How We Made Your Mother

• General Questions | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"

  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) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify 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

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• How We Couldn't Hear You | S1E5 "Okay Awesome"

  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) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify 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: [email protected] 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"

  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) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack Advertising inquiries: [email protected] 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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• How We Returned a Shirt | S1E4 “Return of the Shirt”

  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) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify 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: [email protected] 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

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• General Questions | S1E3 "The Sweet Taste of Liberty"

  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) Instagram HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research AND MORE: Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack Josh’s Official Website Josh on Spotify Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing) Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack Advertising inquiries: [email protected] 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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