Ascend is a multimedia platform that spotlights the millions of outdoorswomen across our country who go hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, running, and perform important conservation work every day.
Our web series and podcast feature guests who share their experiences with a focus on entertainment, education, and authenticity. Our viewers and listeners will get to know them and learn all about their passion for the outdoors. Whether you've been in outdoor communities all your life or are just getting started, Ascend is the place for you to follow your story!
Brought to you by Ducks Unlimited.
Why does some venison taste gamey, and what can hunters do to prevent it?
Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with wild-game chef Cate Meade, a former Top 4 MasterChef finalist and Chopped: Castaways competitor, to talk about cooking, hunting, foraging, and building a deeper connection with the food on your plate.
Cate explains why overcooking and under-seasoning are two of the biggest mistakes people make with venison. She also explains when a salted milk soak helps, why she prefers dry brining, how ingredients like mustard, garlic, and herbs complement wild game, and why the right finishing temperature matters.
The conversation goes beyond venison. Cate discusses growing up in Chicago, discovering hunting with her father, competing on reality television, foraging for morels and wild plants, safely identifying mushrooms, and turning her connection with the outdoors into a culinary career.
In this episode:
• Why venison can develop a strong or “gamey” flavor
• How milk, salt, and dry brining affect wild game
• The danger of overcooking venison
• Cate’s favorite venison dish
• A simple wild-game recipe for reluctant cooks
• Safe and responsible foraging
• What reality cooking competitions are really like
• Learning to judge doneness by touch
• Respecting and using what you harvest
Learn more about Cate and find her recipes:
https://www.wildwoodschef.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUlxb01IYnJpeThCbGtKZFN4VDViMVVvZUJncXxBSTVJdTVzc3FvTktrQTBEbF9Oa3RRR0tBS0ZEM3gtM0JicXNfWmRPbDBEQWhsRkt5aUctNmRjZWhLbW9GMVFRMjI2OFpXbEppQjhudk56WTgxc3dQNG83cFY3dkpuSkJsMVkz&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wildwoodschef.com%2F&v=Kd1WUli71d0)
Follow @wildwoodchef on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend (http://www.ducks.org/ascend).
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:
Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com (http://www.drypocket.com/) and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.
Bird Dig Whiskey.
Visit birddogwhiskey.com (https://www.birddogwhiskey.com/). Enjoy Responsibly!
Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com (http://www.oklahomajoes.com/) and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.
20 Oct 2026
Accused of Cheating | Why Kristine Fischer was Afraid to Win | Ascend
Learn how to earn credibility, navigate setbacks, and build a lasting career in the outdoor industry.
Host Erin Crider speaks with Kristine Fischer, a professional bass angler who made history in 2026 by recording the largest single-day bag ever recorded by a female angler in Bassmaster history.
Christine shares the years of hard work behind her success, from competing in national kayak fishing tournaments to building a career through content creation, brand partnerships, and mentorship. She opens up about facing accusations that challenged her integrity, learning to handle criticism, and why women may receive attention in the outdoor industry without always being taken seriously. Together, Erin and Christine explore how women can build sustainable careers, support one another, and create more opportunities for the next generation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Christine turned online criticism into an opportunity to demonstrate her fishing skills and teach others.
Why getting noticed as a woman in the outdoor industry doesn't always translate into long-term career success.
What it takes to build credibility through consistent work, patience, and genuine relationships.
How to approach brand partnerships and why success often takes years rather than happening overnight.
Why mentorship and collaboration matter for women entering the outdoor industry.
How women can move beyond comparison and jealousy to celebrate one another's achievements.
Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend (http://www.ducks.org/ascend).
The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:
Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com (http://www.drypocket.com/) and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.
Bird Dig Whiskey.
Visit birddogwhiskey.com (https://www.birddogwhiskey.com/). Enjoy Responsibly!
Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com (http://www.oklahomajoes.com/) and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.
8 Oct 2026
Helping Women Go From “I Can’t” to “I Can” With Karen Butler
A first shot can do more than hit a target. For Karen Butler, one weekend outdoors brought confidence, strength and direction at one of the lowest points in her life. That experience eventually led her to found Shoot Like a Girl and help introduce more than 50,000 guests to shooting sports.
In this Ascend podcast episode, host Julia Stallings talks with Karen about helping women move from “I can’t” to “I can.” They discuss the fears that keep new shooters from starting, the mistake mentors often make when someone says she is scared, and how to create a safe first hunting or shooting experience. Karen also shares practical advice on hearing protection, range preparation, expectations in the field and why a mentor does not have to be an expert.
Whether you want to try shooting for the first time or invite someone into the outdoors, this conversation offers a better way to begin.
Learn more about Shoot Like a Girl: https://shootlikeagirl.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUZZTVljRkFJSWFhMVpXWGpqYWd2VE8teW5WQXxBSTVJdTV0UzhYMU01bDhndGN3Sl9GT2gxZWg5QlZhY2tRLWZkV0pkOVQ5Wkhpdy1vOXM3LUk3RmZxVVZKWVJRR3pMZlFqSEktWUhaSkl1Z21aYUxiam16Nlh6M0tJTm0yeTZQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshootlikeagirl.com%2F&v=48DLT5hs0xw)
Follow Shoot Like a Girl on Facebook and Instagram: @SLGINC2
Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend (http://www.ducks.org/ascend).
The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:
Dry Pocket.
Visit drypocket.com (http://www.drypocket.com/) and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.
Bird Dig Whiskey.
Visit birddogwhiskey.com (https://www.birddogwhiskey.com/). Enjoy Responsibly!
Oklahoma Joes.
Visit oklahomajoes.com (http://www.oklahomajoes.com/) and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.
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