Josh and Craig revisit “Slapsgiving,” one of the series’ most beloved episodes, beginning with the latest—and perhaps fiercest yet—chapter in the battle between producer Alek Lev and his childhood best friend Joel over who truly invented the legendary “Major General” salute. (Alek did. He can say that now because he’s writing these show notes.) From there, they celebrate Matt Kuhn’s script, Orson Bean’s unforgettable guest performance as Bob, and how the episode balances outrageous comedy with genuine emotional stakes as Ted and Robin struggle to figure out whether they can really stay friends after their breakup. They also reflect on Jason Segel’s iconic “You Just Got Slapped” song, the episode’s many classic running gags, and how How I Met Your Mother created its own shared language that fans still use today. The episode closes with a thoughtful listener letter about how different characters resonate at different stages of life—from Barney in youth, to Ted while searching for love, to Marshall and Lily in marriage—highlighting the show’s remarkable ability to grow alongside its audience.  

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Josh and Craig revisit “Spoiler Alert” (Season 3, Episode 8), breaking down the episode’s central idea: how one pointed-out flaw can permanently change the way you see someone. They discuss the ethics of telling friends uncomfortable truths, the surprisingly philosophical themes of love and acceptance, and how the episode’s two mysteries—Kathy’s endless talking and Marshall’s forgotten bar exam password—fit together so elegantly. Along the way, Josh reflects on feeling personally exposed by Ted’s “intellectual snob” characterization, Craig shares behind-the-scenes stories about Stephen Lloyd’s writing, Jason Segel’s improvised songs, and the episode’s memorable sound design, and the conversation closes with a thoughtful listener letter about why How I Met Your Mother has always felt like storytelling rooted in genuine care rather than simply making people laugh.

And read WHY YOU WILL MARRY THE WRONG PERSON

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In this deeply personal bonus episode, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas pause their Season 3 rewatch to revisit the life-changing summer between Seasons 2 and 3 of How I Met Your Mother. Josh opens up about struggling with the pressures of sudden fame, his increasing reliance on alcohol, and how transformative ayahuasca journeys to Brazil and Colombia led him to stop drinking and return to the show feeling calmer, more grounded, and better equipped to embrace his role as Ted Mosby. Craig then shares the heartbreaking story of his son Elliot’s birth, the terrifying weeks spent in the NICU, Elliot’s life-saving open-heart surgery, and his diagnosis with the rare genetic condition Jacobsen syndrome. The two reflect on how those parallel journeys profoundly shaped Season 3, their friendship, and the emotional core of the series, discussing themes of unconditional love, vulnerability, parenthood, finding community, and how life’s hardest moments can ultimately lead to unexpected purpose. 

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Josh and Craig dive into Season 3’s “Dowisetrepla” with a conversation that ranges from real estate disasters to the magic of New York City. They discuss how the episode serves as a continuation of Marshall and Lily’s financial crisis from the previous week, exploring Lily’s hidden credit card debt, the couple’s impulsive apartment purchase, and why the storyline feels so grounded and emotionally real. They praise Alyson Hannigan’s performance as a guilty, panicked Lily, reflect on the stresses of buying property, and share personal stories about their own New York apartments. The hosts also revisit Ted’s CSI-inspired detective work, Barney’s surprisingly dark apartment scheme, and the enduring appeal of the show’s uniquely New York mythology. Along the way, they celebrate writer Brenda Hsueh’s work on the episode and her later success at Pixar, reminisce about other HIMYM writers’ post-show accomplishments, and end with a listener letter about friendship, chosen family, and finding unexpected new chapters in life.  

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In this bonus episode, Josh and Craig finally get the chance to sit down with John Cho, who played the delightfully manipulative Jefferson Coatsworth in “I’m Not That Guy.” What starts as a discussion of his HIMYM guest appearance turns into a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, acting, and career longevity. John shares why he loved playing a charming villain, reflects on the unique rhythm of HIMYM’s writing and production style, and compares it to traditional sitcoms filmed before a live audience. The three also revisit their early days in Hollywood, discuss rejection, resilience, and the unpredictable paths creative careers take, and explore how success often comes from following opportunities rather than trying to control every step. It’s a thoughtful, funny conversation about craft, friendship, and the lessons that only become clear when you look back.

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Josh and Craig dive into Season 3, Episode 6, “I’m Not That Guy,” and find a surprisingly rich episode hiding beneath the jokes. They discuss Jonathan Groff’s first credited HIMYM script (the writer, not the actor), Marshall’s struggle between environmental idealism and financial security, Lily’s secret credit-card debt and how unusual it was to make her the one in the wrong, and Ted’s bizarre discovery that a porn actor has adopted his name as a tribute. Along the way, they reflect on money as a real concern for twenty-somethings, the challenges of finding your path after college, Josh’s own early Hollywood setback, and the way HIMYM tried to let life continue from episode to episode instead of resetting every week. The episode also includes a bonus excerpt from a later interview with John Cho, who talks about playing the charmingly evil Jefferson Coatsworth, working without a studio audience, and why HIMYM’s dense joke-writing stood out. Craig also shares the real-life inspiration for Marshall’s environmental-law storyline, drawn from college friend Noah Garrison, while the episode opens and closes with emotional listener messages that lead to discussions of congenital heart disease research and Craig’s novel, That’s Not How It Happened.

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Josh and Craig are joined by writer and producer Gloria Calderón Kellett to discuss “How I Met Everyone Else,” one of the most mythology-rich episodes of the series. Gloria shares the origins of fan-favorite ideas like Blah Blah, the sandwich euphemism, the Hot/Crazy Scale, and the various “how we met” stories that flesh out the gang’s shared history. The conversation explores the episode’s use of Ted as an unreliable narrator, the challenge of building authentic long-term relationships through Marshall and Lily, and the many real-life experiences that inspired the show’s stories. They also reminisce about working with future filmmaking superstar Phil Lord, Abby Spencer’s memorable guest appearance, the early days of the writers’ room, and how HIMYM captured a generation’s experiences with friendship, dating, and growing up. The episode closes with a heartfelt listener letter about a mother who bonded with her sons through the show over many years, underscoring the lasting emotional impact of both the series and the podcast.

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Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig revisit Season 3’s “Little Boys,” written by Courtney Kang, and talk about Ted’s unusually confident single-guy era, Barney’s wildly manipulative plan to outplay Ted, and Robin’s hysterical fear of children while dating a dad from Lily’s kindergarten class. They spend a lot of time praising Cobie Smulders’ growing comedic confidence, point out hidden Ghostbusters references in the episode, laugh about accidentally mentioning subprime lenders before the 2008 financial crash, and reflect on the awkwardness of acting and performing comedy on set. The episode ends with a heartfelt letter from a fan who explains how How I Met Your Mother helped her through loneliness, college, heartbreak, and eventually finding love.

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This Instagram Live bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother features Josh Radnor answering fan questions with producer Alek Lev. Josh reflects on rediscovering the show while rewatching it with his wife Jordana, including how his relationship with fans has changed now that he sees the series more from their perspective. They also talk about specific behind-the-scenes details—like the blue French horn prop that Josh kept from the set—and discuss memorable guest stars such as Martin Short. The conversation ranges widely, touching on music used in the show (including Belle and Sebastian and Iggy Pop), the origin of the rewatch podcast, advice about breaking into film and television today, and how How I Met Your Mother has helped viewers through difficult moments in their lives. The episode closes with a more philosophical discussion about memory, nostalgia, and how revisiting the show years later reveals new meaning in both the series and the lives of the people who made it. 

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Josh and Craig are joined by Dave Hemmingson to revisit “Third Wheel,” the Season 3 fan-favorite where newly single Ted unexpectedly finds himself navigating the possibility of a threesome with returning guest stars Busy Philipps and Danica McKellar. Dave talks about joining the writers’ room during a pivotal moment for the series, helping launch the “free-range Ted” era after the Robin breakup, and crafting the episode’s frantic, almost real-time energy inspired by farce and physical comedy. The group digs into Barney’s surprising vulnerability, Marshall and Lily’s enthusiastic “mission control” support of Ted’s big night, the origins of the tramp stamp storyline, and whether Ted actually “won the belt.” Along the way, they reflect on why the episode still works: balancing absurd comedy, emotional honesty, and one of the weirdly sweetest stories HIMYM ever told.

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FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES:

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AND MORE:

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