Podcasts by Manic Rambling Spiral

165: Is this thing on? from 2021-03-10T16:59:21

We’re back. Sort of. Changes are imminent, and we think you'll pee your pants. It's been a while so please excuse the awkward as we settle in behind the mic.

Also, does John's voice tr...

047: Music at Heart: Guest Suzie Brown joins the spiral from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Part-time mom, part-time singer-songwriter, part-time cardiologist, Suzie Brown joins us to talk about balancing her careers and catching her dreams in the process.  

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122: "A Single Man" from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It's official. John is a homeowner! And his relationship status? That's permanently established via legal documents. Super awesome. Regardless, this is a big step. And Heather? Well, she's helping ...

164: School Comes Home from 2020-04-23T05:30

In addition to everything else happening as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, kids around the world are suddenly at home for school. But despite some of the smug homeschool memes and comments floa...

163: Come On Eileen from 2020-03-19T05:30:52

We didn't plan for this to be about COVID-19, but most of the world didn't plan for anything that's happening right now. As everyone scrambles to understand social distancing and isolation while gr...

162: MRS Turns 4 from 2020-03-12T05:23:17

Our first episode landed on St. Patrick's day 2016 and, four years later, we're still kicking. Admittedly, we've been kicking a lot less lately, but we're back to explain why, talk about Heather's ...

161: In Memory of Coco from 2020-01-30T01:20:28

After more than 12 happy years of squawking, barking, and being herded by her favorite business partner, Heather and her family said their final goodbyes to Dame Eleanor Ritzford-Fitzsimons "Coco" ...

160: Out With the Old from 2019-12-19T06:30

Wrapping up the year with our first monthly episode.Wondering about John, Lexton, and Lilly? We covered that. Curious about Heather's gut? We covered that, too. We also talk a bit about mail, resol...

159: Change is Afoot from 2019-11-14T06:30

Get it? A FOOT? Because Heather's foot? Perfect. Now that you're smiling about that we can let you know that you're going to be hearing from us less often. A lot less often. As in only once a month...

158: Fun with Fur and Feet from 2019-11-07T06:30

We never know where we’re going or how we get there, but maybe that’s part of the charm? Anyway, Heather’s getting some answers, John’s a Furminator convert, and Marlo is Marlo (which is somehow al...

157: We Call it Hygge from 2019-10-24T05:55

What does laundry share in common with cold, leftover nachos? Comfort. Yes, cold nachos provide comfort and we’re ready to die on this hill. Sure, we are open to other opinions, but you know what t...

156: Reddit for Relationships from 2019-10-17T05:30

We talk about more than Bumble (you know you want an update), but John’s text to Heather is probably the best description for this episode. “Without fail, the women on this app are in three dist...

155: A Dating App Newcomer from 2019-10-10T05:50

It finally happened. John joined the online dating scene and it’s as confusing and empty as he’s always imagined. It has, however, made him realize how many people are terrible at taking selfies. B...

154: The Price of a Pet from 2019-10-03T05:30

An update on Coco (a pupdate?), some commentary on Halloween, and a discussion on how much our pets are worth. What's that? We're heartless and evil? Yeah, okay, probably, but that should have been...

153: Canines and Curriculum from 2019-09-26T19:53:02

We moved right from Elizabethan collars into pop punk- and it wasn’t a smooth transition. That’s John’s fault. But somehow we still managed to cover homeschool curriculum, the climate, and a bit ab...

152: Fitted and Folded from 2019-09-19T05:30

Sure, we took a week off due to both of us being sick, but we didn’t actually get a week off. There were endoscopies to be had, sheets to be folded, and puppies to be chased. And this weed won’t ju...

151: Injury and Insult from 2019-09-05T05:30

It’s been a busy week without any travel or big changes. How so? Well, Heather’s foot is still an issue, her GI tract is making waves, and John’s battling school policy. Oh yeah, there was also an ...

150: Boots and Bowels from 2019-08-29T05:30

Somehow this episode came full circle. From boots and bus stops to pets and school routines, we cover a lot and bookend the whole thing with bowels. Sometimes we even surprise ourselves, but not...

149: Don't Forget to Steer from 2019-08-22T05:30

Another week, another couple dozen lessons in stress management. But we’re still taking our own advice and letting things slide. Invasive dogs, oversleeping teens, and even the thought of complete ...

148: Slow Down from 2019-08-15T05:30

Weird title for a show called "Manic Rambling Spiral," but here we are. Heather ditched her FitBit and her Apple Watch and, as a result, a whole lot of anxiety; so this week is focused (eventually)...

147: From Paris to Puppies from 2019-07-04T05:30

Socialized medicine doesn’t disappoint, especially when the phenomenon of “hot doctor” clearly exists in all countries. But John’s doctor? Nah. He prefers the shotgun approach. And yes, we also tal...

146: Friends and Fashion from 2019-06-27T05:30

John and Heather are both facing some child-free time, and it’s going to be glorious. We bask in that notion, discuss friendships as an adult, and even touch on Heather’s questionable fashion decis...

145: No Topic Needed from 2019-06-20T05:30:17

We had a meetup last week! It was great. To say "thank you!" to everyone who joined us, we spent most of this episode talking about healthcare. That wasn't really the plan, but that's how things go...

144: Reunited at Last from 2019-06-13T13:11:47

We got the band back together. Well, the band never really broke up, but Heather and John are in the same (hotel) room recording MRS for the first time ever and we're talking about Chicago and home...

143: Musical Therapy from 2019-06-06T05:30

A topic! We have a topic! It’s music, and we almost don’t stray from it. This week we’re talking about some of the music we enjoy, the beauty of a truly sad song, a dog whose alias is “Taco,” and i...

142: Making Small Talk from 2019-05-30T05:30

You find out a lot about people when you take the time to start a conversation. Does this apply to Stephen Dorff? We may never know, will we, HEATHER? That's okay. We have bigger things to worry ab...

141: An MRS Overhaul from 2019-05-24T01:51:05

You’ve kept us up and running for over three years (3 YEARS!), and now it’s time for our little podcast to grow and change. How? We’re figuring that out and, with your help, we know it’s going to b...

140: Fun Facts About Sleeping from 2019-05-16T05:30

If there are two takeaways from this week, they are as follows: Heather sleeps naked, John does not. Does this information have anything to do with John's puppy, the half marathon he ran, teen inde...

139: There Will Be Bandaids from 2019-05-02T05:30

What do book tours and bandaids have in common? A lot. It's sort of like the relationship between diarrhea and a week of stressful schedule juggling. You know, peas and carrots, poop and planes....

138: The Book Tour Begins from 2019-04-18T05:30

Heather hits the road next week for her book tour, so of course we talked about misplaced socks, pantyhose, and toxic plastics that make their way into cosmetics. But we also talked about her book ...

137: It's All Puppies from 2019-04-11T05:30

At least 75% of this episode is about dogs and puppies and the horrors of pet ownership because John is a dog person now. Why? Honestly, he has no idea, but his hands are covered in bite marks, ...

136: Type A Chaos from 2019-04-04T05:30

Renovations, broken boilers, puppies, and John's resistance to help even when it's generously offered. It's all loosely related. And somehow we still manage to touch on teenage emotions near the en...

135: Breaking Millennials from 2019-03-28T05:30

It’s Spring Break. We could’ve easily talked about the woes of that for an hour. However, we still managed to discuss university selection, unfair expectations placed on teens, and career choices. ...

134: Mostly Public Speaking from 2019-03-21T05:30

Wandering tangents seem to be the way of things around here lately. This week it's James Blake, the joy of celebrity interaction, Marlo's public speaking finesse, and The Legend of Zelda. But do...

133: Spring Forward Feverishly from 2019-03-14T05:30

We're ringing in the time change in style. As always. Moderate injury, serious fever, and a healthy dose of feeling all together a little off have marked the last week or two. Also, a friendly remi...

132: Hot Doctors from 2019-02-28T06:30

Why do people looking their absolute best have to be the ones who see you at your absolute worst? We don't have an answer, but that's just what happens. Every time. Even when someone has to navigat...

131: Announcements and Bowels from 2019-02-21T06:30:22

Heather has a newsletter and some GI business to attend to. John has a newsletter and perfectly functioning bowels. Some things just aren’t fair, that’s why there’s Miralax. #notsponsored

130: Replicating Childhood from 2019-02-14T06:30

Yeah, we spiraled again, but we also found ourselves looking back at how we were raised and how those experiences affect our parenting today. Less “get off our lawn” and more about what we want our...

129: Random Rambles from 2019-02-07T06:30:50

How did we get from A to B? Your guess is as good as ours. But it's not our fault that audiobooks, Mormon mission trips, forgetful teens, the weather, and black eyes are all related. Life is weird....

128: Attendance is Mandatory from 2019-01-31T06:30

After John's extended fanboy moment about Heather's book (side note: It's incredible and you want to read it and probably give a copy to everyone you know), we're talking a little bit about teens, ...

127: Dating Forecast from 2019-01-24T06:30

It's winter and the weather is awful and life keeps plowing forward. So, naturally, in the thick of this mess John is sort of possibly dabbling in the dating world and OH WOW IS THAT A THING. He's ...

126: Unhealthy Healthcare from 2019-01-17T05:52:01

We’re talking about insurance again. And mental health. And the absurdity of dealing with medical needs in the US. Why? Because it needs to be talked about until it changes and we’re happy to initi...

125: Grab Bullying by the Phone from 2019-01-10T06:30

Bullying has always been a problem, but technology is creating new platforms and increasingly removed ways to hate and harm. Spurred by a jarring episode involving Marlo, we’re talking about bullyi...

124: Stumbling into 2019 from 2019-01-03T06:30

Another year... and you know what? We're excited for it (even John). Sure, we're getting older and keeping blood pressure journals, but that's life. As long as there are no formal parties with d...

123: Ho Ho Hum from 2018-12-20T06:30

OH MY GOD. Are we whining about the holidays? No, not really. Just marveling at the passage of time and the value of hiring movers while catching our breath. We also spend a surprising amount of ti...

121: Holidays and Whatnot from 2018-12-06T06:30

What happened this week? What day is it? Just kidding, we never really know. Between high-school dances, holiday gifts, packing, and ironing sheets (there's always time for that), everything is a b...

120: A Semi-Uncomfortable Comfort Zone from 2018-11-29T06:30

The holidays are a crazy time that brings many together and makes others feel extremely alone. So yes, it’s sort of another episode about loneliness, but we feel it’s an important topic because we’...

119: Look Up from 2018-11-22T17:03:38

Heather's back from Rome, John's buying a home, and the holidays are here. Moral of the story: No rest for the weary or the wicked or the parents, and if you fit into more than one category, buckle...

118: Drama and Contacts from 2018-11-08T05:50:08

We recorded this on Election Day too early to talk about polls, so instead we decided to focus on monster trucks, contact lenses, and some other odds and ends. A bit of a life download before we ta...

117: Make Change from 2018-11-02T01:01:33

The month has changed, the season continues to change and, if you live in the US, you can help make change on November 6. Vote for something better. Vote for those who've had their voices silenced....

116: Happier Parenting from 2018-10-25T05:30

We’re thrilled to have KJ Dell’Antonia join the spiral to talk to us about changing perspectives, realistic expectations, and her her new book: "How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having...

115: Rebrand for Jesus from 2018-10-19T01:25:23

Hard to believe we can somehow go from missing a week to covering the removal of wisdom teeth, limiting screen time, and remaining responsive and flexible as parents; all in one episode, but that's...

114: Read the Room from 2018-10-04T04:18:51

Fortunately and unfortunately, the current happenings in the United States continue to offer great starting points for important conversations with our kids. This week, these talks involve accounta...

113: Looking for a Plus for Pleats from 2018-09-27T04:33:51

Does the awkward feeling of being a teenager in Abercrombie fade when you get older? Nope! It just blends with our inability to understand high waists, pleats, and good 'ol Chuck Taylors. Guess tha...

112: It's September Again from 2018-09-20T04:42:53

“In like a lion,” isn’t a saying attached to September, but it feels like it should be. From shattered phone screens to some time-struggles associated with homeschool, this is your annual reminder ...

111: Take that Tone from 2018-09-13T05:00

We decided to focus on discipline and... haha! Just kidding. It’s really about the luxuries of leisure pooping and feelings of complete exhaustion, but we do occasionally come back to discipline an...

110: Slowly Settling In from 2018-09-07T03:48:29

Missed buses, different boob sizes, and baby steps in the right direction. We're still settling in to our recent big changes - a blended family for Heather, homeschooling for John - and realizing t...

109: In Favor of Easy from 2018-08-30T05:00

Sponsored by Kraft

We've talked about food and family meals and picking your battles and now, with Heather's blended family and John's homeschool adventures, we're all about easin...

108: Homeschool Bound from 2018-08-23T05:30

The chaos of normal life has felt a little dull on John’s end, so he decided to homeschool his son. Because how hard could it really be to homeschool a 14-year-old, run a business, and tread water ...

107: A BIG Move from 2018-08-16T03:16:52

Wait. Heather’s moving again? Hell yes she is! She loves to move! She loves to pack! She loves to unpack! She loves boxes! The only minor difference this time around is that you could probably also...

106: Good to be Back from 2018-08-09T04:30:36

It’s been a while but our little summer hiatus has come to an end. Feels good to get back behind the mic, catch up, and what the hell do you mean Leta is no longer registered for school that can’t ...

105: Civility is Overrated from 2018-07-05T04:28:02

Things in America are a bit of mess, but somehow taking a stand against hate seems to bother people. Sure, we're all for civility when it makes sense. But that time is not now. The place is not Ame...

104: Shout Outs! from 2018-06-28T03:40:25

Long overdue Patreon shout outs! Thanks everyone! And a special shout out to Leah who happened to recognize John in wild. Also, a little bit on body glitter, outdoor music festivals, and that we're...

103: Children. In. Cages. from 2018-06-21T06:54:29

It’s 2018 and the United States is forcibly separating children from their parents and then holding them in makeshift camps. We don't have a solution, but this needs to be talked about nonstop. ...

102: Destigmatize from 2018-06-14T04:29:17

Last week, the world lost Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. As a result, mental health was again the center of conversation, and we thought it was time to again address the topic. We all need to kee...

101: Life Lessons from 2018-06-06T17:30

Promotion crises, teen hormones, and preparing for summer. The end of 8th grade is a pretty significant transition, and here we are. OH MY GOD. And it’s summer break already? How does this eve...

100: Accents Etc. from 2018-05-31T05:42:20

British accents, miles of wandering, and a little (SPOILER) Gilmore tangent at the end. This is a big milestone - Episode 100! - so it only seems right that we stay true to our spiraling roots.
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099: London Spiral from 2018-05-24T05:45:59

Travel, planning, and taking a diet on the road. That's sort of the focus. Maybe. Then again, we also touch on tea, colon surgery, and "2001: A Space Odyssey." Yes, it's a little shorter than norma...

098: Straight/Curve from 2018-05-17T05:46:24

Standards of beautify for women are often toxic and impossible to achieve. Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Jenny McQuaile joins us to talk about her newest film, "Straight/Curve: Redefining ...

097: The Entertainers from 2018-05-10T06:36:51

As parents, we would kill to feel genuine boredom, but our kids don’t exactly share our interest in doing nothing. And they expect us to overcome these lackluster moments for them. Somehow, go, go,...

096: Be Grateful, Dammit! from 2018-05-03T03:05:06

Parenting is perfect and wonderful and there isn't ever a time at which you should express exhaustion or frustration. AMEN. At least that's what the concern trolls want to make sure we all know. Bu...

095: Fair Isn't Equal from 2018-04-26T07:17:26

Inclusion is critical to education, but Heather and John aren't experts in that area, so John's friend Emily is joining the spiral. Emily is a specialist in early childhood inclusion and a single p...

094: Here for the Cheesecake from 2018-04-19T06:07:35

Who knew Beyoncé was so amazing? And what about The Cheesecake Factory? Most people, probably, but not us. Until now. Yeah, it's a big week on MRS. And Heather is DONE with her book....

093: Helmets and Heartbreak from 2018-04-12T05:30:01

Pain in every direction. That's part of having kids. You're forced to relive old injuries while also anticipating the pain that is yet to come. And you have to cope with all of that while working a...

092: Close the Rings from 2018-04-05T04:33:40

Break is over, Heather’s deadline is looming, time is again compressing, and John’s life is controlled by a watch. On the bright side, Marlo’s illness passed quickly, Lexton’s birthday was seamless...

091: Restorative Justice from 2018-03-29T05:00:46

Time to talk about racism. Again? ALWAYS. And this week we're joined by Kelly Wickham Hurst, founder of Being Black at School, to talk about education and what it's like for those living in the mar...

090: Rambling Equinox from 2018-03-22T04:43:57

As the changing daylight hours send anxiety into overdrive, we're staring down spring break and asking, "What the hell?" Of course, tangents are in full swing as we discuss laxative tea, folding cl...

089: Spring Forward and Stumble from 2018-03-15T04:15:06

Sit down, strap in*, and get ready for a back to basics episode. Everything from Patreon- Hey! We launched our campaign! - and piano, to Daylight Savings Time; and the complete, unabridged history ...

088: Tanlines for Toddlers from 2018-03-08T06:15:39

In 2012, Tanlines (Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm) released their first album and Heather was hooked. She told John to listen and he soon had the album on repeat. Eventually, John's son followed suit. No...

087: Beyond Paid Leave from 2018-03-01T07:42:08

Paid leave is important. So is supporting new parents. The Center for Parental Leave Leadership (CPLL) is helping companies and employees successfully navigate parental leave to improve the experie...

086: Never Again from 2018-02-22T07:03:35

Another tragic school shooting, this time in Parkland, Florida. But something is different. People are paying attention. Because the students from Parkland refuse to be silenced until there is chan...

085: A Healthy New Year from 2018-02-15T05:49:24

From smoothies with greens to extra-crunchy cruciferous salads (Sorry, LETA), we're trying to stay as healthy as possible this cold and flu season. Extending these healthy habits to our kids isn't ...

084: The Cost of Zero Weeks from 2018-02-08T04:22:07

Paid family leaves means you'll still be paid while taking time off to navigating family changes and emergencies (babies, medical issues, etc.). But in America, paid leave is almost nonexistent, an...

083: The Guilt They Carry from 2018-02-01T05:05:04

Time for a somber reflection. What? You knew this was coming. Even John has been pretty optimistic lately. Now it's time to ask how parenting affects our kids and the concept they have of how th...

082: Time to Eat Better Meat from 2018-01-25T10:38:09

This week, we're joined by Mike Salguero, founder of Butcher Box and father to three girls who are three and under. How does he help families enjoy humanely-raised and independently-farmed meat del...

081: It Sucked and then I Died from 2018-01-18T05:35:53

Heather is writing a book! It's not out until February 2019, but it's about depression, a clinical trial that changed her life, and dying. Because, oh yeah, Heather died a few times to get to get b...

080: Happy New News! from 2018-01-11T06:07:47

It's a new year! That means resolutions, goals, fresh starts and whoa, Heather, it's time to address the elephants in the room. One at a time, of course, because everything in moderation.

079: The Other Side from 2017-12-28T10:01:15

Christmas is over. Everyone is exhausted. The New Year is days away. We'd love to say it's a sprint to the finish, but it's a bit of a limp. Survival isn't always glamorous.

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077: Invest in Tissues from 2017-12-14T06:03:35

Cold season is back. *blow your nose* Tissues are everywhere. *blow your nose* Sometimes we snap at our kids even when we know we shouldn't. *blow your nose* Please tell us we're not alone? *blow y...

076: Keep It In Your Pants from 2017-12-07T04:15:53

We recorded on Dec. 5 and woke up the next day to see that Time's Person of the Year 2017 is 'The Silence Breakers.' We're happy to add our voices to this important conversation. Everywhere you tur...

075: Holiday Pressure from 2017-11-30T03:46:01

There's a lot of stress around the holidays. Between kids being home and efforts to make everything perfect, it's enough to ruin the whole season. Light-up baby Jesus to the rescue!

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074: Mostly Thankfulness from 2017-11-23T06:00:28

Holiday advice from MRS: Don't make it your goal to ruin Thanksgiving with politics. Be open, be kind, and lead by example. However, we definitely took a low-road detour this time around, so that s...

073: Coping with Bullies from 2017-11-16T06:35:58

Kids are a-holes. Okay, that's probably a bit of a sweeping statement; but, when your child is faced with bullies, it's the first thing that comes to mind. And it brings back a flood of memories ab...

072: I Say Jesus, You Say Jesus from 2017-11-09T06:37

Politics, religion, and Twitter. The big three. Sort of. Now that we think about it, it's sort of surprising that sex didn't come up at all. We'll try harder next week.

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070: Maintaining A Budget from 2017-10-26T02:58:37

Teaching kids about finances is important and usually the best way to do that is to demonstrate budget-savvy behavior. But that's not always easy. And sometimes it's a unique challenge when you're ...

069: Let's Talk About Wills from 2017-10-19T04:45:58

Yes. We're talking about living wills. It not super uplifting, but it's an important topic. Also, Heather managed to bring up orgasms, so it's not completely grim.

067: Staying Level from 2017-10-05T03:12:58

Sometimes it's tough to stay level-headed. Sometimes it feels damn near impossible when you have to do so while also trying to keep your kids relatively level. Hormones, parenting, life. Awesome. Listen

066: Coffee or a Cause from 2017-09-28T18:41:04

From charities and organizations to individual creative pursuits and business startups, you can give money to a lot of different things. This week we're talking about how and where we give and why ...

065: Throat Punch Thursday from 2017-09-21T05:26:34

For every up, there's at least three downs. Sometimes real life feels a bit relentless. But we're still not going to homeschool our kids even if that would make everything blissfully easy.
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064: Xploding Guest from 2017-09-14T04:37:18

Twitter sensation James Breakwell (@XplodingUnicorn) joins MRS this week! He's a father to four girls, he's got a new book on the way ("Only Dead on the Inside: A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Zo...

063: Learning Self Care from 2017-09-07T05:31:50

Life is hard. It's easy to let yourself slip while trying to juggle everything else. Self care - in bad times and in good - is the only way to keep moving forward.

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060: Forgive Us, It's Early from 2017-08-17T04:30:07

We recorded this three hours earlier than normal. Heather is still yawning, John hasn't had coffee, and we spent way too much time talking about purses.

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058: Apart but Together? Nah. from 2017-07-27T05:12:26

Haven't we already talked about being on the same page? Who knows. Probably. Either way, we're at it again because sometimes there's too much "co" in "co-parenting." And how to work with the co-par...

057: Climbing to Paris from 2017-07-13T06:44:29

Between travel, work, and parenting, we haven't talked - or recorded - in a while. So we're catching up, dropping balls, and holding on.

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056: Breaking Again: Boredom, Balance, and Balls from 2017-06-22T04:31:33

It's summer break, deadlines are looming, and our kids manage to find boredom like it's going out of style. Funny how we still manage to think that all this insanity may eventually pass.

055: Issues: Lingering, Upcoming, Ongoing from 2017-06-08T04:02:12

Sometimes you're attached for life, divorce or not. Who knew the courts would be easier to deal with than Comcast? NOT HEATHER. At least we know common courtesy is still a thing (people ignore). Listen

054: Come Hither: What's in a name? A lot. from 2017-06-01T06:52:51

When you get married (or enter a longterm relationship), you give things up. There are sacrifices. A last name is one of them in some cases. When you have kids, there are others, and this is us thi...

053: We'll be trippin': A Bit About Time Away from 2017-05-25T03:40:07

Heather's returning to life on an airplane before landing for a time in Paris when her girls are in New York. John's looking at 10 days without a kid in tow and wondering what to do. Possible concl...

052: Doing A Pulse Check: Another look at mental health from 2017-05-18T06:13:32

Depression remains an evergreen topic for many people, including us. From children to adults, depression can tear apart families and make life seem unbearable. Here we talk about what has best serv...

051: Love Language: The emphasis here is on "Language." from 2017-05-11T04:59:56

Mother's Day is this weekend and we were going to honor our moms, but then Heather started talking about dick and the tone changed. Thanks, HEATHER.

See from 2017-04-06T04:51:31

John's shopping for a car, Heather's thinking about a minivan, and they're both completely wonderstruck by today's newfangled vehicles. This episode is all about Bluetooth, hair bows, car payments,...

046: Full Circle: This is what happens when we go 10 days without talking to each other from 2017-03-23T06:11:30

"Ready, set, talk!" was this week's method for recording. While trying to juggle this episode into our disjointed schedules, we covered cookies, weddings, teen privileges and probably some other th...

045: It's Taxing: Everyone's favorite season is here! from 2017-03-16T05:48:13

Tax season isn't as exciting as it once was. Remember refunds? Or the days of not having to negotiate tax prep with your ex? Yeah. Good times.

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044: Dads- The help we didn't know we needed. from 2017-03-09T05:51:06

This week starts as a recap and then transitions into a ramble before turning into a focus on our dads and how awesome they are. We'd like to say that was intentional, but you'd know better than th...

043: The Upside to Downsizing: Ugh, moving from 2017-03-02T06:00:21

Heather's moving and all hell is breaking loose. Though a smaller space can be a great thing, actually getting to that point is miserable. Here's to a fresh start, a great new neighborhood and some...

042: The Teen Transition: Bracing for the next 5 years from 2017-02-23T05:14:35

The teen years are upon us. That means dances, dating, and probably reliving a whole slew of things we've spent our adult years trying to forget. But the tumbleweed that is life just keeps tumbling...

041: Successful Crises: When little nuisances create big problems from 2017-02-02T07:47:06

From wifi issues to blizzards in Utah, sometimes it doesn't take much to throw off the day. And when we have to deviate, all hell breaks loose, even if only in our heads.

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038: Semi-Resolutions: Yes, it's that time again. from 2017-01-12T06:15:56

Heather has a couple pseudo resolutions, John doesn't have any, but we're both trying to be optimistic for the year ahead. Sure, time is a construct and blah blah blah, but if turning a calendar pa...

037: Stepping on Toes: Understanding Step-Parental Figures from 2017-01-05T06:15:08

We'll admit it: Sometimes it's hard to see our kids with their step-parental figures. And it's even more difficult seeing our children posted on the internet by this third party. Maybe this all boi...

036: Dividing the Holidays: Celebrating separately, together! from 2016-12-22T17:24:32

It's that time of year again. John was alone for Thanksgiving and now Heather is looking at a solo Christmas. Is there a better way to make this work? That probably depends on who you ask.
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035: A-OK With Admin Expenses from 2016-12-15T08:18:19

Now, more than ever, good organizations need your help.The holidays are stressful and 2016 continues to disappoint, but there's work to do! Today we're talking nonprofits (including Farm Forward, t...

034: Music Foreveryone - Guest Steve Burns on music, emotions and his new album, "Foreverywhere." from 2016-12-08T05:52:22

If you've had your eyes open at all since 1996, you know Steve Burns from Blue's Clues. But now he’s making music. And it’s awesome. “Foreverywhere,” a psychedelic children's album he made with wit...

033: The "I" in Team: Communicating with co-parents without becoming a crutch from 2016-11-24T06:01:43

There's no team and there's no backup. That ended when we went our separate ways. So how do we handle co-parenting discrepancies, difficulties and (unreasonable) requests? No, really. How? This hig...

032: Post Election 2016: A Critical Look at our Stupified Whiteness from 2016-11-17T05:59:48

On November 8, less than half of the popular vote made Donald Trump the President-elect. The nation responded with tears, protests, letters and a symbolic debate over safety pins. Now we're adding ...

031: Asking for Help - It's not a weakness, but it feels like one from 2016-11-03T06:24:18

We've spent most of our lives intentionally not asking for help for various reasons and it's a difficult habit to break. But if we want our kids to know it's okay to ask, it's probably time for us ...

030: We're Down with PTC: Sometimes Conferences Go Right from 2016-10-27T04:57:26

It's conference season! You know what that means? Our kids get evaluated! Our parenting gets evaluated! Our flaws are highlighted! Time to crawl und-- Wait. She what?

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028: Things That Don't Matter from 2016-10-05T06:13:48

Alpacas, like life, are equal parts enjoyable and vicious, but it's the experience that counts. Over the years, we've both decided that experiences are better than things. So with outdated computer...

027: Snot, Sniffles, and Some Thoughts from 2016-09-29T05:45:58

Heather is sick. Full stop.Marlo got sick and, out of love, shared it with Heather. Yes, kids really are fun! We could have cancelled the recording, but there'd be no adventure in that. So we plowe...

026: Picking Battles with Picky Eaters from 2016-09-22T04:50:07

Choosing mealtime enjoyment over food fights and frustration.Cooking for one can be tricky. Cooking for one times two or three or more can be downright maddening. But if everyone is happy, well fed...

025: Evaluating the Replacement from 2016-09-15T05:01:56

Talking to kids about your ex's new relationship.Introducing a new relationship is one thing, talking to your kids about this new person is something else entirely. From the high road and the cheap...

024: Nature vs. Nurture vs. Hygiene from 2016-09-08T05:08:45

Because self care definitely doesn't come naturally to kids.We both have 12-year-olds, and that means hygiene is becoming a topic of interest. From shaving legs, to applying deodorant, to a discuss...

023: Bemoaning the Bell Schedule from 2016-09-01T05:42:48

School is back in session and we're back in the corner whimpering quietly.Another school year already? How many two pocket poly folders? How about a nice Trapper Keeper? Is this really be happening...

022: Fun with Funeral Potatoes from 2016-08-11T05:39:30

Religion is a personal choice. How parents approach it with their kids should be as well. Amen.Heather is an atheist, John is an agnostic and their kids are little horned heathens. Just kidding. Th...

021: An Ode to Student Loans from 2016-08-04T04:56:53

We rambled again and somehow this is where we ended up.It's funny how time away from our kids lets us step back a bit to reflect on past relationships, homework strategies, and being promiscuously ...

020: Parental Download from 2016-07-28T05:43:16

Co-parents usually enjoy a regular download of information, but  single parents aren't as lucky. This week we're happy to be joined by Assistant Professor Hillary Hyde. As a single - or, rather, so...

019: Start Seeing Color from 2016-07-21T05:21:41

Yes, we're white. And yes, we're probably wrong about a lot of this. But we need to be talking about race and we need to be talking to our kids about race and we need to try to do be better. To say...

018: Sanity Maintenance from 2016-07-14T05:44:38

Tackling our own mental health with openness, honesty, and kids at our sides.Mental health is important, but it's difficult to maintain and "easy" to ignore (for a while). From deeply entrenched so...

017: Resenting Resentment from 2016-07-07T05:02:17

Discussing that special feeling you get when you resent the wrong people (your children) for the right reasons (maybe?)Is there difficulty and contentment? Yep! But there's also a whole slew of mis...

016: Sharing Versus Caring from 2016-06-30T04:48:34

Deciding what we share about our kids has some complications now that we're single parents. Deciding what to share in the social space (blogs, social media, PODCASTS) can be a big decision. When yo...

015: Summer Breaking Point from 2016-06-23T04:59:23

Looking forward, looking back, and looking a bit pruney.Burnout is real and so it summer break. This week we're talking about how to tackle the day to day with our kids home for summer, lamenting t...

014: Frat Boys on Vacation from 2016-06-16T05:07:07

The logistics, lamentations, and laughable ideals of traveling with kids.As our kids have gotten older, it's become easier to travel with them but, in some ways, harder to travel without them. This...

013: A Tender Tinder Spiral from 2016-06-09T05:00:23

Sometimes this podcast is the only way we manage to catch up between travel, kid chaos, and texting random bits of insanity back and forth. This is one of those times. But mostly we just talked abo...

012: Divorce is Forever from 2016-06-02T05:14:24

We separated because we just wanted to be friends with our exes. Okay, that's not entirely true, but we both think that staying on the best possible terms with them is in the best interest of our k...

011: Nine Ways to Jesus, One Way to Chicago from 2016-05-26T05:20:35

This episode is a bit of a rambling spiral about Heather's experience in Boston (one hell of an experience!), John's decision to run the Chicago Marathon because Heather suckered him into it, and w...

010: Listener Stories and Medal Ceremonies from 2016-05-19T05:42:02

We're finally sorting listener emails and directly addressing the “Pain Olympics."

See See See See See from 2016-04-14T04:56:19

Trying to Fit in Exercise When Your Kids Have other Plans

See from 2016-04-07T05:03:06

Wading back into the dating pool while our kids wait (and wonder nervously) on the shore.

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001: That Crazy River from 2016-03-17T01:58:25

Becoming a Single Parent When the Other Parent RelocatesWhat is 'Manic Rambling Spiral?' How did Heather B. Armstrong, queen of the mommy bloggers, become a full-time single parent? That wasn't sup...

Trailer from 2016-03-14T22:08:28

Just what is Manic Rambling Spiral? Here's a quick taste of it.

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