Learn what it really takes to train and hunt with your first duck dog—without pressure or perfection.

Adrienne is joined by Addison Walker, an 18-year-old dog trainer assistant at Mossy Pond Lodge studying wildlife conservation, with hands-on experience training hunting and competition retrievers.

In this episode, Addison breaks down what beginners need to know before bringing a dog into the duck blind. From early obedience and marking to what to expect on a dog’s first hunt, she explains the process in plain language—mistakes included. Adrienne asks the questions many new handlers are afraid to ask, making this a welcoming entry point into hunting with dogs. The conversation also explores mentorship, patience, and how young women can find their place in dog training and conservation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What early duck dog training actually looks like step by step
• How to know when a dog is ready for its first hunt
• Common beginner mistakes when hunting with a new dog
• Differences between hunting dogs and competition dogs
• How to stay safe and focused when a dog is in the blind
• Why patience matters more than perfection in training

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Success doesn’t mean losing who you were or what you love.

Country music artist Priscilla Block joins Ascend to talk about confidence, creativity, staying grounded, and how the outdoors plays a role in her life beyond the stage.

This episode is about representation, inspiration, and showing younger women what’s possible.

Topics include:

• Staying authentic as success grows
• Being visible for the next generation
• Balancing creativity and real life
• Finding grounding outdoors

Follow Priscilla Block
@PriscillaBlock on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Not every women’s hunt or retreat is created equal, and some should raise red flags.

Erin Crider sits down with Kelly Godfrey of Texas Women Outdoors to walk through how to evaluate women’s hunts, fishing trips, and outdoor events before you book.

This episode empowers women to ask better questions, protect themselves, and find safe, legitimate communities.

Topics include:

• Green and red flags when booking hunts
• How to check legality and insurance
• Pricing transparency
• Finding reputable women’s outdoor groups
• Avoiding scams and unsafe situations

Texas Womens Outdoors, LLC - INSTAGRAM
Texas Womens Outdoors, LLC - WEBSITE

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Every hunter makes mistakes; the best ones learn from them.

Adrian Jessen is joined by professional angler and hunter Anastasia Patterson to break down the most common mistakes women make while deer hunting, from gear choices to decision-making in the stand.

This episode uses humor and honesty to turn mistakes into learning opportunities.

Topics include:

• Gear and setup mistakes
• Judgment calls gone wrong
• Learning from bad hunts
• How mistakes build confidence over time

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Shooting clays and hunting birds are not the same, and that gap frustrates a lot of women.

Julia Stallings is joined by shotgun instructor Brandy Elrod to break down how to transition from the clay target field into real-world hunting with confidence.

This episode focuses on gun fit, recoil management, practice strategies, and how proper instruction saves money, time, and frustration.

Topics include:

• Recoil management for women
• Gun fit mistakes beginners make
• Clay drills that translate to hunting
• Why instruction matters early
• Equipment tips that actually help

Follow Brandy Elrod
https://ladyoutdoorlifestyles.com/
(FB) https://www.facebook.com/LadyOutdoorLifestyles/
(IG) https://www.instagram.com/ladyoutdoorlifestyles and https://www.instagram.com/brandy.elrod1

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

You don’t need big land or big policy to raise conservation-minded kids.

Bethany Beathard sits down with Amy Hall to talk about parenting, hunting, and how everyday outdoor moments like fishing trips, predator encounters, and quiet walks shape lifelong values in children.

This episode reframes conservation as something personal, accessible, and rooted in family time.

Topics include:

• Introducing kids to hunting and wildlife ethically
• Teaching conservation through shared outdoor experiences
• Balancing busy family life with time outside
• Why small moments matter more than big harvests

Amy's Social Media: HerWildOutdoors

(FB) https://www.facebook.com/herwildoutdoorspodcast/

(IG) https://www.instagram.com/herwildoutdoors/?hl=en

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Why don’t the ducks show up when social media says they should?

In this episode, Erin Crider is joined by Ducks Unlimited conservation leader Sarah Fleming to break down how duck migration actually works, and why weather, flyways, and timing matter more than viral hunting clips.

This conversation helps new waterfowl hunters set realistic expectations, understand migration science, and approach their first hunts focused on learning rather than limits.

Topics include:

• How weather influences migration timing
• The four U.S. flyways explained
• Why “limits” aren’t a fair expectation for beginners
• How to hunt ethically and safely as a new waterfowler
• Becoming a better “marsh birder” before pulling the trigger

WATERFOWL 360 Migration Updates

FowlWeather.co - Migration Forecasts

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.

Handgun training isn’t just about the gun; it’s about mindset, responsibility, and awareness.

Host Adrian Jessen is joined by firearms educator Beth Alcazar to discuss what women should consider before buying a handgun, how to find the right trainer, and why situational awareness matters as much as equipment.

This episode focuses on confidence over fear and preparation over panic, offering grounded guidance for women thinking seriously about personal safety.

Topics include:

• Choosing a handgun responsibly
• Finding quality training
• Concealed carry considerations
• Situational awareness and conflict avoidance
• Alternatives to firearms for personal protection

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

Find Beth Alcazar:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth619/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/beth619
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pacifiersandpeacemakers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethalcazar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrsbeth619

About the Host: Adrian Jessen
Adrian Jessen is a reviewer, writer, and adult-onset hunter best known as co-founder and on-camera host of the YouTube channel Review This Thing.
Instagram: @reviewthisthing.
TikTok: @reviewthisthing.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReviewThisThing
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/ReviewThisThing
Website: https://www.reviewthisthingtv.com

The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:

Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off your order.

Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off your order.