The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader

Retired Delta Force Sergeant Major Kyle Lamb returns to the Silvercore Podcast to talk about his new book, The Next Mission, co-authored with his wife Melynda. Kyle spent 21 years in the US Army, 15 of them in Delta Force, and fought in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.The day episode 124 finished recording, Kyle got a phone call telling him he had bladder cancer. He had just told Travis, on tape, that he was living as though he had six months left. What happened next changed how he and Melynda live.In this conversation:The phone call after the last podcast, and the lung finding that followed for his wifeWhy The Next Mission reads the Bible through a special operations lens, and why Bible scholars are not the audienceEhud the left-handed assassin, and how researching a bronze dagger led to Herodotus and tin from ancient BritainThe Apostle Paul chained to a Roman soldier, and the two words that would have stopped his beatingWhy Melynda's name is on the cover, and the five chapters she red-X'd out of Leadership in the ShadowsTwo poems read aloud that have never been published anywhereTwelve years without a drink, and the conversation in Hawaii that changed how he saw itWhy the Christian who did the most for his faith in two years is a Muslim friendWhat tribe actually means, and why it has nothing to do with skin, geography, or religionThe redactions left visible in the book, and the note inside the cover confirming no AI was usedThe Next Mission is 432 pages, published June 6, 2026. Signed and personalized copies are available direct from Viking Tactics. It is priced at $27.17, a reference to Proverbs 27:17, iron sharpens iron.Kyle Lamb and Viking TacticsSigned copies: https://www.vikingtactics.com/shop/the-next-mission/Stay in the Fight Foundation: https://www.vikingtactics.com/stay-in-the-fight-foundation/Team VTAC Podcast: https://kylelamb.libsyn.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikingtactics _____Silvercore Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/clubOnline Training - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/canadian-firearms-safety-course-onlineOther Training & Services - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/categoryMerchandise - https://www.silvercore.ca/collections/all-merchandiseBlog Page - https://www.silvercore.ca/blogHost Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.travSilvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors____00:00 The best conversations happen off the record01:41 Welcome back, Kyle Lamb02:19 The year-end question, and what happened that same day03:40 "Mr. Lamb, you've got bladder cancer"04:50 Then it was his wife06:20 What he said to God in the truck11:20 Time is the gift13:30 Nims Purja and purpose after achievement16:20 What's the mission today?23:00 How the book started: Ehud and the bronze dagger26:10 The Apostle Paul, chained to a Roman soldier30:15 Battlefield reflections and the audiobook31:15 Why Melynda's name is on the cover33:50 Speaking, elk season, and his grandson's first hunt36:10 The attention span of a squirrel39:40 The Kyle pile45:40 The guns he'd never get rid of50:20 Commander's intent: reach the unreachable51:30 Don't wear your faith as a badge55:20 The Muslim friend who sent him a Bible verse1:04:20 What tribe actually means1:08:30 How his prayers changed1:11:50 Twelve years without a drink1:14:30 What an answer to prayer looks like1:21:00 The farther from the flagpole1:26:20 "If I shoot guns, I get paid"1:29:20 The path of Musashi1:34:40 Two poems, never released anywhere1:46:10 What the public doesn't see1:47:20 The five chapters his wife red-X'd1:50:50 Putting the light on evil1:51:50 Meek is not weak1:56:40 Cutting twenty percent2:00:40 Why he writes at a sixth grade level2:15:20 Do you feel guilt?2:22:20 The motorcycle in the classroom2:26:30 Where to get the book, and why it costs $27.172:28:20 The redactions and the unit approval

Florian Wagner has lived a life that most people only dream about. A helicopter pilot, paragliding instructor, and celebrated adventure photographer, his work has appeared in National Geographic, Playboy, and Leica campaigns. From crossing Australia on a motorcycle to photographing Spirit Bears in Canada and flying through the Okavango Delta, Florian’s journey captures what it means to live close to nature.In this conversation, we explore how he turned risk into art, why he believes adventure is the truest teacher, and how hunting reshaped his connection with the land. Florian shares his experiences photographing for Leica, collaborating with Hornady and Savage Arms, and how self-hypnosis and mindfulness helped him rebuild after personal and physical setbacks.This episode is a window into the mind of a man who’s seen the world from above, from horseback, and through the lens of purpose.Learn more about Florian Wagner:🌍 wagnerphoto.de💧 worldwidewaters360.com🎧 Brought to you by the Silvercore PodcastHosted by Travis Bader - outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and storyteller.Silvercore Club members receive exclusive discounts, training, and access to The Outpost private podcast.🛠️ This episode is made possible in part by Armament Technology — providing world-class optics from Tangent Theta, SAI, and Tenebraex.Silvercore Club members save 10% on Tangent Theta, 15% on SAI, and 20% on Tenebraex.______Silvercore Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club Online Training - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Other Training & Services - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Merchandise - https://www.silvercore.ca/collections/all-merchandise Blog Page - https://www.silvercore.ca/blog Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.travSilvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors____Timestamps00:00 – Intro: From the Alps to AfricaMeet Florian Wagner, helicopter pilot, paragliding instructor, and adventure photographer for National Geographic, Playboy, and Leica.01:28 – Escaping the Boarding School WallsFlorian shares how a restrictive childhood sparked his obsession with freedom and flight.02:40 – Self-Taught Paragliding and the Camera That Started It AllHow a forgotten camera and a hunger for the sky began a lifelong creative journey.04:59 – From Playboy to Pilot: Adventures Behind the LensFlorian’s unlikely path from photographer to helicopter pilot and adventure storyteller.06:29 – Wine Tasting by Helicopter — the Playboy Assignment That Changed EverythingHow one bold pitch turned into a dream project.07:56 – Freedom and Risk ManagementFlorian reflects on what boarding school taught him about independence and why adventure is his true classroom.08:10 – Riding Through Africa: Healing Through SafariA moving story of loss, recovery, and rediscovering purpose on horseback in Kenya.09:56 – The Power of Self-HypnosisHow Florian used autosuggestion to overcome adversity, rebuild confidence, and enhance creativity.13:40 – Elk Hunts and Broken Ribs: Stories From the OutbackFlorian recalls his Australian motorcycle crash and what it taught him about limits.16:29 – When the Supermarket ClosesA profound reflection on self-reliance and what it truly means to live close to nature.19:32 – Learning to Hunt: From Photographer to ProviderHow Florian went from capturing wildlife to understanding his place in the natural cycle.22:01 – Hunting as Connection, Not CompetitionWhy he never carries both a camera and rifle, and what that choice means.23:22 – Bridging Old Traditions and Modern HuntingFlorian contrasts European elitism with the hands-on North American model.24:46 – Using Every Part: The Ethics of Sustainable HuntingFrom chamois leather lederhosen to Defender seats — nothing goes to waste.26:16 – Emotional Storytelling and Authentic FailureThe Norwegian hunt that didn’t go as planned — and why that honesty matters.31:04 – Showing the Struggle: Why Failure Connects UsTravis and Florian discuss how real stories can shift perceptions around hunting and the outdoors.33:36 – Respect for Life: Trophy Hunting and ConservationA deeper conversation about ethics, balance, and how hunting can protect wildlife.36:22 – Inside Africa’s Complex RealityFrom elephants to poachers — why Florian believes perspective matters more than judgment.42:54 – Rhino Poaching and the True Cost of DemandFlorian shares what he saw firsthand in Kruger National Park and how misinformation fuels destruction.46:39 – Tourism, Trophy Hunting, and Balance in AfricaHow ethical hunting can support communities and restore ecosystems.47:05 – Horseback Safaris and Staying Alive Among LionsWhy riding through Africa is as humbling as it is exhilarating.52:30 – How to Prepare for a Horseback SafariWhat kind of training you actually need — and why honesty with your skill level matters.56:21 – The Waters Project: Capturing the World’s LifebloodFlorian’s global mission to document water through aerial photography and storytelling.59:54 – The Hidden Stories of WaterFrom sinking Venice to vanishing glaciers — how water connects us all.1:01:47 – Precision, Focus, and the Art of Helicopter PhotographyWhy preparation and discipline keep him alive and creative in the sky.1:02:40 – Inside the Explorers ClubThe legendary organization behind the first North and South Pole, and first Moon expeditions.1:04:49 – City Overload: Finding Calm Through NatureFlorian and Travis discuss overstimulation, mindfulness, and why cities can drain the soul.1:08:58 – Sharp Senses, Wild MindsFlorian’s take on ADHD, awareness, and why he sees sensitivity as a survival advantage.1:11:53 – Disconnected from NatureThe story of students who couldn’t walk in a forest — and what that says about modern life.1:13:23 – The Call of the WildWhy Africa’s rawness keeps pulling Florian back, and how adventure makes us feel alive.1:13:45 – Evolving AdventuresHow his career is shifting toward guiding and storytelling, keeping curiosity alive.1:16:23 – Stay in MotionFlorian’s philosophy for life and creative longevity — never stop learning, never sto...

When Rick Matney walked away from a medical career to build Chrome Chasers with his wife Dori, he wasn’t chasing money, he was chasing meaning.From guiding in the Alaskan wilderness to cooking world-class meals from what he catches and forages, Rick lives a life that blends science, survival, and soul. In this episode, Travis Bader travels to Wrangell, Alaska to discover what makes this place—and this guide—so special.They dive into:Rick’s drastic right turn from med-school valedictorian to bush guideWhat it takes to thrive in the Alaskan backcountryLessons from years of hunting, trapping, and foragingWorking with MeatEater and building a business rooted in conservationHow food becomes the bridge that connects people to nature👉 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the outdoors, mindset, and mastery.🎧 Listen to The Outpost—Silvercore Club’s private members-only podcast—for deeper, personal stories and tips.🎯 Silvercore Club members get discounts on top optics through Armament Technology and more: https://silvercore.caFollow Rick and Dori at Chrome Chasers Lodge:https://www.instagram.com/chromechaserslodgehttps://www.chromechasers.com/https://www.instagram.com/wildgamechefhttps://www.wildgamechef.com______Silvercore Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club Online Training - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Other Training & Services - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Merchandise - https://www.silvercore.ca/collections/all-merchandise Blog Page - https://www.silvercore.ca/blog Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.travSilvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors____⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Intro & Armament Technology sponsor01:00 – Welcome to Alaska and Chrome Chasers03:00 – The reality of Wrangell and life in a temperate rainforest07:15 – From valedictorian to fishing guide: the moment everything changed10:45 – Trading med school for a life of wild purpose13:00 – Generations of hunters, trappers & foragers16:30 – Cooking as a survival skill turned artform19:55 – From field to fine dining and global recognition21:00 – Guiding style and the pursuit of perfection23:15 – Working with MeatEater and sharing the love of food26:00 – Guiding is psychology: reading people in the wild28:50 – Failure as a teacher and the importance of letting clients learn33:40 – The perfect guest and embracing discomfort36:00 – Bears, storms & real Alaskan wildlife40:20 – Growing up skiing, racing, and learning risk42:25 – Reloading, precision rifles & finding calm in focus45:30 – Why he guides today and what he’s truly chasing48:20 – Favorite fish to catch and client stories55:00 – The future of Chrome Chasers and ethical harvest1:01:00 – Final thoughts & closing

He grew up in the wide-open country of eastern Montana, chasing elk bugles and learning the outdoors with his dad. Today, Dylan Dowson has spent over a decade with OnX Hunt, shaping how hunters connect with the land through technology and storytelling.In this episode, we dive into Dylan’s journey from small-town Montana to the forefront of digital mapping, the secrets behind OnX’s explosive growth, and the tension between tradition and tech in hunting. Dylan also shares unforgettable hunting stories, from calling in elk to the legendary “Scuba Moose” adventure in British Columbia.Whether you’re an old-school map-and-compass hunter or a tech-savvy explorer, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and stories that remind us why we hunt.📌 Topics include:Growing up hunting in MontanaHow OnX became an essential hunting toolElk hunting strategies during the rutBalancing technology with traditionFamily hunting and raising kids with a connection to foodThe unbelievable “Scuba Moose” recovery story🎯 Don’t forget: Silvercore Club members get access to exclusive tips from Dylan and other industry leaders. Learn more at silvercore.ca.https://www.instagram.com/dylan.hunter.dowsonhttps://www.instagram.com/onxhunt/https://www.onxmaps.com/______Silvercore Club - https://www.silvercore.ca/club Online Training - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Other Training & Services - https://www.silvercore.ca/course/category Merchandise - https://www.silvercore.ca/collections/all-merchandise Blog Page - https://www.silvercore.ca/blog Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.travSilvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors____Timestamps:00:00 Intro – Montana roots and OnX beginnings06:00 OnX growth, marketing, and storytelling12:00 Rangefinders, tech, and the ethics of hunting technology17:30 Elk hunting strategies and advice27:00 Calling elk vs. spot-and-stalk tactics37:00 Family hunting and raising kids with food awareness44:00 Axis deer in Hawaii & the “Scuba Moose” story1:04:00 Final thoughts and advice