In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Josh and Craig revisit “Belly Full of Turkey” and reflect on Lily’s hilarious but heartfelt journey into Marshall’s giant Minnesota family, while Ted, Robin, and Barney navigate their own offbeat holiday at a food shelter (and later, a strip club). They discuss Allison Hannigan’s standout performance, the visual comedy of a Brooklyn girl in a land of giants, and the deeper emotional themes of family, identity, and partnership. With behind-the-scenes stories, a moving listener letter from Australia, and insights from Jordana about in-laws and marriage, this episode blends big laughs with big feelings—just like the show always did.

GET YOUR MERCH!We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY.

CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today.

JOSH IS STILL ON TOUR!Tickets are available HERE for the final shows of the EULOGY TOUR.

And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCEDonate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:Josh’s “Museletters” on SubstackJosh’s Official WebsiteJosh on SpotifyCraig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

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In this special episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig sit down with Cobie Smulders to talk all things Robin Scherbatsky—from her early auditions and the moment Robin became Canadian to how the character evolved over nine seasons. Cobie shares what it’s like to play one of TV’s most iconic roles and how the writers wove her real-life quirks into Robin’s journey. The trio laughs through stories of whispered pre-scene obscenities, Jason Segel’s hammer pants, and the behind-the-scenes friendships that made the show feel more like a band than a sitcom.

We also announce the launch of the official How We Made Your Mother merch, starting with college-style and logo designs available on T-shirts and hoodies. Ten percent of profits support their congenital heart disease research fundraiser. Visit www.howwemadeyourmother.com/store or howyougetyourmerch.com.

We are also thrilled to announce Craig’s debut novel, That’s Not How It Happened, coming November 4. The audiobook features Josh and Cobie as co-narrators. Inspired by Craig’s experience raising a child with a rare genetic syndrome, the story is a heartfelt, funny look at family, storytelling, and inclusion. Pre-order info and donation links are available at howwemadeyourmother.com.

GET YOUR MERCH!

We’ve got HWMYM merch, which is now just a FEW CLICKS AWAY.

CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to pre-order your copy of That’s Not How It Happened today.

JOSH IS STILL ON TOUR!

Tickets are available HERE for the final shows of the EULOGY TOUR.

And if you’re a business with big orders to fulfill, Amplifier is there to help growing consumer brands and influencers create a unique experience for their customers during the fulfillment process. Visit AMPLIFIER to learn more, and name-drop How We Made Your Mother for special pricing for your emerging brand's program.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Thanks to our sponsors:

Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother

PrettyLitter: Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYM

Vessi: Meet your new favorite daily sneaker—Vessi is waterproof, ultra-comfy, and fits every part of your routine. Visit https://vessi.com/yourmother and enjoy 15% off your first pair at checkout!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this General Questions bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alec reflect on “The Duel” and answer fan questions about real-life apartments, the emotional weight of physical space, and how props like swords and Shockey came to represent bigger ideas in the show. They also dig into the origins of HIMYM’s many fictional websites, the legacy of Barney’s blog, and the writers assistants who used that material to launch their careers. The conversation blends nostalgia, comedy, and sincerity—covering everything from sentimental goodbyes to apartments, to what it’s like to stage a sitcom sword fight and why leaving a home can feel like losing a piece of yourself.

What happened to all the HIMYM websites like TedMosbyIsAJerk.com and Barney’s Blog?

Can you bring any of the old sites back?

Who actually owns those domains now?

Did writing Barney’s Blog help writers assistants get promoted?

What real-life places inspired the show’s apartments and bars?

Do you have a building from your life that will always feel like “yours”?

What was your first apartment like, and did you have objects like Shockey or the swords?

Did Craig and Carter have a shared object that symbolized their early years like the swords?

What are you doing with your apartment while you’re on tour?

Was the sword fight fully choreographed or improvised?

Were the swords always part of the set or added for this episode?

Why do we get so attached to physical spaces?

How do our props and surroundings help us feel at home?

Is there such a thing as a forever home, or is home something we carry with us?

How did the crew design a realistic but shootable New York apartment?

What was it like saying goodbye to the real stage where HIMYM was filmed?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Duel,” where Ted, Marshall, and Lily wrestle—literally and emotionally—with what it means to grow up without growing apart. From the iconic sword fight to Barney’s very first attempt at making a “thing” with the Lemon Law, the episode explores fear of change, nostalgia, and the dream of keeping your friends close as life pulls you in different directions. They also discuss how objects carry emotional meaning in HIMYM’s storytelling, the mystical character of New York City, and the very real inspiration behind Shockey the coffee maker.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

HelloFresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/YOURMOTHER10FM now to get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life.

Car Gurus: Buy or sell your next car today with Car Gurus at cargurus.com

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In this General Questions bonus episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek answer listener questions inspired by “Matchmaker” and the legendary cockamouse. They share memories of life on set—from forgotten script pages to candy carts—and reflect on the ecosystem of people who brought HIMYM to life behind the scenes. The conversation also explores the inspiration behind the matchmaking plot, how Robin’s job helped shrink New York into a small-town setting, and why characters like Ted become verbs among close friends. Plus, they tackle the fan-favorite topic of spoilers (or avoiding them), and reveal whether they ever had an emergency plan to end the series early.

Questions We Try to Answer:

What’s life like on a sitcom set day-to-day?

Did anyone ever try to hide script pages in props or pockets?

How did the crew, like the script supervisor, help actors stay on track?

What’s the story behind the candy cart and other Fox lot traditions?

How did you balance screen time and prep with phones creeping onto set?

Was the matchmaking plot based on anyone’s real-life experience?

Did this matchmaking service actually exist, and did anyone try it?

What made Robin’s job as a local reporter such a useful storytelling tool?

Why does Robin’s news fluff piece feel so personal and charming?

Why does turning New York into a small town make the show more relatable?

Where did the phrase “Tedding out” come from, and what does it mean to the characters?

Did the group using Ted’s name as a verb feel affectionate or mocking?

Was there ever an emergency plan to wrap the show early if it got canceled

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit HIMYM Season 1, Episode 7: “Matchmaker.” They break down the hilarious and heartfelt collision of fate and data as Ted tries a professional dating service and meets Camryn Manheim’s character, Ellen, the no-nonsense matchmaker who delivers one of the most memorable guest turns in early HIMYM. They discuss how her storyline puts Ted’s romantic optimism to the test, while Marshall and Lily face off with the mysterious cockamouse in a B-story that has since become a fan favorite. From the real-life origin of the cockamouse to the timeless theme of belief vs. logic, this episode balances absurdity with emotional truth—and gives a nostalgic look at dating before apps took over

Check out THIS AMERICAN LIFE episode 766: “Math or Magic.”

And JOIN THE FAN FACEBOOK GROUP!

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Vessi: Meet your new favorite daily sneaker—Vessi is waterproof, ultra-comfy, and fits every part of your routine. Visit https://vessi.com/yourmother and enjoy 15% off your first pair at checkout!

Betterhelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother

Advertising inquiries:[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek dive into the Season 1 fan-favorite episode “The Slutty Pumpkin.” They revisit how the show used Ted’s bizarre romantic traditions to explore themes of hope, faith, and emotional resilience. The conversation also highlights Robin’s struggle with intimacy, the early signs of attachment theory at work in the writing, and the growing chemistry between the cast. They reflect on iconic bits like Marshmallow and Lilypad, Ted’s loud love for a cappella, and the origins of one of the series’ best music moments featuring Nada Surf. Plus: behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Jason Segel’s eyeliner, Neil Patrick Harris’s fire tricks, and a moment of self-examination around the episode’s more dated jokes.

General Questions o’ The Week

Was Marshall’s dance outlined in the script or mostly improvised?

How much improv or ad-libbing happened on How I Met Your Mother?

Did being a writer help you stay focused on acting without wanting to rewrite lines?

Did Josh invent the “grabbing the heart” move or was it scripted?

Who kept Barney’s Mylar silver club shirt?

How do you feel now about the scene where Marshall and Lily jump out the window—does it break reality?

Was that moment the beginning of using Future Ted as an unreliable narrator?

Was Lily’s feeling about “having to grow up” based on real-life experience?

When did you realize you’d crossed the line from youth into adulthood?

What’s on your personal “Okay Awesome” list—things you’re supposed to like but secretly hate?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Slutty Pumpkin,” a fan-favorite early episode of HIMYM written by Brenda Hsueh. They explore how the episode deepens Ted and Robin’s characters—Ted’s relentless romantic hopefulness and Robin’s fear of losing her independence—while also setting up major relationship themes that carry through the series. They reflect on the inspiration behind Ted’s ritualistic loyalty to the pumpkin party, the show’s early use of attachment theory (before it was trendy), the origins of classic bits like Marshmallow and Lilypad, and why Ted’s unreasonable optimism often becomes his superpower. Plus, they share behind-the-scenes stories about Jason Segel’s eyeliner, Neil Patrick Harris’s love of magic props, and the surprising indie rock influences that shaped the emotional tone of the series.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Nutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol at nutrafol.com and use the code YOURMOTHER

PrettyLitter -  Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at prettylitter.com/HWMYM

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus General Questions episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek answer fan-submitted questions about “Okay Awesome,” diving into Marshall’s dance moves, the role of improv in the show, and the legacy of HIMYM props. They also explore the emotional roots of the episode’s themes—like fear of adulthood and holding on to youthful joy—and reflect on how memory, nostalgia, and storytelling shape the way we grow up. Plus, an all-time great listener question from Maya Rupert inspires a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about each host’s personal “Okay Awesome” list: things everyone is supposed to love… but they just don’t.

Questions We Try to Answer:

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig take a deep dive into “Okay Awesome,” HIMYM’s first “club episode” and the debut script of longtime writer Chris Harris. They revisit the origin of the show’s loudest joke—the nightclub subtitles gag—and reflect on the real-life friendship themes that drive the plot, as Marshall and Ted struggle to stay connected across diverging life paths. They also discuss Robin’s need for validation, the debut of HIMYM’s iconic narrative tricks, the magic of Jason Segel’s dance moves, and why Alyson Hannigan’s Lily might be the show’s emotional center. It’s a loud, fast, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt look at what HIMYM was always about: holding onto your people as life pulls you in new directions. (Or at least that’s what ChatGPT thinks this episode is about.)

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Mint Mobile - If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

03:11 The Impact of Fan Testimonials

06:02 Celebrating Chris Harris and the Writing Process

10:04 Narrative Techniques and Humor in Storytelling

12:57 Exploring Themes of Friendship and Connection

23:02 The Role of Humor in Relationships

24:15 The Art of Unique Line Readings

32:34 Navigating Success and Friendship in Your 20s

38:06 Emotional Conversations and Growth

42:39 The Heart of the Show: Friendship and Connection

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices