How to Salute Your Mother | S3E9 "Slapsgiving"

How to Salute Your Mother | S3E9 "Slapsgiving"

Josh and Craig revisit “Slapsgiving,” one of the series’ most beloved episodes, beginning with the latest—and perhaps fiercest yet—chapter in the battle between producer Alek Lev and his childhood best friend Joel over who truly invented the legendary “Major General” salute. (Alek did. He can say that now because he’s writing these show notes.) From there, they celebrate Matt Kuhn’s script, Orson Bean’s unforgettable guest performance as Bob, and how the episode balances outrageous comedy with genuine emotional stakes as Ted and Robin struggle to figure out whether they can really stay friends after their breakup. They also reflect on Jason Segel’s iconic “You Just Got Slapped” song, the episode’s many classic running gags, and how How I Met Your Mother created its own shared language that fans still use today. The episode closes with a thoughtful listener letter about how different characters resonate at different stages of life—from Barney in youth, to Ted while searching for love, to Marshall and Lily in marriage—highlighting the show’s remarkable ability to grow alongside its audience.   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website [http://www.howwemadeyourmother.com] (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howwemadeyourmother/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@howwemadeyourmother].  READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE [https://joshradnor.substack.com].  CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE [https://craigthomaswriter.com/novel] to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE [https://www.howwemadeyourmother.com/makeadifference] to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ [https://officeladies.com/] or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod [https://www.instagram.com/officeladiespod/]Follow on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@officeladiespod?_t=ZT-8y1gqTrJyOs&_r=1]. AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website [https://www.joshradnor.com]Josh on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/43jyNhxEcJZ2YbwioBjCbY]Craig’s Official Website [https://craigthomaswriter.com] (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack [https://aleklev.substack.com].

How We (Glass Shatters) | S3E8 "Spoiler Alert"

Josh and Craig revisit “Spoiler Alert” (Season 3, Episode 8), breaking down the episode’s central idea: how one pointed-out flaw can permanently change the way you see someone. They discuss the ethics of telling friends uncomfortable truths, the surprisingly philosophical themes of love and acceptance, and how the episode’s two mysteries—Kathy’s endless talking and Marshall’s forgotten bar exam password—fit together so elegantly. Along the way, Josh reflects on feeling personally exposed by Ted’s “intellectual snob” characterization, Craig shares behind-the-scenes stories about Stephen Lloyd’s writing, Jason Segel’s improvised songs, and the episode’s memorable sound design, and the conversation closes with a thoughtful listener letter about why How I Met Your Mother has always felt like storytelling rooted in genuine care rather than simply making people laugh. And read WHY YOU WILL MARRY THE WRONG PERSON [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/opinion/sunday/why-you-will-marry-the-wrong-person.html] CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website [http://www.howwemadeyourmother.com] (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howwemadeyourmother/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@howwemadeyourmother] READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE [https://joshradnor.substack.com] CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE [https://craigthomaswriter.com/novel] to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE [https://www.howwemadeyourmother.com/makeadifference] to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ [https://officeladies.com/] or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod [https://www.instagram.com/officeladiespod/]Follow on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@officeladiespod?_t=ZT-8y1gqTrJyOs&_r=1] AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website [https://www.joshradnor.com]Josh on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/43jyNhxEcJZ2YbwioBjCbY]Craig’s Official Website [https://craigthomaswriter.com] (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack [https://aleklev.substack.com]

How We Spent Our Summer [2007 Edition]

In this deeply personal bonus episode, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas pause their Season 3 rewatch to revisit the life-changing summer between Seasons 2 and 3 of How I Met Your Mother. Josh opens up about struggling with the pressures of sudden fame, his increasing reliance on alcohol, and how transformative ayahuasca journeys to Brazil and Colombia led him to stop drinking and return to the show feeling calmer, more grounded, and better equipped to embrace his role as Ted Mosby. Craig then shares the heartbreaking story of his son Elliot’s birth, the terrifying weeks spent in the NICU, Elliot’s life-saving open-heart surgery, and his diagnosis with the rare genetic condition Jacobsen syndrome. The two reflect on how those parallel journeys profoundly shaped Season 3, their friendship, and the emotional core of the series, discussing themes of unconditional love, vulnerability, parenthood, finding community, and how life’s hardest moments can ultimately lead to unexpected purpose.  CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website [http://www.howwemadeyourmother.com] (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howwemadeyourmother/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@howwemadeyourmother] READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE [https://joshradnor.substack.com] CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE [https://craigthomaswriter.com/novel] to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE [https://www.howwemadeyourmother.com/makeadifference] to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ [https://officeladies.com/] or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod [https://www.instagram.com/officeladiespod/]Follow on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@officeladiespod?_t=ZT-8y1gqTrJyOs&_r=1] AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website [https://www.joshradnor.com]Josh on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/43jyNhxEcJZ2YbwioBjCbY]Craig’s Official Website [https://craigthomaswriter.com] (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack [https://aleklev.substack.com]

How We Met the Mosby Boys | S3E7 "Dowisetrepla"

Josh and Craig dive into Season 3’s “Dowisetrepla” with a conversation that ranges from real estate disasters to the magic of New York City. They discuss how the episode serves as a continuation of Marshall and Lily’s financial crisis from the previous week, exploring Lily’s hidden credit card debt, the couple’s impulsive apartment purchase, and why the storyline feels so grounded and emotionally real. They praise Alyson Hannigan’s performance as a guilty, panicked Lily, reflect on the stresses of buying property, and share personal stories about their own New York apartments. The hosts also revisit Ted’s CSI-inspired detective work, Barney’s surprisingly dark apartment scheme, and the enduring appeal of the show’s uniquely New York mythology. Along the way, they celebrate writer Brenda Hsueh’s work on the episode and her later success at Pixar, reminisce about other HIMYM writers’ post-show accomplishments, and end with a listener letter about friendship, chosen family, and finding unexpected new chapters in life.   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website [http://www.howwemadeyourmother.com] (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howwemadeyourmother/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@howwemadeyourmother] READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE [https://joshradnor.substack.com] CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE [https://craigthomaswriter.com/novel] to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE [https://www.howwemadeyourmother.com/makeadifference] to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ [https://officeladies.com/] or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod [https://www.instagram.com/officeladiespod/]Follow on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@officeladiespod?_t=ZT-8y1gqTrJyOs&_r=1] AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website [https://www.joshradnor.com]Josh on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/43jyNhxEcJZ2YbwioBjCbY]Craig’s Official Website [https://craigthomaswriter.com] (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack [https://aleklev.substack.com]

How We Met John Cho | S3E06 "I'm Not That Guy"

In this bonus episode, Josh and Craig finally get the chance to sit down with John Cho, who played the delightfully manipulative Jefferson Coatsworth in “I’m Not That Guy.” What starts as a discussion of his HIMYM guest appearance turns into a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, acting, and career longevity. John shares why he loved playing a charming villain, reflects on the unique rhythm of HIMYM’s writing and production style, and compares it to traditional sitcoms filmed before a live audience. The three also revisit their early days in Hollywood, discuss rejection, resilience, and the unpredictable paths creative careers take, and explore how success often comes from following opportunities rather than trying to control every step. It’s a thoughtful, funny conversation about craft, friendship, and the lessons that only become clear when you look back. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website [http://www.howwemadeyourmother.com] (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howwemadeyourmother/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@howwemadeyourmother] READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE [https://joshradnor.substack.com] CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE [https://craigthomaswriter.com/novel] to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH: Click HERE [https://www.howwemadeyourmother.com/makeadifference] to learn more and donate today. FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES: Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ [https://officeladies.com/] or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod [https://www.instagram.com/officeladiespod/]Follow on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@officeladiespod?_t=ZT-8y1gqTrJyOs&_r=1] AND MORE: Josh’s Official Website [https://www.joshradnor.com]Josh on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/43jyNhxEcJZ2YbwioBjCbY]Craig’s Official Website [https://craigthomaswriter.com] (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack [https://aleklev.substack.com]