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 dog, Oakley; the latest in San Antonio; and our ongoing efforts to appreciate and understand the Summer House universe.

We also discuss our plans for the 4th of July, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• Blue Lacy dogs
• Melanie's IG highlight of great artists
• the print of the girl on the elephant
• cabinet hardware from Forge
• Summer House on Bravo
• Southern Charm on Bravo
• white Texas sheet cake
• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
• In the City on Bravo
• Baskin-Robbins
• personalized gift tags - 10% off with code SOPHIE10
• Remedy Defense Vitamin C serum
• Mrs. Derm on IG
• lymphatic contour face brush
• Cotton Craft 100% cotton bath sheets
• Better Goods Strawberries & Cream yogurt
• cotton blend oversize cape

• Thrive Causemetics - use this link and save 20% on your first order
• AG1 - use this link to get a free welcome kit with your first AG1 order
• Quince - use this link for free shipping and 365 day returns
• Honeylove - use this link to get 20% off

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 of July, and I've done an unprecedented amount of dog-sitting.

We also discuss what we've been watching (the World Cup and more), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• Jeff Zentner
• Merlin Bird ID app
• blue bags
• Campfire Restaurant in The Stella
• Little Guy Movers in Bryan / College Station
• Walmart Plus
• Eerling Haaland
• Cape Verde's team returns home
• The Bear Season 5
• Salt & Stone aluminum free deodorant mini discovery set
• Farmer's dog food
• set of 4 cereal bowls
• Japanese Damascus steel steak knife set
• Julia hand cream

• Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO for 20% off sitewide
• ZocDoc - use this link to get started
• Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO to get 40% off your first order plus a free item for life
• Branch Basics - use code BIGBOO for 15% off the premium starter kit

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 watched some things, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a handful left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• Caroline's bar cart
• Caroline's bar stools
• the golden retriever relaxation video
• Chris & Martina: The Final Set on Netflix
• The Bear's final season
• Little House on the Prairie on Netflix
• The Five-Star Weekend on Peacock
• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
• stretching strap
• The Essential in Birmingham
• Birdfy
• safflower seed
• Fresh Peach Cobbler with Hot Sugar Crust
• Better Than Marinade Prime Steakhouse
• Zennia gingham mini dress
• 4-piece serving spoon set
• Salty Blonde Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc

• AG1 - use this link to get 7 free travel packs in your welcome kit
• OSEA Malibu - use code BIGBOO for 10% off sitewide
• Thrive Market - use this link for an extra $20 for your first three orders - sale ends July 19th
• Helix - use this link for 27% off sitewide through August 2nd

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 know that it's business as usual for this particular podcast milestone. Melanie has sprained her ankle, I've done a whole lot of cooking, and we've both watched all the college baseball (not to mention DCC) that we possibly can.

Mel also shares about Caroline's trip to Brazil, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Thanks so much for being here. We hope you enjoy!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• our very first podcast episode in 2007 (it's painful, and we are babies)
• A Woman of Substance on BritBox
• America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaderson Netflix
• Summer Houseon Peacock
• In the City on Peacock
• Justice & Mercy International
• Sophie's Hamburger Steak & Gravy recipe
• Siamese Mahjong for two people
• OU wins the Men's College World Series (congratulations, Sooners!)
• the FIFA World Cup
• Nolan Cain is back at A&M
• chimichurri vinaigrette steak salad
• Caracilia workout dress
• CRZ Yoga ribbed sports bra
• Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth hair oil
• Ranger Station Tennessee Tomato candle
• Patreon Book Club with The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett on June 30th

• AG1 - use this link to get a free welcome kit with your first order
• superpower - use code BIGBOO for $20 off your membership
• Cash App - download the app today and use the code FAMILY10
• Drink LMNT - use this link to get a free sample pack with your order

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 discuss what we're enjoying about the World Cup, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• mosquito repellent bracelets
• Calpak backpack we both love
• packing cubes
• the Spurs had a bit of a melt down
• Men's College World Series
• Ben McDonald
• Kyle Peterson
• Dip - garlic & herb Boursin cheese, fig preserves, hot honey, pistachio nuts
• cracked black pepper Triscuits
• Cord Rager
• Joey Volchko
• Freddy and the World Cup
• Lawrence, Kansas and the Algerian soccer team
• the Japanese tourist in the Mexican restaurant
• The Four Seasons on Netflix
• Braden Montgomery's walk-off for the White Sox
• Costco blueberry sourdough bread
• cotton tablecloths for mahjong
• HoneyLove CrossFlex activity bra
• Free Assembly set (shirt and ruffle shorts)
• SkinnyDipped dark chocolate peanut butter cups
• Patreon Book Club with The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett on June 30th

• Mint Mobile - use this link for their special offer
• Laundry Sauce - use code BIGBOO for 20% off your order
• Drink LMNT - use this link for a free sample pack with any purchase
• Boll and Branch - get 20% off sitewide with code BIGBOO

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 Georgia to install some cup holders, my friend Tracey's idea for a new cheer for our Bulldogs, and the fact that I'm in a fight with the NCAA.

On top of all that, Melanie loops us in on life in San Antonio, and it's her turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• Mississippi State's Super Regional against Georgia
• The National in Athens
• State's back-to-back-to-back home runs
• Clayton Freshcorn
• Jacob Parker
• Coach Brian O'Connor
• West Virginia baseball sings "Country Roads"
• Men's College World Series bracket
• Little Em's Oyster Bar in San Antonio
• Hotel Emma in San Antonio
• The Four Seasons on Netflix
• Charmp waist fan
• neck fan for the win
• Five Favorites from last week (all the links didn't make it in the show notes)
• Merit The Uniform tinted sunscreen
• Merit Solo Shadow in Glacé
• Universal Thread printed pull-on shorts
• Project Cloud flip-flops
• Liposomal glutathione capsules

• AG1 - use this link to get a welcome kit worth $82
• Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO for 20% off
• OSEA Malibu - use code BIGBOO for 10% off
• Helix - use this link for 20% off now through June 11th

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 and Gulley met the Aggies' basketball coach's mom. In short, we made ourselves some memories.

We also discuss the Aggie fan we love to see at every single baseball game, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop
• Big Boo Dallas (11/5) tickets - still a few left!
• If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

• Mississippi State is headed to a Super Regional
• A&M closes out season against USC
• The Landing in Starkville
• Out of Left Field podcast
• Bonne Maman fig preserves
• Coach Brian O'Connor
• LMNT
• Bucky McMillan
• Charmp waist fan
• Joy Creative / Allie + Bess collab note cards
• Downy Wrinkle Releaser
• Sizzle N Heat bird food
• Back Me Up set

• ZocDoc - use this link to find a doctor and book an appointment today
• Hungryroot - use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first order and a free item in every box for life
• Branch Basics - find these products at Target or target.com today
• Thrive Causemetics - use this link for 20% off

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 publishing.

We also discuss our new book club pick for Patreon, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

• Join Us on Patreon
• Our Amazon Shop

If you'd like to listen online, you can do that here.

Show Notes:

• Aggies take series from Bulldogs
• Aggie women's tennis wins national championship
• SEC Baseball Tournament
• State softball headed to Super Regional
• Helen
• Marty: Life Is Short on Netflix
• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
• Into the Blue by Emma Brodie
• Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Project Hail Mary
• Ella's classroom wish list
• Kleenex travel packs (here's the leather tissue holder)
• Color WOW Texas Hold 'Em hairspray
• wide-leg linen blend pants
• Have Mercy flag
• squirrel proof bird feeder

• Drink LMNT - use this link to get a free 8-count sample pack with any purchase
• Quince - use this link for free shipping and 365-day returns
• Boll & Branch - use code BIGBOO for 20% off
• Tumble - use this link for 10% off