Bear Grease

MeatEater

The Bear Grease Podcast with host Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

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491 episodes
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Episodes491

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Dec 1, 2021 · 56 min
Ep 30: The Folsom Site - Killing Bison with Stone Points (Part 2)
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb takes us back to the site of an ancient bison kill, the one found by George McJunkin on part one of this series. After George’s death it would become known as the Folsom site. It was here that stone tools made by humans were found with a relic form of Pleistocene bison, Bison antiquus, and forever planted an indisputable datapoint into the debate of human antiquity in North America. We’re going to talk with Ol Steve Rinella of MeatEater and the nation’s leading expert on the Folsom Site, Dr. David Meltzer of SMU, who literally wrote the book on Folsom. Dr. Meltzer went back, 70 years after its initial excavation, and excavated it again to find more answers. They discuss the archeological processes that verify the site, what Dr. Meltzer found when he went back, and speculate on how the bison kill took place. I really doubt you’re going to want to miss this one. . . Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 24, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 29: Bear Grease [Render] - Early Christmas Lights, Guarding the Gate, and Why We Love George
Clay Newcomb and the Bear Grease crew begin their discussion with how early Christmas decorations impact communities, and how Halloween decor doesn't make sense -- at all. Later, they have some more meaningful dialogue about how our hunting rights are being chipped away at by anti-hunting sentiment. Clay describes the idea of "guarding the gate" and how predator hunting is usually the door for anti-hunting legislation to enter into the hunting space. The crew spends the last half of the podcast discussing George McJunkin's life and impact. Happy Thanksgiving! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 17, 2021 · 53 min
Ep. 28: The Folsom Site - The Amazing Life of George McJunkin (Part 1)
Born a slave in the 1850s, George McJunkin became an accomplished cowboy under the most trying of circumstances. He was self educated and had a life-long thirst for knowledge of the natural world. His life was wrought with accomplishment, as well as tragedy and injustice. In 1908, he discovered what would become the Folsom archeological site. On this episode we’ll mine into the old cowboys life to be inspired by who he was, be introduced to one of the most spectacular Bison kill sites ever found, and learn how a freed slave revealed this archeological find to the world without ever knowing it. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 10, 2021 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 27: Bear Grease [Render] - Scent Control, Jaguars, and "The Ballad of Warner Glenn"
Early in this episode, Clay's alerted that the Render crew has formed a union and are disgruntled with their current work situation. Later, they have a hefty argument around commercial scent control products for whitetail hunting. After a contentious conversation, they move on and talk about the buck Clay killed in Oklahoma this week. Finally, they discuss the borderlands jaguar and Clay releases an original song called "The Ballad of Warner Glenn." They also introduce a new guest, Clay's longtime friend, Tyrel Denison. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 3, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 26: Eater of Us: The Borderlands Jaguar
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ll journey to meet the most mysterious and rarest of beasts in the United States -- the borderlands Jaguar. We’ll talk with the man who documented the first live one in the United States and see how it uprooted the conservation world. That man was Warner Glenn. We’ll do a classic Bear Grease “nerd out” with Arizona biologist Jim Heffelfinger to understand how this animal makes a living and about their conservation. And we’ll meet yet another legendary hunter of the Southwest, Dale Lee. Though he’s been gone for over thirty years, you’ll hear his voice and receive an impartation from his passion. The borderlands jaguar is known as “The Eater of Us” and in modern times they live in New Mexico and Arizona. You're not going to want to miss this one! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27, 2021 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 25: Bear Grease [Render] - Cave Man Films, Mark Kenyon, and Warner Glenn
On this episode, we've got a whole new crew for the Render. We're in the field and Clay's been hunting with Mark Kenyon of Wired to Hunt. The crew covers an array of subjects, including the difference between videographers and cinematographers, what kind of film would a caveman make, and Mark Kenyon's three days of saddle hunting in Arkansas National Forest for whitetails. Lastly, we talk about the second Warner Glenn episode, discussing how Warren responded to almost going to prison after getting into a fight with a border patrol agent and how that changed his life. Fun episode with a new crew! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 20, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 24: Marrow of American Ruggedness - Warner Glenn (Part 2)
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re back in the Open Country of Southeast Arizona. This is part 2 in our series on life of a living legend – Warner Glenn. We’ll learn more about Kelly, Warner’s daughter, and her life in movies and modeling. We’ll dive deep into dry-ground lion hunting, which I believe will aid in us getting our PHD’s as American woodsmen. We'll learn about his dogs and what characteristics it takes to make a good mountain lion hunting hound. We’ll also learn about when Mr. Warner almost went to prison and how it impacted his life including his involvement in the founding a very influential conservation group called the Malpai Borderlands Group. You won't want to miss this one. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 13, 2021 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep. 23: Bear Grease [Render] - Whoopins, Newcomb Bear Camp, and Warner Glenn
On this episode, the crew discusses the recent podcast on Warner Glenn. But first, Daniel Rupp and Brent Reaves open up about getting whoopins in kindergarten. The crews talks in depth about the Newcomb Family & Friends bear camp, and tell the stories of three bear hunts. Sadly, Daniel Rupp wasn't invited to the camp. Clay's uncle, Mike Schultz, is this week's mystery guest. He traveled to Arizona with Clay to interview Warner Glenn and was impacted by the trip to the Malpai Ranch. Lastly, they talk about the ins and outs of the interview with Warner Glenn and give some "behind the scenes" info on being down on the border. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 22: American Cowboy in Open Country - Warner Glenn (Part 1)
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re heading to the American West to meet a Rancher midway through his ninth decade on planet earth -- and he still rides his mule everyday. He’s known as one of the nation’s best dry-ground mountain lion hunters. The southern border of his property is Mexico, he plays a little fiddle, and he did a some unconventional roping in an Academy award winning movie. But that’s just the flashy stuff, we’ll hear a wild story that involves a helicopter rescue, but mainly we’ll glimpse into the life of a true American cowboy named, Warner Glenn. We had expectations of who this man would be, but they were scattered in the desert when I met the real Mr. Warner. This is part one in our series on the life of the living legend, Warner Glenn. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 29, 2021 · 1 hr 15 min
Ep. 21: Bear Grease [Render] - Navy Pilots, Mr. Peabody’s Coal Train, and Why Dirt Matters
On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render], we’ve got a slew of new guests. Terrell Spencer from Across the Creek Farm joins the crew to talk about soil. The discussion goes from Navy pilots sunglasses, to parachutes not opening, to solving the world’s problems with dirt. It’s a fun episode and full of laughs, but takes a serious turn. How do we change the system when the current system is likely to fail in the long run? Human life is short but the life of the soil spans across inconceivable time. Civilizations have risen and fallen based upon soil health. At the end of the episode Forest Teeter sings “Paradise” by John Prine. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 22, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 20: From the Earth - Civilization, Humans, and Whitetails
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re going to the very footing of natural systems and human existence. Empires have risen and fallen because of soil health and the equalizing grasp of the topic at hand is inescapable from both the wealthy and impoverished people. We’ll be discussing the bewildering complexity of the soil and our connection to it. We’ll nerd out with Clay Newcomb's old soil science professor, Dr. David Miller exploring soil uniqueness. We’ll also talk with Dr. Grant Woods and learn how he transformed a degraded Ozark cattle farm into a whitetail paradise through building soils. And we’ll talk with an Arkansas farmer, Terrell Spencer of Across The Creek Farm who was inspired to live close the land because of what he saw in the Middle East. Understanding soils will upgrade as woodsmen as we’ll understand more about the heartbeat of wild places. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 15, 2021 · 1 hr 28 min
Ep. 19: Bear Grease [Render] - High Speed Chases, Kindergarten Ricky, and Boone's Death
On this Render episode, Clay and the crew discuss the nuanced social signals in riding mules, horses and wearing sweat pants in Macy's. Clay discloses his overreaction to the scandal after listening to the MeatEater Campfire Stories tale about the game warden, and equates it to an experience in kindergarten. However, the discussion gets deep as they talk about Daniel Boone's later years, his impact on American culture, and why the woodsmen of North American have earned a seat at the table of American identity. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 8, 2021 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 18: Daniel Boone - American Woodsman (Part 3)
This is part three and our final episode in our series on Daniel Boone. On this episode, we'll go in depth about his life from when he was 35 years old to his death at age 86. We’ll again interview acclaimed writers Steve Rinella and Robert Morgan about Boone’s impact on American identity and culture. We’ll explore the highlights of Boone’s life including the rescue of his daughter, rumors of his wife’s unfaithfulness, his stint as a Virginia legislature, and the controversy around where Boone is buried. Then we'll explore Boone’s identification as a woodsman and his impact on American’s view and utilization of wilderness with Dr. Daniel Rupp. Lastly, Clay makes an appeal that the American woodsman deserves a lasting place at the table of American identity. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 1, 2021 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep. 17: Bear Grease [Render] - White Panthers, Black Roosters, and Danny-Boy Boone
On this episode of the [Render], Gary Newcomb is back. He tells us how to not get canceled and waxes about Clay's fairly average story telling ability. Clay reveals his mother is upset with him because of his reaction to podcast feedback. Misty and Josh cover a famous song about the Cumberland Gap. The crew has an enlightening discussion on the second Daniel Boone podcast. It's action packed and fun, as usual. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 25, 2021 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 16: Daniel Boone - The Legend of Cumberland Gap (Part 2)
We're on to part two of our series on the incredible life of the American backwoodsman, Daniel Boone. We’re going to dive deep into a topographic feature in the Appalachian Mountains that was a major player in the identity of Daniel Boone and America – we’re talking about the Cumberland Gap. We’ll interview two New York Times best-selling authors and Boone experts - Steven Rinella and Robert Morgan, we’ll nerd out with a geologist, we’ll talk about the potential of historical revision of Boone, and lastly, we’ll talk with a member of the Cherokee Nation, Professor Taylor Keen, and hear his perspective on the Ol’ Gap. The path is rough, and American identity is at stake. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 18, 2021 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep 15: Bear Grease [Render] - Mule Kicked, Scandals and Boone Mythology
On the episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay and the gang discuss an array of riveting topics including getting ninja kicked by a mule. They discuss how Clay got it wrong on the game warden story, and Kolby Morehead of Bear Hunting Magazine squeezes in a legitimate "bears, beets and Battle Star Galactica" reference. The guys are joined by writer Seth Haines, who was also a guest on the first episode of the Daniel Boone series. They discuss the tension created by Boone potentially having a Cherokee wife, and wrestle with "armchair valor" in saying how they wouldn't have done it. The discussion is rich as they render down the first episode of the Daniel Boone series. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 11, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 14: Daniel Boone - Foundations of an American Archetype (Part 1)
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ll be exploring a story as American as cornbread and black-eyed peas, we’re talking about one of America’s first heroes--Daniel Boone. We’ll sift through the myth and truth and discuss why the heck we’re still talking about him 200 years after his death. We’ll learn about the mechanism of archetypes, and Clay Newcomb will interview two New York Times best-selling authors Robert Morgan and Steven Rinella about their fascination with Boone. We'll learn that the truth is wilder than the myth. This is part one of our series on Ol’ Dan’l Boone, and in it we’ll walk through the first 35 years of Boone’s life. You’re not going to want to miss this one. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 4, 2021 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 13: Bear Grease [Render] - Cobras, Bulldozers, and Immortal Roosters
On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render], the crew starts out with a discussion on Clay's recent brush with the intoxicating power of a D6 Caterpillar bulldozer. They'll jump into a wild story of the Newcomb's near immortal rooster, which comes with a song. Finally, they discuss the "Snake Bit" episode and all the wild stories on the podcast. The crew learned a lot from Dr. Chris Jenkins of the Snake Talk Podcast, were shocked by Fred Lally's life, and were deeply impacted by Lisa Damron's story. You're not going to want to miss this laugh-filled, yet meaningful episode. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 28, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 12: Snake Bit - The Original Fear
Whether you like it or not, snakes are a unique part of the human experience. We've had an unusual fear of them since humans started recording their lives in ways we can now study. In this episode, we'll talk with a man who's been bit so many times by venomous snakes he's lost count. We'll dive in deep with a Dr. Chris Jenkins of the Orianne Society trying to understand Timber Rattlesnake biology -- he calls them America's snake. He also tells us what to do if you get bit by a snake. We'll end with a shocking interview you wouldn't believe unless you heard it from the person it happened to. It's going to be a slithery conversation as we try to understand snake biology, human fear, and why snakes are important. Let us know what you think about this episode! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 21, 2021 · 1 hr
Ep. 11: Bear Grease [Render] - Moonshiners and the Land Bridge
On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render], we'll talk about an alarming influx of black panther evidence from listeners, and introduce a new hashtag: #landbridge. You'll hear about Brent's family "borrowing" raccoon hounds, and we'll introduce a new character into the Render who's a Navy pilot who once stiff-armed Clay on a podcast partnership. Mainly, you'll hear the guys discuss episode 9 of the Bear Grease Podcast called "Moonshine, NASCAR and Bear Hunting." The episode is high energy and continues to deliver an unplugged, engaging version of Bear Grease. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.