Episode Overview
Title: INs & OUTs for 2026
Host: Shannon Cason
Podcast: Shannon Cason's Homemade
Date: January 20, 2026
Shannon Cason kicks off his first episode of 2026 from his hometown of Detroit, sharing his personal "INs and OUTs" list for the year. Through candid storytelling and reflective commentary, Shannon uses his life changes and observations as a springboard for deeper intentions, mindful living, community, and creativity. The episode is personal, honest, and warmly engaging—inviting listeners to consider their own plans and transitions for the year ahead.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Setting the Scene: A Return to Detroit
- Shannon unveils major life changes: He has moved back to Detroit to be near aging family and to nurture relationships.
"I needed to be around my family. And I'm happy to be back. It's so many good changes." (00:26)
- Health and self-care: He reflects on holiday weight gain and reframes it as building muscle in winter.
- Intentions over resolutions: Shannon avoids the word “resolution,” preferring the concept of intentions and exclusions for the new year.
"I never even use the word resolution, except if it's in a legal setting. So I have intentions and exclusions for 2026." (02:36)
- New Year starts late: Shannon admits his New Year energy doesn’t kick in until February (03:05).
2. Shannon’s “INs” for 2026
a) Getting Out of the House & Being More Social
- Breaking hermit habits: More time spent outside, exploring Detroit, embracing venues like museums and gyms for inspiration and productivity. (04:09)
b) Reading More Fiction
- Rediscovering crime fiction: Emphasis on Elmore Leonard, Walter Mosley, and Ken Bruen.
- Kindle as a game changer: Access and convenience boost his reading habits.
"Even though I love like the hard copies...the convenience of the Kindle, I read a lot more." (05:10)
c) Asking Better Questions & Having Deeper Conversations
- Shannon wants to be a better listener: Moving beyond shallow interview questions to deeper, more thoughtful dialogue.
- Memorable anecdote: Coffee chat with Amy Peterson from Detroit highlights the power of thoughtful questioning about her career dreams and paths (07:20).
"You have to really listen to the person... if you listen, you can ask better questions." (08:35)
d) DIY Home Repairs
- Embracing handyman life: From basic home fixes to skilled projects, investing in quality tools and learning from others.
- Community and skills: Possibly riding along with a local handyman as an apprentice. (10:00)
e) Old School Living (“Anything Old School”)
- Rooted in nostalgia but practical: Embracing old school music, hobbies, and even considering fixing up an old car.
"I'm really going to settle into it for 2026. Not in a performative way, but in the actual use way." (12:04)
f) Intimate Conversations
- Cherishing real connection: Prefers deep, face-to-face talks about movies, music, or astronomy—especially with women for whom he feels a wide definition of beauty. (13:47)
g) Dressing Up More
- Classic style: Shannon wants to wear more suits and dress with purpose (“get my grown man on”), even custom suits. (16:45)
h) Creating Over Consuming
- Creative focus: Using available technology, skills, and good taste to generate meaningful projects rather than passively absorbing content.
"One of the most important things that's in this year is create. To really settle into being a creator." (18:59)
3. Shannon’s “OUTs” for 2026
a) Spending Money Mindlessly
- Mindful outings: Avoiding the tendency to overspend just because he's out of the house. (04:45)
b) Overconsuming News
- Limiting inputs: Paring down his information diet to just a couple of trusted news sources to avoid doomscrolling. (06:23)
c) Shallow Interactions
- No more surface-level: Actively curating deeper connections and avoiding purely superficial conversations. (09:03)
d) Temporary Fixes & Flimsy Furniture
- Quality over convenience: Rejecting quick fixes like IKEA furniture or low-quality items; committing to solid repairs and purchases.
"I'm done with IKEA furniture… I'd rather buy something used that's well made, then get something new and flimsy. No Teemu." (11:40)
e) Things After 2010 (in Tangibles)
- Intentionally old school: Milan with the past and avoiding modern, disposable things when it comes to tangible objects. (13:00)
f) Casual Relationships/Encounters
- Craving substance: Eschews casual dating or hookups, recalling a memorable youthful restraint in Atlanta.
"I'm always a little disgusted afterwards....Sometimes don't do that." (15:10)
g) Living in Workout Clothes
- Dress with intention: Pivoting away from habitual comfort wear to classic, styled looks.
"I'm a comfortable person. I like comfort above all. But I can be comfortable in nice clothes too." (17:09)
h) Passive Consuming, Especially Short-form Media
- Fights social media’s addictiveness: Limits TikTok and short-form media in favor of creative output.
"It's an addiction. We're hardwired to watch these things... but as time goes by, it shows you how insidious this thing is." (19:32)
Memorable Quotes & Anecdotes
-
On deep conversations:
"Everything doesn't have to be a gotcha moment, but you do want to have great conversations... if you listen, you can ask better questions." (08:35)
-
On temporary fixes:
"I'm done with IKEA furniture… nothing flimsy." (11:40)
-
On creativity vs. consumption:
"Things still require taste. And I have good taste. I think I have good taste. So this year I'm going to create cool stuff based on my taste." (19:05)
-
On resisting casual encounters:
"I'm not saying that's never happened... but I'm always a little disgusted afterwards." (15:51)
-
A street encounter's unexpected wisdom:
"He was like, 'you smart young man, you smart... sometimes you gotta let 'em go, sometimes you gotta throw 'em back in.'" (16:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00-03:26 — Homecoming, New Year reflections, intentions over resolutions
- 04:09 — Getting out of the house and being productive
- 05:10 — The joy of reading more fiction with a Kindle
- 06:23 — Filtering news consumption
- 07:20 — The art of asking deeper questions; conversation with Amy Peterson
- 09:03 — Rejecting shallow interactions
- 10:00 — Embarking on DIY home projects
- 11:40 — “Out” with temporary fixes and flimsy furniture
- 12:04 — Embracing “old school” living and hobbies
- 13:47 — The value of intimate, face-to-face conversation
- 15:10 — Out with casual relationships; an Atlanta club story
- 16:45 — Dressing up; custom suits and the “grown man” look
- 17:09 — No living in workout clothes; toward intentional style
- 18:59 — The call to create, not just consume
- 19:32 — Cutting short-form media and passive consumption
Final Reflections
- Shannon wraps up by expressing gratitude to listeners, supporters, family, and friends (20:50). He invites his community to share their own “INs and OUTs,” encouraging personal reflection and connection.
- The episode closes with Shannon's signature warmth, gentle humor, and soulful Detroit vibes—fittingly homemade.
If you didn’t catch the episode, you’ll leave this summary with a sense of Shannon’s evolving priorities, deliberate living, and the blend of nostalgia and forward momentum that shape his 2026.