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!

After years of grumbling about the robot overlords, Ridge has finally found a use for AI that doesn’t make him want to throw his phone into a pond. His grand discovery? Using it to summarize books right where you left off — perfect for when life (or laziness) interrupts your reading streak. We also talk about how AI can remind you who “Thraximundar the Third” was in that fantasy novel you abandoned six months ago. Turns out, maybe the machines aren’t all bad… yet.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge shares his post-surgery revelation about one of society’s most toxic pastimes—comment sections. With some unexpected downtime, he noticed how older generations (and honestly, most of us) can’t resist typing out pure fury online—usually without reading the full story. Shelby admits his main use for Facebook is the blue-collar holy land known as Marketplace, but even there, he can’t escape the tidal wave of hate and half-baked opinions. Together, they dig into why people jump to conclusions, how the comment section became a modern battlefield, and what it says about our need to be “right.” It’s a little bit therapy, a little bit social critique, and plenty of barn-style honesty. Listen now—then rate, follow, and share. Just… maybe don’t leave a comment.

On a dark, rainy drive, Ridge and Shelby dig deep into a conversation about inspiration and imperfection. Who are the people who truly shape us — and do they have to be perfect to do it? For Shelby, inspiration comes from a collection of mentors gathered through life’s seasons — not saints, but real people with flaws and wisdom. Ridge reflects on someone close to him who’s faced real struggles and still stands strong, proving that resilience might be the most inspiring quality of all. The two also dive into the messy, beautiful side of parenting — how sometimes a good parent quietly shields their kids from the other parent’s faults, all while preserving that parent’s dignity. It’s a thoughtful ride through rain, reflection, and the realization that even imperfect people can light the way. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more.Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share — it helps more than you know.

We finally did it — The Barn Philosopher is recording in the new barn studio! There’s still painting to finish, wires dangling everywhere, and a door that’s more of a dream than a reality, but we’re calling it progress. For Shelby, who’s known for starting five projects and finishing half of one, this might be his biggest accomplishment yet. It’s a big milestone for the show — a real, almost-finished space to call home… as long as we don’t have to delay recording to actually finish it. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more.Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this episode, Ridge dives into a familiar alien story — one Shelby’s already heard, but lets slide (mostly) because it’s still a good one. The conversation drifts from UFOs and mysterious encounters to how the existence of extraterrestrial life could fit into Catholicism. It’s a blend of curiosity, theology, and a touch of playful skepticism as Ridge and Shelby try to make sense of what’s out there — or if it’s already here. Stick around for laughs, light philosophy, and a few unearthly tangents. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Barn Philosopher — no alien abductions required. 🛸

Shelby’s sipping his last Japanese beer, complaining about pretentious travelers who think drinks taste better “from the source,” before he and Ridge stumble into a moral minefield: would you push a kid out of the way of a bus if it meant dying yourself? The conversation swerves from philosophical to darkly hilarious — what if the kid grows up to be terrible and you wasted a perfectly good adult? But then, things get real when Shelby reflects on losing his dad and what that kind of sacrifice would mean for Ridge’s kids. It’s part barstool banter, part existential gut-check — all classic Barn Philosopher. Listen now, and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby open up about the things that haunt them—big and small. From anger that lingers too long, to lies that still echo in memory, and even the reckless mischief of childhood days involving firecrackers and frogs, no haunt is left unexplored. Together, they take a deep dive into the memories and choices that stick with us, the ones that make us wince, laugh nervously, or wonder what we were thinking. It’s honest, a little uncomfortable, and exactly the kind of conversation that makes the barn the perfect place for reflection. Listen now, and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby put fast food science to the test with a head-to-head showdown: Wendy’s Biggie Bag vs. Dave’s Triple (Biggie-sized, of course). From taste and satisfaction to the all-important price per pound, the guys break down which meal delivers more bang for your buck—and belly. But no episode would be complete without their very own, very unscientific, and somehow totally reliable “pee rating” system. Grab a napkin, maybe some antacids, and join Ridge and Shelby as they chew through calories, cost, and comedy in the barn. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. And don’t forget to rate, follow, and share—it helps more than a side of nuggets in a Biggie Bag.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge puts Shelby on the spot with a classic survival question: what would you do in a zombie apocalypse? From townsfolk fleeing into the countryside to the logistics of cooking zombies to a safe internal temperature (don’t try this at home), the guys take a darkly funny look at end-of-the-world scenarios. Shelby worries about not being the slowest in the group, Ridge wonders if their podcast might actually repel brain-hungry zombies, and together they explore whether philosophy has a place in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s equal parts ridiculous and thought-provoking—classic barn talk with a zombie twist. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this on the road and back-to-school episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge shares the chaos of launching kids into three different schools and the whirlwind it creates at home. But beneath the hectic schedules lies a deeper concern: are parents truly serving their children well, or are they letting them off too easy? Ridge argues that the first teachers—parents—set the tone, and sometimes that tone is too soft. Shelby adds his usual spin, pointing the finger at laziness, social media, and the endless echo chambers that reward wasted time with cheap dopamine. Together, they wrestle with questions of responsibility, discipline, and how to prepare kids for a world that doesn’t hand out participation trophies. It’s a mix of reflection, frustration, and a little humor about raising the next generation in a distracted age. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more—and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby kick off a weight loss challenge and admit they’re tired of living as “fat bodies.” It’s not just about looking better—it’s about living longer, being more active, and keeping up with life the way they want to. With plenty of honesty and a little humor, they set the stage for accountability, motivation, and maybe even a little friendly competition. 👉 Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share to keep us moving toward our goals!

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby shares an exciting update on his grandfather’s truck restoration—a project that’s finally inching closer to completion after decades of sitting idle. Alongside that, the long-awaited new barn studio is almost ready (barring any of those all-too-familiar construction delays). Meanwhile, Ridge opens up about hitting a personal milestone: one full year without alcohol. While the health benefits haven’t been as dramatic as expected, the achievement still feels like a big win. Of course, that doesn’t stop Shelby from poking fun at how people react, as if Ridge were a recovering alcoholic, instead of just a guy who swapped booze calories for the raccoon-style habit of finishing his kids’ leftovers. Adding to the irony, Shelby cracks open a beer called Lady Boy from Marion Brewing Company while Ridge talks about sobriety. At one point, Shelby even jokes that they’re sponsoring the show—though they definitely aren’t. Call it a case of “stolen advertising valor.” It’s a mix of progress, milestones, and the humor of everyday life—because in the barn, even updates come with laughs. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this short but lively episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby, Ridge, Rita, and Joan tackle a thought experiment straight out of Brewster’s Millions: what would you do if you had $1 million to spend in just 24 hours—without buying anything tangible? The conversation stumbles and meanders (as these things do), but between the laughs, tangents, and some clumsy detours, the group manages to share creative, heartfelt, and sometimes surprising answers. It’s a playful dive into values, imagination, and what really matters when money can’t buy “stuff.” Listen now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more. And don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!

In this lively episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge are joined by Rita and Joan for a playful but eye-opening conversation. Together, the group takes a temperament quiz, makes bold guesses about each other’s results, and shares where they were right (and hilariously wrong). Shelby dives into his personal theory on the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” sides we all carry—how we show up in front of others versus who we are behind the curtain. The crew also tackles the all-too-common excuse of “not having a filter” and why that might just be a poor cover for low-IQ reasoning. It’s part psychology, part comedy, and part group therapy—an episode that reveals more about friendships, personalities, and self-awareness than anyone expected. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!