The Big Boo Cast

Well, 'tis the season for NCAA baseball regionals, so this week Melanie and I discuss the fact that the Bulldogs are headed to Tallahassee, and we also briefly analyze the SEC uniforms this season (you may be surprised by the team I have designated as the uniform winner). Plus, we talk about Mel's adventures with getting Caroline's suitcase(s) packed for Europe and the complications that arise ...

This week Melanie is helping Caroline get ready for her Europe trip, I'm gearing up for the SEC Baseball Tournament, and we're both feeling mildly fascinated by the Busch Apple phenomenon. We talk about all of the above, of course, as well as what we've watched this past week (I'm really having to process my feelings about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives). We also discuss some Mississippi-adj...

This past week has given Melanie and me plenty to talk about: Caroline Shankle graduated from A&M, Alex Hudson traveled to Japan, and Hazel had a whole vet exam in the back of my car. Life comes at you fast, friends. In addition to all of that, there have been some college baseball developments. For better or worse. We also discuss what we've been watching (of course), and it's Melanie's turn ...

Well, on this episode Melanie and I are both at the mercy of our children's airline travel woes, which means we got interrupted by phone calls and texts while we were recording since we were trying to help with troubleshooting and whatnot. Besides that, though, we talk through Japan travel prep, David's best technological day, and Hazel's sassy new Pilates-esque accessories. We also learn abou...

On this week's episode Melanie and I recap our weekend travels: she and Caroline flew to Birmingham while I was driving to Baton Rouge, and then on Saturday we all met up in Auburn.  We got to watch a baseball game, we got to hang out with a real-live Auburn legend, we got to celebrate our friend Ella's birthday, and we even got to take a boat ride. We also talk through some San Antonio live s...

This week Melanie and I recap our weekend activities, Melanie shares all about the big fun of Caroline's senior portraits, and we talk about our upcoming trip to Auburn. Plus, the wallet that Melanie lost in Fayetteville has once again been found - an Easter miracle. :-) We also discuss a difficult situation with Melanie's toenail polish color, and it's her turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, eve...

We've had some bluebird spring days in San Antonio and Birmingham over the last week, so on this episode Melanie and I talk about how we've been soaking up the great weather. Melanie also bemoans the endlessness of a day after waking up early, and I share about my harrowing unintended career change into world of first aid and medical transport. On top of all that, we discuss the outstanding ar...

This week Melanie and I have so many post-live show thoughts...about air travel, about the fun we had in Arkansas, and about all the basketball we've watched since we've been back at home. We also marvel at the ways our college baseball fortunes improved over the course of the weekend. On top of that, Melanie discusses the perils of losing your wallet, and it's also her turn for Five Favorites...

While Melanie went to Round Top with Caroline this past weekend, I watched a lot of basketball and Netflix, so we catch up on this episode about all of our respective adventures (on my end of things, to be clear, "adventures" is a super strong word). There's also a post-book club recap of our Here Be Dragons discussion with Perry, which was the 2025 gift we didn't even know we needed. Also, I ...

This week Melanie and I both have a case of the Basketball Sads, so we process our sports-related heartache before we catch up on the latest with Mabel and Hazel and discuss the details of our weekends. We also talk through some activities that are potentially inspiring on the creative front, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! - Join Us on Patreon (http://patreon.c...

This past week Melanie and I have done a little bit of traveling, and we've also had some quality familly time. In this episode we talk about our road trips, Melanie's shopping trip with Caroline, my birthday meal for Alex, and the SEC basketball tournament. Also, Melanie shares about a new hobby that might be on the horizon for her, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Hope you enjoy! - Joi...

This week Melanie and I discuss our texting needs from people who aren't Enneagram 9s (just FYI: "Ok" as a response means we're going to think we're in a fight), we recap our time in Birmingham and Nashville, and we discuss how happy she is to be back at home. Also, I share all about a little field trip I took to Montgomery this past weekend, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope y...

What a week it has been! Melanie's book hit #5 on the New York Times bestseller list, I got a new HVAC unit (not as exciting, but still, significant), and Hazel has full-blown PTSD from all the people who have been in and out of our house. Life is a series of highs and lows, right? Anyway, this week we talk about all the Here Be Dragons fun, share our thoughts on some sports developments, and f...

This past week Melanie's been to Austin and College Station, I've been to San Antonio and Auburn, and we've both gotten to spend time with our college kids. On this episode we recap all of the above, and we also discuss the fact that I have watched not just one but TWO movies over the last few days. The Lord is always doing a new thing. We also discuss some exciting new computer developments, ...

It's Here Be Dragons week, and Melanie is gearing up to be out of town a lot while I am gearing up for quick trips to San Antonio and Auburn. On this episode we discuss A&M's new basketball uniforms, college baseball opening weekend, and our critical computer situations (true story: Melanie's headphones wouldn't connect while we recorded, and my microphone didn't, either, so this week's sound i...

This week Melanie and I dig into the dynamic between her and Caroline as far as wardrobe planning is concerned (it's a complex situation), and we talk through my recent discovery related to using mascara. We also discuss my Severance obsession, which is significant. On top of all that, Melanie has a new book out next week (https://amzn.to/4hww7Db) (!!!), and it's her turn for Five Favorites. ...

It's been a week full of cross-stitching and watching Samford Step Sing and catching up with friends since we last recorded, so Melanie and I talk through all of these things as well as how she might be able to deal with the handling of the chicken in a recipe I made over the weekend. We also discuss what Melanie's been reading and watching, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Please do enjo...

This week Melanie and I both have tried some new things: Mel has ventured into a new workout experience, and I have decided to pick (back) up a hobby I enjoyed back in high school and college. There's also a mouse update (in light of the Polar Vortex), and Mel shares a great recipe for a dinner party. Mel also has a new nighttime skincare ritual, and it's her turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, e...

Our dear friend (and most frequent podcast guest) Travis Cottrell (http://instagram.com/travcott) is with us this week, and what a treat it was for Melanie and me to get to catch up with him. We talk about college football, NFL football, what we've been watching lately, and how we feel about looking up setlists before a concert. We also discuss 80's music (WHO AMONG US IS SURPRISED), and it's ...

On this week's episode Melanie and I talk about my snow days here in Birmingham, her playroom clean-out in San Antonio, and our thoughts about the upcoming national championship college football game. We also discuss a couple of epiphanies I experienced this past week (and, as a follow-up to our last episode, one of them is Wicked-related). As if that weren't enough, we have an exciting heatin...

Clearly the Lord is up to something in 2025, because on this episode Melanie shares a tip for cooking with a rotisserie chicken, and I talk about seeing a movie that I had been resisting because of its rampant popularity (so sorry, I'm weird, still haven't seen Titanic, etc.). On top of that, we recap our exciting New Year's Eves ("exciting" is a relative term, but alas). We also get an exciti...

It's our first regular episode of 2025, and we're off to a strong start with some inconvenient (though entertaining) challenges. The Aggies lost their bowl game, one of Mel's refrigerators has gone on to its eternal reward, and the Shankles have had some unexpected visitors in their laundry room. VIVA LA 2025! We also reflect on our words / phrases for 2024, discuss our words and phrases for t...

When we recorded this episode, Melanie was making cinnamon rolls, and I had just completed a grocery run full of vegetables and several different kinds of sugar. In other words: Christmas Day is upon us, and on this episode we talk about all of our last-minute preparations and even some plans that have gone awry. It's also my turn for Five Favorites. Merry Christmas, everyone - we are so grate...

'Tis the season to record an audiobook and do a little bit of hostessing - or at least that's what Melanie and I have been up to this past week. On this episode we talk about our college kids' laundry situation (it's bad here in Birmingham), what we've been reading and watching, and why Melanie needs a new rug in her dining room to help with podcast recording quality. We also discuss a fantast...

Since college football is starting to move into the rearview mirror just a tiny bit, this week Melanie and I discuss our end-of-year Spotify and Apple Music info, we consider my new maximum volume hair product strategy, and Melanie talks about an audiobook she absolutely loved. We also take a look at what's ahead for both of us this week, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Hope y'all enjoy!...

This week Melanie recaps her time in College Station - though she wishes the game had gone a different way - before we break down our respective Thanksgivings and I lament the Egg Bowl (on top of lamenting a two-win season for my Bulldogs). Melanie also shares a flat tire situation she had to deal with, and it's her turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! - Join Us on Patreon (http://patr...

Earlier this week Melanie and I recorded with our friend Cole Cubelic (http://instagram.com/colecubelic) for a Patreon episode (https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-2024-116843350) - and then Cole's audio upload proceeded to get caught in an internet no-man's land for several days. This morning, though, we got news from our friends at Riverside.fm that they were able to recover Cole's audio, so ...

Melanie and I spent our weekend in the loveliest village on the Plains, so this episode is chock-full-o-details about our time in Auburn, including our shenanigans with Caroline and Ella and the Aggies' unfortunate loss in four overtimes. FOUR OVERTIMES. We also discuss all the fun we had in Birmingham, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, y'all - and Happy Thanksgiving! - Join Us on ...

This week Melanie and I talk about the latest with college football, the latest with what we're reading, and the latest with my very early Christmas decorating. We also discuss the fact that Melanie and Caroline are headed to Alabama this weekend so we can take a little road trip to the loveliest village on the plains. On top of that, I share some of Hazel's most recent issues (the separation ...

Melanie and I both have happy live show hangovers this week, so we break down all of our Dallas fun as well as some fantastic memories from not even 24 hours in College Station. We had time with our friends Beth and Ree, we had time with each other and our friends and family, and we saw some amazingly talented college students perform in Chi O Songfest. It was quite a time. We also wrap up our...

Oh, how the college football turns have tabled. Melanie's Aggies traveled from the football mountaintop to the (temporary, we believe) valley this past weekend, so as you can imagine, she's still processing her emotions re: the loss. However, the good news is that this week marks the first installment of our annual holiday gift guide, and we're just as happy as we can be about that. Plus, we ta...

The Aggies are at the top of the SEC football standings, so naturally Melanie and I talk all about that on this episode - along with the state of her legs and feet after walking about 13,000 steps in her full-length cowboy boots. And in my neck of the woods, I cooked for Alex and his buddies this past Sunday night, so it's been BUTTER AHOY here in Birmingham. We also discuss reading ruts and h...

For the second year in a row, The Big Boo Bowl was the Aggies' time to shine, but there was still a fine time to be had in Starkville. So this week Melanie and I discuss my very brief interaction with Dan Mullen, my enduring affection for the 2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs, and why it's bad form to throw objects on the field during a football game. Hypothetically. We also talk about the non-f...

On this episode Melanie and I discuss the variety of smells that greeted me during my travels last week, and of course we talk about college football: Melanie's high level of relaxation during a bye weekend, LSU's overtime win, the upcoming Big Boo Bowl, my current fight with Kirby Smart, and the fact that I accidentally messaged Dan Mullen on Instagram. Naturally there are Side Eyes and I See...

This past weekend delivered in terms of COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAOS - which, as we all know, is Melanie's favorite. So on this week's episode we talk about the chaos, and about our weekends, and about the latest with all my traveling. Plus, Side Eyes and I See Yous. We also discuss my weekend in Melanie's favorite city (not) - and it's her turn for Five Favorites  Enjoy, y'all! - Join Us on Patre...

It was football shenanigans aplenty over the weekend, so of course Melanie and I share our thoughts about the games and the calls and the Pat McAfee antics. Plus, we discuss a Netflix show that has our whole hearts and break down the pieces and parts of our weekends. Melanie also shares all the things she loves about Leanne Morgan's new book, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, y'all!...

On this week's episode Melanie and I talk about college football (sad trombone for me), Melanie's unprecedented closet clean-out, and my latest travels related to book-related fun and shenanigans. Plus, Melanie shares a Twitter account that has added some joy to her life - in addition to an explanation about why bird hunting is not what the Lord has for her. As an added bonus, it's Melanie's t...

Well, college football is pretty much all wrapped up for me this season, so this week Melanie and I discuss that unfortunate development as well as the very positive turn of events for her Aggies. Plus, we discuss my book launch week and all the reasons it basically has been an absolute delight. On top of that, there are Side Eyes and I See Yous, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Hope y'al...

This week Melanie and I bring back our college football Side Eyes and I See Yous as well as recap her weekend with Caroline home and my weekend at a conference about the Enneagram and Spiritual Disciplines. On top of that, I have a new book that's out this week, so Melanie makes us talk about that despite the fact that it wasn't on our episode outline. We also discuss a couple of shows that ha...

This week Melanie processes her A&M / Notre Dame feelings (in addition to her game-time dehydration issues), and I'm ticked that my beloved Bulldogs are not, in my opinion, receiving the recognition that a lifetime member of the Southeastern Conference should receive. Mostly, though, we're just delighted that college football is all the way back - and we continue to be curious about how Nick Sa...

Melanie and I are coming in hot with this week's episode because our quick trip to Dallas meant that we had to record today (Wednesday) - which is also when the episode releases. Add in the fact that Mel had to record outside and I was babysitting Hazel while window cleaners were working at our house, and you have a real audio masterpiece right here in episode 405. We talk about our time in Da...

Melanie and I were a little tired when we recorded this week, but all it took to create a little energy was a conversation about big trucks that carry limbs or maybe even gravel. We found our voices for sure and then managed to have discussions about what went on this past week as well as fashion trends for fall that leave us a little unsure. We also talk about move-in for Alex's junior year, ...

This week there was more than Melanie and I could fit into a single episode - and I'm sort of sick about it because I had a whole Amy Grant / Jamie Golden story that I didn't have time to tell. NONETHELESS, we talk about an unfortunate series of events at the ranch, why Caroline is now Katniss Everdeen, and some of our favorite Olympic moments. I also share a very nerdy sociological theory tha...

I recorded in a hotel room this week - with my old microphone at that - so a thousand pardons for my sound quality as Melanie and I catch up on the last week of life (truth be told, I think my microphone stopped working about a third of the way through the episode, but who among us is surprised). We discuss Caroline's 21st birthday, the continued persistence of the raccoons next door to Mel, an...

It's an Olympics-palooza this week as Melanie and I talk about cheering for sports we already love as well as sports where we're still in a learning curve but no less enthusiastic. 'Tis the season for "U-S-A!," marveling at the French scenery, and scrutinizing the Olympic parents' heart rate monitors. We're here for every bit of it. We also break down my family's weekend visit with Alex's room...

It's episode 400 for our little podcast, so this week Melanie and I do a little reminiscing and reflecting. We're delighted as always to visit with our most frequent podcast guest, Travis Cottrell, and we also revisit some audio clips that feature some of our favorite podcast moments. Plus we catch up on what's been going on in San Antonio and Birmingham. On top of all that, I share an airport...

Melanie and I recorded this week's episode late Tuesday night, and you will not be surprised to hear some significant audio issues in the back half (I left my headphones in Birmingham, I had to use my AirPods, and about 25 minutes in my AirPods microphone took over the recording part of the festivities). HOWEVER COMMA we have lots to share about our first couple of days in Dallas at Media Days ...

Melanie and I were due for a catch-up when we recorded this week's episode, so we talk about what we did on the 4th of July, my latest Pilates adventures, and Melanie's commitment to watching The Chosen. I also share a run-down of the last few books I've read - because apparently reading is my job now. In addition to all that, we share some of our thoughts about the most recent developments wi...

The sun is once again shining in Aggieland, and this week Melanie and I discuss their new head baseball coach as well as the stealthy nature of the coaching search. Plus, we catch up on our respective weekends (Mel went to the beach, I stayed in Birmingham) as well as what we've been watching and reading. We also discuss some Dallas live show thoughts, and it's Mel's turn for Five Favorites. ...

Well, IT HAS BEEN A WEEK for the Aggies. Melanie and I share some of our thoughts about the very unfortunate set of circumstances surrounding the departure of the A&M baseball coach, and we'll continue that discussion on Patreon. It's not just baseball on this episode, though; we discuss a couple of concerts I've attended this past week and talk about what we've been watching. On top of all th...