To absolutely no one's surprise, we talk a whole lot about Hamilton in this episode. And also Somebody Feed Phil . And then maybe a little more about Hamilton . But really, all of that pales in comparison to Melanie's ranch adventures on the 4th of July, a day that just might have changed her forever. Because SWEET MERCY, THE NATURE. We also discuss Melanie's new thoughts about Cica moisturizing cream and my deep well of optimism re: a new dress from Amazon. 2020 is really coming through for us!...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
So Melanie and I are taking a little break this week, but we're sharing an episode that will be new to most of you. Last month on Patreon we did a Closer Look episode on health and body image, and we got more feedback - comments, DMs, emails - than we have on any other episode. People's reactions were encouraging and candid and inspiring. Given that, we thought we would share the epsiode here, too. Here's what we told our Patreon folks when we originally posted it: For this Closer Look episode M...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 2 min
This episode is a real hodge-podge, which might well be our very favorite kind. We talk about corn and laundry detergent and hair ties and Melanie's pre- Hamilton television concerns. We also discuss a guasha stone tutorial Melanie recently watched as well as how tired we are of cooking. Because PANDEMIC. And we spend some time breaking it on down in terms of some big ole takeaways from Somebody Feed Phil . Enjoy, y'all! Become a Patron Show Notes: - Kasey's Summertime Corn - 2 14 oz. bags froze...
Jun 25, 2020•56 min
When we start this episode, I'm maybe not in my best frame of mind on book release eve ( Stand All the Way Up came out this past Tuesday). But then Melanie compares my writing to mashed potatoes, and then we talk about Jessica Simpson's memoir, Open Book , and let me tell you: my frown turned upside down. DO NOT SLEEP ON JESSICA'S WRITING ABILITY, friends. For the rest of the episode we do a Q&A, and this, this is one of our very favorite things. We didn't make much of a dent in the question...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week we talk about Caroline's recent wisdom teeth removal, a couple of recent Amazon finds, and a strange Instagram account that is also somewhat captivating. We also discuss a viewing strategy for Hamilton on Disney Plus and reminisce about the cough drops of our youth. As you do. We also discuss Alex's return to football workouts and Melanie's dry shampoo strategies. We trust that your life will be enriched by this illuminating content. :-) Enjoy, y'all! Become a Patron! Show Notes: - Liv...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Y'all come to us for lighthearted nonsense, so we did our best to provide a little of that this week. We also took some time to put the lighthearted stuff in context at the beginning of the episode, and we hope you'll hear our hearts as we do that. So as always, we hope there will be points in this episode where you laugh. But after you listen, we hope that you'll join us in praying for justice and healing in our nation. We remember George Floyd. We remember Ahmaud Arbery. We remember Breonna Ta...
Jun 03, 2020•55 min
On this episode we talk about what we feel is the worst of the take-out food as well as the joy of getting to eat in a restaurant (at safe distances) again. We also discuss my obsessive analysis of patio furniture as well as one of Ben Platt's most recent songs. So all that to say: we may have reached a point where we need some new hobbies. That being said, we also dig into some potential summer reading goals and talk though my favorite parts of the Downton Abbey movie. Then we get real sad talk...
May 28, 2020•56 min
This week we recount our adventures during this past weekend's Living Proof Livestream , which was the biggest blast and good for the soul in so many ways. We also talk about an exciting new powder option I've ordered, and we do a quick run-down of a couple of funny moments from various Housewives . So yes. We basically start the podcast talking about Beth Moore and work our way to the Real Housewives. This is what you call a microcosm of our real-live lives. We also discuss some recent Southern...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Occasionally we have big news to report on the podcast, and this is one of those times (well, at least for us): Melanie's internet has been fixed. Like, REALLY fixed. Like, the AT&T technician of the decade was assigned to Melanie's house, and he GOT IT HANDLED. So Melanie's going to tell us all about that, and she is literally so keyed up by her newfound internet speed and reach that her microphone has never been less stationary. At one point I wondered if she was putting things in drawers....
May 14, 2020•1 hr 4 min
In this episode we get an update on how Melanie's face has fared after she tried a NO JOKE exfoliation product. We also talk about a show we both loved watching, and I demonstrate some remarkable self-pity related to a recent calf injury. As one does, of course. And if you're looking for some graduation gift ideas, we are here to serve. We share several ideas for guys and girls, and as always, we've never met a gift-giving opportunity we haven't enjoyed talking about. Y'all take care. Hope you e...
May 06, 2020•56 min
It's a big week in the life of our little podcast, primarily because on this particular episode Melanie commits to trying a recipe that will require her to deal with raw chicken. Oh, HE WILL DO IT. We also talk about our latest quarantine-ish developments (that is to say: what we've watched on TV / pondered in the stillness of our hearts), and we share some Mother's Day gift ideas. This might be helpful to you if 1) you have no idea what to buy your mom and/or mother-in-law or 2) you need to pri...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this week's episode we talk about the return of summertime heat to San Antonio (you can easily imagine Melanie's joy) as well as our shared delight at a recent GMA Deal of the Day. We also discuss the latest developments in our television-watching careers, and we may spend a significant amount of time recapping the first episode of the new season of The Real Housewives of New York . All I'm saying is that it brought us some happiness. And if that weren't enough (well, I mean, it really wasn't...
Apr 21, 2020•56 min
By the time this episode releases, most of us will have been affected / impacted / sidelined / challenged by the quarantine for a full month. If you're in other parts of the world, it may have been longer for you. So given the fact that we have now been wearing (mostly) pajamas and workout clothes for the better part of thirty days, Melanie and I thought we would discuss one of our favorite topics: items that bring us comfort. And let me just assure you: a couple of Enneagram 9s know about some ...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr
As you might imagine, life has been a mile a minute during the past week of Pandemic '20. We've been to the grocery store, we've been to the drugstore, and we have even cooked some meals. There's just so much to share! Thankfully, though, a slower pace doesn't stop us from being fascinated with the most inconsequential things. That's why this week we have a lot of thoughts about what shows to watch, we have a lot of thoughts about what it's like at grocery stores these days, and we (well, I) hav...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 8 min
WELCOME TO APRIL, EVERYONE! Oh, y'all. It was a March, wasn't it? So first and foremost I just want to say that Melanie and I hope you're well and the people you love are well. It may take us a little while to get to the other side of this thing, but I believe we're all gonna love each other well and get through it. So hang in there. On this episode we talk about what we've been doing during this past week of social distancing, and we also talk to one of our very favorite Twitter follows, Karen ...
Apr 02, 2020•54 min
We weren't planning to record an episode this week, but then we (the Hudsons) cancelled our Spring Break trip, and the country pretty much shut down, and suddenly that empty podcast calendar looked like a bit of an opportunity. SO. On this week's episode Melanie and I are so happy to get to talk to our great friend Travis Cottrell , also known as FryDaddy here on the podcast. Travis is a worship leader, a gifted singer and songwriter, and the brother Melanie and I didn't even know we were missin...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Melanie and I are always thrilled when we get to have a guest on the podcast, and it's an extra thrill when that guest is Beth Moore, who just so happens to be one of our heroes. As most of you know, Beth is a writer, a ministry leader, and a straight-up Twitter prophetess. She's also wife to Keith, mom to Melissa and Amanda, and Bibby to her beloved grandchildren. Melanie and I are honored to call her a friend and consider her the Bible teacher of our lives. In this episode we talk about Beth's...
Mar 19, 2020•1 hr 10 min
I am delighted to tell you that I remembered to plug in my microphone for this episode, so that's a win right out of the gate, isn't it? And thanks to all of our crystal-clear sound, you'll hear us talk about my recent trip to Americus, Georgia, Melanie's recent trip to College Station, and the exciting new make-up that I bought last week. We'll also update you on our respective families' Coronavirus prep (Shankles - headed for the pandemic prep championship; Hudsons - did not qualify as we have...
Mar 12, 2020•49 min
You may not have known it before now, but what you will realize after about fifteen minutes of this episode is that apparently it is Festivus , and Melanie and I have kicked it off with our annual Airing of the Grievances. From her missing book foreword to my feelings about an unexpected credit card charge to Mel's preferred schedule for visits from the exterminator, we spend some time and also energy voicing our frustrations. Also, there's a whole running discussion about the coronavirus. I rem...
Mar 05, 2020•1 hr 1 min
A few episodes ago I mentioned how much I had loved watching Garth Brooks' "The Road I'm On," and this past week Melanie watched it. I wouldn't say that we discuss it exhaustively in this episode, but we definitely circle back around to it a few times. That is because WE ADORE IT. We also talk about Melanie's new books (it's book launch week!), but we recorded before we knew that the foreword by Jen Hatmaker somehow didn't make it into the actual book, so you can rest assured we'll saddle up to ...
Feb 25, 2020•58 min
I am sad to tell you that Melanie's issues with chicken in general and thick chicken nuggets in particular continue, so we spend a good bit of time discussing her chicken-related options in this episode. We also talk about my family's recent trip to a show choir competition (it was glorious) as well as our excitement that college baseball is with us once again. Then, as usual, we share a little bit of what we're watching and reading, and we settle a miscommunication re: Melanie's feelings about ...
Feb 20, 2020•59 min
We may not have watched the Oscars this year, but that doesn't stop us from having big opinions about 1) the dresses and 2) the current relationship status of Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak. In this episode we discuss both topics in great detail. We also talk about the fact that college baseball starts this weekend (!!!), and I dig into my thoughts about the State / A&M women's basketball game this past Sunday (here's a hint: both teams were fantastic). It will not surprise you to learn that Mela...
Feb 13, 2020•55 min
Well, both of us recently watched "Miss Americana" - the Taylor Swift documentary on Netflix - and man-oh-man did we ever have some thoughts about it. We share about 278 of those thoughts in this episode. We also discuss some upcoming pop culture events we're excited about (to be clear, I didn't realize when we recorded that the Hamilton movie doesn't come out until 2021, so please know the realization that I have to wait OVER A YEAR has been borderline heartbreaking). There are some beauty prod...
Feb 06, 2020•49 min
Now that I think about it, it might have been a good idea to call this episode WELL WE HAVE WATCHED SOME THINGS. We talk about Broadway shows and TV shows and why I might have watched the recent two-part Garth Brooks Biography special four-ish times. Plus, Melanie has some very strong feelings indeed about Marriage Story - and we both have very strong feelings about Jennifer Aniston's wardrobe in The Morning Show . We also discuss a game we have both been obsessively playing on our phones - and ...
Jan 30, 2020•57 min
Melanie has a bit of a cold on this episode, which means you may start to wonder when I started recording a podcast with the ghost of Barry White. OH, I KID. And listen - are we all ever glad that Melanie toughed it out and recorded the episode despite her upper respiratory challenges, because she comes in strong with an update on 1) the raccoons that live next door to her and 2) the latest Royal Family news. We are in her debt. We also discuss a couple of things we've cooked (and enjoyed) latel...
Jan 23, 2020•56 min
Well, if you have dreamed of an in-depth weigh-in on the current Royal Family shenanigans, this may be the episode you've been waiting for. Suffice it to say that Melanie has some thoughts, and oh, has she ever done her research. We also discuss our new favorite Netflix show, and I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty sure I PR'd in terms of viewing time. You'll be happy to know that I blazed through those six episodes like a champion. We also talk about our friend Travis' FANTASTIC new album call...
Jan 16, 2020•53 min
Today we found out that Mike Leach is the new head football coach at my beloved Mississippi State University. Needless to say, Melanie and I needed to talk about it. This is just a little bonus episode, but our enthusiasm, of course, knows no bounds. So all that to say: we invite you to share in our joy. :-) Happy Weekend, everybody! Become a Patron! Show Notes: - Announcement Video #1 from MSU Sports Media (Coach Leach is a big fan of pirates) - Announcement Video #2 - The GIF I sent Melanie...
Jan 10, 2020•22 min
You will not be surprised to learn that on our first episode of 2020, we talk about college football. Specifically, we dig into the Mississippi State coaching search and the wonder of Joe Burrow. We also discuss what we did for fun / relaxation over the holidays (here's a hint: TV), and I break down round two of trying out my Instant Pot. Also, Melanie shares her preferences re: Chick-fil-A nuggets (OH, SHE HAS THOUGHTS) and her resolution about chicken for the new year. Because didn't we all ma...
Jan 09, 2020•54 min
This is our last regular episode of 2019 (still more goodness to come this Sunday over on Patreon , though), and man oh man do we have ourselves some laughs. From how much we love Lane Kiffin's Twitter to the motivational speeches that we give our kids to our rage when people back into parking places (THE NERVE, I TELL YOU), it is good times aplenty on episode 165. We also do a little reflecting on this past decade (so many changes!), and I share a v.v. important mascara tip that our friend Mart...
Dec 19, 2019•56 min
It may not have been a banner football year for A&M and State, but that hasn't done much to diminish our collective BigBoo college football enthusiasm. Given that, you won't be surprised to hear us spend some time talking about last weekend's SEC Championship game as well as Ole Miss' recent head coaching hire. We realize that it might not be the expected reaction, but this Bulldog / Aggie combo is excited about Lane Kiffin's return to the SEC. I think you could even say that we are HERE FOR...
Dec 12, 2019•57 min
