The Dead Pair Podcast
What every sporting clay shooter wants to hear! The Dead Pair project is a family oriented, informative and entertaining podcast aimed at providing valuable “real-world” information for both recreational and competitive clay shooters. Our content will benefit all skill levels, featuring discussions from some of the sport’s best shooters and coaches, as well as product and service specialists. Sporting clays, Trap, Skeet, FITASC, COMPAC, Ball Trap, Clay target, Clay sports, NSCA, NSSA, CPSA, ATA, SCTP.
249, Gray Rose Co, the USA importer of Manuel Ricardo stocks.
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The new Gray Rose Company, (jointly founded by Dominic Bethel and Carl Holland), is a premium shotgun dealer and, the USA importer of Manuel Ricardo Stocks. We sit down with Carl, who has now began the process of fitting shooters to stocks, under the expert tutelage of Ben Husthwaite. Ben and Carl discuss the stock fitting process, how Carl will offer his services across the USA, and what it means to have a Manuel Ricardo stock. Carl also fills us in on all of the services that the Gray Rose offers, aside from fitt...
248, USA Shooting w/Trap Talk, Kelly Reisdorf, & Cole Cushman!
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Trap Talk from the Back Fence with Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr host this episode in conjunction with the Dead Pair Podcast, With guests Kelly Reisdorf, the CEO of USA Shooting and Cole Cushman of Gun & Trophy insurance! This was a fun episode that brought tons of information to light about the Olympics Team USA Shooting! Kelly has a lot of interesting information about the team, what the qualification process looks like, how we can help, and so much more! A very special thank you to Cole Cushman of Gun & Trophy insurance for...
247, The MidwayUSA Foundation's Pete Eisentrager!
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Back in 2022, we had Sarah Hall, Project and events manager of The MidwayUSA Foundation, on to discuss who they are, and the amazing support they give to the youth shooting sports. If you have not heard that episode, we highly encourage you to listen to it, before listening to this episode. The numbers were mind blowing in 2022, and now they are even more staggering! Jake Spengler of Rocky Creek Sporting clays, co-hosts this episode, as Pete Eisentrager, the Executive Director, joins us to discuss where they are now, in terms of support with t...
246, The Breakin' Clays app w/Matthew Burlingame!
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It seems nowadays that there a lot of coaches coming out with their own app. But what about an app that anyone, including coaches, can use with their students? What if someone just wanted to do their own journaling, record keeping, and track their own progress, regardless of coach? Meet Matthew Burlingame, who has created the Breakin' Clays App! Matthew is somewhat new to the game, but saw a definitive need for the app, not only for sporting clays, but trap, skeet, and the various disciplines within sporting clays, like 5 stand, FITASC, etc.. Chad...
245, Classifying non-US citizens in NSCA events + recent FITASC news.
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Full round table discussion with Brett Seibert, Neil Chadwick, Don Brunt, RAD Chad Roberts, and of course, Jason and Sean. Recently at a large shoot, there were a number of non-US citizens that competed, in what some feel, the wrong class. We discuss how, moving forward, we can verify their ability, and place them in the correct class, as well as possible new classification rules with the NSCA that will address the issues. The next issue that we address, on Feb 24,2026 there was a letter issued by FITASC concerning a Grand Prix to be he...
244 The ClayMaster app w/Kevin DeMichiel & Scott Winstead!
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It's hard to believe how much technology is coming into sporting clays, or the clay target sports in general, for that matter. Now, for 2026, another app has been developed for sporting clays. Leading the charge on this one, is Kevin DeMichiel and Bill McGuire, along with the technical aspects being handled by Scott Winstead. Yep, you read that right. Kevin and Bill now have an app! Before we dive into the app, Kevin gives us the 411 on the upcoming Shooters Championship to be held at The Meadows clay sports in Forsyth GA. With a LO...
243 New HYPERSHOT by Ranger Performance Eyewear!
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Ranger Performance Eyewear has always strived to be on the leading edge of technology when it comes to eyewear and the new Hypershot frame and lenses are a perfect example! The features this lens and frame offer are superior to anything else on the market! Fast yet secure lens changing, wide frame, wrap around lens, 4 lens kit, and all available with RIACT AI technology! Listen in as Jason and guest host RAD Chad Roberts interview Max McCarthy of RE Ranger to discuss all the details of this amazing new shooting eyewear!
Dead Pai...242 New Defender Outdoors + TX State preview w/Travis Mears!
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Our co-host for this week's episode is Ben McAnally. Being a former President of the Texas Sporting Clays Association, Ben was the perfect person to join us for this conversation with Travis Mears. We discussed the upcoming Texas State Sporting Clays Championship and all the details surrounding the shoot. Then we dove deep into the new premier sporting clays facility that Travis is building. Why build a new one? What can patrons expect from this new facility that the current one does not have? We ask these questions and many more as we d...
241 Updates from Atlas Traps w/Scott Manspeaker!
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Tracy Wright co-hosts this episode as we welcome Scott Manspeaker of Atlas traps to give us the updates and news from Atlas Traps. Atlas was included in the National Sporting Clays Championship this year as the trap provider for the 5 stand and sub gauge events. Atlas has been a supporter of the Dead Pair Podcast since our first year full year, and it was only fitting to get them back on the show for another great episode with them, and to give us some insight as to what it took to provide 2 great c...
240, East vs West Dead Pair Blast Showdown!
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Jun Vegara, general manager of LA Clays and Jake Spengler, general manager of Rocky Creek Sporting Clays join us this week to give you the details of the 2 Dead Pair Blasts for 2026! The sponsors have stepped up in a huge way and the payouts are all back to class, not HOA! These are 2 shoots with great payouts, tons of random entry prizes, and lots of hospitality, that you are going to want to attend! Listen in for all the details, and get registered on Scorechaser! LA Clays- https://laclays.com/ Rock...
239, Part 2 of 2, Q4C w/Grace Callahan, Chad Roberts, & Abel Spire!
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Questions for the coaches Part 2 of 2. This week we are joined by Grace Callahan, RAD Chad Roberts, and Abel Spire! We finish off our past 6 questions, with each coach getting 2 of your questions that were sent to us. This week was a truly unique blend of coaches that gave a great contrast of opinions, while offering solid answers and advice to the questions. Don't let these last 2 episode stop you from sending us your questions! We will keep brining the coaches on, and do our best to get your questions answered! Another episode full...
238, Q4C Pt 1 of 2, w/ Tracey Wright, Cory Kruse, and David Radulovich!
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Welcome to the start of another great year with the Dead Pair Podcast! We kick things off this year with a 2 part Questions For The Coaches with Tracey Wright, Cory Kruse, and David Radulovich! Tracey will actually be helping with this episode as a co-host. Each coach takes 2 of your questions that were submitted in the later part of 2025. Each coach offers a unique perspective, as they see it from their coaching experience.
Dead Pair Swag- https://x062jy-1z.myshopify.com.Kolar Arms – https://www.kolararms.com Fiocchi USA – https://fiocchiusa.comGun...237 Year End Review, w/Neil Chadwick!
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Neil Chadwick of the NSCA executive council joins is to give us all the nitty gritty stats from the 2025 National Championship. Neil has not only broken down the statistics from Nationals itself, but also in comparison to regionals and the US Open.Some of these stats are going to surprise you! Now is also the time for reflection of YOUR 2025 clay target season. What went right, what went wrong? What needs improvement? What does planning my 2026 season look like? We cover all of this and more!
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236 The NSSF Plus ONE program!
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The NSSF, National Shooting Sports Foundation, has created programs that not only encourage safe firearm ownership, but also encourage mentorship for introducing new people to shooting sports. The PlusONE program does just that! As you know, we have always been advocates for taking someone new shooting, or taking that recreational shooter to a tournament. Now, the Dead Pair Podcast has partnered with the NSSF's PlusONE program to help incentivize those mentors, and reward them for taking new people out to bust some clays! Listen in as we are joined by Justin Morrissey, Director of...
235, New Scorechaser tech + Announcements
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Scorechaser changed the game, when it comes to registration! But they did not stop there! We are joined by the lovely Casey Chase and her tech guru Josh from JTech to discuss the new technology and features that Scorechaser has to offer, and what all this means to you and the clubs! We are also joined by Jake Spengler, new general manager at Rocky Creek Sporting clays for the entire episode. Jake has supported us from the very beginning and was even a guest on our very first show! We drop the exciting news ab...
234, PART 2 Anthony Matarese UNLEASHED!
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PART 2 0F 2. Ever wanted a 4 hour lesson with Anthony Matarese Jr, but either couldn't afford it, or couldn't get on the schedule? Well here is your chance to get a 4 hours lesson, for FREE! Matt Miller, student and AIM shooting team member of Anthony's, co-hosts this 2 part series where we get Anthony "Unleashed"! We dive deep into Anthonys season. What went right, what went wrong? What is he fixing for 2026? How is he fixing it? Why do competitors fail or succeed? What about confidence, training, changes in routine, YOU NAME IT, WE...
233, Anthony Matarese UNLEASHED, Part 1
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PART 1 0F 2. Ever wanted a 4 hour lesson with Anthony Matarese Jr, but either couldn't afford it, or couldn't get on the schedule? Well here is your chance to get a 4 hours lesson, for FREE! Matt Miller, student and AIM shooting team member of Anthony's, co-hosts this 2 part series where we get Anthony "Unleashed"! We dive deep into Anthonys season. What went right, what went wrong? What is he fixing for 2026? How is he fixing it? Why do competitors fail or succeed? What about confidence, training, changes in routine, YOU NAME IT, WE COVERED IT! ...
232, Down Under Clays w/Jason Solomons!
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Through all the emails that we get, some of the most entertaining, as well as humbling emails, have came from the Australians. This year, a group of them came to the United States to travel and visit as many venues as possible, and shoot as many targets as they could, before ending up at the National Championship! The numbers of clubs and targets are staggering! We caught up with Jason Solomons in San Antonio, and it was clear that we had to get a podcast recorded with this group! Through the many challenges tha...
231 SCOOPS National Champions w/Mike Wilgus & Dr. David Dalu!
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We are joined LIVE on a SCOOPS episode, by newly crowned, 2025 National Champion Mike Wilgus and overall FTASC champion Dr David Dalu to discuss their victories and the Nationals as a whole. Both are veterans, which is quite possibly the first time that a veteran has won the overall for Sporting, FITASC, and the K-Cup at the National Championship! Join us as we dive into the their victories and the journey that got them there! NOTE_ you can WATCH this episode on our YouTube Channel!
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230, Lots of kicks, w/Cameron Hicks!
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Cameron Hicks is an aspiring young shooter originally from Virginia, but now calls North Carolina home. A special forces veteran with a love of hunting and smashing clay targets, Cameron has been coached and mentored by some of the best shooters to ever shoulder a shotgun! Cameron has burned hundreds of thousands of rounds practicing and trying to perfect his game. His raw determination and relentless pursuit of the game make him a threat at any tournament he attends. Cameron is very outspoken about his opinions and this interview was informative, enlightening, and ver...
229 Cyrus & Ashleigh Hafley Alexander !
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If you are a relatively new shooter, you may recognize the names Cyrus and/or Ashleigh Alexander from Shotgun Gear Trap rentals, as they are often at large events across the country helping organize events, as well as providing equipment and setting targets. However, if you have been in sporting clays for a little while, you will recognize Ashleigh as a multi-time, Ladies World, National, and US Open champion! From a very young age, Ashleigh found great success, along with the help of coaches like Wendall Cherry, at the very top of the...
228, Team USA's Dr. David Dalu !
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Sometimes great competitors fly under the radar and out of the limelight. Dr. David Dalu is just that person. Yes, you read that right, Doctor! David was an ER surgeon and has now taken the less dramatic road into sporting clays. In 2018, David began his journey and with a little help from Anthony Matarese Jr., David has achieved 2025 USA Sporting Clays team for FITASC and alternate for the sporting team. That is no small order! His journey through the ranks, his approach to the game, his practice and training, nutrition, ...we dive into all of...
227, A conversation w/Travis Mears!
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Travis Mears is an extremely talented shooter. Not only does he compete at the highest level of the game, Travis is also the owner of Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch in Fort Worth TX, does a trick shooting shows around the globe, coaches, hunts, and still manages to spend time raising a family. Travis travels the circuit and regularly squads with Cory Kruse, Greg Wolf, and Anthony Matarese Jr. Finding success at a young age in the clay target world, he has now carried that success into multiple endeavors within the industry. His stor...
226 New Survey Results w/Joe Bartozzi (NSSF)
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The NSSF, National Shooting Sports Foundation, conducts surveys for research to determine how many people actively go shooting, and compete in shooting sports, as well as which disciplines they compete in. We are joined by NSSF President, Joe Bartozzi, to discuss the latest survey results and what they mean. We also cover can be done to help improve these numbers, programs the NSSF offers, what we can do as individuals, and we even theorize what is causing fluctuations in the numbers. This is a very informative episode with lots of great insights as t...
225, Things to Ponder + Q4C w/Kevin DeMichiel!
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We have received a lot of emails suggesting that we cover some of the basics when it comes to gear. Even though we have addressed this in bits and pieces through several other episodes, we thought we would put it together all in one. Maybe you have been shooting for a while but have you really thought about some of the topics we discuss here? Maybe it's time for a change? Or, are you already a veteran competitor and have your gear figured out? Then stick around as we do a Questions for th...
224, Mentoring Champions, w/Rick Webb!
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Ever wondered what it's like for a top pro, from a third party perspective? Someone that's with that person in day to day life, in and out of the tournament? What are they thinking? What are their struggles? What are their coping mechanisms? What do they do for fun? What is day to day life like outside of competing? How do they change as a person when competing?
We welcome Rick Webb, father of Hunter Webb, and mentor to both Hunter and Brandon Powell. Rick is there with these two competitors, day in and d...
223, Nationals Preview w/Neil Chadwick!
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Whether you are a first time attendee, or a veteran attendee of the National Sporting Clays Championship at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio TX, there are new developments, new changes, and lots in store for those attending the 2025 National Championship! We are joined by Neil Chadwick, who is not only a course manager for the event, but also a member of the executive council. This is the largest sporting clays tournament in the world, and the news, information, and highlights of this event are important to all members of the NSCA.
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222, Payouts w/Cory Kruse & RAD Chad Roberts!
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SHOW ME THE MONEY! Payouts at tournaments. It's a tricky thing. Where is the money going to come from? Is payout that important to you? What if you are in one of the lower classes and could win $300, $400, maybe double that? Would it change your perspective on tournaments? Would you compete more often? We are joined by Cory Kruse and RAD Chad Roberts to discuss tournament payouts, where they have seen club be successful with it, and how they do it. Chad and Cory both travel the country competing at the top level of the game and...
221, Gun & Trophy Insurance w/Larry & Cole Cushman!
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Insurance. The one thing you HOPE you will never need, but you better have it right when you do need it! Its a piece of mind for your beloved firearm, and, in this case, your trophy mounts! Meet Larry and Cole Cushman of Gun & Trophy insurance. This family owned business specializes in insuring your firearms in a way that no other insurance company can! These guys are hunters and shooters that have been in the insurance business for a long time and they understand what is needed and what it takes to insure you...
220, From 2-strokes to 12ga, w/David Pingree!
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Sporting clays as a whole, is growing. Where we are headed, can be down the right path, or the complete wrong turn. Much like our own personal performance, we often turn to someone who has been there and done that, to give us guidance. So why not consult someone from a sport that was in the same growing phase years ago, that we are in now. Enter David Pingree.
David was a professional Motocross and Supercross racer that watched the sport of Supercross grow from its humble roots in the late 80's/ear...
219 If it flies, it dies! w/Joe Charnigo!
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When you think about the world of clay target shooting, you think of primarily one discipline or another. Trap, Skeet, or Sporting clays. Meet Joe Charnigo. Joe, shoots trap, sporting, ZZ-birds, and pigeons! But to be clear, he doesn't just "shoot" these events, he often WINS these events! We caught up with Joe while he was at the Indiana state trap shoot, which he went on to win, shortly after recording! Joe is a long time advocate of growing all the disciplines as a whole, but also for purse money for payouts. Most rec...
218, The Caldwell Claycopter!
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Every once in a while, a new product comes along that is just downright fun! Introducing the new Claycopter by Caldwell! Now this is not a training tool for sporting clays, but if you are looking for backyard fun that will get friends and family out shooting, this fits the bill! Think of this as a handheld ZZ-bird launcher! With 100% biodegradable targets in both 110 and 90mm sizes, plus the ability to throw pairs, this Clay copter is sure to bring a smile to your face while shooting your shotgun! We are joined by Jarr...
217, A General Discussion + NSCA segment!
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For this months NSCA segment, Michael Hampton Jr. joins us to fill everyone in on the latest Executive Council meeting, as well as some announcements to up coming rule changes. We also addressed a listeners question that wrote in to us.
After the discussion with Michael, we decided it was time to talk about a few topics that needed attention. We started with sportsmanship and having ethics on the course and then moved to current events. We finished up with a message that we think everyone should hear and participate in. We i...
216, Changing Irons, w/Kevin DeMichiel
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Georgia native Kevin DeMichiel is no stranger to the sporting clays game. Feeling that he needed to make a change, about a year ago, Kevin switched from his Kreighoff to Blaser F3. While this may not seem like a big deal to some, it's a massive change to others. Any change to your equipment can take time to get used to. Everything from fit, point of impact, weight, balance, feel, and performance can be affected. On this episode, we ask Kevin about his change, and the challenges that you may face when switching, and...
215, A mental discussion w/Dr. Jason Richardson!
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Dr. Jason Richardson is not only a sports psychologist and mental coach, but he is also a BMX world champion and Pan-Am gold medalist. He works everyday with professional athletes and he understands what it takes, MENTALLY, to win. Just recently, Dr Jason had joined us for a SCOOPS episode discussing sponsorships.
Listen in as we ask Dr, J a host of questions, especially surrounding his 2 books, It's all BS and More Better Happier. He gives us the smack down and will leave your jaw dropped on more than one occasion of thi...
214, World renowned target setter, Jamie Peckham!
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Most recently at the 2025 US Open, Jamie Peckham had a set the FITASC targets, and in 2024, he set the World FITASC at Game Unlimited, here in the USA. After seeing his targets, and hearing that he travels the world over setting targets, it was time to call him up! Jamie has a unique way of setting a target to make them look not only fun, but easy. Yet he always has the last laugh when the scores are tallied!
DEAD PAIR / KOLAR DRAWING - https://e.givesmart.com/events/HpS/i/_All/u1g0/?s...
213 Novice to Masters PT3, The Pinnacle w/Ben Husthwaite
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This the 3rd installment in our Novice to Masters series, The Pinnacle. This episode is centered around the AA to Master class. However, there is a ton of great information for all to learn from. We are joined by world renowned coach and World Champion shooter, Ben Husthwaite. Ben travels the globe teaching and has led many of his students to tournament and championship wins, in ALL classes, all over the world! He was a perfect fit for the Pinnacle! Find Ben here - https://www.benhusthwaite.co.uk/
DEAD PAIR / KOLAR...
EPS 212, Joe Pinchin + Ohio State Preview!
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While at the 2025 U.S. Open, we finally caught up with Joseph Pinchin! Joe is an amazing young shooter, originally hailing from Jamaica, but raised in Florida. His journey through the SCTP amateur ranks and now into the pro ranks of sporting clays is very interesting and insightful. Joe now calls Covey Rise in Husser Louisiana his home club, where he is teaching now!
We are also joined by Shawn Spindel, general manage of Hill 'N Dale Club in Medina Ohio, to give us the 411 on the upcoming Ohio State Championship! This...
211, Novice to Masters pt2, The Climb w/Tracy Wright!
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Part 2 of 3, of the Novice to Master series, The Climb! We are joined by Tracy Wright for this episode as Tracy walks us through how he helps his students at this phase of their game. We cover what should be happening past the foundation stages and how you should be progressing, what you should be doing to help you progress, and a whole lot more!
This is an episode packed full of great information that will help the B to A class shooter, while being a great refresher for those above th...
210, Novice to Masters PT1, The Foundation w/Karen Miles!
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Welcome to "Novice to Masters". This is the Foundation, part 1 of our 3 part series. This episode will focus primarily D&C classes, but you will be surprised what you can learn, or may have forgotten from the basics!
For this first episode, we have Karen Miles join us from start to finish! Why did we choose Karen for this part 1? Because her and her husband Gebben Miles have taken students from D to Master class very quickly. Some in as little as 3 months! There is a TON of useful information in this e...