Photo courtesy of Brian Senn.
Brian Senn, left, and Steven Wisdom record an episode of their Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report podcast. It debuted in March, and the two record an episode each week.
A meeting that Brian Senn had with Great Days Outdoors about being a podcast guest turned into him getting a podcast of their own.
“I was going to basically talk with them about being on their podcast for YUDU (an app that Senn created) and through talking to them, they told me I’d be good at leading a podcast and they wanted to expand what they were doing,” Senn said.
Great Days Outdoors is a company based out of Mobile that caters to Southern sports enthusiasts, especially those who hunt and fish. They launched a podcast for Alabama Saltwater Fishing report several years ago, and it had done well. Senn said there are “a whole lot more freshwater fishermen in Alabama than saltwater” so when they asked him about starting a freshwater report podcast, he agreed.
Senn also knew just the person to help him co-host the show: his friend Steven Wisdom. Both Chelsea residents and outdoor enthusiasts, Senn and Wisdom already had their own entrepreneurial projects going. Senn created the YUDU Outdoors app several years ago and Wisdom has a faith-based nonprofit called Grip Wild, which also features a podcast called Men Who Matter that began in January 2019.
“I’ve known Steven for a while,” Senn said. “We have some other mutual friends and we go to church together (at Church of the Highlands, Greystone campus). He had experience in doing podcasts, but was also a professional fisherman for like nine years. He has a vast knowledge of fishing himself and after I talked to him, we started to move forward.”
Talks began in January and the duo launched the podcast the last week of March. Senn said that he and Wisdom are a good fit because they are both very passionate about the outdoors and both entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry.
“Steven brings his professional knowledge of fishing, and I kind of approach it more from the listeners view,” Senns said. “I’ve fished all my life, but not near the level Steven has. I’m learning from the podcast just like our listeners are.”
Wisdom said he is involved because he loves the element of empowering people. He is passionate about fishing and said a lot of his business in the hunting industry.
“If I can help give people information, give them the confidence to try something new,” he said. “What I care about is feeding people information to put into motion for them to experience peace, joy, happiness and fulfillment, and I do that through the context of the great outdoors.”
Senn and Wisdom record together each week at Wisdom’s office and then send it to Great Days Outdoors for editing and publishing across various podcasting outlets.
The Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report brings the latest fishing conditions, tips and stories from all around Alabama’s rivers and lakes with as close to real time information as possible. The show also features several guests each week and has a segment where they ask them listener questions. To help gather the latest information, they get assistance from three types of people: licensed fishing guides, tournament anglers and people in the industry who have a lot of information to give and also have name recognition.
The third episode featured Gerald Swindle (2004 and 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year) who is probably one of the most famous pro fishermen out there right now, Senn said.
“We want to empower people to go outside and get outdoors,” Senn said. “In Alabama, we are fortunate to have gorgeous lakes, incredible fishing and great hunting. What we want to do through this podcast, through YUDU, and the podcast Steven already has to give people the desire and build on their passion and confidence and courage to get out and experience what this great state has to offer.”
The podcast can be found at greatdaysooutdoors.com or wherever you get your podcasts. For their separate projects, Senn’s YUDU app can be downloaded for Apple or Android and for Wisdom’s nonprofit, visit gripwild.com.
