Country Outdoors Podcast

This week on the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary sits down with Morgan Hylton—an outdoorswoman, conservationist, and owner of Almost Heaven Plantation in South Carolina. Born and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, Morgan comes from a proud coal mining family with deep Appalachian roots. Her late father, Warren Hylton, was not only a major figure in the industry, but also one of the founding members of Friends of Coal, a global organization advocating for coal communities and honoring the people behind the work.

Morgan shares how her family’s legacy shaped her passion for land, wildlife, and the outdoors. From her earliest hunting memories alongside her dad to now running a 2,000-acre property dedicated to quail, duck, and dove hunting, Morgan has become a powerful voice in outdoor leadership. She talks about the challenges and pride of being a female owner-operator in a historically male-dominated space, the importance of land stewardship, and her mission to open the outdoors to new and diverse audiences.

This episode is packed with stories about heritage, habitat management, her love of horses, and the unforgettable buffalo hunt she’ll never forget.

On this week’s episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary is at CMC Rocks—the biggest country music festival in the Southern Hemisphere—where she sits down with Liam and Billy from Australia’s rising Dusty Boots Podcast. From farm life to footy, Aussie slang to country music’s future, they dig into what makes their scene special and how a builder from Ballarat and a country singer ended up behind the mics of one of the most entertaining country podcasts out there. They share the highs, the mishaps, and the unexpected moments that shaped their journey. It's a raw, honest, and hilarious episode that crosses borders and unites the global country music family.

In this episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary sits down with longtime friend and country artist, Dani Rose. They discuss her transformative journey from California to Nashville and Dani shares how leaving the West Coast inspired her debut studio album Outsiders, a heartfelt tribute to dreamers, creatives, and those who feel like they don't quite fit in. They delve into the stories behind her songs, including the emotional impact of "Whiskey You're Cold," and how her music has resonated with fans. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about self-discovery, authenticity, and the power of music.

Mary sits down with country music star Koe Wetzel at CMC Rocks, Australia’s biggest international country music festival. From growing up hunting public land in Texas to tagging a bull elk over 380 inches, Koe’s love for the outdoors runs deep. They dive into everything from turkey hunting on Hawaii’s Big Island to crawling into a cave with a black bear in Utah. Tune in for wild stories, dream hunts, and a look at Koe’s passion for hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.

Austin Williams isn’t just a rising country music artist—he’s a true Nashville native, one of the very few in the industry. Growing up on a tobacco farm, he developed a deep love for the outdoors at an early age. In this episode, he shares how he turned a one-year gap into a full-blown music career, proving that betting on yourself can pay off big. But when he’s not writing songs and performing, Austin is a duck hunting fiend. He dives into his extreme passion for waterfowl, his first hunts with his dad, competition coon hunting, and his newfound love for turkey hunting. From chasing dreams to chasing game, this episode is packed with stories of determination, grit, and the great outdoors!

AJ Buckley is an actor, entrepreneur, and former star of SEAL Team, where he portrayed the iconic Sonny Quinn. Born in Ireland, AJ’s journey into acting began with a childhood play that sparked his passion for the craft. After landing his first major role on CSI: NY, he went on to transform himself both mentally and physically to embody the role of a Navy SEAL in SEAL Team, which aired for seven successful seasons and became a fan favorite, with millions of viewers tuning in to witness the high-stakes world of Navy SEALs. AJ’s portrayal of Sonny Quinn resonated deeply with audiences, contributing to the series’ reputation for its gritty realism and emotional depth.

AJ's commitment to discipline extended beyond acting, culminating in his personal brand, Born of Discipline, which focuses on mind, body, and spirit. His transformative approach to life and work has made him a respected figure, both in and out of the entertainment industry.

AJ is now teaming up with his SEAL Team co-star and real-life Delta Force operator Tyler Grey for a new podcast and comedy-driven survival series called Two Fake SEALS—a hilarious look at the world of special ops through the lens of a real operator and an actor who played one.

On this weeks episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary O’Neill Phillips chats with AJ about his journey—from his transformation on SEAL Team to his commitment to discipline and the wild stories that come with both his on-screen and real-life adventures. Mary also gets the scoop on a never-before-heard story about AJ possibly living in a stage closet at CBS for weeks—definitely a story you won’t want to miss, and it’s sure to crack you up.

This week on the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary catches up with her good friend Kylie Frey—or as some call her, Miss Thang! Growing up in Louisiana, Kylie quickly made a name for herself in the world of rodeo and Texas country music, racking up over 10 number-one hits on Texas country radio.

Mary and Kylie dive into new mom life, upcoming hunting plans, and how the Western lifestyle has made a major comeback in recent years. From the saddle to the stage, Kylie’s journey is one you won’t want to miss! Plus, she shares a never-before-heard story about how her long partnership came about with her late mentor, Erv Woolsey.

Stay tuned for an episode full of laughs, real talk, and a little Southern grit.

This week on the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary catches up with her good friend Kylie Frey—or as some call her, Miss Thang! Growing up in Louisiana, Kylie quickly made a name for herself in the world of rodeo and Texas country music, racking up over 10 number-one hits on Texas country radio.

Mary and Kylie dive into new mom life, upcoming hunting plans, and how the Western lifestyle has made a major comeback in recent years. From the saddle to the stage, Kylie’s journey is one you won’t want to miss! Plus, she shares a never-before-heard story about her long partnership came about with her late mentor, Erv Woolsey.

Stay tuned for an episode full of laughs, real talk, and a little Southern grit.

On this week’s episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary sits down with longtime friend and country artist Kasey Tyndall. From growing up in North Carolina hunting clubs to embracing the journey of motherhood, Kasey and Mary dive into heartfelt conversations about raising kids of their own. Kasey is gearing up to release new music as 2025 kicks off including her recent single, "Not As I've Done." Stick around for stories from the field, life on the road, and a sneak peek at what’s next for Kasey’s music career.

This week on The Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary sits down with her good friend, Jordan Rowe. Jordan Rowe is a talented singer/songwriter making his mark in Nashville’s country music scene. He also founded Music Row Ministries, a group offering Bible studies for men and women in the music industry. Jordan is a pioneer of "Kingdom Country," a growing genre that infuses country music with faith-based messages.

Join Mary and Jordan as they chat about his journey in music, their shared love of hunting, wedding planning, and the incredible story of a 3-day fast that reshaped Jordan’s path in 2024. You won’t want to miss this episode full of inspiration, laughter, and meaningful conversation!