Anchored with April Vokey

Jon Gluck is a celebrated writer, editor, and advocate whose two-decade journey with multiple myeloma forms the deeply personal backbone of his memoir, An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope. Jon spent ten years as Deputy Editor at New York magazine, later serving as Managing Editor of Vogue, and in 2025 he became a Senior Editor for Fast Company. Jon’s story is one of perseverance, perspective, and purpose—both as an accomplished editor in the cultural world and as an individual reconciling creativity, caregiving, and chronic illness. In this episode of Anchored, he shares his story… one I’m hoping many of you will find inspiring. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by Bear Mattress. If you’ve been meaning to upgrade your mattress, now’s the time. Go to bearmattress.com and use promo code ANCHORED at checkout to get 40% off sitewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob White is a celebrated artist and former fishing guide known for his evocative fly fishing and wingshooting artwork. With a background in guiding across Alaska and South America, his paintings capture the quiet moments and emotional essence of the sporting life. A longtime illustrator for writers like John Gierach, Bob’s work has appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Fly Rod & Reel, and more. In this episode of Anchored, Bob shares his humble beginnings, and much, much more. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by Bear Mattress. If you’ve been meaning to upgrade your mattress, now’s the time. Go to bearmattress.com and use promo code ANCHORED at checkout to get 40% off sitewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Weiner is a passionate fly angler and the author of Down By the River, an award-winning children’s book that celebrates the joys of fly fishing and family. With a deep-rooted commitment to the power of storytelling and healing, Andy draws inspiration from his late father, Jack B. Weiner—a prolific writer and recovered alcoholic whose influential works include the seminal A Day at a Time and the novel The Morning After. Andy’s dedication to recovery and the outdoors shapes both his writing and his life. He lives in Sonoma, California, where he continues to fish, write, and advocate for meaningful connection through words and water. In this episode of Anchored, we dive into his story—the one beyond the pages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eduardo Esquenazi is the founder of Terns, a company dedicated to merging outdoor adventure with sustainable innovation. A lifelong angler and waterman, his deep passion for fishing drives his mission to create eco-conscious solutions that protect the waters he loves. In this episode of Anchored, we dive into biology and explore a topic often overlooked—the importance of self-care for anglers in the outdoors. As it turns out, the solution may have been right under our rod tip all along… This episode of Anchored is brought to you by BetterHelp. On Anchored, we dive deep into conversations about the outdoors, personal growth, and the challenges that come with both. One topic that comes up time and time again is mental health—because let’s be honest, life can be tough, and the stresses of work, relationships, and even the activities we love can take a toll. Whether it’s managing anxiety, dealing with burnout, or simply striving for a better sense of balance, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis—it’s a powerful tool for building resilience, setting boundaries, and developing positive coping strategies. Traditional in-person therapy can cost up to $250 per session, but with BetterHelp, you can save up to 50% while getting professional support from the world’s largest online therapy platform. With over 30,000 therapists and the flexibility to switch providers anytime, BetterHelp makes therapy more accessible and convenient. Your well-being is worth investing in. Visit BetterHelp.com/ANCHORED today to get 10% off your first month. That’s Better H-E-L-P dot com slash ANCHORED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allen Rupp is a seasoned fly tier with over 35 years of experience, renowned for his precision and dedication to the craft. As the founder of Fly On The Water, he offers high-quality, hand-tied flies and imparts his knowledge through instructional classes. Significantly, Allen was mentored by the legendary Dave Whitlock, who personally taught him to tie patterns like the NearNuff Crayfish and Sculpin. This mentorship has deeply influenced Allen's approach, allowing him to continue Whitlock's legacy by teaching these patterns to new generations of anglers. In this episode of Anchored, Allen shares the story. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by BetterHelp. On Anchored, we dive deep into conversations about the outdoors, personal growth, and the challenges that come with both. One topic that comes up time and time again is mental health—because let’s be honest, life can be tough, and the stresses of work, relationships, and even the activities we love can take a toll. Whether it’s managing anxiety, dealing with burnout, or simply striving for a better sense of balance, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis—it’s a powerful tool for building resilience, setting boundaries, and developing positive coping strategies. Traditional in-person therapy can cost up to $250 per session, but with BetterHelp, you can save up to 50% while getting professional support from the world’s largest online therapy platform. With over 30,000 therapists and the flexibility to switch providers anytime, BetterHelp makes therapy more accessible and convenient. Your well-being is worth investing in. Visit BetterHelp.com/ANCHORED today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Purnell is the Editor of Fly Fisherman magazine, a position he has held since 2009. His journey into fly fishing began at age 16 when his mother gifted him a subscription to the magazine, inspiring a passion that would shape his career. In 1996, he joined Fly Fisherman under the mentorship of then-Editor John Randolph. Beyond his editorial role, Ross is an avid fly angler who has traveled the world with a fly rod in hand. He resides in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and continues to contribute significantly to the fly fishing community. In this episode of Anchored, we discuss how he followed his passion right into his dream career, and we get the inside scoop behind the magazine. If you listen to this show, you know I’m here to discuss the culture, community, and craft of fly fishing. I’m not all that interested in talking about clothes. What you do on the water matters a whole lot more than what you wear. That said, I have been wearing a lot of Skwala apparel recently, and I’m thrilled to be working with them. I’ve worn just about everything out there, and Skwala makes the most thoughtful, innovative, and effective fly fishing gear I’ve ever experienced. Check them out at skwalafishing.com and use code “Anchored10” to take 10% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices