Discover
Bear Grease

Bear Grease
Author: MeatEater
Subscribed: 4,145Played: 245,026Subscribe
Share
© 2023 MeatEater
Description
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.
114 Episodes
Reverse
On this episode, the crew exchanges gifts, eats Christmas cookies, dissects the Folsom site even more, and introduces a new guest. Clay makes an apology to early Christmas light hangers. The crew tries to understand why the Folsom hunters killed so many bison. Clay gives away Josh's muzzleloader in the gift exchange and Josh handcrafts a belt buckle for Daniel. This episode is full of good Christmas vibes, and though Brent couldn't make it, he leaves a special holiday tribute to the crew. Merry Christmas!Connect with Clay and MeatEaterClay on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is an in-the-field recording of the Bear Grease [Render]! Clay hosts his son, Bear John, and MeatEater's Cory Calkins, as they discuss a harrowing encounter they had calling in a black bear and grizzly at the same time. They recount the story Bear Newcomb's first-ever spring boar -- a blonde bear Clay calls "the most beautiful bear I've ever seen." Later in the episode, they touch on the second Genuine Outlaw podcast. This all comes to you straight from the back country as the boys sit around the fire and render down the fat of Bear Newcomb's bear. This episode is full of great stories and close calls.
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Brent gives you the low down on how to field judge a restaurant in parts unknown. He also shares a couple stories about when you ought to just buy the whole role of bologna at the deli counter, why you should be suspicious of even your favorite foods on the menu, and how a young man's bad decisions on a night out don't begin and end with what he chooses to quench his thirst.
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by a veteran cast of characters: Brent Reaves, of This Country Life fame, Michael Rosmond of Sunspot Lights, Ben Lagrone, and Jonathan Webster. The crew dives right in to talking about America’s First Celebrity, David Crockett, dissecting the impact of Disney’s Crockett revival of the 50’s and its lasting effect on the childhood memories and adult identities of (not just) American men, before backing up to cover topic like good hunting dogs and how you’re closer to death than you realize; how to catch a live coon by the tail and what ever happened to Hoot. Clay then steers the conversation back to the Highlights of the previous Crockett podcast as well as what’s to come in the next episodes of this series on one of America’s favorite bear hunters, politicians, and folk heroes. And we bet you’ll wanna stick around to hear Brent and Clay pontificate on the fashion, comfort and practicality of the Bib Overall. I really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Brent gives you the low down on setting trotlines for catfish. As traditional as it is effective, trotline fishing has been around forever because it works! Setting one up is something you can do yourself, and Brent's here to walk you through it. He'll also share a cautionary tale about packing for an expedition, and a sad solution to forgotten taters. As Clay Newcomb might say, you ain't gonna wanna miss this one!
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode, Clay Newcomb explores America’s first true celebrity. Built on his identity as a bear hunter, he was world famous during his lifetime and believed it came upon him by accident. All he did was play the part of himself, David Crockett. This Tennessee backwoodsman embodied the narrative of the self-made man and Manifest Destiny that became a national obsession and deeply influenced our culture, even to this day. The Crockett myth and reality are hard to parse, but Clay is joined by R. Scott Williams, author of the new book, “The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee's David Crockett,” as well as by New York Times best-selling author and Bear Grease veteran, Robert Morgan, to help discern fact from legend. One thing’s for sure – we love this guy and we 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 MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on the show, Brent tells you everything he knows about choosing a vehicle to get around the backroads. We're not talking lifted trucks and shiny new dualies that'll go to the junkyard without ever having towed as much as a duck boat -- we're talking real, genuine country rides that are ALL about functionality.
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker, Brent Reaves, Malachi Nichols, Ben Lagrone, and Misty Newcomb. The crew discusses Josh’s new fly fishing boat, Brent’s successful new podcast “This Country Life” and Misty’s recent doctorate. Clay then recounts taking Banjo the Mule to be trained by an Amish family before turning the discussion to Asa “Forest” Carter, a KKK leader, speech writer for Gov. George Wallace, and Conman, and his fraudulently labeled semi-autobiography “The Education of Little Tree” whose themes of love and empathy run counter to the author’s prior life’s work of hate and division. The crew dive’s further into the “death of the author” perspective of interpretation, the themes of redemption, possible mental illness, and the literal death of the author. I really doing you’re gonna wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on This Country Life, Brent introduces you to a few of his turkey hunting mentors, and tells stories of chasing wily gobblers everywhere from river bottoms to ridge tops. Looking to find a mentor of your own? Brent's gonna tell you how you might.
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Bear Grease, part two of our Conman series on the double life of Asa Forrest Carter, Clay Newcomb dives into the gritty details of the violence, hate, and conspiracy philosophies of the first 45 years of his life and how, in the last decade of his life, he transformed into an unrecognizable, “Cherokee Indian” author who wanted to be America’s next Hemmingway – and almost did it. Once again, author of Unmasking the Klansman, Dr. Dan T Carter and Steve Rinella of MeatEater lead the way as his guests. Brace yourself because this winding trail will be treacherous as they talk about the beating of jazz singer Nat King Cole, read from the Unabomber’s Manifesto, and begin to understand how Asa Carter did what he did. We’re going neck deep into the mind of a Conman. We really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one…
Audio excerpts courtesy of “The Reconstruction of Asa Carter”
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on This Country Life, Brent Reaves shares the stuff in his pockets -- what some of you might call his "every day carry." From a 10 year old buckeye to a gold dollar coin, Brent walks you through each item you can expect him to have on his person, why he carries it, and why he thinks you should, too. So come on in and find out what makes Brent's EDC short list -- after this, you might just add a few items to yours!
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, the crew convenes in Missouri for some spring turkey hunting. Clay Newcomb is joined by veteran Meateater videographers Loren Moulton and Dave Gardner as well as Brent Reaves, who you can now hear every Friday on this same feed on his new podcast This Country Life. The crew recaps the triumphs and pitfalls of chasing those wisened longbeards in the spring woods before turning their attention to Forest, or should we say Asa, Carter’s “The Education of Little Tree.” The crew discusses how remarkable it is that Asa Carter was able to pull off this deception, whether or not this was an arc of repentance and redemption or if it was just a con, and the decision to give this to their kids to read or not. I really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to episode one of This Country Life! Today, we meet your host Brent Reaves: a family man and life long outdoorsman whose familial roots in rural Arkansas can be traced back over 150 years. As a way of introduction, Brent shares two of his favorite stories, taking us from schoolyard hi-jinx to riding out a lightning storm in a washed-out muskrat burrow. You're not gonna want to miss this addition to the Bear Grease lineup.
Connect with Brent and MeatEater
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Bear Grease Clay Newcomb talks with New York Times best selling author Steve Rinella and Dr. Dan T. Carter, professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina about black-listed book “The Education of Little Tree.” The book, an alleged semi-autobiographical story about a Cherokee boy growing up in southern Appalachia, was written by Forest Carter, which was the false identity of famed white supremicist, Ku Klux Klan chapter founder and speech writer for Governor George Wallace, Dan Carter. In part 1, Clay reflects on the honest, insightful, and empathetic context of the book and explores the nuance and dissonance of what to do with with art in light of an artist’s beliefs. I really doubt you’re gonna to wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb travels down south to chase a Mississippi long beard. Joined by Lake Pickle, Jordan Blissett, and assistant to the regional producer, Isaac Neale, the crew talk about their favorite memories from their time at Primos, recount the morning’s hunt, describe the ubiquitous and iconic historic property from which they recorded es, and an unscheduled call in from the one and only Will Primos. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Bear Grease, Clay Newcomb hosts another all-star cast of sure 'nuff dyed in the wool, turkey hunting storytellers. Gobbling turkeys create a rare intoxication for man. It’s exhilarating to call, get a response, and watch a long beard work into shotgun range. Each spring, the turkey hunter has the opportunity to step into a world he does not fully understand and participate in it for short windows of time… it’s a rare experience. On this episode we’ve got eight storytellers that'll help you get a glimpse of that rare experience. We have North Carolina novelist David Joy, Jimbo Ronquest tells a story of a Missouri turkey hunt with his father, and a couple great Mississippi stories from Billy Johnson and David Hitt Neill. We also have some old favorites: Gary “Believer” Newcomb, Brent Reaves and Andy Brown.…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 MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb gathers special crew of turkey chasers and storytellers. Clay is joined by Gary “Believer” Newcomb, veteran Bear Greaser Andy Brown, Cauy House and his grandfather from his turkey story, Steve Phillips, as well as retired United States Forest Service agent and former Arkansas Game and Fish agent Joe Liles. Tune in for stories of first hunts, any swarms, and chasing poachers. Stay tuned for Gary describing his custom modified turkey gun. We really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one…
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week is open mic night at the Bear Grease home fire and Clay Newcomb is givin’ the stage to some of the best turkey hunters he could dig out of the spring woods. You'll hear from Cauy House, authors Robert Hitt Neill, Jr and Hank Burdine, Garvin Gibbons, and Richard Campbell. And Bear Grease veterans Andy Brown, Moe Shepherd, and Hall of Famer Roy Clark. These stories give a glimpse into the joys, tribulations and passions of the American turkey hunter. On this episode, we’ll hear about a white Tennessee turkey, a hunt where a hunter catches on fire, a turkey that had the gobble shot out of him, and we’ll end with a somber story that might bring a tear to your eye. 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 MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is coming at you live for the second time from the Black Bear Bonanza in Northwest Arkansas. This time Clay is joined by render regulars Misty Newcomb, Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, and of course Brent Reaves, as well as Arkansas BHA Chapter Chair James Brandenburg and the state of Arkansas's Large Carnivore Biologist, Myron Means. The crew discusses hunting black bears in Arkansas, misconceptions about hunting bears over bait, and the importance of shooting mature boars to ensure the earlier season remains. Maybe most importantly, however, the gang premieres a brand new song, written by Clay about Bear Grease Hall of Famer James Lawrence, featuring Josh on Mandolin and Myron on Banjo. If you're a real Bear Greaser, you're not gonna wanna miss this one...
Connect with Clay and MeatEater
Clay on Instagram
MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do you think of when you hear the state, Arkansas? This is Clay Newcomb’s beloved homeland, and on this episode he dives deep into the long-standing national image of Arkansas. It hasn’t always been great. Scholars say it was the most picked on state in America in the 20th century and to this day remains the most “hillbilly” state per the internet. But is that truth, or just the results of branding and strong stereotypes? Clay interviews Dr. Books Blevins, Dr. Jeanie Whayne, and Dr. Bob Cochran to get to the bottom of this image. It’s fascinating, entertaining, and in the end you may wish you were bare-footed and grinning ear-to-ear, living the highlife in Arkansas. Clay visits one of the nation’s premiere American art museums, Crystal Bridges, in Arkansas. He visits the Walmart museum to talk to Sam Walton’s hologram, and lastly, he’ll release a never before heard interview with Arkansas’s first son, Bill Clinton -- for real. All this will prove that there are really two Arkansas’s -- the stereotype and the real thing. We 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 MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Super pretentious. Not sure why this guy is part of meateatertv
i would love to buy the book poachers were my prey, with rt stewart's signature. would you be able to do that?
Bear Grease is the best digital media in the Meat eater line up by far
you have to have these guys back amazing podcast
great podcast! I enjoy the original render crew but this one was nice. especially enjoyed mr Andy's lesson that he shared about when you promised God something. that sounds like a great bunch of guys to hang around
stop apologizing for telling a good story
0 4
Bear Grease is a great show, you get deeper into some thinking mans subjects
This is in my top 5 podcasts.
I love this podcast and it is the sole reason I still connect with MeatEater
great podcast my only gripe is that the randomly placed background music is a bit overbearing and distracting at times.
love the podcast. great to listen to at work when I'm driving. very informative. made be by book about Daniel boone
awesome podcast
The only thing Clay got right about the story from Campfire stories was that there was a Game Warden and that there was a mud puddle. That was it! Love this Podcast!
Clay Newcomb is an excellent podcast host not.only are his podcasts educational and informative but also a joy to listen too.
This should be mandatory for all kids to listen to. Clay Newcom should be teaching American History to all! Great Listen and Great Podcast!
great podcast
Can anyone please tell me the name of the song in the background? The one with the banjo. Thanks in advance.
this was a great podcast can't wait till the next one comes out
Reminds me of the book series "Fox Fire" written in the 70s to document the old way of life in apalchia.