Big Fan

This episode of Big Fan is dedicated to the memory of Peter Eimer, Hank’s father and a beloved husband, dad, friend, and member of our community. Hank shares a heartfelt reflection on his father’s final days, the comfort hospice provided, the love of family, and the support of friends during a difficult time. From there, the guys shift into classic Big Fan territory with World Cup betting chaos, w...

Chad and Hank celebrate Hickory High School’s girls soccer state championship, sharing the excitement, proud-parent moments and the emotional story behind one family’s long-awaited championship win. Chad also recaps Olivia’s 21st birthday trip to Cherokee, complete with a lucky first spin, family laughs and a packed 24-hour adventure. Plus, the guys talk World Cup anticipation, NBA Finals ticket p...

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank welcome Camden Tucker for their annual summer blockbuster movie extravaganza. The guys break down the summer movie season from three very different perspectives: the movie novice, the casual movie lover, and the full-blown movie aficionado. They cover the new Michael Jackson biopic, Project Hail Mary, Star Wars, Toy Story 5, Spider-Man, The Odyssey, scary...

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank kick things off with prom season nostalgia, proud parent moments, and a few hilarious memories from their own high school days. From there, they cover a little bit of everything: tennis bragging rights, member-member golf stories, UFO conspiracies, the greatest vocalists of all time, the return of classic bar hats, birthday shoutouts, casino plans, and spo...

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank cover a little bit of everything—from tax day frustrations and unforgettable refund-check stories to Masters weekend, family birthdays, and the latest around Hickory sports.  Music used in this episode: Phil Collins' Sussudio #BigFanPodcast #TheMesh #HickoryNC #MastersWeekend #TaxDay #HometownTalk #SportsTalk #PodcastLife

Chad and Hank are back from their March Madness getaway weekends with plenty of stories to tell. From beach house poker games and golf trips to late-night laughs, bar stops, and unforgettable group traditions, this episode is packed with the kind of weekend recaps only Big Fan can deliver. The guys also break down brackets, Final Four predictions, Hickory High sports, Masters talk, songs dudes hat...

On this special March Madness edition of Big Fan, Chad and Hank swap stories from two very different weekends. Chad recaps an unforgettable first trip to New York City filled with airport hustles, legendary bars, steakhouse splurges, Madison Square Garden, and a courtside brush with basketball royalty. Meanwhile, Hank shares tales from the baseball field, a mountain of mulch, and Big Fan’s growing...

BIG FAN returns! Chad and Hank kick things off with the excitement of Hickory High baseball opening day and the pride of watching young athletes step into their moment. They look back on the thrill of Team USA’s Olympic hockey gold and celebrate everything that made this Winter Olympics memorable. The guys also break down this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees and make their picks for w...

BIG FAN has returned (and on schedule) from their “after Super Bowl” hangover: Hickory weather whiplash, an all-time snow-day weekend (bowling + Bootleggers + golf simulator + Golden Tee), and Chad’s brutal key fob saga that nearly turned into a $900 mistake—until a clutch mobile key-fob truck saved the day. Plus: Hank’s Super Bowl munchies hierarchy, Olympics talk, Valentine’s Day opinions, local...

After a six-month hiatus, BIG FAN is back! From a brutal diverticulitis ER visit to a terrifying mystery pressure issue in the brain that led to MRIs, a spinal tap, and ultimately surgery, this episode is a funny, honest reminder that if you don’t have your health… you don’t have much. Plus! Hickory winter storm chaos, the new MESH studio next to a historic theater in Newton, and what we're lookin...

It’s a midsummer edition of BIG FAN and the guys are heating up! Chad enjoys fireworks close enough to singe your eyebrows while Hank recounts the DMV disaster that almost derailed his son's big driving test. The boys swap Fourth of July memories, debate peaches vs. watermelon, and dive into Hank’s Hierarchy: Summer Edition. From lake noodling to movie nights at the Big D, this one's packed with l...

We're back for a sweaty edition on BIG FAN! In this episode, Chad debuts some truly terrible summer poetry, Hank sweats through Atlanta traffic, and the guys debate who they’d marry if they could be a stay-at-home spouse to a superstar. Plus, fake tattoos, fantasy football drama, a giant toddler, and sunburns so bad you question your life choices. Summer’s heating up—and so is this episode of BIG...

It’s the 2025 Big Fan Summer Blockbuster Movie Extravaganza! Chad, Hank, and movie guru Camden Tucker break down the can't-miss flicks and the duds to dodge this summer. From Superman and Jurassic World to Megan 2.0 and Naked Gun, they rank, roast, and rave over everything coming to a screen near you. Plus, find out who conquered a nine-dog challenge at a Crawdads game and what movie snack is wort...

Hank and Chad are back—eventually—for another unforgettable BIG FAN episode! From lonely studios to Metallica tailgate woks, they cover it all. Chad relives an epic stadium concert that ended on the field, while Hank breaks down buffet math and fake cherry blossoms in Gastonia. They debate the worst songs of all time, shout out Daniel Willis (congrats, dad!), and get hyped for the hum ’s grand ope...

Chad and Hank are back with tales of car insurance heartbreak, HVAC meltdowns, and midlife tennis comebacks. Chad’s headed to see Metallica at Lane Stadium, Hank’s pressure washing like a suburban warrior, and both are praying their air conditioning holds through member-member weekend. There’s drama over golf invites, shady Rock & Roll Hall snubs, and a heroic dog finally free of his cone. Hic...

Welcome to another jam-packed edition of BIG FAN! Chad and Hank are hobbling into spring with sore elbows, magic patches, and questionable seances under the full moon. They swap tales of beach trips gone old-man-mode, grocery runs for Metamucil and late-night vertical leap contests. The Val Kilmer fan club is in full effect, and Lucy Rose survives a real-life Dukes of Hazzard moment. Plus: Hickory...

Parched Madness is here! Hank and Chad are back for this brand-new segment, ranking the best drinks in the business... Plus! Why is February terrible? Spring Break trips, tennis season is officially here, and more. All in this episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Billy Strings "Mountain Dew" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...

Happy Galentine's Day from Big Fan! Chad and Hank are back for another fun LOVING edition in this jam-packed episode. Included in this rendition... Chad runs into a few characters in Asheville, the Super Bowl halftime show, Hanks Hierarchy, Rock and Roll HOF nominees, and the Hillcrest Hawk. Music included in this episode The Black Crowes "Thorn in My Pride" & Phish "Harry Hood" See Privacy Po...

Chad and Hank return for another hilarious edition of BIG FAN! Included in this episode...Hank's tour of take-out restaurants in HKY + his kitchen remodel updates, we have the results from Chad's New Year exercise resolutions, cold weather tennis court antics, Chad has an affinity for electric blankets, Best Picture Oscar Nominees, the host's March Madness Trips, the CFB national championship, Gal...

Chad and Hank are back from the Holiday break just in time for the Hickory Snowmageddon! All included in this rendition, the one-and-only on-the-scene Downtown Hickory metrologist Harry Sprinkle makes a special guest appearance, the adventures in car buying for teenagers, the trials and tribulations of Dry-January, and a whole lot more all in this episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode...

Hank and Chad are back for this Thanksgiving Leftovers episode of BIG FAN. Shenanigans commenced in our town over the course of the holiday, and our hosts are going to tell you all about it. No teaser here, Chad tells of his encounter with a one-legged bartender chasing a Chihuahua with a pool stick... Also! Wicked at the Carolina Theatre, the annual HKY Christmas Parade, The Town Cup, MTV's Unplu...

The No Politics edition of Big Fan is here! Chad and Hank return for a full episode that covers Hickory's 6th Street Halloween tradition, a World Series recap, American restaurant staples that are closing, Hank's kitchen remodel, and Hickory High Football! Music included in this episode: The Dip "Love Direction" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...

The Big Fan Team is devastated by the impact of Hurricane Helene. Our hearts go out to those affected and hope that our community rallies together to help those in need. In this episode of Big Fan... Chad and Hank discuss life post-hurricane here in the last week in WNC, Chad's colonoscopy, the MLB playoffs, and Hickory High Football! Go Red Tornados! Music in this episode: "Touch of Grey" by Grat...

Hank, Chad, and Michael are back for this year's BIG FAN Football Kickoff Show! In this episode, the gang discusses your tailgating essentials, reminisces about past Fantasy Football Draft shenanigans, and talks High School, College, and NFL predictions for this upcoming tackle football season. Music included in this episode: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit "This Ain't It" See Privacy Policy at http...

Chad, Hank, Olivia, and Camden are back for a jam-packed summer spectacular edition of BIG FAN! Favorite Olympic events, summer blockbusters, Hanks Hierarchy, and more... Listen in for some hilarious takes on this one! Music included in this episode: Mellow Swells "I Don't Mind The Wait" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n...