How We Made Your Mother

Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas kick off Season 4 with “Do I Know You?,” revisiting Ted and Stella’s engagement and the question at the heart of the episode: how well do you really need to know someone before deciding to marry them? They dig into the now-iconic “Star Wars test,” Ted’s anxiety over whether Stella will love the things he loves, and the larger challenge of accepting that your partner won’t always share your tastes. They also explore Barney’s newly revealed feelings for Robin, Lily’s role as his emotional coach, and Neil Patrick Harris’s remarkable physical comedy, while celebrating Sarah Chalke’s chemistry with Josh and her very specific technique for a perfect pratfall. Along the way, Josh and Craig talk about the hidden craft behind seemingly effortless acting, why everyone feels so comfortably inside their characters by Season 4, and the season that earned How I Met Your Mother its only Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy nomination. Plus, Josh remembers realizing at the Emmys that every camera was…

Josh and Craig close out Season 3 with director Pamela Fryman to revisit “Miracles,” an episode about fate, near-death experiences, and the universe’s uncanny way of pushing people back toward one another. Pam remembers the extraordinary teamwork required to produce nine episodes in eleven weeks after the writers’ strike, while Josh and Craig unpack Ted’s car accident, Barney’s collision with a bus, Ted and Barney’s reconciliation, and Ted’s impulsive proposal to Stella. Chris Harris reveals the painfully true story behind the pencil-up-Barney’s-nose gag, and the trio discuss Neil Patrick Harris’s commitment, Sarah Chalke’s arrival, the episode’s memorable Radiohead and Replacements needle drops, and Pam’s daughters’ hidden cameo. Plus, Josh’s wife Jordana shares what it was like watching him rediscover the series, Pam reflects on the crew’s lasting family bond, and a listener explains how How I Met Your Mother became the soundtrack to his family’s life.-CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your…

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Josh and Craig revisit Season 3, Episode 19, “Everything Must Go,” and Josh makes a rare confession: he didn’t love this one — especially Ted’s inexplicable devotion to those red cowboy boots. Craig explains how the episode emerged from the post-Writers’ Strike scramble to produce nine episodes in eleven weeks, resulting in a slightly chaotic collection of stories that nevertheless gave us Britney Spears’ hilarious return as Abby, Lily discovering an unexpected audience for her paintings, and some now-iconic HIMYM moments. They also reveal the remarkable real-life story behind MarshallandLilySellTheirStuff.com, where props and costumes from the show were auctioned to raise nearly $24,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, remember guest stars Larry Wilmore and UCB legend Matt Besser, and celebrate the music that helped give Lily’s story its heart. Plus: Knicks mania in New York, the lost art of experiencing pop culture together, and a moving listener letter that sparks a conversation about masculinity,…

Josh and Craig revisit “Rebound Bro,” the post–writers’ strike episode that sends Barney searching for a new wingman after his breakup with Ted — and finds the perfect sad-sack replacement in Randy Wharmpess, played by the incomparable Will Forte. They talk about Forte’s unique mix of sweetness and insanity, Barney and Randy’s surprisingly romantic dynamic, and how the episode’s comedy grows out of Barney’s very real heartbreak. Meanwhile, Ted learns Stella hasn’t had sex in five years, setting off a debate about trust, intimacy, and whether Ted was wrong to tell Marshall and Lily. Plus: Sarah Chalke’s incredible laugh, the frantic pace of producing the final nine episodes of Season 3 after the strike, “sweaty” sitcom plot mechanics, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, Geraldine Ferraro, Nell Carter, the TV reruns that raised a generation of comedy writers, and what Rocky can teach us about Barney Stinson.CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktok-READ JOSH’S…

From the Emmy-nominated co-creator and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, Craig Thomas’s debut novel, THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED, is a smart, funny, bighearted story about a family turned upside down after Hollywood decides to make a movie version of their lives. Told through the shifting perspectives of Paige, Rob, Emmett, and Darcy, a flawed, funny, complicated family is forced to confront past wounds and present betrayals—and questions about how we think and talk about disability, how our stories get told (and who gets to tell them), and how love stories can come in many different shapes and sizes. We’re presenting, free, the first chapter of the audiobook, narrated by Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders, Marli Watson, and Kevin Iannucci. -Hear Chapter One here, then get the complete audiobook and keep listening.-CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktok-READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERE-CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!Head over to CRAIG’S…

Josh and Craig revisit Season 3, Episode 17, “The Goat,” which, despite its title and Future Ted’s spectacularly unreliable memory, is really about the breakup of Ted and Barney’s friendship after Barney sleeps with Robin. They dig into Barney’s guilt, Marshall’s attempt to find a loophole in the sacred Bro Code, Ted’s surprisingly brutal reaction, and the growing connection between Barney and Robin that had been quietly building throughout the season. Craig recalls why the writers decided to make such a huge story move in Season 3 and how the frantic post-WGA-strike schedule pushed them to take some of the show’s biggest creative swings. They also talk about friendship breakups being every bit as painful as romantic ones, the creation of the real-life bestselling Bro Code, Barney’s mysterious job, the goat story that technically hasn’t happened yet, and the show’s fascination with memory and time. Plus, longtime second second AD Chris Hissong looks back on nine seasons of wrangling the enormous and often…

For everyone who has found How We Made Your Mother in the last few weeks, maybe from our episodes with Sarah Chalke and Bob Odenkirk, we just wanted to drop our original rewatch of the HIMYM pilot. And if you are enjoying this look back with Josh and Craig, please follow in your podcast app of choice and start from the very beginning. -Here are the O.G. show notes…-This week, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas kick off the official rewatch of the PILOT episode of How I Met Your Mother! They reflect on the origin of the series, the narrative complexity of the show’s storytelling, and the way the pilot sets up the entire series—from Ted’s romantic optimism to Barney’s legendary schemes.-They also revisit memories from filming, discuss the impact of the show’s themes on fans, and answer the big question: If they could rename the first episode, what would it be?-CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktok-READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERE-CRAIG’S…

Josh and Craig revisit “Sandcastles in the Sand,” exploring the very real phenomenon of “revertigo,” Robin’s transformation around her gloriously awful ex-boyfriend Simon, and James Van Der Beek’s hilarious, deeply committed performance. Cobie Smulders shares memories of filming the star-studded music video with Van Der Beek, Alan Thicke, and Tiffany, while Craig reveals the surprisingly emotional story behind writing the song—with help from his one-year-old son, Elliot. Plus: the origins of “Murder Train,” the introduction of Punchy, Robin and Barney’s shared emotional armor, and the kiss that launches the final stretch of Season 3.Listen to HOW I MET YOUR MUSIC on Apple Music or Spotify.CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERECRAIG’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…

Josh and Craig revisit Season 3’s “The Chain of Screaming,” an episode about work, money, dignity, and the question of whether we pass anger down the line or choose to break the cycle. Then they’re joined by the great Bob Odenkirk, who looks back on playing Artillery Arthur, explains how a HIMYM scheduling conflict inadvertently helped lead to the creation of Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad, and remembers being genuinely surprised by the warmth and enthusiasm of the HIMYM set. The conversation expands into creativity and the value of limitations, why writers are always working even when they appear to be doing nothing, Spielberg’s love of problem-solving on set, and Bob’s evolution from comedy into drama. They also talk candidly about fame, ambition, knowing when “more” isn’t necessarily better, and parenthood—including Bob’s moving reflections on missing the years when his children were young and recognizing the rare moments when grown children are ready to hear a little hard-earned wisdom from their…

Josh and Craig welcome writer Joe Kelly for a lively look back at “The Bracket,” Joe’s very first How I Met Your Mother episode. They reminisce about Joe joining the staff just before the Writers Guild strike, the frantic race to restart production afterward, and how the episode evolved into one of the show’s most memorable Barney stories. Joe reflects on learning to balance broad comedy with emotional storytelling—a lesson that later shaped Ted Lasso and Detroiters—while Craig and Josh discuss building the writers’ room, crafting Barney’s outrageous persona without losing audience sympathy, and turning a March Madness promotion into a mystery episode. They also dive into behind-the-scenes stories about the show’s collaborative writing process, memorable jokes, the creation of TedMosbyIsAJerk.com, and how the pressure of the post-strike schedule forced everyone to trust their instincts, resulting in one of Season 3’s funniest and most ambitious episodes.CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your…

Josh and Craig are joined by Sarah Chalke to revisit “Ten Sessions,” one of the series’ most beloved episodes, and the conversation is every bit as joyful as the episode itself. Sarah shares behind-the-scenes stories about being cast at the last minute, balancing Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother simultaneously, and filming the iconic two-minute date, while Josh and Craig reflect on emerging from the Writers Guild strike, welcoming Britney Spears to the show, and why the episode became such a perfect blend of inventive storytelling, heartfelt romance, and rapid-fire comedy. They also reminisce about the extraordinary chemistry that made Ted and Stella’s relationship work, celebrate the cast and crew’s intricate choreography behind the episode’s biggest moments, and explore why “Ten Sessions” remains one of the defining episodes of the series. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERECRAIG’S BOOK IS…

Josh and Craig return after the three-month Writers Guild strike to revisit “No Tomorrow,” reflecting on the frantic challenge of producing the back half of Season 3 and why this episode serves as a turning point for Ted. They discuss Ted’s attempt to embrace Barney’s carefree philosophy, the importance of consequences, and how Marshall’s heartfelt intervention reminds Ted—and the audience—who he really is. Along the way, they share personal stories about moments that forced them to reevaluate their own lives, celebrate the ingenious reveal of the yellow umbrella as Ted unknowingly takes his first real step toward meeting the Mother, and explore why How I Met Your Mother is ultimately a story about becoming the person you’re meant to be before finding the love you’re meant to have.CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERECRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S…

Josh and Craig revisit “The Platinum Rule,” one of the series’ most structurally ambitious episodes, while sharing the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of how it became the only How I Met Your Mother episode produced during the 2007 Writers Guild strike. They reflect on the unusual experience of shooting without writers on set, discuss the episode’s intricate “flashback within a flashback” storytelling, and explore whether some life lessons—especially about love and relationships—can only be learned through experience. Along the way, they celebrate memorable performances from Charlene Amoia, Kristen Schaal, and Hayes MacArthur, revisit Ted’s unwavering optimism, and close with two extraordinary listener letters that examine The Platinum Rule through the lenses of psychology, storytelling, and why the show continues to provide comfort and companionship years later.Listen to EMOTIONAL CHAMP by New BuffaloCONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD…

Josh and Craig revisit “The Yips,” candidly reflecting on why they consider it one of the weaker episodes of the series while pulling back the curtain on the realities of making network television. They discuss how a corporate mandate to feature the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show shaped the story, why Barney’s crisis of confidence still offers an interesting glimpse into his past, and how production challenges—including last-minute recasting and enormous guest-star logistics—made for an unusual week on set. Along the way, they explore the balance between art and commerce, what gives How I Met Your Mother its emotional heart, and why even the episodes that don’t fully come together still reveal fascinating stories about how the series was made. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe HERECRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.SUPPORT PEDIATRIC…

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…

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 PERSONCONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD…

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…

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 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 (Send us your audio and written messages)InstagramTiktokREAD JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:Subscribe…

Josh and Craig dive into Season 3, Episode 6, “I’m Not That Guy,” and find a surprisingly rich episode hiding beneath the jokes. They discuss Jonathan Groff’s first credited HIMYM script (the writer, not the actor), Marshall’s struggle between environmental idealism and financial security, Lily’s secret credit-card debt and how unusual it was to make her the one in the wrong, and Ted’s bizarre discovery that a porn actor has adopted his name as a tribute. Along the way, they reflect on money as a real concern for twenty-somethings, the challenges of finding your path after college, Josh’s own early Hollywood setback, and the way HIMYM tried to let life continue from episode to episode instead of resetting every week. The episode also includes a bonus excerpt from a later interview with John Cho, who talks about playing the charmingly evil Jefferson Coatsworth, working without a studio audience, and why HIMYM’s dense joke-writing stood out. Craig also shares the real-life inspiration for Marshall’s…

Josh and Craig are joined by writer and producer Gloria Calderón Kellett to discuss “How I Met Everyone Else,” one of the most mythology-rich episodes of the series. Gloria shares the origins of fan-favorite ideas like Blah Blah, the sandwich euphemism, the Hot/Crazy Scale, and the various “how we met” stories that flesh out the gang’s shared history. The conversation explores the episode’s use of Ted as an unreliable narrator, the challenge of building authentic long-term relationships through Marshall and Lily, and the many real-life experiences that inspired the show’s stories. They also reminisce about working with future filmmaking superstar Phil Lord, Abby Spencer’s memorable guest appearance, the early days of the writers’ room, and how HIMYM captured a generation’s experiences with friendship, dating, and growing up. The episode closes with a heartfelt listener letter about a mother who bonded with her sons through the show over many years, underscoring the lasting emotional impact of both the series…

Josh and Craig revisit Season 3’s “Little Boys,” written by Courtney Kang, and talk about Ted’s unusually confident single-guy era, Barney’s wildly manipulative plan to outplay Ted, and Robin’s hysterical fear of children while dating a dad from Lily’s kindergarten class. They spend a lot of time praising Cobie Smulders’ growing comedic confidence, point out hidden Ghostbusters references in the episode, laugh about accidentally mentioning subprime lenders before the 2008 financial crash, and reflect on the awkwardness of acting and performing comedy on set. The episode ends with a heartfelt letter from a fan who explains how How I Met Your Mother helped her through loneliness, college, heartbreak, and eventually finding love. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram 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…

This Instagram Live bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother features Josh Radnor answering fan questions with producer Alek Lev. Josh reflects on rediscovering the show while rewatching it with his wife Jordana, including how his relationship with fans has changed now that he sees the series more from their perspective. They also talk about specific behind-the-scenes details—like the blue French horn prop that Josh kept from the set—and discuss memorable guest stars such as Martin Short. The conversation ranges widely, touching on music used in the show (including Belle and Sebastian and Iggy Pop), the origin of the rewatch podcast, advice about breaking into film and television today, and how How I Met Your Mother has helped viewers through difficult moments in their lives. The episode closes with a more philosophical discussion about memory, nostalgia, and how revisiting the show years later reveals new meaning in both the series and the lives of the people who made it. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official…

Josh and Craig are joined by Dave Hemmingson to revisit “Third Wheel,” the Season 3 fan-favorite where newly single Ted unexpectedly finds himself navigating the possibility of a threesome with returning guest stars Busy Philipps and Danica McKellar. Dave talks about joining the writers’ room during a pivotal moment for the series, helping launch the “free-range Ted” era after the Robin breakup, and crafting the episode’s frantic, almost real-time energy inspired by farce and physical comedy. The group digs into Barney’s surprising vulnerability, Marshall and Lily’s enthusiastic “mission control” support of Ted’s big night, the origins of the tramp stamp storyline, and whether Ted actually “won the belt.” Along the way, they reflect on why the episode still works: balancing absurd comedy, emotional honesty, and one of the weirdly sweetest stories HIMYM ever told. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram Tiktok READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe…

Josh and Craig talk about “We’re Not From Here,” the second half of the Gael mini-arc, and how the episode feels a little more like a classic sitcom with three separate storylines: Robin trying to make a vacation romance work in real life, Ted and Barney pretending to be tourists to pick up women, and Marshall freaking out over Lily’s “death letter.” They laugh a lot about Jason Segel’s completely committed insanity, Robin almost pulling a gun on people, Ted passionately defending New York over New Jersey, and how absurdly old they made Marshall and Lily look in the 2029 flash-forward. They also talk about Chris Harris’ writing style, Enrique Iglesias’ guest spot, and how Ted in early Season 3 is trying really hard to become less “romantic Ted” after the breakup. The episode ends with a really sweet surprise letter from producer Emily Blumberg about growing up loving HIMYM and eventually winding up working on the podcast. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)…

On another very special Bonus Episode of HWMYM, we’re bringing you a table read of Gimme Five, a second pilot that Craig and Carter (wrote not long after HIMYM ended). And once again, this pilot never got made (until now!). They co-wrote this pilot with legendary writer Peter Tolan, whose credits include The Larry Sanders Show, Rescue Me, Analyze This, Analyze That, and many more. Here's the log line: It's 1985, and Gimme Five is the number two family sitcom in America. But behind the scenes of this feel-good show is a dysfunctional workplace family on the verge of self-destruction. Showrunner Cliff McConnell must somehow keep it together and keep being funny in the midst of his newborn son's health crisis. Sharp, outrageous, and wildly funny, Gimme Five gives a behind-the-scenes look at comedy writing that feels both absurd and strangely authentic. It may also be one of the funniest pilots ever featured on Dead Pilots Society. Major Content Warning *salute* — Definitely think twice about listening to this…

Josh and Craig kick off Season 3 of How We Made Your Mother by revisiting “Wait For It,” while also reflecting on the emotionally massive hiatus between Seasons 2 and 3 of How I Met Your Mother. Craig opens up about the birth of his son Elliot and the terrifying medical challenges their family faced, while Josh talks about traveling to Brazil and Colombia, working with ayahuasca, quitting drinking, and returning to the show feeling transformed. From there, they dive into the episode itself: Ted’s breakup beard, the “winning the breakup” dynamic with Robin, Enrique Iglesias as Gael, the infamous butterfly tramp stamp, blackout Ted behavior, and how Season 3 marked a deliberate attempt to shake up Ted’s character beyond the hopeless romantic archetype. They also discuss Jason Segel’s fearless comedy instincts, behind-the-scenes stories about wardrobe, product placement (“the Cadillac of rebound guys”), the evolution of terms like “tramp stamp” and “cougar,” and why the Ted/Robin apartment-door argument remains…

On this very special Bonus Episode of HWMYM, we’re bringing you a table read of New York Mythological, a pilot that Craig and Carter wrote and sold to CBS sometime around 2015. Unfortunately, this one never got made. But we’ve got the next best thing for you here. The log line for New York Mythological - A new arrival joins the team at a museum devoted to exploring supernatural and paranormal phenomena in New York City. With kind of a How I Met Your Mother meets Ghostbusters feel, the pilot features a fantastic cast featuring Isabella Gomez (One Day at a Time, Shrinking), Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Crime 101), Alyssa Limperis (What We Do In the Shadows), Josh Fadem (The Lowdown, American Dad), Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar, Industry) Cyrina Fiallo (HIgh Potential, 911 Lonestar), Tami Sagher (Inside Amy Schumer). Follow Dead Pilots Society on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S…

Josh and Craig joined Jenna and Angela on The Office Ladies podcast to talk about their favorite cold opens from How I Met Your Mother and The Office. And so, (as we smash to credits), here we go! 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

This Instagram Live bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother features Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas answering fan questions and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from How I Met Your Mother. Early in the conversation they pause to remember James Van Der Beek, reflecting on his fearless, against-type performance in “Sandcastles in the Sand” and how generous and grounded he was when guest-starring on the show. The discussion then turns to production details—like how the crew created the show’s big rain scenes on the Fox lot using massive water rigs and blackout tarps to simulate a New York storm in sunny Los Angeles. Craig also talks about how season two intentionally reshuffled the characters—Ted and Robin as a couple, Marshall newly single, and Barney without his wingman—which opened up new stories and dynamics. Along the way they field lighter questions about things like whether someone could open a real-life bar called Puzzles, and they explain how the podcast came together after Josh started rewatching the…

Family Lore is a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates ancestral mystique. Each episode begins with a guest sharing a fascinating family legend, followed by a historical deep-dive to uncover the truth and meaning behind the tale. Available now: https://link.pscrb.fm/f0281/FLFD

This special How We Made Your Mother Instagram Live episode features producer Alek Lev in conversation with Craig Thomas, co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, centered on Craig’s novel That’s Not How It Happened. Over an intimate, wide-ranging 54-minute discussion, Craig unpacks the personal origins of the book—drawing from his experience parenting a son with a disability—while exploring language, representation, and the loneliness parents often feel navigating disability without a shared vocabulary or community. The conversation traces how those lived experiences intersected with his time on HIMYM, why he ultimately chose not to mirror his real life directly through Marshall and Lily, and how years of frustration trying to tell disability-centered stories in Hollywood led him to write a novel instead. Craig dives into the book’s multi-perspective, non-linear structure (very much in the HIMYM storytelling DNA), his commitment to avoiding both “inspiration porn” and tragedy narratives, and his goal of making…

This February 4 Instagram Live episode of How We Made Your Mother brings together Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas, and producer Alek Lev for an expansive, warm, and frequently hilarious conversation that doubles as a love letter to the show, the podcast, and the community that’s grown around both. Broadcasting at a new midday time to reach international fans, the trio talk about why they started the podcast, how listener voice notes and letters have become its emotional core, and what it’s been like revisiting How I Met Your Mother nearly two decades later. Topics range from New York winters, unrealistic sitcom apartments, long-term storytelling payoffs and accidental continuity errors, to Craig’s emotional reflections on the end of The Late Show legacy after his formative years writing for Late Show with David Letterman. Josh opens up about rediscovering pride in the series after years of distance, becoming a fan of the show himself, and how the podcast has softened his relationship with Ted Mosby and the…

Major Spoiler Warning! This episode contains major spoilers for the entire run of How I Met Your Mother, including the series finale and where the characters ultimately end up. If you haven’t finished the show yet and want to avoid spoilers, you may want to skip this one and come back later. The conversation also goes deeply into themes of grief, loss, and death, which some listeners may find emotionally heavy.  Josh and Craig share a deeply personal conversation with Jessica, a fan whose life took on unexpected parallels with the show after her husband died from a congenital heart condition shortly before the podcast launched. Jessica reflects on what the series—and especially the finale—came to mean to her after experiencing loss, while Josh and Craig talk about the show’s long-running themes of love, time, change, and the possibility of finding happiness again even after heartbreak. CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON…

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…

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…

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…

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 ⁠DearChelseaPodcast@gmail.com⁠. 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

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…

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……

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…