The Big Boo Cast

I'm on the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between Canada and Maine this week (Melanie opted out of the trip because of the aforementioned ocean), so we recorded this episode before I left Birmingham, and we asked our friend Cole Cubelic - who is one of our all-time favorite people - to join us. As some of you may remember, Melanie and I met Cole a couple of years ago after he saw us at an event where my hair clip was in a constant state of malfunction. Now he's like the little brother we didn't know we needed. So this week...

This week Melanie and I talk through our reactions to the College World Series (Razorbacks, we feel your pain, and Tigers, we congratulate you), we break down what's been going on in our respective lives over the past week, and we share some delight over all the good television that's been released since we last recorded. 

We also discuss the fact that Melanie ordered some chicken on the bone at a restaurant, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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On this week's episode Melanie and I talk about the fact that Caroline is now home from her long European journey, I sampled the most delicious homemade pies, and why we shouldn't underestimate Gen Z's persistence in selecting the perfect nail polish colors. It's been an eventful week. 

We also have an unplanned - but lively!  - discussion about AI, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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Show Notes:

This week Melanie and I have lots of Super Regional developments to discuss, along with what I am referring to as Mississippi State's First Official Baseball Pageant as we welcomed our new baseball head coach Brian O'Connor. We also talk about a new Birmingham restaurant favorite and Melanie's awareness of her challenges with European geography.

On top of all that, I get in my feelings a little bit about Pentecost Sunday, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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As you might expect on this episode, Melanie and I have a lot to say about this past weekend's college baseball regionals (if you're not aware, there were some incredible underdog stories in the field of 64). We also talk about State's baseball coach news (very exciting!) before we consider all the things we don't know or understand about this current generation of toddlers. 

On top of that, Melanie shares Perry's new YouTube discovery, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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Well, 'tis the season for NCAA baseball regionals, so this week Melanie and I discuss the fact that the Bulldogs are headed to Tallahassee, and we also briefly analyze the SEC uniforms this season (you may be surprised by the team I have designated as the uniform winner). Plus, we talk about Mel's adventures with getting Caroline's suitcase(s) packed for Europe and the complications that arise when husbands decide they want to be healthy eaters.

As (almost) always, we break down what we've watched this past week, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope...

This week Melanie is helping Caroline get ready for her Europe trip, I'm gearing up for the SEC Baseball Tournament, and we're both feeling mildly fascinated by the Busch Apple phenomenon. We talk about all of the above, of course, as well as what we've watched this past week (I'm really having to process my feelings about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives). 

We also discuss some Mississippi-adjacent things that have made me super happy, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!
 
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This past week has given Melanie and me plenty to talk about: Caroline Shankle graduated from A&M, Alex Hudson traveled to Japan, and Hazel had a whole vet exam in the back of my car. Life comes at you fast, friends. In addition to all of that, there have been some college baseball developments. For better or worse.

We also discuss what we've been watching (of course), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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...

Well, on this episode Melanie and I are both at the mercy of our children's airline travel woes, which means we got interrupted by phone calls and texts while we were recording since we were trying to help with troubleshooting and whatnot. Besides that, though, we talk through Japan travel prep, David's best technological day, and Hazel's sassy new Pilates-esque accessories.

We also learn about a Netflix show that Melanie has loved, and we share our Graduation Gift Guide for 2025.

Hope you enjoy!

(Travel update from SH: I'm putting together show notes on Wednesday...

On this week's episode Melanie and I recap our weekend travels: she and Caroline flew to Birmingham while I was driving to Baton Rouge, and then on Saturday we all met up in Auburn.  We got to watch a baseball game, we got to hang out with a real-live Auburn legend, we got to celebrate our friend Ella's birthday, and we even got to take a boat ride.

We also talk through some San Antonio live show ticket into, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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This week Melanie and I recap our weekend activities, Melanie shares all about the big fun of Caroline's senior portraits, and we talk about our upcoming trip to Auburn. Plus, the wallet that Melanie lost in Fayetteville has once again been found - an Easter miracle. :-) 

We also discuss a difficult situation with Melanie's toenail polish color, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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We've had some bluebird spring days in San Antonio and Birmingham over the last week, so on this episode Melanie and I talk about how we've been soaking up the great weather. Melanie also bemoans the endlessness of a day after waking up early, and I share about my harrowing unintended career change into world of first aid and medical transport. 

On top of all that, we discuss the outstanding array of Alabama baseball's walk-up songs, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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This week Melanie and I have so many post-live show thoughts...about air travel, about the fun we had in Arkansas, and about all the basketball we've watched since we've been back at home. We also marvel at the ways our college baseball fortunes improved over the course of the weekend.

On top of that, Melanie discusses the perils of losing your wallet, and it's also her turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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Show Notes:
- The Graduate in Fayetteville
...

While Melanie went to Round Top with Caroline this past weekend, I watched a lot of basketball and Netflix, so we catch up on this episode about all of our respective adventures (on my end of things, to be clear, "adventures" is a super strong word). There's also a post-book club recap of our Here Be Dragons discussion with Perry, which was the 2025 gift we didn't even know we needed. 

Also, I share about how I decided to celebrate my mama's birthday this year, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

...

This week Melanie and I both have a case of the Basketball Sads, so we process our sports-related heartache before we catch up on the latest with Mabel and Hazel and discuss the details of our weekends. 

We also talk through some activities that are potentially inspiring on the creative front, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. 

Enjoy, everybody!

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Show Notes:
- our latest Patreon episode with Retha
- Mississippi State's 2018 baseball team (I...

This past week Melanie and I have done a little bit of traveling, and we've also had some quality familly time. In this episode we talk about our road trips, Melanie's shopping trip with Caroline, my birthday meal for Alex, and the SEC basketball tournament. 

Also, Melanie shares about a new hobby that might be on the horizon for her, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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Show Notes:
- Grace Valentine

This week Melanie and I discuss our texting needs from people who aren't Enneagram 9s (just FYI: "Ok" as a response means we're going to think we're in a fight), we recap our time in Birmingham and Nashville, and we discuss how happy she is to be back at home. 

Also, I share all about a little field trip I took to Montgomery this past weekend, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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S...

What a week it has been! Melanie's book hit #5 on the New York Times bestseller list, I got a new HVAC unit (not as exciting, but still, significant), and Hazel has full-blown PTSD from all the people who have been in and out of our house. Life is a series of highs and lows, right? Anyway, this week we talk about all the Here Be Dragons fun, share our thoughts on some sports developments, and finally get some insight about why A&M serves Pepsi products. 

We also talk about my very active TV life, and it's my t...

This past week Melanie's been to Austin and College Station, I've been to San Antonio and Auburn, and we've both gotten to spend time with our college kids. On this episode we recap all of the above, and we also discuss the fact that I have watched not just one but TWO movies over the last few days. The Lord is always doing a new thing.

We also discuss some exciting new computer developments, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. 

Hope y'all enjoy!

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It's Here Be Dragons week, and Melanie is gearing up to be out of town a lot while I am gearing up for quick trips to San Antonio and Auburn. On this episode we discuss A&M's new basketball uniforms, college baseball opening weekend, and our critical computer situations (true story: Melanie's headphones wouldn't connect while we recorded, and my microphone didn't, either, so this week's sound isn't great, Bob). 

We also talk about what we've been watching, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. 

Enjoy, everybody!

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- Ou...

This week Melanie and I dig into the dynamic between her and Caroline as far as wardrobe planning is concerned (it's a complex situation), and we talk through my recent discovery related to using mascara. We also discuss my Severance obsession, which is significant. 

On top of all that, Melanie has a new book out next week (!!!), and it's her turn for Five Favorites. 

Hope you enjoy!

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Show Notes:
- Melanie's book tour info 
- G...

It's been a week full of cross-stitching and watching Samford Step Sing and catching up with friends since we last recorded, so Melanie and I talk through all of these things as well as how she might be able to deal with the handling of the chicken in a recipe I made over the weekend. 

We also discuss what Melanie's been reading and watching, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. 

Please do enjoy. :-) 

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Show Not...

This week Melanie and I both have tried some new things: Mel has ventured into a new workout experience, and I have decided to pick (back) up a hobby I enjoyed back in high school and college. There's also a mouse update (in light of the Polar Vortex), and Mel shares a great recipe for a dinner party.

Mel also has a new nighttime skincare ritual, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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Show...

Our dear friend (and most frequent podcast guest) Travis Cottrell is with us this week, and what a treat it was for Melanie and me to get to catch up with him. We talk about college football, NFL football, what we've been watching lately, and how we feel about looking up setlists before a concert.

We also discuss 80's music (WHO AMONG US IS SURPRISED), and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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Show...

On this week's episode Melanie and I talk about my snow days here in Birmingham, her playroom clean-out in San Antonio, and our thoughts about the upcoming national championship college football game. We also discuss a couple of epiphanies I experienced this past week (and, as a follow-up to our last episode, one of them is Wicked-related). 

As if that weren't enough, we have an exciting heating pad update / development, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. 

Enjoy, everybody!

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Clearly the Lord is up to something in 2025, because on this episode Melanie shares a tip for cooking with a rotisserie chicken, and I talk about seeing a movie that I had been resisting because of its rampant popularity (so sorry, I'm weird, still haven't seen Titanic, etc.). On top of that, we recap our exciting New Year's Eves ("exciting" is a relative term, but alas). 

We also get an exciting update on the health of Melanie's scalp, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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...

It's our first regular episode of 2025, and we're off to a strong start with some inconvenient (though entertaining) challenges. The Aggies lost their bowl game, one of Mel's refrigerators has gone on to its eternal reward, and the Shankles have had some unexpected visitors in their laundry room. VIVA LA 2025!

We also reflect on our words / phrases for 2024, discuss our words and phrases for the new year, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

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Show Notes:
- L...

When we recorded this episode, Melanie was making cinnamon rolls, and I had just completed a grocery run full of vegetables and several different kinds of sugar. In other words: Christmas Day is upon us, and on this episode we talk about all of our last-minute preparations and even some plans that have gone awry. It's also my turn for Five Favorites.

Merry Christmas, everyone - we are so grateful for you, and we hope your Christmas is full of time with the people you love the most!

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'Tis the season to record an audiobook and do a little bit of hostessing - or at least that's what Melanie and I have been up to this past week. On this episode we talk about our college kids' laundry situation (it's bad here in Birmingham), what we've been reading and watching, and why Melanie needs a new rug in her dining room to help with podcast recording quality.

We also discuss a fantastic concert I went to this past weekend, and it's Mel's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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Since college football is starting to move into the rearview mirror just a tiny bit, this week Melanie and I discuss our end-of-year Spotify and Apple Music info, we consider my new maximum volume hair product strategy, and Melanie talks about an audiobook she absolutely loved. 

We also take a look at what's ahead for both of us this week, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope y'all enjoy! 

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This week Melanie recaps her time in College Station - though she wishes the game had gone a different way - before we break down our respective Thanksgivings and I lament the Egg Bowl (on top of lamenting a two-win season for my Bulldogs). 

Melanie also shares a flat tire situation she had to deal with, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

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Show Notes:
- T...

Earlier this week Melanie and I recorded with our friend Cole Cubelic for a Patreon episode - and then Cole's audio upload proceeded to get caught in an internet no-man's land for several days. This morning, though, we got news from our friends at Riverside.fm that they were able to recover Cole's audio, so I put together a quick bonus episode in the event that you're bored / traveling / curious about Cole's Thanksgiving (and football) favorites.

Plus, much to our delight, Cole shares his thoughts on tomorrow's football game between the Texas A&M Fightin' Aggies and their...

Melanie and I spent our weekend in the loveliest village on the Plains, so this episode is chock-full-o-details about our time in Auburn, including our shenanigans with Caroline and Ella and the Aggies' unfortunate loss in four overtimes. FOUR OVERTIMES. 

We also discuss all the fun we had in Birmingham, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, y'all - and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Show Notes:
- The Valley H...

This week Melanie and I talk about the latest with college football, the latest with what we're reading, and the latest with my very early Christmas decorating. We also discuss the fact that Melanie and Caroline are headed to Alabama this weekend so we can take a little road trip to the loveliest village on the plains. 

On top of that, I share some of Hazel's most recent issues (the separation anxiety is real), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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Melanie and I both have happy live show hangovers this week, so we break down all of our Dallas fun as well as some fantastic memories from not even 24 hours in College Station. We had time with our friends Beth and Ree, we had time with each other and our friends and family, and we saw some amazingly talented college students perform in Chi O Songfest. It was quite a time.

We also wrap up our gift guide suggestions (see what I did there?!) this week, and we hope you enjoy! 

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Oh, how the college football turns have tabled. Melanie's Aggies traveled from the football mountaintop to the (temporary, we believe) valley this past weekend, so as you can imagine, she's still processing her emotions re: the loss. However, the good news is that this week marks the first installment of our annual holiday gift guide, and we're just as happy as we can be about that. Plus, we talk about our favorite fruity candy flavors, so basically we're changing the world one podcast episode at a time.

So excited to see some of you in Dallas this week...

The Aggies are at the top of the SEC football standings, so naturally Melanie and I talk all about that on this episode - along with the state of her legs and feet after walking about 13,000 steps in her full-length cowboy boots. And in my neck of the woods, I cooked for Alex and his buddies this past Sunday night, so it's been BUTTER AHOY here in Birmingham.

We also discuss reading ruts and how to maybe / hopefully / possibly snap out of them, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

...

For the second year in a row, The Big Boo Bowl was the Aggies' time to shine, but there was still a fine time to be had in Starkville. So this week Melanie and I discuss my very brief interaction with Dan Mullen, my enduring affection for the 2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs, and why it's bad form to throw objects on the field during a football game. Hypothetically. 

We also talk about the non-football parts of our weekends, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. As a shock to absolutely no one, my microphone appears to be dying a s...

On this episode Melanie and I discuss the variety of smells that greeted me during my travels last week, and of course we talk about college football: Melanie's high level of relaxation during a bye weekend, LSU's overtime win, the upcoming Big Boo Bowl, my current fight with Kirby Smart, and the fact that I accidentally messaged Dan Mullen on Instagram.

Naturally there are Side Eyes and I See Yous, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

 Hope you enjoy!

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This past weekend delivered in terms of COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAOS - which, as we all know, is Melanie's favorite. So on this week's episode we talk about the chaos, and about our weekends, and about the latest with all my traveling. Plus, Side Eyes and I See Yous.

We also discuss my weekend in Melanie's favorite city (not) - and it's her turn for Five Favorites

 Enjoy, y'all!

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