Try This On For Size Pod

In this episode, I start by calling up last month's guest, Jason, to share about my experience trying Church on Sundays on for size (0:05). Then we bring in some old friends and colleagues of mine, Phernegize and Ricky, to discuss their creative process, since I find them both immensely creative (9:30). For this month's Dressing room, Ricky tries on for size going back to Bible Study (I know, two church themes in a row!) (19:40), while Phernegize shares her experience trying to make her life more whimsical (which I learned is really a state of mind) (31:00). Tune in next month to see which one I try on for size.

In this episode, I start by calling up last month's guest, Savi, to share about my experience trying Pilates on for size (0:00). Then we bring in two new guests, including friend of the pod & former guest, Jason, and the newcomer and my dear brother-in-law, Wilson (8:00)! This month, Wilson tells us about how he has been trying to meet his neighbors and make new connections (14:22), while Jason shares his experience reacquainting himself (and his kids) with going to church on Sundays (32:00). Tune in next month to see which one I try on for size!

To relaunch TTOFS, this Ep HAD to be jam-packed with big-time/long-time guests and friends of the pod, so we've got a four-person, two-parter here! Back in July, I had Mike Judd (aka NAHReally) and Thomas Mattera on to bat around this new concept with me, plus some new items they were trying on for size. That got me started, so this month, I had dear friends Savi Tuber and Shannon Griesser back on to discuss new parenthood (shout-out), as well as what THEY are trying on for size. Stay tuned for next month's pod when we hear, which one of theirs I tried on for size myself, plus two new guests! We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size… it is Episode 90, where we wave farewell to our friend and dear co-host, Radio Jim! This podcast is our moment to celebrate Jim, and “raise his jersey” into the TTOFS rafters. When we started Try This On For Size in December of 2015, Jim and Phil were barely friends, and that is a historical fact, no disrespect! Fast forward to 10+ years later and our friendship is deeply meaningful, as is our connection to you, our wonderful listeners!

Jim decided that 90 pods and 10 years of recording was time for him to call it quits. This may not be the end of Try This On For Size Pod, but it is definitely a moment to pause and consider where we are going from here. We appreciate all of you for your patience with this podcast over the years. You’ve stuck with us through sketchy Zoom recording equipment, questionable editing, intermittent posting, inconsistent social media use, and of course, last minute requests for you to share a vulnerable first-person story on the pod. 

TBD on what’s next… but for now, please enjoy Jim’s lovely voice one last time on the TTOFS’ digital airwaves! To close us out, we discussed where we are at (0:00), Jim’s farewell and reflections on launching and maintaining the pod (2:10), appreciations for 90 episodes (7:55), and what Jim may or may not be still trying this on for size? (11:05)

Try this on for size… It is Episode 89, with first-time guest David Selles! In this episode, we begin by hearing David’s story of finding himself in the very non-New England world of grad school friends (0:30), and by sharing how we know David and his journey to the pod (4:00)! We then share ‘Where are we at?’ (5:30), before diving into our main topic: exploring pain and growth (15:00). We discuss our growing pains in 2025 (16:20) and incidentally hit a few distinct questions along the way. Are we just creating artificial growing pains (18:50)? Do we have an inner need to grow (21:40)? Do we need better processes for discernment to identify where we need to grow (25:00)? What’s the difference between monotonous pain and new stretch zones (28:30)? Is some growth contrived (35:00)? What are we nostalgic for (43:35)? And what growing pains should we consider undertaking before becoming parents (46:00)? Lastly, as always, we close with The Dressing Room (48:50) and some things to try on for size in the new year! We hope you enjoy :)

Try this on for size… it is Episode 88 with Ricky Richardson! We begin with Ricky’s first person story of finding connection in another country (0:45). We then welcome Ricky back to the pod for his illustrious 4th time (6:45)! We discuss where we are all at? (18:00) before going on a short video podcast rant. For our main topic, we discuss "Distance" (20:00), including questions such as, are we feeling distant or proximate to world issues (21:00), how is it showing up in our bodies? (26:00), are we consenting to the onslaught of news? (29:00), what is our need to “disconnect?” (35:00), are there ways to balance distance? (38:45), can we solve it by talking to people about it? (47:30), and what is our agency and choice in the matter? (52:00). We of course close with our Dressing Room and some things to Try On For Size this quarter (1:00:00)! As always we hope you enjoy :)

Try this on for size… Episode 87 Part 2, featuring Judd, Shami, Loretta, and Katherine! In this pod, our third group shares where they were in 2015 (1:20), and incidentally the TTOFS Podcast origin story (5:15). For advice to our younger selves, our multi-timer crew shares insights on leaning into your commitments, telling your younger self you look hot, expanding/retaining/exploring, reading books on feminism, traveling more, and developing your emotional IQ (7:20) #jampacked. Then we look forward and have some laughs along the way, discussing how to make thoughtful commitments, carve out space to do nothing, create/be disciplined/run, resist capitalism and productivity, pamper and practice self-compassion, skin care routines, and follow creative pursuits (19:45). We then close with a little bonus appreciation addendum from our two podcast hosts as the music fades out (43:30). We love you all more than you know!

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 87 Part 1, featuring Meg, Sarah, Chris, Thomas, Evan, and Chrissy! In this celebration of 10 years of podcast recording (first time not on questionable sound equipment), we first share where Meg, Sarah, and Chris were back in 2015 (2:30). Then our first group shares some much needed 2025 advice to their 2015-selves (5:15), including changing your mind, core exercises, and having all the feelings. They then look forward to what they want to try on for size by 2035 (15:45), mentioning tennis, motorcycles, parenthood, and more. Our second group of Thomas, Evan, and Chrissy then tackle the same questions (23:45), including advice on stress, stretching and doing what is in front of you (27:00), before sharing some things to try on such as new hobbies, new languages, and letting things slide more (36:45). And guess what, there’s more, because we had a part 2 podcast too!

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 86 with Claire Luchette! We are so excited to have Claire back on for a second time, and we start this episode with a harrowing tale of their winter run (0:30). Then Jim welcomes Claire back with an official intro (3:30) before sharing where we are all at (hint: we are all injured!) (4:55). Incidentally, our main topic is health, where we discuss what drives us to be healthier (15:35), our approaches to better health (19:15), being addicted to busy-ness (26:45), our mental blocks (30:15), our health routines in 2025 (36:45), self-indulgence (41:15) and some final thoughts in poetic form (47:15). As always, we close with what we are trying on for size in our Dressing Room (49:30). We hope you all enjoy it!

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 85, “The Hate.” We swear this topic is less depressing than it sounds, most notably because we welcome FIRST-TIME guest, Cam Cronin, to the pod!! In this episode, Cam starts us off with a story from his childhood (0:30) before we share the different ways we all met (2:45) (Note: This was very name drop-y for our BC folks, but Jim makes a confession at the 9:00 mark that is worth it). We then dive into our main topic, hate, by first discussing where it is showing up for us currently (10:30). Incidentally, we also discuss whether hate is just sustained anger (14:00), definitions of hate (16:45), what puts people on a path to hate (23:15), overregulation and catharsis (28:30), innate hatred (35:45), whether hate is an emotion (41:30), and the utility of hate and what it has wrought (45:15). Of course, before we get too negative, we close out with what we are Trying on For Size in our “Dressing Room” (47:15). As always, send us your feedback!