How We Weren’t There | S3E11 "The Platinum Rule"

How We Weren’t There | S3E11 "The Platinum Rule"

From How We Made Your Mother by Audacy & Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas

July 27, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

Josh and Craig discuss the unique production of 'The Platinum Rule' during the Writers Guild strike and its storytelling techniques.

Josh and Craig revisit “The Platinum Rule,” one of the series’ most structurally ambitious episodes, while sharing the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of how it became the only How I Met Your Mother episode produced during the 2007 Writers Guild strike. They reflect on the unusual experience of shooting without writers on set, discuss the episode’s intricate “flashback within a flashback” storytelling, and explore whether some life lessons—especially about love and relationships—can only be learned through experience. Along the way, they celebrate memorable performances from Charlene Amoia, Kristen Schaal, and Hayes MacArthur, revisit Ted’s unwavering optimism, and close with two extraordinary listener letters that examine The Platinum Rule through the lenses of psychology, storytelling, and why the show continues to provide comfort and companionship years later. Listen to EMOTIONAL CHAMP by New Buffalo CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages) Instagram Tiktok READ JOSH’S MUSELETTERS ON SUBSTACK: Subscribe HERE CRAIG’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE! Head over to CRAIG’S WEBSITE to order your copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED. SUPPORT PEDIATRIC…

People in this episode

Hosts: Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Buffalo, Audacy, Substack, CRAIG’S WEBSITE, Office Ladies

Books & works: How I Met Your Mother, The Platinum Rule

More episodes of How We Made Your Mother

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the How We Made Your Mother podcast page.