The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader

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► Tell us about you and your podcast

I’m Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors and host of The Silvercore Podcast. I’ve spent my career teaching marksmanship, hunting, and survival skills while exploring the mindset that builds capable, resilient people.

The Silvercore Podcast brings together adventurers, hunters, elite soldiers, athletes, and thinkers to explore competence, integrity, and the pursuit of mastery. Each episode dives into real stories of growth, failure, and success, whether it’s surviving in the wild, performing under pressure, or overcoming personal adversity.

Our listeners include outdoorsmen and women, first responders, and people who value skill, self-reliance, and personal growth. They tune in for conversations that inspire confidence, build perspective, and connect them to a community that believes in living deliberately and pushing beyond comfort.
 

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I started The Silvercore Podcast in 2019 as a way to share stories that go deeper than skill or equipment. I’ve spent most of my life teaching hunting, marksmanship, and outdoor safety, but I’ve always been drawn to the human side of mastery, the mindset, the lessons learned through failure, and the integrity it takes to keep pushing forward.

Podcasting offered a platform to connect those worlds. I wanted to talk with people who’ve lived extraordinary experiences in the outdoors, the military, law enforcement, and adventure, and to explore what drives them to excel. My goal was to help listeners see that the same principles that make someone an elite marksman or a capable hunter can make them better in everyday life.

It took a few months of planning before releasing the first episode, but once it launched, I was hooked. The response from the community showed that there’s a real appetite for honest, long-form conversations that blend the outdoors, mindset, and personal growth.
 

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

I release a new episode of The Silvercore Podcast every two weeks. Each one takes several days of research, recording, and post-production. I’m hands-on with every step, from planning and interviewing to editing and promotion, because I want each conversation to deliver real value to the listener.

Silvercore Outdoors, my training and outdoor education company, helps support the production. I fund the podcast myself because I see it as an investment in community and connection, not just marketing. I also produce a private podcast for Silvercore Club members, which allows me to test ideas and connect more deeply with people who share a passion for skill development and self-reliance.

Balancing it all takes structure and intention. I treat podcasting like I would any professional discipline: schedule the work, show up consistently, and refine each episode until it meets my standard. It’s a lot of effort, but the payoff is meaningful, seeing people inspired to learn, grow, and take their own pursuits more seriously.
 

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

Podcasting has given me far more than I expected. It has opened doors to conversations with people I might never have met otherwise, from special forces veterans and world-class hunters to entrepreneurs, athletes, and thinkers who have all faced adversity in different ways. Every interview leaves me with new insight about resilience, leadership, and what drives people to improve.

The Silvercore Podcast is supported by brand partners who believe in what we do, including companies like Armament Technology, Norma Ammunition, Fortknight Optics and Nanuk. These partnerships happened naturally, built on trust and shared values rather than cold outreach. The show now reaches thousands of listeners each month and continues to grow steadily.

Beyond the numbers, the real benefit is connection. I get to share ideas that matter, learn from extraordinary people, and help others see that competence and integrity are qualities that can be built by anyone willing to put in the effort. That sense of purpose is the greatest reward this podcast has given me.
 

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

My podcasting process is a mix of preparation, curiosity, and respect for good storytelling. I handle the production in-house and treat each episode like a craft. I use Canon cameras for video, Shure microphones for audio, and a Universal Audio interface to capture clean sound. The episodes are edited in Adobe Premiere Pro and Audition, and I use Descript for transcripts and show notes.

Guests come from every corner of the outdoor, adventure, and professional world. Some are people I have trained with or worked alongside, others are individuals whose stories or mindset caught my attention. I research each guest deeply, looking for the lessons or experiences that will connect most with the audience.

Most interviews are recorded in person when possible because I value the energy that comes from face-to-face conversations. When distance makes that impossible, I use Riverside to maintain quality and connection. Every episode starts with curiosity and ends with gratitude for the chance to share another perspective on competence, integrity, and mastery.
 

► How do you market your show?

Most listeners find The Silvercore Podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Google search. A large portion of our audience also comes through the Silvercore Outdoors website and newsletter, which reaches over 100,000 subscribers. The mix of audio and video distribution helps the podcast reach people who prefer long-form YouTube content as well as traditional audio listeners.

For marketing, I focus on consistent, authentic storytelling rather than gimmicks. Every episode is promoted through Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and the Silvercore newsletter. Short clips and reels help draw new listeners in, while detailed show notes and transcripts on the Silvercore site improve search visibility and help episodes rank on Google.

Guest promotion also plays a key role. When guests share their episode, it introduces the show to entirely new audiences who already trust that voice. I track engagement and trends through Transistor and YouTube analytics, using that data to refine titles, thumbnails, and timing for each release.

At its core, the best marketing comes from creating conversations worth sharing. Word of mouth from listeners has been the strongest growth driver, and it’s what keeps the community growing organically.
 

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

Start before you think you are ready, then improve with every episode. Most people overthink the gear, the graphics, or the metrics, but the real skill is learning to listen and draw out honest conversation. Focus on telling stories that matter to you, not what you think the audience wants to hear. Authenticity builds trust faster than polish ever will.

Consistency is everything. Pick a release schedule and protect it. Treat each episode like training, because repetition builds competence and confidence. Pay attention to sound quality, but do not let the pursuit of perfection stop you from publishing. Listeners connect to your voice, not your compression settings.

If you are looking for resources, listen to the podcasts you admire and study how they pace a conversation. Watch creators who talk about storytelling and editing, not just podcasting. The best lessons come from doing the work.

Release multiple episodes at your initial drop to increase your chances of having an episode resonate or the algorithm promoting your podcast as new and upcoming. Aim to record at least 8 episodes and by that point you will be far ahead of the majority of podcasts in the world and you will find yourself settling into a rhythm.

When you find your rhythm and stay true to your message, the right audience will find you.
 

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

You can find The Silvercore Podcast and everything we do at www.silvercore.ca. The site includes full episodes, transcripts, show notes, and details about Silvercore Outdoors and the Silvercore Club.

Follow @silvercoreoutdoors on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for new episode releases, behind-the-scenes content, and outdoor education.

Listen to The Silvercore Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-silvercore-podcast-with-travis-bader/id1479248225
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ag6I7gK1kR5nYw6bbYF8D
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@silvercoreoutdoors

For business or collaboration inquiries, contact: podcast@silvercore.ca