• Weekly Roundup: “Just Do Nothing (for Parents),” Prayminder App, and Snow Days
    Jan 29 2026
    Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

    Catherine's library find is a parenting book. Its title caught her eye, but it's not necessarily what it seems (who woulda thought?). That title is Just Do Nothing (for Parents): How to Parent Better By Doing Less by Joanna Hardis.

    Terri's random recommendation is not to do nothing, but instead to pray regularly. The Prayminder app is helping her do that. Like an Apple Watch for the soul, it issues reminders to keep you on track.

    In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on snow days, which are themselves becoming a thing of the past.

    Next week's lineup:
    • Shrinking S3 E1, "My Bad," on Tuesday, February 3
    • Lost S4 E12, "There's No Place Like Home," on Wednesday, February 4
    • Weekly roundup on Thursday, February 5

    Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.
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    23 mins
  • Parenting Tips from “A Man on the Inside” Season 2
    Jan 28 2026
    Each Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and for this week, we binged A Man on the Inside's season 2. As with last season, we enjoyed the gentle, loving Mike Schur sitcom of it all and the many wonderful actors, even if the mystery wasn't especially strong. Mentioned: a You've Got Mail scene and manic pixie dream girls.

    For next week, we'll switch up our order and discuss Lost on our Wednesday episode, and switch our newer series watch to Tuesdays with the return of Shrinking (season 3). We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.
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    23 mins
  • Parenting Tips from “Lost” S4 E11, “Cabin Fever”
    Jan 27 2026
    Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. What made Locke the way he is, you ask? Well, you'll find out in this episode, and encounter some creepy characters from the island and its orbit along the way.

    Next week, we'll adjust our schedule a bit and continue with season 4, episode 12, "There's No Place Like Home, Part 1" on Wednesday. Tomorrow, we'll discuss a newer show, season 2 of A Man on the Inside.

    This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.
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    25 mins
  • Weekly Roundup: “What If You Had Animal Teeth,” Big A## Calendar, and Monetary Motivation
    Jan 22 2026
    Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

    Catherine's library find is a nonfiction series for kids that starts with What If You Had Animal Teeth? and moves on through animal hair, scales, feet, eyes, and more. The author is Sandra Markle and the illustrator is Howard McWilliam, and we congratulate them on finding a hook and running with it.

    Terri's random recommendation is twofold: First, the Big A## Calendar, which is currently organizing her life from its place on her office wall. But her second recommendation is to be more cautious with Facebook ads than she was. Think, and verify, before you buy!

    In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2022 on monetary motivation for kids.

    Next week's lineup:
    • Lost S4 E11, "Cabin Fever" on Tuesday, January 27
    • A Man on the Inside, season 2, on Wednesday, January 28
    • Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 29

    Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.
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    22 mins
  • Parenting Tips from “The Lowdown” S1 E8, “The Sensitive Kind”
    Jan 21 2026
    Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. The season finale wrapped everything up in a fairly tidy bow, even including a wedding (for Francis's mom). Overall, we enjoyed this show, even as it swung from silly to serious and back.

    For next week, we'll binge all of season 2 of A Man on the Inside and discuss it on our Wednesday episode. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.
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    16 mins
  • Parenting Tips from “Lost” S4 E10, “Something Nice Back Home”
    Jan 20 2026
    Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This was another Jack-is-a-mess episode, even though there was a brief period of things going well for him. But his bad dad came around to ruin it all, as he frequently does.

    Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 11, "Cabin Fever." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.
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    22 mins
  • Weekly Roundup: “The Terrible Meanings of Names,” the UPS App, and Daily Leaps of Faith
    Jan 15 2026
    Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

    Catherine's library find is a book that made her chuckle and got us talking about the kids and pets we've named: The Terrible Meanings of Names: Or Why You Shouldn't Poke Your Giselle with a Barry, by Justin Cord Hayes.

    Terri's random recommendation is the UPS app, because if you have an iPhone, you get a nifty widget that alerts you to the imminent arrival of all your packages.

    In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on daily leaps of faith.

    Next week's lineup:
    • Lost S4 E10, "Something Nice Back Home" on Tuesday, January 20
    • The Lowdown S1 E8, "The Sensitive Kind," on Wednesday, January 21
    • Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 22

    Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.
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    21 mins
  • Parenting Tips from “The Lowdown” S1 E7, “Tulsa Turnaround”
    Jan 14 2026
    Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. As we might expect from the penultimate episode of the season, things are looking very bad for Lee, as he makes the very poor decision to confront Pastor Mark in his own church (right after messing things up with Francis). Mentioned: TV critic Alan Sepinwall, who announced that the show will be back for a second season.

    Next Wednesday, we'll finish the season with season 1, episode 8, "The Sensitive Kind." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.
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    14 mins