The Big Boo Cast

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The Big Boo Cast

Melanie Shankle & Sophie Hudson

Authors / speakers Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson - also known as Big Mama and BooMama on their blogs - talk about all the important stuff: faith, family, friends, football, fashion, and food. Plus, of course, their hair.

54 minutes 17 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 483
On this week's episode Melanie and I delight in the fact that both of our college baseball teams swept their weekend games, we celebrate some of the memorable moments from the Winter Olympics (WE SEE YOU, ALYSA LIU), and we discuss our friend Cole's frustration that his wife Katherine and I aren't interested in rare collectibles.
We also have some very important information for those of you who want to make Helen reservations when you're in Birmingham for our live show, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Hope you enjoy!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
- Birmingham Show (4/23) Live Stream Tickets (and you will have access for a week after the show)
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
- US women win hockey gold (we didn't talk about this, but we for sure want to acknowledge it, because wow)
- US men win hockey gold
- Johnny Gaudreau
- Alysa Liu
- Mikaela Shiffrin
- Mary Carillo's story about Norwegian Olympic excellence
- Kate Hudson's "California Dreamin'" LA28 promo
- Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model
- The Bronze Horseman
- Tuesday Date Night with Katherine and Cole Cubelic
- Tuesday Date Night on IG
- Nike Vomero Premium
- For Helen reservations 4/22-4/24, email [email protected] with BIGBOO in the subject line; also let them know your party size and desired date / time.
- Breath As Prayer devotional book / prayer guide
- L'Oreal Voluminous Superstar mascara
- Lola blanket
- Cecily clogs
- Copper Peptide face cream
Sponsors:
- AG1 - use this link for free samplers, free supplements, and a welcome kit with your first order
- Drink LMNT - use this link to get a free 8-count sample pack with any purchase
- Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO for 15% off your first order (plus free shipping)
- Trust & Will - use this link for 20% off
26 February 2026, 2:00 am
53 minutes 56 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 482
This week Melanie and I happily discuss the beginning of COLLEGE BASEBALL SEASON (pretend we have a confetti cannon), which means we break down my trip to Starkville and all of the opening day merriment. Plus, Melanie recaps her weekend in San Antonio (and at the ranch) with Perry, Caroline, and two of C's friends. We've lived a lot of life in the last week, apparently.
We also talk about why I watched The Prince of Egypt this past Sunday afternoon, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Enjoy, everybody!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
- Birmingham Show (4/23) Live Stream Tickets (and you will have access for a week after the show)
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Laundry Sauce - use code BIGBOO for 20% off
- Thrive Market - use this link for 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift
- Helix - use this link for 27% off through February 25th
- Drink LMNT - use this link to get a free 8-count sample pack with any purchase
19 February 2026, 2:01 am
50 minutes 56 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 481
This week Melanie has some thoughts and feelings about A&M's parking situation at basketball games, I have (once again) fried some chicken, and both of us are delighted by the prospect of college baseball's opening weekend (as well as captivated by the winter Olympic games - where we have both become experts in a wide array of events thanks to several consecutive minutes of viewing).
We also talk about Super Bowl commercials (GET THEE BEHIND US, Manscaped), what we've been reading, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Hope you enjoy!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
- Birmingham Show (4/23) Live Stream Tickets (and you will have access for a week after the show)
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- OSEA Malibu - use code BIGBOO for 10% off sitewide with your first order
- Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO to get 40% off your first box and a free item for life
- AG1 - use this link for a free flavor sampler, a free AGZ sampler, and a free welcome kit
- Mint Mobile - use this link for the special offer
12 February 2026, 2:00 am
42 minutes 15 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 480
On this week's episode I recount a very exciting Step Sing weekend in our family, Melanie shares a delicious new dip discovery, and we both try to make our peace with who we didn't know at the Grammys.
As always we deal with the low-level hum of a leaf blower (and a vacuum!), and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Hope you enjoy!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
- Birmingham Show (4/23) Live Stream Tickets (and you will have access for a week after the show)
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
- hot dirty martini dip
- Shrinking on Apple TV+
- Family of Spies
- Samford Step Sing
- People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix
- our Patreon episode on counterweights
- Alex's fraternity's Step Sing performance (they won!)
- Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo
- Hank Williams, Jr.
- The Criterion Channel
- David's new socks
- OXO Good Grips peeler
- Think Royln clear stadium bag (less than $30, final sale)
- Valentine's slippers
- Helen
- Bayonet
Sponsors:
- ZocDoc - use this link to find and book a doctor today
- Branch Basics - use code BIGBOO for 15% off the premium starter kit
- Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first box and a free item for life
- Helix - use this link for 27% off sitewide from now until February 25th
5 February 2026, 2:00 am
51 minutes 19 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 479
On this week's podcast episode, in the midst of unusually cold temperatures in San Antonio and Birmingham, Melanie and I discuss recent NFL developments (not our regular wheelhouse), Indiana's national championship, and - what we've all been waiting for - an update from Melanie on the racoons next door. Hydrate, grab a snack, and settle in, everyone.
We also talk about Melanie's return to World War II books, David interrupts our recording not once but twice (the Hudsons were trying to get some business-y things handled), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Hope you enjoy!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
- Birmingham Show (4/23) Live Stream Tickets (and you will have access for a week after the show)
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Thrive Causemetics - use this link for 20% off your first order
- Mint Mobile - click here for special offer
- Drink LMNT - use this link for a free sample pack with any order
29 January 2026, 2:00 am
52 minutes 54 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 478
On this week's episode Melanie rejoices about the trajectory of Aggie basketball, and I continue to be filled with hope about Mississippi State baseball. We talk about a couple of memorable life events that happened with my college friends this past week, and Melanie shares about a show that she and Perry have watched.
Melanie also recaps how she tried on every pair of jeans she owns, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Hope you enjoy!
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Thrive Market - use this link for 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift
- Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO for 15% off plus free shipping
- Homeserve - use this link to find the plan that's right for you
- AG1 - use this link for free travel packs and free vitamins
22 January 2026, 2:00 am
54 minutes 53 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 477
This week Melanie and I catch up on the college football playoffs as well as the first few games of conference play in SEC basketball. Melanie also shares about her epic clean-out of Caroline's closet (Caroline was texting me throughout this process, btw), and I have an update on the new television and our most recent Helen dinner.
Plus, we discuss Golden Globes fashion, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life
- ZocDoc - use this link to download the app and book an appointment
- OSEA Malibu - use code BIGBOO for 10% off
- Helix - use this link for 20% off sitewide
15 January 2026, 2:00 am
54 minutes

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 476
This week Melanie and I have lots of thoughts about Ole Miss football, Curt Cignetti, and what on earth we should do with our old VHS tapes. We also discuss our shared hope that we'll be game-playing families and my unexpected encounter with my old maternity clothes.
On top of that, we talk about a new show on Netflix that has totally captivated us despite the fact that we're puzzled by what we're watching, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Happy New Year, everybody!
If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO to unlock 15% off
- Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life
- Branch Basics - use code BIGBOO for 15% off the premium starter kit
- AG1 - get a free duffel bag and a free welcome kit with your first subscription order
8 January 2026, 2:00 am
43 minutes 33 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 475
On this episode I share all manner of enthusiasm about the new year (WHAT IS BETTER THAN A NEW YEAR REALLY THERE IS NOTHING), and Melanie shares all manner of enthusiasm about her extensive house clean-out (WHAT IS BETTER THAN A CLEAN-OUT REALLY THERE IS NOTHING). Of course we recap our respective Christmases and discuss all that we've done (and watched) to celebrate the season.

Melanie also offers an alternate calendar theory, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Happy New Year, everybody!
- Join Us on Patreon
- Our Amazon Shop
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Cash App - download the app and use our referral code, SECURE10, for the offer in this episode
- Thrive Causemetics - use this link for 20% off your first order
- Laundry Sauce - use promo code BIGBOO for 20% off
1 January 2026, 2:00 am
51 minutes 7 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 474
This past week has brought its share of A&M-adjacent football disappointment, but Melanie is finding comfort and solace by celebrating the Aggies' national championship in volleyball (GLASS HALF FULL, you understand). Meanwhile, here in Alabama, this past week has taught me some things about my personal needs from health care providers who draw blood, and I have found comfort and solace in watching television. As one does.

Melanie also has some thoughts about Amazon's AI assistant, Rufus, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everybody!
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Homeserve - use this link to find the plan that's right for you
- Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO to get 40% off and a free item of your choice for life
- AG1 - use this link for $126 in free gifts for new subscribers
- Trust & Will - use this link for 20% off
25 December 2025, 2:00 am
46 minutes 46 seconds

The Big Boo Cast, Episode 473
This week Melanie and I talk about the copious amounts of butter in our refrigerators as well as the seemingly inevitable tall boots experiment in my life. We also discuss A&M volleyball, our shared love for the new Taylor Swift docuseries, and my newest TV show obsession.

On top of that, we share some Southern Living subscription info, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, y'all!
Show Notes:
Sponsors:
- Thrive Causemetics - use this link for 20% off your first order
- ZocDoc - use this link to book an appointment today
- Drink LMNT - get your free 8-flavor sample pack with any order
- Mint Mobile - use this link to shop unlimited wireless plans
18 December 2025, 2:00 am
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