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 surprise? The most budget-friendly bites came from the place they assumed would break the bank.

Hungry for insight—and maybe a little indigestion? Tune in for laughs, stats, and strong opinions on sauces.

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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 through them like Scrooge McDuck in a vault of marshmallow chicks.

Whether you love jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, or avoid candy altogether, this episode has something for every taste. Plus, we ask the big questions: Is Easter candy the best holiday candy? And why does it always come with so much pastel?

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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 being locked out of the house, drinking from hoses, and figuring life out the hard way.

It’s part nostalgia, part therapy session, and all Barn Philosopher chaos.

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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 make peace with time slipping by.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about growing older, not taking things for granted, and squeezing meaning out of every spin of the roll.

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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 out of their way to be a problem? And is there any way to handle them without losing your mind? Tune in as we break it down with our usual mix of wisdom, humor, and mild regret.

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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 platter.

Are kids better off, or are we raising a generation that’s too plugged in? Tune in for a conversation that’s part nostalgic, part cautionary, and as always, full of good laughs.

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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. Because if you’re already cutting corners, maybe harassing the worker isn’t the best strategy.

Join us as we rant, debate, and share real-world experiences of customers who want it all but refuse to accept reality.

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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 us wrong. Can we let go of grudges? Should we? And does forgiveness mean we have to forget?

Join us for an honest, sometimes painful, and (of course) slightly sidetracked conversation about grace, grudges, and the struggle to be better.

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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 experiences shaped us, and why sometimes the worst jobs teach the best lessons.

Tune in for stories of hard labor, rancid waste, and the motivation to aim higher. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more!

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 words, the impact of how we speak to others, and why Ridge believes this simple idea could make a big difference.

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