KNOCK IT OFF Podcast

Not ‘Just Another Birthday’Audio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every week and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

In Defense of a Mental Health Day for ChildrenAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every week and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Ask Bethany: U5 Sports ProdigyHe could be going all the wayAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every week and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

The Hills of LongingAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every week and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

It doesn’t seem fair. On Friday, Catherine O’Hara passed away at the age of 71. We’re still reeling from the death of Diane Keaton in October last year, and now this. Both of these women served as our on-screen secondary mothers. Their untimely deaths, so close in time, hit hard.Sure, Catherine was perhaps the most neglectful mother, twice accidentally leaving her fictional son alone while her family gallivanted the globe, but that’s part of what made her so . . . relatable. We found oddly familiar comfort each time she shrieked “KEVIN!!” as sheer terror took over upon the realization that her son was missing. She was imperfect and she was human. Somehow, she made us laugh as she declared to the police that losing her son was becoming a McCallister family travel tradition. And she showed us true mother’s love when she moved mountains to find her son, even enduring the Kenosha Kickers (Polka-Polka-Polka!) in the back of a rental truck. (RIP John Candy.) She made us cry when she embraced her on-screen son (Macaulay Culkin) in only the way a true mother could. She spoke at his 2023 Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony: “Thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once, but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I’m so proud of you.” Reacting to her death, he wrote, “Mama, I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”And who could forget Catherine’s depiction of pretentious Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice? Just try to watch the “Day-o” scene without smiling, we dare you. The idiocy is unmatched. We believe those in showbiz call that “comedic gold.”But perhaps our favorite on-screen mother played by Catherine was Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. Dubbed by yours truly as one of the Six Best Moms of the Millennial Generation, we wrote in May of 2025 that she was:Easily a favorite character for her theatrics and phrase turns. She solidified wearing the wig and designer clothing to the small town diner as an achievable reality. She demonstrated her artistic genius by salvaging The Crows Have Eyes III. Perhaps an accidental mother, she grew over time from not knowing her own daughter’s middle name to forming deep bonds with both children. She gradually set aside her narcissism in favor of true love and connection with her family. Who cares if that’s not really possible- it left us with all the warm fuzzies and simultaneous cheek pain from laughing.It’s no wonder she swept just about every major award for this performance (including an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award), and we will forever be grateful to Eugene and Dan Levy for talking her into it.Her fifty (plus) year career is too remarkable to attempt to summarize here, but above all, this on screen moment could be our favorite. A digital creator had (what appeared to be) a chance encounter with her at the airport and asked her, “You’ve been in so many legendary roles. When all is said and done, which one role would you most like to be remembered for?” She replied, simply, “Mother of my children.”Catherine, thank you for the memories, and thank you for being you. We will miss you so very much.❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button at the bottom - it helps others discover our stuff!🗣️ Maybe leave us a cawwwwment below!👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.🫶🏼 Or, consider sharing it with a fellow Catherine lover. 📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for reading KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every week and support our work.**Our posts may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a couple of pennies (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase an item through a link.** This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Put Her on a LeashNespresso problems; rose bushes; bird watching; The Underdoggs; hay allergies; Christmas tree posing; race losing; thigh hanging; & pizza hacksTis the week for our unscripted conversation & recommendations!We have an unscripted convo (rather than writing) about once a month. During this convo, we ridicule each other while discussing books and other things we are currently loving. Why? Because we’ve never felt so alive.For all links, go directly to the post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

The Golden Gifts of 2025Audio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Our First 2026 Goal Surprised Us BothAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

We Thought it Would Be a Good Idea to Bring Six Children to a Three-Hour-Long Retirement PartyAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

You're Having a Fantasy! Retirement talk; Taco Bell runs; Elf on the Shelf; Bearistas; trellises; Eggonomics; Snoop news; Tayvis talk; shoes off homes; and holiday madness Tis the week for our unscripted conversation & recommendations!We have an unscripted convo (rather than writing) about once a month. During this convo, we ridicule each other while discussing books and other things we are currently loving. Why? Because we’ve never felt so alive.For all links, go directly to the post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

What to do with a Season-Spirit MismatchAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Five Holiday Traditions That Stand the Test of TimeAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work.Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Walking the Tightrope Words of love for my youngestAudio version of written post on knockitoff.substack.com👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday(ish) and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Dear Lucifer Audio version of written post appearing on knockitoff.substack.com 👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Burnt Bean BurritoBoston in the fall; spiritual peace; enjoying November; Eggonomics; arugula and trellises; Snoop on the Stoop; skunks eating burritos; mail truck races; weight gains; youth sports conundrums‘Tis the week for our unscripted conversation & recommendations!We have an unscripted convo (rather than writing) about once a month. During this convo, we ridicule each other while discussing books and other things we are currently loving. Why? Because we’ve never felt so alive.For all links, go directly to the post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

How to Pull Off an Epic Surprise Trip in Ten Easy StepsAudio version of written piece appearing on knockitoff.substack.com👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Our Unwitting Visit to the Haunted Driskill HotelWhere ghosts greet patrons with playful trickery Audio version of written piece appearing on knockitoff.substack.com👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Today’s Kids are Being Robbed of this Fundamental RightAudio version of written piece appearing on knockitoff.substack.com👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Catch a CaseLet yourself go; remembering Diane; Starbucks woes; Dance with Somebody; penpals; eggonomics; Taylor Swift's new album drops; mitral prolapse; unqualified coaching; creepy TVs; & modern gentlemen‘Tis the week for our unscripted conversation & recommendations!We have an unscripted convo (rather than writing) about once a month. During this convo, we ridicule each other while discussing books and other things we are currently loving. Why? Because we’ve never felt so alive.For all links, go directly to the post on knockitoff.substack.comThanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free at knockitoff.substack.com to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com

Goodbye, DianeThank you for the memories, Ms. KeatonAudio version of written piece appearing on knockitoff.substack.com👚 Get yourself some KNOCK IT OFF merch.☕️ Buy us a coffee. Kara may or may not blow it at Starbucks.📸 Follow us on Instagram @knockitoff.substack for even more KNOCK IT OFF content!Thanks for listening to KNOCK IT OFF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts every Sunday and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knockitoff.substack.com