The Big Boo Cast

This past week, thanks to a trip to Michigan, I enjoyed a break from surface-of-the-sun temperatures, but the Shankles have had to deal with some severe summer weather in San Antonio. Melanie and I talk about both of those things in this episode, along with Mel's newfound interest in a previously unknown-to-her historical figure. We also discuss the fact that I discovered the cheeseburger of my...

Melanie and I were together in Nashville this past weekend, and on this episode we talk about all the fun we had at our friend Annie's wedding. We saw so many people we love, we did some really excellent shopping, and we also got in our feels a little bit because sometimes you get to have a moment (or an event) that reminds you - on a lot of levels - that life really is so rich and full and goo...

On this week's episode Melanie and I are astounded by the bid day balloon art at the University of Arkansas, not to mention that Melanie teaches me some things about how to list clothes on Poshmark and she has approximately 48 TV show recommendations* since I am in a TV slump. *This is a slight exaggeration. I also rave a little bit about our latest Patreon book club book (https://amzn.to/4cG...

This week Melanie and I are both awash in the most tender feelings about friendship, so Melanie shares all about her weekend at the lake with friends - and I share (part of) a poem, written back in the year of our Lord 1990, that Emma Kate recently discovered when she was cleaning out her parents' house. Also, Mel tells us about spending a day at the Hotel Emma pool with Caroline, we discuss t...

On this episode I give an update on post-surgery Lucy, Melanie relays the details of a Lionel Richie concert, and we speculate maybe way too much about what Lionel's health concerns might be. We also talk about Melanie and Caroline's great decorative achievements with a gallery wall. On top of that, we discuss a current frustration I have with Amazon, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites...

This week Melanie shares about her pool day with Caroline, I talk about my weekend with Lucy (she's really warming up), and we both have watched way more TV than is probably wise. We also discuss what could potentially be an exciting new angle for SEC Media Days coverage (you'll understand why that's a pun when you listen), and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! Join Us on Pa...

On this week's episode, Melanie has been to Colorado, I have been at the house (hoping that our new dog will love us), and we've both been thinking about the upcoming college football season and SEC Media Days. We also discuss what we've been reading (I'm sad to say that I haven't watched a thing other than Bravo), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope you enjoy! Join Us on Patreo...

This week we have a new family member in Birmingham, Melanie has done the Lord's work with furniture assembly, and we both discover that we apparently share a theory about why we continue to be fairly decent at stretching. Not that we're bragging, you understand. We've also read some things and watched some things, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! Join Us on Patreon (ht...

There's been a whole lot of life since last week's episode: Melanie moved Caroline into a new apartment, I've had a ton of soccer-adjacent fun in Birmingham, and we've both made the Taylor & Travis wedding coverage into a full-fledged hobby at this point. On top of that, we've celebrated the 4th of July, and I've done an unprecedented amount of dog-sitting. We also discuss what we've been watc...

On this episode Melanie says that I am "one seat shy of a beanbag" because I do not follow our typical recording protocol. That is to say: I recorded this episode while sitting on my bed. NEVERTHELESS comma we cover so many topics where we were in need of a catch-up: my family time with Jackson's dog, Oakley; the latest in San Antonio; and our ongoing efforts to appreciate and understand the Su...

This is our 500th regular episode (technically we've recorded more than that because 1) we've done some special episodes and 2) we've recorded over 200 bonus episodes on Patreon - but you know we are never going to burden ourselves with any unnecessary math), and hopefully you'll be delighted to know that it's business as usual for this particular podcast milestone. Melanie has sprained her ank...

This week Melanie and I talk about how (and why) we love to pack for a trip; I share some observations about the Men's College World Series; and Melanie tells a sad-but-true tale involving a plumbing issue and a very unfortunate skunk. It feels like a lot has happened over the last week. We also discuss what we're enjoying about the World Cup, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, every...

This week Melanie and I discuss my trip to Athens, Georgia (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times) and the end of Mississippi State's 2026 baseball season. We also cover some related topics: how we feel about baseball fields that lack dirt and grass, my appeal to the University of Georgia to install some cup holders, my friend Tracey's idea for a new cheer for our Bulldogs, and th...

On this episode Melanie and I enjoy the company of the leaf-blower guy in her neighborhood (HE WAS REALLY OVERACHIEVING) as well as a car playing very loud music as we talk through our respective weekends at our alma maters and all the fun therein. We saw friends, we watched baseball, and Melanie and Gulley met the Aggies' basketball coach's mom. In short, we made ourselves some memories. We a...

On this episode I talk through some of the most memorable parts of this past week in Hoover at the SEC Baseball Tournament, Melanie fills us in on what she's been up to in San Antonio, and we're both gearing up for what we hope will be very fun weekends for our respective teams as they each host an NCAA regional baseball tournament. Also, I have done some reading during Birmingham's (many) rai...

It's been a FULL and COMPLETE WEEK since Melanie and I last talked, so on this episode we catch up about college baseball, college softball, the weddings we attended over the weekend, and my introduction to a very different (and fun) (and physically exhausting) (but really so fun) side of book publishing. We also discuss our new book club pick for Patreon, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. ...

This week Melanie and I talk about my ongoing post-live show / post-graduation recovery efforts (so much sleeping) and how I accidentally created a challenge for myself when I went to a movie with Alex. We also discuss how we can either be birds or squirrels in this life, and lo, the nature continues to teach us. Plus, Melanie shares her A&M baseball thoughts and concerns, we both offer some u...

This past week has been graduation-palooza at the Hudson house, and as it turns out, there has also been an exciting development with the Shankle family. On this episode Melanie and I discuss all of the above, and also, we don't know if you're aware, but college baseball can be dumb. We're back with Five Favorites again (it's my turn), and we share some graduation gift ideas, too. Join Us on ...

If anyone has been on the lookout for an episode that breaks down our most recent Birmingham live show along with our (magical!) time in Starkville, LOOK NO FURTHER. On this supersized episode, Melanie and I recap all of our Birmingham fun - including our post-show party at Gus Mayer on Friday - and one of the most memorable Mississippi State sports weekends OF MY LIFE. We don't have Five Favo...

On this week's episode, Melanie and I are gearing up for our Birmingham Live Show (so much planning for a couple of Enneagram 9s). We discuss the latest in college baseball for the Aggies and the Bulldogs, of course, along with my recent two-trips-to-Starkville-in-one-day, Melanie's packing preparations, and our Birmingham post-live show plans. We also talk about a recent discovery that is rea...

Well, it was the best of college baseball times for Melanie, the could-be-better of college baseball times for me, but thankfully it was happiness all the way around when we got to go to Nashville together last week. On this episode we talk about all of the above - plus our weekends, my time in Houston, and Melanie's quest for new towels. We hope you'll enjoy a special appearance by an Alamo H...

On this episode Melanie and I recap our Easter Sundays, I share about my recent trip to Montgomery, Alabama, and Melanie fills us in on a recent plumbing situation in the Shankle house. The excitement never stops. We also discuss our thoughts about the Final Four's music offerings, how Mabel is doing, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope you enjoy! Join Us on Patreon (http://patr...

It's been a sad week in the Shankle house - they had to say good-bye to their beloved Piper (https://www.instagram.com/p/DWXp5ApDGRx/?img_index=1) - so on this episode Melanie talks about how they're doing (and how Mabel is doing, too). Over here at the Hudson house, we've had a full week in very different ways, and I break down all of that (including my first-ever visit to a podiatrist, becaus...

On this week's episode we discuss Melanie's big, fun, eventful weekend in College Station and Round Top as well as my much more home-focused weekend (that is to say: kinda boring but delightful). Mel details all the charms of the Junk Gypsy Prom, and - well, I probably talk way too much about pizza dough and asparagus. We also (naturally) discuss the latest in college baseball, and it's Melani...

On this week's episode Melanie and I process the latest SEC baseball developments as well as talk through the events of our respective weekends (Melanie shopped for jean shorts and I had a really bad headache, so clearly it was some top-notch excitement). On top of that, I share some June's Journey news, and we dig into our feelings about Mary Janes. Melanie also offers her thoughts on a Netfl...

Melanie and I recorded this week's episode approximately four minutes after I walked in the door from our family Spring Break trip, so you'll hear all about said trip (so many rollercoasters) as well as Caroline's travel woes and Melanie and P's night out at a concert. We also discuss college baseball (because of course), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope you enjoy! Join Us on...

Well, Melanie has been to Dallas, I have been to Auburn, and we have both watched our fair share of college baseball in our ongoing efforts to keep up with the Aggies and the Bulldogs. Naturally we talk through our most memorable moments from the weekend, including a Popeye's experience that I'll hold near and dear to my heart forevermore. We also talk about what we've been watching and listen...

On this week's episode Melanie and I delight in the fact that both of our college baseball teams swept their weekend games, we celebrate some of the memorable moments from the Winter Olympics (WE SEE YOU, ALYSA LIU), and we discuss our friend Cole's frustration that his wife Katherine and I aren't interested in rare collectibles. We also have some very important information for those of you wh...

This week Melanie and I happily discuss the beginning of COLLEGE BASEBALL SEASON (pretend we have a confetti cannon), which means we break down my trip to Starkville and all of the opening day merriment. Plus, Melanie recaps her weekend in San Antonio (and at the ranch) with Perry, Caroline, and two of C's friends. We've lived a lot of life in the last week, apparently. We also talk about why ...

This week Melanie has some thoughts and feelings about A&M's parking situation at basketball games, I have (once again) fried some chicken, and both of us are delighted by the prospect of college baseball's opening weekend (as well as captivated by the winter Olympic games - where we have both become experts in a wide array of events thanks to several consecutive minutes of viewing). We also t...

On this week's episode I recount a very exciting Step Sing weekend in our family, Melanie shares a delicious new dip discovery, and we both try to make our peace with who we didn't know at the Grammys. As always we deal with the low-level hum of a leaf blower (and a vacuum!), and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Hope you enjoy! Join Us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/bigboo) Our Amazon Shop (...

On this week's podcast episode, in the midst of unusually cold temperatures in San Antonio and Birmingham, Melanie and I discuss recent NFL developments (not our regular wheelhouse), Indiana's national championship, and - what we've all been waiting for - an update from Melanie on the racoons next door. Hydrate, grab a snack, and settle in, everyone. We also talk about Melanie's return to Worl...

On this week's episode Melanie rejoices about the trajectory of Aggie basketball, and I continue to be filled with hope about Mississippi State baseball. We talk about a couple of memorable life events that happened with my college friends this past week, and Melanie shares about a show that she and Perry have watched. Melanie also recaps how she tried on every pair of jeans she owns, and it's...

This week Melanie and I catch up on the college football playoffs as well as the first few games of conference play in SEC basketball. Melanie also shares about her epic clean-out of Caroline's closet (Caroline was texting me throughout this process, btw), and I have an update on the new television and our most recent Helen dinner. Plus, we discuss Golden Globes fashion, and it's Melanie's tur...

This week Melanie and I have lots of thoughts about Ole Miss football, Curt Cignetti, and what on earth we should do with our old VHS tapes. We also discuss our shared hope that we'll be game-playing families and my unexpected encounter with my old maternity clothes. On top of that, we talk about a new show on Netflix that has totally captivated us despite the fact that we're puzzled by what w...

On this episode I share all manner of enthusiasm about the new year (WHAT IS BETTER THAN A NEW YEAR REALLY THERE IS NOTHING), and Melanie shares all manner of enthusiasm about her extensive house clean-out (WHAT IS BETTER THAN A CLEAN-OUT REALLY THERE IS NOTHING). Of course we recap our respective Christmases and discuss all that we've done (and watched) to celebrate the season. Melanie also o...

This past week has brought its share of A&M-adjacent football disappointment, but Melanie is finding comfort and solace by celebrating the Aggies' national championship in volleyball (GLASS HALF FULL, you understand). Meanwhile, here in Alabama, this past week has taught me some things about my personal needs from health care providers who draw blood, and I have found comfort and solace in watc...

This week Melanie and I talk about the copious amounts of butter in our refrigerators as well as the seemingly inevitable tall boots experiment in my life. We also discuss A&M volleyball, our shared love for the new Taylor Swift docuseries, and my newest TV show obsession. On top of that, we share some Southern Living subscription info, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, y'all...

This week Melanie has some words of encouragement and exhortation for the College Football Playoff committee, and I am still trying to make sense of the fact that the Mississippi State Bulldogs are going to an actual bowl game. To play post-season football. WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING. Also, Melanie talks about some Christmas-themed shows that she has watched, I share all about my recent trip to Ne...

On this episode I sound like I'm recording inside a tunnel, and Melanie is clearly surrounded by a great deal of yard work, but neither of those things stops us from sharing our feelings about rivalry weekend (WOMP WOMP), Lane Kiffin (ENOUGH ALREADY), Thanksgiving festivities, parking lot etiquette, and (in Melanie's case), Stranger Things. There's also some exciting upcoming live show news, a...

It's Rivalry Week in college football, so on this episode Melanie and I discuss the Aggies' upcoming showdown with the Longhorns and the Bulldogs' annual battle with the Rebels. Naturally this leads into the two of us sharing / pontificating / pondering about all the Lane Kiffin coaching drama, so you're welcome for all of our thoughts despite the fact that not a single soul has asked us what w...

Well, the Aggies got 'er done against South Carolina in the most dramatic way possible this past Saturday, so in this episode Melanie and I are going to break down her experience watching the most epic SEC comeback in the modern football era. And if you're thinking that what you just read sounds a little bit like Jesse Palmer introducing an episode of The Bachelor, well, you're not wrong. Which...

As has been the case all season, college football has given us plenty to talk about this week (OKAY AGGIES), along with the fact that Melanie and I both got to spend some time at our alma maters. As usual, we break down Side Eyes and I See Yous - and I share why I am teaching myself to focus on Other Hobbies and Pursuits for the rest of the winter. We also discuss what we're listening to and w...

Well I've been to the beach, Melanie has conquered a seasonal closet clean-out, and the Mississippi State Bulldogs have won their first SEC game in two years. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE. This week Melanie and I discuss all of these things along with our thoughts on Auburn's coaching news and my resolve to be a little more boundaried on social media in November. We also discuss our Side Eyes / I S...

Well, it's the best of college football times for Melanie, the worst of college football times for me - and a straight-up soap opera for anyone keeping their eye on the coaching carousel. We talk about all of these things on this episode (Melanie Shankle is ON A HIGH, my friends), as well as our time together in San Antonio for the live show (and an aggressive amount of Mexican food). We also ...

This past week Melanie drove all over Texas with Caroline, I went to a family wedding, and we both managed to absorb way more college football content than medical professionals might advise. We talk about all of the above on this episode - as well as the fact that we're gearing up Thursday night's live show in San Antonio. October has proven to be quite a time. There are also Side Eyes and I ...

This week - in a bit of a super-sized episode - our friend Cole Cubelic (http://instagram.com/colecubelic) joins us for some mid-season college football discussion, and needless to say, it is a delight to hear him share about what we've learned and what we're still learning about teams at this point in the season. Plus, there are Side Eyes & I See Yous a-plenty after this most recent weekend of...

This year's Big Boo Bowl went to the Aggies (in an especially dominant second half, I would add), so this week Melanie and I discuss her time in College Station, which included our friend Cole (https://www.instagram.com/colecubelic/?hl=en) visiting Honey and Big's house before the football game. I share what it was like to enjoy a college football Saturday from the comfort of a Delta flight, an...

It was almost-but-not-quite this past weekend for my Mississippi State Bulldogs, so this week Melanie and I discuss the sort-of-moral-victory along with other developments in college football's very exciting week five. Naturally there are Side Eyes, there are I See Yous, and there is speculation about the State / A&M showdown coming up this Saturday at Kyle Field. Also, I share about our curre...

On this week's episode, Melanie and I have a lengthy discussion about college football (raise your hand if you're surprised), including the big games for the Aggies and the Bulldogs later this week (don't worry, Auburn fans - we do not neglect sharing our reactions to this past weekend's unfortunate incident during your OU game). On top of that, we recap our beach trip and get a somewhat sad up...