In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge sits down with his longtime friend Logan for a conversation that starts with unserious internet brain-rot questions and somehow ends in childhood nostalgia. The two swap stories about growing up together—tractor tires that almost put Ridge in traction, haunted houses they absolutely didn’t have permission to explore, and fire-related close calls that would make most parents question their supervision strategies.

What might’ve been a normal catch-up between friends quickly becomes a case study in reckless youth, questionable judgment, and the type of small-town experiences that feel universal if you know, you know. It’s funny, familiar, and surprisingly reflective in that way The Barn Philosopher somehow always ends up being—even when no one planned it.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed the episode, rate, follow, and share it with a friend who’s also survived childhood shenanigans.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby dive into listener emails — or at least Ridge does. With heartfelt questions about rest, parenting, and the fine art of not losing your mind, Ridge thoughtfully breaks things down while Shelby… enthusiastically misunderstands the assignment. A couple of drinks in, Shelby derails, over-explains, and makes a general mess of the proceedings while Ridge heroically keeps the episode on the rails.

It’s chaotic, it’s honest, and it’s proof that interacting with listeners is always an adventure.

Rate, follow, share, and send us more questions — preferably ones Shelby can handle.

In this episode, Ridge’s longtime friend Logan joins us at the barn for the first time, and the conversation naturally turns reflective as we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026. We talk about getting older, realizing we can’t ignore our health forever, and the small lifestyle changes we say we’re going to make.

The conversation wanders through cruise ships that promise relaxation but somehow still nickel and dime you, highlights and letdowns from the past year, and what actually sticks with us as time moves faster than we’d like. We celebrate the new studio as one of the bright spots of 2025, and of course revisit the truck project that started this year and—if all goes well—might finally be road-ready in 2026.

It’s a laid-back, end-of-year check-in with an old friend, equal parts reflection, optimism, and realistic expectations for what the next year might bring.

Find us on all major podcast platforms, and as always—rate, follow, share, and tell a friend.

In this episode, Shelby and Rita talk about their shared appreciation for slide-in shoes—and why they’re not just for lazy people anymore. From the simple joy of slipping them on and off while running in and out of the house, to the surprising practicality that’s won them over, this conversation celebrates comfort without apology.

They also revisit the long, strange journey of Crocs. Shelby admits he never stopped wearing them, even when they fell out of style—and now that they’ve made a comeback, there’s a small (and justified) sense of validation. Along the way, they touch briefly on work boots, comfort versus function, and how personal style sometimes circles back when you least expect it.

It’s a relaxed, funny chat about footwear, habits, and embracing the things that make everyday life a little easier.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby talk about mental blind spots and the different ways memory shows up in everyday life. Much of the conversation focuses on what Shelby’s stepdaughter believes may be undiagnosed ADHD, which often appears as forgotten names, poor time awareness, losing track of thoughts, and realizing entire moments of the day have slipped by unnoticed.

Ridge contrasts this with his own experience of exceptionally strong recall—so strong, in fact, that his family frequently jokes about his ability to remember conversations, details, and moments others forget. He also points out an important distinction in Shelby’s memory: while names, time, and daily events often fade quickly, Shelby tends to remember physical actions and hands-on tasks extremely well, retaining how things were built, fixed, or done even when other details are lost.

Together, they explore how differently minds can work, how those differences affect relationships and self-understanding, and how recognizing personal blind spots can lead to more patience, clarity, and better communication.

If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and share—or at least try to remember. If you forget, that’s on brand. You can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts… assuming you remember what app you opened in the first place.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with Rita to try something a little different—a scripted bit inspired by a classic SNL radio-show skit. The plan was calm delivery, tight timing, and deadpan restraint. What actually happened… was very on-brand.

When Rita makes a small mistake, the script immediately derails. Instead of the composed, NPR-style restraint of the original skit, Shelby goes full volume, yelling while Rita laughs uncontrollably and refuses to take it seriously. What follows is less “polished performance” and more “married couple who knows exactly how to push each other’s buttons.”

It’s a funny, chaotic look at why scripted comedy is harder than it looks—and why chemistry, laughter, and losing control sometimes make for the best moments anyway.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts. Rate, follow, share—and come laugh with us in the barn.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby dig into a question that feels harder to ignore lately: why do so many people seem to want to be angry? What starts as an observation about local social media quickly turns into a deeper conversation about outrage, conflict, and human nature.

From comment sections that feel more like battlegrounds than communities, to knee-jerk hate directed at people we don’t actually know, the guys wonder if this constant tension is something new—or something deeply wired into us. Is conflict biological? Social? A leftover instinct from thousands of years of survival and fighting? Or are some people just mean jerks with Wi-Fi?

Ridge reflects on how easily people jump to conclusions without reading the full story, while Shelby admits he mostly uses social media for Marketplace… yet still can’t avoid the flood of negativity. Together, they explore how anger spreads, why it feels addictive, and whether choosing restraint is becoming a lost skill.

As always, it’s a mix of honest reflection, mild frustration, and the occasional uncomfortable truth—served up from the barn.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed the episode, rate, follow, share it with a friend, and help keep the conversation going.

In this episode, Ridge and Shelby tackle what they mean when they say people are “gross”—and no, it’s not table manners or bad hygiene. It’s sheer dresses, wild red-carpet outfits, and fashion choices that seem designed to shock rather than clothe. What starts as a discussion about celebrity style quickly turns into a broader conversation about how outrageous fashion at the top trickles down into everyday life.

Ridge tries to keep the conversation focused, while Shelby repeatedly veers into a long-standing grudge against famous people who feel the need to speak loudly outside their lane. Shelby’s issue isn’t with talent—it’s with talented people using their platform to say everything except the thing they’re good at. If you’re great at acting, singing, or entertaining, why not just… do that?

The result is an opinionated, occasionally unhinged, and mildly judgmental conversation about style, influence, and why some trends probably should’ve stayed on the red carpet.

You can find The Barn Philosopher on all major podcast platforms. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, share it with a friend, and let us know what you think crossed the fashion line.