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The Big Boo Cast

by 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.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 31, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 518

    College football persisted in its craziness this past weekend while I traipsed around NYC and Melanie enjoyed a relaxing weekend in San Antonio, so on this episode we discuss all of it: the games, my traveling, and Mel's elite-level nesting. We've watched some things, we've read some things, and,...

  2. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 517

    This past weekend in college football was absolutely crazytown bananapants, so naturally Melanie and I discuss all of those developments as well as MSU's injury situation (it's not great, Bob). I talk about my long weekend in Asheville, North Carolina (I saw the dining room of Melanie's Gilded…

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  3. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 516

    College football is a game of mountains and valleys, and this week it just so happens that Melanie - thanks to Texas A&M - is walking through a bit of a valley. So for the first half hour-ish of this episode, Mel and I talk about the valley, we analyze it, we speculate on how there might be a way...

  4. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 515

    Melanie and I both went to games at our alma maters this past weekend (worked out better for Mel than it did for me despite the Aggies' questionable uniforms), so on this episode we talk about our times in College Station and Starkville - along with other college football developments from this...

  5. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 514

    Melanie and I have a gracious plenty of college football news to discuss this week, so we break down all the latest developments with the Aggies and the Bulldogs as well as sharing our latest round of Side Eyes and I See Yous. On top of that, Melanie tells us all about a wedding shower for…

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  6. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 513

    Melanie and I know all too well that college football can be frustrating at times, and we're talking about that this week as Mel reflects on A&M's loss to Kentucky. We break down a few other games as well, and I continue to marvel at what's happening (so far) (could turn on a dime) with my…

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  7. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 512

    On this week's episode Melanie and I talk about the weekend in college football, and Melanie's reaction to the Ohio State / Texas game may just surprise you (it surprised me for sure). We discuss the Aggies and the Bulldogs, of course, and in non-football news, Melanie shares an update on her...

  8. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 511

    College football has officially returned, so on this week's episode Melanie shares all about her weekend in College Station - complete with a side trip to Houston - and I relay the exciting details of watching the games from the comfort of my air conditioned home. Two different paths to the same...

  9. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 510

    This past week, thanks to a trip to Michigan, I enjoyed a break from surface-of-the-sun temperatures, but the Shankles have had to deal with some severe summer weather in San Antonio. Melanie and I talk about both of those things in this episode, along with Mel's newfound interest in a previously...

  10. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 509

    Melanie and I were together in Nashville this past weekend, and on this episode we talk about all the fun we had at our friend Annie's wedding. We saw so many people we love, we did some really excellent shopping, and we also got in our feels a little bit because sometimes you get to have a…

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  11. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 508

    On this week's episode Melanie and I are astounded by the bid day balloon art at the University of Arkansas, not to mention that Melanie teaches me some things about how to list clothes on Poshmark and she has approximately 48 TV show recommendations* since I am in a TV slump. *This is a slight...

  12. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 507

    This week Melanie and I are both awash in the most tender feelings about friendship, so Melanie shares all about her weekend at the lake with friends - and I share (part of) a poem, written back in the year of our Lord 1990, that Emma Kate recently discovered when she was cleaning out her…

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  13. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 506

    On this episode I give an update on post-surgery Lucy, Melanie relays the details of a Lionel Richie concert, and we speculate maybe way too much about what Lionel's health concerns might be. We also talk about Melanie and Caroline's great decorative achievements with a gallery wall. On top of...

  14. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 505

    This week Melanie shares about her pool day with Caroline, I talk about my weekend with Lucy (she's really warming up), and we both have watched way more TV than is probably wise. We also discuss what could potentially be an exciting new angle for SEC Media Days coverage (you'll understand why...

  15. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 504

    On this week's episode, Melanie has been to Colorado, I have been at the house (hoping that our new dog will love us), and we've both been thinking about the upcoming college football season and SEC Media Days. We also discuss what we've been reading (I'm sad to say that I haven't watched a thing...

  16. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 503

    This week we have a new family member in Birmingham, Melanie has done the Lord's work with furniture assembly, and we both discover that we apparently share a theory about why we continue to be fairly decent at stretching. Not that we're bragging, you understand. We've also read some things and...

  17. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 502

    There's been a whole lot of life since last week's episode: Melanie moved Caroline into a new apartment, I've had a ton of soccer-adjacent fun in Birmingham, and we've both made the Taylor & Travis wedding coverage into a full-fledged hobby at this point. On top of that, we've celebrated the 4th…

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  18. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 501

    On this episode Melanie says that I am "one seat shy of a beanbag" because I do not follow our typical recording protocol. That is to say: I recorded this episode while sitting on my bed. NEVERTHELESS comma we cover so many topics where we were in need of a catch-up: my family time with Jackson's...

  19. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 500

    This is our 500th regular episode (technically we've recorded more than that because 1) we've done some special episodes and 2) we've recorded over 200 bonus episodes on Patreon - but you know we are never going to burden ourselves with any unnecessary math), and hopefully you'll be delighted to...

  20. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 499

    This week Melanie and I talk about how (and why) we love to pack for a trip; I share some observations about the Men's College World Series; and Melanie tells a sad-but-true tale involving a plumbing issue and a very unfortunate skunk. It feels like a lot has happened over the last week. We also...

  21. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 498

    This week Melanie and I discuss my trip to Athens, Georgia (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times) and the end of Mississippi State's 2026 baseball season. We also cover some related topics: how we feel about baseball fields that lack dirt and grass, my appeal to the University of...

  22. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 497

    On this episode Melanie and I enjoy the company of the leaf-blower guy in her neighborhood (HE WAS REALLY OVERACHIEVING) as well as a car playing very loud music as we talk through our respective weekends at our alma maters and all the fun therein. We saw friends, we watched baseball, and Melanie...

  23. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 496

    On this episode I talk through some of the most memorable parts of this past week in Hoover at the SEC Baseball Tournament, Melanie fills us in on what she's been up to in San Antonio, and we're both gearing up for what we hope will be very fun weekends for our respective teams as they each host…

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  24. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 495

    It's been a FULL and COMPLETE WEEK since Melanie and I last talked, so on this episode we catch up about college baseball, college softball, the weddings we attended over the weekend, and my introduction to a very different (and fun) (and physically exhausting) (but really so fun) side of book...

  25. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 494

    This week Melanie and I talk about my ongoing post-live show / post-graduation recovery efforts (so much sleeping) and how I accidentally created a challenge for myself when I went to a movie with Alex. We also discuss how we can either be birds or squirrels in this life, and lo, the nature...

  26. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 493

    This past week has been graduation-palooza at the Hudson house, and as it turns out, there has also been an exciting development with the Shankle family. On this episode Melanie and I discuss all of the above, and also, we don't know if you're aware, but college baseball can be dumb. We're back...

  27. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 492

    If anyone has been on the lookout for an episode that breaks down our most recent Birmingham live show along with our (magical!) time in Starkville, LOOK NO FURTHER. On this supersized episode, Melanie and I recap all of our Birmingham fun - including our post-show party at Gus Mayer on Friday -...

  28. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 491

    On this week's episode, Melanie and I are gearing up for our Birmingham Live Show (so much planning for a couple of Enneagram 9s). We discuss the latest in college baseball for the Aggies and the Bulldogs, of course, along with my recent two-trips-to-Starkville-in-one-day, Melanie's packing...

  29. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 490

    Well, it was the best of college baseball times for Melanie, the could-be-better of college baseball times for me, but thankfully it was happiness all the way around when we got to go to Nashville together last week. On this episode we talk about all of the above - plus our weekends, my time in...

  30. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 489

    On this episode Melanie and I recap our Easter Sundays, I share about my recent trip to Montgomery, Alabama, and Melanie fills us in on a recent plumbing situation in the Shankle house. The excitement never stops. We also discuss our thoughts about the Final Four's music offerings, how Mabel is...

  31. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 488

    It's been a sad week in the Shankle house - they had to say good-bye to their beloved Piper - so on this episode Melanie talks about how they're doing (and how Mabel is doing, too). Over here at the Hudson house, we've had a full week in very different ways, and I break down all of that…

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  32. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 487

    On this week's episode we discuss Melanie's big, fun, eventful weekend in College Station and Round Top as well as my much more home-focused weekend (that is to say: kinda boring but delightful). Mel details all the charms of the Junk Gypsy Prom, and - well, I probably talk way too much about…

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  33. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 486

    On this week's episode Melanie and I process the latest SEC baseball developments as well as talk through the events of our respective weekends (Melanie shopped for jean shorts and I had a really bad headache, so clearly it was some top-notch excitement). On top of that, I share some June's…

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  34. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 485

    Melanie and I recorded this week's episode approximately four minutes after I walked in the door from our family Spring Break trip, so you'll hear all about said trip (so many rollercoasters) as well as Caroline's travel woes and Melanie and P's night out at a concert. We also discuss college...

  35. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 484

    Well, Melanie has been to Dallas, I have been to Auburn, and we have both watched our fair share of college baseball in our ongoing efforts to keep up with the Aggies and the Bulldogs. Naturally we talk through our most memorable moments from the weekend, including a Popeye's experience that I'll...

  36. 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…

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  37. 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...

  38. 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...

  39. 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...

  40. 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…

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  41. 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...

  42. 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…

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  43. 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…

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  44. 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…

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  45. 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...

  46. 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…

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  47. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 472

    This week Melanie has some words of encouragement and exhortation for the College Football Playoff committee, and I am still trying to make sense of the fact that the Mississippi State Bulldogs are going to an actual bowl game. To play post-season football. WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING. Also, Melanie...

  48. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 471

    On this episode I sound like I'm recording inside a tunnel, and Melanie is clearly surrounded by a great deal of yard work, but neither of those things stops us from sharing our feelings about rivalry weekend (WOMP WOMP), Lane Kiffin (ENOUGH ALREADY), Thanksgiving festivities, parking lot...

  49. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 470

    It's Rivalry Week in college football, so on this episode Melanie and I discuss the Aggies' upcoming showdown with the Longhorns and the Bulldogs' annual battle with the Rebels. Naturally this leads into the two of us sharing / pontificating / pondering about all the Lane Kiffin coaching drama…

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  50. The Big Boo Cast, Episode 469

    Well, the Aggies got 'er done against South Carolina in the most dramatic way possible this past Saturday, so in this episode Melanie and I are going to break down her experience watching the most epic SEC comeback in the modern football era. And if you're thinking that what you just read sounds…

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About this show

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.

Hosted by

Melanie Shankle & Sophie Hudson

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does The Big Boo Cast have?

The Big Boo Cast has 500 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 29, 2026.

What is The Big Boo Cast about?

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.

How often does The Big Boo Cast release new episodes?

The Big Boo Cast publishes weekly, based on its 500 episodes since January 2014.

Who hosts The Big Boo Cast?

The Big Boo Cast is created and hosted by Melanie Shankle & Sophie Hudson.
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