The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 731: Work, Workouts, and Worms | MeatEater Radio Live!

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: Giannis Patelis
Guests: Brody Henderson, Corey Calkins, Jared Van Hees, Ashley Morgan Olvera

1. Introduction and General Chitchat (00:00 – 11:43)

The episode kicks off with Giannis Patelis hosting alongside regular contributors Brody Henderson and Corey Calkins. Giannis shares his excitement and nerves about an upcoming 100-mile race in the Montana mountains scheduled to begin seven days and 19 hours after the recording.

Notable Quotes:

• Giannis Patelis (01:25): "I didn't really have any like costumes that I was gonna wear and didn't feel like that's gonna be comfortable running... so I thought, well, what could I do to be fun?"
• Brody Henderson (04:05): "You might want to explain taper to people who don't have any idea what you're talking about."

2. Race Preparation and Tapering (11:43 – 19:26)

Giannis delves into his training regimen for the 100-mile race, discussing the concept of tapering—reducing training intensity before the race to ensure peak performance. He shares insights from trail maintenance efforts and the importance of maintaining physical and mental readiness.

Notable Quotes:

• Giannis Patelis (04:09): "When you're training for a big race... you taper down."
• Brody Henderson (28:10): "I keep it simple, man. I run and I do push-ups and sit-ups... about 35 maybe 40 miles a week."

Giannis also introduces Jared Van Hees, a habitat manager from Michigan, who discusses his work in habitat management to improve deer populations and hunting grounds.

Notable Quotes:

• Giannis Patelis (12:09): "I wear it all the time."
• Jared Van Hees (15:06): "If you can mimic that area where they feel comfy, you can get there and have them, you know, hopefully present a shot within Daylight hours."

3. Interview with Jared Van Hees – Habitat Management (19:26 – 21:02)

Jared Van Hees shares his efforts in opening up forested areas to improve habitat for deer and other wildlife. He explains the process of clearing canopy to allow sunlight to reach the ground, promoting plant growth that attracts deer. Jared emphasizes the importance of maintaining cover to ensure deer feel secure, enhancing the hunting experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Jared Van Hees (15:06): "You can't see very far in here. Especially when I'm done with it, you don't want to be able to see more than, like, 20, 30 yards at a time."
• Giannis Patelis (16:34): "Brody, you just gonna leave those trees laying out there? You're gonna get rid of them or what?"

4. Hunting Fitness Segment – Sponsored by Mountain Ops (25:10 – 35:03)

The conversation shifts to the importance of physical fitness for hunting, debating whether being in shape is essential for a successful hunt. Brody and Corey share their fitness routines, emphasizing running, push-ups, sit-ups, and stretching to prepare for long hunting trips. They discuss the benefits of staying fit, such as increased endurance, better energy levels, and reduced risk of injury.

Notable Quotes:

• Brody Henderson (25:48): "No, no, I don't think it's cut and dry."
• Corey Calkins (32:04): "Mobility? Yeah, a lot of basic stretches. Hips, knees, back."

5. Listener Feedback and Questions (35:03 – 44:48)

Listeners submit questions addressing walleye fishing techniques, hunting point systems in states like Wyoming and Montana, and obstacles faced during hunts, such as wildlife interferences. Brody and Corey provide detailed responses, sharing personal experiences and strategies to enhance hunting and fishing practices.

Notable Quotes:

• Brody Henderson (35:22): "I am not an expert walleye angler... but weed lines in the summer are like our go-to spot."
• Giannis Patelis (37:07): "Brody, you gotta have some kind of plan because like, you can't just expect like oh, I'm gonna get points for five years and I'm gonna get some crazy awesome tag."

6. Interview with Ashley Morgan Olvera – Invasive Species (44:48 – 57:16)

Ashley Morgan Olvera from the Texas Invasive Species Institute discusses the impact of invasive species, focusing on the hammerhead worm and Asian jumping worm. She explains how these species disrupt local ecosystems by preying on native earthworms, leading to soil degradation and erosion. Ashley emphasizes the importance of public awareness and proactive measures to control the spread of invasive species.

Notable Quotes:

• Ashley Morgan Olvera (47:32): "It's a predator of earthworms, so that's why we call it invasive."
• Ashley Morgan Olvera (50:40): "They're susceptible to a ton of household products. So you can spray vinegar on them, pour salt on them."

7. Meat Eater Menu: Cooking Wild Game (60:01 – 79:56)

Giannis introduces the "Meat Eater Menu" segment where he and his co-hosts share recipes and cooking tips for wild game. Giannis demonstrates how to prepare tougher cuts of meat like shanks and necks by slow-cooking them to create tender, flavorful dishes suitable for tacos and sandwiches. Brody and Corey contribute by sharing their own recipes for turkey and bear tacos, highlighting the versatility and rich flavors of wild game when prepared correctly.

Notable Quotes:

• Giannis Patelis (60:58): "You wanna put into the grinder. No. Do you really want to be chewing on all that silver skin while you're eating your burger?"
• Brody Henderson (68:46): "Just awesome stuff."

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (79:56 – 81:49)

The episode wraps up with light-hearted conversations about personal anecdotes, upcoming events, and humorous exchanges about missing items and Easter eggs in their content. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content and tune in for future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Brody Henderson (81:36): "Adios."
• Giannis Patelis (81:49): "Thank you all for watching today."

Key Takeaways:

1. Race Preparation: Giannis emphasizes the importance of tapering and maintaining a balanced training regimen to prepare for long-distance races.
2. Habitat Management: Jared Van Hees highlights the significance of habitat management in improving deer populations and enhancing hunting grounds.
3. Hunting Fitness: Maintaining physical fitness is crucial for endurance and efficiency during extended hunting trips.
4. Invasive Species Awareness: Ashley Morgan Olvera educates listeners on the detrimental effects of invasive species like hammerhead and Asian jumping worms, advocating for proactive control measures.
5. Wild Game Cooking: Proper preparation and cooking techniques can transform tougher wild game cuts into delicious, tender dishes, enhancing the overall hunting and culinary experience.

Listeners Are Saying:

• Brody Henderson (01:25): "I didn't really have any like costumes that I was gonna wear... so I thought, well, what could I do to be fun?"
• Giannis Patelis (65:55): "Thanks, Mountain Ops, for sponsoring that segment. We appreciate it, Phil."

This episode of The MeatEater Podcast offers a blend of personal stories, expert interviews, practical advice on fitness and habitat management, and engaging discussions on environmental conservation. Whether you're an avid hunter, fitness enthusiast, or simply passionate about the outdoors, Episode 731 provides valuable insights and entertaining content tailored to enrich your understanding and appreciation of the natural world.