Here at Ballistically Speaking, our primary focus is you, the listener. Each week we take our craziness to the air, as well as that of our amazing guests. Episodes feature live interactive listener engagement and we encourage everyone to join in!
We discuss everything from firearms, hunting, sport shooting, how crazy everyone is but us, how crazy we are, and everything in between.
Curt Rouse (Rooster)
Curt was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and raised on a mixed farm just south west of the city. Aside from a ten year period to play fastball throughout Canada, the U.S., and New Zealand, Curt has remained in Saskatchewan, close to his roots and a deep history of hunting and shooting.
From an early age, Curt has had a deep interest in guns, especially rifles. Stories in magazines he picked up at community garage sales in town, as well as a few books received from kind neighbors formed that curiosity and thirst for rifles and the people through history who had used them to great effect. Among those most interesting to Curt were Carlos Hathcock and Vasily Zaytsev – both highly accomplished military snipers of different eras. Stories and articles of these two men, their equipment, techniques, and challenges would set in stone Curt’s greatest passion of precision marksmanship.
Marksmanship principles, handloading, wildcatting, internal / external rifle ballistics, and dynamic disciplines such as PRS have dominated the bulk of Curt’s thoughts for more than 20 years. Most people who don’t know him well think Curt is just quiet, when in reality, he’s simply thinking about load development and downrange effects of a shot. Chances are, if you have a question about precision long range rifles and cartridges, Curt has an answer, or at least a place to start toward the answer.
Curt has attended many precision rifle courses and competitions over the years, as well as hosted instructional sessions and informal fun competitions at his private range. In addition to this, he has hosted high profile precision, long range, and wind reading seminars put on by some very elite shooters and instructors in the Canadian precision rifle industry.
Curt is one of our Co-Hosts, and he brings both a wealth of knowledge to the show, and that vintage “get off my lawn” attitude everyone loves to see. He is also a mentor/voice of reason behind the rest of the crew (read: grumpy old man)
Kris Kembel
Being born in LaRonge Saskatchewan, and living in The Yukon during his younger years gave Kris multiple opportunities to love the outdoors. The influence and support of his father gave him the love and respect for violent pursuits including martial arts, and firearms.
Kris runs a martial arts school in Saskatoon, and his passion for martial arts is as strong as firearms. He believes that every day exists to get 1% better than the day before, and strives to spread the real purpose of life; to improve.
A Lifelong martial artist, late in life hunter and avid gun enthusiast, Kris brings his opinionated personality and love of argument to every episode. Kris is one of our Co-Hosts, and is most often seen on our product reviews.
Banyak Boys: Derek Lastiwka and Mike Hynek
As of 2024 the Banyak Boys, Derek and Mike, are officially a part of the Ballistically Speaking Podcast! You’ve been watching them on ESPN 8 ‘The Ocho’ for years, now you can catch them on BSP!
Precision shooters, hunters, gun nuts, they’re everything, everywhere, all at once. Where there once was 2 there now is 4. 4 hosts for your immeasurable enjoyment!
You can catch Mike and Derek as Co-Hosts on the show each and every week, and you can catch their ever growing library of reviews and gun videos on our Youtube channel.
Support Staff
Pat Cooligan: Patty C is most often not seen, but his impact is felt. As a cameraman and editor of many of our best episodes, just because you don’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not integral to the craziness you see on the show. Pat is also our resident American content expert, being our only staff member to actually live in the United States.
Jens Girke: Jens is not only our resident stoic German, he’s also one of our best cameramen. His footage is found on many of our best episodes, especially any aerial footage that requires the use of a drone. Additionally, Jens is the show’s bookkeeper and administration expert. Because when you want efficiency, you want a German at the wheel.