The Barn Philosopher

The Barn Philosopher

By The Barn PhilosopherSociety & CulturePhilosophy
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The Barn Philosopher episodes

  • 30 - Relaxing? Not so Relaxing: How to Fail at Chill time, like Shelby and Ridge.
    This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge tackle the elusive art of relaxation—or, more accurately, their complete inability to master it. From the never-ending to-do lists to the guilt of “wasting time,” the hosts explore why kicking back feels more stressful than productive.
    Is it possible to truly relax when life’s demands are always looming? Can Shelby and Ridge learn to embrace downtime, or will they just turn relaxation into another task? Join the conversation as they share their struggles, swap strategies, and even laugh at their own hyperactive minds.
    If you’ve ever found yourself stressing over the idea of relaxing, this episode is for you. Take a breather (if you can), and tune in for some relatable laughs and a dose of laid-back philosophy.
    48 min
  • 29 - Sweatpants and Crocs: Sloppy Chic or Casual Revolution?
    This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge tackle an age-old question: have we all given up on looking decent in public? From Shelby’s unapologetic love of Crocs to Ridge’s sweatpants habit, the hosts reflect on their own fashion choices (or lack thereof) while arguing that the world might be just a little too comfortable.
    Are sweatpants in public a sign of cultural decline, or are they just practical? Can Ridge convince Shelby to ditch his Crocs for something “presentable”? Join the conversation as the duo debates dressing for success, the power of first impressions, and whether we owe the world a bit more effort in how we show up.
    Throw on your comfiest outfit and tune in for a lighthearted but thought-provoking episode of The Barn Philosopher!
    15 min
  • 28 - The Seven Deadly Sins: A Virtuous Crash Course into vises.
    This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into the fascinating (and slightly scandalous) world of the Seven Deadly Sins. From Pride to Wrath, they explore what these infamous vices are all about, why they’ve captured humanity’s imagination for centuries, and how they might show up in everyday life.
    Are these sins as deadly as they sound, or are they just part of being human? Shelby and Ridge bring their unique blend of humor and curiosity to the table, sharing insights, stories, and maybe even confessing a sin or two.
    Whether you’re a curious philosopher or just here for a good laugh, join us for an entertaining exploration of human nature’s darker side!
    1 hr
  • 27 - A Short Swim in Gravy: A Thanksgiving Philosophy
    In this Sunday Short, Ridge and Shelby sit down to dish on all things Thanksgiving. From their favorite holiday foods to the time Shelby suffered through a very questionable oyster dressing, this episode is stuffed with hilarious stories, strong opinions, and a little culinary chaos.
    Will Shelby finally defend his controversial stance on canned cranberry sauce? Can Ridge convince anyone that green bean casserole is a top-tier dish? And is swimming in gravy okay?
    Join us for an exploration of Thanksgiving traditions, food fails, and why this holiday might just be the ultimate feast for thought. Grab a plate (and maybe skip the oysters) as we serve up some fun on The Barn Philosopher!
    21 min
  • 26 - Big Questions, Little Snacks, and Plenty of Laughs
    This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into life’s big questions—really big questions. Whose music would tell your story? Does bacon secretly start with a “P”? And most importantly, why would Ridge blind-side his buddy Shelby?
    With Shelby a few drinks deep and aggressively devouring cheese, and Ridge doing his best to keep things on track, this episode blends deep thoughts with delightful nonsense. Expect random tangents, surprising insights, and the occasional moment of clarity.
    Grab a snack, pour a drink, and join us for a hilariously chaotic journey through life’s most perplexing (and ridiculous) questions. Philosophy has never been this fun—or this cheesy!
    30 min
  • 25 - Returning Shopping Carts: The Ultimate Morality Test
    Sunday Short time! This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge tackle the ultimate question of civilization: Why won’t people return their shopping carts? Is it laziness, rebellion, or a symptom of deeper societal decay? Join the guys as they explore the psychology of the “cart leaver,” share hilariously petty parking lot stories, and debate whether the shopping cart is truly humanity’s most underrated moral test.
    From rogue carts smashing cars to the heroes who actually walk the extra 20 feet, Shelby and Ridge leave no cart unchecked in this fun and surprisingly philosophical episode. Tune in, laugh along, and maybe—just maybe—feel a little inspired to be the change next time you shop.
    16 min
  • 24 - Hobbies Apart, Hearts Together: The Marriage Balancing Act
    This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into the surprisingly controversial world of spouses with separate hobbies. Why do some people think it’s strange for couples to enjoy different things? Is there really such a thing as “too much alone time,” or is it the secret to staying happily hitched? Shelby and Ridge swap stories, share some questionable advice, and break down the pros and cons of solo hobbies—from music, parenting, grandparenting, and all the way to leave me alone.
    Join us for a lively chat about the joys (and occasional perils) of independence in marriage. Whether you're all about shared interests or love your solo time, tune in as we uncover why having your own thing might just be the best thing. So grab your hobby of choice, sit back, and enjoy the ride with The Barn Philosopher!
    33 min
  • 23 - Sunday Short: A bathroom debate. Taking a Stand on Sitting Down.
    Welcome to another Sunday Short. This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into one of life’s great debates: should men pee standing up or sitting down? Get ready for a (surprisingly thoughtful) conversation as they tackle the pros, cons, and surprising nuances of both approaches. From debates about bathroom etiquette to hilarious personal stories, Shelby and Ridge leave no stone—or seat—unturned.
    Join the guys as they overanalyze, question societal norms, and maybe even spark a bathroom revolution. It’s an episode full of laughs, unexpected insights, and maybe a few too many puns. So sit back—or stand up—and enjoy the ride with The Barn Philosopher!
    16 min
  • 22 - Gandhi or Gladiator? Understanding Your Argument Style
    Do you argue to win, or are you just trying to survive the conversation? This week on The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Ridge dive into the fine art of argument styles—because let’s face it, everyone’s got one. Whether it’s the “broken man,” the “fight to win,” or the “debater,” your hosts break down the tactics we all use and misuse when things get heated.
    Get ready for some laughs as Shelby reveals his Gandhi like passivism, while Ridge explains his evolving argument style. From playful disagreements to full-blown standoffs, they’ll explore how arguing can be both ridiculous and revealing. Tune in and find out which argument style fits you best—and maybe learn a trick or two for your next showdown!
    41 min
  • 21 - Bee-lieve It or Not: A Short and Fun-Gi Guide to Foraging.
    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 be eaten.
    Expect plenty of laughs, questionable discoveries, and the duo’s attempts at convincing each other that “this one is totally safe!” If you’ve ever thought about foraging or just want to join two friends who are definitely learning as they go, tune in for an episode that’s more about the journey than the actual plants. Let’s see what they come up with (and hope they don’t get poisoned in the process)!
    22 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…