Episode 20 - Ben O’Brien on Reinventing Hunting Media and Telling Better Stories

What happens when hunting media stops playing it safe and starts telling the truth?

Ben O’Brien has spent the better part of two decades pushing the boundaries of hunting media, and this conversation tracks the path that got him there. From growing up hunting whitetails and squirrels in the East to navigating the early days of digital content, Ben shares how he found his footing in an industry that was still figuring itself out.

This is a deep dive into the evolution of hunting storytelling. You’ll hear how traditional outdoor magazines operated, what changed when digital platforms emerged, and why the shift toward authentic narratives around wild game, conservation, and the full hunting experience mattered. Ben breaks down the moment when media began focusing less on trophy photos and more on the reality of the hunt, from field to table.

There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at the risks that come with challenging the status quo. From controversial magazine covers to building new platforms in uncertain territory, this conversation highlights what it takes to innovate in the hunting and outdoor industry.

If you care about where hunting culture is headed, how content shapes public perception, and what it means to tell better stories about wild places and wild game, this one delivers.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

Check Out The Western Wingshooter Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4G1dEZmKle5Dp2t4QnDckT 

Check out the Prairie Tales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prairie-tails-podcast/id1765350230 

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/

Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

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