Try This On For Size Pod

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 86 with Claire Luchette! We are so excited to have Claire back on for a second time, and we start this episode with a harrowing tale of their winter run (0:30). Then Jim welcomes Claire back with an official intro (3:30) before sharing where we are all at (hint: we are all injured!) (4:55). Incidentally, our main topic is health, where we discuss what drives us to be healthier (15:35), our approaches to better health (19:15), being addicted to busy-ness (26:45), our mental blocks (30:15), our health routines in 2025 (36:45), self-indulgence (41:15) and some final thoughts in poetic form (47:15). As always, we close with what we are trying on for size in our Dressing Room (49:30). We hope you all enjoy it!

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 85, “The Hate.” We swear this topic is less depressing than it sounds, most notably because we welcome FIRST-TIME guest, Cam Cronin, to the pod!! In this episode, Cam starts us off with a story from his childhood (0:30) before we share the different ways we all met (2:45) (Note: This was very name drop-y for our BC folks, but Jim makes a confession at the 9:00 mark that is worth it). We then dive into our main topic, hate, by first discussing where it is showing up for us currently (10:30). Incidentally, we also discuss whether hate is just sustained anger (14:00), definitions of hate (16:45), what puts people on a path to hate (23:15), overregulation and catharsis (28:30), innate hatred (35:45), whether hate is an emotion (41:30), and the utility of hate and what it has wrought (45:15). Of course, before we get too negative, we close out with what we are Trying on For Size in our “Dressing Room” (47:15). As always, send us your feedback!

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 84, where we bring back another 3-timer, the illustrious, Loretta Allen Edes! In this quarter's ep, Loretta starts us off with a vignette of her family's dinner table (0:30), before we all share “where we are at” in August of 2024 (3:20). For our main topic, we discuss Love, and where and how we are noticing it in our 30's (13:25). We then dive into harmony being the sixth love language (18:00), the different ways we see love evolving over time (23:00), the experiences in life that affect how we show love to others (33:15), the shift in coming out (37:55), and finally, how we are cultivating love in our 30s (41:30). As always, we close with some things to Try on For Size in our “Dressing Room” (50:00).

Welcome back to Try This On For Size, Episode 83, where we welcome in another, (or first, who knows?!) fourth-timer guest, Evan Campbell! In this quarter's ep, Evan starts us off with a recent story of facing his fears (0:40), before we explain where we are all at in May of 2024 (4:30). For our main topic, we discuss fear, and incidentally our earliest fears as kids (12:30). We then dive into how we are facing our fears in adulthood (20:45), comparing fear to anxiety (not technically at all) (23:50), fear of failure (27:25), fear of conflict (29:30), modern awareness of conflict (34:00), capitalist fears (38:40), and the choices we have to tackle fear in our advancing age (46:00). As always, we close with some things to Try on For Size in our “Dressing Room” (54:10).

Try This On For Size... it is Episode 82 with special return guest, Shami Bery! In this quarter's ep, we name where we are all at (1:30), before discussing our main topic: Optimism (14:50)! Incidentally, we ask how we are approaching optimism in our 30s (16:00), how delusional we are (17:00), connecting with younger people (23:00), investing in our relationships (28:00), and finding some bright spots currently (36:00). Finally we close with our Dressing Room (46:50). We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... It's Episode 81 with another 3-timer guest, Michael (or Gambit, or Dills) Dillon! In this episode we say where we are all at (1:40) before we dive into our main topic about humility (8:40). We discuss what we think humility means (10:00), can we be proud and humble (12:00), and whether awe and humility overlap (15:15). Incidentally, we also name some of our top 3 “humbling” moments of 2023, including but not limited to, building a long-lasting relationships (17:30), running marathons (21:55), having messy clothes (27:00), encountering differing views on the earth (29:15), being stung by bees (35:00), our capacity for caretaking others (40:25), and feeling lost at Home Depot (50:00). We then close with a full Dressing Room of trying things on for size that have humbled us as well (52:00).

Try this on for size... it's Episode 80 with not one, but TWO return guests/friends of the pod, Thomas Mattera (three timer) and Meaghan O'Hare (4 TIMER!). In this quarter's episode, we begin with a beautiful note from Meg on “friends' kids” (0:45). We then discuss where we are all at (2:30) before diving into our theme of this pod: Community(8:00). For our Main(e) segment we begin by asking, what are your favorite observations of Maine, which Thomas and Meg recently visited this summer (8:45). Incidentally, we also chat about what it's like to live and work in Maine (17:05), to slow down from city life (19:45), to find balance, proximity, and safety in a place (23:00), and to evaluate the choice between running the rat race or taking a new leap of faith (28:45). Finally, we close with the Dressing Room and share what we are trying on for size (36:20). As always, we hope you enjoy it!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 79 with 3-timer Patrick Jones! In this quarter's episode, Patrick kicks us off with a tale of spiders (0:00). We then discuss where we are all at (3:15) before diving into our theme of the pod: Growth (10:40). For our main segment we discuss how we are handling the growth of AI technology, including how we typically approach new technology (12:00), chat GPT (17:35), what we like/don't like about it (22:00), are we scared (28:10), future predictions (34:15), and parting thoughts (39:30). Finally, we close with the Dressing Room and share what we are trying on for size (44:45). As always, we hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 78 with new guest Sarah Eller! In our first installment of #4PodsPerYear, Sarah kicks us off with a fun yet harrowing tale of water parks, bus fires, and lost flip flops from her childhood (0:30). We then share how we know Sarah (7:05), before talking about where we are (currently) at (9:15). For our main topic, we discuss how we got here and what our process is for asking for direction (15:30). Incidentally, we also discuss people's perceptions of us (20:00), who we go to most for directions (22:15), being a “good noodle” or a “squeaky wheel” (27:30), our next milestones (31:30), and whether we are comfortable not knowing our directions (44:00). As always, we close with The Dressing Room (47:15), with mentions of mysterious jackets Jim won't tell anyone about!

Try this on for size... It's Episode 77, with first-time, and very special guest Chris Campbell! In this week's episode, we begin with Chris' memory of his 22nd birthday in Costa Rica (0:30), before jumping into where we are all at (6:00). For our main topic, we discuss coming to the RuPaul's Drag race party late (13:00), as well as reality TV (17:00), feeling disconnected from our communities (22:45), RuPaul's phrases (30:30), arguing about the show (38:25), and our drag queen names (41:30). Finally, we close out as always with our Dressing Room (45:20) and shout-outs (51:45). We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... It's Episode 76, with first-time special guest Clay Venetis! In this week's episode we welcome Clay to the show and explain how we all got to know one another (1:00), and more in our "Where we are all at" segment(4:30). We then transition to talking about our main topic, which is what it's like to navigate adult transitions while the world is a hot mess (18:15)! Incidentally we also discuss feeling stuck and guilty, getting more involved in local politics (24:00), when news hits closer to home (33:00), what helps us deal (36:15) and things taking work and time (44:00). Finally, we conclude with some things we are trying on for size in the Dressing Room (47:00). As always, we hope you enjoy and send us your feedback!

It is with great sadness that we report to our listenership the passing of Logan Johnston (aka ‘LoRo'), Phil's dad, former podcast guest, and lover of this show. In this week's episode, we wanted to remember Logan Johnston by sharing some of our recent highs and lows since our last podcast, two ends of the spectrum he often occupied. We also went back into the TTOFS archives, and pulled up a short clip of audio from Episode 51: The Age of Revolt (feat. Logan Johnston), and shared with you all a memory of him. Lastly, we conclude with a short reflection from P after he took a walk late one evening once visiting hours were over. As always, we hope you enjoy, and hold those loved one's tight.

Try this on for size... it's Episode 74: The Learning Zone with Mike Judd (aka NAHreally)! In this week's episode, we begin with Judd's story of learning how to use his MPC-1000 drum machine (0:30), before welcoming all to the pod (4:25) and discussing where are we all at (5:50). For our main topic we dive into the current state of our learning (13:50), taking in new information versus unlearning old information (15:15), on-the-job learning versus acquiring new skills (20:15), being non-judgmental (24:00), our learning process (28:30), learning for competence versus excellence (34:00), comfort zones versus learning zones (38:45), what inhibits learning (41:30), and applying learning (45:45) before sharing our final thoughts (52:00). We then close with The Dressing Room (54:30) and shout-outs in our email this week (see below!).

Try this on for size...it's Episode 73 with return guest, Katherine Johnston! In this week's episode, we begin with Jim's story of meeting a boy (0:00), before we welcome back Katherine (3:30)! The focus of this pod is a life update, time-stamped for 2021, and 2.5 years since K was last on when she was pregnant and Jim had just moved to the Bay (4:30) We discuss how we are feeling about all of these changes and the anxiety of dreams (7:45), constant changes and wanting things to slow down (12:15), gaining new wisdom (19:00), being handy and subtle sexism (23:15), educating children (30:30), “parents” versus “guardians” (35:15), genuinely not knowing what you want (43:30), and some closing thoughts for 2021 (50:00). As always, we share what's in our Dressing Room (53:45) and some shout-outs (57:00) before we go. We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 72 with Patrick Jones! In this week's episode, we welcome Patrick back to the pod, and hear his tale of feeling isolated and connected at the same time (0:30), before sharing where we are all at (3:30). For our main topic, we discuss the current national conversation about race (9:45). We begin by reacting to the state of the conversation (11:00), as well as the discrediting of Black academic thought (15:00), whether white people actually care about not-being racist (21:20), white-people spinning (26:15), whether the conversation is leading to any action (30:00), critical race theory conversations (36:00), and if we see any bright spots (42:45). Finally, we share what's in our Dressing Room (49:15) and share some shout-outs (53:00). As always, we hope you enjoy and please send us your feedback!

Try this on for size...it's episode 71 with our (returning) first-ever guest, Evan Campbell! In this week's episode, we welcome back Evan, and hear his tale of BC radio bringing him up to the present moment in our studio (0:35). We then officially welcome Evan to the 3-Timer's club (3:30) before discussing where we are all at these days (6:25). For our main topic, we check-in on our feelings--specifically about becoming older--and how we are morphing with age (10:30). Incidentally, we also chat about new music (15:30), exiting the cool vortex (17:35), having the relevant take (22:10), listening more (25:00), millennials vs. Gen Z (31:15), and how social media would have affected us if we were Gen Z (40:00). We then close out with some items in the Dressing Room (50:10) and Shout-outs (56:00). As always, please send us your feedback. We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 70 with featured guest Ricky Richardson! In this week's episode, we begin by hearing about Ricky's attempt to fit his life into a 1-page paper (0:30). We then discuss how we know Ricky and where we are all at (6:35). For our main topic, we discuss our thoughts on merit (15:20), including our own beliefs (16:10), reflecting on employment success (21:50), the pressures around selectivity (26:20), scarcity mindsets (29:40), needing to prove something (33:40), comparing yourself to other people (38:25), does our generation see it as a farce (42:30), and can we even untangle it if we try (49:15)? Lastly, we share what's in our Dressing Room (57:15), before closing out with some shout-outs (1:01:15)! As always we hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 69 with first-time THREE time guest Meaghan O'Hare! In this week's episode, we first hear about Meaghan's experience as a first-responder in the COVID-19 Pandemic (0:30). We then discuss Meaghan's legendary third appearance on the show (6:00), before we share where we are at? (9:05). For our main topic, we discuss the condition we are in as the world opens back up, using Bo Burnham's new special, “Inside,” as our discussion text (13:10). Incidentally, we discuss whether we should get off of Instagram (19:45), self-awareness (25:00), our mental state (29:10), memory (33:00), what we think we will keep or discard after the pandemic (36:05), and whether we've lost our momentum for social change (44:00)? Lastly, we share what's in our Dressing Room (50:45), before closing with a cacophony of shout-outs (57:20)! As always, we hope you enjoy and send us your thoughts if you so choose!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 68 with special guest Spencer Traylor! In this week’s episode, we begin with Spencer’s story of a day in the life of his 8th grade classroom (0:55). We then talk about how we know Spencer and his move to Maine (4:10), before discussing where we are all at (7:55). For our main topic, we discuss what a multicultural society is and what it requires (11:55), whether we have ever lived in one (13:25), whiteness (19:40), leadership (25:25), the next generation (31:10), guilt and shame (33:55), cross-cultural responsibility (40:25), and more. We then close with the Dressing Room (51:55) and some shout-outs (57:45) as always.

Try this on for size... it's Episode 67 with Cassidy Clarity! In this week’s episode, we begin with a first-person story from our guest: The story of 811 Ashbury (0:30). We then welcome Cassidy to the show (5:30), before jumping into “Where you at” (6:20). For our main topic, we discuss finding a home and Jim’s salmon analogy (13:15), while also talking about the hot housing market (17:20), where we feel most at home (19:00), the tension between comfort and adventure (25:00), ownership and place (29:00), planning with kids in mind (32:15), not settling (38:40), and one thing we’d want to keep and eliminate from our childhood home (49:30). No dressing room this week, but you can check our links on our email list to see what we are trying on for size! As always, we hope you enjoy!

Try This On For Size... a bonus dressing room with a first time Bachelorette watcher. We hope you enjoy :)

Try this on for size... it's Episode 66: The Ambition, featuring Chrissy Suchy! In this week's episode, we begin with a quarantine success story told by Chrissy (0:50) before we share a little bit about where we are all at (6:30)? (Editor's note: we recorded this before the nation's capitol went full haywire). Anyways, our main focus today is Career Ambition. We discuss what it is and whether we think we have it (11:40), the levels of ambition (15:15), leveling out (17:15), why Chrissy loves her job so much (20:15), natural ambition (23:50), pursuing trophies (27:30), what happens when you become the leader (35:00), and finally, whether we think our generation is more ambitious or less ambitious than others? (37:15) We then conclude with some shout-outs(47:50), but don't worry there is a bonus dressing room this week, to be posted later :)

Try This On For Size... it's Episode 65 with our newest guest, Conor Smith! In this episode, Conor kicks us off with his first-person story of how he met Jim (1:00) before we all dive into where we’ve been these part three months (7:00)! We then dive into our main topic: what are some of the differences between gay male and heterosexual relationships (15:00). Incidentally, we also discuss the influence of our families on the relationship “script” that society prescribes us (19:00), the impact of coming out and throwing out the script (25:15), Conor’s fish metaphor for queer folks (27:30), what unlearning looks like (33:20), breaking and/or changing our heteronormative society (40:15), better representation and educating ourselves (43:15), and finally, whether it is possible to be friends across the estuary (45:15)? We then close with the Dressing Room like always (53:30), before Philip gives a special shout-out to two former students of his who passed recently, Gunna and Na-Jae (57:30).

Try this on for size… it’s part 2 of Episode 64 with Pete & Lucy! In this bonus (extended cut) episode, we discuss, and create the TTOFS canon, inspired by the newest member of the TTOFS fam, Margot (0:55). We each share one “kid thing” (3:30), one “adult thing” (9:15), one former dressing room item (14:20), and one wildcard suggestion for baby MJ as she grows into this crazy, crazy world (19:30). Please send us your own submissions to the TTOFS Canon as we’d love to include those as well! Much love community!

Try This On For Size... it's a two-part episode with return guests Pete McQuaid and Lucy Muscarella, but this time together! (2:00)In the first part of this week’s episode, we start by sharing where we are at (2:45) and Philip gives us a Margot update (6:45). We then jump into our main segment: What do you want to rant about?! (8:00) On notice is the RNC and Fox News and their racist appeals to white people in preparation for the election (8:45), the Jacob Blake shooting video and the lack of action despite video evidence of police brutality (17:45), and finally the ludicrous cost of housing in a pandemic (25:45). Finally, we close with some silver linings and “odes” to some people and accounts who’ve brought us joy of late (31:15), including the Garfield vibing to blue monday IG account, Amy Schumer & her HBO Max series, and NBA players. As always, we hope you enjoy, and please share your rants with us! P.S. Check out Part 2 if you want a more uplifting pod :)

Try this on for size... it's Episode 63 with Taz! In this week’s episode, we welcome Jovona Neal (aka Taz) to the show, who starts us off with a story of finding joy in the time of quarantine (0:30). We then talk about how Philip met Jovona when she joined as a student at the Possible Project (5:00), before jumping into where we are all at (7:00). As for our main topic, we discuss what we are currently doing to balance our mental health in quarantine (9:10), including our coping techniques (9:50), survival strategies (11:30), being compassionate to ourselves (13:50), analyzing our journey to mental health balance (16:00), ranking the generations in terms of self-awareness of emotions (20:45), what we plan to try/keep trying going forward (25:45), and our final thoughts (33:30) before trying on for size some things in the Dressing Room (43:10). We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 62: The Movement & Social Media! In this week’s episode we welcome Katherine Raker to the show and talk about her high school years with Phil(0:55), and where are we all at? (i.e. new jobs, going back to work in the office, and moving) (3:40). We then begin our discussion of the intersection between social media and the racial justice movements going on in America right now (10:50), our initial reactions to the social media response (12:15), #blackouttuesday (16:00), checking our knee jerk reactions to be “visible” (19:45), how to call white people out (23:40), the world outside our bubbles (29:50), engaging the white moderate (32:35), examples of strong social media usage (37:30), White voyeurism (43:30), and finally our social media commitments going forward (49:40). We then conclude with The Dressing Room (52:10) and some Shout-outs (55:40) as always. We hope you enjoy!

Try this on for size... it's Episode 61, The Create Quarantiners, with first-time, and very special guest Steph Durwin (aka Box of Birds). In this week’s episode we begin by hearing Steph’s first-hand account of his partner’s virtual graduation and a cockroach (0:35), before welcoming him to the pod (3:30) and then sharing a little bit about where we are all at (4:30). We then jump into our main topic: how are we flexing our creative muscles in quarantine (10:10)? Incidentally, we also talk about whether not working influences creativity (12:15), how pre-quarantine creatives are faring compared to us “normal folks” (14:25), understanding ourselves emotionally (18:30), pandemic silver linings & how much to reinvent society (21:00), and the impact of physical spaces on creativity (29:30). We then close it out with some Dressing Room items(33:00), and a huge S/O to Steph for providing us with our start 4.5 years ago (36:00)!

Happy Birthday to our dear co-host and friend Jim Kaberna! Love, Try This On For Size Community

Try this on for size... it's a special mini pod with champ Manto (aka Pat McMahon)! We welcome back Pat to talk about his new album, EASTER EGG VOL.1 (1:30). Incidentally, we also talk about how he chose his album art, his samples, Fat Boy Slim, immigration policy, and more (8:30). We then close with some quick shout-outs and some more things to try on for size in quarantine (22:00).

Try this on for size, it's episode 60 and we are LIVE! In this week’s episode, we try on for size our first ever Zoom pod with live listeners, and our rapper-in-residence, @Nahreally, was there to play us in before we discuss “Where are we at” (2:55). For our main topic, we debate 32 expert predictions for life post-COVID-19 in our Coronavirus Predictions bracket, and we let our audience decide (6:35). It all begins with a first round update (8:10), then our 2nd Round matchups, starting with (1) The Inequality gap will widen even further vs. (8) Doctors/Nurses will be treated as war heroes (10:00), (4) Fewer meetings in person vs. (12) Healthier social media use (12:10), (2) People will demand better health care vs. (10) Government will take over more domestic supply chains (14:35), (3) VR will be expanded vs. (11) We will turn to experts more (16:33), (1) Universal Care vs. (9) A Decline in communal dining and an increase in home cooking (18:20), (4) Government will get bigger vs. (5) Radical ideas will become more mainstream (20:30), (15) People will respect science more vs. (7) Telemedicine will become more ubiquitous (23:00), and lastly, (3) People will seek broad change vs. (6) People will seek more stress relief (24:45). We then take our first Intermission, to get some Lockdown & election updates from Pat and Evan (27:20), before discussing the Round 2 results (32:35) and the new Round 3 matchups (33:23). We then take another short break to hear about Shannon’s friends who are stuck in Peru (44:45), and then our Final Four matchups (51:00), the Championship round (59:00), and finally, some things to try on in The Dressing Room (1:05:40), and some Shout-outs (1:08:30). We love and miss you all. It was great to see your faces this week, and if you didn't tune in live, we hope you enjoy this too!