Country Outdoors Podcast

Episodes

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  Jason Matzinger & Tara Banks: Grizzlies, Wild Adventures & the Changing West 30.09.2026 1h 11m

  Jason Matzinger and Tara Banks join Mary O’Neill Phillips on the Country Outdoors Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation from Bozeman, Montana about grizzly bears, hunting, conservation, wildlife art, outdoor storytelling, and the changing American West. Jason—creator of Into the High Country and the filmmaker behind the upcoming Walking With Grizzlies documentary—shares why the grizzly bear comeback in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone region has become one of the biggest conservation conversations in the West. They discuss bear recovery, increasing human-bear encounters, attack survivors, delisting, management, and the reality of living alongside grizzlies. Wildlife artist and self-taught bowhunter Tara Banks shares how she built a career through art and social media, learned to hunt independently, bowhunted her first whitetail, and turned a shared passion for the outdoors into adventures with Jason—from bear hunting in Montana to hunting ibex, mouflon, and fallow deer in Spain. They also explore the changing character of Bozeman and Jackson Hole, public-land pressure, western hunting, wolf reintroduction, elk herds, AI-generated content, authentic storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and why real experiences still matter. Topics covered: Jason Matzinger, Tara Banks, Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary O’Neill Phillips, grizzly bears, grizzly bear conservation, grizzly bear delisting, Walking With Grizzlies, Into the High Country, Montana hunting, bear attacks, bear management, Yellowstone, Bozeman Montana, Jackson Hole Wyoming, wolf reintroduction, public-land hunting, bowhunting, wildlife art, Spain hunting, outdoor filmmaking, conservation, hunting podcast, outdoor podcast.
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  Johnathon Schaech on Hollywood Abuse, 12 Years Sober & Finding Faith 23.09.2026 1h 2m

  Blue Ridge star Johnathon Schaech joins Mary O'Neill on Country Outdoors Podcast for an honest conversation about 12 years of sobriety, leaving Hollywood, faith, fatherhood, and building a new life in Nashville Tennessee. Known for playing Sheriff Justin Wise in Blue Ridge, as well as roles in That Thing You Do!, How to Make an American Quilt, and Houdini and many more! Johnathon shares the unlikely road from blue-collar Maryland to Hollywood—and the personal transformation that led him to choose family, recovery, and purpose over the life he once knew. Jonathan Schaech shares the deeply personal story of the sexual abuse he says he experienced early in his Hollywood career at the hands of director Franco Zeffirelli. He explains how hearing Rose McGowan speak publicly about Harvey Weinstein helped him understand the power dynamics, shame, and trauma surrounding his own experience.Jonathan reflects on finding his voice amid the broader #MeToo-era conversations around abuse, power, and accountability. In a moving exchange, host Mary O’Neill Phillips also shares her own experience as a survivor and the lasting impact it had on her relationship with faith and healing. Together, they have an honest conversation about trauma, sobriety, recovery, faith, and finding the strength to speak the truth and move forward with hope, healing, and family. Johnathon talks about Blue Ridge, what makes the series different, why family-friendly storytelling matters, and why he hopes the show continues. He also shares incredible stories about working with Maya Angelou, realizing he had been talking with Steven Spielberg on the set of How to Make an American Quilt, meeting Brad Pitt early in his career, and working with Tom Hanks. Beyond the screen, this is a conversation about dyslexia, faith, recovery, fatherhood, and becoming more present for the people who matter most. Johnathon reflects on sobriety, helping others through 12-step recovery, and why his move from Los Angeles to Nashville changed the direction of his life. In this episode: 12 years of sobriety and the road to recovery Johnathon Schaech on Blue Ridge and Sheriff Justin Wise Why he hopes Blue Ridge continues Why he left Los Angeles and moved his family to Nashville That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks, Maya Angelou, Christina Applegate and Steven Spielberg The unexpected Chippendales audition that redirected his life Working on cult-classic Australian comedy movie "Welcome to Woop Woop " Dyslexia, acting, and learning to find your lane, or Vegetable... Fatherhood, faith, purpose, and building a better life Helping others through 12-step recovery and community OUR Partners : Solture Swimwear https://soltureswimwear.com BOG https://www.boghunt.com OnX Hunt https://bit.ly/3UyuOKN Mossy Oak https://store.mossyoak.com Content Advisory: This episode includes candid discussion of trauma, sexual assault, addiction, recovery, and mental health. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug use, support is available: Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org Narcotics Anonymous: https://na.org Treatment and support: https://FindTreatment.gov U.S. & Canada crisis support: Call or text 988 Subscribe to Country Outdoors for real conversations with actors, musicians, athletes, outdoorsmen, and people living with purpose. Chapters 00:00:00 Johnathon Schaech on sobriety, faith & leaving Hollywood 00:02:24 Welcome Johnathon Schaech to Country Outdoors 00:03:09 How to Make an American Quilt & That Thing You Do! 00:04:36 Maya Angelou, Steven Spielberg & Hollywood stories 00:07:19 Growing up in Maryland & discovering acting 00:09:05 Dyslexia, acting school & finding his path 00:11:23 The Chippendales audition that changed everything 00:13:25 Roy London, Brad Pitt & Hollywood acting class 00:18:00 Fatherhood, family & getting older in Hollywood 00:19:03 Faith, sobriety & leaving Los Angeles for Nashville 00:21:16 Blue Ridge, Sheriff Justin Wise & a new chapter 00:21:43 Finding faith and community in Nashville 00:23:04 Content warning: trauma, faith & survivor support 00:28:06 12 years sober: addiction, healing & recovery 00:32:03 Faith, freedom & seeing life differently 00:35:51 Fatherhood, trauma & breaking generational cycles 00:40:38 Blue Ridge: family-friendly storytelling & Season 2 00:42:45 Blue Ridge fitness, action scenes & Sheriff Justin Wise 00:47:55 Marriage, faith & 12 years of sobriety 00:50:35 Helping others through 12-step recovery 00:54:45 Hollywood, Nashville & family life 00:58:23 Tom Hanks, Australia & career reflections 01:00:32 What Johnathon Schaech wants to be remembered for 01:02:02 Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous & recovery resources 01:02:57 Blue Ridge Season 1 & Season 2 #JohnathonSchaech #BlueRidge #BlueRidgeSeries #SheriffJustinWise #ThatThingYouDo #Sobriety #Recovery #Faith #Hollywood #Nashville #CountryOutdoors #metoo
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  Jacob Hackworth on Writing “Rock and A Hard Place,” Hunting & His Road to Nashville 21.09.2026 50m

  Jacob Hackworth joins Country Outdoors host, Mary O'Neill to share the story behind writing Bailey Zimmerman’s No. 1 hit, “Rock and A Hard Place,” and his road from southern Missouri to Nashville. Jacob is a country artist and songwriter whose first major-label cut became a No. 1 song with Bailey Zimmerman. In this conversation, he takes us inside the songwriting journey that led to “Rock and A Hard Place,” what it was like hearing the record take off, and why he is now pursuing his own career as a country artist. Before Nashville, publishing deals, and writing hit songs, Jacob was a small-town Missouri kid raised around deer camp. He shares unforgettable stories from his early days deer hunting—his first rifle hunt with his mom, the buck that got away, buying his first Mathews bow after working construction and hauling hay, and the unexpected story behind his first bow kill. We also talk bowhunting, turkey hunting, public-land deer camp traditions, hunting with family, and the outdoor experiences that shaped who he is. Jacob also opens up about singing in church and school choir, posting early music videos, working long shifts building railroad track, learning guitar in hotel rooms, making the move to Nashville with his bandmates, working whatever jobs he could, and falling in love with the craft of songwriting before earning his first major breakthrough. In this episode: Jacob Hackworth on writing Bailey Zimmerman’s “Rock and A Hard Place” How a first major-label cut became his first No. 1 hit The reality of chasing country music and songwriting in Nashville From railroad work to country songwriting Jacob’s artist career and his next chapter in country music Southern Missouri deer camp and growing up in the outdoors His first deer hunt, a rifle malfunction, and the buck that got away Buying his first Mathews bow after hauling hay and working construction The hilarious truth behind his first bow kill Turkey hunting, public-land hunting, family hunting traditions, and conservation If you enjoy country music, Nashville songwriting stories, behind-the-scenes artist conversations, deer hunting, bowhunting, turkey hunting, and outdoor culture, subscribe to Country Outdoors for more conversations with the people shaping country music and the outdoors. Follow Jacob Hackworth: https://www.jacobhackworth.com Subscribe to Country Outdoors for conversations about hunting, fishing, farming, country life, western culture, outdoor adventure, and the people living it. https://linktr.ee/countryoutdoorsofficial Get Country Outdoors merch here! ➡️ https://countryoutdoors.com/shop ---------- OUR Partners : BOG https://www.boghunt.com OnX Hunt https://bit.ly/3UyuOKN Mossy Oak https://store.mossyoak.com Chapters 00:00:00 Jacob Hackworth’s first No. 1 hit 00:00:41 Jacob Hackworth joins Country Outdoors 00:01:56 Growing up in southern Missouri 00:03:52 First deer hunt with his mom 00:07:17 A lesson from the buck that got away 00:09:30 Getting into bowhunting 00:10:34 First bow kill story 00:14:34 Deer hunting ethics and hunter recruitment 00:15:35 Turkey hunting in Nashville 00:16:58 When Jacob Hackworth started songwriting 00:18:29 Singing “God Bless the Broken Road” as a kid 00:21:54 Posting country music covers on Instagram 00:23:19 Working on the railroad and learning guitar 00:24:56 Writing his first country songs 00:27:53 First songwriting advice in Nashville 00:28:30 Moving to Nashville to chase country music 00:30:21 Life as a struggling songwriter in Nashville 00:31:28 Writing “Rock and A Hard Place” for Bailey Zimmerman 00:33:12 The story behind Jacob’s first major-label cut 00:36:00 How “Rock and A Hard Place” became a No. 1 hit #JacobHackworth #BaileyZimmerman #RockAndAHardPlace #CountryMusic #CountrySongwriter #DeerHunting #Bowhunting #Nashville
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  Brett Maverick & Brayden Pridemore: Life After Farmer Wants a Wife 09.09.2026 1h 20m

  Brett Maverick and Brayden Pridemore from Farmer Wants a Wife join Mary O'Neill on Country Outdoors to talk life after the show—relationships, farming, hunting, bull riding, concussions, CTE, and neurofeedback. Brett and Brayden share what Farmer Wants a Wife was really like, from intense filming days and life around the cameras to long-distance relationships, family farms, cattle, horses, and what it takes to stay rooted in rural life. They also get into Illinois big bucks, turkey hunting, duck hunting, fishing, bull riding, rodeo injuries, brain health, and Brett’s personal experience with neurofeedback after years of concussions. Plus: music, songwriting, business ventures, and what both guys are building after the show.
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  Eva Shockey: The 2nd Woman Ever on the Cover of Field & Stream 09.09.2026 1h 30m

  Eva Shockey joins Mary O'Neill on Country Outdoors for an honest conversation about becoming the second woman featured on the cover of Field & Stream, women in hunting, bowhunting, motherhood, and building a legacy of her own. Eva reflects on growing up in the Shockey family, finding her path in the outdoor world, learning to hunt on camera, and navigating the pressure of being one of hunting’s most recognizable women. She also shares thoughts on family, faith, travel, marriage, authenticity, and making outdoor life work alongside motherhood. In this episode: • Eva’s Field & Stream milestone • Growing up with Jim and Louise Shockey • Starting to hunt after college • Her first hunt in Africa • Being “the only girl” in hunting • Bowhunting, motherhood, and career • Building an independent path and legacy Follow Eva Shockey: https://evashockey.com Follow Country Outdoors: https://linktr.ee/countryoutdoorsoffi CHAPTERS 00:00 Eva Shockey: Women in Hunting 00:57 Welcome Eva Shockey 01:43 Moving to Franklin, Tennessee 05:11 Growing Up in the Shockey Family 12:47 Wild Game and Outdoor Upbringing 13:45 Starting to Hunt After College 16:54 First Hunt in Africa 18:22 Learning to Hunt on Camera 19:08 Being the Only Girl in Hunting 22:14 Lessons From Jim Shockey 23:10 Creating Her Own Path 27:22 Bowhunting, Motherhood, and Career
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  The Legacy of Nudie Suits: The Man Who Made Country Music Sparkle 26.08.2026 37m

  What does it take to create a legacy that outlives the spotlight? In this episode of Country Outdoors, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with Jamie Nudie, granddaughter of legendary tailor Nudie Cohn—the visionary behind the rhinestone-studded Western suits that helped define the look of country music, Hollywood cowboys, and rock ’n’ roll. Jamie shares the family stories behind Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors: from Nudie’s early beginnings and his bold decision to bring sparkle, fringe, and rhinestones to Western wear, to the artists who wore his work—including Roy Rogers, Tex Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Gram Parsons, Marty Robbins, David Lee Roth, and Elvis Presley. They talk about the making of Elvis’ iconic gold lamé suit, the personal friendship behind the famous clients, the origin of the “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Nudie’s custom cars, and the irreplaceable vintage pieces Jamie now protects and shares with the world. Jamie also opens up about growing up with her grandfather, his unmatched boots that honored his humble beginnings, the original North Hollywood store, and what it means to preserve a family archive when every suit carries a story. From country music history to Western fashion, family, craftsmanship, and the American dream—this is the legacy of the man behind the stones. Visit Nudie’s Honky Tonk at 409 Broadway in Nashville, where vintage suits, historic memorabilia, and Nudie’s final Cadillac are on display.
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  Breaking Benjamin’s Jasen Rauch on Squatters, Metallica, Ozzy & the New Album 19.08.2026 37m

  @breakingbenjamin Jasen Rauch joins Country Outdoors for a wide-ranging conversation about music, life on the road, fatherhood, the band’s new album—and the unbelievable day he returned to his Nashville home and found squatters inside. Jasen shares what happened when he walked into the house during a move, discovered the damage and stolen belongings, and had to navigate an incredibly stressful situation while preparing to leave for tour. He also talks about the journey from working in Nashville recording studios and co-founding Red to joining Breaking Benjamin, writing alongside Ben Burnley, and completing the band’s biggest and longest album-production process yet. We get into some of Jasen’s biggest career moments, including playing with Metallica during the Black Album anniversary celebration and sharing a bill with Ozzy Osbourne. He also opens up about being a dad while living the touring life, raising his daughters to pursue their passions, his love for the outdoors, his interest in hunting and fishing, and using his platform to support veterans and first responders. This episode was recorded at Scuba Diving International headquarters in Florida while training for a future wounded-veteran dive program.
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  Rookie Cop Chaos, Combat Stories & Pig Latin 12.08.2026 1h 18m

  Eric Tansey is a former police officer, combat veteran, podcaster, and author of Pig Latin: A Seriously Funny True Story of a Former Police Officer. In this episode, Eric tells the unbelievable story of his first day as a rookie cop—only minutes into the job—when a routine call became absolute chaos. We dive into the hilarious, outrageous, and sometimes dark real-life police stories that inspired Pig Latin, including what it was like learning law enforcement on one of Raleigh’s toughest beats. Eric shares how writing helped him process the job, how a collection of wild police stories became a book, and why Pig Latin is more than just another “cop book.” But this conversation goes much deeper than rookie cop chaos. Eric takes us back to his life as a Saint Augustine beach kid and deep-sea fishing deckhand, the moment he felt called to join the military, his combat deployment to Afghanistan, Green Beret selection, SERE school, leadership lessons, and the complicated transition from military service to police work. We also discuss his personal perspective on the war in Afghanistan and the U.S. withdrawal. Eric also opens up about being wounded in the line of duty, trauma, faith, marriage, raising five kids, homeschooling, getting rid of screens, building self-reliant children, and learning to put fatherhood ahead of personal ambition. He shares why he recently rededicated his life to Christ and what becoming a spiritual leader in his home means to him. We begin at Scuba Diving International, where Eric helped create a veteran-focused scuba-diving initiative designed to bring wounded veterans, combat veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and their loved ones into a healing experience on the water. This is one of the funniest and most honest conversations we’ve had: from combat stories and police academy pressure to fatherhood, faith, healing, outdoor living, and the wild true stories behind Pig Latin.
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  From Farmer Wants a Wife to CMA Fest: Jared Wrigley’s Wild Ride 05.08.2026 25m

  Mary O’Neill sits down at CMA Fest with Australian farmer and rising country artist Jarrad Wrigley, fresh off winning the Star Maker competition that funded his first-ever trip beyond Australia. They dive into his humble background, how Star Maker changed his life, and what it’s like to perform in Nashville for the 1st time. Jarrad shares behind-the-scenes stories from Farmer Wants a Wife Australia, from producers living under the same roof to the drama that changed the rules for later seasons. You’ll hear how the show really works when the cameras aren’t rolling, plus why he chose a more respectful approach while other farmers leaned into the chaos. Mary and Jarrad dig into meeting the American Farmer Wants a Wife cast at CMA Fest, nights out in Nashville, and the differences between country fans in the U.S. and Australia. They swap stories about travel, music, hats and merch, and what Jarrad is dreaming up next for his music career after reality TV.
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  Farmer Wants a Wife: Reality TV Secrets 29.07.2026 35m

  Ever wondered what really happens behind the cameras on FOX’s Farmer Wants a Wife? In this Country Outdoors episode, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with John Sansone and Matt Warren to break down reality TV secrets, life on their ranches, and how the show followed their real feelings more than a scripted storyline. They go deep on avocado wars, cartel‑pressured farming and water control, family tragedy that pushed them into agriculture, and how neighbors in the ag community helped them learn the ropes. Then it’s all about the outdoors: wild pigs in wine country, duck blinds, Osceola turkey hunting on public land, bowhunting with a young family, wild game cooking, faith, unions, and the farm‑law realities of keeping generational land—perfect for fans of Farmer Wants a Wife, The Bachelor, and anyone who loves rural life and hunting.
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  Waka Flocka Flame - Re Release 25.07.2026 42m

  “When I met God, I high‑fived the devil.” — @wakaflocka In one of the most raw and unfiltered conversations we’ve ever had on Country Outdoors, Waka Flocka Flame sits down with Mary O’Neill Phillips to share his full testimony. He opens up about losing two younger brothers and carrying the weight of survivor’s guilt, years of numbing pain through ecstasy starting in seventh grade, and facing a 10‑year prison sentence after being caught with a stolen car and a sawed‑off shotgun. From divorce and depression to rebuilding his life, Waka walks through the moments that nearly broke him—and how God met him right in the middle of it all. Today, his perspective is clear: “If it moves me away from God, I’m not doing it. I don’t care how profitable it is. The devil gets no play in my ride.” He also shares how that mindset shapes everything—his views on marriage, friendship, forgiveness, and the kind of father he wants to be. If you only know Waka Flocka Flame from the high-energy anthems, this episode will completely change how you see him. In this episode, we cover: The tragic accident that took his younger brother’s life and the guilt that followed Losing another brother to suicide and questioning God Years of drug use and the moment he realized he needed change A life-altering legal scare in Georgia Divorce, failure, and the growth that came from it Making decisions rooted in faith, not profit Fatherhood, boundaries, and still choosing to believe in love Welcome to the Country Outdoors Podcast—where country music, entertainment, and the outdoor lifestyle meet real conversations about faith, life, and the wild.
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  Michael Ray 2.0: Resetting His Life, Health, and Country Career 22.07.2026 26m

  Michael Ray is back—and this time it’s on his terms. In this episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Michael opens up about burning out in the country music grind, stepping away to get physically and mentally healthy, and why this new chapter of his career feels more honest than ever. We talk about: Growing up country and how the industry almost pulled him away from who he really is Hitting a breaking point and resetting his life, health, and priorities Getting clear‑eyed again through faith, time outdoors, and real friendships Lining up his first blacktail hunt, future elk tags, and a Canada bear hunt with UFC legend Chad Mendes Launching his new show Offstage America and building a lifestyle brand around faith, the outdoors, sports, and real stories What “Michael Ray 2.0” looks like on stage: more stripped‑down, more present, and more connected
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  Too Country for Country Music? – Shane Profitt, Madden Metcalf & Cole Goodwin 15.07.2026 45m

  Too Country for Country Music? – Shane Profitt, Madden Metcalf & Cole Goodwin Live from CMA Fest on the Bottomland‑wrapped pontoon, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with Shane Profitt, Madden Metcalf and Cole Goodwin to talk real country music, hunting, fishing, faith and small‑town life. Shane shares stories from his biggest turkey season yet, Osceola hunts in Florida, and the journey of songs like “Long Live Country” and “Comes With the Country” as he heads out on tour with Luke Bryan. Madden dives into his Florida Forgotten Coast commercial‑fishing roots and how working crab boats and Gulf Coast docks turned into saltwater Southern country songs, while Cole brings Pooler, Georgia grit and a roots‑first sound that’s helping lead country music back to its traditional core. If you’re searching for country music that actually sounds like country—turkey hunting, coastal fishing, bass ponds, faith, family, and small towns—you’ll feel right at home in this episode.
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  Inside CMA Fest: Drew Baldridge, Grace Tyler & Preston Cooper | Farm, Faith & Family 08.07.2026 41m

  Spend a day at CMA Fest with Country Outdoors as Mary sits down for a fan-fair special with ⁨@DrewBaldridgeMusic⁩ , ⁨@GraceTyler⁩ and ⁨@prestoncoopermusic⁩ diving into the heart of farm, faith and family in country music. To make it happen, the Country Outdoors crew pulled a Mossy Oak Bottomland Veranda pontoon straight into Fan Fair X and turned it into the ultimate country music hangout spot.Drew looks back on the early days before his radio No. 1, including the time Country Outdoors filmed his first-ever turkey hunt and the hunting traditions he now passes on to his boys. Preston shares how he actually learned to hunt from his sister, and how growing up in the woods shaped his songwriting and his first Fan Fair experience. Grace brings the Texas banter with hilarious CMA Fest and hunting-adjacent stories, plus the highs and lows of chasing it in Nashville.If you love country music, hunting camps, pontoon hangs and honest conversations about faith, family, and the grind of being an independent artist, you’ll feel right at home in this episode.
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  Jo Dee Messina: Jesus, 12‑Year Hiatus & Her ‘Bridges’ Comeback 01.07.2026 41m

  Jo Dee Messina IS BACK! In this episode, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with 90s country icon Jo Dee Messina to unpack the highs, lows, and miracles behind her return to country music. Jo Dee shares how everything she’d built seemed to crumble, her battle with cancer, and the front‑porch encounter with Jesus that changed the entire direction of her life and career. They dive into why she stepped away from the spotlight for 12 years, how fame, labels, and industry pressures impacted her, and what led to her finding peace, purpose, and a deeper faith. Jo Dee talks through the journey to her new album Bridges, the CMA stage she was told she’d never stand on again, and why her biggest desire now isn’t another No. 1—but a ministry and space where people can come to know Him. If you grew up on “I’m Alright” and her 90s hits or you’re walking through your own season of rebuilding, this conversation will hit you straight in the heart. Listen in as Jo Dee Messina and Mary O’Neill Phillips go to “church” on country, calling, and the goodness of God in the middle of real‑world struggles.
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  Koe Wetzel: Fishing, Fatherhood, and The Night Champion 25.06.2026 39m

  Koe Wetzel talks fishing, fatherhood, getting arrested, and his new album The Night Champion in this Country Outdoors podcast episode. If you’re searching for a Koe Wetzel interview that mixes country music, hunting, fishing, and real life stories from the road, this is it. Join country music star Koe Wetzel and host Mary O’Neill for a day of fishing in Tennessee that turns into a wide‑open conversation about life, fatherhood, and his new album, The Night Champion. Out on the boat in Tennessee, they’re catching fish, laughing, and swapping stories from the road — including the time Mary got arrested as a teenager in Australia. On the water, Koe talks about becoming a dad, why he decided to slow down on drinking, and how that shift is showing up in his music. He and Mary get into wild hunting stories from Australia and all over the States, chasing big deer across Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, and more. If you love Koe’s music, hunting and fishing, or just honest talk about growing up without losing your edge, this episode is for you. Pull up a seat on the pontoon, crack a cold one, and go “Fishing With Koe.”
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  Dustin Lynch: Country, EDM & Bowhunting 17.06.2026 32m

  Country Outdoors Podcast Host Mary O’Neill sits down with country star Dustin Lynch live from CMA Fest at Creatures Studio for a deep dive into his double life: hardcore hunter and Vegas EDM headliner. In his return to the Country Outdoors Podcast, Dustin breaks down how a PBR afterparty turned into a full-blown DJ show, what it’s like headlining a Wynn nightlife residency, and why he’s obsessed with dropping high-energy dance collabs while still staying rooted in country. They dig into his new music and recent collaborations with heavy-hitting DJs and producers, how today’s festival crowd wants rapid-fire, high-BPM sets, and what it means to bridge the gap between country fans and global dance audiences. On the hunting side,  @DustinLynch  nerds out on habitat management, food plots, and his love of making the woods better, then shares the “One That Got Away” Bog segment—complete with a double-beard Tennessee turkey that still haunts him and archery encounters that changed how he hunts. You’ll also hear stories from spring turkey seasons in Missouri, Iowa and Tennessee, behind-the-scenes pressure of hunting on camera, his legendary pool party at CMA Fest, and why he’s more fired up than ever about the future—with hints at what’s coming next in both his country and EDM worlds.
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  Waka Flocka Flame: “When I Met God, I High‑Fived the Devil” 11.06.2026 44m

  “When I met God, I high‑fived the devil.” - Waka Flocka Flame In one of the rawest conversations we’ve ever had on Country Outdoors Podcast, Waka Flocka Flame sits down with Mary O’Neill Phillips to share his full testimony. From losing two younger brothers and carrying survivor’s guilt, to living on ecstasy from seventh grade into his twenties, facing a 10‑year prison sentence with a stolen car and a sawed‑off shotgun, and walking through divorce and depression, Waka opens up about the moments that nearly broke him—and how God met him in the middle of it. He talks about why he now refuses to take any opportunity that pulls him away from God (“If it moves me away from God, I’m not doing it. I don’t care how profitable it is. The devil gets no play in my ride.”), how he thinks about marriage, friendship, forgiveness, and what kind of father he wants to be for his son. If you’ve only known Waka Flocka Flame from the turn‑up anthems, this episode will change the way you see him. What we cover in this episode: The tragic accident that took his little brother’s life and the guilt he carried for years Losing a second brother to suicide and wrestling with “Why them, God?” Ecstasy, numbing the pain, and realizing “this is not me” Getting locked up in Georgia and the legal scare that forced a change Divorce, failure, and why he says he needed that season to grow How he now makes every decision based on whether it moves him closer to or further from God Fatherhood, boundaries, and why he still believes in love Welcome to the Country Outdoors Podcast, where country music, entertainment, and outdoor lifestyle collide with honest conversations about faith, life, and the wild. 🔔Subscribe and turn on notifications!🔔 https://bit.ly/4a9ntZW New Content Weekly! https://linktr.ee/countryoutdoorsoffi... Get Country Outdoors merch here! ➡️ https://countryoutdoors.com/shop ---------- OUR Partners : Field and Stream https://bit.ly/3MpZgp4 OnX Hunt https://bit.ly/3UyuOKN Yuengling https://bit.ly/yuenglingbeer Rural 1st https://www.rural1st.com/00:00 – Cold open: “When I met God…” 00:34 – Mary’s intro & setup 01:52 – Getting comfortable on set 03:00 – “I want to talk about Jesus” 04:20 – Gifts, Solture & Mossy Oak 06:00 – Hunting stories & turkey invite 07:45 – Why Waka’s faith stands out 08:40 – What “testimony” means 09:30 – Waka’s view of Jesus & Spirit 11:40 – Losing his little brother 15:00 – Second brother, suicide & “why?” 17:40 – Ecstasy, numbness, hitting bottom 20:50 – Prison scare & legal grace 24:00 – People feeling trapped 26:30 – Forgiveness & friendship lines 29:30 – Divorce, depression, growth 33:40 – Marriage, dating & standards 38:30 – Music, Satan & influence 41:10 – Prayer calls & fiancée’s faith 42:13 – What he wants to be remembered for 42:36 – God’s wrath & no attention to devil 42:50 – “When I met God, I high‑fived the devil” #WakaFlockaFlame #CountryOutdoorsPodcast #Testimony #FaithJourney #ChristianPodcast #CountryMusic #HipHop #GodFirst #SpiritualWarfare #PodcastInterview
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  From Dad Bod to Sonny Quinn: AJ Buckley on Turning Career Failure into SEAL Team Success 27.05.2026 52m

  Actor, entrepreneur, health tinkerer, husband, dad and all‑around weapon of a human—AJ Buckley is back in the studio, and this time Mary is on his turf at The AJ Buckley Show. From CSI lab coat to SEAL Team kit, from “soft” to “most jacked dad on the block,” AJ walks through the exact moment a lost franchise role forced him to change everything. He opens up about the studio note that gutted him (“we don’t have time to get him ready”), the promise he made to his wife and newborn daughter that night, and how he turned that embarrassment into the discipline that built Sonny Quinn. They dig into his 4 a.m. mornings, the biohacking dungeon in his basement (cold plunges, sauna, oxygen training, red light, PEMF, hyperbaric), and why he treats getting in shape like a full‑time job when a big role comes in. AJ breaks down blood work, hormones and inflammation, why most guys are guessing with their health, and how carnivore, fasting, sardine experiments and even parasite cleanses have changed the way he feels on set and at home. They talk about carrying too much size on SEAL Team, coming back from injury, chasing muscle density for longevity, and still showing up as a present husband and dad—not just a guy who looks good on camera. If you love SEAL Team, need a kick in the ass to finally handle your health, or just want to hear two friends talk honestly about failure, ego, and doing the work, this episode is for you.
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  The Man Behind the First NWTF Banquet | Bobby Mead 20.05.2026 40m

  Join host Mary O’Neill Phillips at historic Wappaoolah Plantation in South Carolina as she sits down with turkey hunting legend and conservation pioneer Bobby Mead, the man behind the first NWTF banquet and the Swamp Fox chapter. Bobby shares how his family’s fifth-generation timber operation, love of wild turkeys and early involvement with the National Wild Turkey Federation helped shape modern turkey hunting and conservation in the Lowcountry and beyond. From his first gobbler at six years old to planting Chufa fields, surviving a near-death gallbladder surgery, and fighting to keep Southern timber and family land viable, Bobby’s stories are packed with history, faith, humor and hard-earned wisdom. If you care about wild turkey hunting, NWTF banquets, Southern land stewardship and the people who built this tradition, you won’t want to miss this conversation.