PODCAST · kids
The Better Half Hour
by Josh and McKenzie
Our kids are in bed! Now we finally get to chat. Listen in as we talk about our highs and lows, and everything in between.
Episodes
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34: Loss, Birthdays, Bulktrash Wins
Counting a child's age in months is a parenting habit that usually hits a breaking point. McKenzie and Josh dive into the unspoken rules of the 'month threshold' while reflecting on their latest birthday milestone. Between managing a busy household and the chaos of cake smashes, they also share…
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3.3: Balding and Potty Training!
Potty training remains one of the most unpredictable milestones of parenthood. While many experts preach rigid, three-day methods, some parents find that a casual, low-pressure approach is exactly what their child needs to make the leap. This shift in perspective, combined with recognizing…
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32: Our Budget
Life with four kids under age ten brings plenty of surprises. This episode dives into the unexpected hurdles of a recent family camping trip in Arizona—complete with blown tires and leaky tents—before pivoting to a candid look at household finances. Plus, get ready for some passionate, unfiltered...
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31: Is This Criminal Parenting
McKenzie and Josh dive into the chaos of hosting family and keeping up with the house during a busy week. They compare the non-stop energy of having extra kids around to the scientific concept of entropy, proving that sometimes even the wildest weeks create the best memories. The discussion also...
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30: Anniversary, Sedona, Creami, and Harry Potter
Celebrating eleven years of marriage looks a bit different for this duo. From swapping fancy dinners for legendary local barbecue to an unexpected family adventure in Sedona, the journey is anything but typical. A surprise hotel upgrade made for a comfortable stay with four kids in tow, and an...
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29: Mail Club, Tech Fails, Ikea Frustartion
After a disastrous recording session where technology wiped out hours of work, McKenzie and Josh prove that even the most frustrated moments can lead to a pivot. The conversation shifts toward celebrating the launch of a passion project—a tangible art subscription service—and the relatable chaos…
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28: Tech Fails and Birthday Parties and Tipping
After struggling with inconsistent connections between high-end smartphones and professional recording software, McKenzie and Josh discovered a surprisingly simple solution. Frustrated by the tech issues plaguing their nightly recording setup, they turned to an affordable, entry-level camcorder...
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27: We chat about Ted Lasso, Aliens and House of the Dragon
McKenzie and Josh dive into the highs and lows of recent TV culture, unpacking the pacing issues of House of the Dragon season two and questioning whether a fourth season of Ted Lasso risks undoing its perfect series finale. The conversation also explores the excitement surrounding Brandon...
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26: Day Trips, School Food, Business Ideas
When life gets busy, sometimes the best weekend plans are absolutely no plans at all. McKenzie and Josh share the magic of a spontaneous day trip to escape the valley heat, proving that you don’t always need a packed itinerary to have the perfect family adventure. It turns out, finding a quiet…
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25: The Odyssey, First Day of School, AITA
McKenzie and Josh dive into the chaotic reality of parenting four kids and the relief of a smooth first day of school. They break down the surprising efficiency of their morning routine—getting everyone out the door in just 20 minutes—while also sharing updates on their baby's development…
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24: Harry Potter Parties and Birthday Bashes
Throwing a memorable birthday party doesn't have to mean just pizza and games. A well-planned, interactive experience can transform a simple celebration into an immersive event. By assigning roles to friends and family, creating personalized clues, and building a structured schedule like a…
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23: 4th of July, Trivia, Newlywed Game
McKenzie and Josh share the heartwarming reality of balancing life as parents of four while finding time to connect through their podcast, The Better Half Hour. Beyond the parenting chaos, they dive into the simple magic of grassroots neighborhood events. From hosting a low-prep, high-impact bike...
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22: Obsession, Sports Camp, Hells Itch
Ever wonder if those pricey sports camps are actually worth it? McKenzie and Josh dive into the reality of parenting four kids, navigating school breaks, and the struggle of getting everyone out the door for weekend fun. Beyond family life, they also break down their thoughts on a recent viral...
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21: Swim Lessons, Bryce Canyon, Family Travel
McKenzie and Josh share the chaotic reality of road-tripping across states with four kids in tow. From battling an eight-month-old's meltdown with repeat plays of children's songs to debunking the geological accuracy of Bryce Canyon, this episode of The Better Half Hour dives into the messy, fun,...
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20: Treasure Hunt Devastation, Camping, AITA
McKenzie and Josh dive into the highs and lows of their recent participation in the intense Utah Treasure Hunt. With only a quarter-mile of separation between their search zone and the ultimate prize, the couple reveals how they systematically narrowed down the search area near Patsy's Mine and...
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19: The Roadtrip Episode
Traveling across the country creates core memories, though the methods have certainly evolved over the years. This conversation explores the shift from cramped childhood cars filled with audiobooks and VHS tapes to the realities of adult road trips. It highlights how shared travel experiences...
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18: iOS vs Android, Lottery Winnings, Treasure Hunt Live
Life with four kids under eight keeps McKenzie and Josh on their toes, from celebrating reading breakthroughs and career dreams to navigating the reality of summer schedules. Beyond the sweet moments, the couple opens up about their recent, harrowing experience dealing with infant botulism. Their...
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17: Memorial Day, Kids Movies, and a Treasure Hunt
Episode 17 of The Better Half Hour dives into the chaotic joy of three-day weekends. From the art of balancing family time and impromptu pool parties to the unexpected benefits of utilizing AI for experimental baking, this episode explores the reality of managing a busy household. Discover why...
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16: Camping, Summer Break, and Sitcom Mania
Life with four kids under eight rarely goes according to plan. This episode dives into the unexpected adventures of a busy Arizona family, exploring everything from a $6 Walmart hat that sparked a serious debate on cryptozoology to a magical camping trip where a simple wish for a bald eagle…
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15: Lord of the Rings, Phones, Aliens, 90s advice, and Museums
Episode 15 of The Better Half Hour dives into the chaos and magic of balancing life with four kids under eight. This married duo shares their honest approach to carving out 'date night' time amidst the parenting grind. They also open up about the nostalgia-fueled experiment of introducing their...
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14: Youth Sports, Aliens, Staycations, and SufferingMaxxing
McKenzie and Josh pull back the curtain on the rising costs of youth athletics. From local leagues disappearing to the influence of private equity firms and the hidden pressure of college scholarship hunting, this discussion highlights the shifting landscape of competitive sports. They break down...
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13: AITA, Piano Recital, Red Vs Blue Button
McKenzie and Josh dive into the highs and lows of parenting, from surviving the chaos of four kids to the unexpected charm of a child's piano recital. This discussion explores the underrated benefits of music education, questioning why it often plays second fiddle to sports in extracurricular...
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12: Parenthood is a wild ride of milestones and early morning adventures.
McKenzie and Josh share a candid look into life with four kids under eight. From the bittersweet milestone of moving a baby into their own room to navigating the constant shuffle of musical beds, they explore the messy, cozy reality of raising a large family. They also provide an encouraging…
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11: A terrifying medical scare: How this couple navigated their baby's hospital stay.
When a routine checkup for a six-month-old turns into a rush to the emergency room, life changes in an instant. This episode captures the raw, candid experience of navigating a sudden health crisis with a young infant. Hear the story of recognizing the warning signs, the critical decision to seek...
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10: St. Patrick's Day with kids and are we in a simulation
Celebrating holidays with young children often feels like a balancing act between magical traditions and pure exhaustion. This couple opens up about their St. Patrick's Day experience, from the elaborate leprechaun traps and early morning wake-up calls to the inevitable sugar crash that follows....
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9: Can an AI predict your choice? The mind-bending Newcomb's Paradox! And, who should pay on a date?
A fascinating conversation erupts over a seemingly simple choice with potentially life-changing (or million-dollar-changing) stakes. When an entity knows your decision with near-perfect accuracy beforehand, does that knowledge change what one should do? The question pits logic against the belief…
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8: Dog Ate Chocolate! Nightmare Vet Trip Turns House Cleaning into Bliss
Navigating life with four children under eight is already a challenge, but for this couple, the week reached peak intensity when their rescue dog, Archie, consumed a dangerous amount of chocolate. Witness the frantic emergency vet run that turned a simple house cleaning chore into a welcomed,...
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7: Kids birthdays and Toddler TV Shows
In this episode we talk about planning for our kids birthday, toddler TV shows, and Survivor Season 50.
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6: Sleep Regression, Mothers-in-law, and Aliens!
Join us to hear about sleep regressions, tricky situations with mothers-in-law, and news about aliens!
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5: Ten years married, four kids, one weekend of pure furniture mayhem.
The reality of life with four children under eight hits hard when a baby switch necessitates a complete room overhaul. Witness the saga of disassembling and reassembling mystery bunk beds, battling hundreds of bolts by hand, and navigating the very specific, high-stakes demands of tiny room...
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4: Going live with the podcast, bad mothers-in-law, and keeping kids safe
Join us for episode 4! Something like 90% of podcasts don't make it this far... and now we understand why. We also discuss some tricky relationships with mothers-in-law, and when to let your kids have additional freedom.
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3: The Man Cold, Facebook Marketplace, and Talking to Strangers
Josh is sniffly due to his serious condition (commonly known as the "man cold"). We share our best advice for scoring on facebook marketplace, and play a fun game of "Most Likely To."
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2: The BBQ, Cosmere, AITA, and the YouTube Channel Scaring our Toddler
Join us as McKenzie regales us with a story about pushing a BBQ through the streets. We dissect the recent entertainment news, and figure out if you should tell your spouse you love them more than your own parent. Also, a YouTube channel is scaring our toddler. (We promise, our audio and visuals...
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1: We Started a Podcast!
We're McKenzie and Josh! In episode one of our podcast, we introduce ourselves and our family. Come get to know us! (Please forgive audio and visual issues, we're working on it!)
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