Office Ladies: "Introducing How We Made Your Mother"

October 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, shines the spotlight on the debut of How We Made Your Mother, the latest addition to the Office Ladies Network. The new podcast, hosted by Josh Radnor (Ted from How I Met Your Mother) and co-creator Craig Thomas, embarks on a comprehensive rewatch and behind-the-scenes exploration of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). The episode offers an energetic welcome to Josh and Craig, a look into the origins of the podcast network collaboration, and a deep-dive breakdown of “Where Were We?”, the first episode of HIMYM’s second season.

Main Segments and Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction and Collaboration Announcement

• Jenna and Angela excitedly welcome Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas, officially introducing them and their podcast to the Office Ladies Network.
  • “You have found How We Made Your Mother. What is going on here? Have we been hacked by another rewatch podcast?” (Angela, 01:39)
• The Office Ladies Network aims to foster a warm and inclusive fan community, echoing the support, humor, and storytelling both shows are known for.

2. Origins of the Office Ladies Network Collaboration

• Josh Radnor shares how he reached out to Jenna Fischer for rewatch podcast advice, which quickly blossomed into an invitation to join the network.
  • “I called Jenna Fisher, my old pal… I was reaching out… if she had any advice for us. But also more specifically, I wanted to see if she would come on our podcast to talk about the strangeness of being, you know, a decade or so of your life being thought of as someone you're not…” (Josh, 06:36)
  • Jenna instantly expresses interest in bringing the show onto their network, leading to “sounds unheard” partnership—without even hearing the full podcast first!
• Both teams discuss their mutual respect and geek out about crossovers:
  • “When we were growing up, crossover episodes were…like Laverne and Shirley would show up on Happy Days…We’re doing it now with our rewatch podcasts.” (Josh, 08:41)

3. Kicking Off Season Two: 'Where Were We?'

Context and Episode Recap

• Producer Alec Lev introduces the HIMYM episode "Where Were We?", which aired September 18, 2006. (10:30)
• Josh and Craig break down the plot bridge from season one (the heartwrenching breakup between Marshall and Lily) and the emotional stakes in the writers’ room.
• Meta TV Talk: The creative juggling of TV’s old rules—in this case, needing to align story arcs with the real-life calendar:
  • “There was this kind of common understanding… that you’ve got to come in basically, in the season so you can catch up to your Thanksgiving episode and your Halloween episode and your Christmas episode…” (Craig, 12:45)
• They reflect on the show’s choice to keep serialized, emotionally-driven storytelling, going against network advice.
  • “We had been advised… to be less serialized in between the two seasons…We did not agree with that advice and we didn’t really take it.” (Craig, 11:04)

Scene Analysis and Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Tracking Marshall’s Summer and Lily's Absence

• The episode inventively tracks Marshall’s emotional spiral over the summer after Lily’s departure.
• The “credit card bill” device becomes a mystery element, driving Marshall’s obsession and the episode’s structure.
  • “The idea of just these pieces of evidence of what she’s been up to… that’s going to steer the second half of that episode.” (Craig, 18:25)

Ted and Marshall Friendship Arc

• Detailed discussion of the challenge and beauty in supporting a friend through heartbreak:
  • “It’s a funny thing when your friend is down… you have to, like, put on your sad face…You can’t be this happy around this person I love right now.” (Josh, 19:19)
  • Emphasis on the moment Ted finally delivers tough love:
    • “You’ll never get her back or move on like this. … That was Ted’s arc… to start off as the caretaker and then becomes the one who kind of really tries to shake him out of it in the end.” (Craig, 20:15)

Barney's Comic Relief and Literary Parody

• Barney’s big speech, a comedic riff inspired by The Grapes of Wrath, is dissected.
  • “A fun fact about that speech is it is kind of cribbed from the Grapes of Wrath. …What about that, except it’s Barney people?” (Craig, 25:09)
• Iconic Barney one-liner emerges:
  • “When I get sad, I stop being sad and just be awesome instead. True story.” (Barney, repeated by Josh, 35:38)
  • Both hosts note its catchphrase-status and hidden emotional depth:
    • “It's also... a kind of monument to repression. Like, it's not a quite a healthy thing, but like growing up in the Midwest, like, I get it.” (Josh, 36:03)

Physical Comedy and Character Quirks

• Neil Patrick Harris’s legendary mime work for Barney's “suicide” gags is lovingly recalled:
  • “His precision and his ability to mimic things and turn on a dime… just incredibly specific, virtuosic things.” (Josh, 33:10)
• New elements of Robin’s character (her “gun enthusiast” status) are explored for comedy and depth.

Use of Music and Editing

• The team discusses emotional storytelling through song, particularly the cliffhanger ending set to “Boys Don’t Cry” by Grant Lee Phillips.
  • “Pushing past that table of our gang to find Lily in that window… I just remember in the edit room getting chills when we were putting that together and feeling like this is gonna work…” (Craig, 51:10)

4. Writers’ Room and Production Insights

• The importance of mining personal stories for authenticity:
  • “Everyone had their breakup story… that sort of summer passing… everyone in the writers room had stuff on that.” (Craig, 23:08)
• Interplay between improvisation and callback in writing:
  • The team occasionally revisited jokes established seasons earlier, creating a rewarding experience for fans who rewatch:
    • Example: Marshall’s “I was so high I thought you were the Dean” line, which is later filmed outright. (Josh, 48:53)
• Set changes and continuity challenges:
  • “We got a note… Season one… looks a little dark… We decided to just brighten everything up… We did it hoping no one would notice. … Why is the couch different?!” (Craig, 59:31)

5. Fan Letters and Community Reflections

• Listeners are encouraged to submit questions, and the show spotlights a letter from Sophie in Germany (65:57), whose story about finding hope in HIMYM during uncertain times prompts a heartfelt reply.
  • Memorable moment:
    • “You are the wisest 15 year old I think I've ever met. We're really honored the show has meant that to you.” (Craig, 67:32)
    • Josh offers: “I think that as you demonstrate in your letter, you can hold many things in your awareness at any given time. … We can hold all of that. … I think there is something political about being a good friend and showing up for people and being loyal and those things are needed in our society. … All sins are forgiven in New York City.” (Josh, 67:43 – 69:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jenna on Josh’s catchphrase:
  • "I love it when Josh says, I am the I. In How I Met Your Mother." (02:40)
• Angela on the podcast’s vibe:
  • "The warmth, the kindness, the encouragement that their community has is absolutely Office Lady's community." (03:17)
• Josh on tough friendship moments:
  • “It can be very hard sometimes to speak capital T truth to a friend who's really got their story set.” (21:55)
• Barney’s classic line:
  • “When I get sad, I stop being sad and just be awesome instead. True story.” (35:38)
• On narrative structure:
  • “There’s so much pleasure to be had in the ride and in the storytelling and in the little mini mysteries along the way.” (Josh, 31:39)
• On the intersection of personal and societal anxiety (Sophie’s letter):
  • “How I Met Your Mother comforts me in a way nothing else does. It taught me how important friendships are, that I have to let things change, and that every phase of your life is important and will lead you to something.” (Listener Sophie, 65:59)
• Craig and Josh’s response:
  • “I think we can do all those things. I don't think you have to feel bad about any of that… Please acquit me. All sins are forgiven in New York City.” (Josh, 69:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Announcement and Intro to How We Made Your Mother: 01:38 – 04:17
• Josh & Craig on Joining Office Ladies Network: 06:33 – 08:59
• Season Two Episode Recap (“Where Were We?”): 10:27 – 20:59
• Friendship/Tough Love Theme: 19:19 – 22:18
• Barney’s Grapes of Wrath Speech: 25:00 – 27:50
• Physical Comedy with Barney: 32:29 – 33:30
• Writer’s Room Insights: 23:08 – 23:42, 48:53 – 49:17
• Fan Letter from Sophie: 65:59 – 67:43
• Emotional Cliffhanger & Music: 51:10 – 52:26
• Showrunner Q&A: 53:23 – 65:57

Episode Tone and Style

The episode sparkles with characteristic warmth, wit, and a deep sense of nostalgia. The casual banter and fond ribbing between all hosts, plus generous inside jokes and insightful fandom reflections, demonstrate the camaraderie both within and between the two podcast teams. Josh and Craig bring a self-deprecating humor (“aging aggressively”, “get on with it!”), as well as a sincere appreciation for the writing process and impact of HIMYM. Emotional honesty—especially around friendship, heartbreak, and community—is foregrounded, keeping the tone relatable and hopeful.

Summary

A warm, funny, and insightful crossover episode that not only welcomes How We Made Your Mother to the Office Ladies Network but also dives deep into the creative process and emotional resonance of HIMYM. With inside stories, sharp writing commentary, and genuine listener engagement, this is a must-listen for fans of either show—or anyone interested in TV’s power to comfort, connect, and entertain.