Clay Newcomb explores the science, mystery, and raw power of lightning through the firsthand stories of John Donovan, a bear hunter who was struck while sitting in a tree stand, and Spence Spencer, a farmer who was hit while working in his chicken pasture. Both survived, but neither walked away unchanged.

Clay also sits down with weather analyst Joshua Wisel of weather225.com to nerd out on what actually happens when lightning forms, why it can strike miles from a storm, why trees and tall objects are so dangerous, and which common lightning myths are completely wrong.

Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas.

If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com

Connect with Clay and MeatEater

Clay on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Bear Grease Merch

Clay Newcomb explores the science, mystery, and raw power of lightning through the firsthand stories of John Donovan, a bear hunter who was struck while sitting in a tree stand, and Spence Spencer, a farmer who was hit while working in his chicken pasture. Both survived, but neither walked away unchanged.
Clay also sits down with weather analyst Joshua Wisel of weather225.com to nerd out on what actually happens when lightning forms, why it can strike miles from a storm, why trees and tall objects are so dangerous, and which common lightning myths are completely wrong.
Thank you to our sponsor,&nbsp;<a href="tecovas.com">Tecovas</a>.
If you have comments on the show, send us a note to <a href="mailto:beargrease@themeateater.com">beargrease@themeateater.com</a>
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/authors/claynewcomb">Clay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>
Clay on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb">Instagram</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>
Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/bear-grease-podcast">Bear Grease Merch</a>

The Bear Grease Podcast with host Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Bear Grease

Home to the Bear Grease podcast and Bear Grease Render show with Clay Newcomb, and This Country Life with Brent Reaves.

Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Follow up with the Render discussion show, where Clay interviews experts and brings together a cast of crew members to explore themes within the Bear Grease show.

Brent Reaves is a lifelong outdoorsman whose family roots go back over 150 years in the river bottoms of rural Arkansas. On This Country Life, he's inviting you into his home to teach you everything he knows about hunting, fishing, and the very best parts of country living. To Brent, country living is about living life on your own terms, or as he says, "beating the system." In each episode, Brent's going to tell you a story about a time he did just that, and teach you a country skill you need to know to do the same. So pull up a chair or drop the tailgate, Brent's got a thing or two he can teach you.

Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Home to the Bear Grease podcast and Bear Grease Render show with Clay Newcomb, and This Country Life with Brent Reaves.
Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Follow up with the Render discussion show, where Clay interviews experts and brings together a cast of crew members to explore themes within the Bear Grease show.
Brent Reaves is a lifelong outdoorsman whose family roots go back over 150 years in the river bottoms of rural Arkansas. On This Country Life, he's inviting you into his home to teach you everything he knows about hunting, fishing, and the very best parts of country living. To Brent, country living is about living life on your own terms, or as he says, "beating the system." In each episode, Brent's going to tell you a story about a time he did just that, and teach you a country skill you need to know to do the same. So pull up a chair or drop the tailgate, Brent's got a thing or two he can teach you.
Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Ep. 489: Struck by Lightning

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7cde204c-9690-4568-ac99-b4a30170b752/transcript

It's the end of Civil War Summer, and things close out in classic Bear Grease fashion as host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker talk history with live venomous snakes in the same room. Returning guest and "Advanced Snake Enthusiast" Brad Birchfield joins in as the crew breaks down the real story behind Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House which, it turns out, wasn't actually a courthouse. Along the way, stories of a rattlesnake that survived 26 months without eating, some wild tales from the Amazon rainforest, and much more.

Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas.

If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com

Connect with Clay and MeatEater

Clay on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Bear Grease Merch

It's the end of Civil War Summer, and things close out in classic Bear Grease fashion as host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker talk history with live venomous snakes in the same room. Returning guest and "Advanced Snake Enthusiast" Brad Birchfield joins in as the crew breaks down the real story behind Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House which, it turns out, wasn't actually a courthouse. Along the way, stories of a rattlesnake that survived 26 months without eating, some wild tales from the Amazon rainforest, and much more.
Thank you to our sponsor, <a href="https://www.tecovas.com/">Tecovas</a>.
If you have comments on the show, send us a note to <a href="mailto:beargrease@themeateater.com">beargrease@themeateater.com</a>
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/authors/claynewcomb">Clay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>
Clay on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb">Instagram</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>
Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/bear-grease-podcast">Bear Grease Merch</a>

Ep. 487: Render - Civil War Send Off: Snakes and Surrender

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cfda2fa9-9609-4ee2-9421-b49c015bd227/transcript

In this final chapter of our Civil War series, we once again hear from historians J.D. Huitt, Dr. Brooks Blevins, and Dr. Louis Gallo to trace the final eighteen months of the conflict—from Gettysburg and Vicksburg to Grant's relentless Overland Campaign and Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.

Along the way, host Clay Newcomb examines how Ulysses S. Grant transformed modern warfare through his philosophy of total war, why Abraham Lincoln came to trust him above every other Union general, and how Grant's quiet humility shaped one of the most remarkable victories in American history. We also explore the humanity displayed at Appomattox, the myths surrounding the surrender, and why historians still debate the reasons the Confederacy ultimately failed.

Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas.

If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com

Connect with Clay and MeatEater

Clay on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Bear Grease Merch

In this final chapter of our Civil War series, we once again hear from historians J.D. Huitt, Dr. Brooks Blevins, and Dr. Louis Gallo to trace the final eighteen months of the conflict&mdash;from Gettysburg and Vicksburg to Grant's relentless Overland Campaign and Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Along the way, host Clay Newcomb examines how Ulysses S. Grant transformed modern warfare through his philosophy of total war, why Abraham Lincoln came to trust him above every other Union general, and how Grant's quiet humility shaped one of the most remarkable victories in American history. We also explore the humanity displayed at Appomattox, the myths surrounding the surrender, and why historians still debate the reasons the Confederacy ultimately failed.
Thank you to our sponsor, <a href="tecovas.com">Tecovas</a>.
If you have comments on the show, send us a note to <a href="mailto:beargrease@themeateater.com">beargrease@themeateater.com</a>
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/authors/claynewcomb">Clay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>
Clay on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb">Instagram</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>
Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/bear-grease-podcast">Bear Grease Merch</a>

Ep. 484: Civil War - Part 6: Unconditional Surrender

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e5867db7-742f-4404-8c21-b4960005410b/transcript

Clay Newcomb and Render Crew members Dr. Misty Newcomb, Brent Reaves, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker dig into latest episode of the Civil War Summer on Ulysses S. Grant. They unpack the surprising life of a man who went from repeated failure to becoming the Union's most important general, discussing Grant's struggles with alcohol, remarkable horsemanship, complicated family ties to slavery, and the leadership qualities that ultimately changed the course of American history.

Along the way, the conversation wanders—as it always does—from Clay's disastrous attempt to turn a young hound loose on a deer, to the launch of the new Bear Grease bib overalls, branding python boots, and why "graceful form in the saddle" may be the highest compliment a man could receive.

Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas.

If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com

Connect with Clay and MeatEater

Clay on Instagram

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Bear Grease Merch

Clay Newcomb and Render Crew members Dr. Misty Newcomb, Brent Reaves, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker dig into latest episode of the Civil War Summer on Ulysses S. Grant. They unpack the surprising life of a man who went from repeated failure to becoming the Union's most important general, discussing Grant's struggles with alcohol, remarkable horsemanship, complicated family ties to slavery, and the leadership qualities that ultimately changed the course of American history.
Along the way, the conversation wanders&mdash;as it always does&mdash;from Clay's disastrous attempt to turn a young hound loose on a deer, to the launch of the new Bear Grease bib overalls, branding python boots, and why "graceful form in the saddle" may be the highest compliment a man could receive.
Thank you to our sponsor, <a href="https://www.tecovas.com/">Tecovas</a>.
If you have comments on the show, send us a note to <a href="mailto:beargrease@themeateater.com">beargrease@themeateater.com</a>
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/authors/claynewcomb">Clay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>
Clay on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb">Instagram</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>
Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/bear-grease-podcast">Bear Grease Merch</a>

Ep. 482: Render - Lost Dogs, Lost Cause, and U.S. Grant

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5780f1a9-ed98-4284-8161-b48e01439e0a/transcript

Ep. 489: Struck by Lightning

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