How We Made Your Mother
Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas
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Top 10 How We Made Your Mother Episodes
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General Questions | S1E8 "The Duel"
How We Made Your Mother
05/15/25 • 36 min
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
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
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Howwww We Met Ted | (S1E1) "Pilot"
How We Made Your Mother
03/24/25 • 79 min
This week, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas kick off the official rewatch of the PILOT episode of How I Met Your Mother! They reflect on the origin of the series, the narrative complexity of the show’s storytelling, and the way the pilot sets up the entire series—from Ted’s romantic optimism to Barney’s legendary schemes.
They also revisit memories from filming, discuss the impact of the show’s themes on fans, and answer the big question: If they could rename the first episode, what would it be?
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
BetterHelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother
Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother
Advertising inquiries:
AND IN CASE IT HELPS:
03:10 Antidote to Loneliness
08:59 Character Dynamics and Relationships
15:03 The Hero's Journey of Ted Mosby
21:00 The Art of Storytelling in the Pilot
27:02 The Cinematic Quality of the Pilot
39:31 Editing and Narrative Structure
43:57 Character Development and Themes
49:22 Fan Reactions and Expectations
01:01:44 The Impact of the Show on Fans
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How We Met Cobie Smulders
How We Made Your Mother
05/19/25 • 85 min
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
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
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How We Stayed Up All Night | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"
How We Made Your Mother
04/28/25 • 56 min
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
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:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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General Questions | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"
How We Made Your Mother
04/24/25 • 38 min
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:
- Was Marshall’s dance outlined in the script or mostly improvised?
- How much improv or ad-libbing happened on HIMYM?
- Did being a writer help Josh and Jason stay focused on acting?
- Did Josh invent the “grabbing the heart” gesture, or was it scripted?
- Who kept Barney’s silver club shirt, and what happened to the props after the show ended?
- How do you feel about Marshall and Lily jumping out the window—does that break the reality of the show?
- Was that moment a turning point for how HIMYM used the narrator to play with memory?
- Was Lily’s storyline about growing up based on real experience?
- At what moment did you realize you had passed from the joy of youth into adulthood?
- What’s on your personal “Okay Awesome” list—things you’re supposed to like, but don’t?
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack
Advertising inquiries:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How We Stabbed Lily | S1E8 "The Duel"
How We Made Your Mother
05/12/25 • 63 min
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How We Couldn't Hear You | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"
How We Made Your Mother
04/21/25 • 55 min
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
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:
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
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General Questions | S1E4 "Return of the Shirt"
How We Made Your Mother
04/17/25 • 38 min
In this General Questions bonus episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek field fan-submitted questions all about Season 1, Episode 4: “Return of the Shirt.” They dig into nostalgia, memory, and what it means to go back to a past relationship—or a past version of yourself. The conversation also covers the symbolism of “the shirt,” how wardrobe choices are made, and the deeper meaning of memory in both life and storytelling. They explore how music shapes emotional memory, revisit HIMYM’s digital side quests (RIP, Barney’s Blog), and wrestle with one line that hasn’t aged well. Plus, sock monkeys, Bell and Sebastian, and why it might be time to resurrect some very 2005-era websites.
Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:
- As you’re rewatching, is it strange to watch yourself interact with everyone before you actually knew them well?
- How much input did you both have on clothing choices throughout the rest of the show?
- How many days does the costume department have between getting the script and needing wardrobe ready to go?
- Do you think nostalgia makes us see past relationships in a better light than they actually were?
- What are your thoughts on how memory shapes what we remember about our lives and relationships?
- Is what we’re watching the actual story Ted tells his kids, or are we seeing a more unfiltered version?
- How did you choose the music for the show, and what are your musical influences?
- Why were all the websites from the show taken down, and will they ever come back?
- How do you feel now about the “beat up by a girl” joke at the end of the episode?
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack
Advertising inquiries:
AND IN CASE IT HELPS:
02:00 Engaging with Fan Questions
03:35 Exploring Actor Relationships
05:30 Costume Design Insights
07:58 Production Flow and Challenges
15:22 The Nostalgia Trap: Yearning for the Past
18:06 Memory and Storytelling: The Unreliable Narrator
21:57 The Role of Music in Memory and Life
28:01 The Digital Footprint: Lost Websites and Fan Engagement
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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General Questions | S1E6 "The Slutty Pumpkin"
How We Made Your Mother
05/01/25 • 25 min
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
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
1 Listener
General Questions | S1E3 "The Sweet Taste of Liberty"
How We Made Your Mother
04/10/25 • 40 min
In this bonus General Questions episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek dive deep into how How I Met Your Mother actually got made. They walk through the production week—from table reads to rewrites, from blocking to shooting—and share behind-the-scenes memories from the early days of the show. They also revisit the creation of the show’s opening credits, the music choices that almost happened, and the story behind Barney’s first big catchphrase. A true behind-the-scenes look at how television comes together—complete with New York Street, Liberty Bell licking, and Barney zipped in a suitcase.
Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:
How far into filming did you create the opening sequence and bar photos?
Was the opening montage made just for this episode?
Is the basement in this episode the same as Stella’s house later in the series?
Did the studio or network have to approve the title sequence?
What was a typical production week like for Josh and Craig?
How did scripts get delivered to the cast?
Did actors ever feel responsible for jokes being cut after table reads?
What sets were permanent and which ones changed?
What was it like filming on New York Street?
Where did the idea of picking up girls at the airport come from?
Is Barney actually successful at picking up women in the early episodes?
How many takes did it take to film the police room scene with Neil?
Were there a lot of bloopers in season one?
Was Ted too bummed out in this episode?
Why do they keep hanging out with Barney?
Who came up with “legend—wait for it—dary”?
Did Chris Miller and Phil Lord invent some of Barney’s signature language?
How many HIMYM fans have actually tried to lick the Liberty Bell?
Why was there drink service on a flight from NYC to Philly?
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)
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research
AND MORE:
Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack
Advertising inquiries:
AND IN CASE IT HELPS:
00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode
01:41 Behind the Scenes of Episode Production
06:45 The Table Read Experience
10:10 Script Revisions and Feedback Process
17:00 Shooting Schedule and Production Insights
21:32 The Writer's Room: Crafting Ideas and Characters
22:01 Barney's Character: The Comedic Genius
26:00 Memorable Scenes: Bloopers and Behind-the-Scenes Fun
30:08 The Evolution of Humor: Legendary Moments
34:21 Friendship Dynamics: Ted and Barney's Relationship
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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FAQ
How many episodes does How We Made Your Mother have?
How We Made Your Mother currently has 23 episodes available.
What topics does How We Made Your Mother cover?
The podcast is about Podcasts, Tv Reviews, After Shows and Tv & Film.
What is the most popular episode on How We Made Your Mother?
The episode title 'How We Couldn't Hear You | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on How We Made Your Mother?
The average episode length on How We Made Your Mother is 48 minutes.
How often are episodes of How We Made Your Mother released?
Episodes of How We Made Your Mother are typically released every 4 days.
When was the first episode of How We Made Your Mother?
The first episode of How We Made Your Mother was released on Feb 3, 2025.
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