Doing the Most with Scarlet and Mitchell

#20: Staycations, Home Repair Nightmares & The Curse of Stuff-itis

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Welcome to Episode 20 of Doing the Most!
Scarlet and Mitchell are back — caffeinated, chaotic, and fresh off a “staycation” that went absolutely nothing like planned. From dreams of productivity to real-life drywall sagging, leaks, existential crises, and a whole lot of straddling in the shower (context matters, people), this episode covers it all.

In This Episode
• Staycation Expectations vs. Reality

Mitchell begins hopeful: tidy the garage, clear the studio, fix a leak, maybe even relax.
What actually happens? …Not that. At all.

Scarlet, ever the realist, focuses on laundry, exercise, meditating, drinking less, and tackling the infamous kitchen ceiling stain.

• The Great Shower Leak Saga

The shower has been leaking for months — but only if you stand in the middle (Mitchell’s “straddle technique” has been masking the problem).
Cue:

  • Misdiagnosed drain issues
  • ABS pipe mysteries
  • A two-day battle with a corroded nut
  • A ceiling cut open slightly larger than intended
  • Mitchell and his son tag-teaming tools in a cramped ceiling cavity

    • Still leaking? Yes. But less leaking. Progress?

    • The Bathtub That Hasn’t Worked Since 2021

    A flashback to Scarlet pregnant, taking a bath, and water cascading into the basement.
    Mitchell thinks he has it solved… until a new leak appears above the fix.
    Cue despair.

    • Homeownership vs. Renting — A Debate

    The couple dives into the philosophical and financial purgatory of maintaining an aging home:

    • Is owning actually worth it?
    • Would renting be easier?
    • Is equity overrated?
    • Why does every home repair require cutting a hole in something?
    • Why does Kohler call within 0.0003 seconds of you clicking submit?

      • Scarlet: Wants simplicity, maybe a rental in Portland.
      Mitchell: Wants someone else to deal with leaks, wiring, ceilings, roofs, and the existential dread of homeownership.

      • The Psychology of Stuff-itis

      Mitchell’s term for the overwhelming accumulation of things — especially in the garage.

      Symptoms include:

      • Narrowing pathways
      • Boxes that stare at you accusingly
      • Emotional spirals
      • The Peter Penguin Dance to navigate clutter
      • Romantic fantasies of a tidy workbench lifestyle that may never come

        • Scarlet, meanwhile, is unbothered: “This is a lived-in home.”

        • Holiday Spirit (Sort Of)

        They put up the Christmas tree early because their son remembered a promise.
        Does it feel festive? Hard to say.
        Does the house still leak? Yes.

        • What They’re Watching

        PLUR1BUS on Apple TV+ (Rhea Seehorn + Vince Gilligan)
        Four Seasons — comedy perfection for couples who argue about chores and plumbing.

        • Haircut Anxiety: The Final Act

        Mitchell vents about:

        • Barbers who don’t use enough clipper pressure
        • The sacred ear-crease hairs
        • The delicate dance of returning to a barbershop without offending anyone
        • The elusive search for someone who cuts firmly and consistently
        • The emotional trauma of switching stylists
          Scarlet: “Maybe just… tell them what you like?”
          • Favorite Moments
          • “Straddle the drain so it doesn’t leak!”
          • “Do the Peter Penguin Dance to get to the workbench.”
          • “This staycation stole my soul.”
          • “You romanticize everything.”
          • “If you know a good plumber… please send help.”
            • Call to Action

            Have thoughts on renting vs. owning? Send us your feedback!
            DM us on Instagram or TikTok: @lescatsplease
            Find full episodes and clips on YouTube: @lescatsplease

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            Doing the Most with Scarlet and MitchellBy Mitchell Milliron