The Barn Philosopher

Ever wonder what’s edible out there in the Ohio wilderness? Well, so do Shelby and Ridge! In this week’s episode of The Barn Philosopher, they dive into the mysterious (and possibly tasty) world of Ohio foraging. With zero guarantees on identifying the right mushrooms, these two non-experts grab a basket, hit the trail, and share their foraging finds – whether or not they’re actually supposed to b...

Welcome to The Barn Philosopher! In this episode, “Q&A,” hosts Shelby and Ridge are ready to tackle intriguing questions with their signature blend of humor and wisdom. From the mysteries of the universe to the quirks of life, nothing is off-limits! Join us as we explore the big ideas that shape our lives—while having a blast along the way. Whether you’re milking cows or simply milking life fo...

Sunday Short time! Welcome to 'The Barn Philosopher,' where deep thoughts meet dusty straw bales! I’m Shelby, and joining me is my co-corn husker, Ridge. Today, we’re diving into the question that’s kept folks awake for centuries: Boo or Boo-Hoo? We’ll explore the haunting truth behind what goes bump in the night. Is it a ghostly apparition or just a raccoon in the rafters? Let’s get our philosoph...

What are your greatest fears? Do you still dream? Is it reasonable to fear alien invasion? Join us, as a simple question of fears, turns into an odd revelation of lucid dreaming, helping the world, and murder. Have a drink and a pipe with Ridge and Shelby as they dive into their fears and dreams. thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com

Join Ridge and Shelby as they discuss drinking habits and the one month a year someone avoids them. Let us know if you take part in this annual ritual and what your experiences are. thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com

Have you ever drank something you know you shouldn’t have? Well, this episode we do just that. It’s a special beer starter, with regrets, that keeps on giving. Welcome back to the barn. In this episode, Ridge and Shelby talk about their experiences with relationships with the opposite sex and one inappropriate relationship with someone of the same. We would love to hear your stories of the good an...

Time for a Sunday Short, about short dresses and shorter shorts. Join Shelby and Ridge as they try not to be offensive or creepy as they cover this topic of high fashion. A topic first introduced by Shelby’s wife, when she plainly stated, “What happened to volleyball shorts?” From the court to homecoming, what happened to clothing? Someone is saving a bundle on fabric costs. Thanks for joining us...

We would like to welcome our AI overlords to the barn. Too soon? Maybe a few more years before we’re there. Join Ridge and Shelby as they explore their experiences with AI. Shelby is confident the changes in technology won’t be swinging hammers anytime soon, at least not in what’s left in his lifetime. Ridge isn’t so confident about the changes coming to his industry. Will the changes in our techn...

Lets go on an adventure with a helpful hobo! Welcome back to The Boo-arn Philosopher. Join Shelby and Ridge as they talk about their favorite Halloween costumes growing up. In a time before pop up Halloween stores, how did we all survive? We're talking full sized candy bars and the candy that almost made Shelby quit the show. What was your favorite costume? Drop us a line, thebarnphilosopher@gmail...

Join Ridge and Shelby in the barn as they unpack what it means to go home. An episode of reminiscence, of a time that we can’t return to. We hope everyone has wonderful memories of their formative years, so good that they want to share them with others. Unfortunately, it rarely feels the way we remembered those times. Even if you can go back to those places that made significant memories, they are...

This time in the barn, a listener’s question gets answered. What are the Philosopher’s favorite Bible quotes? Thinking this would be a good time to involve their better halves, they ask the wives their favorite quotes as well. It would seem that the wives may have better senses of humor than the Philosophers... And Shelby might need to watch his steps. Come on in, have a seat and join us for a Sun...

Shelby and Ridge talk about one of Shelby’s passions, napping. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to nap, but if we could find some time to kick back and relax, maybe people wouldn’t feel the need to, as Ridge so eloquently put it, “Strangle someone.” Having sleeping issues seems so common, we have feel for you. We hope you enjoy the show, and don’t forget to share your stories with us. We’d love to...

Join Ridge and Shelby in the barn for a Sunday Short, as they give a glimpse into their lives as fathers. Is it okay to fail? Absolutely, we have had many failures. When you’re always winning, victory is not as sweet as when you can compare it to your failures. Do well, be well, and always support those around you. We’ll talk soon. Thanks for stopping by the barn.

Join Ridge and Shelby as they explore their experiences of talking to God. Is prayer just us listening to ourselves, or a divine voice, speaking to us? Share your experiences with the hosts at thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening, share and like if you'd like.

Chatting between recordings sparks a memory, and the Sunday Super Short is born. Join Ridge and Shelby on this quick adventure and see why they think this episode doesn’t suck.

Tis the season to pumpkin. Pumpkin everything it would seem. Join Shelby and Ridge as they dive down the rabbit hole of pumpkin spice and all it has to offer. Believe it or not, one of the hosts is for it and the other indifferent. Let us know what you think at thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com

In the barn, Shelby and Ridge dive into the challenge of balancing personal life and career to give each the best you’ve got. They discuss the importance of keeping work at work and life at home, sharing personal experiences of how they’ve both struggled and sometimes failed to make that separation. Along the way, they try some of the worst beer they've ever tasted—definitely a one-and-done situat...

Join Ridge Whitaker and Shelby Robinson in the barn for a late night conversation in their first Sunday Short. Ridge has been champing at the bit to surprise Shelby with this off brand question: Do aliens exist? Hundreds of conversations have come and gone, but this subject has surprisingly been missed. Until now, that is. From personal stories involving little green men to instant regret of assoc...

Ridge and Shelby dive into the challenge of staying awake during church—no easy feat when surrounded by the soothing sounds of hymns, the glow of stained glass, and the occasional outburst from restless children. While distractions are everywhere, they reflect on the deeper purpose of the Mass and the balance between meditation and dozing off. To keep things lively, they introduce a foamy new beer...

This week on The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby take on a topic that’s central to the modern man: masculinity. In celebration of hump day, the hosts dive into the tough questions surrounding what it means to be a man in today’s world. Far from outdated notions of chest-beating bravado, this episode focuses on the evolving nature of masculinity—one rooted in responsibility, strength, and servic...

Welcome to The Barn Philosopher—where we explore the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of modern masculinity. With honest conversations and thoughtful insights, hosts Shelby and Ridge dive into the realities of relationships, faith, personal growth, and the everyday musings that shape our lives. Through the eyes of an artist and the hands of a tradesman, they bring unique perspectives to the...