How We Made Your Mother

Josh and Craig wrap up Season 2 by revisiting the emotional finale where Marshall and Lily get married and Ted and Robin realize they can’t build a future together despite loving each other. They talk about the episode’s clever mystery structure, the heartbreaking couch scene, the meaning behind the title “Something Blue,” and the hopeful reset that sends Ted and Barney back out as wingmen. The episode also includes the story of a real marriage proposal that happened during filming of the café scene, reflections on how the show balances comedy with real relationship truths, and a moving – anonymous – fan letter about a couple whose relationship began over a shared love of the show. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Instagram Live episode of How We Made Your Mother features Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas, and producer Alek Lev in a relaxed, funny, and reflective conversation about revisiting the first two seasons of How I Met Your Mother nearly 20 years later. They talk about learning to be kinder to their younger selves, favorite memories from set (including cozy breakfast scenes, hair-and-makeup miracles, and moments when the scale of the show suddenly felt magical), the grind behind the joy, and why struggle is part of meaningful creative work. Fan questions spark stories about deleted scenes, bloopers, iconic supporting characters (Ranjit, Sandy Rivers, Stuart, Brad), music’s central role in the show and their lives, tattoos inspired by HIMYM, advice for aspiring actors and writers, and Craig’s journey writing his novel That’s Not How It Happened. The trio also welcome listeners discovering the podcast for the first time, celebrate its global audience, shout out the Office Ladies Network, and invite fans to keep the conversation going through letters, voice notes, and future bonus episodes. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig break down How I Met Your Mother Season 2, Episode 21, “Something Borrowed,” the chaotic first half of Marshall and Lily’s wedding finale. They revisit how the episode leans into the idea that every element of Lily’s carefully planned wedding begins to unravel—from Marshall accidentally shaving a reverse mohawk into his hair to Scooter showing up determined to stop the ceremony. The hosts talk about the technical side of filming Jason Segel’s shaving scene (and how hard it was for everyone not to break), the escalating farce that pushes the wedding off course, and the way the writers used these disasters to set up the emotional payoff of the finale. They also reflect on the show’s growing commitment to serialized storytelling, planting clues and callbacks that reward long-time viewers while still delivering big comedy moments, and how the imperfect, improvised version of the wedding ultimately reinforces one of the show’s core themes: the moments that go wrong are often the ones that reveal what really matters. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh recently sat down with Chelsea Handler for an episode of Chelsea’s podcast “Dear Chelsea" to talk about the highs and lows of playing one character for a decade, the delights of NYC, and his sober-curious lifestyle. Need some advice from Chelsea? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig continue their conversation with Neil Patrick Harris, reflecting on their working dynamic during How I Met Your Mother and how Barney and Ted’s very different roles on the show sometimes created a strange but productive tension between the actors. They talk candidly about early insecurities, the pressure of carrying different storytelling responsibilities—Josh often delivering the emotional core while Neil chased the biggest laughs—and how that contrast ultimately helped create the chemistry that defined the show. The discussion then shifts to the Season 2 episode “Showdown,” including Barney’s obsession with The Price Is Right, Ted’s struggle to write a best-man speech for Marshall, and memorable bits like Marshall’s belief in ghosts, Lily and Marshall’s intense co-dependence, and the absurd sincerity of Barney asking Bob Barker if he’s proud of him. Along the way they swap behind-the-scenes memories—from Neil’s obsessive continuity tricks for the editors to subtle moments that planted the seeds for Barney and Robin—and reflect on how, years later, they can finally look back at the experience with perspective, affection, and a deeper understanding of what each of them was bringing to the show. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig are joined by Neil Patrick Harris to revisit How I Met Your Mother Season 2’s “Showdown,” the episode where Barney appears on The Price Is Right believing that host Bob Barker might be his father. Neil reflects on the lasting cultural impact of Barney Stinson, the freedom the show’s unusual hybrid format gave actors to experiment with comedy, and the physical-comedy influences—from Buster Keaton to Cirque du Soleil—that shaped his performance. The conversation dives into Barney’s mix of bravado and vulnerability, how the writers gradually revealed the emotional core beneath the suit, and why the character’s deep loyalty to his friends often drove the story more than his playboy antics. They also share memories of filming on the real Price Is Right set, discuss how the show’s early “on the bubble” years kept everyone creatively hungry, and explore the idea that the heightened moments of the series may represent Ted’s exaggerated memories rather than literal reality. And we end on HWMYM’s first… cliffhanger! CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the How We Made Your Mother podcast, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas revisit HIMYM Season 2, Episode 19, “Bachelor Party,” unpacking the dual-story structure that follows Marshall’s disastrous bachelor party and Lily’s painfully awkward bachelorette gathering. They discuss how the episode satirizes the clichés around bachelor parties—especially the idea that marriage ends a man’s freedom—while highlighting the awkward reality behind those traditions. Much of the conversation focuses on standout comedy moments, including Robin mistakenly bringing a sex-toy gift to a family-style bridal gathering and the extended antique-sewing-machine gag, as well as the physical comedy and silent reactions from Cobie Smulders and guest actor Kay Callan. Josh and Craig also reflect on guest star Matt Boren’s deadpan performance as Stuart, the challenge of referencing pop culture that younger viewers might not know, and how the writers’ room constructed jokes through collaborative pitching. The episode ultimately emphasizes the emotional payoff of Barney secretly flying to San Francisco to convince Lily to return to Marshall—revealing that despite Barney’s chaos and cynicism, he was the reason their wedding happens at all, a twist that reframes both this episode and earlier moments in the season. Check out How to Sell Yourself as an Actor by K Callen A few folks named “Zack” getting called “Josh” on REDDIT CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the guys revisit “Moving Day” and end up having one of those episodes where the rewatch turns personal fast. What starts as talk about Ted moving out spirals into a bigger conversation about how much everyone in the group depends on him, why Barney’s over-the-top sabotage is really fear of abandonment, and how relationships don’t have to move at anyone else’s timeline. Craig gets unexpectedly emotional talking about calling his son down the hall, Josh brings in some real-life perspective from Jordana about pacing in relationships, and they both admit this episode is stronger than they remembered. There’s also some great behind-the-scenes stuff about the moving van set, Neil’s Letterman impression, and how certain character dynamics were fully clicking by Season 2. Funny, reflective, and a little sneaky-heartfelt — very much one of those episodes where the podcast becomes about life as much as the show. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This How We Made Your Mother Instagram Live brings together Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas, and producer Alek Lev for a wide-ranging, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt conversation about the podcast, the enduring legacy of How I Met Your Mother, and why the show continues to resonate with new generations around the world. The trio talk candidly about revisiting the series nearly 20 years later, the joys and challenges of serialized storytelling, favorite episodes, emotional arcs from the first two seasons, iconic props (yes, the Blue French Horn makes an appearance), and unforgettable music moments that helped define the show’s tone. They also reflect on writing lessons learned, trusting the intelligence of the audience, the comfort the series offers younger viewers in uncertain times, and how optimism (“people will dance”) sits at the core of the show’s worldview. Along the way, they answer fan questions live from across the globe, tease future podcast guests, plug Craig’s novel That’s Not How It Happened, celebrate Josh’s upcoming music, and invite listeners to become part of the growing HWMYM community through voice notes, letters, and shared memories. Click HERE to check out the fan-created HIMYM Spotify playlist. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode dives into “Arrivederci, Fiero” as a love letter to friendship, nostalgia, and the messy logic of long-running TV. Craig and Josh unpack fan questions about continuity errors (when did Barney learn to drive?), lean happily on the “unreliable narrator” defense, and explain how the show’s triumphant orchestral version of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” came together. The heart of the episode comes through two deeply personal listener letters—one from a college student whose real-life Fiero breakdown led to lasting friendships, and another tracing a red Mustang, the Olive Theory, and a marriage back to the emotional roadmap the show provided. Together, the conversation lands on why vulnerability, chosen family, and sincerity are what helped the series—and Ted—age so well. Check out the episode in our first season where Josh and Craig give their thoughts on problematic language used in How I Met Your Mother. Listen to Sleeping at Last’s version of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is a loose, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about “Stuff”—both the How I Met Your Mother episode and the larger idea of what we owe our partners and friends when it comes to honesty, history, and emotional baggage. Josh and Craig dig into why the episode works as a joke machine (the mermaid debate, the slap bet payoff, Marshall’s infamous pants, Barney’s doomed robot musical, and Ted getting dragged into Lily’s play), while also unpacking the deeper philosophical question at its center: how much of your past should come into a new relationship. Along the way they share vivid on-set memories (dog-licking trauma, breaking during Jason Segel’s physical comedy), talk about filmmaking techniques like visual morphs and fast-forwarded fights, celebrate the audacity of needle-dropping Iggy Pop on CBS, and reflect at length on the creative legacy and personal impact of Rob Reiner—connecting How I Met Your Mother to When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Stand By Me. The result is a wide-ranging, affectionate, and honest look at comedy, craft, friendship, and the messiness of loving people while carrying your past with you. Check out the book (and website) PLEASE KILL ME, the oral history of punk. And Lizzie Goodman’s MEET ME IN THE BATHROOM, covering the New York scene from 2001 to 2011. Here’s DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig walk through why this episode works so well, focusing on how the reverse storytelling lets the show explore blame, fate, and Ted’s instinct to overanalyze every turn his life takes. They talk about how the chain of small choices spirals backward until Ted realizes he’s the one who started it all—and how Future Ted reframes the missed flight as something that had to happen. The conversation touches on Carter Bays’ influence, Neil Patrick Harris’s marathon storyline and physical comedy, and the early-2007 “old tech” details that ground the episode in its moment. They also reflect on how tightly everything is built—no wasted scenes, no disconnected B-stories—and wrap up with a fan letter that captures how the show continues to resonate with viewers long after it first aired. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod. Follow on TikTok. AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of How We Made Your Mother is a fun, heartfelt hang centered on Monday Night Football (Season 2, Episode 14) of How I Met Your Mother, with director Rob Greenberg joining the guys to reminisce. It kicks off with a surprise listener marriage proposal, then rolls into stories from the early days of the show, Rob being the steady hand during the pilot, and what it was like directing one of the most inventive, fast-moving episodes of the series. They talk Super Bowl timing, visual gags, Barney’s gambling origin story, and why the episode works so well even though no one remembers who won the game—because it was never about that. The conversation stays light, funny, and reflective, wrapping up with a lovely fan letter and an original song inspired by the show, all reinforcing the same idea: it’s the time spent together that really matters. Read “The 20 Best ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Episodes, Ranked From Great to Legendary” by Andrew McGowen in Variety. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram at OfficeLadiesPod. Follow on TikTok. AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek dive into Season 2’s “Columns,” which explores the unexpected loneliness of becoming the boss. The conversation centers on Ted Mosby’s role reversal with Hammond Druthers (played memorably by Bryan Cranston), drawing directly from Craig and Carter Bays’ real experiences suddenly becoming showrunners with no training and realizing that success can be isolating. The hosts reflect on gossip, power, firing people, and the strange emotional distance that comes with authority, while also celebrating writer Matt Kuhn’s first-ever TV script and his journey from writers’ assistant to successful showrunner—an example of raising your hand, doing the unglamorous work, and being noticed. Along the way, they unpack the episode’s old-school A/B story structure, the nude Marshall painting subplot, classic jokes (new d’art, Margarita Fridays), and behind-the-scenes memories, before closing with heartfelt listener letters that underscore how How I Met Your Mother continues to soundtrack people’s real lives in nonlinear, meaningful ways. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s episode is a big, warm, lore-heavy love letter to one of How I Met Your Mother’s most meaningful episodes. Josh and Craig talk about why “First Time in New York” works so well: filling in backstories, sneaking past network standards with euphemisms, and still making real present-day moves like Robin finally saying “I love you.” They dig into the Dirty Dancing sequence (yes, it cost a lot), Lucy Hale’s early guest spot, Barney’s secretly heartbreaking virginity story, Marshall and Lily’s lobby-vs-top-of-the-building debate, and Ted’s eternal romance with the Empire State Building. Along the way, they get reflective about how we edit our own memories, why stories matter, and how HIMYM has become a comfort show for people all over the world—ending with emotional listener letters, New York recommendations, and a reminder that people will, in fact, dance. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas revisit Season 2, Episode 11, “How Lily Stole Christmas,” the show’s first real Christmas episode—and one of its most emotionally honest. They talk about the fallout from Marshall and Lily’s breakup, especially Ted’s complicated position as best friend to both of them, and how the episode hinges on a single censored insult (the infamous “Grinch”) caught on an answering machine—an extremely 2006 plot device. The conversation digs into what a best friend actually owes you after a breakup, why Ted’s anger at Lily is about more than just defending Marshall, and how that confrontation ends up being about friendship, hurt feelings, and chosen family. Along the way they shout out Barney’s sickness subplot, Christmas movie influences like A Christmas Story and Love Actually, and reflect on why this episode still hits hard for fans who return to it every holiday season as a comfort watch. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at ⁠https://officeladies.com/ ⁠or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod⁠ Follow on ⁠TikTok⁠ AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig welcome the brilliant Wayne Brady to revisit “Single Stamina,” the Season 2 episode that introduced Barney’s gay, Black brother James. Together they unpack how Wayne came to the show, what it felt like to embody this new character, and how the episode balanced outrageous comedy with genuine heart. They discuss James as both brother and father figure to Barney, the themes of aging, vulnerability, and growth that define the show, and how the episode’s subtle pro–gay-marriage message felt quietly radical in 2006. Wayne shares memories of working with Neil Patrick Harris, his nerves walking onto set, and how he approaches comedy and fear as a performer. Josh and Craig reflect on the episode’s legacy, its GLAAD Media Award nomination, and how it captured HIMYM’s mix of humor, heart, and social progressiveness. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate New Years, we are flashing back to our Season 1 rewatch of “The Limo.” Josh and Craig recall the episode’s ambition to be a “simple shoot” that turned out to be one of the most technically challenging due to the cramped limo set, and share behind-the-scenes stories like Jason Segel’s triumphant foggy entrance, the difficulty of getting camera shots in the limo, and the running joke of “the circuits are jammed.” They marvel at the Emmy-winning cinematography, the comic perfection of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and how the episode balances magical realism with emotional honesty. Josh highlights the cinematic final shot and the episode’s theme—that life’s unexpected detours are all part of the journey. They praise guest stars like Kathleen Perkins (Mary Beth) and JP Manoux (Not Moby), reflect on their own formative pop culture experiences, and read fan letters, including one from a Canadian listener whose wedding was filled with HIMYM references. Jordana, Josh’s wife and a clinical psychologist, closes with an insightful commentary on the spiritual lesson embedded in Ted’s narration: not everything has a happy ending, but it’s all important. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas revisit one of the most iconic episodes of How I Met Your Mother: Season 2, Episode 9, “Slap Bet,” with special guest Cobie Smulders. The conversation dives deep into the origin and impact of Robin Sparkles, from the wild writers’ room pitch to the massive, risky production of the full “Let’s Go to the Mall” music video—shot on an extra day, with choreography, wigs, dancers, and a full pop song that went on to live far beyond the episode itself. Cobie shares candid memories of recording the song (green apples, whiskey, nerves, and all), learning the choreography, and how revealing this secret pop-star past fundamentally unlocked a lighter, sillier, more intimate side of Robin Scherbatsky. Josh and Craig reflect on how the episode introduced not just Robin Sparkles, but also the slap bet, the slap bet commissioner, and a storytelling confidence that helped define the series’ future. The episode also features deeply moving listener letters, including one read by Cobie, underscoring how HIMYM has become a source of comfort, philosophy, nostalgia, and emotional connection for fans—proving that even the funniest episodes are ultimately about vulnerability, love, and letting yourself be truly known. Watch the full VIDEO of “Let’s Go to the Mall” CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Josh and Craig revisit Season 2, Episode 8: “Atlantic City,” written by Maria Ferrari, who started as a writer’s assistant before becoming a staff writer. They discuss the unusual challenge of writing a road-trip episode that takes the whole gang out of their usual sets and how that led to one of the longest rewrite nights of the early seasons. The conversation covers how the story’s emotional center—Lily trying to escape judgment by eloping with Marshall only to realize she can’t run from family—finally clicked during late-night rewrites, and how the episode became a metaphor about facing what you’re avoiding. Josh recalls on-set memories, like Ted’s Twizzler moment and Robin’s bikini-shirt gag, while Craig explains the origins of Barney’s fake Chinese gambling game (“Deal or No Deal,” a jab at the rival show). They also talk about guest star Kate Micucci, who sends in a warm voice memo about her brief role, and close with reflections on Cheers, improv, extras’ pay, the pressure of 22-episode seasons, and the meaning of the final song “Sink to the Bottom with You” by Fountains of Wayne—an anthem for commitment, even when it means sinking together. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh recently sat down with his friend Jesse Tyler Ferguson for an episode of Jesse's podcast "Dinner's On Me." Both Josh and Jesse were on hit sitcoms during a very particular moment in TV's metamorphosis, and they've both had on-going, evolving relationships with the characters they played on those shows. Here's a preview of their conversation... To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig are joined by writer Greg Malins, who co-ran Friends before joining How I Met Your Mother for Season 2. They revisit the episode “Swarley” (aired December 8 2006), talking about how Greg helped shape the show’s tone, the accidental (or maybe subconscious) Friends dig in the coffee-shop cold open, and how the “Swarley” name was coined by Rob Greenberg. Greg reveals a never-before-revealed admission about a joke he… borrowed from Friends for this episode. The group discusses Marshall and Lily’s reunion scene, Robin Sparkles’ early origins, the importance of showing Barney lose for once, and how the cast’s joy made the “Swarley” storyline unforgettable. They end by answering a listener question from @SwarleyMemes about why the show’s humor still resonates today—deciding it’s because HIMYM’s jokes, like “Swarley” itself, come from love and timeless wordplay. Watch the original Friends clip HERE (around 2 minutes and 45 seconds in). CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season two, episode six of How We Made Your Mother features a special guest: the legendary Bryan Cranston, who joins Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas to revisit his first appearance as Hammond Druthers in “Aldrin Justice.” Cranston reflects on taking the role right after Malcolm in the Middle ended, how he almost didn’t get Breaking Bad if Fox had ordered another Malcolm season, and how one X-Files episode led Vince Gilligan to cast him as Walter White. The three dive into acting lessons, career timing, and luck—plus Cranston’s thoughts on confidence, craft, and why good writing is the only thing worth chasing. They talk about the hidden humanity behind Druthers’ egotism, the joy of unhinged characters, and Jane Seymour’s hilarious turn as the original “cougar.” Josh and Craig share behind-the-scenes stories about the episode’s writing, Lily’s “karma police” subplot, and early uses of the word “cougar,” while reflecting on jokes that don’t hold up and the importance of owning creative missteps. The conversation closes with thoughtful discussions about teaching, artistry, and the strange, lucky chain of moments that connect How I Met Your Mother to Breaking Bad. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate Thanksgiving, we are flashing back to our Season 1 rewatch of “Belly Full of Turkey.” Josh and Craig reflect on Lily’s hilarious but heartfelt journey into Marshall’s giant Minnesota family, while Ted, Robin, and Barney navigate their own offbeat holiday at a food shelter (and later, a strip club). They discuss Alyson Hannigan’s standout performance, the visual comedy of a Brooklyn girl in a land of giants, and the deeper emotional themes of family, identity, and partnership. With behind-the-scenes stories, a moving listener letter from Australia, and insights from Jordana about in-laws and marriage, this episode blends big laughs with big feelings—just like the show always did. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season two, episode five of How We Made Your Mother dives into “World’s Greatest Couple,” where Lily moves in with Barney, and Marshall finds unexpected companionship with Brad—played by guest star Joe Manganiello, who joins Josh and Craig for the episode. The hosts break down how this fan-favorite storyline came together: Lily’s disastrous apartment, the debut of Barney’s Fortress of Barnitude, and the surprisingly sweet “odd couple” chemistry between Lily and Barney. They also reveal behind-the-scenes details about Joe’s casting, his Carnegie Mellon roots, and how his vulnerable, hilarious energy made Brad a standout character. Josh and Craig discuss the episode’s mystery structure, the craftsmanship behind the Murphy bed gag, and Barney’s hidden loneliness beneath all the bravado. Joe shares stories about his early days in Hollywood, his “bros at brunch” fame, and what could’ve been if Brad had become a series regular. The episode closes with heartfelt listener letters from Emma in Canada and Brenda in New Jersey, reflecting on breakups, creative growth, and how HIMYM helps fans rediscover hope and strength through changing chapters of life. Check out cartoonist and comedian Asher Perlman on INSTAGRAM. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas welcome Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey of Office Ladies for an “extra-extra-special” crossover episode that celebrates the shared DNA between The Office and How I Met Your Mother. The four trade stories about auditioning, early career struggles, and the naïve confidence it took to chase a dream to Los Angeles. Jenna and Angela recall the pressure of remaking the British Office and the moment they knew Diversity Day proved their show’s originality; Josh and Craig compare that to creating HIMYM in the shadow of Friends. They discuss manifesting success, the comfort of ensemble storytelling, nostalgia for network-era TV, and what it means to have made “comfort shows” that helped fans through hard times. The episode closes with a listener letter from Chile about how HIMYM quite literally changed one fan’s life—and a toast to everyone who’s ever found solace, laughter, and a sense of home in these two beloved worlds. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas revisit Season 2, Episode 4, “Ted Mosby: Architect,” which aired October 9, 2006. They reflect on the show’s use of music—like the Decemberists’ “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect”—and how songs became part of Ted’s emotional language. They discuss the episode’s mystery structure, Robin and Ted’s first fight, and the episode’s emotional ending, where Ted shares his architectural dream with Robin. The two dive deep into the craft of storytelling, the symbolism of architecture, and the “HIMYM” balance between comedy and emotional truth. They also talk about Field of Dreams, music supervision, and fan letters that show how the series became a source of comfort and inspiration for viewers. General Questions we Sort of Answer: How did Spokane get chosen for the skyscraper site? Was the Decemberists’ song chosen just because it had “architect” in the title, or for its lyrics? Where do Carter and Craig’s real lives end and the fictional HIMYM characters begin? You can check out Evryman retreats HERE. If you don’t know the amazing work of the great Al Hirschfeld, take a LOOK. Listen to Ezra Klein’s interview with Brian Eno on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY. And yes… you can check out Josh’s Tedscapes on Spotify. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season two, episode three of How We Made Your Mother takes on “Brunch,” the HIMYM episode that juggles family chaos, secrets, and spicy breakfast rolls. Josh and Craig reminisce about casting Michael Gross—yes, the dad from Family Ties—as Ted’s father, and how surreal that was for Josh, who grew up watching him on TV in Columbus, Ohio. They unpack the episode’s Pulp Fiction-style structure, Ted’s awkward family brunch with his divorced parents, Robin, and Barney, and the hilarious side plots of Marshall and Lily’s lingering chemistry (and calves). The hosts also dive into themes of communication, generational love languages, and repeating family patterns, praising Steven Lloyd’s dark humor and Christine Rose’s comedic subtlety. Barney’s needy attempts to outshine Robin, Ted’s questionable shirt choices, and the debut of the “83%” statistic all get airtime, before a touching fan letter from Mexico reflects how HIMYM continues to offer hope and comfort to viewers around the world. Check out Friend of the Devil by Stephen Lloyd Read Oldster on Substack CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season two, episode two of How We Made Your Mother opens with a message from Brazil, and a story about growing up with HIMYM that sets the tone for a conversation about comfort, change, and creative courage. Josh and Craig discuss “The Scorpion and the Toad,” where Marshall tries to reenter the dating world with Barney as his wingman—only to be repeatedly sabotaged by him. They unpack the Aesop fable behind the title, Barney’s compulsive nature, and how this episode explores addiction, friendship, and moral boundaries beneath the comedy. The hosts share behind-the-scenes moments about Lily’s emotional return, Neil Patrick Harris’s magic tricks, and the infamous “smelly water” line, while praising Chris Harris’s clever wordplay and Alyson Hannigan’s acting. They touch on gender norms, Ted’s “lucky penny” bit, and Robin and Ted’s early relationship bliss before closing with Craig’s announcement of his debut novel That’s Not How It Happened and a heartfelt fan letter about how Lily’s bravery inspires creative risk-taking. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season two of How We Made Your Mother kicks off with a big announcement: the show has officially joined the Office Ladies Network, thanks to a friendship between Josh Radnor and Jenna Fischer. Josh and Craig reminisce about filming “Where Were We,” the How I Met Your Mother season two premiere, breaking down the challenge of picking up right after Ted and Robin’s rain-soaked kiss and Marshall’s heartbreak. They dig into the emotional realism of post-breakup depression, the iconic “When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead” line, and behind-the-scenes stories about George Clinton’s cameo, Robin’s gun joke, and Neil Patrick Harris’s precision physical comedy. The episode also covers the show’s evolution, season-two adjustments (including the brighter red couch), and fan questions about serialization, background actors, and hiatus memories, before closing with a touching letter from a 15-year-old fan in Germany about how HIMYM brings her hope. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod. Follow on TikTok AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back! How We Made Your Mother returns for another season of rewatching the hit TV series How I Made Your Mother! Josh Radnor and series co-creator Craig Thomas will discuss all 22 episodes of Season 2, including classic episodes like “Ted Mosby: Architect,” “Swarley,” “Slap Bet,” and “Something Blue.” You like guests? We’ve got guests, including Joe Manganiello and that man who finally proved to the world that he had dramatic acting chops, through his iconic portrayal of Hammond Druthers, Mr. Bryan Cranston. We love hearing from the fans, so please go to www.HowWeMadeYourMother.com and click on the CONTACT tab to send us a voice message or an email and tell us what How I Met Your Mother means to you. We play and read these messages on nearly every episode, and it’s absolutely one of our favorite parts of the show. And please take a look at How You Make a Difference, our ongoing campaign supporting pediatric congenital heart disease research. Donate and learn more by clicking the MAKE A DIFFERENCE tab at the top of our website. Remember to follow us on Instagram and TikTok @howwemadeyourmother CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK! Subscribe HERE. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE to learn more and donate today. AND MORE: Josh’s Official WebsiteJosh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome again to another bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother! It’s our final bonus episode before we launch Season 2 towards the end of October. In this upcoming season we’ve already got a bunch of special guests lined up and a VERY special announcement about our podcast which we’re just not quite allowed to announce right now. So stay tuned. This week we bring you an interview that Alek did on the new podcast The Craft of Being, hosted by Anna Schumacher. The Craft of Being is a podcast via a series on conversations where we dig into what the heck even is CREATIVITY? Undefined, yet definitive. Each week we will talk to a different human about their experience of their own creativity, and how it shows up –both planned and unexpectedly– across art, work, life, and the pursuit of… well, everything. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show @thecraftofbeing on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected]. Music by Colin O’brien-Lux: https://bandcamp.com/cobrienlux To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello Major Fans of How We Made Your Mother, and welcome to another bonus episode. We are hard at work on Season Two (which will launch soon), and we want to use this space to share some appearances of the team on other great podcasts. This week, we bring you Craig Thomas’s appearance on Hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is a show that zeroes in on what fascinates us about ADHD, mental health, and learning. From hacking your dopamine to busting TikTok myths, it blends personal stories, sharp questions, and expert insight. The show is produced by Understood.org, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with learning and thinking differences thrive. You can check out Hyperfocus anywhere you get your podcasts.Listen here: lnk.to/hyperfocus Original Show Notes: Craig Thomas is best known for his work on TV. He co-created the sitcom How I Met Your Motherand has written for American Dad and more. He’s penned songs for Sesame Street and essays for The New Yorker. He’s less known for being a dad. For now, at least. He has a daughter, Celia, and a son, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen syndrome, a genetic condition causing physical and developmental disabilities. When Elliot was born, Craig’s career was taking off with How I Met Your Mother. “I was living an hour drama show at home and then driving to work and doing a sitcom,” Craig says. His upcoming novel, That’s Not How It Happened, is based in part on his family’s experience. If you heard our series on the resurgence of the R-word, you’ll recognize Craig’s voice. The conversation with him was so good that we’re sharing more! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello Major Fans of How We Made Your Mother and welcome to another bonus episode! We are hard at work on Season Two (which will launch soon), and we want to use this space to share some appearances of the team on other great podcasts. This week, we bring you Josh Radnor’s appearance on Life in Seven Songs. What songs tell your life story? On Life in Seven Songs, we ask this question of some of the world’s most fascinating people. Through seven songs, guests reveal the milestones—and the music—that have shaped their lives. This week, we Willkommen actor and musician Josh Radnor! Josh is best known for playing Ted Mosby on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother for nearly a decade. But that success came at an unexpected cost: an identity crisis that left him feeling trapped in a character he didn’t create. In this episode, Josh talks about his formative role as the MC in his high school’s production of Cabaret, his first “almost kiss” (soundtracked by Aretha Franklin), how psychedelics helped him stay centered amidst the whirlwind of fame, and the chance encounter that launched his second career as a musician in his 40s. Here are his songs. Rocky Mountain High – John Denver Respect – Aretha Franklin Willkommen – Cabaret (Joel Grey, original cast recording) “Cabaret” All I Want – Joni Mitchell Delicate – Damien Rice Tara – Dechen Shak-Dagsay Cmon – Fred Again/Brian Eno To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig close out season one revisiting “Come On,” celebrating the show’s early confidence, playful narrator tricks, and willingness to dip into magical realism—culminating in Ted’s euphoric rain dance to keep Robin from camping with Sandy Rivers as Marshall and Lily’s relationship hits a seismic crisis over her San Francisco art fellowship. They talk about cramming emotion into 22 minutes, the power of the Block Party needle‑drop “This Modern Love,” and why grand gestures (roses!) often fail while messy, heartfelt acts can work. There are shoutouts to Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, script supervisor Janet Kagan, and the crew; a candid story about CBS urging them to be “less serialized” after season-one ratings wobbles (which they ignored and doubled down on in season two); Jordana’s tender reflection on watching Josh-as-Ted; and a fan‑letter medley about how HIMYM taught English, offered comfort, and now truly “belongs to the fans.” They tease a cool opportunity making season two “bigger and better,” thank listeners for riding along, and promise they won’t be gone long. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother PrettyLitter: Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYMRaycon: Go to buyraycon.com/YOURMOTHER to get 15% off Raycon's best-selling Everyday Earbuds! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to your How We Made Your Mother feed. Today, we are presenting an appearance by our own Craig Thomas on a podcast called Arts Educators Save the World, where successful artist sit in conversation with their mentors to talk about the importance of art, arts education, and mentorship. I produced this podcast with my lifelong friend, Erica. Last week we brought your our episode with Josh Randor and his teacher from NYU. This week, we’ve got Craig and Rob Greenberg, an experienced writer and show runner who helped Craig and Carter in the early years of HIMYM, and beyond. If you enjoy these episodes, please check out Arts Educators Save World, where guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annaleigh Ashford, Cecily Strong, Bradley Whitford, Jonathan Groff, Billy Eichner, and many, many others. Enjoy! You can find more Arts Educators Save the World episodes HERE on Apple Podcasts. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease researchAND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig break down S1E21 “Milk,” debating the title (they pitch better ones like “Mistakes” and “Fight or Flight”) and zeroing in on Lily’s panic about growing up: she secretly takes Marshall’s Fiero toward a San Francisco art opportunity, calls Ted from the roadside, and he chooses loyalty—ditching a matchmaker-arranged “perfect” date—to help his best friend, a Ted–Lily dynamic the guys really love. Meanwhile, Marshall sinks deeper into Barney’s corporate prank culture, and the matchmaker thread rekindles Ted’s feelings for Robin, capped by her late‑night rescue (and infamous bad highlights) that nudges Ted toward “I don’t want perfect; I want Robin.” They shout out Wendy the Waitress’s naming, crew cameos—including Carter & Craig as paramedics—and even the show’s long-game goat tease, plus production nuggets about staging the Fiero drive on a neighboring stage. The episode’s heartbeat is Lily’s “you only know it’s a mistake by making it” ethos, echoed by moving listener letters from Melbourne and Taiwan that tie the show’s themes to real life. GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Vessi: Meet your new favorite daily sneaker—Vessi is waterproof, ultra-comfy, and fits every part of your routine. Visit https://vessi.com/yourmother and enjoy 15% off your first pair at checkout! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we are presenting an appearance by our own Josh Radnor on a podcast called Arts Educators Save the World, where successful artists sit in conversation with their mentors to talk about the importance of art, arts education, and mentorship. Alek produced this podcast with his lifelong friend, Erica, and this is a fantastic episode with Josh and one of his teachers from NYU, Deborah Lapidus. And next week, we’ve got another episode of Arts Educators Save the World, this time with one Craig Thomas, in conversation with Rob Greenberg, who worked with Craig and Carter on How I Met Your Mother as — to quote Craig — the adult in the room. If you enjoy these episodes, please check out Arts Educators Save the World, where guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annaleigh Ashford, Cecily Strong, Bradley Whitford, Jonathan Groff, Billy Eichner, and many, many others. Enjoy! You can find more Arts Educators Save the World episodes HERE on Apple Podcasts. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease researchAND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on SpotifyCraig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “Best Prom Ever,” which features Alek’s memorable (well, to him) cameo as Todd. They reflect on the episode’s big themes—Lily’s growing doubts, the anxiety of adult commitment, and the bittersweet grief that comes with making life choices. The conversation also includes a heartfelt listener message from Jesse, a longtime trans fan of the show, which prompts a thoughtful, honest discussion about how comedy evolves, the importance of inclusive language, and owning past mistakes. The team also unpacks behind-the-scenes stories from filming the prom sequence, shares how Scooter (David Burtka) was introduced, and celebrates the first appearance of the show’s unofficial house band, The 88. Read Craig’s piece “Hollywood and the R-Word” here in the Boston Globe. GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother PrettyLitter: Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYM MeUndies: Support the show by going to meundies.com/yourmother and using my code YOURMOTHER to get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this General Questions episode following Mary the Paralegal, Josh, Craig, and Alek explore fan-submitted questions ranging from the origins of catchphrases like “Lawyered” and the logic behind character names, to deeper themes like miscommunication and the emotional cost of avoiding vulnerability. They reflect on moments from the show that became iconic (telepathic conversations, Barney’s antics, mustache-on-TV gags), and share behind-the-scenes details like how Buzz Aldrin inspired Lily’s last name. They also dive into how assumptions, pretending, and silence shaped the story of Mary the Paralegal, and how telepathy became a comedic counterpoint to all the unspoken truths. Questions Alek asks in this episode: Who came up with “Lawyered”? Was Marshall based on your friend Noah? How did you decide on the characters’ last names? What was the original idea behind “Aldrin”? What was the inspiration for the “telepathic conversation” bit? Was the “MadTV” VHS tape on purpose? How much damage do we do when we make assumptions instead of asking the hard questions? And why is pretending always easier than being vulnerable? GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode features the long-awaited guest appearance of director Pam Fryman, who helmed nearly every episode of How I Met Your Mother. Josh and Craig share stories of how Pam shaped the show’s tone, protected its emotional core, and created a supportive, joyful set culture that lasted nine seasons. They also look back at the episode “Mary the Paralegal,” reliving Sandy Rivers’ debut, Ted’s misguided date, and the first-ever “lawyered” and telepathy jokes. The group reflects on the challenges of shooting without a live audience, the benefits of breaking sitcom norms, and one outdated line they wouldn’t include today. The show opens and closes with moving fan letters that highlight just how deeply HIMYM continues to connect. GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/yourmother Vessi: Meet your new favorite daily sneaker—Vessi is waterproof, ultra-comfy, and fits every part of your routine. Visit https://vessi.com/yourmother and enjoy 15% off your first pair at checkout! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this General Questions episode following Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M., the hosts dive into the fan reactions and deeper themes behind Ted and Robin’s decisions, exploring moral ambiguity, emotional neediness, and the push-pull dynamics of late-night choices. They reflect on the enduring relevance of these situations—romantic longing, blurred boundaries, and personal regrets—and how the show’s framing device allows for layered interpretation of behavior that’s questionable but deeply human. Production details come up too, including why they didn’t shoot a costly Ashley Williams cutaway and what wedding episodes really cost. They also reflect on the end of season one, revealing how uncertain and scrappy things still felt, even after renewal. Fan Questions We Attempt to Come Close to Answering: How were the questions this week for “Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.”? Is Robin to blame, and was it written that way or left open to interpretation? Was there pushback about showing Ted in such a morally gray light? Do you feel the show’s narrator softens the blow of Ted’s behavior? What was the inspiration behind Victoria? How much did that wedding episode really cost? Were you excited or nervous approaching the end of season one? Is Buttercup a real bakery in New York? GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh and Craig dive into the season one favorite “Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.” and talk about ghost stories, juice excuses, and bad decisions made in the middle of the night. They break down why this episode feels more like a play than a sitcom, how Ted gets pulled in every direction (and lies to everyone), and why the moral center of the show still holds up. They celebrate Alexis Denisof’s perfect intro as Sandy Rivers, shout out the music choices, and read two moving fan letters about how the show helped people through hard times. GET YOUR MERCH! We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today. And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: PrettyLitter: Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYM Raycon: Go to buyraycon.com/YOURMOTHER to get 15% off Raycon's best-selling Everyday Earbuds! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices