How We Made Your Mother

For everyone who has found How We Made Your Mother in the last few weeks, maybe from our episodes with Sarah Chalke and Bob Odenkirk, we just wanted to drop our original rewatch of the HIMYM pilot. And if you are enjoying this look back with Josh and Craig, please follow in your podcast app of choice and start from the very beginning.
Here are the O.G. show notes…
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?

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Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.

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AND MORE:
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Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig revisit “Sandcastles in the Sand,” exploring the very real phenomenon of “revertigo,” Robin’s transformation around her gloriously awful ex-boyfriend Simon, and James Van Der Beek’s hilarious, deeply committed performance. Cobie Smulders shares memories of filming the star-studded music video with Van Der Beek, Alan Thicke, and Tiffany, while Craig reveals the surprisingly emotional story behind writing the song—with help from his one-year-old son, Elliot. Plus: the origins of “Murder Train,” the introduction of Punchy, Robin and Barney’s shared emotional armor, and the kiss that launches the final stretch of Season 3.

Listen to HOW I MET YOUR MUSIC on Apple Music or Spotify.
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)
Instagram
Tiktok
READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
Subscribe HERE
CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!
Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.

SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH:
Click HERE to learn more and donate today.

FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES:
Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod
Follow on TikTok
AND MORE:
Josh’s Official Website
Josh on Spotify
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig revisit Season 3’s “The Chain of Screaming,” an episode about work, money, dignity, and the question of whether we pass anger down the line or choose to break the cycle. Then they’re joined by the great Bob Odenkirk, who looks back on playing Artillery Arthur, explains how a HIMYM scheduling conflict inadvertently helped lead to the creation of Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad, and remembers being genuinely surprised by the warmth and enthusiasm of the HIMYM set. The conversation expands into creativity and the value of limitations, why writers are always working even when they appear to be doing nothing, Spielberg’s love of problem-solving on set, and Bob’s evolution from comedy into drama. They also talk candidly about fame, ambition, knowing when “more” isn’t necessarily better, and parenthood—including Bob’s moving reflections on missing the years when his children were young and recognizing the rare moments when grown children are ready to hear a little hard-earned wisdom from their dad.
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)
Instagram
Tiktok
READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
Subscribe HERE
CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!
Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.

SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH:
Click HERE to learn more and donate today.

FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES:
Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod
Follow on TikTok
AND MORE:
Josh’s Official Website
Josh on Spotify
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig welcome writer Joe Kelly for a lively look back at “The Bracket,” Joe’s very first How I Met Your Mother episode. They reminisce about Joe joining the staff just before the Writers Guild strike, the frantic race to restart production afterward, and how the episode evolved into one of the show’s most memorable Barney stories. Joe reflects on learning to balance broad comedy with emotional storytelling—a lesson that later shaped Ted Lasso and Detroiters—while Craig and Josh discuss building the writers’ room, crafting Barney’s outrageous persona without losing audience sympathy, and turning a March Madness promotion into a mystery episode. They also dive into behind-the-scenes stories about the show’s collaborative writing process, memorable jokes, the creation of TedMosbyIsAJerk.com, and how the pressure of the post-strike schedule forced everyone to trust their instincts, resulting in one of Season 3’s funniest and most ambitious episodes.
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)
Instagram
Tiktok
READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
Subscribe HERE
CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!
Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.

SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH:
Click HERE to learn more and donate today.

FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES:
Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod
Follow on TikTok
AND MORE:
Josh’s Official Website
Josh on Spotify
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig are joined by Sarah Chalke to revisit “Ten Sessions,” one of the series’ most beloved episodes, and the conversation is every bit as joyful as the episode itself. Sarah shares behind-the-scenes stories about being cast at the last minute, balancing Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother simultaneously, and filming the iconic two-minute date, while Josh and Craig reflect on emerging from the Writers Guild strike, welcoming Britney Spears to the show, and why the episode became such a perfect blend of inventive storytelling, heartfelt romance, and rapid-fire comedy. They also reminisce about the extraordinary chemistry that made Ted and Stella’s relationship work, celebrate the cast and crew’s intricate choreography behind the episode’s biggest moments, and explore why “Ten Sessions” remains one of the defining episodes of the series.
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)
Instagram
Tiktok
READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
Subscribe HERE
CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!
Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.

SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH:
Click HERE to learn more and donate today.

FOLLOW THE OFFICE LADIES:
Check out "Office Ladies" at https://officeladies.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod
Follow on TikTok
AND MORE:
Josh’s Official Website
Josh on Spotify
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack