Highly Recommended

Since running her first marathon 18 years ago, Macenzie Rubin has run 64 more. Listen in as she talks about why she does it, how she's continued since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and her advice for anyone wanting to train for a marathon. Plus, recos for our favorite new sparkling water, a marathon website and more.

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The Conversation

How Macenzie started running marathons (3:57)

Hitting the wall during a marathon (12:57)

Why she ran the next 64 marathons (15:38)

Her goal to run in every state (19:34)

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon (27:13)

Macenzie's MS diagnosis (30:22)

Running her first marathon after her diagnosis(38:48)

Her recommendation for those wanting to run a marathon (50:14)

Recos

Jelly Belly Sparkling Water (1:00:40)

MarathonGuide.com (1:03:43)

Jumbo (1:07:35)

Jumbo is a powerful provacy assistant for iOS that cleans up your social profiles (The Verge article)

GoodReads (1:14:42)

Connect with Macenzie

Instagram: @runmacrun

Scared to tell a crush your true feelings? Shy introvert (and somehow also a podcast host) Michelle Rubin and her husband Steve Scheideman about how she found the courage to tell him she had a crush on him—plus more harrowing tales of romantic risks!

Conversation

3 Romantic Risks I Took in My Relationship

1. I shared my true feelings (13:53)
2. I spontaneously suggested we move in together (21:54)
3. I got over my fear of things ending horribly and said yes (25:11)

Recommendations for someone who is scared to take a romantic risk (31:30)

Related links

39: Like a Boss

43: Tales From a Mixed-Orientation Marriage

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Recos

1. Handmade Valentine gifts (33:20)
2. Calphalon 2-Slot Toaster (37:49)
3. 20 in 2020 (41:08)

Weigh In

What did you think of the episode? Do you have a similar story to share? Email me at [email protected]!

Kellie Kramer returns to the podcast to talk about her nine-year marriage to a gay man—plus that Dolly Parton podcast and our obsession with an elite competitive cheer squad.

The Conversation

When Kellie first heard the term "mixed-orientation marriage" (8:50)

When people make assumptions about what is going on in someone's mixed-orientation marriage (12:42)

How Kellie dealt with invasive questions about her marriage (13:11)

Recommendations for people who might learn they know someone in a mixed-orientation marriage (22:37)

Audience reaction to Kellie's story (26:46)

Recommendations for people who may have a similar story (29:08)

Related Links

34: The Cabaret Singer

36: Co-Host for Life

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Kellie Kramer: All the Good Men Are Gay, Jan. 31, Des Moines, IA

Recos

1. Dolly Parton's America (33:44)
2. Big Dreams, Daily Joys by Elise Blaha Cripe (42:07)
3. Cheer (45:44)

Weigh In

What did you think of the episode? Do you have a similar story to share? Are you obsessed with Cheer, too? Email me at [email protected]!

Happy new year! We're looking back out our favorite binge-watching recos of 2019.

Recos & Related Episodes

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (original podcast epsiode with Jenifer Linder 13) 1:30

Letterkenny (original podcast episode with Kellie Kramer) 10:40

Veronica Mars Season 4 (original podcast episode with Steve Scheideman) 21:48

Schitt's Creek (original podcast episode with Bess Jacobson) 30:00

The Boys (original episode with Christine Bertsch) 43:48

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As we get closer to the end of the decade, Jenifer Linder and Michelle Rubin reflect on the last 10 years and cover a lot of ground, from empty nesting to dealing with breast cancer and drawing strength from hard times. Full show notes at recopod.com.

Intro

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The Conversation

Attitude Readjustment Playlists (4:34)

Advances in listening to music (6:00)

What would 2010 you be most surprised about 2020 you? (8:44)

Turning 50 (10:43)

Empty nesting (14:30)

Stop waiting for the perfect time (18:32)

Learn to trust your gut (21:12)

Stop comparing yourself to others (28:10)

Dealing with breast cancer (29:46)

Drawing strength from hard times (38:20)

What brings you joy (39:52)

Recos

Michelle's favorite movies of the '10s: Begin Again and Arrival and (45:00)

Best Self 2020 Universal Calendar (48:55)

Related Episodes

03: The Double Cousin

13: The Organizer

15: The Regular

19: The Cord-Cutters

28: The Podcast Fan

Is the stress of holiday preparations getting in the way of your enjoyment of the season? Join Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman as they discuss strategies for staying merry and bright this month. Full show notes at recopod.com.

My Holiday Survival Strategies

1. Think about how you want to feel on Christmas and prioritize those things that will help you get there. (10:57)
2. Say no to myself (everything doesn't have to be perfect). (17:26)
3. Ask for help. (19:43)
4. Set boundaries and give myself sanctuary. (24:25)
5. Enjoy what's special about the holiday season. (28:58)

Recos

GiftPlanner app(32:52)

The Mandalorian (35:30)

+ Join the Reco Squad and get access to the Holiday Cheat Sheet!

"No one knows what they're doing." Tired of feeling like an imposter? Amy Ambrose shares her tips for gaining and projecting confidence—even when you're not feeling it. Find full show notes at Recopod.com.

Intro

Changes to the podcast (:40)

Introducing: The Reco Squad (2:59)

Reco Squad Giveaway (3:59)

Tips from Amy

No one knows what they're doing (11:27)

Reframing (focus on something that will make you confident) (15:46)

Asking for what you want—and dealing with the results (24:37)

What to tell yourself when you're in over your head (29:50)

How to work on confidence with your kids (31:31)

Speaking in front of a group (34:22)

Reframing yourself by joining a new organization where people don't know you 35:08)

Recos (38:13)

Dreyer's English (affiliate link) (38:20)

Documenting the books you read (44:20)

Upgrading your phone (48:58)

iPhone 11 Pro

Looking for a worthy subscription box? Jo First and Michelle Rubin chat about their experiences with the likes of FabFitFun, Dia Box, BirchBox and more. Plus, a great resource for finding the perfect crate for someone.

RECOS

FabFitFun (referral link) (2:42)

StitchFix (referral link) (10:19)

Dia & Co. (referral link) and Trunk Club (18:27)

Birchbox and Ipsy (31:56)

Cratejoy (37:22)

RELATED EPISODES

34: The Cabaret Singer

27: The Planner

01: The First

CONNECT WITH JO

Instagram: jo_1st

Wonder what it's like to be in high school these days? Is vaping really a threat? How do teenagers handle social media? Amelia Scheideman gives us the scoop and chats about what she's into right now, including YouTuber Tiffany Ferg and Lore!

Songkick (18:22)

Tiffany Ferg (22:04)

Sustainability Issues We Don't Talk About Enough

The Importance of Deleting Old Posts

Coco (29:04)

Gringo's Guide to Coco

Lore (32:40)

The World of Lore Curious Monsters

Episode 8: The Castle

Mashable's Best of the Decade Series (38:11)

In search of the best password manager app, an easy Halloween costume or a geeky Twitter account? We've got you covered this week as Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman share what's currently giving them joy.

Recos

mSecure (7:28)

Loctite Plastics Bonding System (15:26)

Unicorn Plush Mask (20:06)

Rain X (25:54)

Google Trends Twitter Account (29:39)

Related Episodes

34: The Cabaret Singer

31: The Griller

25: The Pop Culture Pundit

21: The Husband

15: The Regular