DENVER (October 8, 2025) – In the latest episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms and in partnership with Spartan Precision and Folds of Honor, Michael Waddell welcomes Phillip Culpepper, a renowned turkey hunter and host of “The Hunt Club with Phillip Culpepper.” The Michael Waddell Podcast is produced by Outdoor Sportsman Group and is available widely on MyOutdoorTV, Outdoor Channel YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and OutdoorChannel.com, to name a few.
This episode brings together two friends who share a deep-rooted history in the outdoor industry. The conversation traces Culpepper’s journey, which began at just 16 years old, packing boxes in the warehouse at Realtree. Listeners will learn how his initial passion for the outdoors evolved into a remarkable 17-year career filming and producing for Realtree Outdoors Productions, where he honed his craft of telling authentic stories of the hunt.
Waddell and Culpepper explore the deep connection between hunting and storytelling. They discuss Culpepper’s transition from behind the camera to in front of it, co-hosting Realtree’s “Spring Thunder” and eventually launching his own successful series, “Hunt Club with Phillip Culpepper.”
“We had the best time back in those days – when Phillip was behind the camera filming, and it was most times on a shoestring budget. We were surrounded by larger-than-life personalities, but it didn’t feel like work. But you have to be obsessed with it, like Phillip is. All he worried about was a gobbling turkey and a good Hank Jr. song,” shared Waddell during the podcast.
“You (Waddell) were a big support behind me when I was first learning and using the camera. I was picking everyone’s brain to learn all I could as that’s when “Realtree Roadtrips” started taking off,” shared Culpepper. “I quickly learned there are no days off. And you better be sure this is something you want to do.”
The dialogue offers an inside look at what it takes to build a career from a passion. It’s a story of dedication, from early days guiding hunts to both becoming respected voices in the outdoor community. The discussion highlights the importance of authenticity and the bonds formed in the field, reflecting on the shared experiences that unite hunters.
The Michael Waddell Podcast releases new episodes every other week.
Waddell’s story began in the backwoods of Booger Bottom, Georgia, where he grew up surrounded by nature, family, and a love for the outdoors. A self-proclaimed “rowdy redneck,” his passion for hunting and storytelling led him to win a Realtree turkey-calling contest, which launched his career in the outdoor industry. From guiding and filming hunts to creating hit shows like Realtree Road Trips and Bone Collector, Waddell has become a beloved figure in the outdoor world.
About Outdoor Sportsman Group Publishing: As a premier destination for the most avid outdoors enthusiasts, Outdoor Sportsman Group’s publishing division is widely recognized for its strong special-interest multichannel brands, including Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen’s HUNTING, In-Fisherman and 10 other leading magazines that reach more than 22 million readers. Outdoor Sportsman Group’s network of websites, including BassFan.com, Outdoorchannel.com, Sportsmanchannel.com and WFN.com, attracts more than 62 million annual unique visitors, and OSG TV produces hundreds of TV episodes of original branded hunting, sport shooting and fishing programming that airs on Outdoor Sportsman Group’s broadcast entities. Visit http://outdoorsg.com for more information.
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