Shows
Afield with Christiana RousselHow Luke Kolbie Revived Russell Moccasin & Built a Movement Around American CraftsmanshipIn this episode of Afield with Christiana Roussel, we sit down in Homewood, Alabama with Luke Kolbie, founder of Avontuur and Kingfisher Leatherworks, and CEO of Russell Moccasin.What started as a teenage passion for crafting a better cartridge bag in Southwest Georgia has grown into a bold undertaking. Reviving a 125-year-old American heritage brand, building a coalition of master craftsmen, and redefining conservation through craftsmanship.Luke shares the story behind acquiring Russell Moccasin in 2022, preserving its generational boot making traditions in Berlin, Wisconsin, and modernizing the business without compromising its soul. We dive into...
2026-03-0433 minAfield with Christiana RousselFrom Alabama Fallen Trees to Sustainable Urban Timber Furniture: Inside Alabama SawyerIn this episode of Afield, we step inside the world of Alabama Sawyer, where fallen city trees are reborn as heirloom furniture with soul. Host Christiana Roussel visits the Birmingham workshop of Leigh and Cliff Spencer, the husband-and-wife team behind Alabama Sawyerâan acclaimed design studio turning urban timber into custom furniture, guitars, and one unforgettable Turkey Credenza (yes, really đŚ).Cliff, a Birmingham native and self-described âwood whisperer,â shares his journey from building theater sets in New York and working in film in Los Angeles to founding a nationally recognized furniture company rooted in sustainability. Lee brings the big-p...
2026-02-0429 minAfield with Christiana RousselQuail Forever, Bird Dogs & Saving Grasslands with Marilyn Vetter | Youâll Never Regret a Day AfieldIn this episode of AFIELD, host Christiana Roussel sits down with Marilyn Vetter, President and CEO of Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever, for an in-depth conversation on conservation, leadership, and the future of upland wildlife. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in quail hunting, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, upland birds and outdoor heritage. Marilyn discusses the mission of Quail Forever, the importance of bobwhite quail habitat restoration, and how hunters, private landowners, and public agencies work together to protect grasslands and wildlife ecosystems across Alabama and beyond. She explains how conservation biologists partner wi...
2026-01-0728 minAfield with Christiana RousselTim Gothard: Alabama Wildlife FederationChristiana Roussel sits down with Alabama Wildlife Federation's Executive Director, Tim Gothard, to talk about his passion for wildlife, taking care of Alabama's outdoor resources and raising up the next generation of land stewards!
2025-12-0233 minAfield with Christiana RousselKyle Lybarger: Native Habitat Project and protecting native Alabama speciesForester and conservationist, Kyle Lybarger, sits down with Christiana Roussel in a location special to him, his heritage, and his passion for the outdoors in Alabama.Kyle shares with Christiana the importance of protecting, replanting, and maintaining native species in Alabama and beyond. His talks about his work discovering new species and how social media has given him a platform to raise awareness, educating people who would never consider themselves conservationists, on the meaningful ways they can be stewards of the land around them. Born and Raised in Morgan County Alabama, Kyle Lybarger has been exploring the outdoors for...
2025-10-2951 minAfield with Christiana RousselHow Noodling Catfish Changed Her Life | Aly from Alabama on Faith, Hunting & FamilyIn this heartfelt episode of Afield, presented by Gusto Hunting Preserve, host Christiana Roussel sits down with outdoorswoman and content creator Alyssa Hall, better known as Aly from Alabama.From grabbing giant catfish with her bare hands (a Southern tradition known as noodling) to becoming a passionate whitetail hunter, mother, and steward of conservation â Aly shares her journey from suburban life to a faith-filled outdoor lifestyle in Alabama.They dive deep into:What noodling catfish actually feels (and sounds!) likeLearning to hunt later in life â and overcoming fear and doubtsRaisin...
2025-10-0730 minAfield with Christiana RousselConservation in Alabama: Commissioner Blankenship on State Parks, Forever Wild & Outdoor RecreationIn this episode of Afield, host Christiana Roussel sits down with Commissioner Chris Blankenship, head of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, for an in-depth conversation about the future of Alabamaâs natural resources and outdoor opportunities.đ What youâll hear in this episode:The debut of brand-new lakefront cottages at Wind Creek State Park đCommissioner Blankenshipâs career journeyâfrom game warden on Dauphin Island to leading the stateâs conservation effortsThe Forever Wild Land Trust and its 300,000+ acres of preserved land across Alabama đżHow conservation impacts local economies, especially in the Black Belt region through hunting, fishing, a...
2025-09-0233 minAfield with Christiana RousselPam Swanner: The perfect hunt for a womanIn this episode Christiana sits down with Pam Swanner, President of Alabama Blackbelt Adventures. As one of the most popular hunting destinations in the state, Pam shares her passion for the outdoors, explains which hunt she thinks is the perfect hunt for a woman getting into the sport, and why the Belt Belt regionâs rich landscape attracts tourism from all over the world.
2025-08-1223 minAfield with Christiana RousselChef Rob McDaniel: Conservation-driven cuisine in the SouthIn this episode of Afield, Christiana sits down with renowned Alabama chef and James Beard semifinalist Rob McDaniel to explore the intersections of food, faith, and conservation. Christiana shares a fun throwback picture of Chef Rob during a live-fire cooking event, after his first Birmingham restaurant, Helen has been a hit, Chef Rob is now diving deep into sustainable seafood with the launch of Bayonetâhis new oyster-forward restaurant in Birmingham. As always, this episode isnât just about foodâitâs a heartfelt conversation about connecting to the land, preserving ecosystems, and how his spiritual...
2025-07-0138 min
Afield with Christiana RousselVaughan Pursell Spanjer: From pageants to paintbrushes and being inspired by Alabama's outdoorsIn this premier episode of Afield, presented by Gusto Hunting Preserve, host Cristiana Roussel sits down with acclaimed wildlife artist and Alabama native Vaughan Pursell Spanjer. Broadcasting from the scenic backdrop inside Vaughan's studio at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama, this conversation weaves together themes of Southern heritage, outdoor living, and creative purpose.Vaughanâs journey begins on a 3,200-acre family property filled with creeks, hills, and hardwoodsâan Alabama outdoor paradise that deeply informs her work. From barefoot childhoods chasing crawdads to painting blue herons and bird dogs, Vaughanâs connection to nature is not...
2025-06-1025 min
Magic City BusinessSoulGrownRooted in culture, nourished by beauty, fostered by people, grown in the Soul of the South, SoulGrown is an online publication dedicated to shining a big bright light on the best of Alabama.
2022-06-0331 min
Eating Alabama PodcastEllis Terry from Soulgrown AlabamaYou can follow Ellis on Instagram @Soulgrown_Alabama @Soulgrown_Birmingham @Soulgrown_Tuscaloosa @Soulgrown_Montgomery @Alabama_Blackbelt Music by Suaze - You can hear more from him on iTunes and www.suaze.soundcloud.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Eating Alabama. You can also find us at www.eatingalabama.net. Contact me by email at Nick@eatingalabama.net. Â
2020-03-181h 28