Episode 87 - Finding Purpose Through Grief: A Veterinarian’s Outdoor and Life Journey

A heartfelt story of resilience, faith, and outdoor adventures that will inspire hunters and anglers alike. Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with veterinarian Emmy Patterson-Wood to explore how a life rooted in the outdoors shapes resilience, purpose, and compassion. Emmy reflects on growing up in a large, active family, where camping, hiking, and fishing trips fostered her love for wildlife and animals. She shares how caring for a sibling with special needs strengthened her empathy—lessons that carry over to both veterinary work and the hunting and fishing world. Listeners will hear Emmy’s experiences balancing college rodeo, motherhood, and a career in veterinary medicine while navigating profound grief after losing her husband. She discusses how faith, community support, and time in nature helped her heal, highlighting the therapeutic power of pets and the outdoors for managing stress and loss. For hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts, Emmy’s story offers practical inspiration: finding purpose through challenges, trusting the process, and valuing relationships with family, friends, and the natural world. From deer stands to fishing trips, this conversation underscores how outdoor pursuits can anchor us in times of hardship and remind us to embrace life’s joys. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations that explore life, resilience, and the outdoors. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What you feed your dog can shape performance, longevity, and recovery far beyond genetics. Serious hunters and anglers know a good dog is more than a companion. A bird dog in the field, a retriever in icy water, or a cattle dog putting in miles all day demands nutrition that matches the work. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how canine nutrition actually supports stamina, joint health, digestion, and long-term soundness. Animal nutrition scientist Kathy Gross breaks down why inflammation sits at the center of many common canine issues, from arthritis to digestive trouble, and how diet choices can either amplify or manage those problems. The discussion explores protein, fat, and carbohydrate balance for active dogs, explaining why endurance dogs, sprint-style working dogs, and sporting breeds all burn fuel differently. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of gut health and the microbiome, why frequent food switching creates digestive chaos, and how antibiotics, stress, and allergies can derail a dog’s performance. There’s also a practical look at organ meats, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and electrolytes, and why these matter for recovery after long days in the field. Rather than chasing trends or marketing hype, this episode emphasizes evidence-based feeding strategies rooted in animal science and real-world field experience. It’s an insider-level conversation that helps hunters and outdoorsmen make smarter decisions for dogs that work hard, travel often, and deserve to stay healthy season after season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A brutal Alaska duck hunt becomes a powerful reckoning with legacy, loss, and why we hunt. Americana artist Drew Holcomb joins host Mary O’Neill Phillips for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation that moves from Southern duck blinds to the frozen edge of the Bering Sea. At its heart is a January King Eider hunt in Alaska one of North America’s most demanding waterfowl pursuits and the family history that pulled Drew and his brother north into the dark. Raised in a household where hunting, fishing, and storytelling were inseparable, Drew reflects on growing up duck hunting in Mississippi, learning fieldcraft from his grandfather, and how outdoor traditions shape identity across generations. The conversation explores what makes sea duck hunting so different from long shots and open water to weather that tests both gear and resolve and why modern waterfowl equipment matters when conditions turn unforgiving. Beyond the hunt, Drew opens up about fatherhood, introducing kids to hunting the right way, and balancing ambition with responsibility in both the outdoors and creative life. Listeners will also hear how chasing rare game like King Eiders parallels elk hunting, upland bird hunting, and other high-effort pursuits where patience, humility, and failure are part of the reward. This episode is equal parts hunting story, outdoor philosophy, and reminder that the strongest traditions aren’t just about harvesting game but about protecting the bonds formed in the field and passing them on. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and outdoor conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From first rabbits to filming legends, this episode traces how an outdoors life is built. Every hunter and angler has a starting point but not everyone turns that beginning into a career spent in the woods. In this episode of Country Outdoors, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with her husband, Zach Phillips, for a rare, unfiltered conversation about growing up outdoors and finding a life shaped by hunting, fishing, and storytelling. Zach walks through his earliest hunting memories, from quail and rabbit hunts on a Missouri farm to learning deer and turkey hunting in South Georgia. Along the way, he explains how small-game hunting, trapping, coon hunting, and creek fishing built the foundation for understanding animal behavior, wind, and woodsmanship skills that still matter for serious whitetail and turkey hunters today. The conversation also explores how a passion for hunting shows and outdoor magazines evolved into a career behind the camera. Zach shares what it’s really like filming deer hunts, elk hunts, and backcountry adventures, why being a hunter first matters for outdoor production, and the mistakes that teach lessons no classroom ever could. From bowfishing escapades to sitting in tree stands with legendary hunters, this episode pulls back the curtain on outdoor television and life on the road. It’s an honest look at mentorship, tradition, and the long road from first hunt to making a living in the outdoors—perfect for anyone chasing their own path through hunting, fishing, and wild places. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and outdoor conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From fishing ponds to first turkey hunts, RaeLynn opens up about slowing down outdoors. Mary sits down with country music star RaeLynn for a wide-ranging conversation that blends family, faith, and a growing pull toward the outdoors. Raised in Texas and shaped by hard work, rodeos, and wide-open spaces, RaeLynn shares how time outside (especially fishing) has become a grounding force in an otherwise fast-paced life. Listeners will hear RaeLynn talk candidly about motherhood, raising her daughter with strong values, and why outdoor experiences matter more than ever in a world dominated by screens and schedules. From early memories of fishing with friends to recent adventures introducing her daughter to ponds, tackle boxes, and patience, this conversation highlights how fishing and hunting slow life down and reconnect us to what matters. RaeLynn also opens up about wanting to learn the craft of hunting—from spring turkey hunting to understanding the responsibility of harvesting and cooking your own wild game. It’s an honest look at what draws newcomers to hunting culture and why more families are rediscovering outdoor traditions. Woven throughout the episode are reflections on faith, resilience, and authenticity, along with stories from life on the road, songwriting, and staying grounded through outdoor time. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, a weekend angler, or someone curious about getting started, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a reminder that the outdoors operate on a different clock, one worth following. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and outdoor conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A mountain sportsman loses everything to floodwaters, and finds purpose, faith, and resilience in the aftermath. In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Country Outdoors Podcast, host Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with North Carolina mountain native Andy Buchanan, bowhunter, father, and founder of Thorn Broadheads, to share a story that reaches far beyond the hunt. Andy grew up hunting these Appalachian ridges, learning woodsmanship through squirrel hunting, whitetail deer seasons, and a lifelong connection to the land. But when Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina, those same mountain creeks turned violent, wiping out his home, his business, and nearly everything he owned in a matter of hours. This conversation isn’t just about disaster, it’s about what comes after. Andy walks listeners through surviving catastrophic flooding, navigating isolation with no communication, and facing the mental and emotional weight that follows losing your livelihood and sense of place. For hunters and anglers who understand the bond between people and landscapes, this episode hits close to home. You’ll hear how faith, family, and the outdoor community carried Andy forward, and how Appalachia’s self-reliant spirit showed up when government help fell short. The episode also explores how Andy balanced rebuilding a life with helping neighbors, managing disaster relief efforts, and slowly bringing his broadhead company back to life ahead of bow season. This is a reminder that the outdoors don’t just shape how we hunt, they shape how we endure, protect one another, and rebuild when everything familiar is gone. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing and country music conversations conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A young country artist reveals how faith, family, and the outdoors shaped his unexpected path forward. Country artist Baylee Littrell sits down for an open, grounded conversation about country music, family legacy, and how time outdoors has shaped his story. Raised between tour buses and rural Georgia, Baylee shares what it was really like growing up as the son of a Backstreet Boy while still finding his own identity in music, sports, and the outdoors. Listeners will hear how bass fishing on his family land, four-wheeler days, and time with his grandparents built his earliest outdoor foundation. Baylee talks candidly about his first bowhunting experience, why he’s drawn to shotgun sports, and why turkey hunting is at the top of his list for next season. The conversation also digs into the power of conservation, the importance of responsible harvest, and why reconnecting with nature matters more than ever. Baylee also opens up about the moment on American Idol that reignited his love for songwriting and deepened his faith—ultimately changing his creative direction. From country influences and gospel roots to his sports management studies at LSU, this is an insider look at an emerging artist who isn’t afraid to blend worlds, chase truth, and lean into the outdoors lifestyle that grounds him. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A powerful conversation on hunting traditions, bird dogs, and the faith that carries us through loss. Country music artist and lifelong outdoorsman Mo Pitney returns to the podcast for a deep, wide-ranging conversation that weaves together the heart of the sporting life; upland hunting, bird dogs, family, faith, and the outdoors traditions that shape us. Recorded in Nashville, Mo opens up about growing up in Illinois as a pheasant hunter, learning bluegrass in church, and the family roots that built his love for music and the wild places he still seeks out today. Listeners will hear Mo’s incredible story of the Brittany Spaniels that shaped his childhood, including an unforgettable final hunt from his dog Duchess—one of the most emotional working-dog stories ever shared on this show. Mo also dives into how becoming a father changed his relationship with the land, why he’s passionate about conservation, and how hunting in Tennessee pushed him to rediscover quail habitat close to home. The conversation takes a heartfelt turn into faith, grief, and the powerful bond between people and their animals, with Mo sharing how the outdoors helped his family navigate the loss of a pet and the promise of hope during hard seasons. This is an insider conversation every upland hunter, dog handler, and outdoors-minded parent will connect with—raw, honest, and deeply grounded in the sporting life. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A country artist opens up about healing, hunting roots, and rediscovering purpose far beyond the spotlight. In this deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Michael Ray to explore the outdoor heritage, family legacy, and hard-earned perspective that shaped his life long before Nashville knew his name. Raised in central Florida’s hardwoods, cypress swamps, and bass lakes, Michael grew up running cable with his grandfather, learning harmony in living rooms, and chasing gobblers, gators, and early-morning largemouths across Lake County. But after years of nonstop touring, personal loss, and the noise of the entertainment machine, Michael found himself off the road for the first time since he was seventeen—facing the weight he’d carried for decades. Here, he opens up about the spiritual and mental reset that followed, including ayahuasca therapy, reconnecting to faith, and using time in the woods and on the water to rebuild joy, clarity, and direction. Listeners will hear how stepping away helped him fall back in love with music, how hunting and fishing played a grounding role throughout his life, and what he’s learned about navigating pressure, comparison, and identity in a world driven by algorithms instead of authenticity. Whether you’re a lifelong hunter or a weekend angler, this episode offers a rare, inside look at growth, grit, and finding your compass again. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the chaos of addiction to peace on the water—Andrew Greene’s story shows how faith and fishing can save a life. In this powerful episode of Country Outdoors, host Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with Andrew Greene, Field & Stream’s Andrew Green Fishing host, for an unfiltered conversation about sobriety, redemption, and rediscovering purpose through the outdoors. Andrew grew up in Tennessee dreaming of life on the water, flipping through Field & Stream magazines and chasing bass long before social media glamorized it. But his story took dark turns—addiction, failure, and loss of direction—before faith and fishing brought him back to life. He opens up about the moment that changed everything, the community that helped him stay sober, and how time on the water became both therapy and testimony. Listeners will hear a raw look at addiction recovery through outdoor purpose, learn how daily discipline and prayer built his foundation for long-term sobriety, and gain insight into how Field & Stream’s rebirth is inspiring a new generation of outdoorsmen. Whether you’ve battled your own demons or just need a reminder of why time outside heals, this one’s for you. Presented by: Field & Stream Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Mary O’Neill Phillips: https://www.countryoutdoors.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices