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Football's back, and so is Big Fan. Chad and Hank return to the studio after a month away — with a new producer behind the glass — and recap three straight weekends of fantasy football drafts. There's the Davey Drives a Hummer draft out on Deck Two, with cornhole, moonshine, a league photo that's aging about as well as the guys in it, and a final hour so strange it's now simply the witching hour. Then it's up the mountain to Eagle's Nest, where the swankiest thing Chad can talk about is the unmanned convenience store that charged his buddy's debit card on the way out the door — plus an unplanned, under-slept rendition of "Dock of the Bay" at the sports bar on top of the mountain. Back home, meet-the-teacher night at Hickory High proves nothing has changed — not the floors, not locker B-52, and definitely not the smell — which sends the guys into junior-year nostalgia, the sacred geography of the junior parking lot, and the wreck Chad had on day two of having his license. Also: Hank's son builds an entrepreneurial empire out of Dad's shoes and baseball cards, a Labor Day weekend in Asheville talking college dreams with Lucy Rose, and a double dose of Judge Hank on giving yourself a nickname and escaping the neighbor who ambushes you on every dog walk. #BigFanPodcast #TheMeshTV #FantasyFootball  #HighSchoolMemories #DadLife #BackToSchool #FootballSeason #SportsPodcast #HickoryNC

Chad and Hank are back with stories from a whirlwind stretch of summer travel, from Jacksonville and Oak Island to a reunion with college friends at Lake James. Chad shares vacation adventures with Olivia, some serious beach reading, old college memories, and what it was like reconnecting with friends he hadn’t seen in nearly 30 years. The guys also talk about their kids heading into another school year, how much back-to-school style has changed, and the excitement of fantasy football season. With their longtime league draft right around the corner, they break down potential first-round picks and revisit some of the funniest moments from more than two decades of draft-day traditions. #BigFanPodcast #TheMeshTV #FantasyFootball #SummerVacation #CollegeMemories #DadLife #BackToSchool #FootballSeason #SportsPodcast #HickoryNC

Big Fan is back after a midsummer break, and Chad has plenty of stories from 17 days home alone. While Jennifer and Lucy traveled to Portugal for an intense ballet experience, Chad filled his time with golf, lake days, fireworks, alien movies, late-night R&B and a diet made almost entirely of potato products. The guys also rank their favorite sub shops, discuss summer baseball and college recruiting, debate whether a charcuterie board counts as lunch for 16 men and return to the courtroom for another edition of Ask Judge Hank. #BigFanPodcast #TheMeshTV #17DaysOfChad #SummerStories #Portugal #GolfLife #DadLife #SportsPodcast #ComedyPodcast #HickoryNC Music included in this episode: Dogs In A Pile "Look Johnny"

This episode of Big Fan is dedicated to the memory of Peter Eimer, Hank’s father and a beloved husband, dad, friend, and member of our community. Hank shares a heartfelt reflection on his father’s final days, the comfort hospice provided, the love of family, and the support of friends during a difficult time. From there, the guys shift into classic Big Fan territory with World Cup betting chaos, wild fan stories, J.T. Poston’s huge Memorial win, summer travel plans, and the debut of a new segment, “What Would Hank Do?” It’s an episode full of emotion, laughs, sports, family stories, and plenty of Big Fan energy. Music included in this episode: Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr's "Just the Two of Us"

Chad and Hank celebrate Hickory High School’s girls soccer state championship, sharing the excitement, proud-parent moments and the emotional story behind one family’s long-awaited championship win. Chad also recaps Olivia’s 21st birthday trip to Cherokee, complete with a lucky first spin, family laughs and a packed 24-hour adventure. Plus, the guys talk World Cup anticipation, NBA Finals ticket prices, the mystery of Jeep ducks, college baseball, summer freedom for their kids and the meaningful conversations that come with caring for aging parents. It is an episode filled with sports, family, humor and a reminder to enjoy every season while it lasts. Music included in this episode: John Fogerty Centerfield

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank welcome Camden Tucker for their annual summer blockbuster movie extravaganza. The guys break down the summer movie season from three very different perspectives: the movie novice, the casual movie lover, and the full-blown movie aficionado. They cover the new Michael Jackson biopic, Project Hail Mary, Star Wars, Toy Story 5, Spider-Man, The Odyssey, scary movies, animated favorites, and why the theater experience still matters. Plus, they mix in Hickory High playoff talk, John Smoltz stories, local sports updates, graduation season, and plenty of classic Big Fan side conversations. Music included in this episode: Derek and the Domino's, "Got to Get Better in a Little While"  #BigFanPodcast #TheMesh #SummerMovies #MoviePodcast #SummerBlockbusters #MichaelJacksonMovie #SpiderMan #TheOdyssey #ToyStory5 #StarWars #HickoryNC #HickoryHigh #JohnSmoltz #LocalPodcast #NorthCarolinaPodcast

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank kick things off with prom season nostalgia, proud parent moments, and a few hilarious memories from their own high school days. From there, they cover a little bit of everything: tennis bragging rights, member-member golf stories, UFO conspiracies, the greatest vocalists of all time, the return of classic bar hats, birthday shoutouts, casino plans, and sports traditions that should absolutely be left alone. It’s a classic Big Fan mix of laughs, local stories, sports takes, and the kind of random rabbit holes only Chad and Hank can find.   Music included in this episode: Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady #BigFanPodcast #TheMesh #PromSeason #SchoolIsAlmostOut #HickoryNC #GolfTalk #TennisTalk #SportsTraditions #MarchMadness #TheMasters #ClassicHats #PodcastLife #LocalPodcast #FunnyPodcast #NorthCarolinaPodcast

On this episode of Big Fan, Chad and Hank cover a little bit of everything—from tax day frustrations and unforgettable refund-check stories to Masters weekend, family birthdays, and the latest around Hickory sports.  Music used in this episode: Phil Collins' Sussudio #BigFanPodcast #TheMesh #HickoryNC #MastersWeekend #TaxDay #HometownTalk #SportsTalk #PodcastLife

Chad and Hank are back from their March Madness getaway weekends with plenty of stories to tell. From beach house poker games and golf trips to late-night laughs, bar stops, and unforgettable group traditions, this episode is packed with the kind of weekend recaps only Big Fan can deliver. The guys also break down brackets, Final Four predictions, Hickory High sports, Masters talk, songs dudes hate to admit they like and a legendary 50th birthday celebration in Charlotte. Music included in this episode: Natalie Brooke "Hands"

On this special March Madness edition of Big Fan, Chad and Hank swap stories from two very different weekends. Chad recaps an unforgettable first trip to New York City filled with airport hustles, legendary bars, steakhouse splurges, Madison Square Garden, and a courtside brush with basketball royalty. Meanwhile, Hank shares tales from the baseball field, a mountain of mulch, and Big Fan’s growing fanbase in Lincoln County. The guys also dive into their favorite March Madness traditions, beach trip plans, bracket picks, upset predictions, and Final Four favorites.  Music included in this episode Luther Vandross' "One Shining Moment"

BIG FAN returns! Chad and Hank kick things off with the excitement of Hickory High baseball opening day and the pride of watching young athletes step into their moment.They look back on the thrill of Team USA’s Olympic hockey gold and celebrate everything that made this Winter Olympics memorable. The guys also break down this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees and make their picks for who should get in. Along the way, they talk tennis season, a New York City trip, and local playoff basketball. They wrap it all up with a funny and very relatable debate about modern tipping etiquette. Music included in this episode Billy Idol: Dancing With Myself Phil Collins: A Groovy Kind of Love Wu-Tang Clan: Triumph

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