Today Mary and her friend and fellow podcaster, Amber Salhus, talk about the ladies from pop culture they'd love to hang out with -- and maybe a few they'll just admire from a distance. Did we mention your favorite female duos? Tune in to find out!

MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

• Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (from SNL)
• Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins (from Parks and Recreation)
• Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang (from Grey's Anatomy)
• The Golden Girls
• Jess Day and Cece Parekh (from New Girl)
• Rachel Green and Monica Geller (from Friends)
• Riley Matthews and Maya Hart (from Girl Meets World)
• DJ Tanner and Kimmy Gibler (from Full House)

ALSO MENTIONED:

• 10 Things I Learned about Friendship from USA's Playing House
• The Funny Girls Club & Why I Want In

AN UPDATE:

• You can watch Playing House FOR FREE on IMDB! Woohoo! (Trust me. You want to watch it.)

DON'T FORGET:

• Join The Couch on Facebook!
• Find Amber on her podcast, The Mom Wants More, and on instagram @ambersalhus!

Today Mary and her friend and fellow podcaster, Amber Salhus, talk about the ladies from pop culture they'd love to hang out with -- and maybe a few they'll just admire from a distance. Did we mention your favorite female duos? Tune in to find out!

In this episode Mary and her friend, Kristen Strong, talk about one of their favorite things: Hallmark movies and shows! Okay, really, today's topic is technically Pop Culture When You Need Something Cozy or Heartwarming. But clearly that path led straight to Hallmark, do not pass go, do not collect $200. As moms of teens and tweens, Mary and Kristen also talk about shows to watch with your kids. Tune in for all their recommendations!

MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

• When Calls the Heart (the TV series on Hallmark)
• When Calls the Heart (the book series by Janette Oke)
• Heartland (Canadian TV show available on Prime and Netflix)
• H20: Just Add Water (Australian TV show available on Prime and Netflix)
• Chesapeake Shores (the Hallmark Channel version of This is Us)
• Cedar Cove (another Hallmark show that stars Andie McDowell)
• Great British Baking Show (the ultimate warm and cozy show)
• Making It, the adorable new show from Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman

ALSO MENTIONED:

• Our deep love of Hallmark movies
• Kristen's recent big announcement

DON'T FORGET:

• Join The Couch on Facebook!
• Find Kristen at @kristenstrong on Instagram or at KristenStrong.com

In this episode Mary and her friend, Kristen Strong, talk about one of their favorite things: Hallmark movies and shows! Okay, really, today's topic is technically Pop Culture When You Need Something Cozy or Heartwarming. But clearly that path led straight to Hallmark, do not pass go, do not collect $200. As moms of teens and tweens, Mary and Kristen also talk about shows to watch with your kids.

Today Mary and her friend, Myquillyn Smith (aka, The Nester), talk about boundaries in how we consume entertainment. In other words, TV (and books and movies and everyone who says, "Oh, you've got to watch Game of Thrones!") is NOT the boss of you. Mary confesses how many times she should have just listened to Myquillyn's TV show recommendations (hello, The Goldbergs, where have you been all my life?!) – but the friends agree to disagree on reality TV set in Alaska. Wonder who loves those Alaskans and who most certainly does not? Tune in to find out!

MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

• Victoria, Poldark, and a whole bunch of other PBS and BBC shows
• Game of Thrones (the TV show, not the books)
• House Hunters International
• Jane the Virgin (you still have time to catch up before the final season airs!)
• Book of the Month Club

ALSO MENTIONED:

• Modern Mrs. Darcy's theory on eight-line edits (and the exception that we let Anne boss us about what to read)
• (in)courage (the site that originally brought Mary and Myquillyn together)

DON'T FORGET:

• Join The Couch on Facebook!
• Find Myquillyn at @thenester and Mary at @marycarver on Instagram.

Today Mary and her friend, Myquillyn Smith (aka, The Nester), talk about boundaries in how we consume entertainment. In other words, TV (and books and movies and everyone who says, “Oh, you’ve got to watch Game of Thrones!”) is NOT the boss of you. Mary confesses how many times she should have just listened to Myquillyn’s TV show recommendations (hello, The Goldbergs, where have you been all my life?!) – but the friends agree to disagree on reality TV set in Alaska.

Today Mary and her friend, Amanda White, talk about TV shows, movies, and books about spies. Yes, they know, they forgot Alias. But they mentioned a whole lot of other ones! And rabbit trails include talk about planning parties, bickering like an old married couple, and laughing 'til they cried over absolutely nothing at all. It's a good time! Join us on The Couch!

MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

• Chuck (NBC TV show)
• Gallagher Girls (YA book series by Ally Carter)
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith (the movie with Brad and Angie)
• The Expats (spy novel by Chris Pavone)
• Royally in Trouble (cozy mystery by Jenny B. Jones)

ALSO MENTIONED:

• What to Read After You Finish All of Ally Carter's Books (blog post listing tons of books about teen spies and sleuths)
• All of Amanda's best birthday parties (She is crazy creative and her parties are amazing!)

DON'T FORGET:

• Join The Couch on Facebook!
• Find Amanda at ohamanda.com and Mary at marycarver.com

Today Mary and her friend, Amanda White, talk about TV shows, movies, and books about spies. Yes, they know, they forgot Alias. But they mentioned a whole lot of other ones! And rabbit trails include talk about planning parties, bickering like an old married couple, and laughing 'til they cried over absolutely nothing at all. It's a good time! Join us on The Couch!

This episode is a short welcome from host Mary Carver and an explanation of what listeners can expect from this show. Prepare to hear nervous laughter and awkward pauses, as well as references to opening lines from famous books like Pride & Prejudice and The Martian.

Mary will explain what kind of podcast The Couch will be, who it's for, and just how much laughter listeners are going to hear in upcoming episodes. And she shares her greatest podcast hope: to be as beloved as Parks & Recreation, but not the first season, because everyone knows that was the worst.

Welcome to the Couch!

Join THE COUCH Facebook group here: http://bit.ly/thecouchonFB.

This episode is a short welcome from host Mary Carver and an explanation of what listeners can expect from this show. Prepare to hear nervous laughter and awkward pauses, as well as references to opening lines from famous books like Pride & Prejudice and The Martian.