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If you like wine, wild game and hearing what goes on behind the scenes of a national outdoor TV show, Off the Record with Scott and Michelle is for you.

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Don't listen if you take things too seriously. But together, Michelle and I will probably change your mind on wild game cooking/eating and wine.

Subscribe to 'Off the Record'

On iTunes here
On Libysn here
On iHeartRadio here

Why a podcast?

Perhaps I needed a place to share my nearly 30 years experience as a Chef, caterer, restaurant manager, menu-developer, cocktail-creator, hunter, shooter...or perhaps I just needed an excuse to drink a glass of wine - virtually - with my good friend, Michelle Scheuermann, of BulletProof Communications.

This podcast was actually her idea and it took her about a year to convince me to do it.

She finally flew out to California in mid-March of 2020 to record a few sessions, and wouldn't you believe it that right there, at my kitchen counter, we both found out the world was forever changing.

Luckily she flew back to her home state of Minnesota just fine, but it took us another few months to edit those episodes and get this ball rolling.

Today, we have good flow going

We've started inviting guests on the show - which isn't too hard to do as Michelle has also been in the outdoor industry going on 15 years.

~Scott Leysath

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Listen to the Current Episode

Season 3

OTR Eps 38: Thirty Days in South America Gets You a Show with Kevin Phillps

November 29, 2023

Scott Leysath and Michelle Scheuermann talk with Kevin Phillips of Michael David Winery fame about the new season of Dead Meat that starts December 4, 2023 on Outdoor Channel. Kevin and Scott spent 30 days in South America hunting, fishing, and drinking too much wine. Listen to the podcast on Libsyn here: https://offtherecordscottandmichelle.libsyn.com/otr-38-thirty-days-in-south-america-gets-you-a-tv-show-with-kevin-phillips Also, Michelle is…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 37: Two Sporting Chefs Make it Better: with Stacy Lyn Harris

November 29, 2023

New, and improved, Sporting Chef Season debuts September 25, 2023 on Outdoor Channel with Stacy Lyn Harris. Michelle and Scott also talk dove hunting, Midwest eating habits, milk, California, real eggs (brown vs white), Big Momma and lots of googling.  Listen to the episode on Libysn: https://offtherecordscottandmichelle.libsyn.com/otr-37-two-sporting-chefs-make-it-better-with-stacy-lyn-harris Follow Stacy Lyn Harris on Facebook and Instagram…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 36: The Show is Now Called “Off the Menu”

August 15, 2023
Dead Meat with Scott Leysath

Scott and Michelle discuss Scott’s scope-eye situation, SHOT Show, South America, piranhas, overeating, throwing up a venison burrito, Dry July, social drinking, and how Scott still can’t get the show name correct… Kevin Phillips co-hosts this season of “Dead Meat” with Scott Leysath. Season 7 debuts on Outdoor Channel Dec 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET.…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 35: The Most Important Person on Outdoor Channel is Tommy Gomes

April 1, 2023
The Fishmonger on Outdoor Channel

Tommy Gomes, the Fishermonger, is the most important person on Outdoor Channel – or so Scott and Michelle say. Season three of “The Fishmonger” starts in May, 2023. They talk about: State of Jefferson, Windmill farms, Right whales, Tunaville Market, Season 3, Dry-aged fish, Flavor profiles, Michelle’s got attitude, Fish sausage, Wrench and Rodent, Catfish…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 34: River Klass and Ranch America Series

March 1, 2023

Meet the host of “Ranch America:” River Klass. Ranch America is produced by Scott Leysath and debuts on Outdoor Channel on March 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET. He, Scott Leysath and Michelle discuss Cows, Rodeos, Horses, Michelle and the FFA, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Gas Station Sushi (just don’t do it), Stemple Creek Beef, Calaveras Cowgirl…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 33: Holiday Shenanigans with Scott & Michelle

March 1, 2023

Scott & Michelle discuss stress-free holiday cooking (we do this to ourselves), how to corn venison, duck, or really, anything and Scott gives the latest updates on Ranch America, The Fishmonger, Dead Meat and Sporting Chef TV series. Oh, and cowboys in Hawaii are called paniolos. And they get a kick out of talking about…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 32: Why Do Sober October and Preview of BirdFest in SC

March 1, 2023

Michelle is doing Sober October (why?); Chef Scott is falling apart, why Hallmark Channel is the best; remember Paul James? and Michelle gives a preview of BirdFest with the Steep Canyon Rangers, South Carolina Waterfowl, V.I.P. Experience in Charleston SC. Plus, Scott shares how The Fishmonger is now famous, how Ranch America is coming along…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 31: Scott is Kicked to the Curb

March 1, 2023

Chef Scott Leysath is getting kicked to the curb, a new and improved Sporting Chef is on the deck with Stacy Lyn Harris debuting Sept 19 on Outdoor Channel. And what is Southern cuisine, anyway? Also, we discuss Alaska’s Talon Lodge, that time Michelle caught a King Salmon during spawning… the path of least resistance,…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 30: Snobs and It Isn’t Cow Poop if it Isn’t on the Ground

March 1, 2023

In this episode, Scott and Michelle talk about what’s up with Dead Meat and Ranch America, food snobs, wine snobs, Giardia three-way, off-limits critters, eating skunk and going deep in a cow’s rear end. Listen in and subscribe to the podcast! On iTunes hereOn Stitcher Radio hereOn iHeartRadio here Get Scott’s Recipes at SportingChef.Com Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook and YouTube Watch Dead Meat and…

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OTR Podcast, Eps 29: We are baaack! Season 3!

March 1, 2023

Folks, Michelle and Scott have returned. They discuss season 2 of “The Fishmonger,” new series “Ranch America,” the high cost of travel, being on TV, Horses vs. ATVs, Michelle tells a sad story, surf scoters, the Salton Sea freakshow, the new host of the Sporting Chef, Big Cedar Lodge, Tunaville Market, FloridaBowfishing.com, Lucie Cardet, and…

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Season 2

OTR Podcast, Eps 28: Tales from the Road with Camp Chef’s Brooks Hanson

March 2, 2022

An episode loaded with fascinating & funny stories from hunting & fishing trips near & far as Camp Chef’s Brooks Hanson spills the beans on Scott Leysath. Camp Chef is one of Scott’s longest tenured sponsors of “The Sporting Chef” TV series. Camp Chef is THE source for cast iron cooking and for grills and…

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Off the Record Podcast, Eps 27: Modular Gun Safe and Why You Need One with Steelhead Outdoors

March 1, 2022
steelhead outdoors modular gun safe

Corey Meyer and Charlie Pehrson could not find the gun safe they wanted, so they built it, and they made a modular gun safe. Steelhead Outdoors was born in 2020 – their first show was Pheasant Fest in the Minneapolis in 2020 and they haven’t looked back. All the modular gun safe components are made…

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Off the Record Podcast Eps 26: Keng Becomes a Hunter

September 24, 2021
Keng Yang anti-hunter turned hunter

On Episode 26 of “Off the Record with The Sporting Chef and Michelle” Chef Scott and Michelle chat with an anti-hunter-turned-hunter. What?! Yes! What are the odds that someone opposed to hunting becomes an adult-onset hunter? Slim, indeed… but meet our guest, Keng Yang, who found a love of hunting and traditions thanks to getting…

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Off the Record Podcast Eps 25 : Time to Clean Out the Wild Game Freezer!

September 24, 2021
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On Episode 25 of Off the Record with The Sporting Chef & Michelle, Chef Scott & Michelle remind us that hunting season’s comin’ so it’s time to empty your freezer of last year’s game and fish. Grind things up to make burgers, fish cakes and more tasty meals. Here’s the recipe for Scott’s fish cakes…

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Cooking Secrets w/ Chef John McGannon on Off the Record Podcast, Eps 23

July 13, 2021
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Fabulous & well-spoken game chef John McGannon joins Scott & Michelle for a brand new Off the Record with The Sporting Chef and Michelle, which is loaded with cooking tips and secrets. Plus, Scott lets it slip that he owns 2 e-bikes. Mayhem ensues. Don’t miss Part 1 of Chef John’s interview here. Plus, Chef…

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Off The Record Podcast Eps 22: Stuck in Lodi with Kevin Phillips of Michael David Winery

June 25, 2021
off the record podcast with Kevin Phillips

How did Michael David Winery, out of Lodi, Cali., get named the American Winery of the Year in 2020? Through a lot of time, hard work and family dedication. Listen in as Kevin Phillips, VP of Something at Michael David Winery, shares how his family started the vineyard in the ‘80’s, created a monster brand…

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Off the Record Podcast Eps 21: Hunting TV with Melissa Bachman

June 16, 2021

Have you ever woken up and forgot where you are? And what you are hunting that day? It happens if you travel as the host and producer of an award-winning TV series for more than 300 days out of the year, just like Melissa Bachman of Winchester Deadly Passion. Listen to eps 21 of Off…

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Off the Record Podcast Eps 20: How to Stay Awake While Ice Fishing with Brad Fenson

June 4, 2021
off the record podcast

Brad Fenson can’t leave Canada and we can’t get to him – so let’s podcast! Brad is part outdoor communicator, part fish & game manager, and 100 percent conservationist, and he loves to go ice fishing. What else do you do in Canada in the winter? We podcast! Listen to Eps 20: How to Stay…

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Off the Record Podcast- Eps 19 – Wine for Normal People with Elizabeth Schneider

April 28, 2021

On episode 19 of Off the Record with the Sporting Chef and Michelle – Scott and Michelle sit down with Elizabeth Schneider of Wine for Normal People. Elizabeth talks about how she got her start into the wine business – which was kind of a rocky start. Of course, the three of them get into…

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Off the Record, Eps 18: Grumpy Old Chefs

April 6, 2021

Chef John McGannon of WildEats.Com is the special guest on this episode of Off the Record with The Sporting Chef and Michelle. He and Scott refer to themselves as “Grumpy Old Chefs” and Michelle isn’t hating it. In fact, John’s tombstone will read “the dry age guy,” and Scott’s will read “the brine guy.” They…

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Season 1

Off the Record Podcast Eps 16: Ryan Newkirk of Steinbeck Vineyards

December 18, 2020

It is the season finale of Off the Record Podcast with The Sporting Chef and Michelle. Don’t worry, we’ll return in 2021 with a whole new season. We’d love to hear what you thought of the episodes this year, and what you’d like us to touch on moving forward. Comment below – or send a…

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Off The Record Podcast – Eps 15: Jules McQueen Goes Off The Record

December 7, 2020

Jules McQueen is an entrepreneur (many times over) and mentor to many in the outdoor industry. We are proud to have her on the Off The Record podcast! Her go-get-it-ness is inspiring, and we had to have her on the podcast to talk about her latest invention (she built an App!! Carbon Unwind), how she…

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Off the Record Podcast – Eps 14 – Stacy Lyn Harris on Southern Food & Thanksgiving

November 30, 2020

Stacy Lyn Harris is a true southern lady – and how she got teamed up with Scott is a mystery that is soon revealed in this episode of Off the Record Podcast. With 7 kids, plus a hubby, pets, a farm and thriving business, it is a wonder how she’s able to “do it all.”…

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Off The Record Podcast Eps 13 – Quarantini Time with Andrea

November 15, 2020

Off the Record Podcast takes a different turn with Andrea of Quarantini Time. Andrea is a busy mom and entrepreneur who was a part-time bartender at Olive Garden, and then sheltering-in-place hit where she found herself as a stay-at-home teacher to two littles. An outlet was needed, so Quarantini Time began!  Andrea shares on what…

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Off the Record Podcast – Eps 12 – Not Talking Elk with Randy Newberg

November 11, 2020

Michelle & Scott welcome public land hunter & TV show host Randy Newberg, Hunter to Off the Record Podcast. Randy is probably the best elk hunter on the planet, and self-proclaimed fourth best bull-shitter in his family. But we don’t talk elk hunting with Randy at all. If you are from Minnesota, you’ll especially appreciate…

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Off the Record Podcast: Eps 11 – Chef Susie Jimenez

November 8, 2020

Scott & Michelle welcome Chef Susie Jimenez to Off the Record Podcast. She is as talented as she is funny and energetic. She’s a Chef to the stars, which she dishes in this episode.  Susie was the runner-up to Season 7 of Food Network “Star” and lost to an idiot. But she’s doing great, don’t…

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Off the Record Podcast, Eps 10 – Tommy the Fishmonger

November 4, 2020

Scott & Michelle talk the state of commercial fishing with Tommy “The Fishmonger” Gomes on eps 10 of Off the Record podcast. He’s funny & full of passion and knowledge of the fishing industry. You will come away knowledgeable about how to buy fish from your local market – and perhaps adventurous to try new…

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Off the Record Podcast, Eps 9 – Wine & Deer with Nick Pinizzotto

October 31, 2020

Join Michelle & Scott on Off The Record Podcast with special guest Nick Pinizzotto, CEO of National Deer Alliance AND QDMA, as they talk future of conservation groups in America and quality of this week’s wine selections! Wines we were drinking: Going Viral – Merlot by Michael David Winery; Red Dog Road – sweet red…

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Off the Record Podcast – Eps 8 – Our First Guest, Mark Strand

October 31, 2020

Scott & Michelle welcome Mark Strand as the Off The Record’s first guest. And it just so happens Mark is the show’s editor, so it was fitting to have him as our guest. We talk wine (of course), Central Coast of California, if Scott ever gets sick of cooking, Michelle’s role as The Adequate Cook…

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Off the Record Podcast – Eps 7 – Picky Mickey

October 31, 2020

On this episode of “Off the Record with The Sporting Chef and Michelle”, we learn Michelle’s nickname. Only her parents use it. (hint: it’s Mickey). Is Mickey picky? Scott gives her a picky eater’s test and we find out. Shocker of the week: turns out that cooking is subjective! Scott reveals that he doesn’t love…

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