Yost and Waddell Talk About Life Beyond the Dugout in New Episode
DENVER (December 17, 2025) – World Series-winning manager Ned Yost joins Michael Waddell on the latest episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms and in partnership with Folds of Honor, Cigars International, The Texas Trophy Hunters Association and Spartan Precision. The two friends share an in-depth conversation covering Yost’s legendary baseball career, his time in the outdoors with icons like Dale Earnhardt, and the valuable leadership lessons he learned along the way.
The Michael Waddell Podcast is produced by Outdoor Sportsman Group and is available widely on Outdoor Channel YouTube, MyOutdoorTV, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and OutdoorChannel.com, to name a few.
In this episode, Yost offers a rare look into his journey, from his early days as a bullpen coach to managing a World Series championship team. He reflects on his time with the Atlanta Braves, where he learned from one of the best ever to do it. “For 12 years, I would watch exactly the way that Bobby [Cox] did everything,” Yost explains. “Because someone once told me, ‘if you want to be successful in your field, find the most successful person in your field and do everything that person does.’” As a bullpen coach, he caught side sessions for pitching legends Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz for years, an experience that shaped his understanding of the game.
The conversation also explores the mental fortitude required in professional sports. Yost shares insights on navigating challenging times, emphasizing the importance of staying the course. He reflects on a difficult period in his career, noting, “A lot of times people think that grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but it’s not. You just gotta stay the course. You gotta understand where you’re going and how you’re gonna get there.”
Beyond the baseball diamond, Yost shares memorable stories from his hunting trips with friends, including a powerful lesson he learned from Dale Earnhardt. He recalls Earnhardt negotiating a tough contract while on a hunting trip and explaining his decision to stay with a winning team. Earnhardt’s advice was simple but profound: “You never leave a winner to go to a loser.” This philosophy of building and sticking with a winning formula became a cornerstone of Yost’s own leadership style.
“Having Ned on the podcast was a true honor. He’s a guy who has reached the pinnacle of his sport but remains so down-to-earth and full of incredible stories,” said Waddell. “From learning at the feet of Bobby Cox to hunting with icons like Dale Earnhardt and others, his experiences offer lessons that apply far beyond baseball, and I hope people will enjoy it.”
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.
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