Big Fan Podcast

BIG FAN has returned (and on schedule) from their “after Super Bowl” hangover: Hickory weather whiplash, an all-time snow-day weekend (bowling + Bootleggers + golf simulator + Golden Tee), and Chad’s brutal key fob saga that nearly turned into a $900 mistake—until a clutch mobile key-fob truck saved the day. Plus: Hank’s Super Bowl munchies hierarchy, Olympics talk, Valentine’s Day opinions, local sports updates, and what’s ahead for the Big Fan crew. Music included in this episode: Michael McDonald "I Keep Forgetting"

After a six-month hiatus, BIG FAN is back! From a brutal diverticulitis ER visit to a terrifying mystery pressure issue in the brain that led to MRIs, a spinal tap, and ultimately surgery, this episode is a funny, honest reminder that if you don’t have your health… you don’t have much. Plus! Hickory winter storm chaos, the new MESH studio next to a historic theater in Newton, and what we're looking forward to in 2026. Music included in this episode: I Dont Need No Doctor - Ray Charles

It’s a midsummer edition of BIG FAN and the guys are heating up! Chad enjoys fireworks close enough to singe your eyebrows while Hank recounts the DMV disaster that almost derailed his son's big driving test. The boys swap Fourth of July memories, debate peaches vs. watermelon, and dive into Hank’s Hierarchy: Summer Edition. From lake noodling to movie nights at the Big D, this one's packed with laughs, nostalgia, and a splash of chaos. Music used in this episode: Tribe Called Quest "Electric Relaxation" #BigFanPodcast #MidsummerEdition #DMVDisaster #FireworksFail #PoolLife #HanksHierarchy #WatermelonVsPeaches #DadLife #SmallTownSummer #TheMeshPodcastNetwork

We're back for a sweaty edition on BIG FAN! In this episode, Chad debuts some truly terrible summer poetry, Hank sweats through Atlanta traffic, and the guys debate who they’d marry if they could be a stay-at-home spouse to a superstar. Plus, fake tattoos, fantasy football drama, a giant toddler, and sunburns so bad you question your life choices. Summer’s heating up—and so is this episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Nelly: Hot in Here

It’s the 2025 Big Fan Summer Blockbuster Movie Extravaganza! Chad, Hank, and movie guru Camden Tucker break down the can't-miss flicks and the duds to dodge this summer. From Superman and Jurassic World to Megan 2.0 and Naked Gun, they rank, roast, and rave over everything coming to a screen near you. Plus, find out who conquered a nine-dog challenge at a Crawdads game and what movie snack is worth sneaking past security. This one’s got action, comedy, horror—and ketchup. Music included in this episode: Spafford "Slip and Squander" #BigFanPodcast #SummerBlockbusters #Superman2025 #JurassicWorldRebirth #CamdenReviews #CrawdadsChallenge #MovieSnackConfessions #DolbyCinemaVibes #HickoryNC #TheMeshNetwork

Hank and Chad are back—eventually—for another unforgettable BIG FAN episode! From lonely studios to Metallica tailgate woks, they cover it all. Chad relives an epic stadium concert that ended on the field, while Hank breaks down buffet math and fake cherry blossoms in Gastonia. They debate the worst songs of all time, shout out Daniel Willis (congrats, dad!), and get hyped for the hum’s grand opening. Oh, and Chad's insurance saga? Turns out miracles do happen.   Music included in this episode: Boyz To Men Motownphilly

Chad and Hank are back with tales of car insurance heartbreak, HVAC meltdowns, and midlife tennis comebacks. Chad’s headed to see Metallica at Lane Stadium, Hank’s pressure washing like a suburban warrior, and both are praying their air conditioning holds through member-member weekend. There’s drama over golf invites, shady Rock & Roll Hall snubs, and a heroic dog finally free of his cone. Hickory’s hottest podcast covers everything from the Kentucky Derby to Salt-N-Pepa. Helpful links from the episode: the hum, Hickory FC, Derby Party Music included in this episode: Warren Zevon "Excitable Boy" #BigFanPodcast #MetallicaAtLane #MemberMemberDrama #HVACHorrors #CarInsuranceScam #RockAndRollHallOfSnubs #PressureWashingWarrior #ConeOfShame #KentuckyDerbyParty #HickoryNCEvents

Welcome to another jam-packed edition of BIG FAN! Chad and Hank are hobbling into spring with sore elbows, magic patches, and questionable seances under the full moon. They swap tales of beach trips gone old-man-mode, grocery runs for Metamucil and late-night vertical leap contests. The Val Kilmer fan club is in full effect, and Lucy Rose survives a real-life Dukes of Hazzard moment. Plus: Hickory FC jerseys, Masters drafts, and who’s taking home the NCAA crown? Music included in this episode David Bowie "Let's Dance" #BigFanPodcast #SpringTimeVibes #OldManInjuries #SageHealingFails #VerticalLeapChallenge #ValKilmerForever #FinalFourTalk #HickoryFC #BeachTripBoys #CarolinaSportsChat

Parched Madness is here! Hank and Chad are back for this brand-new segment, ranking the best drinks in the business... Plus! Why is February terrible? Spring Break trips, tennis season is officially here, and more. All in this episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Billy Strings "Mountain Dew" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Galentine's Day from Big Fan! Chad and Hank are back for another fun LOVING edition in this jam-packed episode. Included in this rendition... Chad runs into a few characters in Asheville, the Super Bowl halftime show, Hanks Hierarchy, Rock and Roll HOF nominees, and the Hillcrest Hawk. Music included in this episode The Black Crowes "Thorn in My Pride" & Phish "Harry Hood" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chad and Hank return for another hilarious edition of BIG FAN! Included in this episode...Hank's tour of take-out restaurants in HKY + his kitchen remodel updates, we have the results from Chad's New Year exercise resolutions, cold weather tennis court antics, Chad has an affinity for electric blankets, Best Picture Oscar Nominees, the host's March Madness Trips, the CFB national championship, Galentine's Day and an HHS Spring Sports Roundup. An episode for the ages here on The MESH podcast network. Music included in this episode: Kelis - Milkshake See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chad and Hank are back from the Holiday break just in time for the Hickory Snowmageddon! All included in this rendition, the one-and-only on-the-scene Downtown Hickory metrologist Harry Sprinkle makes a special guest appearance, the adventures in car buying for teenagers, the trials and tribulations of Dry-January, and a whole lot more all in this episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: The Beatles "Drive My Car" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hank and Chad are back for this Thanksgiving Leftovers episode of BIG FAN. Shenanigans commenced in our town over the course of the holiday, and our hosts are going to tell you all about it. No teaser here, Chad tells of his encounter with a one-legged bartender chasing a Chihuahua with a pool stick... Also! Wicked at the Carolina Theatre, the annual HKY Christmas Parade, The Town Cup, MTV's Unplugged series, and Thanksgiving Family Feud! All this and more on this wild edition of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Alice in Chains "Would" (MTV Unplugged) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The No Politics edition of Big Fan is here! Chad and Hank return for a full episode that covers Hickory's 6th Street Halloween tradition, a World Series recap, American restaurant staples that are closing, Hank's kitchen remodel, and Hickory High Football! Music included in this episode: The Dip "Love Direction" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Big Fan Team is devastated by the impact of Hurricane Helene. Our hearts go out to those affected and hope that our community rallies together to help those in need. In this episode of Big Fan... Chad and Hank discuss life post-hurricane here in the last week in WNC, Chad's colonoscopy, the MLB playoffs, and Hickory High Football! Go Red Tornados! Music in this episode: "Touch of Grey" by Grateful Dead See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hank, Chad, and Michael are back for this year's BIG FAN Football Kickoff Show! In this episode, the gang discusses your tailgating essentials, reminisces about past Fantasy Football Draft shenanigans, and talks High School, College, and NFL predictions for this upcoming tackle football season. Music included in this episode: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit "This Ain't It" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chad, Hank, Olivia, and Camden are back for a jam-packed summer spectacular edition of BIG FAN! Favorite Olympic events, summer blockbusters, Hanks Hierarchy, and more... Listen in for some hilarious takes on this one! Music included in this episode: Mellow Swells "I Don't Mind The Wait" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Fourth of July from BIG FAN! In this episode, Chad and Hank get into July 4th plans and their fireworks experiences. Also! Hank and Chad get into tire issues in Nashville, Chad's ecstatic about early tee times, Alien galaxy discoveries equipped with forcefields, kids' summer jobs, and how much do billionaires tip? Music included in this episode: Rick Derringer's Real American See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

That's right even the chaperones need a little chaperoning at times. Chad and Hank are back for a jump into summer edition of BIG FAN! Included...Chad's 50th birthday celebration recap, golf course stories, awards day at schools, Senior Week reminiscing, the best characters in your favorite sitcoms, and more in this hilarious episode of BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Signal Fire's "Cool and Easy" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A half-century... Chad (the birthday boy) and Hank are back for a special 50th birthday-episode of BIG FAN! Included in this jam-packed edition, our hosts reminisce about past birthdays including Chad's 21st (or at least the day after), fun stuff happening in and around Hickory (the hum, Hickory FC, Hickory Crawdads), deep questions with kids, most wanted skills, aliens, end of the world scenarios, life transitions, and the Foundation Center project. ALL this and MORE in this BIG FAN! Music included in this episode: Fleetwood Mac's I Dont Want To Know See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.