If you love stories about the great outdoors, media evolution, and chasing your passion—this one’s for you. This week on the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast, Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod sit down with legendary outdoor photographer Bill Konway for a wide-ranging conversation that dives deep into life behind the lens and beyond. From photographing U.S. presidents and sports legends like Michael Jordan and Walter Payton, to capturing the quiet beauty of a foggy morning in the Midwest woods, Bill’s ...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Brandon and Nathan take a deep breath and look back on nearly six unforgettable years behind the mics of Driftwood Outdoors. From the surreal honor of interviewing childhood heroes like Bill Dance and Al Lindner, to life-altering moments like Shags surviving a stroke and the arson that destroyed Brandon’s cabin, this episode is a heartfelt reflection on the wild ride so far. It’s a celebration of the friendships made, the fish caught, the deer tagged, and the countless conversations recorded eve...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min
We hit a major milestone with Episode 300, and who better to share it with than Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe? Brandon and Nathan sit down for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from the Governor’s deep love for Missouri’s great outdoors—hunting, fishing, conservation, and public lands—to the current state of politics both in Missouri and across the nation. Of course, it wouldn’t be Driftwood Outdoors without a little awkwardness—Shags manages to be weird around the Governor more ...
Jul 01, 2025•44 min
Brandon Butler is joined by Paddle Don, Derek Butler, and Adam Voight to relive their unforgettable journey through Minnesota’s legendary Boundary Waters—without co-host Nathan McLeod, who sat this one out. Guiding them through the adventure was special guest Scott Mackenthun, a seasoned fish biologist with the Minnesota DNR, who not only planned the trip but played a key role in helping the crew navigate the challenges of the backcountry. From portage pain and campfire camaraderie to fishing ta...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod are joined by special guests Paddle Don, Derek Butler, and Adam Voight for an exciting deep dive into their upcoming first-ever trip to the legendary Boundary Waters of Minnesota. With candid conversation and plenty of laughs, the group discusses everything from essential gear and fishing plans to the unpredictable nature of wilderness travel—including food prep, bear safety, and the thrill (and challenge) of venturing into such a remote, pristine area. It’s a ra...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Award-winning journalist Hal Herring joins Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod for a deep dive into the critical issues facing public lands and conservation in America today. As a veteran writer for Field & Stream, The Atlantic Monthly, The Economist, and more, Herring brings a sharp perspective and years of investigative reporting to this no-holds-barred conversation. In this episode, the trio tackles the controversial attempted sale of public lands in Utah, the deceptive legislation that thre...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 33 min
In this heartfelt and fish-filled episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with longtime friend and avid angler Ryan “Milo” Miloshewski. The trio dives into Milo’s latest venture, Milo’s Flies, a new fly tying business born from passion and countless hours on the water. They swap fishing stories from Lake Taneycomo and the White River, test out new fly patterns, and reflect on the legacy of the late Chuck Gries of Anglers Outfitters, a beloved figure in the Ozarks fishing commu...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 33 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod are joined by Michael Collins of Misty Mountain Guiding Service for a deep dive into fly fishing across the Midwest. From the clear streams of mid-Missouri to the legendary Driftless waters of Wisconsin and Iowa, the trio covers it all—smallmouth, trout, and the magic of chasing wild fish in wild places. They also get into fly tying, the evolving culture of conservation, and proposed changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) that could im...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 16 min
In this flavorful episode, we’re joined by two Martha’s Vineyard legends—Johnny Graham, celebrity chef and owner of Revel Catering & Events, and Brett Stearns, Director of the Natural Resources Department for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Together, they take us on a journey through the island’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and world-class food and fishing traditions. We dive into Brandon Butler’s ambitious “50 in 50 by 50” challenge—harvesting an animal in all 50 states b...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Kevin Rhodes founder and operator of B4 Outdoors. B4 Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to serving those who serve us, our communities, and our nation: veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers. We provide these selfless servants with transformative outdoor experiences through hunting and fishing adventures. Additionally, opportunities for youth are provided in an effort to foster and nurture a love and respect for t...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 25 min
In this heartfelt episode, Nathan "Shags" McLeod returns to the mic after a month away with family, grieving the loss of his father. Joined by Brandon Butler, who’s calling in from a turkey hunt on Martha’s Vineyard with celebrity chef Johnny Graham, the conversation moves between mourning and memories to the healing power of the great outdoors. Brandon shares stories from the field, highlights his ambitious "50 in 50 by 50" quest—harvesting an animal in every state before he turns 50—and reflec...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
With Shags still in Oregon due to the loss of his father, Brandon Butler calls in a couple of Driftwood Outdoors known associates to talk turkey at mid-season and other joys of spring. The Josh Lane and his three boys have already knocked down four birds. The Lanes rarely have an empty freezer. Josh shares their success stories on private and public land. Ryan Miloshewski checks in from Kansas City after returning home from a successful turkey hunting trip near the Gasconade River in Central Mis...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Want to hear what the Missouri DOGE committee learned about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)? Listen to the actual audio from the Chronic Wasting Disease hearing conducted by the Missouri State Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Director Jason Sumners testifies before the committee on the reasoning behind the state's handling of this unfortunate disease. For more info: MDC Website MDC CWD Special thanks to: Living The Dream Outdoor Properti...
Apr 22, 2025•59 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with John Bledsoe creator and owner of the Co-Angler App. Co-Angler connects anglers for fishing trips, while also allowing them to share costs, making fishing more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable. From creating a personalized profile to exploring a customized home feed, Co-Angler lets you tailor your fishing experience to your preferences. Co-Angler BETA is our first product offering, aiming to build a vibrant community of anglers. Join us...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Minnesota DNR's fish biologist, Scott Mackenthun. In this episode, we explore the state of Minnesota’s legendary waters, from the 10,000 lakes to the vast Boundary Waters and beyond. We dive into conservation efforts, the health of the fish populations, and what the future holds for Minnesota's iconic lakes and rivers. But it’s not all science—Shags takes us on a personal journey, sharing stories from his basketball days in the Twin Cities, ...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod record from the Branson convention center during the MoNASP State Championship. Every March, the MoNASP State Championship brings together talented youth archers from across the state to compete in a celebration of skill, sportsmanship and teamwork. The MoNASP State Championship has seen tremendous growth and is the second largest state archery tournament in the nation. More than 4,300 student archers from across the state are expected to compete in the u...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 36 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Kyle Spradley owner and operator of Kyle Spradley Photography. Kyle Spradley is a landscape and nature photographer who also specializes in sports, photojournalism and video production. He is a St. Louis, Missouri based photographer available for commercial and editorial services, wedding photography and portraits, and is an FAA-certified Drone Pilot producing aerial photography and videography. For more info: Kyle's Website Kyle's Facebook ...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with lifelong friend, outdoorsman, and firefighter Eric Hoskins for a wide-ranging conversation that covers a bit of everything in the world of hunting, fishing, and conservation. Eric shares his unique perspective on hunting in Missouri while hailing from Indiana, touching on the challenges of navigating different landscapes and regulations. The guys dive into heavy topics like poaching, close calls with reckless hunters, and the thrills (and sp...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with freshwater fishing hall of fame and fly fishing guru Mark Van Patton at Big Rock Candy Mountain to discuss the Missouri Trout Opener. Every year thousands of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for the opening day of catch-and-keep trout season. In years past, anglers have faced frigid winter temperatures, snow, sleet and ice, as well as sunshine and springlike weather all in the attempt of catching an elusive lu...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Teeg Stouffer Founder & Executive Producer at Fascination Film Studio. A Fascination Film is a beautiful documentary that doesn't require you to be a world class storyteller to end up with a magnificent movie. We are storytellers who will work with you to listen and learn to your story, help craft it, and then tell it through interviews, narration, pictures and sound. Fascination Films isn't limited to family documentaries. We also work ...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Bryan Poynter the host of Indiana Outdoors radio show. Bryan Poynter is the host of the Saturday morning Indiana Outdoors Show on 1070 The Fan and Network Indiana from 5-6am. He brings to that show more than 20 years of hunting, fishing, and exploring the four corners of the state. Bryan is an avid deer and duck hunter. He also spends a lot time “playing cowboy” when he can. For his work on the Indiana Outdoors program, Bryan was named the D...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Joe Moore founder of Siltworm a division of Erosion and Construction Solutions, Inc. At Siltworm, their mission is to mitigate erosion and control sediment while maintaining an environmentally friendly job-site. Honor God. Provide Unlimited Opportunity. Impact the World. We achieve these by providing high value erosion and sediment control. For more info: Siltworm website Special thanks to: Living The Dream Outdoor Properties Superior Foam I...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Pat Kalmerton co-owner and operator of Wolf Pack Adventures LLC, Pat guides clients from around the globe on Lake Michigan, its tributaries and inland waters. Pat grew up in Sheboygan County, Wis., learning to hunt and fish under the instruction of his father, Roy. By age 12, Pat was first-mating on charter boats; by 20, he'd earned his USCG Captain's license. Pat quickly developed a reputation as an expert angler and hunter with abilities b...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with John Kruse, host and Producer of America Outdoors Radio and Northwestern Outdoors Radio. A native of Pacific Northwest, John Kruse is an experienced outdoors writer and radio broadcaster who has had the opportunity to fish, hunt, hike, camp, and paddle his way across a good portion of North America. John has written magazine articles for a number of publications and is the author of "Great Places Washington". John is also the long time host ...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Tron Peterson of Peterson Outdoors Ministries. Peterson Outdoors Ministries' (POM) mission is to provide faith based outdoor recreational therapy for injured and recovering Veterans, and their families, as well as youth and adults with disabilities or terminal illness. It was founded in 2006 to provide hope, healing, and restoration for veterans, and their families, as well as those with disabilities and serious illness. With an emphasis on ...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with MHHF's Executive Director, Colton Zirkle. The Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation introduces youth to an outdoor way of life featuring our hunting tradition, the shooting sports and the enjoyment of being in Missouri's natural landscape. Through education and hands-on training, youth learn how to safely handle firearms, gain an understanding of wildlife conservation and are introduced to the many enjoyable aspects of Missouri's hunting heri...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with good friend and unpaid pro-staffer Paddle Don Cranfill to work out the kinks and talk everything outdoors. Topics Discussed: We're on the youtube, life stats, deer hunt encounters, fishing hours, river miles, Big Rock Candy Mtn, Trout opener, Indiana DNR, favorite jobs, mystery bait bucket and more. For more info: Driftwood Outdoors Youtube Paddle Don's Hoosiering Special thanks to: Living The Dream Outdoor Properties Superior Foam Insulatio...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 36 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down to recap 2024 and share thoughts on the year to come. Topics Discussed: New Year's resolutions, fly fishing for trout and the river we no longer speak of, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Shags' wedding, college basketball, 50 in 50 by 50, Telepathy Tapes, cryotherapy, upcoming trip to Oregon, favorite Christmas gifts, golfing goals, cigars, bourbon, mystery bait bucket and more. For More Info : Telepathy Tapes Element Cryotherapy Special thanks to: Livi...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Aaron Kindle the Director of Sporting Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation. The State of Utah filed suit against the United States– and 13 states supported it– claiming the federal government unconstitutionally holds more than 18.5 million unappropriated acres of public land in the state. At the same time, Utah launched a multipronged advertising campaign to convince people that this is a good idea. Let’s be clear: this is about the...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Merry Christmas! Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Kris Nelson of Tandem Fly Outfitters after another crappie trip down Pomme de Terre. Tandem Fly Outfitters operates out of Stockton, Missouri and prioritizes building the relationships with their customers and giving them the best experience they can get. Topics discussed: Christmas gift exchanges, Pomme de Terre AKA: Ground Apple Lake, Scenic River Taxidermy and memorable mounts, the "Sad Texas Turkey," upcoming plans for w...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 27 min
