Manic Rambling Spiral

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Manic Rambling Spiral

Heather B. Armstrong & John R. Bray

166 episodes

4 hours ago

Manic Rambling Spiral (MRS) is a podcast about single parenting, but it's not a parenting podcast. Rather, MRS is a podcast about living life - having a life, a career, and a self - in a setting that is constantly dictated by, built around and sabotaged by our children.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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All content for Manic Rambling Spiral is the property of Heather B. Armstrong & John R. Bray and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Manic Rambling Spiral (MRS) is a podcast about single parenting, but it's not a parenting podcast. Rather, MRS is a podcast about living life - having a life, a career, and a self - in a setting that is constantly dictated by, built around and sabotaged by our children.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show more...

Episodes (20/166)

Manic Rambling Spiral

165: Is this thing on?

We’re back. Sort of. Changes are imminent, and we think you'll pee your pants. It's been a while so please excuse the awkward as we settle in behind the mic.

Also, does John's voice trigger ASMR or what.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 years ago

27 minutes 7 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

164: School Comes Home

In addition to everything else happening as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, kids around the world are suddenly at home for school. But despite some of the smug homeschool memes and comments floating around, this isn’t homeschool. And it’s not easy. So take it from John (a homeschooling parent): you’re not crazy for being completely overwhelmed.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

58 minutes 48 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

163: Come On Eileen

We didn't plan for this to be about COVID-19, but most of the world didn't plan for anything that's happening right now. As everyone scrambles to understand social distancing and isolation while grappling with the unknown, Heather and John talk about school closure and the state of the country before spiraling into a more serious conversation related to teenage emotions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

59 minutes 6 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

162: MRS Turns 4

Our first episode landed on St. Patrick's day 2016 and, four years later, we're still kicking. Admittedly, we've been kicking a lot less lately, but we're back to explain why, talk about Heather's weight (have you noticed?), provide an update compared to where we were four years ago, and tease some exciting changes coming to MRS (for real this time; they're going to be amazing).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

58 minutes 1 second

Manic Rambling Spiral

161: In Memory of Coco

After more than 12 happy years of squawking, barking, and being herded by her favorite business partner, Heather and her family said their final goodbyes to Dame Eleanor Ritzford-Fitzsimons "Coco" Puffs. Heather shares some of those final moments as we discuss the significance of dogs and their place in our homes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

1 hour 4 minutes 1 second

Manic Rambling Spiral

160: Out With the Old

Wrapping up the year with our first monthly episode.Wondering about John, Lexton, and Lilly? We covered that. Curious about Heather's gut? We covered that, too. We also talk a bit about mail, resolutions, teens (ugh teens), organization, and meditation. Like we said before: Same MRS, just a little less often.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

58 minutes 23 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

159: Change is Afoot

Get it? A FOOT? Because Heather's foot? Perfect. Now that you're smiling about that we can let you know that you're going to be hearing from us less often. A lot less often. As in only once a month. Why? There are a lot of reasons, but "Life" is probably the best summary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 years ago

24 minutes 50 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

158: Fun with Fur and Feet

We never know where we’re going or how we get there, but maybe that’s part of the charm? Anyway, Heather’s getting some answers, John’s a Furminator convert, and Marlo is Marlo (which is somehow also very Lexton). Also: Dog socks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

58 minutes 1 second

Manic Rambling Spiral

157: We Call it Hygge

What does laundry share in common with cold, leftover nachos? Comfort. Yes, cold nachos provide comfort and we’re ready to die on this hill. Sure, we are open to other opinions, but you know what they say: it’s not a difference of opinion, you’re just ill-informed.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

58 minutes 40 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

156: Reddit for Relationships

We talk about more than Bumble (you know you want an update), but John’s text to Heather is probably the best description for this episode. “Without fail, the women on this app are in three distinct categories: 1. Want kids, 2. Don’t want a relationship, 3. Way out of my league. However, even if nothing in their bio is a fit, I always swipe right on the women who look like they could kick my a$$.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

51 minutes 20 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

155: A Dating App Newcomer

It finally happened. John joined the online dating scene and it’s as confusing and empty as he’s always imagined. It has, however, made him realize how many people are terrible at taking selfies. But don’t worry, MRS’s resident optimist is staying hopeful. Just kidding! All is lost.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

55 minutes 46 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

154: The Price of a Pet

An update on Coco (a pupdate?), some commentary on Halloween, and a discussion on how much our pets are worth. What's that? We're heartless and evil? Yeah, okay, probably, but that should have been clear years ago. And don't worry, we take a softer approach when discussing orthodontics and swimming.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

53 minutes 58 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

153: Canines and Curriculum

We moved right from Elizabethan collars into pop punk- and it wasn’t a smooth transition. That’s John’s fault. But somehow we still managed to cover homeschool curriculum, the climate, and a bit about vaccinations. If this seems chaotic, you should see our texts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

53 minutes 29 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

152: Fitted and Folded

Sure, we took a week off due to both of us being sick, but we didn’t actually get a week off. There were endoscopies to be had, sheets to be folded, and puppies to be chased. And this weed won’t just eat itself.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

54 minutes

Manic Rambling Spiral

151: Injury and Insult

It’s been a busy week without any travel or big changes. How so? Well, Heather’s foot is still an issue, her GI tract is making waves, and John’s battling school policy. Oh yeah, there was also an incident with a gun at Leta’s school. Don't worry, it’s not all somber and sad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

55 minutes 30 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

150: Boots and Bowels

Somehow this episode came full circle. From boots and bus stops to pets and school routines, we cover a lot and bookend the whole thing with bowels. Sometimes we even surprise ourselves, but not as much as Leta will surprise herself when she finally understands that a car does not steer itself.

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6 years ago

54 minutes 50 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

149: Don't Forget to Steer

Another week, another couple dozen lessons in stress management. But we’re still taking our own advice and letting things slide. Invasive dogs, oversleeping teens, and even the thought of complete obliviousness behind the wheel of a large metal box hurtling at other objects. One of these days the dogs are definitely going to make us snap, though.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

57 minutes 15 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

Weird title for a show called "Manic Rambling Spiral," but here we are. Heather ditched her FitBit and her Apple Watch and, as a result, a whole lot of anxiety; so this week is focused (eventually) on slowing down, taking things in stride, and some very relevant advice from an Englishman in a Dutch bar. And yes, MRS is back from break.

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6 years ago

49 minutes 13 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

147: From Paris to Puppies

Socialized medicine doesn’t disappoint, especially when the phenomenon of “hot doctor” clearly exists in all countries. But John’s doctor? Nah. He prefers the shotgun approach. And yes, we also talk about Lilly.

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6 years ago

56 minutes 6 seconds

Manic Rambling Spiral

146: Friends and Fashion

John and Heather are both facing some child-free time, and it’s going to be glorious. We bask in that notion, discuss friendships as an adult, and even touch on Heather’s questionable fashion decisions. We’d say everything is related, but that probably isn’t true.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 years ago

56 minutes 28 seconds