Unfiltered Outdoors by Hunters Of Color

What does it look like when the outdoors saves your life — and then you spend the rest of it making sure it saves others? In this episode, we sit down with Chad Brown, founder of Soul River Inc. and Love Is King, award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Navy combat veteran, and one of the most powerful voices in the outdoor and conservation space today. Chad is the only Black person to hold a backcountry guide permit for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has led over 30 expeditions into the Arctic Circle — many of them with veterans and youth of color who had never set foot in wild spaces before. But before all of that, Chad was homeless, living out of his truck, and standing on the banks of the Clackamas River in crisis. His path from that moment to testifying before Congress on public lands protection is one of the most raw, honest, and inspiring stories we've had on this podcast. We also kick things off with a quick debrief from Kenny's recent trip to the Texas border — successful hunts, wild footage, some tense conversations about what it means to eat meat and be in the outdoors, and yes, a late-night animal processing session in a Bucky's parking lot. This episode covers it all: fly fishing as therapy, outdoor art, Arctic expeditions, advocacy, and what it really means to build something for the people who were never invited to the table. If you've ever doubted whether nature has the power to change a life — this episode will settle that question.

Welcome to Unfiltered Outdoors by Hunters of Color—the show for anyone who loves the outdoors but is tired of the stereotypes, the side-eyes, and the "you don't look like a hunter" energy. In Episode 1, co-hosts Tony Ary (Development Director) and Kenny X Hamlett (Head of Marketing) set the tone: no fake politeness, no gatekeeping, and no filtering. They break down what Hunters of Color actually is (and isn't), why the work matters for everyone in the outdoor space, and how community-centered mentorship helps with recruitment, retention, and ethical participation. You'll hear wild stories (yes… a deer in the back of a Kia Optima), honest conversations about fear and assumptions in the woods, and why the outdoors can be a powerful tool for mental health. Plus, they introduce upcoming segments like "What's in the Bag" and tease future guests—from chefs to anglers to brand builders. If you've ever felt like the outdoors wasn't built with you in mind—this is your spot. Subscribe, pull up, and let's get into it.