The Grind Don’t Stop Podcast

Mike Abbadessa has been part of Habitat Flats since BEFORE the beginning. From guiding and cooking to the famous Pizza Night at the lodge. He is also the owner of one of the finest restaurants in the Midwest, The Pear Tree. In this episode, Mike tells his story, the story of Habitat Flats' early days in his eyes, and the successes and failures that go into running and owning a business. This is a unique perspective on some important business topics. Enjoy!

On this episode, Joe and Ira talk with outdoor industry legend Fred Zink about his journey to and through the hunting industry, making his mark and being responsible for some of the biggest innovations in waterfowl and turkey history along the way. Fred talks about the early days, the story of selling his companies, spending over half a year in China, and how passion fueled his meteoric rise through the ranks of waterfowl hunting and business alike.    You won't want to miss this one. Talk about sharing some knowledge!

On this quick episode, Joe and Ira discuss a wide variety of topics including investing in properties and Ira gets into some of his thoughts on the subject, leverage, and when to start! He also gives a quick update from the 49th Annual NWTF convention. The fellas answer a couple of listener of questions regarding habitat and getting involved in land / property investment! Enjoy!

On this episode, Joe and Ira are joined by podcast veteran Jason Zerrer of Habitat Flats and Eric Teson, owner of Show-Me Retrievers. Throughout the conversation, the fellas discuss a variety of topics including but not limited to Ira's SEMO & Arkansas duck tour, and duck numbers in the area. Eric sheds lots of light on gun dog training, expectations, owner involvement with puppies, and unveils a new development with Habitat Flats Kennels for the upcoming year. The fellas also recall some of their favorite gundog memories of all time. This was a fun one!

Jimbo joins the podcast to discuss duck season, ducks, and business with Joe and Ira. Jim always brings an experienced insight and perspective. He's very knowledgeable about ducks, their behavior, and the populations and hunting success across the flyways. He also discusses some big news from DRAKE and RNT Calls.  We really enjoyed this one!

On this Episode, Joe and Ira talk with Josh Ditch of Fowl Focus Taxidermy. Josh is a past MOmarsh employee, current taxidermist, avid waterfowler, and an extremely talented and passionate individual. In this episode, we discuss hunting, the history of his time at MOmarsh, the sale of that business, and forging a path into your own future for success. We also talk about MDC and the powerhouse waterfowl areas they operate along with some frustrations regarding public hunting areas, draw procedures, and more on the subject. This is a cool one!

Aaron McCauley joins Joe and Ira on this episode for a discussion on duck hunting and the season that is. Silver Jesus also discusses some old war stories from his guiding days and the infancy of Habitat Flats. This is a fun conversation and we appreciate you all tuning in!!

On this episode, Joe & Ira talk with Tony Vandemore about a variety of topics including recent migration trends, the Missouri River and how it affects duck activity. Tony gives his opinion on everything from refuging ducks, duck numbers, habitat development, startup businesses, flooded corn, how ducks react to weather, and a whole lot more. Tony's perspective is unique, and his experience is first-hand. Enjoy this one!

On this short episode, Joe answers listener questions about his hunting, business, and his opinion on some hot-button waterfowl related topics. Thank God it's almost duck season!!

Roy Carter of CBI Hunt Club in SE Kansas joins Joe and Ira for a discussion on a variety of topics. As is always the case with Roy, you'll get some history and some entertaining stories.....and this time, we focused a good deal of the conversation on habitat, conservation, and preserving these resources for future generations. Roy even dives into the purchase, sale, and RE purchase of one of his farms and explains the fire being re-lit in his waterfowling journey. Enjoy!!

On this episode, we discussed a good variety of topics and Joe and Ira list their Mt. Rushmore of products that have shaped the waterfowl industry and changed the game. Enjoy!!

Joe & Ira discuss a wide variety of topics from duck numbers and turkey success to memories made in the old Habitat Flats Lodge + the coming new build. Lots of things touched on in this episode, including a bottle of Evan Williams. Enjoy!

This week, Joe & Ira have a great visit with World Champion Goose Caller, business owner, and hunting industry pioneer Field Hudnall. The fellas talk about Field's path from a high school kid that loved hunting through a guiding, filming, production, and call making career. Field answers lots of questions about the "good old days" from his time with Zink Calls and Habitat Flats producing hunting footage. He even touches on the challenge of being a Dad bringing kids into the hunting world. Enjoy!

Spencer Halford of Rolling Thunder Calls joins Joe & Ira to discuss a variety of topics in a great conversation. Spencer tells the story of starting his call company and what drove him to do so. From the garage to a full retail location....it's a fascinating tale. He also touches on the growth and acquisition of the family business, building a community within an industry, and aligning with partners that make sense. This one checks a lot of boxes for those interested in hunting, entrepreneurship, and more! Hope you enjoy it!

This episode, Joe & Ira visit with one of the most gifted callers of our time, Beau Brooks. Not only is Beau an incredible turkey caller, he is a champion elk and goose caller, incredible duck caller....and can even mimic animals not in season! Along the way, we find out more about Beau's story, his start and journey in the industry, and his new exciting launch of RIVEN calls. You'll even hear some calling and several turkey tips from Beau! Enjoy.

Even if you don't like this episode, you'll certainly have an opinion after listening. Keith Allen joins Joe & Ira to talk about the duck season that was, the freeze and thaw, duck season dates, spinners, and MORE. The conversation also touches on Missouri's turkey season changes, duck hunter's attitudes, and a ton of general duck chatter.  Enjoy!

Ira answers several listener questions about his own property. He touches on HOW and WHY they do what they do. Where their refuge is located, how they treat it, where and how much they hunt, and more. The guys also discuss duck populations in their area and give their insight into some popular conversations being had.    Enjoy!

This episode, Joe and Ira talk with Brook Richard of HIGDON Outdoors about his journey into the outdoors industry. We touch on can't - miss outdoor products, hunting setups, and entrepreneurship v. working within an established company. Public v private land hunting and MORE.   ENJOY

On this episode, Joe and Ira are joined by Jeff Hood, owner of J2 Outdoors. Jeff discusses starting his business, designing his product, and some of the challenges and opportunities that came along with it! He touches on navigating pivoting from a steady job with new home and twin babies on the way. If you're considering stepping out on your own and starting a business, you'll enjoy this one....we talk about the positive and negative aspects of taking the leap. Enjoy! 

On this episode, Joe and Ira discuss Ira's recent trip North of the border and the season's duck outlook. They discuss some hunts past and their duck farms. They also dive into a bit of the development of Locust Grove from the early days.  ENJOY!

Ira is in Colorado elk hunting, and with the break we've had....it was time to get back in the saddle and answer some of the listener questions we've received! Enjoy!

From downtown Nashville...Zach Sutton is an artist manager in the country music industry with Red Light Management with the likes of clients including superstars Jordan Davis and Riley Green. Listen in as Joe discusses Zach's insane journey from college baseball player into music executive and the wild ride in between. He also sheds some light on the journeys of his artists....White Oak Duck Woods, and MORE! Enjoy!!

From Ducks Unlimited to Waterfowl Conservation and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission to a successful guiding operation.....there are few in the duck hunting community who are unfamiliar with the name George Dunklin. Joe & Ira discuss all things from his work, his dedication to the resource, and how he was able to purchase his land back after a family split and preserve it for generations to come. You'll enjoy this one!

Excited for what we've got coming up!

This one is NOT for the faint of heart. Joe and Ira are Joined by Southeast Kansas' own Roy Carter of Carter's Big Island Hunt Club. Roy discusses the history of "The Big Island" and his family's generational settlement and life there. He also goes into depth on duck hunting in the area, controversial happenings on and around the island, and his path through the wins and losses and everything in between. This one's unfiltered and unpredictable. You'll want to hear it. 

On this episode, Joe and Ira talk with a legend in the game of waterfowl conservation. In fact, Jeff Churan is known for MANY things, including his contribution to habitat, his own successful private ventures, a wealth of knowledge in NUMEROUS fields, and more. He's a pilot, a decoy carver, and landowner, a businessman, an author, and someone everyone can learn a lot from. Turns out, Jeff actually was a key piece in facilitating the McCauley's Purchase of Locust Grove years ago.  Enjoy!

This episode features a discussion with The Bootheel's own Keith Allen. We hit a variety of topics including waterfowl migration, Keith's journey inside and outside of the waterfowl hunting industry, discuss specific regions like New Madrid County MO and the famed White Oak Duck Woods. If you're a duck hunter, you'll enjoy this one. 

Joe & Ira are joined by Ben Higdon, Vice President of HIGDON Outdoors. The guys discuss family business, the journey HIGDON has taken throughout it's lifetime, and how tragedy and disaster brought about both risk and new beginnings. Additionally, the conversation covers HIGDON'S purchase of Ira's business, MOmarsh and each side's feelings on that transaction. ENJOY, and thanks for tuning in!

Jimbo comes on to talk about his transition from RNT to DRAKE Waterfowl, some of the research and development going on within the DRAKE network of companies, and how connections are invaluable within an industry. He and Ira also go over a recap of NWTF + turkey hunting plans for the upcoming Spring season. The fellas also discuss some older hunts, duck season 2022 recap, and MORE. Thanks for tuning in!

Today, Ira and Joe talk with Holt Blackwood of 5052 Farms about his journey in the outdoor and outfitting industry. Holt is a forester who has experience in farm management, non profit endeavors, and outfitting with a side of hospitality and service. Listen in as the guys discuss a vast array of topics from work to the state of duck hunting in Arkansas. Thanks for tuning in!

On this episode, Joe and Ira are joined by Robert Eason & Kevin Keen of Mossy Oak Properties + Delta Land Management. The guys discuss property ownership, the work Robert & Kevin do in The Natural State, and some general duck hunting in regards to the habitat and diversity of the area! We appreciate you taking the time to listen!

On this episode, Joe & Ira discuss the start of duck season, how their farms are looking, and their outlook on the upcoming weather front. They also talk a bit about the lack of water in the area, on public areas, and how that affects our duck season as a whole!   Thanks for tuning in!!

In this episode, we talk with Whitetail Properties Co-Founder Pete Alfano about a variety of topics in an interesting conversation covering a large cross-section of Pete's life and journey in business. Pete discusses his family chasing the American dream, how he continued that after the passing of his father, and how he used the principles learned there to set him on a course for success in real estate and other business ventures.    Thank you for tuning in!

Joe talks about the loss of his dog, Rosie, and how the relationship with a good hunting dog is about a lot more than just hunting.   This was a tough one for me to get through.

Joe & Ira discuss the hunting industry, duck calling, turkey hunting, and a HUGE career change for one of the staples of the waterfowling community, Jim Ronquest. We hit on his storied career in the contest calling world, his history with RNT, and new horizons with the Drake Waterfowl family of brands!

This episode, we talk with Alex Templeton, a cattle farmer, land owner, outdoorswoman, and member of the outdoor industry. Alex shares insight on buying her first farm, joining the family business, the risk involved with getting started as a young entrepreneur and shares stories about her journey along the way!

Jim Gianladis is a veteran of the outdoor industry that is constantly innovating and pressing the envelope. He tells his story from the journey from hourly employee at Bass Pro, to a prosperous career with Cabelas, and into Battenfeld, Smith & Wesson, and finally into the private equity realm.  A true story of starting at the ground floor and working his way up! Truly enjoyable conversation!!

Joe & Ira discuss the paths they have taken in business and more. Listen to Ira discuss how he came about Locust Grove, and how he, his brother Aaron, and Tony Vandemore started Habitat Flats, a plan he was a bit skeptical of at the time!

Hunting industry pro Jeff Watt joins Joe and Ira to discuss his start, his journey, and how the industry has changed in his over 30 years in the thick of things. He also offers insight into some really cool product development topics, advises on ways for folks to gain entry into this industry, and shares some of the stories behind some of the more recognizable products and brands in the hunting world.  Enjoy!!

Clint Mann joins Ira and Joe to discuss his journey as a dog trainer, building his business, and his role at Habitat Flats Kennels. He answers questions and discusses training strategy and the historic relationship between humans and dogs and the compatibility in our DNA.    Enjoy this one!

On this episode, Dr. Jason Zerrer shares insight on his journey through his time as an ER doctor, risking it all in entrepreneurship, his career as a business executive with Veterans United, becoming part of the ownership team at Habitat Flats, and more. He and Ira also discuss the positives and some things they struggled with in selling their businesses and how tough it can be after building them from the ground up. Finally, the group answers some listener questions centered around hunting, calling, and business!

Rob Roberts of Rob Roberts Custom Gun Works joins Joe & Ira on this episode to discuss his start, his story and business journey, share some insight, and swap a few stories on hunting of all kinds!!

The introduction. Joe & Ira introduce themselves, the podcast, and discuss this duck season, what's next in line on their hunting calendars, and touch on business and industry during these unprecedented times!