Parenting Roundabout

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode went nowhere, much like our survivors; it gave us a bit more of Sun and Jin's story in flashback, but nothing very important. We could, however, relate to both Sun's and Michael's foolhardy desperation to do something in a situation they can't control.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 6, "Abandoned." Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 12 (the season finale).

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is The Change by Kirsten Miller, a novel of revenge and crime-fighting fueled by menopausal women's rage (which made it very satisfying).​Terri's random recommendation this week is the Rosary in a Year podcast, a chart-topper offering a deep dive into this prayer (perfect for the new year). Mentioned: The Bible in a Year podcast and the Catechism in a Year podcast.​​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 on reserving our judgment (or at least trying to).Next week's lineup: Lost S2 E5, "...and Found," on Tuesday, January 21Shrinking S2 E12, "The Last Thanksgiving," on Wednesday, January 22Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 23Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. This episode included one unnecessary break-up, one child who gave a parent a dose of their own medicine, and one person who's possibly in the wrong profession. Mentioned: Disney adults and a women-hanging-out scene from Jerry Maguire.​Next week, we'll watch the finale of season 2, "The Last Thanksgiving.” (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. On the island, poor Hurley got stuck with a thankless job, while in flashback, he got a scolding from his mom that we found relatable. Elsewhere, we learned more about the Dharma Initiative bunker and the tail-section survivors.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 5, "...and Found." Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 11.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a resource that you can most likely find at your own library: Newspapers.com, a repository of archives from all over the U.S. and six other countries. Find your great-grandparents' wedding announcement or read up on crimes like the Panama Hat Heist of 1904.​Terri's random recommendation this week is not one, but three books: Two she's recently finished, and one she's just starting. She finished (and loved) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and enjoyed Jim O'Heir's memoir about Parks & Rec, Welcome to Pawnee--but suggests skipping the audiobook on this one. And as a dutiful English major, she's now reading Everybody Behaves Badly: The True Story Behind Hemingway's Masterpiece The Sun Also Rises by Lesley M. M. Blume. Mentioned: The TV adaption of A Gentleman in Moscow, which we watched and enjoyed last summer.​​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on parenting best-sellers on Amazon. Guess wha

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. On this episode, a parent tried and ultimately failed to make a child's birthday special, and a child tried to set boundaries with a parent--which also didn't go very well. But at least Liz is back to her snarky self.​Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 11, "The Drugs Don't Work.” (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. On this episode, we met a few of the threatening Others that Jin warned us about at the end of the previous episode, re-met a survivor seen previously in flashback, and heard yet again that Locke wasn't always the tough guy he is now. Mentioned: Game show challenges for parents and Mouse Rat's song "The Pit" from Parks & Rec.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 4, "Everybody Hates Hugo." Tomorrow, it's Shrinking, season 2, episode 10.

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. There were a lot of parenting and family breakthroughs in this episode, along with a little more comic relief than we got last time (thanks, Sean). ​Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 10, "Changing Patterns.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) And we'll be changing back to our usual pattern of Shrinking on Wednesdays and the weekly roundup on Thursdays.

While we’re celebrating New Year’s with our families, we bring you this relic of podcasts past: A speed round devoted to our resolutions for the coming year. That year was 2020, but … yeah, we’re still rolling them over. And since this is a replay, you'll hear from our old pal Nicole Eredics. We miss you, Nicole!

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Along with Michael flashbacks and the aftermath of Walt's kidnapping and the raft explosion, this episode revisited the in-the-hatch events of the prior one. So we got some time and pacing weirdness to go along with all the other island weirdness.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 3, "Orientation." Tomorrow, we'll replay a New Year's chat from our archives, and then we'll be back with a new episode on Thursday (Shrinking, S2 E9).

On Wednesdays (usually), we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking, a happy fun sitcom that does its best to make us cry every week. This was an extra-sad one, with many characters facing the consequences of their actions (Liz, Derek, Louis, Jimmy) and their mortality (Paul). Like we said, fun and happy! Mentioned: Shrinking playlists on Apple Music (season 1 and season 2).​Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 9, "Full Grown Dude Face.” (Yes, we're watching this a few weeks behind its initial drops. That's parenting for you!) Look for that on Thursday, January 2, as we continue our shuffled holiday schedule for another week.

While we’re celebrating Christmas with our families, we bring you this relic of Christmas past: One of the only original podcast episodes we put out on Christmas day, back in 2019. As you’ll see, we don’t take vacations from complaining.We'll be back tomorrow with our discussion of Shrinking, season 2, episode 8, "Last Drink."

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this season 2 kickoff, we meet a new character, get yet another Jack flashback, and watch both Locke and Kate take a dive down into the hatch. Mentioned: Our discussion of a Good Place scene that called back to the opening of this Lost episode.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 2, "Adrift." Tomorrow, a special Christmas relic, and then Shrinking, season 2, episode 8 on Thursday.

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.​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.​​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 24Shrinking S2 E8, "Last Drink," on Wednesday, December 25Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 26Until then (and anytime you're in need), the a

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.​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.​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.​​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 fro

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.​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).​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.​​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 10Shrinking S2 E6, "In a Lonely Place," on Wednesday, December 11Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 12Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.