The Big Boo Cast

Well, for the first half of this episode Melanie and I talk about movies and TV, and for a big chunk of the second half of this episode, we talk about marriage. Yes. I know. MARRIAGE. Which we hardly ever talk about in any sort of detail. But we have us a fine conversation about it right here on episode 93. We also discuss our new favorite music and an outstanding list of Amazon products that Melanie discovered, so go ahead and prepare yourself to travel down that rabbit hole for a few hours after you listen. Enjoy the hodgepodge, everybody! The Greatest Showman The Popcast with Knox and Jamie The Post Ladybird Kelly Corrigan's Tell Me More The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel The Bachelor The Antelope in the Living Room Tasha Cobbs Leonard - Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Charity Gayle - Lord, You Are My Song 60 Dope Things on Amazon Prime That Have A Cult Following Facetory  

Well, it's our first episode of 2018, and true to form, we're all over the place. We analyze Hazel's behavior during Christmas break, we marvel at the fact that Melanie is smitten with a real-live musical (The Greatest Showman), and we decide we like Bruno Mars' new single more than Justin Timberlake's. As you do. We also talk college football (WHO IS SURPRISED) and compare Melanie's commitment to information about the Royal Family to my commitment to information that I find on Twitter (we'll have to explain that in greater detail on another podcast, but suffice it to say that I love me some current events). Melanie also has a new hair product to share with us, and I totally ordered said product while we were recording because this, THIS IS WHAT I DO. Enjoy, everybody! Here's where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention: The Great British Baking Show Home Again - Reese Witherspoon The Greatest Showman (and Sophie has watched this clip from TGS workshop about 358 times in the last two days) Pasek & Paul Bruno Mars' "Finesse" (there's a little bit of language - just FYI) The Royal House of Windsor on Netflix Kerastase VIP Volume in Powder Backcomb Effect Finishing Spray Jennifer Fulwiler's One Beautiful Dream

A couple of weeks ago Melanie and I realized that by the end of this year we would have recorded TWENTY TWO EPISODES of the podcast in 2017, and if you think that hasn't blown our minds just a little bit, then clearly you missed the part where it took us NINE WHOLE YEARS to record the previous 68. We realize that for actual podcasting professionals (or, you know, people who just take some time to plan) the 22 episode achievement might not be a big deal (or perhaps even mildly embarrassing because SLACKERS), but we prefer to channel Ramona Singer and say KUDOOZ TO US. Is this what victory feels like? Anyway, on this episode we talk at length about our cooking-related ailments, our current viewing habits, our fascination with Meghan Markle, and our favorite moments from 2017. It was good times, y'all. Enjoy, everbody! Here's where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention: - Megaformer (Meghan Markle's favorite workout - allegedly) - Meghan's and Kate's Christmas service ensembles - The Crown on Netflix - The Great British Baking Show (old seasons are on Netflix) - Martha's vest - Teddie Organics Rosehip Oil - Hummingbird Farms Lavender Body Oil (and you can still get a great deal on the Big Boo Box or the Big Boo Too Box by using the promo code BIGBOO26 when you check out) - Church of the Small Things by our very own Big Mama  - Meghan Trainor - "No" - Washington Post subscription - Travis Cottrell - "O Praise Him with Doxology" (the perfect way to wrap up the year)  

Our good friend Travis Cottrell is with us on this episode of the podcast, and we talk about all manner of unrelated topics. We dig into some Christmas traditions, discuss our favorite Christmas music, break down the college football play-offs (along with our coaching changes), and ponder the deep well of teenage sarcasm that is currently full to overflowing in all of our homes. Also, you'd better believe that Neil Diamond makes an appearance. Or two. Or three. Be warned: Melanie, Travis, and I talk about so much stuff that you may never get through all the links. But in case you'd like to try, you can find most of what we mention below. Hope y'all enjoy this one - we sure did have a blast recording it. - Travis Cottrell - Russian Tea  - Mannheim Steamroller's "Silent Night" (Trav's all-time fave) - Travis' Ring the Bells Christmas album - Audrey Assad's "Winter Snow" (Mel's all-time fave) - Daniel Renstrom's "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" (Soph's all-time fave) - Christy Nockels' "The King is Coming" - A Charlie Brown Christmas - Melanie's Christmas Toffee - Sophie's favorite Chex Mix recipe - Sophie's favorite Christmas gift she's ever received (aka "my precious) - Red Bubble (SO MANY great things for teenagers) - Playstation 4 - Elf on a Shelf (clearly Sophie will not be purchasing) :-) - Travis' Christmas sweater - Travis, Beth Moore, & Mandisa on the Living Proof Christmas Special (starts around 19:52) - Mandisa's testimony - Neil Diamond Christmas playlist - Travis on Instagram - Melanie on Instagram - Sophie on Instagram

On this episode Melanie and I talk to our (hilarious) (also deeply gifted) singer / songwriter / comedian friend Dave Barnes, and unfortunately I forgot to hit "record" for the first 15-20 minutes of our conversation. SO THERE'S THAT. And what that means for you, dear listener, is that when I finally did in fact hit the record button, we were smack-dab in the middle of a conversation about the Enneagram and introversion / extroversion. So just stick with us during what will certainly feel like conversational whiplash. It'll all make sense soon enough. And despite my personal technical ineptitude, I have to say that talking with Dave was super encouraging for Melanie and me (and I think it will be for you, too). He has such great perspective on writing / creating, and the way he thinks through that whole process was really therapeutic for us. We talk a lot about calling and the vulnerability involved in walking out whatever that calling happens to be - not to mention that we laugh a ton. We also talk about the State / Ole Miss rivalry. Because OF COURSE. Just keep in mind that we recorded this episode before Mullen and Sumlin left the Bulldogs and the Aggies, respectively (WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW, y'all. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW). Enjoy, everybody! "God Gave Me You" "Craving You" Enneagram 9 - Sophie and Melanie are both 9s Enneagram 7 - Dave Barnes is a 7 Chasing Mississippi - Dave's album that totally hooked us over a decade ago Hymns for Her - Dave's album that made Sophie cry the first time she listened Who Knew It Would Be So Hard to Be Myself? - Dave's new album (four new songs out Tuesday 12/12!) (we'll update the link after the songs are released) "Tell Her You Do" "This Christmas" A December to Remember - Dave's incredible Christmas album (he has two of them - and both are great!) Sock Club KIND Snack Cube  

I know. We didn't expect to record a new episode this quickly, either. But our football coaches are no longer our coaches. And we found out this morning that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged. As you might imagine, we needed to talk about these things. Please do enjoy. - The targeting call on Deshazor Everett (aka the targeting thorn in Melanie's side) - Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's engagement video - Melanie's favorite picture (the first one inside the article) - Closing Song

When we decided to do a Christmas Gift Guide for the podcast, we thought we'd pick five gift options a piece. Ten total. Easy breezy. Here's how many gifts we actually discuss: EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE. That might be a slight exaggeration, but have mercy we talked about all manner of Christmas gifts and chased all manner of Christmas gift rabbits, so to speak. We had the best time talking about fun things to buy for your favorite hostesses or teenagers or husbands or friends or parents, and we hope our suggestions make your gift buying a little easier. And if Christmas shopping isn't your thing, we hope you enjoy our commentary. Because clearly we have SO VERY MANY THOUGHTS about various gift options. Links for everything we mention are below. Enjoy, y'all! - Teddie Organics rosehip oil (not on our list, but worth mentioning) - Leslie Odom, Jr.'s Simply Christmas - Deluxe Edition - Baker Stripe Dish Towel Set (on sale for $15) - 5-Word Prayers by Lisa Whittle - Two Funny Girls' Personalized Styrofoam & Coffee Cups - Pioneer Woman casserole dishes - Pioneer Woman batter bowl - Pioneer Woman Christmas measuring set - Heather Gauthier canvases, tea towels, and prints (Heather designed the cover for Melanie's Church of the Small Things) - Letterpress prints from Old Try - Waterproof Birkenstocks for men and women - Lash Stash Gift Set at Sephora - Stila Star Studded All-Day (8) Liquid Lipstick Set - Joy Susan Brushed Mini-Convertible Wristlet - May Designs - folios, agendas, personalized stationery   - Glitter Gel Pens - Lucy Perfect Core Leggings (just an FYI - not the gift guide) - Lucy Final Rep top in long sleeve and short sleeve - JoyLab Women's Performance Leggings Confetti Print in women's sizes and plus sizes - Grippy Socks Stocking Stuffer - Feetures Socks Stocking Stuffer - North Face Apex Bionic Windproof and Waterproof Jacket  - North Face zip up fleece - Cap Rock fleece jacket  - Rechargeable Waterproof LED Headlamp -LED Light Bulbs - Surefire Sidekick Ultra Compact Triple Outlet Keychain Light - GAP stripe ribbed sleep leggings - Gilligan & O'Malley pajama pant joggers - Pup Socks - 3-in-1 Wireless Speaker Cooler - All in All Journaling Devotional

So, full disclosure - we recorded this podcast episode over a week ago, but then I (Sophie) went out of town last weekend for speaking stuff and this past week was jam-packed and I just got around to editing and recording the sponsor stuff and etc. Better late than never, I guess. And for your sake it's probably better that you don't have to listen to my post- Alabama / Mississippi State heartbreak. What a game that was. As far as this episode goes, we have A LOT OF THOUGHTS about November heat, social media, the anger that results from wearing Spanx (Melanie has a fantastic term for that), and college football. There's also some talk about a cat with a jar on its head.  Enjoy, y'all! - Will Ferrell's bellybutton - Tasty video for Halloween treats (this video made Sophie irrationally angry - our friend Jamie who used to make cake pops - "Oh, Happy Day" video that Sophie has watched an excessive amount of times - the Next Door app - OPI You're Blushing Again - Bobbi Brown Plum Brandy lipstick (Sophie's new favorite) - Hummingbird Farms Big Boo Box ($49 price won't show up until you use coupon code mentioned in this episode) - Hummingbird Farms Big Boo Too Box ($49 price won't show up until you use coupon code mentioned in this episode)  

This time around we discuss the Mississippi State / A&M game, the Astros' win in the World Series, and the glory of a redemptive sports moment. (For example.) (This is the GIF Melanie texted Sophie during the State / A&M game.) (This is the GIF Melanie tweeted after the Astros' victory.) (You can see the contrast.) We also talk Sol Dance (edited to add: pretty sure that I said Selena Gomez instead of Demi Lovato, but that is understandable since I am 104 and had also just read news that Selena and the Biebs are back together), the reality of life with our high-maintenance dogs, and Sophie's simmering jealousy about the fact that Melanie has calves that will fit into any boot. There might also be about ten minutes where we look at the Free People website and talk about the stuff that we like.  So. You know. Super important, deeply serious things. Enjoy, y'all!   Here's where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention:   - Carlos Correa's post-game proposal - Melanie and Sophie at Houston's First Baptist The Gift of Christmas: A Women's Gathering on November 30th - Gap striped sleep leggings - Melanie's fall and winter ministry - Sam Edelman "Camellia" boots - a boot unicorn - Your Girl tunic at Free People - One Interlaken Tunic at Free People - We the Free So Fresh Tee at Free People - We the Free Blossom Thermal (the shirt Sophie loves but doesn't think is long enough)  Happy Weekend, everybody!

We are all over the place in this podcast episode - from an exercise class that I recently tried to pajama leggings to hypothetical situations that would make us sprint to kombucha to football to mascara to essential oils to our feelings about scarves. BUCKLE UP, PEOPLE. Also, I sound more quiet than usual on this episode, and after troubleshooting to the point of utter frustration, I have come to the conclusion that my USB microphone wasn't plugged in and I was recording using my computer's internal microphone. Please forgive this latest technical difficulty. Unfortunately, I think we all know that it won't be the last. It's sort of how we roll. Finally, we continue discussing our disagreement about booties but try to find some middle ground. We would appreciate your prayers. Enjoy, y'all! - Sol Dance - Teddie Organics Rosehip Oil - Immune Activator Supplement - GAP sleep leggings - Croft & Barrow Whispery Clouds Long Sleeve Pajama Top (plus sizes, too) - Sonoma Pajamas Essential Long Sleeve Tee (plus sizes, too) - GAP sleep shirt