Could Be Better

Could Be Better

By Rob Conlon & J. DeweyArtsDesignHobbies
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Could Be Better episodes

  • The May 2020 Episode
    In our May 2020 episode, we are still under a "Safer At Home" mandate in our home state of New York and so we recorded this episode via Zoom video conference once again. We each make our own signature cocktail: J. does a classic vodka gimlet, partially inspired by the lemon curd tart on the cover of the May 2020 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, while Rob pulls a recipe for ginger punch from the mag's new Stylemaker column. May means Mother's Day so we cover a few ideas for a special Sunday for ya mom, and Rob invents a new tag to discuss certain magazine features. Of course, depending on where you are in the country, you may have to stay socially distant from your mother. Especially if, like Rob's mom, she mispronounces the word "peony" because you may be tired of correcting her. We notice a few changes at work in the magazine, including transitions from our usual tableaux and paint can lids, and need to mourn the loss of other features. But we'll get over it. There are more important concerns in the world right now, right? Like "why does my husband want a door from our shower to the balcony?" (PS we have a theory about that one.) Music by Bensound.com. End credits by Tim Lawton. Stay healthy, dear listeners!

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    55 min
  • The April 2020 Episode
    In this month's episode, Rob and J. are on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic of course--so we recorded this by a socially distant Zoom meeting. Thus we have two signature cocktails: a classic Mary Pickford for Rob, inspired by the Throwback feature, and J. created a "Social Distance" cocktail, a modified Greyhound. It's the color issue packed with lots of practical, hands-on tips for fixing up the home you're now trapped in. We stretch to find anything to hate once past the pink cover (which gets a pass since it's technically Easter), we love the I Did It! feature since it doesn't involve building a box, and side with the husband (of course) in a couple's makeover article. Grab your magazine and follow along--it makes for great listening while you're sheltering in place! End credits: Tim Lawton. Music by Bensound.com. Signature cocktails: the Mary Pickford and the Greyhound (with extra ingredients).

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    59 min
  • The March 2020 Episode
    In our March 2020 episode, we discuss the latest trends in home design. Or the latest popular things that are about to be overexposed. At least the houseplants are paper this time. Another plus: lots of green and nary a pink! Rob invents a Dark & Bootchie cocktail inspired by the “give up alcohol” article (as if), and Chef Tim gets sour with the Lemon Tiramisu from the recipe section. Also: caning, ferns, a Queer Eye-adjacent article, and a kitchen that makes J. proclaim “this is my favorite thing ever in this magazine!” Listen up, trendoids: things are about to get bootchie. Whatever that means. Music: Bensound.com. End credits: Tim Lawton. Recipe tasting: lemon tiramisu. Signature cocktail: Dark and Bootchie (rum and kombucha).

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    1 hr
  • The February 2020 Episode
    On this month’s episode of Could Be Better, we indulge in some speech therapy practice as J. heads towards recovery from a brain hemorrhage. Can you say “editor’s letter” without blending the sounds together? We warm up with a ginger-liqueur cider but say “tag for hate” on another outdoor entertaining suggestion. We’re in for the chocolate spice cake skewers, though. There’s a lot of food in the February issue but we do have paint can lids in mint green. A less polarizing pastel? We decide. Also: indoor gardening, another white room, and a retro 1950s room straight out of the ’70s. Get your magazine, follow along and practice your speech therapy! Signature cocktail: ginger-pear cider warmer. Music by Bensound.com. Credits by Tim Lawton.

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    1 hr
  • The January 2020 Episode
    In this episode, we field a few pressing (not really) questions from readers (not really, the editors did that) instead of the usual “New Year, New Me” features. This month we have lots of dark paint colors instead of the usual white, including a purple/blue that Rob tags for love and J. tags for hate. Yet paint can lids are in scarce supply. We range from tips on cleaning (when should I clean?) to tips on landscaping (native plants all the way) but end with a throwback feature that is too retro red for us. Signature cocktail: a Sacred Sipping Chocolate Martini. End credits: Tim Lawton. Music by Bensound.com. What’s your problem?

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    1 hr
  • The December 2019 Episode
    It's December once again and we're in the holiday spirit...and into the holiday spirits with Rob's family recipe for egg nog. We have a few glasses and dish up our opinions on the latest issue of BH&G. There's a lot of Christmas and not many of our usual features, like I Did It or paint can lids. Instead we get lots of snow-white rooms warmed by holiday colors, even some non-traditional hues which is nice. Tag for love! Tag for hate on the oversized 5th grade play decorations. Sorry we weren't into what you wrapped in a bow. Signature cocktail: egg nog. End credits by Tm Lawton. Music by Bensound.com.

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    54 min
  • The August 2019 Episode

    We're in the summer doldrums (but savoring them) so we're going shirtless for this episode! Why not enjoy a few stone fruit margaritas (inspired by the August issue's articles on peaches and plums, and how to throw an ice cream social) and hang out topless with your cohost?

    This month, we dive into beekeeping and hot beekeepers (new fetish alert!), why you should invest in your laundry room, and OCD pantry organization. The Color of the Year makes a return after a nine-month hiatus, the Editor's Letter has us nostalgic for mid-90's life in Chelsea, and a basement reno leaves us scratching our heads. Plus: we go gaga for a new feature but it's Tags for Hate on this month's wallet-busting I Did It. Oh yeah, and it's the family issue. This month's signature cocktail: the Stoned Rita Moreno (aka stone fruit margaritas). Recipe testing: savory stuffed waffles. Recipe prep by Tim Lawton. Music by Bensound. Did we mention we're shirtless?


    Subscribe and listen to all our episodes wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Or visit us online at www.couldbebetterpodcast.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @couldbebetterpodcast for all the latest news...and more shirtless pics.


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    1 hr
  • The July 2019 Episode
    In our July 2019 episode, we have a summer surprise! Special guest host Bob Brink fills in for Rob while he recuperates from a solstice cold. Bob, who also happens to be J.’s husband, is a fine wine buyer and hospitality expert. He’s also not a regular BHG magazine reader, but you know what, sometimes an honest outside opinion is refreshing…like the Sandy Bottom, a watermelon-flavored signature cocktail. We talk frankly about hot dogs, toppings (of course), where not to put your child during a magazine photo shoot, more white walls, and the biggest light fixture ever featured (size does matter). Plus: a cameo by the Queen of Tennessee and a return to crafting! So Happy Independence Day, safe travels, and let’s just call it what it is, all right? Signature cocktail: the Sandy Bottom. End credits read by Tim Lawton. Music by Bensound.com. Listen to more episodes and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at www.couldbebetterpodcast.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all our latest news. Thank you for listening!

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    1 hr
  • The June 2019 Episode
    t's LGBTQ Pride Month and Rob and J. search desperately for some signs of gay life in this month's magazine. Though there's little to be found on the pages, there's plenty of love at the bottom of their cocktail glasses (thanks to the strawberry basil smash cocktails, lifted from the recipe section). J. explains why this episode was delayed and shares a very painful housing-related memory. Rob gets tongue-tied over a supergay font but otherwise feels kinda "meh," especially about all the #whiteonwhite neo-bohemian rooms. However, everything turns out all right in the end thanks to a Tea Dance #lewk for the ages. This month's recipes: white bean dip, crispy fish open-faced sandwiches, Pimm's Cup ice pops, all prepared by Chef Tim. Theme music is by Bensound. We're now on Spotify in addition to Apple Podcasts and all your other favorite podcast listening platforms. Visit us at www.couldbebetterpodcast.com for our blog posts, videos, and more! Happy Pride!

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    59 min
  • The May 2019 Episode
    In this episode: Deception! Lies! Big baskets! Secrets revealed! But even those might be another deception. As Rob pours Kentucky Derby mint juleps made gayer with lavender and berries, J. digs up memories of a childhood dinner gone horribly wrong. (This is the Food Issue, after all.) We discuss what charities really want (NOT your #KonMari non-joyful items), what no one wants (Grandma’s silver trays), an instant classic color scheme, and another hot male gardener. (Brace yourselves for that one.) Plus, a house that’s nautical but not, kitchen countertops that Rob and J. both tag for hate, and the best I Did It yet. Signature cocktail: mint julep. Recipe tasting: five flavors of cold-oven chicken. Music by Bensound.com. Subscribe and rate us in iTunes or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Visit us on Instagram and Facebook at CouldBeBetterPodcast, and please check out our website, www.CouldBeBetterPodcast.com, for bonus content, more opinions, and videos. And please, don’t make your mother cry.

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    1 hr 1 min

About Could Be Better

From the publisher's feed

Hosts Rob Conlon and J. Dewey, two friends from New York's Hudson Valley, have a mutual love and appreciation for Better Homes & Gardens magazine. In this podcast, they pour drinks and spill the…