I, I'm not afraid to post about it and, um, own this part of my life too. And I think that, like with girls and guys, there is a little bit of a double standard. Um, 'cause like most dudes in country they hunt. [00:06:00] Um, but I do think it like sometimes will throw people for a loop. Um. Whether, whether it's just me, like, whether it's be me being a female in the country space hunting, or if it's just hunting in general. Um, I think that there's always gonna be people that that won't get it, and that's okay. I don't think everyone has to get everything, you know what I mean? For sure. And you know, it's really a. Awesome that you have the platform that you do. And it also for all of us other girls that are, you know, like you said, there's a kind of like this double standard, but you are kind of paving the way for more recognition. You know, like women are out here like we are doing this. Um, and I, and I love that about it. Okay. I thought we do a fun question. If you could have any singer from any time sit in the duck wine with you, who would it be? Oh my gosh, that's a really good question. I feel like, I feel like there's so many people, but I, I would love to sit in the duck blind with Lainey. I feel like we [00:07:00] would just have us a time, her boyfriend hunts. Um, so I feel like getting our boyfriends together, hunting and then us just being able to do our own thing, I think would be really fun. I love that. Yeah. Despite being with people are like. Into the same thing that you're into. Some of my best friends are women that hunt, but we have the same interest outside of the hunting and you know, our spouses have interests the same, so That's awesome. Um, I just thought that would be fun to ask also, are you grabbing an energy drink or coffee? Ooh, that's tough. Okay. I'm a coffee girl through and through, like, when I'm in the blind, like I need, I, I really do enjoy a cup of coffee, but some of the places that we're hunting, we just don't have that, you know, luxury. Um, so I typically, I'll be grabbing like a monster energy. Yeah. I love my coffee. And do you hunt alone sometimes or are you always with somebody? It kind of just depends. Um, if I'm deer hunting, like sometimes I'll be by [00:08:00] myself, sometimes somebody will come with me. Um, it, it really just depends. I, I love, like, I love doing both, like being with people or just like being by myself. Um, it's, it's just, it's awesome. Yeah. Um, you didn't grow up hunting, but is your family a hunting family? Like they do they eat wild game? Did you see that growing up? So my mom's side of the family, they're like big into hunting. Um. They're all like the wild, her family is like the wild west. I mean, um, my uncles and my aunts, they hunt horseback, which is kind of crazy. Um, so like, yeah, it's definitely like in my family, but my mom and my dad really didn't grow up. Like they weren't big hunters. But, um, we definitely eat like wild game and stuff like that. Um. Whenever we can, but yeah, no, I didn't. I didn't really grow up doing it. Yeah, I grew up, it's kind of [00:09:00] similar. My mom's family is the Wild West family. They're the ones that hunted and, uh, my mom was one, one of three girls, so there was no like, I guess boy of the time to like carry that on. So, um, she kind of, you know, we knew about it, but I didn't really grow up doing it. I grew up more like Mark been, I, I grew up in the country and all those things, but really like you found myself in the outdoors more as an adult. And, um, yeah, I love it. Now I've seen some of the pictures of the books that you've killed and like, girl, do you have a favorite hunt story that you're like, I'll never forget that. Oh my gosh. Um, I mean, God, like, I feel like that's also like what I love about hunting. I feel like every single time you're out, like you create new memories and there's always just stories to go on forever. Um. I will say like the first time, um, the first year that I killed, I was with my [00:10:00] boyfriend and we were on his family's land. And, um, that was really exciting. Like we, you know, he was really excited and just like, we're just jumping up and down and like, I, you know, it's. That moment where you're like, okay, like it's finally paid off. You know, I didn't spook the deer or anything like that. Um, I think that that's like one of my favorites. Um, but God, I mean, I get to go out to Halifax, um, Virginia, and there's a family that I hunt with out there. And, um, we've just created so many memories, um, going out. So it's hard to like pinpoint my favorite one, but it really is hard to beat like your first year. Yeah. Yeah. Your first year for sure. And there's so many lessons that you learn in the outdoors. Do you feel like that translates into your music career? Like patience or you know, challenging or vice versa? Things that you learned in your music career that's like helped you in the outdoors? Yeah, I mean, I think patience is like one of the biggest, like [00:11:00] similarities. You know? Like you're working really hard. Um. What, whether it's, you know, if you're, if you're hunting, whether you're prepping for the season or, um, just everything that kind of goes into, um, a successful hunt. There's a lot that goes into it and patience and waiting and kind of like waiting your turn and waiting the mo waiting for it to happen. And that's similar like with my career too, like being a new artist. Like there's a lot of work that goes into it and. Way more work than what people see. You know, they see like the big, you know, the trophy, uh, deer, but you see like all the work that you put in to, to that. Um, and, and same with like my music and just, um. You know, like there's always, there's other people that are gonna luck out maybe before you, and that's okay. Um, but when it all happens, like, I definitely think, like it just makes it all sweeter, you know? [00:12:00] Um, when there's hunts that you're not super successful with and then one then like a couple weeks later, whenever, then you are successful. Like that makes that moment so much better. And I think it's like life lesson in general. You know, no matter what you do, I think there's similarities. Um. With hunting and just every day. Yeah, for sure. Uh, will this be a good time to take a break and listen to our sponsors and we'll be right back. Dry pocket gear that stands up to the Wild Experience, waterproof Hunting Gear, and Masi Oak's. Signature camo design for every hunt. Built to be waterproof, durable and reliable. You can trust your gear when it matters most. Stay dry. Stay ready. Our products float with a watertight seal, keeping your essentials airtight and scent free. The top seals automatically. No manual closure needed with dry pockets Mossy Oak Collection. You're ready for any adventure. Gear up@drivepocket.com and use promo code ascend for a special offer. [00:13:00] From the marsh to the mountains, trust starts from the ground up For over 25 years, the original Muck boot company has built 100% waterproof boots, designed to keep hunters dry, warm, and comfortable in the toughest conditions. Our boots are made to perform as hard as you do. Stay dry, stay comfortable, and stay in the hunt with muck boots, 100% waterproof, built for the toughest conditions. Muck, the official boot of hunters. All right guys, we're back. And I wanna talk about, you know, you're really just like authentic. You're raw, you're bold. I love listening to your lyrics. You're just like relatable to like the everyday girl, you know? How has that been, you know, in the industry and changing from just being an everyday girl to like this superstar that you are now? Like how has that transition. It's been really awesome. You know, I, I moved to Nashville when I was 17 years old with 50 bucks to my [00:14:00] name and like, this is all I've ever wanted to do is country music. And I started writing songs when I was 15. And, um, it's, it's been a journey. It's been like something that, again, back to like. You have to work really hard to get to where you want in life. And, um, that is so true when it comes to music and, um, you know, kind of just like taking every step to kind of like, get to where I'm at now. And there's been really hard times. There's been, um, moments where it feels like, oh yes, like it's finally working. But it's definitely like a journey and you have to trust the process and like, um, just stay in it and like. Remember the why, you know? Um, I think it's, it's been cool for me to like, you know, I, I got discovered via social media and, um, you know, being kind of discovered that way. Like I was [00:15:00] just being me real raw on the internet. Like, I didn't have to put on like, uh, you know. I didn't have to step into a personality. I was just kind of being me. And that's kind of when my career really changed overnight and I was sharing my music. So like, I kind of feel like the same girl that like you see up on stage is the same girl like sitting here. Like I just try to stay like real and relatable and it's, it's what my fans have kind of. Raise their hand for since the beginning. So it's like, it's nice, like it's nice being able to be the same Priscilla up on stage than I am at home. That being said, you know, I think like I'm even still trying to figure out like, you know, how do I take moments for myself considering there isn't a full shutoff? You know, like where is my time that I can just kind of like, you know, be. Not the Priscilla that everyone knows and, and, you know, expects like big energy and all this stuff [00:16:00] from, and honestly like that is why I love hunting. It's kind of like my shutoff and, um, yeah, so it's been really fun. Um, really fun and it's something that I'm really thankful that I get to do because not a lot of people, not a lot of people get to where I'm at in my career. Yeah. How does it look like right now when you're releasing an album? It's the middle of hunting season. Are you gonna be able to get out this year? Or how are you working that into what you're doing? I'm hoping that I'm gonna be able to get out this year. Um, right now I am touring nonstop. Like I just put out an, an album, um, in October last month, like two, literally, like two weeks ago. Um, I put out an album and I started my tour like the week after. Um, which is kind of crazy 'cause a lot of people will put out an album and then tour it like after a little while and we're kind of just going straight into the tour, which has been really fun. Um, and, you know, it, it's, it's been a [00:17:00] lot. It's been, it, I was a little worried about going straight into the tour after the record. I'm like, what if people dunno the songs like, um. But it's been really, really awesome. Um, you really see how like diehard people are. Um, so right now I'm in like full tour mode, tour mode, album mode, um, just kind of like. Promoting my record. Um, so I'm hoping that I'm gonna be able to get some time to go hunt. Um, I don't really, like, I don't have anything on the books right now because again, it's just like I come home for like a day or two and then I'm back on the road and like my day or two that I'm home, I'm cleaning my clothes. Um, so it's a little chaotic right now. I'm sure that there's gonna be some time, like hopefully, um, around Christmas where I can like. Just take some time and like be able to, you know, get out there and get it done. Yeah. So you're, you're off working and your boyfriend's in the [00:18:00] stand. Exactly. Don't kill my ear. Right, exactly. Yeah. He's sending me pictures. I'm like, okay, cool. Love that. Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah. Do you find. You know, you said like social media I feel like has changed so much about our generation. I mean, even, you know, with music, people are being discovered with hunting in general, like sharing just the lifestyle. Do you feel like pressure to like keep that going or do you just kinda like it's organically just sharing what happens? Yeah, I mean, so. For sure. I think with social media there, you know, before I signed my record deal and like I started like touring full-time and all of that, like social media was like, it was fun. It was my like, it almost kind of was my full-time job. Like I was just posting videos every single day showing my life because I had the time to do that. But like when you're out touring, recording, writing, um. All of [00:19:00] the things that kind of comes along with this career. It's very like, demanding of time. So like, I definitely think there is part of me that's like, oh my gosh, like I, I need a post online. You know what I mean? Because social media really is the way, um, the way that people hear about what you're doing these days, unless if it's like right in front of them. Um, you know, it's, it's a great marketing strategy. Um. So I definitely like, I struggle with it sometimes, like because. I think it's important by staying relevant. There's a lot that, you know, um, goes into, into that, and I think social media is like very, very important. Um, so I'm, I'm trying to like, find the balance, you know, like there'll be days, I'm like, okay, I need, I need to post on TikTok and then I'll go post like 17 times, you know? Yeah. Um, but. It's, it's [00:20:00] awesome and I'm, I'm thankful for it because there's, there's a lot of good with social media and then there's, you know, some neg, some negatives with it. But for me it's been really beneficial to my career. So I try and share as much as I can without feeling like super overwhelmed. Yeah, I, I agree with that. And I think there's more benefits that are coming out of it than negatives. Like, you're always gonna have the naysayers, like you said, but um, I feel like people just wanna follow just real people. They wanna see what you're doing. They're inspired. What advice would you give to a girl that's 17 years old with $50 in her pocket, you know, what would you, what would you say to encourage her? I would say, girl, make sure this is really what you wanna do, because it is hard and there are days that, um, are even harder. You know, it's, it's really just like making sure, like figuring out your why again, like country music is. I truly feel like that's my purpose. I felt like God put this on my heart when I was like [00:21:00] a little girl, and I feel like I was born to do this, but it's like figuring out your why. Like if you're like, like, I just wanna be a superstar. If you're not in it for like, the love of music and like really the, like, connecting with people, I think it, it, it can make the hard days really, really hard. Um, but also it, you know, I would, I would also say like. You gotta work for it. You know, they, everyone's journey's different, but like when I moved to Nashville, like, they were like, oh, it's a 10 year town. And like, I'm living proof that Nashville is a 10 year town. I've been here for 11 years and, um, not long ago, I, I celebrated my first number one and it's just, you know, there's blood, sweat, and tears. But if you just continue going and like, you know, I've always heard this, like if you, if you hear the word no, you're asking the wrong person. And I, I believe that like, I feel like you just have to be fearless on knocking on doors and, um, I think you can get to wherever you want in this life if you [00:22:00] work really, really hard. Yeah. And that's, I mean, the American dream, you know? Really. Yeah. And I'm sure there's people that follow you and they're like, man, like she's so inspiring and I love that. Um, so we have, you might be heading in December, which is probably gonna be like, dear, probably Sin Deca. I know you guys are gonna be doing some stuff with us sin later next year, so that's so exciting. I can't wait to see what you guys put together. What is your favorite wild game? Recipe. Oh my goodness. That's a good question. Um, man, I love, I okay. I love Goose. Um, a lot of people don't, but I like, whenever we go out to Arkansas, like we're duck hunting. If we can go, like, you know, during the day and go on a goose hunt, like I, I really like, I enjoy goose, so I love doing like goose fajitas. Um, that's really fun. I, I love duck poppers. Um. I mean, I'm like a wild game girl. Like I love, [00:23:00] we eat it almost, we eat wild game almost every night here. Um, so kind of anyway, um, but I, I really do love some goose fajitas. That's awesome. Yeah. Goose. I feel like it's an acquired taste. Not everybody loves it. Like you said, like that's something that's, that's funny that that's your favorite thing. Yeah. My kids like Goose. They really like goose jerky. Like that's like their thing. Like they'll like if I can smoke it, I think any jerky's really good, but they will eat that. Um, but I know people eat goose burgers, so Oh, interesting. They like grind it up and, yeah. That's really like the number one recommendation. Like every time we had Go Goose, they're like, oh, grind into Burger. So that's interesting. I need to try that. Um, where are you touring right now? Like where are you, what's your tour look like? Um, so I'm on my headlining tour. I just wrapped up the Cole Wind del Tour, which is really awesome. Um, so I'm kind of touring a little bit everywhere. Um, we just got back [00:24:00] from, um, Florida and um. We did South Carolina. Um, this next weekend we're going to Milwaukee, um, doing the Midwest. Um, and so yeah, it's probably gonna be cold out there. Um. So Iowa, I think, um, kind of all over. I'm headlining the Ryman in Nashville, um, March 4th, so that's gonna be my first time ever headlining the Ryman. I'm very excited for that. Um, my tour will end there, so kind of like all over. Um, but yeah, we're touring pretty hard until until March. Yeah, that's like nonstop. And so you are, you bused, like do you have a bus? Yes. That goes around. Thank God I do. My gosh, I do. First time I, yeah, I spent, um, years in the van and that's, man, when I tell you the, the hard times. Um, not [00:25:00] sleeping through the night and, and traveling and touring, you know, um, nonstop is, it's, it's difficult. So thank God I'm in a bus with a whole crew and we get to travel all over and, you know, play shows every night. That's awesome. So translating that to the outdoors, are you hunting and like. Rough in it stands or do you have like nice, like, you know, Taj Mahal duck blind, or like, what is that? Because I've hunted both. Yeah. And whenever you get to experience and you're like, man, this is so nice. Oh yeah. Like what's your, the, the ones that you're like, dang, they got a heater in here. That's really nice. Yes. Um, no, I, it's kind of a little bit of everything. Um, I'm not a bougie hunter at all. Um, I. I'm like, cool, rough in it. Like, honestly, like I, I mean, I would love a heater in the blind when it's like freaking, you know, January and you're freezing. Um, but I, I kind of do it all. [00:26:00] Like whatever, if, if, like I said, if there's somebody that's like, Hey, let's go hunt. Like, and this is the situation, like I'm, I'm game. Um, no pun intended, but, um, it's a little bit of everything. A little bit of everything. Yeah, I think the first time, like I was, you know, when I started duck hunting just a couple years ago, that was kinda like my later pickup. I was doing big game before that and we always like pawn sat. So like the first time that I got like actually drove a boat onto like a floating do, like, you know, a floating blind and they like cooked us breakfast and stuff. I was like, wow. Oh this is heck, have I even been duck hunting before? Because I've been doing it for years. I'm not like this. So it was, it was awesome. Um. So, you know, there's a lot of girls that would look up to you too in the outdoors. You know, I feel like it's a place of vulnerability for a lot of women because they're not used to it. They didn't grow up doing it. A lot of us didn't get invited to Deer Camp as [00:27:00] kids, you know? What is your advice to women that are starting their outdoor journey later in life and, um, you know, what are some lessons that you've learned that you could, you know, help them a little? You know, I guess further along in their, their beginning journey. I think it's really awesome. Um, any women that, you know, wanna get into the outdoor space, like I think, you know, I've always kind of been the girl that's like, I can do what the guys do. And my parents have always like, made me feel like that since I was a little girl. Like, they never made me feel like, oh, you can't do that because you're a girl. You know what I mean? And, um. I, I, I would say to any girl that's like wanting to start hunting, like do it and ask the questions, and just because you didn't grow up hunting doesn't mean you can't go or can't take it on or really grow a passion for it. Um, so I, I think like. You know, I think it's really awesome when you see people trying new things. [00:28:00] Um, you might fall in love with it or you might be like, actually I really hate this. Like, it's freezing. It's not a vibe. Um, it's not what I think it is and that's okay. That's totally fine. Yeah, you're gonna suffer. Um, but yeah, I, I think it's really awesome whenever I see, you know, women in the outdoor space and that own it and, um, have a love for it. I think it's. It's not a dude's world like the hunting does not, just because you're a girl, that doesn't mean you can't hunt. You know what I mean? And that goes with anything in life, like anything that you wanna do. Like if it's like typically a dude thing, like I'd say go for it even more. Yeah. Show the boys. What's up? Do you. Yes, I, I am for that. And I love seeing some of these young girls out there just kill it. And I'm like, yes, they're doing it. They're curing the torch forward. Um, do you bow hunt too or are you just rifle hunting? I don't bow hunt, like I'm trying to like really dial it in. [00:29:00] Um, yeah, mainly like rifle, but I want to like, I, I feel like maybe this season, like maybe I try, um. Yeah, I, that's also like, kind of back to your last question, like, is there anything that I've learned or like anything that feels a little intimidating, like bow hunting to me has felt a little intimidating, but that's also why I wanna do it and be like, I want, I wanna be a bow hunter. Like that is so sick. And, um, so no, I have not successfully hunted with a bow or anything. I'm really just like, kind of target, target practicing right now. Yeah, no, I'm right there with you. I, for years. Um. Didn't really pick up a bow. I had like a shoulder injury and I was like, I don't know if this is something for me. So I feel like this also is like my first season to like go out there with a compound. I've done crossbow, I've done rifle and stuff. But um, yeah, I love that there's always something I feel like challenging, like there's always like another [00:30:00] step that you can go in the outdoors. Um, I'm sure it's the same thing in the music industry. There's always something that you can achieve and keep striving for. Uh, what is your. Like dream hunt. If you could go anywhere, any, any species. Oh my goodness. I mean, I would love to do an elk hunt. Like I, it's, it's a lot, there's a lot that goes into it. Um, you know, you gotta be like pretty strong and active and, um, I don't know. I think like the whole, like training for it and hiking, like all of, I don't know. I think it would be really, really awesome. Um. That would be cool. I'm, I'm, like I said, I'm kind of like down for whatever. Um, I don't, uh, you know, if, if I ever do that, great, if I like stick to Turkey, deer and duck and goose, like I'm cool with that too. Um, but I would love to do an L hunt one day. Yeah. I think just there's something.[00:31:00] Just beautiful about North American game in general. Like moose, elk, just like, they're just, I love everything about North America, so when people ask me, I'm like, yeah, like I would go somewhere crazy, like exotic I guess. But I really would just like to, you know, hit the bucket list of America. Yeah. Like there's just so many amazing species here. Um, do you find. That you're mostly hunting with men, or do you see that there's other women out there? Like do you have gal pals that you hunt with too? I, I mean, I would say like majority of them are guys, but I do have a lot of friends that are females that hunt. Um, like I said, one of my best friends growing up, she, um. She's always hunted and so like, I've kind of like gotten, um, she'll, she'll put on some girl hunts sometimes and uh, they've invited me out and that's been really fun just like being around like a bunch of girls that, that do it. And um, but yeah, I mean I definitely do think there's a lot more dudes kind of around [00:32:00] me that hunt. Again, it's kind of like whenever people hear like, oh yeah, Priscilla, Priscilla Hunts too. They're like, wait, what? Like, hell yeah. We need a girl in the blonde with us. So that's why I always say like, the girls need to hop in. Yes. And I think that's like, you know, there's a lot of us girls out there, but we're all. Like you what the, you're the only girl going, or one of two girls. And you know, that's what I love about the Ascend community is that we're really bringing all these women from all walks of life together and saying like, Hey, yeah, like we do do this. You know, where are you? And we're not alone. You're like, you're not the only girl that's hunting. Um. I was like, I grew up, I felt like I was the only country girl for like a long time, you know? Yeah. I was like, you know, is there other girls out there? Um, and I love that, you know, we can be. Not only inspiring for other people, but also just like community, because I feel like women just don't have that much community. Like even, um, you know, Erin's one of the other [00:33:00] podcast hosts on here and she's like one of the only women outfitters out west, like for elk and all those things. And so it's really interesting to see, you know, women paving their way in the outdoors. Um, you know, so as like a newer hunter, I feel like we. Kind of talk about conservation and like, you know, preserving our wildlife and, um, you know, what do you feel like the next step is for you in the outdoors? You know, um, it's, it's just part of your lifestyle. So like, how are you seeing this, like, I guess, evolve, you know, uh. Are you advocating for it? And, you know, do you, do you feel like people are kind of pressuring you to do that? Yeah, I mean, I would love to like step into it a little bit more. I think it's important to, um, I think conservation is super important and, um, I, I definitely think that there's a space at some point for me to kind of like, dive in a little bit more and, um, just educate people, you know. Um, there's so much that I didn't know and that, like, [00:34:00] even people around me don't know. Um. But you know, spreading the word more and like being somebody that can advocate for the advocate for that, like, I think it's important. Yeah, for sure. And I don't think that, you know, necessarily you have to be, you know, with like a sign at like a, you know, like activism, but like you live in the lifestyle, people are like, oh, you know, and, you know, might open the door for people, like you said, like there's just a lot of. People that are unaware mm-hmm. Of the lifestyle and what conservation is and, you know, preserving this resource for the next generation. Um, and, you know, women play a big part in that. Like, you know, the numbers, the influx of women that are entering the outdoors is, is awesome, but we're also leaving the outdoors just as fast. So, um, you know, trying to like put a slow to that and like, retain the women and like, help them find community. Yeah. Do you feel in the, out like. Does that resonate also in [00:35:00] like the country industry? Because I don't feel like there is as many women singers as there are men. Yeah. Do you feel like it's kind of the same thing over there? Or do you feel like it's a little bit easier? I, you know, it's, it's, it's similar in, in ways. I do think that there's, you know, it's a very male dominant, um. Genre country is, you know, but I, I think that's starting to change, you know? Um, there's so many amazing country. Artists that are females, um, that are kind of changing the game. And, um, same with the outdoor space too. Like, I think that like more girls are getting into it. It's, it's not becoming again, like this only thing that like dudes can do or whatever. And I, and I think like when people like kind of just open up their mind more to it, um, you. You start to see a lot more women, like I said, in the outdoor space and in country, and it's awesome. It's, it's really cool. You know, I, [00:36:00] there was like time, like a time like I think like back in the nineties there were so many women just like dominating and it's kind of been like. You know, a, a male dominant space for a little while, especially like with country radio and so many things, but like now, I really do think there we're seeing a shift where more women are getting played and um, the music's just great. Like from girls and guys. Yeah. I love country music. Grew up on nineties country, like I have five kids and Wow. They can all sing, like yeah, they can all sing. That's awesome. Nineties country, like, like that's their favorite, you know, uh, songs that I remember going to like Brooks and Dun concerts when I was little. Like my parents definitely were country music advocates. Um, and I love that. And I do, I do see like, the shift to more women. And maybe it is because of the social media too. Mm-hmm. Like, now they're seeing it more, you know? I guess represented and available to them because that's really, I feel like social media has [00:37:00] really changed a lot because now, like you said, you can get discovered on, you know, TikTok and not necessarily have to do everything. Yeah. You know? Um, and you kind of did both TikTok and moved to Nashville. Yeah. You know, so you've, you've kind of took old school, I guess, mythology and also new school and like done it. Um, yeah. I, I feel like. I've seen more women recently than, and kinda like you said, back to like that nineties representation of all the ladies that were out there, um, how do you feel like, you know, you said the outdoor kind of brings you clarity and time to pause. How are you finding that also in the music industry? Um, I mean, I think it's easy to feel burnt out sometimes. You know, when you're in, in whatever, like, whatever your job is. I think if you're, if that's like you eat, sleep and breathe it at all times, like you, you can feel burnt out. [00:38:00] And, um, it's something that I'm trying to figure out, like balance of like making time for myself and like figuring out like when to recharge and when to say no to the things, you know what I mean? Um. But. I'm just getting started. So I'm at a point, you know, where I, I feel like I've been doing this forever, but I'm also, I, you know, I haven't, I'm still in the grand scheme of things like a new artist, and so I am saying yes, you know, I, I do stay yes to like, almost everything because I want all the opportunities and I, I wanna do everything. But at some point, you know, and, and you hope that you have a really strong team in place that can say, Hey, like, she needs a minute. You know what I mean? And they can make those decisions. Yeah. Um, when, when needed. And I, I feel really thankful to have like the strong team that I do. Yeah. I think that goes back to what you said about having your why, like that's what keeps the fire burning is your why. Yeah. And, um, yeah, I, I [00:39:00] love that. And I think, you know. What do you do to remind yourself on those days of your why? Like, you know, you, you get so bogged down, like, I mean, life is busy, you're touring, you know, you're picking up extra things and maybe hunting on the side and all your other hobbies. You, um, how do you remember that? Like, how do you find yourself just like, you know, this is what we worked for, you know, all these years? I think it's just like. You know, it's, I, my faith is like something that's really strong to me. Um, and it's something that I lean on during like, hard times and just like, kind of going back to like, I think of the, the young Priscilla that moved to Nashville, um, with this dream. And I try to like, you know, um, try to put myself in check whenever I need to. Like, hey, like. You know, you might be going through it right now, [00:40:00] but like a lot of people dream of being in the position that you're in and you include, you know, myself included, like I, I dreamed of getting here. So like, I think it's just important to like always go back to like. The why and, um, you know, and, and staying like in a state of gratitude, you know, like stuff can be taken from you just as quick as it's given to you. And, um, holding onto that of being like, man, like I'm very thankful and I'm in a really, really good place and at a place that some people work their whole lives to get to the spot. Um, you know, and I, I go out in Nashville and I see so many artists, just young, young girls just like playing their guitar, like hoping one day to be where I'm at. So I really just like try to think about that as, as much as I can, you know? Yeah. And I think that's just all of us too at this stage in life. You know, I wanna [00:41:00] be also, you know, a light for the, the little girls that are coming up. And, and I, like you said, you know, social media's changed that like now they can see that, they see other, other women that are doing those things and we can be inspiring and pulling them up. Um. Is there anything that you want the audience to know about you that they might not know? Oh my goodness. I feel like I'm kind of an open book. I mean, um, like I, I don't think there's really anything that comes to mind, like I, I feel like. You know, we've kind of like talked about most of it here. It's just like, I, I feel like I'm so lucky that I get to do this. And, um, I feel like I'm a prime example for anybody watching that. Like, you can do whatever you want, you know, and in this life, as long as you work hard and, um, you know, I, I don't know. I think that's kind of it. [00:42:00] Yeah. All right. Well, Priscilla, thank you so much for coming on today and sharing your life and just a little bit behind the scenes and getting to know you a little bit more personally. I know we can find you everywhere, but just let our followers know where they can find you, where they can find your music, and yeah, we'll let, so they can go follow you. Everything is under Priscilla Block. Um, you can find me on all social media platforms. Um, so yeah, I just, like I said, I just, I just put out an album two weeks ago. Um, it's called Things You Didn't See, so Brand New Music Out. Y'all can go listen to it and dive in a little deeper to get to know me more. And this was so much fun. Well, thank you for, for joining us, and I hope you guys were inspired by not only her glitz and glam life, but a little bit behind the scenes and her outdoor life.[00:43:00] Thank you for listening to The Ascend Podcast. New every week, the Conservation driven podcast one week, and our adventure video series. The next. Watch the Ascend Adventure episodes on the Ducks Unlimited YouTube channel and be sure to like, share and subscribe Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of ducks Unlimited. Until next time, follow your outdoor story. Wherever it leads you ascend.