Country Outdoors Podcast

Johnathon Schaech joins Country Outdoors to talk about Blue Ridge, Hollywood, faith, sobriety, fatherhood, and the move that changed his life.

Known for Blue Ridge, That Thing You Do!, How to Make an American Quilt, and Houdini, Johnathon shares the unlikely road that took him from blue-collar Maryland to Hollywood—and ultimately to a new life in Nashville.

He talks about playing Sheriff Justin Wise in Blue Ridge, why family-friendly storytelling matters to him, and his hopes for the future of the series. Johnathon also shares stories from the set of How to Make an American Quilt, including working with Maya Angelou and unexpectedly realizing he had been talking with Steven Spielberg. He reflects on That Thing You Do!, working with Tom Hanks, meeting Brad Pitt early in his career, and the unlikely series of events that redirected him from a Chippendales audition toward acting.

Beyond the movies and television, this is a conversation about dyslexia, family, recovery, fatherhood, faith, and choosing to leave Los Angeles for Nashville. Johnathon opens up about finding purpose outside of Hollywood, helping others through 12-step recovery, and building a life rooted in presence and community.

Content advisory: This episode includes candid discussion of trauma, sexual assault, addiction, recovery, and mental health.

In this episode:

Johnathon’s role as Sheriff Justin Wise in Blue Ridge

The future of Blue Ridge and why the series matters to him

Moving from Hollywood to Nashville for family

That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks, Maya Angelou, and Steven Spielberg

Dyslexia, acting, and finding your lane

Sobriety, recovery, fatherhood, and faith

Building a more purposeful life beyond fame

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, support is available through local recovery resources and 12-step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics

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.

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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.

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

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.