How We Made Your Mother – “How We Raised Our Columns”

Season 2, Episode 13: “Columns”

Release Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Josh Radnor & Craig Thomas

Episode Overview

This episode of How We Made Your Mother dives into HIMYM’s Season 2 “deep cut” episode, “Columns.” Hosts Josh Radnor (Ted Mosby) and co-creator Craig Thomas discuss the comedic and emotional layers of the episode, which centers on Ted’s transition from employee to boss and the complex dynamics that come with leadership. The conversation explores what it means to suddenly be “the boss” in both sitcom land and real life, the joys and pains of professional growth, and features anecdotes about breakout HIMYM writer Matt Kuhn and the collaborative spirit of the writers’ room. The duo also highlights favorite jokes, moments with guest star Bryan Cranston, the “B story” involving Marshall’s nude painting, and fan correspondence showing the continued cultural resonance of the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recapping “Columns” – A Stealth Episode

• Episode Summary (02:50):
  • Ted becomes the boss of his old workplace, managing both the job and his former boss Hammond Druthers (Bryan Cranston), now a bitter subordinate.
  • Unusually for the series, the A Story (Ted's workplace dynamics) and the B Story (Marshall's nude painting causing mayhem) are almost entirely separate.
  • “Once it started, I was like, okay, I remember. A couple of things I completely forgot which were funny…” (Josh Radnor, 02:34)

2. The Realities of Becoming a Boss

• Emotional Kernel From the Writers’ Room (05:11):

  • The episode was “inspired by Carter Bayes and my real experience of moving from staff writers to being the boss,” says Craig. No training, thrown in the deep end.
  • “There’s no training for it, really… it is really weird and hard.” (Craig Thomas, 05:29)

• Loneliness at the Top (06:34):

  • Both Josh and Craig share how success can create a sense of isolation from former peers.
  • “Suddenly you’re the common enemy they’re bitching about.” (Josh Radnor, 07:37)

• Learning to Delegate (09:25):

  • Early mistakes as showrunners included trying to “fix it ourselves” instead of empowering the writers.
  • “You need to invest in fixing it with everybody and learn how to delegate.” (Craig Thomas, 09:11)

• Showrunning as Parenting (10:17):

  • Josh draws the analogy: “If showrunning is parenting, it’s like you guys just had a baby very young, like before your contemporaries, and you have to figure it out on the fly.”

3. Matt Kuhn: From Writers’ Assistant to Bro Code Author

• Ascending Through the Ranks (10:36–12:31):

  • Matt Kuhn wrote his first episode as a writers’ assistant; now he’s a showrunner in his own right (“Doogie Howser” reboot, DMZ).
  • Kuhn also wrote most of Barney’s “Bro Code” books: “He was the guy who… raised his hand whenever there was an opportunity to write any little thing to prove himself… that led to him getting to write the Bro Code which became a New York Times bestseller.” (Craig Thomas, 12:31)

• The Value of Starting ‘Low’ (17:22–20:09):

  • Josh shares an anecdote about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, drawing a parallel with Matt Kuhn’s work ethic: “…don’t be afraid to take a job you think is beneath you because your skills will get noticed very quickly and you’ll rise up the ranks.”
  • “Raise your hand and be like, I will do the thing.” (Craig Thomas, 20:24)

4. Behind the Scenes: Notable Production & Casting Moments

• Props & Details (25:02):

  • Dave Baker in props and Bryan Cranston cooperating over the “perfect 80s sunglasses” for the “Coked Up Architect” gag.
  • “Dave Baker, like, trying to find the perfect 80s sunglasses is like watching a chemist…” (Josh Radnor, 25:14)

• Guest Star Bryan Cranston (24:01, 39:11):

  • Matt Kuhn’s memory of Cranston: “He had just won Best Actor for Breaking Bad… made it all about us and our show. Great guy. Hammond Druthers says Matt.”
  • “That is Bryan Cranston all over the place, right?” (Craig Thomas, 24:01)

5. Episode Thematics: Workplace, Growth, and Friendship

• Childhood Echoes in Adulthood (27:10):

  • “History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes”—the motif of people not taking Ted’s creativity seriously as a kid and an adult.

• The Lonely Leader (41:31):

  • “It’s about the loneliness of being a boss. It’s about how success makes you lonely and takes you…” (Craig Thomas, 41:31)

• Comedy Craft: Old References & Physical Humor

  • Running commentary on dated jokes (“Who’s the Boss?”), meta references, and appreciation for physical comedy (e.g., Jason Segel’s bar leap with the painting, 34:52).

6. B Story: The Nude Painting, Money Woes, and Adult Compromises

• Marshall’s Moral Quandaries (33:59):
  • “Marshall and Lily completely sell out their values… $5,000 is $5,000.”
  • The show confronts sitcom tropes about money and adult realities.

7. Favorite Quotes & Humorous Highlights

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Success & Isolation:

  • “There’s joy in having friends with which to have a common enemy to bitch about… Suddenly you’re the common enemy they’re bitching about.”
    — Josh Radnor (07:41)

• On Matt Kuhn’s Rise:

  • “He was the guy who… raised his hand whenever there was an opportunity to write any little thing to prove himself. And so then this was his first episode.”
    — Craig Thomas (12:31)

• On Delegation:

  • “You need to invest in fixing it with everybody and learn how to delegate… sometimes you need to teach people how to do the job the way you want.”
    — Craig Thomas (09:11)

• On Bryan Cranston:

  • “Bryan Cranston… made it all about us and our show. Great guy. Hammond Druthers says Matt.”
    — Craig Thomas (24:01)

• On the Simpsons Reference:

  • “To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.”
    — Quoted by Josh Radnor (46:45)

• On Barney’s Shame Gland:

  • “In my body, where the shame gland should be, there’s a second awesome gland.”
    — Barney, as recalled by Craig Thomas (42:01)

8. Listener Letters: HIMYM’s Ongoing Impact

• Fan Letter Segment (52:47–56:28):

  • Jacob from Nashville shares how HIMYM helped him through depression, inspired him to foster and adopt, and informed his real-life relationships:

    • “Ted taught me that I could live my life in a different order from my friends. He taught me that I should take the leap. …I have this show and this podcast to thank for my beautiful family.”

  • Josh: “This is a weird show. It soundtracks people’s lives. It’s like a sitcom that is a soundtrack.” (56:11)

Additional Noteworthy Moments & Meta-Commentary

• Production Details:

  • HIMYM’s famous use of parallel flashbacks, music cues, and visual gags are dissected.
  • The crew reflects on “bottle episodes” and how some episodes are intentionally structured as lighter, comic “palate cleansers” (44:51).

• On Writing & Collaboration:

  • Discussion of the writers' room culture; the collaborative, teaching spirit Craig and Carter strove for.

• Comedy Construction:

  • The “linear” nature of “Columns” compared to multi-threaded, narratively ambitious episodes. “It scrambled your brain slightly less.” (44:47)

• Legacy & Advice:

  • Emphasis on perseverance, humility, and taking on humble tasks as the pathway to bigger creative opportunities.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:50] – Episode recap and episode tone.
• [05:11]–[10:26] – Real-life inspiration behind the episode and showrunning stories.
• [10:36]–[12:31] – Matt Kuhn’s career journey and the birth of the Bro Code.
• [17:22]–[20:09] – The value of ‘showing up’ and parallel with TM meditation teacher story.
• [24:01] – Matt Kuhn’s Bryan Cranston memory.
• [27:10] – Parallels between Ted’s childhood and workplace struggles.
• [33:59] – Marshall and Lily’s compromise and money realities.
• [39:11] – Hammond Druthers’ personal collapse and comedic bits.
• [41:31] – “Loneliness of being a boss” and why the episode resonates.
• [52:47]–[56:28] – Heartfelt listener letter and discussion of HIMYM’s enduring impact.

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The discussion is affable, self-deprecating, and filled with nostalgia, mingling genuine industry insights with behind-the-scenes trivia and running gags between the hosts. For both fans and aspiring creative types, this episode underscores the dual-edged sword of success, the incremental path of a writing career, and the lasting impact HIMYM has had on its devoted followers.

For Further Engagement

Listeners are encouraged to send letters and stories, check the episode show notes for extra materials, and join the ongoing How We Made Your Mother podcast community.

“If showrunning is parenting, it’s like you guys just had a baby very young, and you have to figure it out on the fly.”
— Josh Radnor (10:17)

“Ted taught me that I could live my life in a different order than my friends. He taught me that I should take the leap.”
— Listener Jacob, Nashville (52:47)

This summary covers all major themes, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and memorable moments, staying true to the hosts’ tone throughout.