The Barn Philosopher

It's early 2025, and the markets are buzzing — not just from the usual chaos, but now with new tariffs shaking things up. Ridge keeps a close eye on his investments, while Shelby... well, let’s just say he’s aware he has investments somewhere. In this episode, we talk about saving for the future, riding out the market waves, and how easy it is to get caught worrying about money. We reflect on the...

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge take a bite out of a growing trend: fast food prices climbing while quality stays flat. What happened to the days of cheap burgers and dollar menus? We talk about how once-reliable spots for a quick, affordable meal are starting to rival the cost of sit-down restaurants—and not in a good way. From soggy fries to sticker shock at the drive-t...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, we're trying something new—Shelby steps into the interviewer’s chair to chat with Ridge’s wife for a candid, heartfelt conversation. It’s the first in a mini-series where we bring our better halves into the barn and see what kind of wisdom and laughs come from it. In this episode, we dive into her and Ridge’s shared faith journey in the Catholic Church, how they’...

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby hit the drive-thru circuit in search of the best cheap fast food. With burgers, fries, and nuggets in hand (and a food scale in the backseat), they take a scientific-ish approach to value: weighing each meal and calculating the cost per pound. From golden arches to unexpected gems, they put their wallets and stomachs to the test. The surpri...

In this Easter-themed episode, Ridge and Shelby unwrap their all-time favorite candies—whether sweet, sour, or questionably savory (you’ll have to tune in to decide). From childhood Easter baskets to adult snack drawer stashes, it’s a nostalgic and sugar-filled stroll down memory lane. Somewhere along the way, Shelby shares the legend of a full case of Peeps and his lifelong dream of swimming thro...

This episode was supposed to be about spring—you know, fresh starts, new growth, birds chirping. But Shelby isn’t buying it. In fact, he hates the “promise” of spring so much that he hijacks the whole conversation and sends it spiraling into a rant about childhood, disappointment, and the defining traits of Generation X. Ridge tries to keep things on track, but soon we’re knee-deep in memories of...

This episode was inspired by Shelby’s wife, who dropped some unexpected wisdom: “Life is like a roll of toilet paper—it spins faster the closer you get to the end.” Shelby’s been feeling that truth lately, and Ridge calls it “the quickening”—that strange acceleration of time as we get older. We talk about how this feeling shows up in everyday life, what it means to live with intention, and how to...

We’ve all dealt with them—those people who seem to make life harder just because they can. In this episode, Ridge and Shelby swap stories about the most difficult people they’ve encountered, from stubborn coworkers to impossible customers. Shelby even claims victory over one particularly tough case… by simply outliving them. (A win is a win, right?) But at the end of the day, why do some people go...

Kids and phones—an endless debate. Ridge and Shelby dive into the impact of smartphones on the next generation, from constant distractions to the way instant access to everything (yes, everything) changes how they grow up. We also take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about a time when finding certain things (ahem) required real effort—unlike today, where the internet serves it up on a silver...

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby break down the classic rule of project management: Cheap, Good, Fast – pick two. Want it cheap and good? It won’t be fast. Need it fast and good? It won’t be cheap. Shelby swears he and a coworker invented this saying, but Ridge has his doubts. But Ridge isn’t stopping there—he’s adding a fourth rule: You can’t hassle the person you hired....

It’s one thing to say "love thy enemy," but it’s another thing entirely when that enemy has wronged you. In this episode, Ridge and Shelby share personal stories of people who have tested their patience, their forgiveness, and their ability to take the high road. With Lent in full swing, we’re challenging ourselves—and our listeners—to wrestle with what it really means to love those who have done...

We’ve all had those jobs—the ones that test your patience, your sanity, and your willingness to ever set foot in that industry again. In this episode, we dive into the worst jobs we’ve ever had, from cleaning septic tanks to scrubbing potatoes by the ton. Some say tough jobs build character, others say they just make you desperate for an exit strategy. We talk about what we learned, how these expe...

In this episode, Ridge unveils his latest invention—an acronym that just might change the way we communicate. THINKING isn’t just something we do, it’s a guide for how we should approach conversations. We break down what it means to be Thoughtful, Honest, and Humble, why some words are more Necessary than others, and—well, you’ll have to tune in to hear the rest. Join us as we explore the power of...

"On the Road: The Great Fast Food Fish Sandwich Sacrifice" For the first time ever, we hit the road for a Barn Philosopher field trip—on a mission we’re already regretting. It’s Lent, which means it’s time to embrace the age-old tradition of suffering... by eating fast food fish sandwiches. The problem? We both despise fish. Armed with questionable judgment and way too much tartar sauce, we brave...

Welcome to one of the first recordings of The Barn philosopher. People have given their lives for all kinds of reasons—some noble, some questionable, and some downright strange. So when we talk about Jesus’ crucifixion, was it an act of ultimate courage, or was it simply inevitable? In this episode, Shelby quickly regrets his thoughts as The Barn Philosophers dive into the idea of sacrifice, compa...

It’s time for a State of the Podcast Union. In this episode, we take a step back to reflect on where The Barn Philosopher has been and where it’s headed. We talk about our favorite episodes, the moments that made us laugh the hardest, and even a few recordings that were way too controversial to ever see the light of day. What do we want from this podcast? More laughs? Deeper conversations? Fewer c...

Lent is here, and for some of us, that means fasting, sacrifice, and… eating fish. Shelby doesn’t do much for Lent besides reluctantly suffering through fish dinners. Ridge, on the other hand, takes it a step further with fasting—though he once gave up drinking for Lent and tried to cash in on the “Sunday loophole” by telling his wife he was going to drink all day. But beyond the food and fun, the...

In this episode, we’re throwing out a challenge: Ask your guy friends if they’re okay. Men aren’t always great at talking about their feelings. We’ll joke about sports, cars, or the latest nonsense, but when it comes to the real stuff—stress, struggles, or just life in general—we tend to keep quiet. And maybe that’s because the world is changing. Historically, men had clear roles—provider, protect...

This Sunday on The Barn Philosopher we dive into what’s been keeping us entertained—whether it’s worth our time or just a distraction. Shelby doesn’t read anything but blueprints, but he’s been binging Frasier in a noble (or misguided) attempt to make himself smarter. Meanwhile, Ridge is deep into an impossibly difficult book and playing some truly bizarre Japanese games. From classic TV to challe...

Welcome back to The Barn Philosopher. In this episode, Ridge and Shelby tackle a classic first-world problem—picky eaters. Specifically, kids who turn their noses up at perfectly good food. Ridge shares the struggles of parenting kids who refuse normal meals, sometimes choosing to go to bed hungry instead. As two people who love food, it’s tough to watch! But there’s more to this episode than just...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into a topic that many guys secretly (or not so secretly) dread—being roped into “girl events.” From baby showers that go beyond the first kid to the rise of diaper parties (aka an excuse for guys to grill and drink) and the ever-growing spectacle of gender reveals, the hosts unpack the social expectations placed on men when it comes to thes...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, we celebrate a major milestone—our 50th episode! And what better way to mark the occasion than with something near and dear to our hearts: potato chips. Ridge and Shelby go all in on a blind taste test of eight different ridged, unflavored potato chips, comparing national and local brands to determine the ultimate crunchy champion. Along the way, they share their...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby take on the ultimate weather debate—hot vs. cold. Ridge embraces the warmth, while Shelby, a man who spends much of his time outdoors, prefers the chill. But is it really about comfort, or just what you’re used to? They break down the perks and pitfalls of each season, from the bliss of air conditioning to the undeniable fact that winter wipes ou...

A religious episode! This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby has an interesting theological question for Ridge: Why Jesus, not God? Have you ever noticed that many modern churches focus almost exclusively on Jesus, while the name “God” seems to take a backseat? Why do some churches lean so heavily on one over the other? The hosts dig into the shift in language and what it means for faith, tradit...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, Ridge puts Shelby in the hot seat with a rapid-fire round of short, offbeat questions—much to Shelby’s dismay. From the age-old debate of whether a hotdog is a sandwich to the dark fate of chickens, Ridge keeps the questions coming while Shelby begrudgingly plays along. Expect a mix of laughs, frustration, and unexpected insights as the hosts tackle the weird, th...