Ep 1341 | The Robertson Brothers Reunite to Honor Phil One Year after His Passing

Summary

Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1341 | The Robertson Brothers Reunite to Honor Phil One Year after His Passing

Date: May 26, 2026
Theme: The Robertson brothers—Willie, Jase, Jep, Jeff—reunite for the first time in years to reflect on their father Phil’s life one year after his passing. They share memories, discuss family legacy, honor their mother, and reminisce about faith, family, and the roots of Duck Commander.

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Episode Overview

On the first anniversary of Phil Robertson's passing, all four Robertson brothers come together for a heartfelt, often humorous, and always unfiltered conversation honoring their dad's legacy. The episode celebrates Phil’s influence not just as a father and spiritual leader, but as a man who instilled values of hard work, grace, generosity, and faith. The brothers also delve into memories of small-town life, family business, favorite mom stories, and how Phil’s example still shapes them today.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family Reunion & Brotherly Banter

• The episode opens with laughter as the brothers joke about proximity ("we all live on the same street") and rarely seeing each other.
• Golf stories abound, with playful ribbing about who’s got the best swing, score, and willingness to rematch.
  • "Golf is a game of number, like, you usually know, like." – Jep (04:54)
  • Memorable golf story of Willie’s swing being analyzed (and secretly admired) on TV.

2. Family Businesses & Media

• Updates on each brother’s latest projects, including "Jep and Jess Beyond the Bayou."
  • Jeff: "It's great American media and they're very, you know, Christian bunch and, and... Our show is very, you know, we talk about God a lot, we pray a lot." (13:05)
• Story behind naming "Duck Dynasty," with brothers joking how much they disliked the name at first. (08:15)
• Willie recounts the moment of discovering the beauty of Texas for the family’s new venture.

3. Legacy, Grandkids, and Multiplication

• The conversation shifts to family multiplication, grandkids tally (Jep leads with 11!), and the joy of family expansion.
• Reflections on the second season of the family’s TV shows and legacy:
  • Jason: “I really, really enjoyed and was touched. I mean, to tears with the opener, which was about Dad.” (14:25)

4. Grocery Store Escapades & Upbringing

• Hilarious stories about being recognized (or mistaken) in the grocery store, random fan encounters, and advice on cabbage and ginger for digestion.
  • Woman advice: "If you buy the cabbage, sprinkle it with some ginger and it'll help with the gas." – Unknown grocery stranger (17:36)
• All brothers admit a love for grocery shopping, stemming from childhood experiences of food scarcity and a love of cooking.
  • Jep: “I just like to cook… I gotta look at the meat. I gotta look at what you know.” (27:15)
  • Jason: “I think it’s because we never… grew up without a lot of food.” (22:33)
• Philosophical tie-in: food and mealtime as vital to sharing Jesus and disarming guests.

5. Pine Crest & Roots

• Reminiscing about their rural school, Pine Crest, and being "Mr. Pine Crest."
• Early hustler stories, like Willie’s concession stand candy business, getting his first taste for entrepreneurialism and Kay (mom) taking a cut.
  • Jep: "Kate was taking her cut, too. Everybody was getting rich off this thing." (32:27)

6. Honoring Mom: Miss Kay

• Each brother reflects on qualities of their mother—her optimism, generosity, confidence-bestowing, and fierce love regardless of the boys’ rowdy ways.
  • Jason: “She has always been so optimistic by nature… that’s been pretty consistent, you know, for most of my life.” (37:11)
  • Jeff: “I learned later it was widows and like foster care families. They were teaching me that verse… pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans… I was taught this from a very early age.” (38:41)
  • Jep: “I think y’all could perhaps do a lot of the things that we wanted to do… and I just always felt like it was such hope and… confidence into us.” (40:54)
  • Willie: “She had a gift, I think, from God to value all people, which later on in life… I got to see that lived out before I even discovered that’s a major point in the Bible.” (43:22)

7. Reflecting on Phil Robertson’s Legacy

• The heart of the episode: sharing Phil’s most impactful qualities as a Christian, father, and community leader.
  • Jep: “He was so steady. Like, you never… he would be… moody. That sucker was pretty. He was so steady.” (44:31)
  • Jason: “He was full of grace. And even though he was straightforward… he had that grace for other people. And Kellett said this recently… Phil was always the first one to extend grace as an elder at our church.” (45:08)
  • Willie: “He was so thankful that he had been resurrected. Got his family back. And all these little statements that he would make echoed that.” (48:22)
  • Willie connects Phil’s approach to duck calls and faith, making everything an illustration of new creation and calling men to Christ. (49:31-51:54)
  • Jeff: “Just being especially in the outdoors, it’s like a spiritual, like, he always saw that as a spiritual thing.” (52:00)
  • All agree on Phil’s lifelong willingness to have faith-based conversations with anyone, his lack of cynicism, and consistent positivity even through hardship.

Memorable Quotes about Phil

• Jason: “When it comes to the Bible, he’s going to tell you straight… but when people faltered, he was always there.” (45:08)
• Willie: “He just remembered himself… there’s no way I can be forgiven for all this. And yet he was.” (48:22)
• Jep: “Phil… was not good [at golf]… He played the front nine right handed, the back nine left handed, and hit it equally the same…” (55:01)

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Notable, Timed Quotes & Moments

• [13:05] Jeff: “It’s great American media and they’re very, you know, Christian bunch and... our show is very, you know, we talk about God a lot, we pray a lot. Like, like it’s very. Which is very refreshing just to be able to be out there, have our faith out front like we normally do anyway.”
• [16:47] Random fan quote (via Willie): “Crawfish have ding dongs and vaginas.”
• [17:36] Grocery Woman (via Willie): “If you buy the cabbage, sprinkle it with some ginger and it’ll help with the gas.”
• [22:31] Jason: “I think it’s because we never… grew up without a lot of food.”
• [31:56] Jep: “But the genesis was the dude that came down that gave us the box of... Hubba Bubba... I’m gonna sell this stuff.”
• [37:11] Jason (on Kay): “She has always been so optimistic by nature… that’s been pretty consistent, you know, for most of my life.”
• [38:41] Jeff: “They were teaching me that verse… pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans…”
• [44:31] Jep (on Phil): “Do you ever remember... someone said, 'Phil’s in a bad mood?'... He was so steady.”
• [45:08] Jason (on Phil’s grace): “He was full of grace. And even though he was straightforward… he had that grace for other people.”
• [49:31] Willie (on Phil’s legacy): “He just remembered himself… as strong and tough as he was... he was so thankful that he had been resurrected. Got his family back...”
• [54:47] Jep: “I think I’m the only guy that ever played golf with Phil... played the front nine right handed, the back nine left handed, and hit it equally the same…”

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Tone & Style

• Conversational and warm, with trademark Robertson wit, some sibling teasing, and Southern storytelling
• Honest, vulnerable, and faith-focused: The brothers candidly discuss their grief and gratitude a year after Phil’s death, their mother’s emotional struggles, and finding spiritual meaning in everyday life
• Nostalgic: Many stories return to childhood, old family businesses, rural schools, small-town experiences, and Phil’s quirks

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Conclusion

This special episode honors Phil Robertson’s memory by letting the four brothers reflect, reminisce, and testify to his enduring legacy in faith, family, and the larger community. Through laughter, a few tears, and countless stories, the Robertsons reaffirm their commitment to living unashamed for Christ, cherishing their roots and carrying Phil’s spirit with them.

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Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:00: Brothers reunite, discuss golf and catching up
• 07:48: Jeff shares about new show and life in Texas
• 13:05: The value of a Christian-fronted TV show
• 14:25: Reflections on honoring Phil on TV and in life
• 16:47: Fan interactions and classic Phil quotes
• 22:31: Food scarcity, grocery shopping, family meals
• 31:56: Early business hustles and Pine Crest School
• 37:11: Brothers honor and reflect on their mother
• 44:31: A year since Phil’s passing: his steadiness and grace
• 51:24: Duck call philosophy, spiritual parallels
• 54:47: Jep’s golf story with Phil
• 56:01: Closing tributes to Phil’s legacy

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A celebration of faith, family, and the unique legacy of Phil Robertson—told in the unvarnished, big-hearted style only the Robertsons could deliver.

Transcript

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[Jep Robertson]

So good. So good.

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[Willie Robertson]

I am unashamed. What about you?

[Jason Robertson]

Welcome back to Unashamed. We got the band back together.

[Willie Robertson]

Is this like a special edition?

[Jason Robertson]

Well, it is. It's a. We are.

[Sponsor Representative]

We are.

[Jason Robertson]

We decided, Maddie decided that we needed to honor the one year anniversary of our dad crossing over to the resurrection by just having a discussion about him and about whatever else is going on in Yalls life. So it's the four brothers back on set for the first time in a few years. So we've had both y' all on. Welcome, Willie. Welcome. Jeff.

[Jep Robertson]

Good to be back.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah, good to be here. Josh told us that the last time you guys were on, which we told Phyllis's story, was the highest rated unashamed podcast ever. So we have you to thank for huge success.

[Jep Robertson]

That's why I know y' all are good business people. Because when y' all hit the top mark.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

Wait a couple years before you do five years, run it back. Yeah, let's run it back and do that again. Will that work? Most people be like, hey, we're. Let's do that again. They're like, nope, no, no, we're going

[Jason Robertson]

to wait a few years.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, it just hit me that we all live in close proximity and this first time I've seen you in months.

[Jep Robertson]

We all live on the same street.

[Jeff Robertson]

I just played golf with you like last week.

[Willie Robertson]

Did we?

[Jason Robertson]

Two weeks ago.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah. So tell us how you were playing golf.

[Jeff Robertson]

I beat him. I think he knew.

[Jason Robertson]

Oh, I haven't heard.

[Willie Robertson]

I didn't even know we were keeping.

[Jason Robertson]

Boy, somehow. Somehow this didn't make the podcast. Every time he plays. Well, trust me, we hear about it on speaking.

[Jep Robertson]

So One of my golfing buddies that I play with on where I play said that he. And he said, first time at Jace, they played the front nine and they had a bet. And so the guy at the turn asked Jace, he said, you want to raise that bet? Jay said, nah. And which everybody always says yes. And so the guy goes over to this other guy and says, I hope I didn't offend Jace. I said, do you want to raise it? And he said. The guy looked at him, said, let me tell you something, buddy. Jace doesn't even know you're here. He's not even aware that you're playing. And I thought that was so funny. So true.

[Jason Robertson]

Jason's the guy that would. If you're riding with Jace, he. He hits his drive and you hit yours. You know, you hit a squirrel over here on the right and you're going to your ball. Cuz it's the first one there. Jason let right down here. Let me see what kind of lag that.

[Jep Robertson]

He's right in the middle of the fairway. Yeah. 120 yards. Let me check my life. Shoots it with his. Jay, my ball 75 yards back there on the right. Can we go hit it first?

[Jason Robertson]

Let. I got to take a look at my life here.

[Jep Robertson]

That's why I had to learn to hit the ball so far. Because that way I know he was going to stop at his ball first, but it would be before mine. No, that's not true, Dave.

[Willie Robertson]

Probably.

[Jep Robertson]

And I want to. I want to. I want you to answer talking golf for a second. So last time me and you played. I know I beat you and you remember it and I've invited you to play probably 15 times since. And you always say no. Are you. Do you not want to play because I beat you? Or it's just your schedule or, you

[Willie Robertson]

know, my game is just not ready.

[Jep Robertson]

Okay.

[Willie Robertson]

I didn't play for a few months and usually I'll just come back. It takes, you know, a few rounds and I'm back to where I was.

[Jep Robertson]

But you played really good that day. I mean, you shot 76.

[Willie Robertson]

Did I? Yeah, that's.

[Jason Robertson]

And still lobby.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, yeah. You played pretty good. I thought. I see what you've been doing. That's why I hadn't seen you.

[Jason Robertson]

Willie's been playing a lot.

[Willie Robertson]

You shoot 76 and lose. I'm like, I'm. I might need to work on this.

[Jep Robertson]

I'm a new group. Get Jeff out there. Although you say you beat him.

[Jeff Robertson]

I mean, I think so.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

I don't know that story. That story's bloody. But how is he.

[Jep Robertson]

Golf is a game of number, like, you usually know, like.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, because it was.

[Jeff Robertson]

I wasn't keeping his score. I was just keeping me a. River who. River's gotten a lot better.

[Willie Robertson]

He can.

[Jeff Robertson]

He can play now.

[Willie Robertson]

I mean, it was me, Jeff and his son. It was just a. Let's go. Hit the ball.

[Jep Robertson]

Working on his game.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, he was working on his. That's right.

[Jason Robertson]

Which I was, too.

[Jep Robertson]

It wasn't official, like.

[Jeff Robertson]

No, it wasn't official, but I just was hitting the ball pretty well.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, he was. He was.

[Jason Robertson]

I wish that said, Jeff had the. The. Out of the four of us, he definitely had the prettiest swing. It does not always.

[Jeff Robertson]

Doesn't equate to scoring.

[Jason Robertson]

A lot of times it was pretty.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jason Robertson]

Willie had powerful swing. Jay says the ugly swing, but always got the most out of it.

[Jep Robertson]

I don't know how he does it.

[Jason Robertson]

I mean, it's in pres.

[Jep Robertson]

Against physics.

[Jason Robertson]

Physics.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, we went to Will, and I got invited to one of these Pro Am things, and. Which I usually did well at them because the expectations are so low. You're playing with pros, so they're like, oh, this guy is gonna be terrible. So even though compared to pros, we look terrible, everybody's expectations are these.

[Jason Robertson]

Can you even hit the ball right?

[Willie Robertson]

And so I thought, hey, I'm going to act like I don't know what I'm doing. Then you hit it. And they're all like, wow, pretty good. I mean, because their expectations are low, but they got to, like, the next to the last hole. And cbs, they were all getting ready for the telecast because this is going to be a real deal. So they film these things early in the week and put it on their show. So I did. I think it was Bob Costas.

[Jason Robertson]

No, it was Peter Costas.

[Willie Robertson]

Peter Costas, Bob.

[Jep Robertson]

Peter Costas.

[Willie Robertson]

Somebody on tv. I didn't even know they were doing this, but they analyzed my swing in slow motion. Slow motion. Look, I hit the tee shot. It was that little par 3, 6ft. So the result of the shot was

[Jason Robertson]

fantastic, which is what I said, which

[Willie Robertson]

I was thinking, oh, they filmed that. They're doing a story about that. You know how that works?

[Jason Robertson]

You're always excited.

[Willie Robertson]

And I thought, that's the best I got. So he breaks down my swing on the telecast, and he's like. They were just ripping it. Every possible thing that you can do wrong.

[Jep Robertson]

They were like, ooh.

[Willie Robertson]

So he gets to the end. He gets to the end. He's like, but he did hit it six feet. So my analysis of that is he has one of the greatest skills with hand eye coordination. Because nothing made sense in the swing.

[Jason Robertson]

You just all. He brings it all back together at the bottom.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. So it was a. It was a. He was ripping it. But thinking as long as you can just have world class hand eye coordination, you can pull it off. So pretty much it's pretty embarrassing.

[Jason Robertson]

So catch us up on what all y' all got because you got a show. Can you talk about your show?

[Jeff Robertson]

Yeah, yeah. Jip and Jess beyond the Bayou.

[Jason Robertson]

Don't.

[Jeff Robertson]

Don't love the name. It's okay. You kind of get a sense of, I guess, what we're doing. But.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, that's not the way to promote your show. I don't really like the name.

[Jep Robertson]

Not the best name in the world.

[Jeff Robertson]

I don't know.

[Jason Robertson]

I just had.

[Jeff Robertson]

I thought creative, more creative names.

[Jason Robertson]

But it reminded me of what Willie wanted to call the original Duck show, which was big time value. Wasn't that what you see?

[Jep Robertson]

I like that.

[Jason Robertson]

Big time value.

[Jep Robertson]

But that was one of the one I hated the worst was Duck Dynasty. Oh, man, I hated that. I went to B.

[Jason Robertson]

My joke now is I was like. When I first heard we were calling the show Duck Dynasty, I didn't even really know what it.

[Jep Robertson]

Man, what is that? Dynasty?

[Jeff Robertson]

Well, maybe ours will be good then.

[Jason Robertson]

That's right.

[Jeff Robertson]

I don't like it.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah, but you're like in Texas.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jeff Robertson]

So we got the. A little ranch over there in Texas kind of this place we got. We. This guy, my business partner, we. He buys bigger ranches and then make some little ranchettes out of it. It's. It's really cool.

[Jason Robertson]

Just kind of y' all living life and doing stuff there.

[Jeff Robertson]

Yeah, we're.

[Jason Robertson]

And it's kind of.

[Jeff Robertson]

We have some. We're building some destination, like short term rentals where you can come stay.

[Jason Robertson]

It's a big thing.

[Jeff Robertson]

They look cool. Like, I don't want to give that part away, but like they're very unique. Like as a kid you would come there and be like, this place is.

[Jason Robertson]

Well, they're right up here off a well road. I ventured back in there in the industrial part the other day. Got. I guess I was lost. But they built a whole thing over here. But like similar to what you described as those.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, this is al. We. I know the birth of this idea because we stumbled when we did the Duck family treasure show.

[Jeff Robertson]

That's right.

[Willie Robertson]

We went all over the country trying to find treasure and got invited to all these places, but this place where he's at, I was shocked when I saw the beauty, and I was. It was. I would guess you would call it West Texas, but more central. But I mean, it felt like we were in West Texas, and all of a sudden we just find, like, an oasis in the promised land. And it was stunningly gorgeous. There was a lot of reasons for that. But that. That's kind of where that birth.

[Jeff Robertson]

It's like the start of the hill country is what they say.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah. Okay.

[Jeff Robertson]

Yeah, it's real pretty. Pretty views.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

Y water's crystal clear, and it's. It's. It's awesome.

[Jep Robertson]

Maybe I should call it Jep and the Ranchettes.

[Jeff Robertson]

I kind of like that.

[Jason Robertson]

I think that's cool.

[Jep Robertson]

Jeff and the ranch be a good show opener.

[Jason Robertson]

You can do with that.

[Jep Robertson]

You got to do a little.

[Jason Robertson]

You could have their back behind you doing all.

[Jeff Robertson]

I got a bunch of them.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, there's just some places you run up on and you're like, there is a God. That's right. Just the creation always makes me think of that. I don't know why this popped in my head, that Ronald Reagan joke when he was telling a story about a guy who was trying to convince an atheist that there was a God. He was kind of doing what we're doing, thinking the most beautiful places in the world, and didn't lay a glove on him. And so he did what you wouldn't think he would do. He invited him for supper because you would think it didn't go well because they just couldn't come to an. To an agreement. And so the guy was kind of shocked that it was like, even though he disagrees, inviting me to his house to eat. So he cooks this. The best of the best professional chef. They eat the meal, and he's like. And the guy just loved it. You know, the guy didn't believe in God. And he said. So I did all this to ask you a question. Do you believe in a cook? You get was like, oh, you believe in a cook. I mean, look at all this. And I thought that was profound.

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[Jeff Robertson]

I will say kind of the coolest thing I like about doing the show is it's. It's great American media and they're very, you know, Christian bunch and, and they. Our show is very, you know, we talk about God a lot, we pray a lot. Like, like it's very. Which is very refreshing just to be

[Jason Robertson]

able to be out there, have our

[Jeff Robertson]

faith out front like we normally do anyway. So it's. That's what I like the most.

[Jason Robertson]

So how many grandkids you got now?

[Jeff Robertson]

Have three almost. One more.

[Jason Robertson]

You got another on the way.

[Jeff Robertson]

Yeah. Like two weeks. Yeah.

[Jason Robertson]

You're heading toward trying to get to

[Willie Robertson]

catch up with process just seems to be speeding up as we go along.

[Jason Robertson]

Both of you two especially. He's got some major multiplication going on. What are you up to now? Will you even know?

[Jep Robertson]

11.

[Willie Robertson]

Wow.

[Jep Robertson]

11 grandkids.

[Jason Robertson]

And so tell about the shows. The second season is out. That's going strong.

[Jep Robertson]

It just. The finale just aired.

[Jason Robertson]

Oh really? It was the finale. I didn't realize it was already there. Yeah, I've got them all recorded.

[Jep Robertson]

I gotta catch up.

[Willie Robertson]

How's that go?

[Jep Robertson]

Aired on.

[Willie Robertson]

I remember filming bits and pieces along the way.

[Jason Robertson]

Jace was. He played a role, right?

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jason Robertson]

Season two.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, for sure. And yeah I got a lot of good comments on. On that and so that'll be coming out on. It's. It's on A E and then it'll be on hulu so yeah, I get comments around so.

[Jason Robertson]

Well, I don't know if I told you, but I mean, I. I really, really enjoyed and was touched. I mean, to tears with the opener, which was about Dad. I just thought it was so well done. It. It reminded me. It brought so many elements from the original show in because of so many dad clips anyway, but just the way it honored him and you know, I mean, it's a lot like what we're doing here today, but it just. I thought it was really, really good. I thought it just was so strong.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, we were fortunate. The timing to be able to be able that, you know, if it. If you don't have a show or some outlet, it's hard to kind of capture that.

[Jason Robertson]

Right.

[Jep Robertson]

But while we were filming and while we were set up, that's when dad passed.

[Jason Robertson]

So.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, being able to put that together especially.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

Because we could use all the old stuff from Phil, which you just.

[Jason Robertson]

I laugh so hard.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah. It's just gold.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, I'm reminded. Look, I went to the grocery store yesterday and.

[Jason Robertson]

Which we all do, by the way.

[Willie Robertson]

I'm getting a buggy.

[Jason Robertson]

Well, we are.

[Willie Robertson]

We had a. One of Missy's family members, her cousin, she's fixed to get married and her and her potential fiance or I guess fiance, potential husband.

[Jason Robertson]

Well, she was like, it's a potential fiance.

[Jep Robertson]

It's just somebody walking by, get married to a potential fiance.

[Willie Robertson]

I forgot who I was with. You misspeak and non committal.

[Jep Robertson]

Wow. Just a hail of gunfire, somebody walking by. Anybody's a potential fiance.

[Willie Robertson]

I feel like I'm running through a field with moms going off.

[Jep Robertson]

Anybody's a potential.

[Willie Robertson]

So. But anyway, we spent the weekend, we had a little man. So it was chaos. So I was like, volunteer going to the grocery store. So I get my buggy. And of course, at this stage of our lives, you don't know who you know because a lot of people come up and they assume they know you and these weird conversations happen.

[Jep Robertson]

Hang on. At this stage of your life, you're not sure who you know.

[Willie Robertson]

That's where I'm at. I see a guy, I see a guy, but he's coming toward me and I'm like, do I know him? Do I know him? Because he obviously knows me. It's a beeline. And he just walks up to me as I'm getting my buggy and he said, oh, you know what I watched last night? And I was like, what? He says, crawfish have ding dongs and vaginas.

[Jason Robertson]

Oh, wow. Oh, Boy, Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

Now there's a comment.

[Willie Robertson]

I know that that's a Phil Robertson quote in a duck dinosaur somewhere.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

But. And then he just turned around and walked out. So I moved 20 yards because I'm in the, the Walmart. You know, the first place is the vegetable. Mrs. Got me a list. I'm looking. So here comes a woman. She has a big smile on her face and I'm like, do I know, do I know her? And she leans into me real close and older woman and she says, I'm going to give you a tip. I was like, what's that? She said, if you buy the cabbage, sprinkle it with some ginger and it'll help with the gas.

[Jep Robertson]

Wow.

[Willie Robertson]

Whoa. I mean, look, that's a rat.

[Jep Robertson]

Ding dong, vagina and gas all in two minutes.

[Jeff Robertson]

Now you're attracting crazy things.

[Jep Robertson]

That's what I think. Can't make this stuff up.

[Willie Robertson]

But then I thought, what episode did we talk about? Cabbage and gas? I never could.

[Jason Robertson]

I don't think that's an episode. I think that was just a random advice.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, this is why I said, did

[Jep Robertson]

you have cabbage in your basket? No, I, I, Yeah, I thought. Which I was wondering, why would you be buying cabbage at a grocery store? But like cabbage.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, so that's why when you, I said, at this stage of my life, I don't know who I know what I've said, what's happened? Because these things. Grocery store, in the first two minutes. Yeah, that's all I was saying.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes the stuff that people say and I'm thinking, man, you waited, you know, like they drove to an event. They stood in the line.

[Jason Robertson]

You got.

[Jep Robertson]

That was the best thing, 45 seconds.

[Willie Robertson]

But, well, when she walked off, you know what my first thought was? Do I look like I have gas? Was she making, I mean, why would you tell me that? And I never. Is that in the produce there's ginger sprinkled on cabbage? Is that a stomach?

[Jason Robertson]

Ginger is good for your stomach. I have heard that before.

[Jep Robertson]

So maybe I'm on ginger right now.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

I'm speaking of grocery stores.

[Jason Robertson]

Has your stomach ever felt better?

[Jep Robertson]

Ginger angel. That's what Corey calls it this year at the, at the produce section. And I, because I was going to make some fish and I, and I was going to put ginger on it. So I go to location number one. I won't say what these are, but location number one. There was one little. It was just a shriveled piece of ginger. I'm looking at it as the last one. I'm Like, I ain't eating this crap. I was like, well, I go to store number two. So I told Corey, I said, I'll be right back. Store number two. I went in there, I can't find the ginger. So I'm having to flag somebody down to ask, which apparently now is just over at a. You know.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

They, like, take their earphones off. Like, I'm trying to find the ginger route. And she's like, so over here. Gone. Now it's January. It's the first week of January. And I'm like, store number three. I drive up store number three. I walk in, I look, and there's one pack of ginger. And the lady beside me is an older lady. And she goes, I'm looking for the ginger. I said, so am I. And then I said, this is my third store. And she says, people trying to get their bodies right. And I said, what? She said, oh, ginger. And just lays this whole commercial about ginger. Yeah, like, it'll help with this. It'll help with.

[Willie Robertson]

I just looked it up on AI and it says ginger is highly effective in helping with gas bloating and general digestion.

[Jeff Robertson]

So, yeah, I need ginger.

[Willie Robertson]

But there's only one. What you need?

[Jep Robertson]

We've corrected your problem.

[Willie Robertson]

Look.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, I wish I could taste this. It's full of ginger right now. So this late. So then I'm like, but there's only one package. It's a large package. I said, so I didn't know if we were going. But now she's like, help me out now. I'm like, I'm fixing it now.

[Jason Robertson]

You're Sinbad and Arnold Schwarzenegger over the last doll, right?

[Jep Robertson]

So I said, well, ma', am, there's only one pack. It was organic ginger. And I said, there's only one pack left. I'll buy it and I'll just give you some of the ginger. You can just have it for free. She goes, nah, nah, nah, that's organic. I don't want that. She goes, I don't even shop here anyway. I live in Monroe. And so I get the ginger. And I thought, why is she here in this town wanting ginger? There's one pack, but she doesn't want to get that one.

[Jason Robertson]

But she gave you all the pack.

[Jep Robertson]

So I came home until. So an hour later, I get back. I told Cory I'd be back in 10 minutes. Cory's like, where have you been? I said, I just met this lady, and she told me all about ginger. And she goes, she's your ginger angel. And I Have eaten ginger every day. I put ginger in my tea.

[Jason Robertson]

I eat ginger.

[Willie Robertson]

And now I gave you confirmation.

[Jep Robertson]

I have. And I have no. And I'm the. The association for ginger is not paying me to say this. I have no inflammation. I mean, I never get sore anymore.

[Jason Robertson]

Lisa loves it too.

[Jeff Robertson]

Or she just got out of a mental hospital and you were just a random person she ran upon. You've been.

[Jason Robertson]

Or maybe it's the same woman that just told Jason cabbage and the gas.

[Willie Robertson]

We might have met that same woman.

[Jason Robertson]

I like Jace called her the cabbage.

[Jep Robertson]

In my mind, she's a ginger angel.

[Jason Robertson]

That makes more sense.

[Jep Robertson]

Okay. To tell me about the benefits of ginger. And so every trip I go on, I have ginger. I'm all about the ginger.

[Jason Robertson]

So do all. All four of us. You grocery shop Mostly.

[Jeff Robertson]

I did yesterday.

[Willie Robertson]

Yep.

[Jep Robertson]

I grocery shop exclusively.

[Jason Robertson]

I do 90% of ours. Do you do most of yours?

[Willie Robertson]

I wouldn't say most, but half, probably.

[Jason Robertson]

So I just wonder why that. I got a theory about why that is.

[Jeff Robertson]

I enjoy it, to be honest with you.

[Jason Robertson]

I do, too.

[Jeff Robertson]

I like. I. And I like to buy.

[Jason Robertson]

I think it's because we never. We grew up without a lot of food. And so, I mean, like, it's not what. We were starving, but there was food scarcity. Mom would stockpile some things into the thing. So I think we always just. We go because we want to get what we want to eat.

[Jep Robertson]

Well, initially, that was good because I'm getting produce and stuff, so I want to make sure of what I'm getting.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

Like, if I send somebody, they never get the right thing. And they.

[Jason Robertson]

I send my grandkids and they just. They call me 10 times with the question.

[Jep Robertson]

That's Corey. Corey calls me. It's. It's like she's at the Smithsonian. She's never been there. She calls me, like, where?

[Jason Robertson]

Where?

[Jep Robertson]

Have you ever noticed the refrigeration section is in the back? Like, and it's all the way around. I'm like, yeah, that's the way grocery stores are. And they've got all this stuff. So then she. She way buys way too much of stuff. She grabbed. She buy. You know, she brings like, one kiwi, you know, I'm like, what is that? You know what? Why would you buy that? She goes, I just thought it was interesting, you know, she never knows of anything else. I have to walk her thing through.

[Sponsor Representative]

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[Jason Robertson]

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[Willie Robertson]

Oh, I got them. I have lemon and watermelon.

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[Willie Robertson]

I think it's because I didn't like the rule when we were kids that this is what we're eating. Because if I didn't like it, they, they had a punishment on that. And I just, I never liked that. Well, right. If you get hungry enough, you'll eat it. So I just remember thinking, boy, tell you what, I make my own family.

[Jason Robertson]

We go down to Gulf shores or we go on a vacation. I have to go immediately to stock to the initial stock. So we make sure we got bacon and eggs, you know. And so she's like, it's a thing with you. Like she said, you're not yourself until you get some gr. Like if this just bare cupboards, I can't already take it.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah. But I literally love grocery stores.

[Jason Robertson]

But I do love grocery stores.

[Jep Robertson]

I mean, when I'm traveling, I go

[Jason Robertson]

there because you go to different stores.

[Jep Robertson]

I started this last trip, I started in Tampa. And the next day my chat, I can't remember who's with me. Jonah, actually. And he said, what'd you eat last night? I said, I went to the grocery store. And he's like, you went to the grocery stores? Yeah, I found a publix. I went down there. I get my whole thing. I'm walking through. I love grocery stores. I went in. There's a Wegmans up in the north, up in Syracuse.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

I could have stayed in there for hours.

[Jason Robertson]

And Heb h e b is my all time favorite.

[Jep Robertson]

Let me tell you something. There's a grocery store. There is a store in Cincinnati. Ish called Jungle gyms I've seen. And I was in Cincinnati. I said, what is there to do here? And somebody said, there's a really cool grocery store. I said, are you kidding? I went and we had a tour. I was on a tour bus. So I spent like $900 at this grocery store.

[Jason Robertson]

That's such a mom thing to do.

[Jep Robertson]

It is. I'm telling y'. All. The. The cheese section was as big as the Doug Commander warehouse.

[Jason Robertson]

Oh, man.

[Jep Robertson]

Just cheese. Just cheese.

[Jason Robertson]

I like that place.

[Jep Robertson]

It was unbelievable.

[Willie Robertson]

I think it's because when we were kids, I mean, you think about all the work we did and just because it was a rough life, which we grew to enjoy. But then that was the fun part, all coming together as a family, which I think was the backdrop of Duck Dynasty. Anyway. And so that's what I really.

[Jep Robertson]

I just like to cook. So, I mean, I'm cooking.

[Willie Robertson]

That's what I mean. That was an honorable thing in our family.

[Jep Robertson]

You know, I gotta look at the meat. I gotta look at what you know.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

These people and my kids are. They order it and have, like, people just bring it to their house.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah, I'm same way.

[Jeff Robertson]

I'm same way.

[Jason Robertson]

That's the best part of it, is going to pick it out.

[Jep Robertson]

That's right.

[Jason Robertson]

Why would you want to take it Like.

[Jep Robertson]

Like, like growing up, the grocery store was 30 minutes, you know, so I understood. You know, it was like a thing. But now, I mean, in two miles, you're the. You can. So some meals, I go to four different stores to make one meal. Yeah. Because different stores, I got to get the. I got seafood from one place. I get produce from another place. I get meat from another. Where the best produce is. I don't like their meat. So then I have to go. I want to get the meat. And. Yeah. So I just make a big loop around.

[Willie Robertson]

But just like this weekend we had company. We're, you know, sharing. Jesus. We're getting deep in the lives. But it really helps if You're. They're eating the best food we got to offer. I mean, we did crawfish pies. We did the shrimp bisque. I was trying to think of all the meals we had, but. And I could tell because I was like, what do you think it's like. It's the best. This is the best thing I've ever eaten. Well, it just. It gives them. It disarms them in a way. And I think it helps with the

[Jep Robertson]

Jesus message where everybody eats out now. So everyone eats out or they cater or they get it. You know, they order and it's. It's sent in. So that's. So I think just when you cook it and it's fresh and they're, you know, so used to being in a box and so I got a question.

[Jason Robertson]

I don't. I don't know the answer to it. So it's not a setup. I'm curious. So there. There's only one school that all four of us graduated from. Only one. Because we have different pathways. Riddle.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jason Robertson]

I don't even once. Do you know what it is the one school we all four graduated from one. The same school, Pine Crest. The only one we all graduated from because it was different. You went to OCS later. So we did it.

[Jep Robertson]

Only went to eighth grade. That was the best shot we had.

[Jason Robertson]

So my. Here's my question. So it's only when we all graduate from. And I. And part of me wanted to ask Pine Crest, but I figured they have no idea. We have to be their most famous alumni. But I don't know who knows.

[Jep Robertson]

No, I know.

[Willie Robertson]

Are we now It's a school in

[Jep Robertson]

the middle of the argument as to this people here. But yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

So what is the. It may be 100 students.

[Jason Robertson]

So maybe I don't even know. It's very small. It's way out in the country. So that. Who did. All of y' all were. Y' all all Mr. Pine Crest, which is. You have to be an eighth grader to be Mr. Pack.

[Jep Robertson]

I was.

[Willie Robertson]

No, I wasn't.

[Jeff Robertson]

I thought I was.

[Willie Robertson]

Am I.

[Jeff Robertson]

Was I not?

[Jason Robertson]

I don't know.

[Willie Robertson]

It was me and Kelly Gaston.

[Jason Robertson]

I. I have a picture. I was Mr.

[Jep Robertson]

Pack. Favorite fifth grade.

[Jason Robertson]

You got favorites, but when you got to the eighth grade, you got the ultimate pinnacle.

[Jep Robertson]

You were talking about Mr. P. Yeah.

[Jeff Robertson]

Maybe I was just a favorite. I'm not sure.

[Willie Robertson]

You think about how society has changed now. I mean, you would never have favorites in a class.

[Jep Robertson]

Can you not. Is that.

[Jason Robertson]

No, I don't think.

[Jep Robertson]

They do not age well, Willie, we're all in. Favorite person in the class.

[Willie Robertson]

Me, we're in the participation aspect. You get a medal just for participating.

[Jep Robertson]

That's where I learned the politic, man. You got politic. That thing. You got to get the votes right before they cast and vote.

[Jason Robertson]

That's famous story about Willie taking over the concession at Pine Crest. That was always a great story.

[Jep Robertson]

That's how I got the job. Like, that's. That's what I got to tell everybody. That's how I became CEO. Because, for real, Phil sitting there, you

[Jason Robertson]

tell that story when you do your business.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh.

[Jep Robertson]

Oh, yeah. I tell it all over.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. For people that don't know you, you basically started a side gig with selling candy. Like, we would go to Dollar General or wherever. He'd buy all this candy and then sell it for, well, quite the markup.

[Jep Robertson]

But the genesis was the dude that came down that gave us the box of. He gave it to everybody. He gave us a box of Hubba Bubba. But I kept it. I cut y' all out, like. Cause I was there, and the dude, he was a candy sage. He took it out of his van. I was standing in the driveway with Phil, and he gave it to Phil, and he said, this is for the boys. And Phil just handed it to me. I said, oh, that's mine. And so I hid it. We never got that. I went to the closet, and I hid it, and I just stared at that stuff. I was like, oh. You know, like. Cause I wanted to eat it all. But then I was like, I'm gonna sell this stuff.

[Willie Robertson]

So the parents would give the country kids money for the concession stand. All of a sudden, one day, they looked up, and no money was being transacted. And they figured out that Willie was the concession stand.

[Jep Robertson]

They were. They weren't selling.

[Jason Robertson]

And somehow you talk mom into going to the candy distributor that was local to buy some of that.

[Willie Robertson]

That was the funny part is then when the principal calls the parents and. And they say, hey, you got to do something about your kid. Well, here's Kay. She's fronting it. She's like the godmother taking a percentage.

[Jep Robertson]

Kate was taking her cut, too. Everybody was getting rich off this thing, so.

[Willie Robertson]

So it's then, oh, no. Why would he do that?

[Jep Robertson]

You know, mom always took a cut off everything we got. That was just the way.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

Cave's like the first agent. But when I went to dad when I was, like, 30, I said, Dad, I think I can run this business. You know, I got ideas, and, you know, I'M thinking big. And. And Phil just sitting there as a Clara, he goes, yeah, you did shut that concession down. He brought that up. Yeah, he said, you did shut that concession down. Down. Fifth grade. And he literally tell that story. I knew you as a man, and I said, this is the deal Phil and I made. Phil just went, you the man. You the CEO. I cut me a check. Now make sure I get my check.

[Jason Robertson]

Don't forget about dear old dad. That's so funny. So yesterday was. Was Mother's Day, so I figured, because we need to talk something about mom and dad for a run out of time. So tell me, tell me, what's something that you love and appreciate about Mom? I think they need to hear from all of us about it. We all have probably a different perspective, but mom's doing great. By the way, we'd like to update you on her. She was there yesterday, and since I was preaching, it was great because I got to mention her two or three times. She got a round of applause every time. And she was. She was happy about all that.

[Willie Robertson]

Oh, she was. She's doing.

[Jason Robertson]

She's doing. She is.

[Jep Robertson]

I have never been, like, halfway through the obituary I'm writing, and then.

[Jason Robertson]

Oh, literally, I was thinking, since she

[Jep Robertson]

was basically my age, like, remember when she was in the hospital, when she was in her.

[Jason Robertson]

She's. She's never had crazy.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, she. I thought, oh, no, we're gonna lo mom. And. But then she just. She keeps. She finds another gear and comes back.

[Willie Robertson]

It shows you the part of the inner person, and I think spirit filled people because, you know, when Phil died, it was really hard on her, and most of her problems was just stemming from overwhelming. Just disappointment and loneliness.

[Jason Robertson]

I mean, they've been together and dealing with his demise, which was those last

[Willie Robertson]

few months, which was very difficult, and no one could really, really blame her. And you kind of look at the stats most of the time when people have been together that long. The other one. Yeah. Quickly follows.

[Jep Robertson]

Well, I think she wanted. She was just.

[Willie Robertson]

She did for a while, and then it was, you know, I mean, I tried everything on a man to get her to be positive. And let's get back on the saddle here. But it's like none of. None of that was seemingly working, which maybe it was just what everybody was saying to her. And then just one day, you look up and she just made a decision to. And now she's, you know, found peace and joy again. And it's shouldn't be surprising that then her overall health kind of came along with It.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

And so. And look, she's worked hard, Physical therapy and all that kind of stuff. At this, you know, at that age, you got to. At my age, you got to keep things moving or it's just a problem. So I've been really proud of her. I mean, it's been awesome.

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[Jason Robertson]

Cost Sharing Ministry has been a huge impact on us, mainly because walking through Lisa's cancer treatments wound up with, you know, just these huge bills. And these guys stepped up and helped us in a huge way. And not only that, they lifted us spiritually as well.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

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[Jason Robertson]

one of the things that always impressed me about mom from early on in my life and the movie portrayed this I thought really good, is that she has always been so optimistic by nature, you know, because life wasn't always easy. Obviously it started really rough. But even, you know, early years of the business, difficult days, raising a family, being, you know, compound living, all of it. There was an optimism about her. And I told the actress that played her the main part over in the movie, I was like, you captured that so well with mom. I mean, she lost it at one point in the movie and in life, but she got it back, you know. And so it was interesting because I've watched that even happen now in the last year because she lost it for a bit and she was, I'm ready to go, you know, just, I'm sick, I don't feel good. And then now she's like that same optimistic. I mean, it's like mom is back, you know, all of a sudden. So I don't know. I guess that's the. Out of the many qualities she has that are good, that's one to me. That's been pretty consistent, you know, for most of my life.

[Willie Robertson]

Mine was.

[Jeff Robertson]

I actually just told this story, just had my. A big conference for my charity I work with and I told this story. I said, I said, I think I'm the most qualified person here and there's doctors in there about that, you know, help kids at risk and all this. And everybody kind of chuckled like, you're the most qualified. I said, well, when I was a kid, my mom and dad would like give me a $20 bill and say, you see that old lady over there? Go give her this money. You see that family that they have

[Willie Robertson]

a kid that doesn't look like them,

[Jeff Robertson]

go give them this money. And I just remember thinking, oh, these are like really important people. I learned later it was widows and like foster care families. And I was like, they were teaching me that verse. Pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans in their distress. I didn't know at that time, but I was like, I was like, the reason I'm doing this, I think is because I was taught this from a very early age.

[Jason Robertson]

Without even knowing you were being taught because you didn't know who you're giving it to.

[Willie Robertson]

That's right.

[Jason Robertson]

Generosity you. That's good. Oh, would you too?

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that. I really hadn't thought of this. Cuz K was so, so, I mean it was interesting her as a mom because she was, she was pretty rough, you know, like with us and rough, you know, like I'll tell Corey, I'll say, was that like, speaking of groceries, like, like if I came in, I like if you were going to at, you'd say, hey, can I've got groceries. Can someone help? Kay would walk in and say, get off that darn couch and get your butt out there and get the groceries. I would just be like, you didn't have to say it like that. You know, like. Like I never understood the like, aggression to like that. That we didn't want. I was like. Like you weren't gonna literally walk in, get your butt up, right?

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

It's like we didn't see you pull up, you know, we didn't know.

[Jason Robertson]

Although I have to say that that still goes on with it because you walked in yesterday and it was like, oh, get your butt in here.

[Jep Robertson]

I mean, so nothing. So like, it's. So she wasn't like, in that way. She was different. I think what Kay did for what from my perspective was I thought she always had so much confidence in us. And, and. And now that I'm older, I think it was like, I think y' all could perhaps do a lot of the things that we wanted to do or couldn't do or made bad decisions and couldn't do or whatever. And I just always felt like it was like such hope and. And poured that confidence into us, you know, that you're, you know, you, you know, with whatever the talents we had, you know, she would really. I don't know, I just always got that sense that. That she was so proud of, you know.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

The us coming up and not being. I mean, I at least gained confidence from that.

[Willie Robertson]

Well, I was kind of echoing what both of them said is because she would. I mean, you look back, we were pretty tough guys, tough crowd. And so I think she was overbearing with that kind of stuff, even when she tried to discipline us because she couldn't hurt us. So she would try every way known to man to hurt you, but it just always seemed funny to all of us, which made her mad.

[Jason Robertson]

And I will say it was more aimed at you two than these two, whatever reason.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah.

[Willie Robertson]

But then on the other side, it's like, I brought her, I called, we went, I took the couple fishing, and little man and caught a bunch of crappie. And because she had been saying, now the next time you catch some fish, about the last three times I visit her. So I made up my mind I was going to cook her some crappie. So I did just in a couple days ago, when I brought them in there, I had. What else did we have? I had some other dish, but had those crappie. And so when I brought it, she went, oh, my good looking son. And so I put that on the table and she said, I want to tell you this. She said, yo, scoundrel brothers. They hadn't been visiting me, but I've been meaning to tell you this, which I'll know where I'm going. This. You've always been my favorite, by the way.

[Jep Robertson]

She said the same thing to all of us, James. I know. I saw her right after that. She told me the same thing, but

[Willie Robertson]

I didn't even hesitate. I said, does this have anything to do with. With that fresh crappie beer? And she said, a little bit.

[Jason Robertson]

Definitely. The way to Mom's heart now is through a nice meal.

[Willie Robertson]

But that's what I was going to say. She had those two extremes in that she was trying to discipline us. And I can't blame her.

[Jason Robertson]

I mean, we were pretty rough, tough,

[Willie Robertson]

grail, and she really couldn't hurt us. But then on the other side, when you did something good, it was just over praise of, oh, you're just such a wonderful specimen, you know, but really, you know, you look back, back on it. She was building character. And this is not right. This is awesome. So keep doing it. And I've always been appreciative. And like Jep said, she had a gift, I think, from God to value all people, which later on in life, you know, I'm trying to figure out the Bible for myself, studying it and that us being made in the image of God, and I mean us as in all humanity, I got to see that lived out before I even discovered that's a major point in the Bible. We're all made in the image of God. Because you'd see these people, they were just broken. Seemed like they had nothing to offer. And I'm like, why in the world is she spending so much time with these and just loved them and just asked them questions.

[Jason Robertson]

Well, it was the. The team ministry approach of mom and Dad, I think, trained all of us. Like, you were just talking about the generosity because hospitality, all of it. But it was. They did it together. I mean, and I think now we do the same thing. I mean, our wives are all a part of everything we do with people. I just think we learn that from them.

[Willie Robertson]

And yeah, I'm really thankful for. I mean, when you see a person, they just had zero prejudices at all and really love people, whatever their economic spectrum, political, whatever sinful acts they had done. And that is very rare in our society. We tend to put people in categories. And I'm just thankful that we were raised in an environment that valued all people.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, I think I was thinking about Phil this morning because I knew we were doing this podcast.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah, I want to talk about that.

[Jep Robertson]

So I was thinking about Phil. And now from my perspective, y' all can tell me if I'm wrong. Do you ever remember or somebody or k. Or somebody said, phil's in a bad mood or do you ever remember? I never remember him, you know, being like, oh, Phil's moody. Or he's, you know.

[Jeff Robertson]

Yeah.

[Jep Robertson]

I mean, that's pretty remarkable, especially in today's society. Think about young parents and parents even, you know, where it's like, oh, don't. Don't talk to. You know, because. But I just thought that was amazing, that that sucker was pretty. He was so steady. Like, you never wasn't. Like, oh, no.

[Jason Robertson]

When you would come in with an idea, I mean, he would be. Dad's answer was always, yeah, let's go for it. I mean, like, he was always very. You know, there would have to be a really strong reason to not do something, you know, for him to be that way. That was definitely one of his qualities. For me, of course, I will say. I'll preface this by saying, I just watched our movie last night for the first time, so I'm very, you know, weepy about it. But I think with dad, for me, it was. And people probably wouldn't see this necessarily, if you just watch clips of dad. He was so dynamic and black and white about the Bible or truth that you would think he was a man with no grace. But it's just the opposite. He was full of grace. And even though he was straightforward, he told it like it was. When it comes to the Bible, he's going to tell you straight. He's not going to back off. But when people faltered, he was always there. And he was certainly there for me and welcomed me back as a prodigal son. But he had that grace for other people. And Kellett said this recently. He said, you know, when we would have elders would meet with somebody and they had some terrible problem, Phil was always the first one to extend grace as an elder at our church. And people might expect that to be just the opposite, but he understood it. And I think part of it, obviously, was his own coming life. But he just. He had that, and he had that for people. And so it's a beautiful thing to be so committed to truth and yet so be open to such grace, because you realize that none of us can live up to the standard. So we're always trying to figure out how to.

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[Willie Robertson]

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[Jason Robertson]

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[Willie Robertson]

It echoes another theme of the Bible, which forgiveness, grace, mercy, it's all a two way street. And you have strange verses like, who has forgiven much, will love much. And you really saw that because our dad was a professional sinful person for years, and we all saw that. But I think that's what it always went back to. He just remembered himself. I mean, it's like, there's no way I can be forgiven for all this. And yet he was. And I think that's why that was there, as strong and tough as he was. And you're right, it was noticeable. And I thought the same thing about him being positive because I just think he was so thankful that he had been resurrected. It got his family back. And all these little statements that he would make echoed that. Yeah, and I was going to say, because I knew we were going to share, you know, kind of the one memory we had, a feel that we take with us as far as from a, from a legacy perspective, which was real interesting when we had the David Green. Yeah, the hobby lobby guy.

[Jason Robertson]

He was on last week.

[Willie Robertson]

I read that book and it, you know, he kind of changed what we view of legacy because we mostly people in the world, you think, what am I leaving behind? And he looked at it more from a Jesus thing in what did you set in motion? Which when you think of our dad, is real profound. Just all the people he shared Jesus with and even in our own lives. But I think the biggest thing I miss is because in the duck call world, because that's what we do is make duck calls. And since I was the one that he deemed gifted with the ability to make the sounds, what I liked about that whole process with making new calls and everything mirrored our faith in Christ. It's like, so when you read the verse, he called disciples, I'm going to make you fishers of men. But we make duck calls. And he's like, we're going to call men. We're going to use these duck calls. And everything in that process echoed that, because here you have these new creations. Every duck call he viewed as a new creation. And it really wasn't about the duck calls. And so he sold me on that idea all through the process. It was like, this is so crazy, because I thought it was weird at first. I was like, at the end of the day, we're making duck calls. He's like, no, no, these are new creations that we're calling men with. We're the decoys. It was that bit every day in the shop was like, we're wanting to show them God is real. Because when you think about a duck call concept, you have fake decoys, but you're making a sound. That's why his greatest memory was when the guy that came to the Lord, who was the FBI agent, and he took different callmakers calls, and he put them through the voice analysis test compared to a real mallard hen.

[Jason Robertson]

I remember when dad did all that.

[Willie Robertson]

Yeah. And it actually became part of the marketing scheme of Duck Commander because he said, I tested all these duck calls and yours matched a mallard hen. And he was like, but that day when that happened, he said, see, that's what I'm talking about. This is really a mallard hen. And he would go back to when Jesus came in our faith. He's real. He works in people's lives. And we're mirroring that through this process.

[Jason Robertson]

We follow the example of Christ, which is good. What about you, Jeff?

[Jeff Robertson]

I was definitely going to kind of echo what Jason?

[Willie Robertson]

This.

[Jeff Robertson]

I think just being especially in the outdoors, it's like a spiritual. Like, he always saw that as a spiritual thing. Go, have y' all seen Gus when he got his first deer? Have y' all seen his reaction that

[Willie Robertson]

we just got so good?

[Jeff Robertson]

I mean, it was so hard for me not to cry. I mean, I was so. I. I got it. You know what I'm saying? It was like, the first time I got. I was like, oh, my gosh. This is something this kid will never forget. His confidence went so up after that. Just like, he's a real man because he helped me clean it. And then we eat it. He's like, dad, my dear, tastes so good. And it's just like something about becoming a young man. It was like I was like, I see all what dad was saying. I finally got to see it in my own son's life. So it was awesome.

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, that's a passing moment, I think. There's Phil in different sections. So Phil, by the time the world got to know him, you know, I always remind people this. When Duck Dynasty came out, they were all in their mid-60s. So I feel k. Which is crazy. I mean, they thought they had.

[Jason Robertson]

I've thought so much about that. Now it's like my age when it. Yeah. When it started.

[Jep Robertson]

And then this whole new lease on life. And I don't know how many books Phil wrote it. Even after that, it was like, all these things. So by the time you got to know him there. But I always just kind of caution people, like, because you only know him when he's older. But I remember him when he was younger, you know, and so you remember these different segments of field where he kind of became this, you know, kind of, you know, hermit guy who's preaching, you know, and like, all this John the Baptist. I remember the, you know, life of the party.

[Jason Robertson]

The best story telling all the tales,

[Jep Robertson]

going to stuff like he went to things like. Remember we used to go play volleyball up the river? You know, like, Phil would be out there playing volleyball, and Phil would go,

[Willie Robertson]

you know, he actually played on our. Our recreational softball team.

[Jep Robertson]

Played on the Duck Commander team. And, yeah, Phil did that. So you just. I think people would think, no, Phil Robertson wouldn't. You know, I love when people tell me, what, Phil Robertson never do that.

[Willie Robertson]

I don't know.

[Jep Robertson]

I live with him for 50 years.

[Willie Robertson]

Do you remember the night he catches a ball on the center field wall and turned around and it was the only time I've ever seen this in a game. And we're in a wreck game. He threw that ball and literally the the whole stadium and everybody who was just on looking stopped because the throw was so amazing. It didn't look human because you forget the guy had an NFL quarterback arm.

[Jason Robertson]

It was on a line, it was like.

[Willie Robertson]

And it literally sailed over the third baseman's head and just kept going into the other field. But everybody was lying. What in the world was that?

[Jep Robertson]

Yeah, and also I want to. Because people don't know this and y' all may have even forgot. I think I'm the only guy that ever played golf with bill.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah, the nine holes in Minnesota.

[Jep Robertson]

No, we played 18 holes.

[Jason Robertson]

18, okay, 18.

[Jep Robertson]

And. And Phil never said. So when I hit that first ball, he went, whoa, Will, you can hit that thing. So Phil. And he. He was not good. I mean, he made contact, but he would hit it kind of down the middle, but he didn't swing real hard or anything. So we get to the turn, he goes, will you go get me a set of left handed clubs? I said, okay. I says, anybody got left? So we got him a set of left. He played the front nine right handed, the back nine left handed.

[Jeff Robertson]

Wow.

[Jep Robertson]

And hit it equally the same, which I can't do. I can't hit him all day. But I actually played golf with Phil because we were in Wisconsin or Minnesota and we were in between shows and I said, phil, I'm going to play golf, so just. Just, you know, chill out here at the hotel. And I know he sat up on the bed, he said, well, would you give me a set of golf clubs? And I was like, oh, my gosh. Phil Robertson. So at that point, he was probably 50s. Probably 60.

[Jason Robertson]

Yeah. 50s or 60. Yeah. That's funny. Well, we're out of time, man. We could. We could probably tell dad stories all day, but we just wanted to honor him. I know you guys, I hear it all the time because I'm on the road so much. And you say, I miss Phil none more than we. And so that's why we keep doing what we're doing, because we carry the legacy forward. So love you, dad, and can't wait to when we all get in that crossover stage to be there. So thumbs up.

[Willie Robertson]

There we go.

[Jason Robertson]

See you next time on Unashamed. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple podcast. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.