The Blog
Truth found in unexpected places
When You Need a Reminder About Who’s in Control
When I hear the word “control,” I immediately begin mixing my pop culture metaphors as my brain simultaneously sings Janet Jackson lyrics and does a [poor] Gollum impression, whispering, “My precious,” to the idea of control. Ah, to have everything in my world following my commands and plans! Like Ms. Jackson, some days I imagine my last name really is Control.
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The Couch Podcast :: TV Shows for Tweens with Amanda White (S2E11)
Have you ever wondered, “What TV shows would my tween like?” and what you really meant was, “What shows would my tween like that I wouldn’t hate with the passion of a thousand burning suns?” or maybe, “What shows can I let my tween watch that are interesting and clever but not obnoxious or focused on romance, that tell great stories and maybe offer some gentle lessons but don’t hit them over the head with it because nobody really likes that?” Well, then, have we got a show for you.
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The Ultimate List of TV Shows for Tweens
The pop culture-related question I am asked (and overhear or read) the most is, “What’s a good show for my tween to watch?” I can’t speak for every tween parent (or, certainly any tween ever). But I can tell you what shows my own daughters have loved. And I can give you the parameters and categories I’m using. Basically, what I’m saying is that this list includes the best TV shows for tweens, according to me.
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The Couch Podcast :: Friends & Fall TV with Kayse Pratt (S2E10)
In honor of the show’s 25th anniversary (which is ridiculous because 1994 was just a couple years ago), I invited my friend and proven Friends expert, Kayse, to chat with me. Actually, I asked her to please give us a primer or refresher on Friends with the best episodes and guest stars and quotes. Boy, did she deliver. Kayse knows and loves her Friends!
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19 New TV Shows to Check Out This Fall
I’m not going to watch all 19 of these shows. You should not watch all 19 of these shows. But if you are looking for a new show, it’s probably on this list. These are the ones that either I plan to watch myself or that critics are predicting will be popular hits.
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The Couch Podcast :: Workplace Comedies We Love with Grace P. Cho
This week’s episode is about workplace comedies. As we chat, you’ll hear me try to convince Grace to branch out to other workplace comedies. And we’ll debate what defines a workplace comedy in the first place. What IS Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Is it a workplace comedy? A cop show? Who knows? Well, maybe we do. You’ll have to listen to find out.
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The Best Workplace Comedies You Can Stream
From cubicles to corner offices, people at work are just always doing something funny — or at least something laughable. Ridiculous or really annoying, the worst and weirdest parts of work can seem a little bit better when we take a minute to laugh at them. And, we all know that in real life work can be dull and life-sucking — so what better way to deal with the mundane or take a break from boring than to make fun of it? Enter the workplace comedy.
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The Couch Podcast :: Dishing About Downton Abbey with Niki Hardy (S2E8)
Listen for the recap of Downton Abbey the show, listen for the musing about the upcoming Downton Abbey movie, or listen for the way I’m repeatedly awkward. So very awkward.
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When You Don’t Know What to Do
On Saturday night I went to bed at a decent time, with plans to get up on time the next morning. That might sound like common sense, but it's not always -- or even often -- what I do. Most Sunday mornings start off late and get more stressful every minute between...
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The Couch Podcast :: Why We Love the Wizard of Oz with James Walters (S2E7)
Today’s guest is none other than my little brother, James! What? Yes, it’s true. The bad news is that we recorded together, in person, across my dining room table, with one microphone. Annnnnnd it shows. Awkward laughs abound and the sound quality isn’t great, but I hope you’ll just crank up the volume a bit and listen anyway. Because what could be more fun than listening to us go on and on about the Wizard of Oz and our love for it? Nothing. Nothing could.
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Does a Bad Ending Ruin a Great Season?
If you’re having trouble separating your feelings about a bad ending with your memories of a great season, you’re not alone. I’ve been there — both as a disgruntled TV fan and as a failed church planter, fundraiser, and friend. It’s hard to remember the good things that led up to a disappointment, a heartbreak, a really bad ending, or just an unwanted ending. But you can do it.
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The Couch Podcast :: Loving Long-Running Shows with Heather Parker (S2E6)
Last month was all about short-lived shows, and today we’re going in the opposite direction. Heather Parker joins me to talk about long-running TV shows. This episode was inspired by our shared love of NCIS, but don’t worry. If you aren’t as enamored with Leroy Jethro Gibbs and procedurals as we are, you won’t be bored by this episode. Because we don’t just talk NCIS; we also talk other long-running shows. Some of them were surprising. (Who knew Lassie ran for 19 seasons – or that Timmy never actually got stuck in a well?!) We also talk about why some shows last so long, and how they can become part of our lives after a while.
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