The Barn Philosopher
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 kinds of conversations that resonate with the modern man: relationships, faith, everyday dilemmas, and those head-scratching questions that make life interesting. Shaped by their Y chromosomes and evolving Catholic faith, these two bring a refreshing, honest, and often hilarious perspective on what it means to navigate today’s world. From deep dives to light banter, no topic is too big—or too small—for the barn. Whether they’re unpacking life’s complexities or finding meaning in the mundane, you’ll find surprising insight around every corner. So pour a glass, light a pipe, and enjoy the journey. And if you like what you hear, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share—because every barn door opens a little wider with your support.
Episodes
July 30, 2025 • 36 mins
In this roundtable-style episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with two of his favorite faith companions—his wife, Rita, and their friend Joan—for an open and honest conversation about the twists and turns of their spiritual journeys.
What starts as a thoughtful discussion about belief, growth, and gratitude becomes both heartfelt and humorous. Shelby reflects on how Joan and Ridge have been steady guides in his and Ri...
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July 27, 2025 • 26 mins
Challenging the man-tallity. In this follow-up to Episode 54 – Hey Man, Are You Okay?, Ridge and Shelby revisit the challenge of guys asking each other the hard questions. But this time, the conversation runs deeper—not just about checking in, but about letting go.
Ridge, in the thick of raising a young family, talks about the struggle of control and the surprising freedom he’s found in adopting a bit of Shelby’s “it is what it is...
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July 23, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby reunite in the barn to debrief Shelby’s whirlwind adventure abroad. From Japan’s seafood and Korea’s unbeatable fried chicken to the blazing sun of Guam, Shelby shares the highs, the heat, and the hilarity of life near the equator.
They talk food (cheap unless you overdo it on sushi and beer), family, and the simple joys of island time—including Ridge’s prized souvenir: a l...
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July 20, 2025 • 14 mins
In this hands-on episode of The Barn Philosopher, the barn becomes more than just a recording studio—it’s a garage. Ridge takes on the challenge of changing brakes for the first time, with Shelby as his mentor and mechanic-in-residence.
While Ridge has dabbled in oil changes and lawnmower repairs, this is his first dive into real car work. Next on his list: changing oil on a full-sized vehicle. The brake job goes surprisingly well...
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July 16, 2025 • 17 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with Rita’s Aunt Margie during their trip to Guam for an unforgettable conversation that spans continents, decades, and one incredible life.
With Rita joining for the intro and outro, we learn how Aunt Margie began her journey in an unexpected place—performing in a circus across Southeast Asia during World War II, entertaining troops as a child. Her family’s travels eventua...
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July 13, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with his sister-in-law Juanita for a lively and meaningful conversation about life on Guam and the incredible work she does with local nonprofits—including Island Girl Power and one with a name Shelby can't quite pronounce (despite his best efforts).
Juanita shares her passion for empowering young people, supporting community initiatives, and preserving the culture that sha...
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July 9, 2025 • 38 mins
In this special episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby shares a heartfelt interview with his mother-in-law, Pearl—recorded while visiting Guam. As a unique (and slightly strange) birthday gift, Rita joins him to listen back and reflect on her mom’s remarkable life, filled with warmth, grit, and unforgettable memories.
Pearl paints a vivid picture of growing up in a quieter, simpler Guam and watching the island evolve through deca...
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July 6, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, we drift into the topic of sleep—or the lack of it. Ridge opens up about his nightly struggles: tinnitus, tossing and turning, and waking up more times than he cares to count. He remembers far too much of the night that’s supposed to be forgotten.
Meanwhile, Shelby reports no such troubles. His secret? Possibly an empty mind and a clear conscience—though Ridge might have a different theory....
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July 2, 2025 • 32 mins
In this long-distance episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge rings up Shelby while he’s still abroad—this time calling from the comfort of the barn to the bustle of Busan, South Korea. The two catch up on Shelby’s time in Guam, reflecting on beach days, family time, and the kind of heat that sticks with you.
Ridge, naturally curious, tries to pin Shelby down: Tokyo or South Korea—what’s better? But with two days left in the trip, ...
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June 29, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode of *The Barn Philosopher*, Shelby and Rita are back on the mic after their big international adventure. While they didn't manage to record in Guam (blame the beaches and the heat), they're making up for it with stories from that leg of the journey before they headed off to South Korea.
From reconnecting with family and friends to soaking in the sun (and sweat) of the island life, they reflect on the meaningful mome...
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June 25, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge turns the tables and quizzes Shelby on food facts—and let’s just say the results won’t earn anyone a Michelin star. But as the laughter flows, both hosts agree: you don’t have to be an expert to love something. Shelby confesses he’s not a foodie, just a food enthusiast. The kind who may not know the origin of a dish, but definitely knows how to enjoy it.
From fast food flops to flavor...
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June 22, 2025 • 19 mins
In this solo episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge takes the mic while Shelby treks across the globe on his big adventure. With the barn a little quieter than usual, Ridge reflects on the role of technology—not as a flashy distraction, but as a meaningful tool to make life better. From gadgets to platforms, we explore the idea that just because something is new or impressive doesn’t mean it’s useful.
Whether you're a digital mini...
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June 18, 2025 • 19 mins
In this special travel edition of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby and Rita kick off their big adventure in none other than Ginza, Tokyo. After a full day of walking (and even more eating), they sit down to reflect on their first and only full day in Japan’s capital.
From navigating the quiet politeness of Japanese culture to the thrill of trying unfamiliar foods, Shelby and Rita share their impressions, laughs, and a few travel hiccu...
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June 15, 2025 • 18 mins
In this solo episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge takes the mic alone to explore one of Shelby’s favorite subjects: the seven deadly sins. With Shelby away (and probably being ironically envious.), Ridge breaks down the classic vices—pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth—and offers reflections on how they show up in daily life.
But it doesn’t stop there. Ridge also turns the conversation toward the antidotes: the ...
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June 11, 2025 • 18 mins
ADVENTURE TIME! In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge flips the script and interviews Shelby before he sets off on a big international adventure. With Tokyo, Guam, and South Korea on the itinerary, Shelby shares what he’s looking forward to most—especially the food. From sushi in Japan to family meals in Guam and spicy dishes in Seoul, this trip is less about sightseeing and more about eating his way across the Pacific.
W...
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June 8, 2025 • 15 mins
In this heartfelt episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with his wife, Rita, for a reflective conversation on what truly holds value in life. As they navigate the challenges of parenting adult children who seem drawn to materialism, the two open up about their own evolving perspectives.
With age and experience comes clarity—and for Shelby and Rita, it’s clear that relationships far outweigh riches. Whether it’s within ...
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June 4, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with Ridge’s wife, Joan, for a lively and enlightening conversation about common misconceptions surrounding the Catholic faith. From misunderstood traditions to pop culture myths, Joan brings clarity, insight, and a good dose of grace to the table—while Shelby asks the questions many are too afraid (or too confused) to ask.
Whether you're Catholic, curious, or just confused...
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June 1, 2025 • 24 mins
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, we dive into a more adult topic—one sparked by a jarring and unexpected Facebook ad featuring suggestive content that somehow avoided violating community guidelines. Shelby and Ridge unpack the moment and explore how digital algorithms serve up content based on age, gender, and user behavior—even when that content doesn’t align with what you typically consume.
We also discuss Ridge’s experi...
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May 28, 2025 • 37 mins
In this light-hearted episode of The Barn Philosopher, Shelby sits down with his wife, Rita, for a warm and funny conversation about their shared (and sometimes wild) interests. From foraging for mushrooms in the woods to experimenting with unusual crops like paw paws and Israeli artichokes, they reflect on the joy of trying new things—even if they don’t always work out.
Along the way, Rita offers some honest insight into what it’...
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May 25, 2025 • 26 mins
Episode Title: Stolen Valor and Borrowed Brilliance
In this episode of The Barn Philosopher, Ridge and Shelby dive into the topic of stolen valor—not just in the military sense, but in all areas of life where people claim honors, experience, or expertise they haven't earned. From fake war stories to people pretending to be pros in fields they barely understand, we unpack what drives this need to seem accomplished and how it erodes...
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