How We Made Your Mother
Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas
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Top 10 How We Made Your Mother Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best How We Made Your Mother episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to How We Made Your Mother for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite How We Made Your Mother episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
How We Made a Cartoon | S1E3 "The Sweet Taste of Liberty"
How We Made Your Mother
04/07/25 • 66 min
In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Sweet Taste of Liberty” and talk about how it marked a shift in tone for the show. The episode introduced Barney’s cartoonish side, the “legend—wait for it—dary” catchphrase, and a more outrageous style of storytelling. They discuss the influence of writers Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the origins of Barney’s character, and the episode’s mission to answer two big questions: Why is this wild man part of the friend group? And how do Robin and Lily become friends?
The conversation also explores how Ted became more reactive in this episode, the challenge of balancing sitcom energy with character growth, and how early episodes were still “auditioning” the show’s style. They end with heartfelt letters from listeners about how How I Met Your Mother impacted their lives—and Craig shares his personal story about making the show while navigating his own family’s medical crisis, adding emotional depth to the series and the podcast.
Make sure to listen through to the end, when Craig Thomas will announce the permanent fundraising campaign of this podcast, How You Make a Difference, raising money for congenital heart disease.
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 SPONSOR:
Nutrafol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol at nutrafol.com and use the code YOURMOTHER.
Advertising inquiries:
AND IN CASE IT HELPS:
00:00 Emotional Growth Through Television
07:14 The Creative Process Behind 'How I Met Your Mother'
14:00 Character Dynamics and Relationships
21:04 The Evolution of Storytelling in Sitcoms
30:54 The Creative Process Behind Iconic Moments
32:41 Balancing Character Arcs and Storytelling
35:49 The Role of Chaos and Creation in Relationships
39:03 Exploring Vulnerability and Masculinity
43:23 Fan Impact and Personal Stories
55:08 The Timelessness of Love and Resilience
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 | 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
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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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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
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1 Listener
How We Made This Podcast
How We Made Your Mother
03/07/25 • 52 min
Welcome to How We Made Your Mother, a new weekly podcast, rewatching 208 episodes of How I Met Your Mother. In our inaugural episode, Josh Radnor (“Ted Mosby”) and Craig Thomas (co-creator) discuss the origins of this podcast, and lay out some of the questions and themes they look to explore.
Episodes Mentioned:
Return of the Shirt (Season 1, Episode 4)
The Pineapple Incident (Season 1, Episode 10)
Drumroll, Please (Season 1, Episode 13)
Music Mentioned:
The Boy with the Arab Strap (Apple Music)
The Boy with the Arab Strap (Spotify)
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)
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:
AirBNB
Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host
Betterhelp
How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother
Quince
Get free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/yourmother
Surfshark
Go to https://surfshark.com/yourmother for 4 extra months of Surfshark.
Advertising inquiries:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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General Questions | S1E2 "Purple Giraffe"
How We Made Your Mother
04/03/25 • 38 min
In this bonus General Questions episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek respond to listener questions all about “Purple Giraffe.” They cover everything from how Josh and Cobie developed their early on-screen chemistry to the symbolism of the rooftop and the origin of the show’s callbacks. The team also weighs in on the fan-created “purple vs. yellow” theory, share behind-the-scenes wardrobe details, and talk about how real-life relationships and experiences made their way into the show’s characters.
They reflect on what it felt like filming the second episode after the pilot, how the roof became such a central location, and the challenge of balancing screen time in a packed episode. It’s a mix of thoughtful answers, personal stories, and a few very specific snack preferences.
Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:
How did Josh and Cobie build their chemistry so quickly on screen?
How did you keep track of callbacks throughout the series?
What’s your favorite kind of dip?
What were you actually drinking at the bar?
Was the mood different filming episode 2 compared to the pilot?
What inspired the rooftop setting, and do you have personal connections to it?
How did you approach casting smaller roles like Carlos?
What’s the story behind John Bernthal’s early appearance on the show?
How did wardrobe choices affect your performance, especially for Ted?
Why did Marshall and Lily’s relationship start out so strong and established?
What’s the purple vs. yellow theory, and did you plan it?
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
1 Listener
How We Returned a Shirt | S1E4 “Return of the Shirt”
How We Made Your Mother
04/14/25 • 70 min
In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig are joined by longtime HIMYM writer and producer Kourtney Kang to break down Season 1, Episode 4: “Return of the Shirt.” Together, they explore the emotional roots of the story—from the awkwardness of rekindling old relationships to the anxiety of breaking up with someone (twice, on their birthday, at a surprise party). They also highlight how this episode marks a turning point for Robin as a comedic character and showcases one of the earliest examples of the show’s signature blend of heart and absurdity. Plus, the real story behind the sock monkey, the birth of the “ineffable” joke, and why Belle and Sebastian helped define the HIMYM vibe.
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
Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/yourmother
Advertising inquiries:
AND IN CASE IT HELPS:
02:18 Writer's Journey and Personal Growth
06:06 The Complexity of Relationships
10:48 The Role of the Shirt in the Episode
18:29 The Dynamics of Ted and Robin
27:13 The Writer's Room Experience
35:14 The Art of Comedy and Writing
40:45 The Journey of a TV Writer
44:00 The Magic of Sock Monkeys and Montages
49:23 Memorable Moments from the Shoot
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 Listener
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
1 Listener
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
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FAQ
How many episodes does How We Made Your Mother have?
How We Made Your Mother currently has 17 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 'General Questions | S1E2 "Purple Giraffe"' 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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