Episodios

  • How We Stabbed Lily | S1E8 "The Duel"

    How We Stabbed Lily | S1E8 "The Duel"
    May 12 2025
    In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Duel,” where Ted, Marshall, and Lily wrestle—literally and emotionally—with what it means to grow up without growing apart. From the iconic sword fight to Barney’s very first attempt at making a “thing” with the Lemon Law, the episode explores fear of change, nostalgia, and the dream of keeping your friends close as life pulls you in different directions. They also discuss how objects carry emotional meaning in HIMYM’s storytelling, the mystical character of New York City, and the very real inspiration behind Shockey the coffee maker. 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: HelloFresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/YOURMOTHER10FM now to get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life. Car Gurus: Buy or sell your next car today with Car Gurus at cargurus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 4 m
  • General Questions | S1E7 "Matchmaker"

    General Questions | S1E7 "Matchmaker"
    May 8 2025
    In this General Questions bonus episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek answer listener questions inspired by “Matchmaker” and the legendary cockamouse. They share memories of life on set—from forgotten script pages to candy carts—and reflect on the ecosystem of people who brought HIMYM to life behind the scenes. The conversation also explores the inspiration behind the matchmaking plot, how Robin’s job helped shrink New York into a small-town setting, and why characters like Ted become verbs among close friends. Plus, they tackle the fan-favorite topic of spoilers (or avoiding them), and reveal whether they ever had an emergency plan to end the series early. Questions We Try to Answer: What’s life like on a sitcom set day-to-day? Did anyone ever try to hide script pages in props or pockets? How did the crew, like the script supervisor, help actors stay on track? What’s the story behind the candy cart and other Fox lot traditions? How did you balance screen time and prep with phones creeping onto set? Was the matchmaking plot based on anyone’s real-life experience? Did this matchmaking service actually exist, and did anyone try it? What made Robin’s job as a local reporter such a useful storytelling tool? Why does Robin’s news fluff piece feel so personal and charming? Why does turning New York into a small town make the show more relatable? Where did the phrase “Tedding out” come from, and what does it mean to the characters? Did the group using Ted’s name as a verb feel affectionate or mocking? Was there ever an emergency plan to wrap the show early if it got canceled 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 Advertising inquiries:hwmym@wearebv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 m
  • How We Met Our Match | S1E7 "Matchmaker"

    How We Met Our Match | S1E7 "Matchmaker"
    May 5 2025
    In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit HIMYM Season 1, Episode 7: “Matchmaker.” They break down the hilarious and heartfelt collision of fate and data as Ted tries a professional dating service and meets Camryn Manheim’s character, Ellen, the no-nonsense matchmaker who delivers one of the most memorable guest turns in early HIMYM. They discuss how her storyline puts Ted’s romantic optimism to the test, while Marshall and Lily face off with the mysterious cockamouse in a B-story that has since become a fan favorite. From the real-life origin of the cockamouse to the timeless theme of belief vs. logic, this episode balances absurdity with emotional truth—and gives a nostalgic look at dating before apps took over Check out THIS AMERICAN LIFE episode 766: “Math or Magic.” And JOIN THE FAN FACEBOOK GROUP! 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/HWMYM and enjoy 15% off your first pair at checkout! Betterhelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother Advertising inquiries:hwmym@wearebv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 2 m
  • General Questions | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"

    General Questions | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"
    May 1 2025
    In this bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek dive into the Season 1 fan-favorite episode “The Slutty Pumpkin.” They revisit how the show used Ted’s bizarre romantic traditions to explore themes of hope, faith, and emotional resilience. The conversation also highlights Robin’s struggle with intimacy, the early signs of attachment theory at work in the writing, and the growing chemistry between the cast. They reflect on iconic bits like Marshmallow and Lilypad, Ted’s loud love for a cappella, and the origins of one of the series’ best music moments featuring Nada Surf. Plus: behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Jason Segel’s eyeliner, Neil Patrick Harris’s fire tricks, and a moment of self-examination around the episode’s more dated jokes. General Questions o’ The Week Was Marshall’s dance outlined in the script or mostly improvised? How much improv or ad-libbing happened on How I Met Your Mother? Did being a writer help you stay focused on acting without wanting to rewrite lines? Did Josh invent the “grabbing the heart” move or was it scripted? Who kept Barney’s Mylar silver club shirt? How do you feel now about the scene where Marshall and Lily jump out the window—does it break reality? Was that moment the beginning of using Future Ted as an unreliable narrator? Was Lily’s feeling about “having to grow up” based on real-life experience? When did you realize you’d crossed the line from youth into adulthood? What’s on your personal “Okay Awesome” list—things you’re supposed to like but secretly hate? 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 Advertising inquiries:hwmym@wearebv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 m
  • How We Stayed Up All Night | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"

    How We Stayed Up All Night | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"
    Apr 28 2025
    In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Slutty Pumpkin,” a fan-favorite early episode of HIMYM written by Brenda Hsueh. They explore how the episode deepens Ted and Robin’s characters—Ted’s relentless romantic hopefulness and Robin’s fear of losing her independence—while also setting up major relationship themes that carry through the series. They reflect on the inspiration behind Ted’s ritualistic loyalty to the pumpkin party, the show’s early use of attachment theory (before it was trendy), the origins of classic bits like Marshmallow and Lilypad, and why Ted’s unreasonable optimism often becomes his superpower. Plus, they share behind-the-scenes stories about Jason Segel’s eyeliner, Neil Patrick Harris’s love of magic props, and the surprising indie rock influences that shaped the emotional tone of the series. 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: Nutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol at nutrafol.com and use the code YOURMOTHER PrettyLitter - Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYM Advertising inquiries: hwmym@wearebv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 m
  • General Questions | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"

    General Questions | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"
    Apr 24 2025
    In this bonus General Questions episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek answer fan-submitted questions about “Okay Awesome,” diving into Marshall’s dance moves, the role of improv in the show, and the legacy of HIMYM props. They also explore the emotional roots of the episode’s themes—like fear of adulthood and holding on to youthful joy—and reflect on how memory, nostalgia, and storytelling shape the way we grow up. Plus, an all-time great listener question from Maya Rupert inspires a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about each host’s personal “Okay Awesome” list: things everyone is supposed to love… but they just don’t. Questions We Try to Answer: Was Marshall’s dance outlined in the script or mostly improvised? How much improv or ad-libbing happened on HIMYM? Did being a writer help Josh and Jason stay focused on acting? Did Josh invent the “grabbing the heart” gesture, or was it scripted? Who kept Barney’s silver club shirt, and what happened to the props after the show ended? How do you feel about Marshall and Lily jumping out the window—does that break the reality of the show? Was that moment a turning point for how HIMYM used the narrator to play with memory? Was Lily’s storyline about growing up based on real experience? At what moment did you realize you had passed from the joy of youth into adulthood? What’s on your personal “Okay Awesome” list—things you’re supposed to like, but don’t? 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 Advertising inquiries: hwmym@wearebv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 m
  • How We Couldn't Hear You | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"

    How We Couldn't Hear You | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"
    Apr 21 2025
    In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig take a deep dive into “Okay Awesome,” HIMYM’s first “club episode” and the debut script of longtime writer Chris Harris. They revisit the origin of the show’s loudest joke—the nightclub subtitles gag—and reflect on the real-life friendship themes that drive the plot, as Marshall and Ted struggle to stay connected across diverging life paths. They also discuss Robin’s need for validation, the debut of HIMYM’s iconic narrative tricks, the magic of Jason Segel’s dance moves, and why Alyson Hannigan’s Lily might be the show’s emotional center. It’s a loud, fast, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt look at what HIMYM was always about: holding onto your people as life pulls you in new directions. (Or at least that’s what ChatGPT thinks this episode is about.) 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 Advertising inquiries: hwmym@wearebv.com AND IN CASE IT HELPS: 03:11 The Impact of Fan Testimonials 06:02 Celebrating Chris Harris and the Writing Process 10:04 Narrative Techniques and Humor in Storytelling 12:57 Exploring Themes of Friendship and Connection 23:02 The Role of Humor in Relationships 24:15 The Art of Unique Line Readings 32:34 Navigating Success and Friendship in Your 20s 38:06 Emotional Conversations and Growth 42:39 The Heart of the Show: Friendship and Connection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 m
  • General Questions | S1E4 "Return of the Shirt"

    General Questions | S1E4 "Return of the Shirt"
    Apr 17 2025
    In this General Questions bonus episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek field fan-submitted questions all about Season 1, Episode 4: “Return of the Shirt.” They dig into nostalgia, memory, and what it means to go back to a past relationship—or a past version of yourself. The conversation also covers the symbolism of “the shirt,” how wardrobe choices are made, and the deeper meaning of memory in both life and storytelling. They explore how music shapes emotional memory, revisit HIMYM’s digital side quests (RIP, Barney’s Blog), and wrestle with one line that hasn’t aged well. Plus, sock monkeys, Bell and Sebastian, and why it might be time to resurrect some very 2005-era websites. Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode: As you’re rewatching, is it strange to watch yourself interact with everyone before you actually knew them well? How much input did you both have on clothing choices throughout the rest of the show? How many days does the costume department have between getting the script and needing wardrobe ready to go? Do you think nostalgia makes us see past relationships in a better light than they actually were? What are your thoughts on how memory shapes what we remember about our lives and relationships? Is what we’re watching the actual story Ted tells his kids, or are we seeing a more unfiltered version? How did you choose the music for the show, and what are your musical influences? Why were all the websites from the show taken down, and will they ever come back? How do you feel now about the “beat up by a girl” joke at the end of the episode? 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 Advertising inquiries: hwmym@wearebv.com AND IN CASE IT HELPS: 02:00 Engaging with Fan Questions 03:35 Exploring Actor Relationships 05:30 Costume Design Insights 07:58 Production Flow and Challenges 15:22 The Nostalgia Trap: Yearning for the Past 18:06 Memory and Storytelling: The Unreliable Narrator 21:57 The Role of Music in Memory and Life 28:01 The Digital Footprint: Lost Websites and Fan Engagement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 m
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