Donnie Vincent: Hunting, Hard Things, and the Mindset That Gets You Through Storms

In this episode of Two Percent, Michael sits down with backcountry bow hunter and filmmaker Donnie Vincent to unpack what months in remote wilderness teach you about stress, calm, and competence. Donnie was featured heavily in Michael’s bestselling book, The Comfort Crisis, and now he joins Michael for the first time on mic since the book’s release. They talk about the ethics and emotional reality of hunting, why sourcing your own food changes your relationship with life, and how modern convenience hijacks the ancient “search” that once made humans thrive. Donnie shares stories from Alaska—about storms, solitude, and the kind of discomfort that forces growth. The two discuss the importance of building resilience when nothing's certain, staying present in wild places, and how you can get the same benefits of a hunt without ever picking up a bow – all it takes is choosing experiences that are hard and honest. HOST Michael Easter PRODUCERS Dana Brawer Joey Fischground Robbie Hiser EDITOR Nick Pomeroy HEAD OF VIDEO Maria Paz Mendez Hodes KALEIDOSCOPE - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Julia Nutter Kate Osborn Mangesh Hattikudur IHEARTMEDIA - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Katrina Norvell Nikki Ettore THEME MUSIC BY Heat Manager Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:18 - The First Kill & What It Feels Like 00:12:30 - The Ethics of Hunting in a Modern World 00:16:54 - What Hunting Gives You Beyond Meat 00:20:00 - The Frozen Pond Duck Story 00:28:16 - 5 Months Alone Counting Salmon in Alaska 00:33:00 - The 1,000-lb Bear & "Don't Quit Until the Magic Happens" 00:46:17 - "Make Films Like No One Will Watch Them" 00:52:00 - How Authenticity Changed Hunting Culture 01:01:06 - Fantastic Places Are in Your Mind GET A FREE GUIDE TO EXAMPLES OF MISOGI. GO TO https://www.twopct.com AND ENTER YOUR EMAIL. I share similar insights around health and wellness here: https://substack.com/@michaeleaster   / michael_easter     / michael-easter-b208848     / easter.michael     / michael_easter6   https://x.com/Michael_Easter