A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica
Episodes
Creativity and Exercise Updates That Feel Weirdly Related
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can we spend a little time talking about creativity and exercise, including how our takes on both are feeling surprisingly similar these days? GREAT. ...
Bugs and Mattie Kahn's (Young and Restless) Thingies
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've been graced with Thingies from Mattie Kahn, the author of wonderful new book Young and Restless, all about the teenage girls who have fueled Ame...
Gummies, Night Phones, and a Couple New *Strategies*
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sound your alarms! Today we're rounding up alarm clock suggestions from our listeners, dedicating a much-needed 15 minutes to talk about gummy candy, ...
Crowd Favorite: Our Buying-Things Update
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For your consideration, we're (re-)sharing some thoughts about buying things, including a letter of recommendation for shopping in person and takes on...
Summer Dressing Conundrums Continued
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the temps rise, we're starting to think more and more about what to wear in *this weather* (and, while we're at it, the celebs we love so much we'd...
Community Spaces, the Hair on Our Faces
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grabbing into a bag full of community-building opps, a fantastic celeb memoir, unhinged TikTok content, a hair-removal tool we're into, tulip hacks, a...
Oblivion Time and Taking Our Fandom More Seriously
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't zone out just yet! This week we're talking about what we do during our "oblivion time" and fandoms of our past, present, and future. Some fandom...
Walking, Recycling Bottles, and Two Nostalgic Mall Brands
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're reminiscing about niche educational retail chains of our youth, making a case for pecans, and learning the rules of a hot girl walk ( Our res...
Food Phenom Sue Chan's Thingies and the Oh-So-Good Judy Blume Doc
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Judy Blume forever!! A rallying cry and also the name of an incredible doc we need you to watch. And, let's talk Thingies with Sue Chan, a tastemaker'...
Cowboy Boots, Grapefruit Techniques, and Clearing a Path for Love
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week's grab bag includes clearing a path for love, the country-music equivalent of The Great British Bake Off, beige rice, and, ya know, lots mor...
We Reintroduce Ourselves—and Share *Your* Thingies
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a new listener curious about our ~lore~, you're in luck! But before we discuss us, let's talk about you and some of the Thingies you've been...
Seam Rippers, Gifting Pacts, and Leftovers
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're covering pressing and important moments in culture (the Scandoval), products of innovation (seam rippers), gifting strategies, a reve...
Manicures and Mess
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
May we discuss manicures, messes, and the intersection between manicures and messes and the social pressure to present as *having it all together*? Le...
Super-Stylist Karla Welch's Thingies and Some Distraction Action
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Karla Welch, celeb stylist and co-founder of The Period Company, is here to talk Thingies, from life-changing books to an L.A. bagel worth a one-hour ...
Magic Mike and Girl Scouts (Channing, Call Us)
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been asking "Why aren't more podcasts talking about Magic Mike's Last Dance and Girl Scouts?" you've come to the right place. Shall we?? ...
Tantrum Logic, Serendipity Tax, and Food Revelations
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our two new favorite terms and a bunch of thoughts on what to eat (such a conundrum, always, why?), coming at you on this week's episode. Dig in! O...
Rachel Tashjian's Opulent Thingies (and a Splash of Cringe)
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're talking Thingies with Rachel Seville Tashjian Wise, fashion news director at Harper's Bazaar and creator of the coolest invite-only n...
Room Dividers, TVs, and Three Gals About the Internet
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, this is she! Today we're reaching into a grab bag filled with TVs, social omnivores, room dividers, and favorite internet follows. For mor...
Revenge Songs, Going Out to Dinner, and Babies on a Plane
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Break out the headphones because have recommendations for those looking for audio-based catharsis, starring revenge songs and an insightful podcast ab...
Updates! Featuring the Induction Stove Discourse and Grandpa Jibbitz
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We have some follow-ups, ok?? Let's revisit induction stoves, slipping rib syndrome, living with longing, being in touch with your younger self, and, ...
The Consumption-Wary Stylist Lakyn Carlton's Thingies and Scooped-Out Foodstuffs
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're giving you the styling and Thingies scoop with our special guest Lakyn Carlton! Bonus scoop: the pros and cons of scooped-out foods. Introduc...
CRINGE
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle in, listeners, because we're diving head-first down the rabbit hole of *cringe*. What does cringe look like these days? How do we embrace it—...
Winter Beach Chic, Pegboards, and Some Movie-ish Thoughts
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are rejuvenated-ish from our holiday breaks and are ready to fill you in on winter-wedding dress codes, the pegboard discourse, sexy high school, a...
Stove Disrupters, Photo Explainers, and TikTok MD
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week's conversation knows no bounds! We've got key limes, medical answers via TikTok, makeup-buying IRL, a photo-minded Instagram follow, inducti...
Crowd Favorite: Nora McInerny on Supporting People Through the Hard Stuff (and a Gift Idea Too)
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The holidays can be *hard*, and if you need some guidance on figuring out how to show up for the people in your life, Nora McInerny knows what she's t...
Crowd Favorite: BECs, Celebrities Reading Memoirs, and Other Things We Love Talking About
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of our most popular (winning??) episodes of 2021, coming at you! The usefulness of the term bitch eating crackers (BEC) (for context: Someecard...
Conflicted Boots, Toddler Gossip, and Vending-Machine Salads
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for an extra-magical grab bag episode—partly because we're recording in person! Its stars: a question we loved so much, our conflicted boo...
Thingies c/o the Design Gurus Behind Sight Unseen, Normal People, and a Perfect Hate Gift
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk Thingies with Monica Khemsurov & Jill Singer! They're the masterminds behind Sight Unseen, our go-to design resource since 2009, and the au...
Build-a-Bear After Dark, Dua Lipa, and the Most Midwestern of Sayings
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ope! We're back with a grab bag of questions: What does "After Dark" mean to you? How does one explain what consulting is? Are you signed up for Dua L...
Resale Doyenne Kate Lindello's Thingies and Corn Nuts (Brought to ya by Noihsaf Bazaar!)
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For this glorious ep, we partnered with Noihsaf Bazaar, the Duluth, Minnesota–based resale site curated by real people with excellent taste. Wow, ho...
Gift Guide Part 2: Siblings, Kids, Colleagues, Friends, and Everyone Else
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're wrapping up (heh) this year's gift guides with ideas for siblings, kids, aunts and uncles, colleagues, and the randos in your life you wanna tre...
Gift Guide Part 1: Partners, Parents, and Grandparents
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year: the unveiling of the best gift guide in the podcast multiverse (we like to think). Part 1 stars your most charming—and trick...
Jamie Beck's Thingies...and Hate-Gifting?!
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We've got the French-culture report AND a bunch of glorious Thingies from Jamie Beck, whose book An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography is...
Halloween Candy, Crowded Travel, and Embracing Our Fandom
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween from two people who nailed the theme! Today we're celebrating the joy of dressing up for *any* occasion and sharing some more thoughts...
Recho Omondi's Thingies and "Know Regrets"
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're chatting with Recho Omondi, a fashion designer and the host of the incredible podcast The Cutting Room Floor, and you're going to want to hear h...
Margo Price's Thingies and Fanny Packs
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing our first rockstar guest, Margo Price! She shares her Thingies and talks about writing her memoir, Maybe We'll Make It, which is a story o...
High School Reunions and Snack 'n Condiment Updates
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're coming to you fresh from our high-school reunions, and there are lots of reflections ahead. On old friendships, yes…and also on dips, chips, a...
Jessi Hempel's Thingies and Reporting from the TikTok Frontlines
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We have an amazing Guest Thingies episode today with Jessi Hempel, prolific tech writer and host of the podcast Hello Monday whose new memoir The Fami...
The Jibbitz Origin Story, "Affordable" and "Expensive," and a Good Gift Q
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Updates AND new topics? Wow, this episode really has it all. We issue a correction about Jibbitz, share some third-birthday gift recommendations, and ...
Ellen Van Dusen's Thingies and Creativity Insights from Elder Celebrity White Men
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're so excited about this week's Guest Thingies with Ellen Van Dusen of Dusen Dusen—great recommendations await! But first, some nuggets of wisdom...
A Romantic-Fiction Primer and Some Identity-Protection Intel from Allstate
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's go in-depth on romance novels! But first, we're chatting with Madeline Nusser from Allstate Identity Protection, which oh-so-graciously sponsore...
Crowd Favorite: Michigan Star Restaurants, Patient Advocacy, Covid Weddings, and A+ Apps
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You know what we have a lot to say about in this best-of-2011 ep? A lot of things, from high praise for neighborhood restaurants and actually us...
Stroll Don't Scroll, Organized Whimsy, and Grandma Sayings
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us! We're revisiting how we approach creativity and talk about people who refuse to be hemmed in by expectations and the algorithm. For some...
Kavi Ahuja Moltz's Thingies and a Good Ol' Potty-Training Update
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's Guest Thingies Day! We're so excited to chat with Kavi Ahuja Moltz, the CEO of the exceptional scent co. D.S. & DURGA and the sort of person who ...
Best of the Monday Newsletter and Hamlet, but with Karaoke
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to chat about all the stuff we're obsessed with lately, most of which has been included in our Monday newsletter—do you get that thing?? ...
Gardening, Second Kids, and Slackers
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle in, folks! This week, we're talking about our garden-curator journeys, second-kid thoughts, and the slacker–to–chaos goblin line cook pipel...
Noah Kalina's Thingies and Destination Sandwiches
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is a jam-packed episode: We've got destination sandwiches. We've got photographer Noah Kalina's Thingies. We've got baby-wipes expertise from gro...
Corrections, Follow-Ups, and Milan
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's about time for an addendums episode! AKA an ep where we dump our additional thoughts (and your feedback) on topics we've discussed—because ther...
Lauren Sherman's Thingies and It's a Trip, Not a Vacation
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Who better to talk Thingies with than Lauren Sherman, the chief correspondent at The Business of Fashion and the host of their wonderful—and quick!—...
A Bouquet Hack, a Brunch Cookout, and What to Wear When It's Hot—It's a Grab Bag!
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today in mishmashes: We're sharing some of the tricks and treats we've discovered recently, featuring Claire's flower-wrapping upgrade, Erica's brunch...
Crowd Favorite: Obligation, People-Pleasing, and Pillows (Yes, Pillows)
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode—a 2021 crowd-pleaser!!—is all about the pressures we feel on our lives and our time (and, to a lesser extent, our necks and our tailb...
Aging and Longing (Um, the Wisdom Episode?)
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're wise enough to know it's about time for a ~wisdom~ ep. We share our feelings about feeling our age and some excellent advice we caught about liv...
Getting Dressed and Making Small Talk—SO HARD
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're answering a listener question that we've been asking ourselves our whole lives: How TF does one get dressed (and, you know, feel good abou...
How We Vacation-Plan and Y2K Trends, the Second Time Around
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So you picked a travel destination…and then what? We're sharing the (only somewhat insane!) steps we take and the resources we love for planning a v...
Guest Thingies with Emma Straub and Negotiating Advice That's Stuck
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Guest Thingies from Emma Straub—what a treat! If you haven't read her many charming novels, start with her latest, This Time Tomorrow, and if you ha...
Crowd Favorite: Fighting Perfectionism and Remembering People's Names
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Revisiting a crowd fave from last year! Happy Memorial Day! Has perfectionism jumped the shark? And how do we remember names when we start meeting new...
"Um, What Watches?!" and Other Gifting Qs Answered
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's that sneaky second gifting season of the year (dads, grads, retirements, anniversaries…you get it!), and we're here to answer your calls for he...
What We Always, Always Pack and How to Travel with a Toddler
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're dipping our toes back into going places, and there's been a real learning curve, tell you what. We're talking toddlers 'n travel and unpacking o...
Collier Meyerson's Thingies (Hello, Femme Sandals!) and a Breast-Feeding PSA
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How excited are we to talk Thingies with Collier Meyerson? So. Her most recent project Love Thy Neighbor is a podcast about a 1991 event known as the ...
Records, Catalogs, and Business Hygiene—That's Right, It's a Grab Bag
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ready for a grab bag? ALWAYS, right? We surprise ourselves by endorsing record players, we bemoan how few catalogs are getting it right, and we share ...
Guest Thingies We've Tried and Loved
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We've road-tested a whole slew of the Thingies recent guests recommended, and we have much to share! Join us for this and some extremely entertaining ...
Our Best Party Tricks (Yes, for Actual Parties) and the TSA's Social-Media Prowess
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's party (discussion) time! We get into games, snacks, drinks, desserts, and—but of course—tricks. Also, you know we love the airline culture an...
Thingies with Laura Stylez (an Icon!!) and Consuming Peripheral Content
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Time for another Thingies ep with a dream guest: We're graced by Laura Stylez, co-host of the best radio show in all the land, Ebro in the Morning. We...
Our Wedding Rundowns and One Very Special Dinner
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Per a listener request—which: We welcome them!—we're talking about weddings. Specifically, our weddings, from our favorite and least favorite part...
Our Buying-Things Update
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For your consideration, we're sharing some thoughts about buying things, including a letter of recommendation for shopping in person and takes on sour...
Thingies and "Unmentionables" with Mia Clarke and Eden Laurin of Nyssa
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financ...
Even More Home Trends and the JLo Content That's Luring Us In
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why haven't we been talking about JLo more here? Well, we're about to remedy that—and fill ya in on more, more, more design trends that are speaking...
Guest Thingies with Véronique Hyland and, Ugh, Cooking
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ooh, what a joy it is to talk Thingies with Véronique Hyland, the fashion features director at Elle who coined the term millennial pink and has a bri...
How We're Thinking About Creativity and Shoeless Households
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for an update on how we're doing with our (non-work-related) creative practices, and—hey, while we're at it—we'll go ahead and share som...
Beauty Stuff We're Loving—Plus Themed Entertainment
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing an ode to the beauty products and concepts we've been very into. Plus! The odd joy of creating entertainment syllabi to curb streaming (an...
Author Rumaan Alam's Thingies and the Cross-Body Phone
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we muse on cross-body phone holders—time will tell if the trend wins us over—and talk Thingies with Rumaan Alam, author of Leave the Wo...
The Home Trends That Have Us Wanting to Redo a Room
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financ...
Val Monroe's Thingies and the Weirdness of Signatures
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about signing your name (hello, strange custom) and dig into Val Monroe's Thingies! This genius woman—the former beauty director of O, Th...
Our Best Shopping Memories—and Our (Many) Thoughts on Robes
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financ...
Grappling with Planning and Revisiting Nostalgic Scents
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to take a trip down (your nose's) memory lane because we're talking about the scents of our youth. Oh, and: We're making a plan to prevent c...
Content We Feel Great About Right Now
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financ...
Guest Thingies with Harling Ross Anton and "Everything Is Nice in Here"
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk Thingies with the writer, creative consultant, and theorist behind the 3 p.m. outfit expiration, Harling Ross Anton. She also break...
The It's Not That Deep Woman, Acknowledgement Sections, and Next-Lev Work Hacks
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's the first episode we're recording in 2022, and we have THOUGHTS! TO! SHARE! We discuss the It's Not That Deep archetype, the wackiest (slash most...
Guest Thingies with Kelly Wright of Yuns and Romance Reads Ya Need
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you need a Week Two 2022 pick-me-up, how about an all-consuming romance novel and some Thingies from our guest Kelly Wright, founder of the interne...
Obligation, People-Pleasing, and Pillows (Yes, Pillows)
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the pressures we feel on our lives and our time (and, to a lesser extent, our necks and our tailbones). Don't sleep on this ...
Thingies and Dumplings: a Delicious Combination
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're steaming (and pan-frying!) a lot of frozen dumplings, and we're recommending a lot of Thingies. Come along with us, huh? But first: latke coo...
Holidays and Giving with Caroline Moss (and the New Illustrated Us!)
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Moss, host of the podcast Gee Thanks, Just Bought It!, brings joy to everything she does, and we're jazzed to ride her wave of holiday-giving...
BECs, Celebrities Reading Memoirs, and Other Things We Love Talking About
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What an episode we have in store! We're going deep on some of our favorite recent discoveries from our Monday newsletter—which: If you aren't signed...
Rolling Calls and a Round of Guest Thingies with David Cho
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You know what we love? When someone makes a thing we're really desparate to use. Which means we can't wait for the launch of Postcard, a tool to help ...
Gift Guide Round 3: Siblings, Teens, Co-Workers, Friends, and Grandparents!
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gift Guide Round 3: Siblings, Teens, Co-Workers, Friends, and Grandparents! Our third gift guide ep already?! We know. There's so much ahead—and ...
Gift Guide Round 2: Extra Design-y Edition, with MoMA Design Store!
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you just CAN'T with the gifting stress, drama, and intrigue this year and are looking to do some one-stop shopping, well, welcome to our second gif...
Gift Guide Round 1: Moms, Dads, and Significant (or Formerly Significant) Others
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gift Guide Round 1: Moms, Dads, and Significant (or Formerly Significant) Others It's gift-guide season around these parts, and here we are with th...
Mimi O Chun's Delightful Art and Revisiting the Department Store
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What a treat it is to talk to one of our favorite artists, Mimi O Chun, who just mounted her first gallery show! Deeply impressive, we know. Speaking ...
A Butter Sculptor Retires and Kicking Off Oven-Season Baking
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we bring you love and affection for a renowned butter sculptor, complicated feelings about baking, and some pretty sweet recipes for Q4 2021. ...
Sesame Street's Social Media and Talking Recovery with A.J. Daulerio
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Two content powerhouses we just can't seem to get enough of these days: The Sesame Street crew on social media (looking at you, Count Von Count) and A...
Getting All of Our Graphic-Design Questions Answered (Thanks, Projector!)
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wowowowow, are we grateful to our pals over at Projector, the free web-based software for collaborative design, for partnering with us on this ep to b...
Cow Potty-Training and the Beauty Products of Our Youth
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The perfection of the packaging of Clinique's 3-Step System. The joy of convincing a dad at a drugstore that lipgloss is just a balm. The best possibl...
Michigan Star Restaurants, Patient Advocacy, Covid Weddings, and A+ Apps
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You know what we have a lot to say about today? A lot of things, from high praise for neighborhood restaurants and actually useful apps to sharing wed...
Thingies! And Getting Our Crossword/Spelling Bee Fix.
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More all-time fave products, coming your way in today's Thingies episode! If you want to catch up on past installments, dive right in. To kick us off,...
Cereal, Periods, and Some Strong Middle-School Energy
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it that talking about cereal and periods brings on waves of nostalgia? If you feel the same, well, please do share: 833-632-5463 or @athingortw...
How Photographer Gillian Laub Worked through Family Political Tension (Also: Vegan Hot-Dog Racing)
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian Laub's photography makes us cry. And laugh! What we're saying is, it's magical, and just wait until you hear about her latest project Family M...
A Friendship Classified Ad, Intergenerational Friendships, and Group Chats (with All the Friends)
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pals, it's a friendship grab bag! We're chatting with Katie Seaver, a deep-thinker looking for a deep friendship who placed a classified ad in our new...
Hair Length, Produce Refrigeration, and the Internet's Best Product Descriptions
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
That's right: today's ep is a real grab bag, and we imagine you have thoughts? Share them! At @athingortwohq, [email protected], and 833-632-5...
Oysters and Fast Food (Talk About Well-Rounded)
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In which we reveal that our ideal meal might involve grilled oysters, McDonald's fries, and a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Hey, they're all tastes of summer,...
Nora McInerny on Supporting People Through the Hard Stuff (and a Gift Idea Too)
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you show up for your people when they've grieving, dealing with loss, and/or just generally going through a really shitty time? What a genuine ...