JT catches up with the legendary Conrad Anker, discussing the global impact of the Coronavirus, the role of empathy, and what it means to be human.

Drifting

From Home Edition | Renowned Alpinist Conrad Anker

JT and Grahame connect for a good conversation discussing their shared passion for Texas conservation, looking back on some of Grahame’s proudest career moments before he retires, and the importance of getting kids outside.

From Home Edition | Texas Game Warden Colonel, Grahame Jones

There are several world-famous guitar players hailing from Austin, TX, but perhaps none more consistent and versatile than Charlie Sexton. From his solo success in the 80s, to his affiliation with everyone from Joe Ely, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan - Charlie discusses his rich history full of colorful characters and musical highs and lows.

From Home Edition | The World Famous Austinite, Charlie Sexton

A few old fishing pals get together on this episode of Drifting. JT is joined by Carter Andrews in Vero Beach, FL and Cpt. Moe Newman in Venice, Louisiana, with her husband Eric. Tune in for their discussion of the issues impacting their respective environments and the importance of education and preservation for the next generation.

From Home Edition | Carter Andrews and Cpt. Moe Newman are business owners in the time of quarantine.

Billy Durney is no stranger to adversity. Built during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Billy’s beloved Hometown Bar-B-Que restaurant is not only everyone’s favorite BBQ spot in the Northeast – it’s also a symbol of hope and perseverance. Now with Covid-19 threatening not only Hometown Bar-B-Que, but the restaurant industry as a whole, Billy discusses with JT the current state of the industry and how people can navigate getting back on their feet.

From Home Edition | It’s the Billy Durney way to give back in hard times.

Originally from Northern Alabama, Jason Isbell is an acclaimed writer and musician now living in Nashville – a place for which he and JT share a common connection. His current success as a solo artist is hard-earned, and comes after some time spent as the guitarist for Drive-By Truckers. In this conversation, JT and Jason discuss the current state of the music industry in the midst of a global pandemic, the ghosts and mythology of Nashville, misconceptions of The South, talk about Jason’s equally talented wife - Amanda Shires.

From Home Edition | Musician Jason Isbell’s Southern Perspective

JT heads down to Hawaii to meet Shane and Mark – two local, big wave surfers – to talk…hunting. While most people, JT included, picture Hawaii as beaches and waves, it’s the axis deer and opportunities on public lands that dominate this conversation. After a day in pursuit of those axis deer, the guys talk about life on Lanai and bow hunting. 

Bonus Episode: Shane Dorian & Mark Healey

Big wave surfer, Shane Dorian came up in the simpler days of surfing. One of a group of kids on the North Shore just after the fun of surfing big waves, right when board design and surfing itself was evolving. JT and Shane catch up with a new perspective as parents and on being part of a generation unencumbered by agents, brands, coaches, and fame – just out there for the pure love of catching waves.

Shane Dorian surfs for the love of it – these days.

According to him, Dave accomplished the single greatest achievement of his life on a surfboard at just eight years old. He won his first surfing competition at 18 because it would earn him a party. Dave’s broken his back and nearly lost his life surfing, on separate occasions. He’s now a lifeguard by trade, but despite his ocean proficiency doesn’t consider himself a waterman. Dave’s one piece of surf advice? Check in with the lifeguards.

Dave Wassel: the guy who would go out no matter what.

It was Flip’s show, Walker’s Cay Chronicles, that first turned JT on to fly fishing. Now, JT gets some quality time with a personal hero, talking with Flip about keeping traditional hunting and fly fishing alive, basic shallow-water etiquette, and the first time he saw someone catch a bonefish with a fly rod back in ’56 or ’57. 

Flip Pallot: Fishing Legend, Archery Purist.

“Professional snowboarder” and “third-generation cattle rancher” aren’t two lives lived by one person — unless you’re Mark Carter. In this episode, he thinks back to the days of playing outdoors till the darkness brought him in, getting roped into snowboarding, and how being kind and workin’ hard has gotten him farther than anything.

Pro snowboarder Mark Carter opens up about inheriting a severe work ethic, the necessity of failure, and what it’s like roundin’ up cattle with a motorcycle.

Professional surfer Chris Malloy, the oldest of the Malloy brothers, spent 10 fulfilling years living as a nomad, spinning the globe every two months deciding where to live. In this episode, Chris sets back the clock with JT to relive the days of seeking solace in the ocean, using humor to overcome adversity, and hanging with his old friend Jack Johnson, who, at the time, was just writing songs “for fun”.

Chris Malloy reflects on his life-altering injury, his unexpected film career, and navigating fatherhood on the fly.

By his own estimate, professional fisherman and photographer David Mangum spends every hour of his waking life thinking about tarpon fishing — and for good reason. In this episode, David dives deep into the tale of his 3-hour fight to catch his first tarpon, the cult following of this elusive beast, and what it was like to have a 200 + lb. fish on the other end of the line.

David Mangum doesn’t hold back talking tarpon with JT. But that’s because he’s got stories like you wouldn’t believe.

All he wanted to do was ride bulls, and be a cowboy, and work on the ranch. But music wouldn’t leave him alone. Ryan talks about the complicated relationship of the best and the worst times in his life coinciding, and how his journey through darkness led him to the liberating realization that he could survive simply by playing music for people who wanted to hear his songs.

Ryan Bingham is a singer and songwriter whose music is the award-winning result of surviving hardship.

Mark Healey isn’t conquering anything. For him, becoming a waterman is an endless pursuit of learning how the ocean works, navigating on his own, and dealing with forces beyond his control. Mark talks with JT about surviving going under at Jaws, the importance of tagging sharks, and the intoxication of finding your limits. 

Mark Healey is a big wave surfer and spear fisherman from Hawaii, born without traditional fear mechanisms.

Listen along as native Texan and fly fishing guide JT Van Zandt drifts through the important things in life with iconic guests. Much like the nature of a guide and client passing time on a drift boat, conversations here meander through life, the wild, personal philosophies, hardships and triumphs, and of course some fishing too.

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Drifting

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