Josh and Craig revisit Season 4, Episode 2, “The Best Burger in New York,” a beloved episode that turns Marshall’s search for an elusive burger into something much bigger: a story about nostalgia, aging, compromise, and trying to recapture the wonder of your younger self. They celebrate Regis Philbin’s legendary guest appearance, Jason Segel’s Amadeus-inspired burger monologue, the real New York locations that inspired the episode, and the little details that make the gang feel like a family. Josh shares his own version of Marshall’s quest involving a mysterious “lost Moby song,” while Craig remembers watching the landmarks of his twenties disappear as New York changed around him. They also discuss Marshall’s struggle between his youthful idealism and taking a job at Goliath National Bank, Neil Patrick Harris treating even the smallest Barney storyline like an A-story, and the hilarity of discovering that a contemporary critic gave this now-classic episode a D. Plus, Jordana returns with an analysis of Marshall’s burger obsession as a way of processing the grief of growing up and letting go of the person you once imagined you would become — and how friendship and love help carry us through that loss.

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Read Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
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Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas kick off Season 4 with “Do I Know You?,” revisiting Ted and Stella’s engagement and the question at the heart of the episode: how well do you really need to know someone before deciding to marry them? They dig into the now-iconic “Star Wars test,” Ted’s anxiety over whether Stella will love the things he loves, and the larger challenge of accepting that your partner won’t always share your tastes. They also explore Barney’s newly revealed feelings for Robin, Lily’s role as his emotional coach, and Neil Patrick Harris’s remarkable physical comedy, while celebrating Sarah Chalke’s chemistry with Josh and her very specific technique for a perfect pratfall. Along the way, Josh and Craig talk about the hidden craft behind seemingly effortless acting, why everyone feels so comfortably inside their characters by Season 4, and the season that earned How I Met Your Mother its only Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy nomination. Plus, Josh remembers realizing at the Emmys that every camera was already pointed at Tina Fey, Craig connects the episode’s Star Wars test to Josh watching HIMYM with Jordana for the first time, and a listener shares how the series helped her through heartbreak and an ADHD diagnosis.

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READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
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CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE!
Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED.
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SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH:
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AND MORE:
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Josh on Spotify
Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)
Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Josh and Craig close out Season 3 with director Pamela Fryman to revisit “Miracles,” an episode about fate, near-death experiences, and the universe’s uncanny way of pushing people back toward one another. Pam remembers the extraordinary teamwork required to produce nine episodes in eleven weeks after the writers’ strike, while Josh and Craig unpack Ted’s car accident, Barney’s collision with a bus, Ted and Barney’s reconciliation, and Ted’s impulsive proposal to Stella. Chris Harris reveals the painfully true story behind the pencil-up-Barney’s-nose gag, and the trio discuss Neil Patrick Harris’s commitment, Sarah Chalke’s arrival, the episode’s memorable Radiohead and Replacements needle drops, and Pam’s daughters’ hidden cameo. Plus, Josh’s wife Jordana shares what it was like watching him rediscover the series, Pam reflects on the crew’s lasting family bond, and a listener explains how How I Met Your Mother became the soundtrack to his family’s life.

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CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:
Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)
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READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK:
Subscribe HERE

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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