The Thing Doers

Sometimes the best conversations aren’t planned—they just happen. In this minisode of The Thing Doers, Pam turns on the mics in the middle of a random conversation with her husband Steve after a small epiphany she had that day. No outline, no warning—just a quick chat that somehow touches on life, what you leave behind when you die, and black licorice (because of course it does). It’s short, unscr...

We’re back! With Sam on hiatus while life with littles hits full-speed chaos, Pam is joined by a familiar voice—her sister and guest co-host Wendy. This week, we tackle a very real fear: flying. Wendy spent decades traveling everywhere by ground only—because planes were a hard no—until she finally decided there had to be a better way and became determined to beat the fear instead of planning her l...

With Sam off homeschooling and keeping her husband alive, Pam brings in her sister Wendy as this week’s guest co-host for a much-needed rant session. Together they lay out the laws we wish lawmakers would pass already—like the essential features every vacuum should have, finally ending the chaos of daylight savings time, to putting limits on those overachievers who decorate for Christmas in Octobe...

Egg pan, yes we start with another short chat about the egg pans in our lives and whether WE should just "chill" more or others should raise the bar a bit. But don’t worry, we don’t stay scrambled for long. In true Thing Doers fashion, we veer off into everything from bizarre phobias and random personal trivia to cruise ships, porta-potties, and the best and worst jobs we’ve had. And what we’d say...

Episode 33: Careless Culture? Are we all just getting... lazy? In this episode, Pam and Sam ask the hard-hitting question: Are we becoming (and raising) a Careless Culture? You know the type—leaving messes for someone else, living in a personal bubble of “not my problem,” and casually ignoring the ripple effects of our actions like it’s a competitive sport. But don’t worry, we don’t stay too deep...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam take on the so-called "formula for a perfect day"—and promptly call nonsense on it. Along the way, they tackle They chat about everyone's favorite pit of despair: the DMV, ponder different types of clouds and get real about the examples we're setting when it comes to male and female roles for the next generation. As always, they wrap things up with a...

Guess who’s back? That’s right—Sam and Pam have dusted off the mics, wrangled their thoughts (sort of), and are kicking off Season 2 of The Thing Doers with an episode that covers everything you never knew you needed. They’re diving into the fine art of flipping someone off (yes, there are options), celebrating the magic of boredom (who knew doing nothing could be so profound?), and talking sleep—...

Pam surprises Sam with a blast from the past—way back to when The Thing Doers was a trio! That’s right, Richelle stops by to record with us today, and in the spirit of surprises, we dive into the ultimate debate: surprise parties—love them or loathe them? From there, we spiral into bridesmaids - who needs em, the mission to make sure mom’s stocking at Christmas isn’t just a flat sock, what we’re c...

In this episode, Sam and Pam kick things off mid-rant about cheapskates and people who insist on shrink-wrapping their entire existence (couch, lamps, car, soul—you name it). But eventually, they land on the real topic of this episode, their recent “read” “The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins and unpack how this little gem of a theory is messing with their deeply ingrained need for control. Anxiety...

Pam starts with a confession: she’s sometimes a total mess when it comes to recording these episodes—episode 20 almost didn’t happen! But today the ladies ponder the enigma of people who live without calendars, skip emails, and seem to have zero responsibilities, Pam and Sam dive into the clash of organized vs. chaotic living. And those red notification bubbles? They’re not just visual—they’re dow...

Sam and Pam kick things off with their signature off-topic chatter, diving into mom intuition, baby monitors, and fitness trackers—because who doesn’t need even more information to stress over? Then it’s onto class reunions, body image, and the joys (ha!) of menopause. They’ll ask the big questions: Can we be real? Can we undo the damage social media and filters have done to how we see ourselves?...

In this bite-sized follow-up to Are You Ready?, Pam is on her own and Sam is in the midst of a snowstorm headed their way and she IS ready. Pam zeroes in on the holy grail of emergency prep: the "go bag" (or "stay bag," depending on whether the universe wants you to run or hunker down). With signature Thing Doer practicality, we walk you through exactly what to pack—spoiler alert: it’s not just sn...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, titled "Are You Ready?" Sam and Pam are finally back to recording after a six-week break, catching up on the chaos of juggling life and the crazy degree of indecision that strikes when we actually get a moment to breathe. With a fresh start to the year, they share the words they’ve chosen to focus on in 2025, offering a glimpse into their goals and priorities—be...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam dive into the great divide between men and women—or at least when it comes to communication. Ever wonder why your words seem to go in one ear and out the other when you're talking to your partner? Whether you're trying to make plans, tackle that never-ending honey-do list, or just be heard for once, our hosts break down the art (or frustration) of ge...

As the year limps to a close, Sam and Pam are here to commiserate about holidays that feel less people-packed and more… meh. With family scattered across time zones or just not around anymore, the season's sparkle can feel a little dim. Add in the joy (and chaos) of dealing with kids—one still basking in the holiday magic while the other is a pint-sized realist who’s way too practical for a 4-year...

After surviving the chaos of a dog seizure and wrangling their families Sam and Pam sit down to record this episode: “Just the Tip.” where they dive into some of their favorite money-saving hacks to help you squeeze every last penny. Want to clean your house without breaking the bank? They’ve got homemade cleaning products for that. Drowning in a sea of mail, subscriptions, and medical bills? Don’...

In this festive episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam dive headfirst into the glitter-filled chaos of Christmas (why is everything covered in glitter?) Real or fake trees—who’s winning the Great Pine Debate? When exactly should you decorate, and more importantly, when should you tear it all down before you lose your mind? And then there’s the Elf on the Shelf—festive fun or creepy narc? From che...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Pam and Sam reveal their ultimate, can't-live-without-it list of everyday treasures. From gift ideas to cooking hacks and personal must-haves, they’ll share the affordable magic that keeps their lives oh-so-functional. Spoiler alert: no yachts or diamond-encrusted blenders here—just practical, budget-friendly stuff that somehow makes life slightly less chaotic....

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam check in on their thrilling 30-day decluttering adventure. You know, the one where they finally toss out that sock missing its soulmate since 2004, or the hangers your mom got with those slacks she bought at Mervyn's back when Mervyn's was still a thing. It’s all about giving yourself permission to part with the “perfectly good” stuff you’ve been hol...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam start off by touching on the thrilling topic of cleaning (yes, you really should be wiping down those baseboards more than once every 10 years). But let’s be real—that’s just a warm-up. The main event is all about Thanksgiving as we roll into the holiday season. Pam shares her hot take on why it's high time to ditch the tired traditions in favor of s...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Sam and Pam decide to spice things up by bringing their better (or worse?) halves Austin and Steve onto this week’s podcast to talk about that delightful rollercoaster we call marriage and the path from the first date, breaking up, living together and then the altar. With many years of wedded bliss (or survival) under their belts, they’ll share their oh-so-perso...

This week, Sam and Pam share their plans for the 30-day challenge to rid their homes of clutter and they’ve added an extra twist by committing to a no-spend month, meaning they can only buy things with the money they earn from selling some of their own treasures. Pam drops some wisdom on minimalism (a.k.a. owning two things instead of twenty) and the difference between wants and needs. There's cha...

In this episode of The Thing Doers, Pam travels from California to the Lone Star State for an in person recording with Sam and special guests Wendy and Chris to discuss the massive migration of Californians out of the Golden State. They talk about why they've made the move to Texas and the many others that have been heading to states like Tennessee, Idaho, and Utah—where there’s more space, more f...

Today’s episode asks the questions…Is that weird? We admit we are all weird but some of our “normal” may seem odd to others. We're airing our dirty laundry on things we love, hate, and cringe at—because normal is overrated. From Kidz Bop: 12-year-olds butchering Top 40 hits to wire hangers and what is this about brushing teeth Sam? We’ll touch on the foods and shows that are our guilty pleasures a...

Night Owls or Early Birds? In this episode of Pam and Sam delve into the eternal debate between early birds and night owls. They sarcastically praise the early risers for their supposed productivity while pointing out the absurdity of waking up at 4 a.m. for anything other than milking cows or solving world crises. They discuss the joys of a quiet gym at 10 p.m., the terror of alarm clocks, and th...