Does Nostalgia Make Past Relationships Seem Better?

Josh and Craig discuss nostalgia as longing for survivable times and why Ted seeks familiar relationships.

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In this General Questions bonus episode, Josh, Craig, and Alek field fan-submitted questions all about Season 1, Episode 4: “Return of the Shirt.” They dig into nostalgia, memory, and what it means to go back to a past relationship—or a past version of yourself. The conversation also covers the symbolism of “the shirt,” how wardrobe choices are made, and the deeper meaning of memory in both life and storytelling. They explore how music shapes emotional memory, revisit HIMYM’s digital side quests (RIP, Barney’s Blog), and wrestle with one line that hasn’t aged well. Plus, sock monkeys, Bell and Sebastian, and why it might be time to resurrect some very 2005-era websites.

Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:

As you’re rewatching, is it strange to watch yourself interact with everyone before you actually knew them well?
How much input did you both have on clothing choices throughout the rest of the show?
How many days does the costume department have between getting the script and needing wardrobe ready to go?
Do you think nostalgia makes us see past relationships in a better light than they actually were?
What are your thoughts on how memory shapes what we remember about our lives and relationships?
Is what we’re watching the actual story Ted tells his kids, or are we seeing a more unfiltered version?
How did you choose the music for the show, and what are your musical influences?
Why were all the websites from the show taken down, and will they ever come back?
How do you feel now about the “beat up by a girl” joke at the end of the episode?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

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HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack