In this episode, Ridge’s longtime friend Logan joins us at the barn for the first time, and the conversation naturally turns reflective as we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026. We talk about getting older, realizing we can’t ignore our health forever, and the small lifestyle changes we say we’re going to make. The conversation wanders through cruise ships that promise relaxation but somehow still nickel and dime you, highlights and letdowns from the past year, and what actually sticks with us as time moves faster than we’d like. We celebrate the new studio as one of the bright spots of 2025, and of course revisit the truck project that started this year and—if all goes well—might finally be road-ready in 2026. It’s a laid-back, end-of-year check-in with an old friend, equal parts reflection, optimism, and realistic expectations for what the next year might bring. Find us on all major podcast platforms, and as always—rate, follow, share, and tell a friend.

In this episode, Shelby and Rita talk about their shared appreciation for slide-in shoes—and why they’re not just for lazy people anymore. From the simple joy of slipping them on and off while running in and out of the house, to the surprising practicality that’s won them over, this conversation celebrates comfort without apology. They also revisit the long, strange journey of Crocs. Shelby admits he never stopped wearing them, even when they fell out of style—and now that they’ve made a comeback, there’s a small (and justified) sense of validation. Along the way, they touch briefly on work boots, comfort versus function, and how personal style sometimes circles back when you least expect it. It’s a relaxed, funny chat about footwear, habits, and embracing the things that make everyday life a little easier.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby talk about mental blind spots and the different ways memory shows up in everyday life. Much of the conversation focuses on what Shelby’s stepdaughter believes may be undiagnosed ADHD, which often appears as forgotten names, poor time awareness, losing track of thoughts, and realizing entire moments of the day have slipped by unnoticed. Ridge contrasts this with his own experience of exceptionally strong recall—so strong, in fact, that his family frequently jokes about his ability to remember conversations, details, and moments others forget. He also points out an important distinction in Shelby’s memory: while names, time, and daily events often fade quickly, Shelby tends to remember physical actions and hands-on tasks extremely well, retaining how things were built, fixed, or done even when other details are lost. Together, they explore how differently minds can work, how those differences affect relationships and self-understanding, and how recognizing personal blind spots can lead to more patience, clarity, and better communication. If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and share—or at least try to remember. If you forget, that’s on brand. You can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts… assuming you remember what app you opened in the first place.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with Rita to try something a little different—a scripted bit inspired by a classic SNL radio-show skit. The plan was calm delivery, tight timing, and deadpan restraint. What actually happened… was very on-brand. When Rita makes a small mistake, the script immediately derails. Instead of the composed, NPR-style restraint of the original skit, Shelby goes full volume, yelling while Rita laughs uncontrollably and refuses to take it seriously. What follows is less “polished performance” and more “married couple who knows exactly how to push each other’s buttons.” It’s a funny, chaotic look at why scripted comedy is harder than it looks—and why chemistry, laughter, and losing control sometimes make for the best moments anyway. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts.Rate, follow, share—and come laugh with us in the barn.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby dig into a question that feels harder to ignore lately: why do so many people seem to want to be angry? What starts as an observation about local social media quickly turns into a deeper conversation about outrage, conflict, and human nature. From comment sections that feel more like battlegrounds than communities, to knee-jerk hate directed at people we don’t actually know, the guys wonder if this constant tension is something new—or something deeply wired into us. Is conflict biological? Social? A leftover instinct from thousands of years of survival and fighting? Or are some people just mean jerks with Wi-Fi? Ridge reflects on how easily people jump to conclusions without reading the full story, while Shelby admits he mostly uses social media for Marketplace… yet still can’t avoid the flood of negativity. Together, they explore how anger spreads, why it feels addictive, and whether choosing restraint is becoming a lost skill. As always, it’s a mix of honest reflection, mild frustration, and the occasional uncomfortable truth—served up from the barn. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts.If you enjoyed the episode, rate, follow, share it with a friend, and help keep the conversation going.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby tackle what they mean when they say people are “gross”—and no, it’s not table manners or bad hygiene. It’s sheer dresses, wild red-carpet outfits, and fashion choices that seem designed to shock rather than clothe. What starts as a discussion about celebrity style quickly turns into a broader conversation about how outrageous fashion at the top trickles down into everyday life. Ridge tries to keep the conversation focused, while Shelby repeatedly veers into a long-standing grudge against famous people who feel the need to speak loudly outside their lane. Shelby’s issue isn’t with talent—it’s with talented people using their platform to say everything except the thing they’re good at. If you’re great at acting, singing, or entertaining, why not just… do that? The result is an opinionated, occasionally unhinged, and mildly judgmental conversation about style, influence, and why some trends probably should’ve stayed on the red carpet. You can find The Barn Philosopher on all major podcast platforms.If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, share it with a friend, and let us know what you think crossed the fashion line.

Shelby and Ridge are back at it, kicking off the holiday season with a gripe that hits every parent and uncle hard: the mysterious disappearance of the kids table. We reminisce about the glory days—banished to folding tables on heated porches, crammed into laundry rooms, or stuck in the kitchen with the weird cousins—where we laughed until we cried, flicked mashed potatoes, and plotted against the adults. Those were the best parts of every holiday. Now? Kids are front and center, climbing on laps, asking why Uncle Larry drinks so much, and generally “up in our business” the entire meal. What happened? When did we decide segregation by age was cruel? And why does nobody want to bring back the exile? It’s equal parts nostalgia, mild outrage, and two grown men admitting we kinda miss being the troublemakers in the back room. If you ever snuck extra pie at the kids table or wish your house still had a designated chaos zone, this one’s for you. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with whoever used to rule the card table kingdom. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays—notifications on, before the little ones steal your seat.

Shelby and Rita kick back in the barn studio for a soft, laugh-filled chat about grandparenting six wild little humans. Rita drops her #1 grandmother rule: consistency is the only magic that actually works. We talk about the current crew—how the oldest grandson (because he’s finally old enough to hold a real conversation) has become the official barn tour guide, chief story-teller, and professional hugger. We swap stories of story time, freezing halfway up the loft ladder because “it’s higher than it looked,” and Rita calmly talking them down while admitting she’s terrified of heights too. It’s chaos, and a whole lot of love—the kind of episode you play when you need to remember why being “Gramma” and “Papa” is the best job we never applied for. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with every grandparent who’s ever been outsmarted by a five-year-old. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays—notifications on** so you don’t miss the next grandkid saga.

Shelby, Rita, Ridge, and Joan squeeze around the mics for a straight-to-the-heart Christmas episode. No debates, no rants, just four adults trading their favorite childhood memories: the smell of real pine, stringing popcorn garland until your fingers bled, waking up to some random uncle dressed as a very suspicious Santa, and those massive family gatherings where every couch was full, both parents and grandparents were still alive, laughing in the kitchen. We talk about the magic that only existed when we were small, how Christmas morning felt like the whole world paused, and why even the grown-up version can’t quite touch the majesty of those old days. It’s warm, nostalgic, a little bittersweet, and 100 % barn-style. Perfect for playing while you decorate the tree or hide from your in-laws. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with whoever needs to remember the good years. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays—notifications on, because some memories deserve to be unwrapped again.

Shelby, Rita, Ridge, and Joan pull up chairs in the barn studio for a deep, sometimes uncomfortable dive into flagellation: the ancient (and modern) practice of deliberately making ourselves suffer for spiritual reasons. It’s four married people wrestling with guilt, grace, self-worth, and whether God actually wants us miserable or just thinks we’re hilarious when we try. Raw, reverent, ridiculous, and real. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with anyone who’s ever felt they had to bleed to be loved. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays; notifications on, because grace shows up whether we deserve it or not.

Shelby and Rita grab the mics for a no-holds-barred chat about the people who can’t stop trashing their spouses—in front of anybody who’ll listen. Look, every marriage has its moments (Lord knows Shelby and Rita’s does), but there’s a big difference between working through real issues and turning every gathering into your personal complaint department. Shelby and Rita get into why some folks love airing dirty laundry, the couples who seem to thrive on arguing in public like it’s dinner theater, and where the line is between “I need to vent” and “please stop, we’re begging you.” Plus, a few stories from Shelby and Rita’s own marriage that prove they’re not above the occasional eye-roll… they just save it for the ride home. Raw, relatable, and a little bit “preach-y” in the best way. If you’ve ever sat through someone’s 20-minute spouse-bash session, this one’s for you. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with the friend who needs to hear it (or the one who really needs to stop talking). On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays — notifications on, because some conversations save your next dinner party.

Philosophy from the barn. Real talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of common sense. Rita and I kick Ridge out of the barn for a cozy, just-us Thanksgiving episode. We trade stories of childhood Thanksgivings: the mountains of food we hated, the relatives we barely survived, and the exact moment our adult palates betrayed us and decided jellied cranberry sauce from a can is… actually amazing. We get into what makes Thanksgiving the best holiday nobody fights over: no gifts, no pressure, just food, football, and the rare day where showing up and passing the rolls is enough. It’s a laid-back love letter to a holiday that’s still about people instead of presents, plus a defense of the much-maligned cranberry cylinder (complete with the satisfying shlurp sound). Grab leftovers and settle in. This one’s warm, nostalgic, and 100 % gift-free. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with whoever always steals the crunchy edges of the stuffing. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays — notifications on so you don’t miss the next slice.

Philosophy from the barn. Real talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of common sense. Grab your turkey and a stiff drink: this Thanksgiving episode is a double-date gone gloriously off-script. Ridge & Joan join Shelby & Rita in the barn studio for the most dangerous holiday tradition yet: we make each other say, out loud, what we’re actually thankful for about our spouses… and why we think the other is secretly awesome. Expect genuine compliments, savage (but loving) ribbing, and four adults trying not to blush while admitting the other one is low-key a bada$$. We get real about why men almost never tell each other “good job,” how rare it is to hear honest praise without sarcasm, and why saying the nice stuff out loud feels weirder than arguing. It’s equal parts heart-warming, hilarious, and mildly humiliating, exactly what Thanksgiving with people you love should be. If you’ve ever wanted to tell your person what they’re killer at but chickened out, let us do the awkward part for you. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with the spouse who deserves to hear this. On Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays — notifications on, because love and roasts don’t wait for leftovers.

Ridge and Shelby are back in the new barn studio, and Shelby’s already a few generous pours of whiskey ahead. Filter? Gone. Volume? Up. Topic? The one nobody wants to touch: pornography—how it’s hijacking brains, gutting relationships, and turning regular guys into numb, dopamine-chasing ghosts who can barely look their wives in the eye. No sermons, no ivory-tower nonsense—just two regular dudes who’ve seen the fallout up close, asking the questions most people dodge: What does endless on-demand sex do to a man’s soul? To a marriage? To an entire society? It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s occasionally slurred, and it’s probably the rawest hour we’ve ever dropped. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or wondered why this topic still gets laughed off, pour yourself something strong (or a coffee) and press play. Rate 5 stars, subscribe, share with the guy who needs to hear he’s not alone. Find us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean. New episodes Wednesdays & Sundays—notifications on. Some conversations can’t wait ‘til morning.

Philosophy from the barn. Real talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of common sense. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the soft opening of the new barn studio—complete with actual walls, a door that closes, and (fingers crossed) fewer cats walking through. In this episode, I rope my ever-graceful wife Rita into the hot seat to expose my latest domestic offense: the slow, relentless invasion of her She, We Shed. Picture it: one half of the shed was supposed to be her sanctuary—easels, paint tubes, canvases, zero podcast cables. The other half? My domain. Except my “temporary” mic stand became permanent, my notes colonized her workbench, and suddenly her glitter glue is sharing shelf space with XLR cables. She’s rightfully thrilled to finally claim a legit art corner with good light and zero sawdust. I’m over the moon that The Barn Philosopher now has a real home base—no more recording in the tractor seat. We dig into the universal marriage struggle: personal space vs. shared chaos. Why “I’ll just put this here for now” is the gateway drug to full territorial conquest. The art of negotiation when one partner’s vision board meets the other’s soundboard. And the quiet power moves—like Rita casually hanging a “No Mics Beyond This Point” sign while I pretend not to notice. It’s funny, it’s real, it’s a little tense (in the best way), and it’s peak barn philosophy: love isn’t about equal square footage—it’s about knowing when to push, when to back off, and when to just hand over the good paintbrush. Grab a coffee, a tape measure, or a compromise—this one’s for every couple who’s ever drawn a chalk line down the middle of a room (or a heart). Rate us 5 stars, follow or subscribe, and share with the partner who definitely doesn’t steal your side of the garage. Find The Barn Philosopher on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean—wherever great pods roam. New episodes drop Wednesdays and Sundays. Hit that notification bell—next one lands faster than my stuff spreads across a workbench!

Philosophy from the barn. Real talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of common sense. What happens when a jolly community-center Christmas party turns into an impromptu men’s-rights rally? In this episode, I bring my incredible wife Rita back to the barn mic (Ridge is off the hook this time) to relive the night a frustrated guy decided the cookie table was the perfect spot to demand more resources for struggling men. We agree 100%—men do need more support. But in the middle of “Jingle Bells” and awkward small talk? Probably not the moment. I was locked, loaded, and ready to throw hands; Rita, as usual, diffused the whole thing with a smile and a few perfectly placed words. We unpack the bigger picture: toxic masculinity, knowing when to fight and when to listen, and why timing might just be the ultimate common sense. Then, because heavy talks always need a bailout, we veer straight into a ridiculous debate about salt water taffy—texture crimes, flavor rankings, and why it’s the undisputed champion of chaotic holiday candy bowls. Raw, real, and unexpectedly sweet—like marriage, like barn life. Grab a coffee (or a piece of taffy) and settle in. If this episode made you laugh, think, or nod along, do us a solid: rate us 5 stars, follow or subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a little barn wisdom this week. Find The Barn Philosopher wherever great podcasts live—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean, or your favorite player. New episodes drop twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. Turn on notifications—you won’t want to miss the next one!

Ever wonder why nobody trusts anybody anymore? Shelby and Ridge saddle up in the barn to figure out why society’s turned into a bunch of side-eye skeptics who’d rather triple-lock the tractor than lend a neighbor a wrench. We spill the hay: sometimes you gotta let faith take the first awkward step before trust will even peek out of its stall. From shattered handshakes to “I’ll believe it when I see it” becoming the national motto. Grab a stool, crack a cold one, and join two guys who still (mostly) trust each other not to steal the last chicken wing. The Barn Philosopher—where deep thoughts wear muddy boots and faith still answers the door. Rate, follow, and share this episode wherever you find great podcasts (because trust us, your buddies need this one). New episodes drop faster than Shelby drops tools. 🛠️✝️

In this episode, Shelby sits down with the lovely Rita for a heartwarming (and slightly hilarious) chat about love, labor, and leadership. He’s the heavy lifter, she’s the captain of the ship—together, they’re navigating life one barn project at a time. Between stubborn streaks, shared dreams, and who’s really in charge, this conversation is equal parts endearing and relatable. Find “The Barn Philosopher” on all fine podcast platforms!Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share — it keeps the barn lights on!

In this fruity installment of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby introduces Ridge to the strange, spiky delight known as Rambutan—an exotic fruit that has Ridge channeling his inner fruit sommelier as he picks out delicate flavor notes like a pro. Rita makes a quick but memorable cameo, expertly rolling her R’s and correcting everyone’s pronunciation. The conversation ripens into a chat about Paw-Paws, Ohio’s own native fruit, and the woodland adventure where Rita and Shelby stumbled upon some while mushroom hunting. Ridge gets genuinely curious about these backyard treasures, and Shelby dreams of one day growing Rambutans right outside the barn. Sweet, curious, and just the right amount of weird—this one’s a juicy listen.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby wade into the murky waters of gentle parenting and what happens when kids grow up without learning to respect authority. Shelby gets a little too cozy with his beer (and his laptop pays the price), while Ridge shows saint-like patience as the conversation slurs into lessons on boundaries, consistency, and how hard it can be to stick to your word as a parent—or a grandparent. It’s equal parts tipsy talk and tough love. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!