Highly Recommended

On this “reco pod,” Michelle and a special guest chat about their latest obsessions, which, of course, they highly recommend. No matter what it is—product finds, new gadgets and tech, pop culture faves, fashion and beauty trends, life hacks, hashtags, etc.—they’ll give you a quick rundown of the things giving them joy this week in the hopes they’ll do the same for you.

65: Gimme a Break 01/13/2021

65: Gimme a Break Host Michelle Rubin explains why the podcast is taking a bit of a hiatus. Plus a soothing reco for these trying times! . Email me at [email protected]. Recos & Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/17526461

64: Reco Review 12/30/2020

64: Reco Review Finish out 2020 with a look back on our favorite recommendations for happiness resources, life hacks and television binge opportunities from this year’s episodes. . Email me at [email protected]. Recos & Related Episodes Happiness resources (2:12) 2:41 (7:32) Life hacks (9:43) (10:24) Rotating meal schedules (18:11) Velour jumpsuit movement (29:07) TV binge opportunities (36:46) (38:23) (41:58) (47:55) /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/17365226

63: The Annual Manual 12/16/2020

63: The Annual Manual Forget resolutions. This year, make goals. Jenifer Linder and Michelle Rubin share their tips for personal goal planning and adjusting for life changes—and pandemics. Plus recos for what's making them happy in these troubled times. . Conversation How this year’s plans went (10:35) How having a plan for the year helped when the unexpected happened (13:35) Just showing up was enough this year (16:33) Taking baby steps helps you move forward (22:55) How this year can help us clarify what we want (25:19) The importance of writing down goals and displaying them (30:11) How the pandemic will affect our 2021 goals (39:21) Reco Squad downloadable: The Annual Manual (43:23) Recos (47:28) (51:48) (58:03) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/17214845

62: Escape From 2020 12/02/2020

62: Escape From 2020 Looking for a strategy for coping with 2020? Have you tried escapism? Steve Scheideman and Michelle Rubin share three recent favorite movies that almost helped them forget the stresses of this year. . ! Recos (8:35) (17:28) (23:28) Movies Premiering on Dec. 25 Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/17029286

61: Gratitude as a Superpower 11/18/2020

61: Gratitude as a Superpower Struggling to find gratitude? Just in time for Thanksgiving, guest Terri Hale shares how to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude—even during challenging times. . Conversation Terri’s daily gratitude project (7:10) The role of accountability (9:38) How it helps her feel connected (11:38) Looking for gratitude in the the things that frustrate you (13:12) How gratitude changes your perspective (18:23) Gratitude as a mindfulness tactic (25:47) Advice for those struggling to find gratitude right now (30:01) Advice for those who want to start their own gratitude project (33:26) Resources ( if you don’t have a subscription) Recos (39:04) (46:06) (51:03) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/16855013

60: Holidays, 2020-Style 11/03/2020

60: Holidays, 2020-Style Trying to figure out your holiday plans this year? You’re not alone. Michelle Rubin shares her guide for how to safely and creatively celebrate the holidays in these unprecedented times. . Recos & Resources (4:20) (7:53) (New York Times article) (13:45) (15:27) Virtual game night (19:23) (to play Catchphrase online) Gathering in person safely (21:47) “,” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Pods and social bubbles (22:58) Thinking about the holidays differently (25:57) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/16662371

59: And We're Back 10/21/2020

59: And We're Back Michelle Rubin returns from hiatus with occasional co-host Steve Scheideman in tow to share their latest geeky obsessions, including *Song Exploder* and Airtable. /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/16485557

58: Tales From Junior High 09/23/2020

58: Tales From Junior High Junior high is hard enough without adding a pandemic on top of it. In this episode, host Michelle Rubin talks with her niece, Reece Rubin, who has some great recommendations for trying to find some normalcy in the midst of a pandemic. . Conversation Going back to school (10:14) Navigating the new rules and procedures (18:04) Socializing during a pandemic (19:40) How her parents are coping (28:18) What’s helping her cope (29:27) How running cross country helps her socialize (34:20) Outlook on trying new things (40:03) Recos (32:24) (46:31) (52:00) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/16113902

57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club 09/09/2020

57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club Are you dealing with anxiety? On this week’s episode, podcaster Elaine Best shares the story of how she came to realize she might have an anxiety disorder — and then started a comedy podcast about it. Plus: the magic of velour. . . Conversation Why Elaine decided to podcast about anxiety (9:32) The story behind the name “Angus Eye Tea” (13:02) How she came to realize she was dealing with anxiety (16:00) You don’t have to “qualify” to be anxious (18:41) How she learned to deal with her anxiety (25:28) Elaine’s rubber band theory of anxiety (30:47) Dealing with anxiety in 2020 (32:37) Recommendations for people who have recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (51:15) Recos Bollywood movies (1:00:57) (1:07:37) Velour jumpsuits (1:12:47) Related Episodes Connect with Elaine Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/15940226

56: What's Your Enneagram Type? 08/26/2020

56: What's Your Enneagram Type? Are you a student of enneagram? Or just want to understand those enneagram references on your Instagram feed? Polly Maly joins Michelle Rubin to talk about her enneagram obsession, type and favorite resources and how it helps her understand her family better. Plus: Crafty recos! Conversation How Polly became interested in enneagrams (6:38) (8:42) Our types (10:22) Enneagram wings (19:24) Better understanding yourself through your type (28:04) Better understanding your partner and children (33:04) Polly’s recommendation for others (39:46) Recos Enneagram resources (43:12) (46:44) (52:03) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/15758036

55: The Time Loop That Is 2020 08/12/2020

55: The Time Loop That Is 2020 Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman share their favorite movies during a summer without theatrical releases. Recos (7:45) (16:17) (20:56) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/15579992

54: Reco Redux 07/15/2020

54: Reco Redux From “Central Park” to Hunt a Killer, Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman share their latest obsessions and what’s keeping them sane this summer. Recos (10:57) “” (14:56) “” (21:04) line of nail colors (25:40) (30:14) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/15214700

53: Let's Talk About Racism 07/01/2020

53: Let's Talk About Racism Mark Wilson and Michelle Rubin have an honest discussion about racism, including Mark’s experience as the only Black student in their predominantly white high school, an open letter he wrote to former classmates and more. Intro Conversation Why Mark decided to write an open letter to his “Iowa brothers and sisters” (10:35) Being the only Black student in an all-white school (16:20) The open letter Mark posted on Facebook (21:10) How often Mark gets pulled over by the police (38:48) Part 2 of the letter (and Mark’s first day at an all-white junior high) (48:12) The first time Mark heard someone use the word “racist” (1:00:10) Reactions to Mark’s Facebook post (1:15:45) Continue the conversation Email [email protected] Engage on social media Mark’s upcoming podcast, “The Unheard American Voices” (1:38:05) Recos (1:41:15) (1:43:20) (1:45:25) Featured Episodes Connect with Mark Email: [email protected] /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/15036443

52: State of the Union 06/17/2020

52: State of the Union Looking for a fun and simple way to set family goals? Metta West shares a tradition that her family has used for everything from planning more vacations to having more side dishes for dinner. Plus, her awesome meal planning hack and other recos. Conversation What is the state of the union? (5:53) When the conversation gets intense (12:16) How Metta and her husband flex the process based on what’s going on in their lives (14:13) Checking in and celebrating progress (17:13) The importance of including smaller goals (18:54) Recommendations for others who may want to try the state of the union tradition (27:12) Recos (30:34) Rotating meal schedules (36:40) (47:36) Related Episodes Connect with Metta Instagram: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/14854292

51: So You Want to Write a Book 05/20/2020

51: So You Want to Write a Book Independent author Teresa Laurenzo talks about how she turned her late mother’s childhood stories into a young adult novel and what she learned in the process. Plus, more binge recos! Conversation The Inspiration for Teresa’s book (5:13) How an inspiring professor encouraged Teresa to write (6:44) How initial negative feedback allowed Teresa to find the right path (8:06) Fusing her mother’s stories with her own imagination (11:00) Formulaic vs. literary novels (14:41) Dealing with self-doubt (18:35) How she learned about independent publishing (21:34) Best advice she received (28:26) Researching the era and locations in her book ( 28:53) Recommendations for others who may want to write a book (35:22) Join a local writer’s group Michael Hague’s Give your manuscript to someone you trust to give you feedback and to someone in the field about which you are writing to check for accuracy Recos (40:22) (47:30) (50:45) (53:48) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/14480675

50: The Upside of the Worst Month of My Life 05/06/2020

50: The Upside of the Worst Month of My Life Michelle Rubin shares a story of how a challenging time in her life — when she endured a miscarriage, received a cancer diagnosis and got laid off within three weeks — helps her cope with fear and anxiety about what’s happening in the world right now. Plus, she and Steve Scheideman share their latest obsessions, including Upload and “Staying in with Emily and Kumail.” Conversation The story of one of the worst months of my life (3:17) Three things I learned during one of the worst months of my life (15:18) Stop focusing on the what ifs (15:51) Feel your feelings (24:03) : call 1–800–985–5990. You can also text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Remember that it’s all relative (30:15) Conversation with Steve Scheideman about one of the worst months of his life (34:05) Recos by Tig Notaro (50:24) (54:29) (23:21) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/14301593

49: Care Package 04/22/2020

49: Care Package Jenifer Linder and Michelle Rubin talk about how they’re coping with everything going on in the world, their current favorite podcasts and, of course, press-on nails. Conversation Take things one day at a time (19:05) Find one thing to bring you joy every day (24:08) Try a virus news-free day (26:39) Let some light in (32:01) Handwriting a letter to a loved one (35:13) Check in with people (38:42) Tackle a small project (41:06) Recos (48:42) (55:49) (1:00:38) by Courtney Carver (1:07:53) Connect with Jenifer Email: Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/14091674

48: A Bevy of Binge Options 04/08/2020

48: A Bevy of Binge Options Have you run out of things to binge while social distancing? On this episode, Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman have a few suggestions. They share latest faves and a few throwback recommendations. (Have one to share yourself? Go to and leave a comment!) Recos (7:04) (12:07) (14:32) free trial (use the promo code GIFT) (23:10) Throwback Recos (26:58) (32:29) (39:15) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/13894781

47: Navigating the New Normal 03/25/2020

47: Navigating the New Normal Bess Jacobson and Michelle Rubin talk about their tips for working from home, connecting with others and just trying to deal with the new normal brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conversation Keeping a routine (8:10) It’s easy just to keep working at the end of the day (9:20) Challenges of working from home long-term (11:00) Being patient with people (13:10) Try to be respectful of poeple’s time (15:42) Virtual social gatherings (18:39) Distractions are good for our mental health (22:15) Connecting with others (29:40) Finding comfort in things that are familiar to me (33:40) It’s OK if you’re still figuring this out; take care of yourself (34:20) Recos Coronavirus podcasts (36:25) (41:20) (I called it Heads Up in the episode, but I meant this one! We talked about it on . Comedy specials (43:28) * (40:02) Connect with Bess Twitter: Related Episodes 32: 16: 06: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/13689641

46: Get Out of Your Own Way 03/11/2020

46: Get Out of Your Own Way Photographer Molly Wood shares her story of how she regained her confidence, pursued her passion and took her artistic career to the next level. The Conversation A crisis of confidence (5:17) Getting out of her own way (7:12) Getting over the crisis of confidence (10:12) Why Molly shoots botanicals (10:51) Being OK with the work even if people didn’t like it (15:39) Fear of failure (21:22) The myth of not having time (22:27) Molly’s process (24:48) Molly’s advice to others who want to pursue their passion (28:00) Recos 35:48 41:20 46:08 Connect with Molly Instagram: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/13503104

45: Marathon Woman 02/12/2020

45: Marathon Woman Since running her first marathon 18 years ago, Macenzie Rubin has run 64 more. Listen in as she talks about why she does it, how she's continued since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and her advice for anyone wanting to train for a marathon. Plus, recos for our favorite new sparkling water, a marathon website and more. Join the ! The Conversation How Macenzie started running marathons (3:57) Hitting the wall during a marathon (12:57) Why she ran the next 64 marathons (15:38) Her goal to run in every state (19:34) Qualifying for the Boston Marathon (27:13) Macenzie’s MS diagnosis (30:22) Running her first marathon after her diagnosis(38:48) Her recommendation for those wanting to run a marathon (50:14) Recos (1:00:40) (1:03:43) (1:07:35) (1:14:42) Connect with Macenzie Instagram: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/13119074

44: Romantic Risks 01/29/2020

44: Romantic Risks Scared to tell a crush your true feelings? Shy introvert (and somehow also a podcast host) Michelle Rubin and her husband Steve Scheideman about how she found the courage to tell him she had a crush on him—plus more harrowing tales of romantic risks! Conversation 3 Romantic Risks I Took in My Relationship I shared my true feelings (13:53) I spontaneously suggested we move in together (21:54) I got over my fear of things ending horribly and said yes (25:11) Recommendations for someone who is scared to take a romantic risk (31:30) Related links Follow me on: Recos Handmade Valentine gifts (33:20) (37:49) (41:08) Weigh In What did you think of the episode? Do you have a similar story to share? Email me at [email protected]! /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12927479

43: Tales From a Mixed-Orientation Marriage 01/15/2020

43: Tales From a Mixed-Orientation Marriage Kellie Kramer returns to the podcast to talk about her nine-year marriage to a gay man—plus that Dolly Parton podcast and our obsession with an elite competitive cheer squad. The Conversation When Kellie first heard the term “mixed-orientation marriage” (8:50) When people make assumptions about what is going on in someone’s mixed-orientation marriage (12:42) How Kellie dealt with invasive questions about her marriage (13:11) Recommendations for people who might learn they know someone in a mixed-orientation marriage (22:37) Audience reaction to Kellie’s story (26:46) Recommendations for people who may have a similar story (29:08) Related Links Recos (33:44) (42:07) (45:44) Weigh In What did you think of the episode? Do you have a similar story to share? Are you obsessed with Cheer, too? Email me at [email protected]! /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12745814

42: Our Favorite 2019 TV Recos 01/01/2020

42: Our Favorite 2019 TV Recos Happy new year! We’re looking back out our favorite binge-watching recos of 2019. Recos & Related Episodes Tidying Up with Marie Kondo () 1:30 Letterkenny () 10:40 Veronica Mars Season 4 () 21:48 Schitt’s Creek () 30:00 The Boys () 43:48 ! /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12579113

41: 10 Years' Time 12/18/2019

41: 10 Years' Time As we get closer to the end of the decade, Jenifer Linder and Michelle Rubin reflect on the last 10 years and cover a lot of ground, from empty nesting to dealing with breast cancer and drawing strength from hard times. Full show notes at . Intro ! The Conversation Attitude Readjustment Playlists (4:34) Advances in listening to music (6:00) What would 2010 you be most surprised about 2020 you? (8:44) Turning 50 (10:43) Empty nesting (14:30) Stop waiting for the perfect time (18:32) Learn to trust your gut (21:12) Stop comparing yourself to others (28:10) Dealing with breast cancer (29:46) Drawing strength from hard times (38:20) What brings you joy (39:52) Recos Michelle’s favorite movies of the ’10s: and and (45:00) (48:55) Related Episodes /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12446444

40: My Holiday Survival Guide 12/04/2019

40: My Holiday Survival Guide Is the stress of holiday preparations getting in the way of your enjoyment of the season? Join Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman as they discuss strategies for staying merry and bright this month. Full show notes at . My Holiday Survival Strategies Think about how you want to feel on Christmas and prioritize those things that will help you get there. (10:57) Say no to myself (everything doesn’t have to be perfect). (17:26) Ask for help. (19:43) Set boundaries and give myself sanctuary. (24:25) Enjoy what’s special about the holiday season. (28:58) Recos (32:52) (35:30) + and get access to the Holiday Cheat Sheet! /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12273854

39: Like a Boss 11/20/2019

39: Like a Boss “No one knows what they’re doing.” Tired of feeling like an imposter? Amy Ambrose shares her tips for gaining and projecting confidence—even when you’re not feeling it. Find full show notes at Recopod.com. Intro Changes to the podcast (:40) Introducing: (2:59) (3:59) Tips from Amy No one knows what they’re doing (11:27) Reframing (focus on something that will make you confident) (15:46) Asking for what you want—and dealing with the results (24:37) What to tell yourself when you’re in over your head (29:50) How to work on confidence with your kids (31:31) Speaking in front of a group (34:22) Reframing yourself by joining a new organization where people don’t know you 35:08) Recos (38:13) (affiliate link) (38:20) Documenting the books you read (44:20) Upgrading your phone (48:58) /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/12104510

38: The Crate Convert 11/06/2019

38: The Crate Convert Looking for a worthy subscription box? Jo First and Michelle Rubin chat about their experiences with the likes of FabFitFun, Dia Box, BirchBox and more. Plus, a great resource for finding the perfect crate for someone. RECOS (referral link) (2:42) (referral link) (10:19) (referral link) and (18:27) and (31:56) (37:22) RELATED EPISODES CONNECT WITH JO Instagram: /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/11911922

37: The Teenager 10/23/2019

37: The Teenager Wonder what it's like to be in high school these days? Is vaping really a threat? How do teenagers handle social media? Amelia Scheideman gives us the scoop and chats about what she's into right now, including YouTuber Tiffany Ferg and Lore! Recos (18:22) (22:04) (29:04) (32:40) (38:11) /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/11750006

36: The Co-Host for Life 10/09/2019

36: The Co-Host for Life In search of the best password manager app, an easy Halloween costume or a geeky Twitter account? We’ve got you covered this week as Michelle Rubin and Steve Scheideman share what’s currently giving them joy. /episode/index/show/highlyrecommended/id/11571941

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