Walt Merrell is a husband, father, and the elected District Attorney of Covington County, Alabama—but don’t let the title fool you. At his core, Walt is a storyteller with muddy boots and a soft spot for campfire conversations. Through Shepherding Outdoors, he shares honest, often hilarious reflections about parenting, faith, and reconnecting with what really matters—without needing a six-pack, a survival show, or cell service. Whether he’s paddling a river with his daughters or burning dinner over an open flame, Walt reminds us that influence begins with showing up, embracing the mess, and trusting that the journey matters most.
Walt Merrell opens with a story his grandfather told him on a sidewalk — less than 60 seconds long, words he didn’t understand at the time, that hit him like a ton of bricks at 18. From there, he and Andy Andrews make a compelling case that great material can’t be manufactured. You have to earn it by showing up for your own life. It’s also, somehow, one of the funniest conversations on the Writers Dock yet.
Andy Andrews sits down with Walt Merrell — author, trial lawyer, and one of the most compelling storytellers you’ve probably never heard of — for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious and genuinely eye-opening. Underneath the laughs is something every writer needs to hear: the difference between someone who can write and someone who can story — and why that gap is the whole ballgame.
What begins as a father-daughter camping trip through the majestic Buffalo River takes a harrowing—and inspiring—turn. In this heartfelt reflection, Walt Merrell shares how a green thunderstorm, a terrifying brush with danger, and the quiet strength of his 12-year-old daughter taught him unexpected lessons about courage, consistency, and never giving up. This episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes, wisdom flows in on the river… and sometimes it comes straight from the mouth of a child.
Tune in to hear Walt share a few unforgettable stories that prove hope can show up in the wildest places (sometimes thanks to a pack of feral cats), plus laughs about courtroom pantyhose rules, horseback DUIs, and the scabies incident you’ll wish you could unhear.
Tune in to hear Walt share a few jaw-dropping stories from his career.
Tune in to hear Walt share some hilarious and jaw-dropping stories from his career, including a man attempting to cash a “rather large” check and a duo attempting insurance fraud by destroying their house.