The Barn Philosopher

The Barn Philosopher

By The Barn PhilosopherSociety & CulturePhilosophy
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The Barn Philosopher episodes

  • 70 - The $12 ”Value” Meal: Where Did the Deals Go?
    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-thru, we’re calling it what it is: The McDonald’s Effect. Join us for a conversation that’s part economic rant, part nostalgic longing, and all flavored with that classic Barn Philosopher seasoning.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share with your fellow burger budgeters!
    18 min
  • 69 - Ridge’s Better Half: Behind Every Great Philosopher...
    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’ve grown spiritually as individuals and as a couple, and the unique ways their beliefs shape their daily life. It’s honest, warm, and occasionally hilarious—because what would The Barn Philosopher be without a few detours?
    Eventually, Ridge will return the favor and interview Shelby’s wife, but for now, we’re kicking things off with faith, marriage, and a little peek behind the curtain of Ridge’s life outside the podcast.
    Tune in, share it with someone who’d love it, and as always—rate, follow, and send us your thoughts at [email protected].
    26 min
  • 68 - Fast Food Face-Off: Cheap, Greasy, and Surprisingly Scientific
    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.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and more. Rate, share, and drop us a line at [email protected].
    44 min
  • 67 - Easter Candy: Peeps, Pastels, and Candy Controversies
    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?
    Hop on over to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more to listen. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share the sweet stuff!
    13 min
  • 66 - The Promise of Spring: Derailed by The Gen X Attitude
    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.
    Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Rate, share, and follow—we promise not to lock you out.
    13 min
  • 65 - The Quickening: Life, Time, and Toilet Paper
    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.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share!
    20 min
  • 64 - Difficult People: Petty Victories and Problematic People
    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.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more! Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share.
    25 min
  • 63 - Kids, Phones, and Remembering When Finding ”Stuff” Was Hard?
    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.
    Listen now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to rate, share, and subscribe!
    34 min
  • 62 - Cheap, Good, Fast – Pick Two (And No Hassling!)
    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.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more! Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share.
    16 min
  • 61 - Grudges, Grace, and Loving Those Who Wrong Us: A Lenten Challenge
    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.
    Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more!
    13 min

About The Barn Philosopher

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Barn Philosopher—where life’s quirks, curiosities, and occasional absurdities meet thoughtful reflection and a good dose of humor.

Join Shelby and Ridge as they dive into the…