Our guest this week is Anthony Overton, Professor and Department Chair of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Samford University. Anthony holds a Ph.D. In Marine Estuarine and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a M.S. in Fisheries Management-Forest Resources from the University of Georgia. He is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and has been highly published in the field of fisheries and fisheries management. He is a certified Fisheries Biologist and champion of Environmental Health and Sustainability research in Aquatic Studies. In addition to his professional career as a professor, Anthony serves on the board and is a past president of the Cahaba River Society. Dr. Overton is also a member of the the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, an organization comprised of fishermen and other experts in the field of fishery from across the Gulf of Mexico. He has also served as a member of multiple Technical Working Groups with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and served on advisory panels of the International Committee for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. We know you will enjoy this episode as much as we did.

An award-winning documentary-adventure photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist, Navy Veteran Chad Brown is the founder/president of non-profits Soul River, Inc. and Love is King. In addition, Chad’s latest efforts include outdoor adventure travel, threatened wild spaces, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Through his projects, he connects the public to endangered lands, capturing the true essence of their peoples in moments of passion and the indomitable human spirit. Utilizing striking documentary portraits, photographic exhibitions and film, Chad also advocates for social and environmental justice.

Chad’s pathway began as a conventional one, but took on a number of unexpected twists and turns. He studied communication and photography at American Intercontinental University, then moved onto the Pratt Institute in NYC earning his Master’s Degree in Communication Design. He went on to manage interdisciplinary teams in multiple agencies, serving in various roles including creative/art director and photographer, as well as a freelance artist and editorial photographer for the New York Times. His efforts crossed into the world of hip-hop fashion and culture, where he worked with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of PhatFarm and Rasheed Young of Run Athletics, photographing and developing creative campaigns for national hip-hop culture magazines.

In 2007, Chad moved from New York to Portland, Oregon, once more expanding his life and career path beyond the conventional. Today, his adventure photography leads him around the globe - Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and into the Alaskan Arctic several times a year. Mother Nature played a significant healing role from the war trauma he experienced during his Navy service. After a failed suicide attempt, he launched his first non-profit, Soul River Inc. in 2013. The organization specializes in cultural expeditions called “deployments” which bring at-risk youth and Veteran mentors together in threatened wild spaces for mission-driven experiences where advocacy and outdoor education meld seamlessly together. Soul River, Inc. also led Chad to Capitol Hill, where he advocates for public lands, wild places, and indigenous peoples and provides youth leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to interact with Congressional members.

In 2021, Chad founded Love is King, a second non-profit organization focusing on access, safety, and healing in the outdoors as well as conservation leadership training opportunities for BIPOC communities and other underserved voices.

Chad also serves on the board of the Alaska Wilderness League, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and Northern Alaskan Environmental Center. He has been featured on the BBC and CBS, including Good Morning America and NatGeo/Disney’s Called to the Wild, as well as national publications like Outside Magazine and The Drake and regional publications in the Pacific Northwest. Chad was the first recipient of the Breaking Barriers Award presented by Orvis, and the Bending Toward Justice Award from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.

Most recently Chad is the 2024 recipient of three prestigious IndieFest Film Awards – including the African American Theme Award of Recognition, the African American Filmmaker Award of Merit, and the African American Theme Award of Merit.

To learn more about Chad’s non-profits and how to help, please visit Soul River Inc. and Love is King.

To experience Chad’s award-winning and life-changing creative works, please visit https://chadocreative.com/about/.

In this episode of The Storied Outdoors, we're thrilled to welcome Kansas Sartin, the Head Adventurer and Founder of Pakmule Cargo Carriers. Kansas shares his journey from struggling with the hassles of packing and organizing gear during outdoor trips to creating a game-changing solution for adventurers everywhere.

The Origins of Pakmule Cargo Carriers

As a passionate outdoorsman, Kansas experienced firsthand the frustration of managing gear. From constantly asking, "How do I fit all this stuff?" to losing track of essential items like his camera, he knew there had to be a better way. After trying everything from plastic rooftop boxes to various hitch racks, nothing provided the safety, convenience, or ease of use he desired.

In 2012, Kansas was inspired by the rigging on coastal fishing boats to create the original Pakmule. Its curved edges made it easy to maneuver, and the lightweight aluminum construction allowed it to haul large amounts of gear effortlessly. Whether it was a South Texas dove hunt or a family road trip to Colorado or Montana, Pakmule proved its reliability. From there, the legend of Pakmule grew, and today the brand offers a full range of cargo carriers and accessories designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.

The Pakmule Mission

Kansas and the Pakmule team are driven by a mission to help people enjoy the great outdoors while focusing on what truly matters—creating lasting memories with family and friends. Their innovative gear allows adventurers to spend more time on what they love and less time worrying about logistics. As they put it:

"Our purpose is to design gear that helps people get away from it all and focus on what matters most: Good times with friends and family, pursuing hobbies that rejuvenate you, and creating memories that last well beyond the weekend. We want to inspire a love of the outdoors that drives conservation for future generations."

Behind the Scenes with Kansas Sartin

In this episode, we dive deep into Kansas's love for the outdoors, the reason behind his unique title of "Head Adventurer," and the meticulous processes used to create Pakmule’s exceptional products. Kansas also shares the ethos behind Pakmule’s design philosophy, giving us a glimpse into why their cargo carriers are more than just gear—they’re tools for adventure.

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