The Barn Philosopher

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby opens up about a pivotal life choice—when he metaphorically built a house out of his boat. It’s a moment that marked his commitment to forging ahead, even if the tools weren’t perfect and the boat seemed better suited for floating than framing. Ridge reflects on his own place in the journey, feeling like he's drifting just offshore, wondering if it's time to do the same.
Together, they unpack what it really means to go all-in—not by burning your bridges, but by turning your escape plan into a foundation. It's a conversation about risk, faith, stubborn determination, and how sometimes doing something that feels useless is the only way to move forward.
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In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with his wife, Rita, for a warm and personal conversation.
Rita reflects on her coastal childhood, where “island time” was the norm—but ironically, she grew up hating to be late. Now married to Shelby, who is habitually late, she shares how his flaws have helped her grow in patience (and how she still can’t stand tardiness).
They talk about Rita’s younger dreams of becoming a marine biologist or professional seashell collector, and how she ended up surrounded by cornfields instead of crashing waves. The two reminisce about the early days of their relationship—especially their go-to dates at classic Midwest chain restaurants they’d probably avoid now.
It’s an honest, lighthearted glimpse into marriage, personal growth, and the unexpected places life can take you.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share!

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby shares a tough and thought-provoking workplace story—one where trying to correct someone’s mistakes quickly turned into an accusation of racism. Despite having a diverse family, Shelby chooses not to “play the race card” in response. Instead, he reflects on how people sometimes deflect accountability by reaching for the wrong defense.
Ridge and Shelby dive into a deeper conversation about responsibility, identity, and the social awkwardness of calling out poor behavior in today’s climate. And of course, no episode would be complete without a little levity—this time courtesy of a beer called Dragon’s Milk and the questionable wisdom it inspires.
Honest talk, personal stories, and a little bourbon-barrel-aged humor—tune in now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more.

In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby turns the tables and puts Ridge in the hot seat for a round of rapid-fire questions. From favorite salty snacks and go-to movies to obscure actors Ridge secretly identifies with, nothing is off the table. Ridge even treats us to a surprise burst of singing—because why not? It’s a lively mix of laughs, insights, and unexpected revelations.
Join us as we get to know Ridge a little better. He's a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
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It's early 2025, and the markets are buzzing — not just from the usual chaos, but now with new tariffs shaking things up. Ridge keeps a close eye on his investments, while Shelby... well, let’s just say he’s aware he has investments somewhere.
In this episode, we talk about saving for the future, riding out the market waves, and how easy it is to get caught worrying about money. We reflect on the love of money, the temptation to obsess over it, and how faith helps us keep a healthier perspective — even when headlines scream about tariffs, trade wars, and economic uncertainty.
Join us for a real conversation about finances, faith, and remembering that true security doesn’t come from a stock ticker.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more.
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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!

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 thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com.

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 thebarnphilosopher@gmail.com.

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!

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.