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The Ozark Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Kyle Veit & Kyle Plunkett
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our guests and the information they share are especially relevant to men and women in northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, and southeast Kansas.
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- 2 days ago20 min
Ep. 239 - The Old Ozark - The Sweet Sounds of Big Sugar Creek (S2:E5)
Welcome to the Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins... This week, we're boiling down sap and tuning up the shape notes — from the vanishing rituals of Ozark sugar camps to the banks of Big Sugar Creek, birthplace of one of gospel music's biggest names. We'll start with the sweet, half-forgotten world of sugarin' off time: granny gourds, alder spiles, kittles of boiling sap, and the snow-day treat known as a waxin', plus a tour of the sugar-flavored place names still dotting the map. Then it's on to the long sweetenin', the life of Albert E. Brumley — sharecropper's son turned shape-note prodigy under mentor Eugene Bartlett, Hartford Music Company songwriter, and eventual owner of Powell, Missouri's own gospel publishing empire. We'll trace hits like "Turn Your Radio On" and "Jesus Hold My Hand," and dig into the surprising, decades-long journey of his most famous song of all, "I'll Fly Away" — from a cotton field daydream to one of the most recorded songs in American history, claimed by gospel, country, and just about everybody in between. It's a story of how a little creek in southwestern Missouri became the symbolic heart of Southern gospel music. Let's dive into this episode of The Old Ozarks... What is The Old Ozarks? The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins (the leading authority on the region’s history), this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region. Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.
- 4 days ago30 min
Ep. 238 - Ryan Walker - 40 Years on the James River: "We're Losing Smallmouth"
Data could change how Missouri manages its best smallmouth creeks. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get show notes and stories in our NEWSLETTER Ryan Walker is back for part two, and this time the conversation goes deep on conservation. For five years Ryan has been quietly logging every fish, every location, every date, building a citizen science dataset compelling enough to bring before Missouri's regs committee. He breaks down why current limits are too loose, why the spawn closure Missouri implemented is brilliant, and what he'd change tomorrow if given the keys to MDC. Whether you're 22 or 52, if you love these Ozark rivers, you need to understand what's at stake — and what one person with a notebook can actually do about it. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off) Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters 0:00 – 40 Years on the James River 5:00 – The Role of James River Basin Partnership 7:00 – Are Ozark Smallmouth Populations Actually Declining? 8:30 – What Citizen Science Actually Looks Like 13:00 – Why Ryan Hates Missouri's Current Smallmouth Regulations 16:00 – How to Approach MDC with Data 21:00 – The Keys to MDC Reg Changes 24:00 – Stream bank restoration What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
- 1 weeks ago42 min
Ep. 237 - Ryan Walker - The 10% Rule: How to Find Smallmouth in Late Summer on Any Ozark Stream
The best smallmouth guide in the Ozarks (voted on by YOU) just gave away his entire summer playbook (recorded from a raft on the river). → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Ryan Walker joins the guys mid-float on the James River for one of the most practical fishing episodes the show has ever done. From how to read braided water and find that magic 10% of the river that holds fish in August heat, to the counterintuitive topwater tip that changes everything, Ryan hands you a summer smallmouth framework you can use the very next time you hit the creek. Whether you're floating with a kid, learning fly fishing for the first time, or a seasoned angler who can't crack the late-summer code, this one's worth bookmarking before your next trip. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off) Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters 0:00 – The Ozarks' Best Smallmouth Guide 3:00 – What's Changed in the last 2 seasons 7:00 – Summer Water Conditions 10:00 – How to Find the 10% 15:30 – Early Morning Top Water 20:00 – The Afternoon Popper Surprise 23:00 – Top Water Mistakes 32:00 – Braided Water Is Your Best Friend in Summer 36:00 – Book a trip with Ryan What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
- 2 weeks ago20 min
Ep. 236 - The Rurnt Day of Major Wolf (S2:E4)
Welcome to the Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins... This week, we're talking milk gone bad, mythical giants, and one very "rurnt" 72 hours — a Confederate major's real-life brush with a firing squad that came down to a president's telegram and a matter of hours. We'll start with Blinky Blue John, the Ozarks' own giant of legend, whose curious name traces back to superstitions about witches souring milk, before landing on the region's favorite way to say something's gone completely to pieces: "rurnt." Then it's on to the long sweetenin', the harrowing true story of Major Enoch Wolf of Ford's Battalion, CSA — captured during Price's Raid, hauled to St. Louis's Gratiot Street Prison, and handed a death sentence to "atone" for a Union officer's murder he had nothing to do with. We'll trace the Civil War's grim system of official retaliation, the frantic 72-hour scramble by Masons, society ladies, and telegrams to the White House to save him, Abraham Lincoln's own last-minute reprieve, and the mysterious woman who showed up at the prison claiming to be his wife. It's a true Ozarks story stranger, and closer to the wire, than most fiction. Let's dive into this episode of The Old Ozarks... What is The Old Ozarks? The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins (the leading authority on the region’s history), this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region. Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.
- 2 weeks ago48 min
Ep. 235 - Spencer Daniels - Is There a Breeding Population of Mountain Lions in the Ozarks? (Plus: Black Panthers)
A breeding population of mountain lions just showed up 100 miles from the Arkansas border...that changes everything. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Arkansas' large carnivore coordinator Spencer Daniels drops one of the most jaw-dropping revelations in recent Ozark wildlife history and finally puts the "Game and Fish is hiding mountain lions" myth to rest for good. You'll hear exactly where these cats are coming from, what 58 confirmed sightings actually mean, and whether there's already a breeding pair hiding somewhere in Arkansas right now. Then the episode goes full Ozark folklore — black panthers, the screaming-into-a-hole myth, AI photo fakes, and the family stories every person who grew up in these hills has heard. This one's equal parts science and campfire story. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off) Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters 0:00 – Mountain Lions in Arkansas: What We Actually Know 3:00 – Where They're Coming From 4:30 – Breeding Population Confirmed 100 Miles from the Arkansas Border 9:00 – Could There Already Be a Breeding Pair in Arkansas? 14:00 – What the Sightings Data Actually Shows 19:00 – The Hot Springs Roadkill 25:00 – Spencer's Mountain Lion Encounter 27:00 – Myth Busting Rapid Fire 30:00 – Do Mountain Lions Actually Scream? 34:00 – Black Panthers in the Ozarks What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
- 3 weeks ago48 min
Ep. 234 - Spencer Daniels - Bear Seasons Reg Changes for 2026 + Last Year's Fatal Bear Attacks Explained
Arkansas Game & Fish Bear Program Coordinator Spencer Daniels sits down to address the two fatal black bear attacks that shocked the state last year (the first recorded fatalities in over 100 years) and what we've learned from them. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER He walks through both incidents with honesty and care, explains the brain lesion findings from the necropsy, and gives every hunter, hiker, and camper in bear country a clear safety playbook for what to do if things go sideways. Beyond the attacks, Spencer breaks down the 2026 season changes — including the earlier opener, what to expect from the population, and why bear hunting over bait is actually one of the most ethical conservation tools Arkansas has. Whether you're a seasoned bear hunter or just love being in the Ozark woods, this one's essential listening before you step into the timber. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off) Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters 0:00 – WARNING: Why We're Covering the Bear Attacks 2:30 – Arkansas Bear Population Update 6:00 – Why Bear Encounters Are Hard to Quantify (And What That Tells Us) 10:00 – 2025 Season Changes: Earlier Opener & What to Expect This Fall 17:00 – Bait Heavy, Bait Often: How to Get Started Bear Hunting in Arkansas 24:00 – The Conservation Case for Bear Hunting Over Bait 27:30 – The First Fatal Bear Attack 34:00 – The Second Fatal Attack 39:00 – Bear Safety 101: What to Do If a Bear Approaches You 42:00 – Bear Spray, Firearms & the Rule of Thumb for Safe Distance What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
- Aug 21, 202620 min
Ep. 233 - The Old Ozarks - On the Lookout for Ary New Deal Relics (S2:E3)
Welcome to the Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins... This week, we head out looking for "ary" trace of the Great Depression left on the Ozark landscape — and it turns out, once you know what to look for, you can hardly go "nary" a mile without finding one. We'll start in Grandpa's hayfield with the hillside ribs known as Mangum terraces, tracing their spread from a North Carolina farm in the 1880s to the terracing craze that swept the Ozarks under FDR's New Deal. Along the way, our short sweetenin' digs up the backwoods twins "ary" and "nary," archaic descendants of "ever a" and "never a" that once peppered everyday Ozark speech. Then it's on to the long sweetenin': a whirlwind tour of just how much New Deal alphabet-soup labor — the CCC, WPA, PWA, CWA, and NYA — physically remade this region, from state park lodges and courthouses to WPA schoolhouses, Razorback Stadium's earliest bones, and post office murals still hanging in Berryville and Fredericktown ninety years later. Let's dive into this episode of The Old Ozarks... What is The Old Ozarks? The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins (the leading authority on the region’s history), this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region. Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.
- Aug 19, 202647 min
Ep. 232 - Ralph Meeker - Small Property Deer Hunting: The Summer Checklist for Success This Fall
The deer you harvest this fall are being won right now. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Arkansas Game & Fish State Deer Coordinator Ralph Meeker breaks down the summer checklist every small property hunter needs before season opens. From designating a sanctuary and hinge cutting the right trees, to understanding why deer remember your stand location down to 55 extra yards by season's end, Ralph gives you the science-backed playbook for holding more deer on limited ground. You'll also learn why summer is actually the most nutritionally stressful time for deer — and how that changes what you should be doing on your property today. This is the episode that turns a 22-acre hobby into a deer hunting system. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off) Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters 0:00 – Why You Should Be Thinking About Deer Right Now 3:00 – The Four Biological Needs That Keep Deer on a Small Property 7:00 – Urban vs. Rural Deer 13:00 – What to Look for When Walking Your Property 18:00 – Why Ozark Deer Don't Get as Big as Kansas & Texas Deer 24:00 – Hinge Cutting: Which Trees to Remove & Which to Keep for Deer 32:00 – Sanctuaries: How Much of Your Property to Lock Down & Why 36:00 – How Hunting Pressure Changes Deer Behavior (The 55-Yard Study) 40:00 – What to Do If You Find a Fawn This Summer What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
About The Ozark Podcast
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our guests and the information they share are especially relevant to men and women in northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, and southeast Kansas.
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