• 65: Gimme a Break
    Jan 13 2021

    Host Michelle Rubin explains why the podcast is taking a bit of a hiatus. Plus a soothing reco for these trying times!

    Join the Reco Squad.

    Email me at michelle@recopod.com.

    Recos & Related Episodes

    Prose Pre-Shampoo Scalp Mask

    Olive & June Mani System

    Headspace

    54: Reco Redux

    27: The Planner

    Show more Show less
    5 mins
  • 64: Reco Review
    Dec 30 2020

    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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

    Email me at michelle@recopod.com.

    Recos & Related Episodes

    Happiness resources (2:12)

    The Happiness Lab 2:41

    46: Get Out of Your Own Way

    Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy by Mo Gawdat (7:32)

    53: Let’s Talk About Racism

     

    Life hacks (9:43)

    Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Is So Much More by Courtney Carver (10:24)

    49: Care Package

    Rotating meal schedules (18:11)

    52: State of the Union

    Velour jumpsuit movement (29:07)

    57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club

    TV binge opportunities (36:46)

    McMillions (38:23)

    48: A Bevy of Binge Options

    Never Have I Ever (41:58)

    Ted Lasso (47:55)

    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • 63: The Annual Manual
    Dec 16 2020

    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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

    Angus Eye Tea podcast

     

    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

    The Comfy (47:28)

    Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty (51:48)

    The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (58:03)

    The Daily Dish Podcast

     

    Related Episodes

    61: Gratitude as a Superpower

    58: Tales from Junior High

    57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club

    52: State of the Union

    49: Care Package

    41: 10 Years’ Time

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 62: Escape From 2020
    Dec 2 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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

    Leave me a message on SpeakPipe!

     

    Recos

    Greyhound (8:35)

    Uncle Frank (17:28)

    Superintelligence (23:28)

     

    Movies Premiering on Dec. 25

    Wonder Woman 1984

    Soul

     

    Related Episodes

    61: Gratitude as a Superpower

    59: And We’re Back

    55: The Time Loop That Is 2020

    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • 61: Gratitude as a Superpower
    Nov 18 2020

    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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

     

    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

    The original Wall Street Journal article that inspired Terri’s daily gratitude project (here’s a version posted on a blog if you don’t have a subscription)

    A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life by John Kralik

    Choosing Gratitude by James Autry

    Thanks!:How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert Emmons

    Look Up, Your Unexpected Guide to Good by Jan Sokoloff Harness

     

    Recos

    Jackbox Games (39:04)

    The Game of Things Consumer Reports Ratings App (46:06)

    Storyworth (51:03)

    Related Episodes

    57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club

    54: Reco Redux

    50: The Upside of the Worst Month of My Life

    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • 60: Holidays, 2020-Style
    Nov 3 2020

    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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

     

    Recos & Resources

    CDC Holiday Guide (4:20)

    CDC Thanksgiving Guidelines

    Online Experiences by AirBNB (7:53)

    ‘True Vs. False’ Funny Historical Game

    Fun Travel Quiz With a Pro Travel Writer

    Meal exchange ideas (New York Times article) (13:45)

    Goldbelly (15:27)

    Virtual game night (19:23)

    The Game Gal Word Generator (to play Catchphrase online)

    Code Names

    Jackbox Games

    Gathering in person safely (21:47)

    “Innovative Holiday and Winter Gatherings in the Time of COZID–19,” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

    Pods and social bubbles (22:58)

    Sample pod agreement

    Thinking about the holidays differently (25:57)

     

    Related Episodes

    57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club

    50: The Upside of the Worst Month of My Life

    40: My Holiday Survival Guide

    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • 59: And We're Back
    Oct 21 2020

    Michelle Rubin returns from hiatus with occasional co-host Steve Scheideman in tow to share their latest geeky obsessions, including Song Exploder and Airtable.

    Join the Reco Squad.

    Recos

    Song Exploder (4:52)

    Airtable (12:36)

    Informed Delivery by USPS (21:00)

    Related Episodes

    55: The Time Loop That Is 2020

    54: Reco Redux

    31: The Griller

    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • 58: Tales From Junior High
    Sep 23 2020

    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.

    Join the Reco Squad.

     

    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

    Drop 7 (32:24)

    Sing to Me Instead by Ben Platt (46:31)

    Ben Platt: Live From Radio City Music Hall

    One Last Forking Table Read (The Good Place) (52:00)

     

    Related Episodes

    57: Welcome to the Anxiety Club

    49: Care Package

    45: Marathon Woman

    Show more Show less
    57 mins