

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.
Plus, of course, their hair.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 7, 2022 • 52min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 293
It's been a slow week since we last recorded, but that didn't stop us from digging into all sorts of exciting topics on this episode: picture frames, herbs, weather, and so many other things that pretty much scream WE ARE VERY BORING.
Fortunately we've watched a good bit of TV, so we break that down, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Hope y'all enjoy!
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- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- mattress topper for dorm bed
- Stranger Things on Netflix
- the cutest VRBO house in Chickamauga, GA
- Public House in Chattanooga
- squash casserole recipe
- funeral potato casserole (I use cream of chicken soup instead of making a sauce with flour, milk, and chicken broth)
- homemade coffee ice cream
- Southwestern Tossed Salad
- Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, season 2
- The Staircase on HBO/Max
- Only Murders in the Building on Hulu
- Love & Gelato on Netflix
- The Terminal List on Amazon Prime
- Melanie's favorite color by numbers app
- Yellowstone on Peacock
- This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
- Mom Celebrity Translator is real life
- linen duvet cover set
- Pacifica gel Dry It Out acne spot treatment
- Pesto Chicken Saltimboca by Half Baked Harvest
- Pioneer Woman's fettuccine Alfredo
- oversized sleeveless jumpsuit
- Heather Gauthier prints
Sponsors:
- Best Fiends (download on the Apple App Store or Google Play)
- Pair Eyewear (use this link for 15% off your first purchase)
- Prose (use this link for 15% off custom hair supplements)
- Hello Fresh (use code BIGBOO16 for up to 16 free meals and 3 free gifts)

Jun 30, 2022 • 58min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 292
This week we recap the end of the College World Series, and Melanie tells us all about how she and Caroline spent time in The Nature during their inaugural trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Melanie's feet continue to recover.
We also break down an unusually busy week on the Hudson front, Melanie offers her two cents on Arch Manning's college football commitment, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Enjoy, y'all!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Ole Miss wins the CWS
- Old Try and the final Rocco's shot count
- Old Try's CWS letterpress print
- Pigeon Forge, TN
- Rainbow Falls Trail - Great Smoky Mountains
- Tupelo Honey
- Gregory Porter
- Ben Rector
- Charity Gayle
- Endless Praise by Charity Gayle
- the VRBO house we love in Chickamauga, GA (only 25 minutes from so many fun things in Chattanooga)
- Hulu +
- The Kardashians on Hulu
- Arch Manning
- Wet detangler brush
- UGG Sport Yeah slide
- Daisy cottage cheese and fruit
- small gold chunky hoops (less than $15)
- Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant in captivate chrome blue
Sponsors:
- Calm (use this link for 40% off a premium subscription)
- OSEA Malibu (use promo code BIGBOO for 10% off sitewide)
- Munk Pack (use promo code BIGBOO for 20% off your purchase)
- Prose (use this link for 15% off custom hair supplements)

Jun 23, 2022 • 57min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 291
We're still in the thick of the College World Series, so you know we're gonna get into all of our feelings about college baseball this week (not to mention the Aggies' match-up against the Longhorns). We also do a little recapping of our weekends, and we discuss whether or not it's possible to cover all the important topics / life skills with college kids before they leave home.
On top of all that, we break down my current situation with my hair, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Enjoy, y'all!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Notre Dame's uniforms with trim
- Lots of Scotts' list of life skills for young adults
- our Patreon episode on inconsequential grievances
- Wet detangler brush
- velcro rollers
- Patreon Live Q&A for June
- interview with Alex
- Vacation Chardonnay oil SPF 30 sunscreen
- Lancome mascara primer
- TikTok mascara hack
- No Boundaries slides (only $12.98)
- Texas Aggies tee from 47 Brand
- Redland cotton sheets
Sponsors:
- KiwiCo (use promo code BIGBOO to get 50% off your first month plus free shipping)
- Rothy's (use this link for $20 off your first order)
- Stamps.com (use promo code BIGBOO for a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale)
- Peloton

Jun 16, 2022 • 52min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 290
Much to our delight, there have been lots of fun life events since our last episode. Melanie got to watch her Aggies win their super regional and secure their spot in the College World Series, and I got to go to Maine and New York City on a trip. We have so many words about all of these things.
We also discuss my somewhat awkward initial encounter with East Coast seafood (I was not equipped, y'all), and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Hope y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- the College World Series bracket
- Banner Year
- Butcher Burger in Portland, Maine
- Open Table
- Omni Berkshire (this was our favorite place we've stayed in NYC - great location and really quiet)
- Plaza Suite
- The Music Man
- Parachute Cloud cotton quilt
- Athleta Salutation joggers (they also come in lots of solid colors)
- Mediheal sheet mask with hyaluronic acid and witch hazel
- Hoka Kawana running shoes
- summer Apple Watch band
- Cotopaxi Cada Día Coso
Sponsors:
- Helix (use this link for up to $200 off your mattress order and two free pillows)
- Thrive Market (use this link for $80 in free groceries)
- Noom (use this link to sign up for your trial)
- Prose (use this link for 15% off custom hair supplements)

Jun 9, 2022 • 57min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 289
Y'all. I don't know how this has happened again, but Zoom didn't pick up my microphone - clearly I missed a setting even after I reminded Melanie that we needed to check - so I sound like I'm in a tunnel. I hope you can push through the distraction, and I am trying to remind myself that nobody listens to us for our sound quality. Still: annoying. I'm sorry I'm so consistently bad at this part.
Anyway, we discuss some things as I echo (echo, echo) my way through the episode: college baseball, Alex's college orientation, and my poor decision-making skills re: orientation shoes. Also, it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Hope y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- the NCAA baseball tournament bracket
- ESPN+
- Dark Sky app
- Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad
- Samford
- big blue moving bags
- dorm essentials in our Amazon shop
- Prince Louis on the balcony with the Queen
- Prince Louis being every bit of 4 years old
- information about our Brenham live show
- Parachute Cloud cotton quilt
- SOJOS oversized sunglasses
- Goli Ashwagandha gummies
- straw elastic belt
- Bagheera Print Fresh pajamas
Sponsors:
- Pair Eyewear (use this link for 15% off your first purchase)
- Olive and June (use this link for 20% off your first mani system)
- Hello Fresh (use promo code BIGBOO16 for up to 16 free meals and three free gifts)
- Best Fiends (download for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play - and get $5 worth of in-game rewards when you reach level 5)

Jun 2, 2022 • 56min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 288
Between college baseball regionals, Top Gun: Maverick, and a new season of Somebody Feed Phil, we get to cover a wide swath-o-topical-ground this week. Giddy up, everyone.
Plus, Melanie shares an update on the final stages of her bedroom / bath renovation, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- the NCAA baseball tournament bracket
- Parachute Cotton Cloud quilt
- Somebody Feed Phil (new season!)
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry (just FYI - it's spicy)
- Stranger Things
- Abbott Elementary
- oversized ultralight workout tee - less than $20
- high waisted poplin shorts
- twin xl down alternative comforter
- Toms Alpargata high platform (and here they are on another website)
- a summertime skincare staple - Teddie's Organics rosehip oil
- our latest Patreon episode on insignificant grievances
- Big Boo Live Show in Brenham, TX on October 13-14
Sponsors:
- OSEA Malibu (use code BIGBOO for 10% off your first order)
- Babbel (use this link for up to 60% off)
- Calm (use this link for 40% off)
- Fuzzy (use this link for your free trial)

May 26, 2022 • 1h
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 287
Melanie had an adventurous travel weekend, so we talk about that on this week's episode, and you know - YOU KNOW - we dig into the recent situation between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban. WHO AMONG US IS SURPRISED.
We also discuss a TV show and a movie that have made my heart oh-so-happy, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.
Y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Hops Burger Bar
- SEC Baseball Tournament bracket
- the drama with Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban
- Arch Manning's official visits
- Downton Abbey: A New Era
- Abbott Elementary (I've been watching on Hulu)
- Miss Mississippi 1992
- four-tier jewelry tree stand
- plastic drawer organizers
- Hopopro high pressure shower head
- Ascot + Hart terry cloth top
- Ascot + Hart terry cloth shorts
- Zach Bryan - American Heartbreak
Sponsors:
- Hello Fresh (use code BIGBOO16 for up to 16 free meals and 3 free gifts)
- Stamps.com (use code BIGBOO for a four-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale)
- Peloton
- Storyworth (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)

May 19, 2022 • 55min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 286
Well, it occurred to me when I was editing that we completely forgot to talk about what dress I wore to graduation, but that is okay because it was an old one (the dress I ordered didn't come in on time). BUT, we did remember to talk about other graduation details, along with the latest on Melanie's bedroom / bathroom renovations and the fact that Caroline is home for the summer.
We also discuss my TV goals for the week, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Better Call Saul on Netflix
- Stranger Things on Netflix
- The Staircase on HBOMax
- The Staircase documentary on Netflix
- The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
- Article: "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Premiere was Masterpiece Television"
- blue bags that are key to college packing
- Bethenny Frankel's makeup reviews
- eShakti dress (I LOVE MINE)
- striped boyfriend shirt
- Prose boar bristle hairbrush (I don't have any idea if our code will work on a brush, but you can try BIGBOO and see if it does)
- Dolce Vita Parle wedge and the very similar DSW Otis Espadrille wedge
Sponsors:
- Rothy's (use this link for $20 off your first order)
- KiwiCo (use promo code BIGBOO for 30% off your first month plus free shipping)
- Helix (use this link for up to $200 off your mattress order and two free pillows)
- Noom (use this link to sign up for your trial)

May 12, 2022 • 56min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 285
On this episode Melanie does some deep reflection on all of last year's preparations for Caroline's freshman dorm room, and she does this because she started the process of moving Caroline out of her dorm room this past weekend. Suffice it to say: LESSONS WERE LEARNED.
We also talk about the ramp up to Alex's high school graduation weekend (when I was editing I wondered if I should use "Sunrise, Sunset" as background music), my recent accomplishments with our built-ins, and Melanie's Five Favorites.
Y'all enjoy!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Melanie's fake greenery suggestion
- new blackout curtains that I love
- Gaslit on Starz
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry (neither of us has read it yet; it's just been recommended to us)
- Oprah's conversation with Viola Davis
- The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
- EXCITING NEWS: Brian Chalmers t-shirts
- Mom Celebrity Translator
- 100% cotton percale sheets
- Gimme Bands hair ties
- Vida Liberata Body Blur instant HD skin finish
- Pura smart device
- Miranda Lambert's Palomino album
Sponsors:
- Babbel (use this link to save up to 60% off your subscription)
- Hello Fresh (use code BIGBOO16 for up to 16 free meals and three free gifts)
- Best Fiends (download in the Apple App store or Google Play)
- Calm (use this link for 40% a premium subscription)

May 5, 2022 • 59min
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 284
There has been a lot of life in the last week: Melanie's home improvement situation has leveled up in a couple of significant ways, and senior year festivities have overtaken our lives here in Birmingham. So for entirely different reasons, both of us have been feeling some feelings. You'll hear all about that.
We also continue our discussion of The Dress Situation, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.
Enjoy, y'all!
- Our Amazon Shop
- Become a Patron
Show Notes:
- Kim Spradlin-Wolfe
- Sparkly Green Earrings
- "The Best Is Yet to Come" by Ben Rector
- "Same God" by Elevation Worship
- the Anthropologie dress with the slip
- the Draper James dress
- the eShakti dress (I did a 3/4 sleeve that's below knee length)
- Capri Blue Grapefruit Prosecco candle
- Half Price Drapes linen blackout drapes (I got the Exclusion Ivory - which is really pretty)
- Janelle gathered shoulder bag
- Athleta Inspire top
- Laura Parks Brooks Avenue slim wallet (and here's the second design)
Sponsors:
- Olive and June (use this link for 20% off your first mani system)
- Pair Eyewear (use this link for 15% off your first purchase)
- Thrive Market (use this link to get 40% off your first order and a free gift worth over $50)
- Prose (use this link for 15% off custom hair supplements)