18: Ben Willis - Building More Than Rods: Parenting, Faith in the Outdoors, and Teaching Kids the Joys of Fishing

Ben Willis is an avid outdoorsman, devoted father, andskilled craftsman who has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for fishing, hunting, and faith with his family. Growing up in eastern North Carolina, Ben was immersed in the outdoors from a young age, influenced by his father’s background as a commercial fisherman and his family’s deep-rooted hunting traditions. Now, as a father of two daughters, he focuses on passing down these experiences in a way that fosters appreciation for nature, patience, and ethical outdoor practices. In addition to his love for fishing, Ben has turned his passion into a craft by building custom fishing rods, a skill he enjoys sharing with his children and others in his community. Strong in his faith, he believes that time spent outdoors is an opportunity to connect with God, instill values in the next generation, and create lasting memories with loved ones.

 

More ways to watch & listen at:

https://www.greatoutdoorspodcast.com/post/18-ben-willis-building-more-than-rods

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Topics

Introduction & Early Outdoor Life

02:43 - Ben’s outdoor legacy, growing up in eastern NorthCarolina.

05:30 - His father’s background as a commercial fishermanand the impact on his childhood.

08:50 - Early experiences with duck hunting, fishing, andtime on the water.

 

Faith, Family, and Outdoor Traditions

12:15 - Raising two daughters and introducing them to theoutdoors.

16:30 - The difference in how children connect to huntingand fishing.

19:45 - How faith plays a role in outdoor experiences andfatherhood.

23:00 - Teaching kids the importance of God’s creationthrough nature.

27:15 - The balance of letting kids explore the outdoors attheir own pace.

 

Fishing & Custom Rod Building

30:40 - Ben’s transition into building custom fishing rods.

34:55 - Teaching his daughters how to make their own rods.

38:20 - Why personalized gear makes outdoor activities morespecial.

42:00 - The excitement kids have when using their ownfishing rods.

46:30 - Ben’s growing business, making rods for friends andfamily.

 

Outdoor Ethics & Conservation

50:45 - Instilling respect for wildlife and conservation inchildren.

55:10 - The importance of ethical hunting and fishingpractices.

59:30 - How Ben’s father’s journey from commercial fishingto medicine shaped his view on conservation.

 

Faith, Parenting & Passing Down Traditions

01:02:50 - How leading by example strengthens children’sfaith.

01:07:15 - The importance of fathers being present in theirkids’ lives.

01:11:30 - Avoiding forcing kids into outdoor activitiesthey’re not ready for.

01:16:45 - Teaching patience and resilience through outdoorexperiences.

01:20:30 - Final reflections on faith, fatherhood, and thejoy of being in nature.

 

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Ben Willis’ Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coresounderben/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556672720616