Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

Catherine's library find is a board book that's ostensibly for babies... about electrical engineering. Better yet, it has a Christmas theme! (And it's part of a whole series of science-themed board books). We'll stick with colors, shapes, and ABCs, thanks.
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Terri's random recommendation this week is a lighter topic than electrical engineering: Funny videos on Instagram. Check out Farbsy for goofy takes on workplace emails, customer support for pets, and more.
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In the archives, we checked out an episode from 2019 on the good news/bad news of being needed as a parent. Mentioned: Googling Is for Old People. That's a Problem for Google, at the Wall Street Journal; the penny problem on The West Wing and at the New York Times. 

Next week's lineup: 

• Lost S2 E1, "Man of Science, Man of Faith," on Tuesday, December 24
• Shrinking S2 E8, "Last Drink," on Wednesday, December 25
• Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 26

Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. This episode gave us the happy resolution of one of the unhappy plotlines we've been following, as Alice and Summer made up (but only after Summer worked out her feelings in a very NSFW song). But it also included the reveal of two serious betrayals, so we have that fallout to look forward to next week. Mentioned: An in-on-the-joke response to the episode from Craig of Craigslist.
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Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 8, "Last Drink.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This two-hour episode, the season finale, was predictably action-packed--with some catastrophes we did, in fact, predict. Mentioned: Guest Taylor Cole's musical tribute to Locke on the Extra Hot Great podcast.

Next Tuesday, we'll starts season 2 with episode 1, "Man of Science, Man of Faith." Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 7.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

Catherine's library find is a trio of cozy mysteries by Claudia Gray, all starring Jane Austen characters: The Murder of Mr. Wickham (2022), The Late Mrs. Willoughby (2023), and The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bough (2024). These are an absolutely delightful (and non-stressful) way to revisit these characters, and there's even a little helping of romance. Mentioned: Death Comes to Pemberley, another contemporary author's take on an Austen-themed mystery.
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Terri's random recommendation is Artful Plus, the premium version of Artful Agenda, a digital planner we both use. With Artful Plus, you get a habit tracker and the ability to make and use your own stickers, among other perks. Mentioned: The Artful Agenda Facebook group, Artfully Obsessed.
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In the archives, we discussed an episode from 2020 on how parents can pay it forward (which we think is more helpful than starting or participating in a drive-thru pay-it-forward chain). Mentioned: Books from our former co-hosts: Inclusion in Action by Nicole Eredics and Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools (January 2025) by Amanda Morin.

Next week's lineup: 

• Lost S1 E23, "Exodus: Part 2," on Tuesday, December 17
• Shrinking S2 E6, "Get in the Sea," on Wednesday, December 18
• Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 19

Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking, and an episode that gave us quite a lot of parenting and therapizing and dads trying to overcome daddy issues (plus Gabby trying to manage her complicated family, too). Good on the dads and surrogate dad figures! But at least one other storyline is going someplace we'd rather not follow.
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Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 7, "Get in the Sea.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode gave us the launching of the raft (so, everything's going to be fine from this point on, right?) and the return of Danielle Rousseau, bearing ominous warnings (so, maybe not so fine). 

Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 23, "Exodus: Part 2" (the two-hour second half of the season finale). Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 6.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

Catherine's library find is an instructional picture book for kids called How to Pee Your Pants* (*the Right Way) by Rachel Michelle Wilson. It's cute and relatable (and Terri thinks it could have applications beyond the preschool crowd).
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Terri's random recommendation is back, and this week she has a simple way to reflect on the holiday season: The Pray More Advent retreat from Pray More Novenas.
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In the archives, we checked out an episode from 2020 on the joy of flying solo (otherwise known as alone time for mom).

Next week's lineup: 

• Lost S1 E23, "Exodus: Part 1," on Tuesday, December 10
• Shrinking S2 E6, "In a Lonely Place," on Wednesday, December 11
• Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 12

Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. And TBH the honesty in this episode caused a lot more problems than it solved, and that's not really why we're here. Bring back the jokes and the friends hanging out!

Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 6, "In a Lonely Place.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This Kate flashback gave us a bad daughter, a bad ex-girlfriend, a bad mom, and yet another bad dad, but not a lot of forward progress on many plots. Mentioned: Mackenzie Astin in How to Deal.

Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 23, "Exodus: Part 1" (the first half of the season finale). Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 5.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

Catherine's library find is a trio of parenting books, because the publishing industry will never give up on promising parents a simple fix for all their problems.

• The Yoga of Parenting: Ten Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yourself by Sarah Ezrin
• Project Management for Parents: Engage the Family, Build Teamwork, Succeed Together by Hilary Kinney, PMP
• The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent by Helen Russell

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Terri's random recommendation will be back next week, since we've reached the finale of Dancing with the Stars season 33! Congratulations to Bachelor Joey for his win and to Stephen and Ilona for being winners in our hearts. Seek out their freestyle numbers if you haven't seen them yet: Stephen and Rylee; Ilona and Alan.
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In the archives, we discussed little things we're thankful for (from 2020); happy Thanksgiving!

Next week's lineup: 

• Lost S1 E22, "Born to Run," on Tuesday, December 3
• Shrinking S2 E5, "Honesty Era," on Wednesday, December 4
• Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 5

Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. On this episode, our old pal Daddy Issues is back with a vengeance, but there's also some good fathering (or surrogate fathering) going on too.

Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 5, "Honesty Era.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.