Doing the Most with Scarlet and Mitchell

Mitchell Milliron
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Biweekly

One toddler, two nurses, three couches, four coffee makers, five cats, and seven vacuums… recipe for fun? Oh yes, so much fun that we decided to podcast about it so you might know you are not alone in Doing the Most.

  1. 4d ago

    Chickens, Neighbors, and Steel Plates

    After a short break, Scarlet and Mitchell are back with an episode that proves life never really slows down. From surprise backyard chickens and first-year homesteading lessons to frustrating neighbors and Oregon driving habits, this episode is packed with the everyday chaos that comes with doing the most. Along the way, they discuss flexibility, aging, forgotten childhood memories, gardening adventures, and why a simple steel plate in the road seems to cause a statewide traffic crisis. In This Episode 🐔 The Chicken Expansion Project How four chickens quickly became five Meeting Laverne, Shirley, Kiwi, Lady Hawk, and the newest Buff Orpington Building a coop and preparing for backyard egg production Learning chicken care completely from scratch Predictions for what color eggs Kiwi might lay 🌱 Accidental Homesteaders Discovering that gardening and raising chickens officially qualifies as homesteading The excitement and challenges of growing food at home Squirrels, squash bugs, and other unexpected garden enemies Dreams of someday owning more land and living a little closer to self-sufficiency 🧘 Trying Not to Become an Old Man Mitchell’s new stretching routine Balance and mobility tests that reveal how well you’re aging Why flexibility matters more than most people realize The difference between getting older and giving up 🐈 Living with Pets vs. Visiting Pet Owners The realities of sharing a home with multiple cats Family dynamics, cat hair, and preparing for visitors Becoming desensitized to things that seem obvious to everyone else Why making guests comfortable matters 📦 The Neighbor Package Incident A delivery that disappeared after being dropped at the wrong house The frustrations of mistaken deliveries and unhelpful neighbors Stories of returning mail, packages, and doing the neighborly thing Why common courtesy still matters 🧠 Random Childhood Memories Forgotten memories that suddenly return years later Strange stories from growing up in different decades Playground adventures, questionable supervision, and changing times The mysterious child who introduced himself as Stalin 🚗 So Tired Of… This week’s frustrations include: Drivers who come to a complete stop for steel plates in construction zones People who go out of their way to avoid road plates entirely Oregon drivers who slow to a crawl during rainstorms The growing belief that many people have forgotten how their vehicles actually work Things We Learned Homesteading starts a lot smaller than most people think. Chickens create excitement long before they lay their first egg. Garden pests are always waiting. Good neighbors are worth their weight in gold. Some driving habits remain impossible to explain. Quote of the Episode “We weren’t doing the most, so we added five chickens.” We’d Love to Hear From You Have chickens? Started a backyard garden? Know the secret to defeating squash bugs? Or do you also wonder why people stop for steel plates? Let us know. We’d love to hear your stories. Doing the Most with Scarlet & Mitchell is a podcast about family, pets, projects, parenting, and navigating the beautifully chaotic parts of everyday life. New episodes available wherever you listen to podcasts.

    46 min

  2. May 13

    Squirrels, Financial Freedom, and $2,000 Lettuce

    In this episode of Doing the Most, Scarlet and Mitchell wander through one of their classic kitchen-table conversations, covering everything from ASMR rabbit holes to accidental squirrel warfare, backyard gardening ambitions, and the sobering math of financial independence. What starts with a discussion about oddly satisfying videos quickly turns into a neighbor confession, a garden update, and an existential detour into how much money it actually takes to stop working. Spoiler alert: apparently a head of lettuce can cost about two grand… depending on how you do the math. In This Episode 🌱 The Backyard Garden Era Begins Scarlet shares what sparked their new gardening obsession, from thriving hydrangeas to raised beds, onions, kale, peppers, and dreams of eventual backyard chickens. They talk about learning the difference between annuals and perennials… perhaps later than most adults admit. 🐿️ The Great Squirrel Scandal A friendly backyard habit takes an unexpected turn when the neighbor reveals that their squirrel feeding may have created an entire rodent empire… one that’s now destroying his landscaping. Cue neighborhood guilt, squirrel names, and some uncomfortable truths. 💸 How Much Money Does “Freedom” Actually Cost? Mitchell spirals into a financial thought experiment: How much money would you need sitting in the bank at 4% interest to cover your bills… or replace your income entirely? The answer is enough to make anyone stare blankly at their raised garden beds. 📋 Wait… The Census Is Coming to the Door? An unexpected visit from the U.S. Census sparks questions about privacy, civic duty, government data, and whether answering the door has become a high-risk activity in modern America. 🎧 Also in this episode: ASMR creators and why pickle crunching exists Neti pots and grossly satisfying health wins Oregon gardening realities Why squirrels always know where the snacks are The fantasy of self-sufficiency versus actual effort Memorable Quote from the Episode “We’ve got a two-thousand-dollar head of lettuce coming up.” Join the Conversation Are you team feed the squirrels… or team protect the garden at all costs? And if you’ve ever tried gardening, what’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting? Connect with us on social media and let us know. Listen, subscribe, and keep doing the most. 🎙️

    39 min

  3. May 1

    Vacuums, Vibes & very Questionable Dog Etiquette

    This week, Scarlet and Mitchell are back in the studio navigating everything from Oregon’s aggressively uninspiring weather to the surprising emotional impact of heart emojis on Microsoft Teams. It’s a cozy chaos episode featuring five cats, double-digit vacuum ownership, and a public debate on whether dogs belong in restaurants (spoiler: it depends… a lot). Somewhere between jury duty dreams and existential ennui, the duo proves once again that even the most mundane moments can spiral into deeply entertaining territory. 🧠 What We’re Talking About 🌧️ Weather & Mood Swings Oregon’s unpredictable spring strikes again, bringing on a serious case of ennui and testing everyone’s patience. 🐱 Meet the Cat Crew (All Five of Them) From regal ragdolls to elusive Scottish folds and one chaotic tabby, the household lineup gets its moment. 🧹 The Vacuum Situation (It’s… a lot) Counting robots, handhelds, and everything in between, the vacuum collection has officially crossed into absurd territory. 💬 Workplace Communication & The “Heart Emoji Problem” Is a heart reaction on Teams harmless… or weirdly intimate? Mitchell has thoughts. 🐶 Dogs in Restaurants: Yes or No? A real-life dining experience sparks a debate about pet etiquette, responsibility, and knowing your animal. ⚖️ Jury Duty: Civic Honor or Major Inconvenience? Scarlet gets summoned, Mitchell gets jealous, and the philosophical divide is very real. 🔥 Favorite Moments “Uninspiring weather” might be the most accurate Oregon forecast ever. The household vacuum count reaches… frankly alarming levels. A dog casually resting its head on the table mid-meal 😳 The ongoing mystery of who actually uses Microsoft Teams correctly. Mitchell romanticizing jury duty like it’s a courtroom drama. 💬 Quote of the Episode “That sounds like a him problem, not a me problem.” 🎯 Takeaways Not all pets belong in public spaces—and that’s okay. There’s a fine line between convenience and chaos when it comes to “helpful” household gadgets. Workplace communication tools only work if people actually use them. Sometimes your mood really is just the weather. Jury duty: wildly different vibes depending on who you ask. 📣 Your Turn If you’ve ever owned too many vacuums, questioned a coworker’s emoji choices, or silently judged a dog in a restaurant… this episode is for you. 👉 Follow, rate, and share Doing the Most with Scarlet & Mitchell 👉 Check out clips (and maybe the cats) on Instagram & YouTube 👉 Tell us: Are dogs in restaurants a yes or a no?

    41 min

  4. Apr 15

    A House is Just a Collection of Projects (Send Help)

    Welcome back to Doing the Most! Mitchell and Scarlet hit the big 3-0… barely. Between shifting sunlight, unfinished house projects, and existential debates about flavored coffee, this episode is a beautifully chaotic slice of real life. If you’ve ever owned a home, started a “quick project,” or questioned your life choices in the coffee aisle… this one’s for you. 🧠 Episode Highlights 🛠️ The Myth of the “One-Hour Project” Mitchell walks through a simple deck repair that turned into a multi-day saga of planning, problem-solving, and surrendering to the truth: nothing takes one hour. 🏠 Homeownership = Infinite Side Quests From broken bathtubs to mystery chimney issues, Scarlet and Mitchell explore the never-ending list of things that come with owning a home… and why they still keep looking at new ones anyway. 🧱 Old Homes vs. New Builds Do modern houses lack soul? Scarlet makes the case for 100-year-old homes with “good bones,” while Mitchell wonders if today’s homes will even last that long. 🔁 When One Project Becomes Five The ripple effect is real: fix one thing, and suddenly you’re redesigning the entire house. Mitchell breaks down the mental spiral that turns a simple fix into a full-blown renovation. 💸 Home Warranty Subscriptions… Worth It? The idea of outsourcing home maintenance sounds dreamy… but is it actually worth the cost? Or just another subscription waiting to disappoint? 🌱 Staycation Plans & Garden Dreams Instead of traveling, the duo debates spending their time (and money) on a backyard garden project… assuming they can agree on what to build. 🤖 AI: Overhyped or Just Getting Started? A candid conversation about trust, usefulness, and whether AI is actually helping or just… confidently guessing. ☕ Hot Take: Flavored Coffee Should Not Exist Scarlet goes OFF on flavored coffee pods, defending classic coffee like it’s a moral stance. Mitchell mostly agrees. Tensions rise. Folgers survives. 💬 Quote of the Episode “A house a house is just a collection of projects.” 😂 Relatable Moments Thinking a project will take one hour Buying supplies before knowing how anything works Watching your to-do list multiply in real time Judging people (just a little) for their coffee choices Debating life decisions while doing absolutely nothing productive 🔍 Themes & Takeaways “Done” is better than “perfect” Homeownership is a long-term relationship with chaos Not every problem needs a full overhaul… but it’s tempting Convenience services sound great until you do the math Maybe… just maybe… plain coffee is enough 🎧 Listen If You Like: Real, unfiltered conversations Light home improvement talk (with zero expertise guaranteed) Relationship dynamics and everyday debates Podcasts that feel like hanging out with friends

    44 min

  5. Apr 1

    Costco Samples, Time Spirals & The Dreamer vs. The Realist

    This week, Scarlet and Mitchell wander from ginger beer reviews to existential time audits—with a pit stop at Costco’s sample aisle (arguably the most dramatic place in retail). What starts as a casual chat about feeling “off” turns into a surprisingly deep exploration of how we spend our time… and why it never quite feels like enough. 🛒 In This Episode: The Costco Sample Social Experiment™ Why do people perform a full Broadway monologue for a free meatball? Mitchell and Scarlet break down the unspoken etiquette, the sample hoarders, and the mysterious lives of the sample employees. Spoiler: “Enjoy” is the only acceptable script. The “Minimum Effective Dose” Life Strategy Scarlet explains her rotating self-improvement eras—skin, gut, hair—and how she goes all-in before scaling back to maintenance mode. Mitchell wonders if this approach could apply to… everything. Toothbrush Time Machine Reflections Mitchell shares his nightly ritual of mentally replaying the day and questioning whether he actually did anything meaningful—while comparing himself to celebrities who also had the same 24 hours (but probably didn’t fold laundry). Time, Money, and the Illusion of Productivity Do people with more money actually have more usable time? And is that the real cheat code to accomplishing more? Or is it about simplifying life instead? Dreamer vs. Realist: The Core Debate Scarlet and Mitchell unpack their fundamentally different worldviews: Mitchell: endless ideas, creative pursuits, and a desire to “do more” Scarlet: grounded, practical, and content with stability (with less chaos, please) Is one better than the other? Or do they balance each other out? The Curse of Too Many Interests Baking, piano, podcasting, reading, projects… Mitchell wonders if having too many passions is actually what’s holding him back from focusing on what matters most. Scarlet’s key vibe: You’re a dreamer… and I’m a realist. And somewhere in the middle is probably where sanity lives. 🧠 Takeaways: Not everyone measures a “successful day” the same way—and that’s okay Chasing more time might actually mean cutting things out, not adding more Contentment and ambition aren’t opposites… but they do argue like siblings Costco samples reveal more about human nature than we’d like to admit 😂 Also Discussed: Ginger beer “burn zones” Drooping microphones (a recurring character this episode) Why sample food tastes better in-store The eternal garage project The fantasy of having summers completely off 🔗 Connect With Us: Email: feedback@scarletandmitchell.com Website: scarletandmitchell.com DM us your thoughts: Are you a dreamer or a realist? 🎧 Listen If You: Have ever felt like you wasted a perfectly good day Secretly judge people at Costco sample stations Struggle to balance creativity with real life Are trying to “do the most”… without losing your mind

    50 min

  6. Mar 20

    #28: The DJ Deck Effect (Expectation vs. Reality)

    This week, we’re going old school—no cameras, just conversation. What starts as a story about a surprise DJ controller purchase quickly spirals into something deeper: the gap between who we think we’ll be when we buy something… and who we actually are once it’s sitting in the corner collecting dust. We unpack the “DJ Deck Effect”—that universal experience of buying into a vision of ourselves (artist, musician, photographer, gardener extraordinaire) only to face reality: time, effort, skill… and sometimes just plain disinterest. From unused painting supplies to hypothetical bird photography careers, we explore how consumerism, creativity, and adulthood all collide—and why we keep falling for it anyway. Then, we pivot into a different kind of stress: vacation planning. What is the ideal vacation? Relaxation? Adventure? Escaping your house but bringing your chaos with you? With a week off approaching, we wrestle with expectations vs. reality (again), and whether you can ever truly “relax” with a four-year-old in tow. As always, it’s a mix of humor, honesty, and trying to figure life out… while doing the most. 🎧 Key Topics & Moments 🎚️ The DJ Deck Reveal A $300+ surprise purchase sparks a bigger conversation about hobbies, identity, and unused potential. 🧠 Buying the Idea of Yourself Are we purchasing items—or the fantasy lifestyle that comes with them? 🎨 Adult Hobbies vs. Reality Painting, photography, music… why do so many passions stall out after the initial excitement? ⏳ Time vs. Money Paradox Kids have time but no money. Adults have money but no time. Cool system. 📸 The Nikon Commercial in Your Head Imagining your future self vs. actually becoming them. 🌱 Where Creativity Still Lives Cooking, gardening, music—finding realistic outlets that stick. ✈️ Vacation Expectations Spiral What are we actually trying to get out of time off? 🏡 Airbnb vs. Hotels Debate Once you go Airbnb… can you ever go back? 🌧️ Oregon Weather Existentialism False spring hits different when you know the rain isn’t done with you yet. 💭 Quote of the Episode “You’re not buying the thing—you’re buying the version of yourself you think you’ll become.” 🔥 Takeaways We’re all guilty of the “DJ Deck Effect” in some form. The fantasy is often more exciting than the follow-through. Creativity isn’t gone in adulthood—it just needs realistic outlets. Vacations don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the best move is lowering expectations… just enough to actually enjoy things. 📣 Call to Action What’s your version of a DJ deck? That thing you bought (or almost bought) imagining a whole new life? Let us know—DM us, comment, or send us a message. We promise we won’t judge… we probably own one too.

    38 min

  7. Mar 4

    #27: Stuffocation, Smash the Patriarchy & Toenail Confessions

    In this episode of Doing the Most, Mitchell and Scarlet spiral through clutter, change, grocery store anxiety, toxic masculinity, existential dread, and… toenails. Yes. Toenails. What starts as a reflection on a year of “maybe we should move” energy turns into a deeper conversation about stuff, memory, boundaries, emotional labor, and the repetitive tasks that quietly drain us. It’s thoughtful. It’s a little chaotic. It’s very real. Episode Highlights Are We Craving Change? Looking back over the past year, there’s been a pattern: RV life dreams Arizona talk Virginia talk Apartment fantasies Burn-it-all-down energy Is it wanderlust? Restlessness? Or just the human need for evolution? Stuffocation™ (New Word Alert) Mitchell coins the term Stuffocation — the suffocating feeling of being overwhelmed by your own possessions. From toothbrush domino disasters to piles of unopened mail, the conversation explores: Are memories in the object or in our minds? When does sentimental become suffocating? What actually deserves to be kept? Minimalist vs. Hoarderline Scarlet shares her upbringing between two extremes: One parent who keeps everything One parent who lives with almost nothing How does that shape your relationship to stuff as an adult? Grocery Store Boundaries Scarlet opens up about feeling uncomfortable during routine grocery trips and deciding she’s done adjusting her behavior to accommodate unwanted attention. The takeaway: You don’t have to shrink yourself to make someone else comfortable. Patient Behavior & Workplace Respect A powerful discussion about: Male patients speaking disrespectfully to female nurses Why behavior shifts depending on who walks into the room Setting boundaries without sacrificing professionalism Mitchell reflects on witnessing different treatment dynamics as a male nurse. Repetitive Tasks We Hate Mitchell: Trimming toenails Sorting mail Making appointments Scarlet: Washing and styling hair Making dinner Cleaning up dinner Calling offices Why do small tasks sometimes feel enormous? Repetitive Things We Love Scarlet: Walking pad + podcast routine Morning coffee ritual Sleeping Mitchell: Feeding squirrels Afternoon sun naps The ritual of shaving Small joys matter. AI: Helpful Tool or Overhyped Intern? Can artificial intelligence reduce mental load? Or is it just impressive until you actually need it to do something useful? Big Themes Change & reinvention Clutter psychology Emotional labor Boundaries & respect Mental load Tiny rituals that keep us sane Quote of the Episode “The memory is not in the item, it’s in your head… but the guitar reminds me of it.”  If this episode hit home, share it with someone who: Has a pile of mail they’re avoiding Dreads making phone calls Needs a reminder that boundaries aren’t rude Or has strong feelings about leftovers Thanks for listening to Doing the Most. See you next week.

    42 min

  8. Feb 18

    #26: Pillow Talk Edition (It’s not what you think)

    In this episode, Mitchell and Scarlet return with classic Doing The Most energy: slightly tired, heavily caffeinated (tea counts), and fully prepared to unpack everyday absurdities. What begins with cozy restaurant observations spirals into backyard wildlife diplomacy and eventually lands in a full investigative breakdown of… hospital pillows. Yes. Pillows. From overheard restaurant feedback nobody asked for to squirrels forming suspiciously friendly alliances, this episode explores the strange places where normal life quietly becomes doing the absolute most. ☕ Episode Highlights 🍽️ The Restaurant Feedback Phenomenon A casual meal at a cozy Portland diner turns into an accidental sociology experiment when a nearby diner decides to offer unsolicited culinary “feedback.” Mitchell and Scarlet discuss the curious confidence of public critics, the etiquette of eating out, and why sometimes the best review is simply enjoying your meal and moving on. 🐿️ Backyard Wildlife: Who’s Training Who? The household’s growing collection of bird feeders has officially escalated into squirrel relations. Meet Buster, the brave peanut-accepting squirrel The suspicious hierarchy between gray squirrels and the “CJ Brothers” The emotional milestone of hand-feeding wildlife Are the humans training squirrels… or being trained themselves? Bonus appearances include scrub jays, neighborhood cats, and a surprise raccoon sighting that sparks debate about future domesticated animals 🛏️ Pillow Talk: The Hospital Mystery The main event of the episode dives into a workplace saga that sounds fictional but absolutely isn’t. A simple laminated sign reading “Please keep pillow with stretchers” launches a deep investigation into: The mysterious disappearance of hospital pillows Administrative overcorrection gone wild The creation of an actual pillow committee When bureaucracy collides with real patient care How a small policy becomes a symbol of larger system dysfunction What starts as a confusing sign evolves into a hilarious yet revealing look at how complex systems sometimes lose sight of common sense. 😂 Running Themes This Episode Everyday moments turning unexpectedly philosophical The fine line between helpful and “doing the most” Workplace absurdity and institutional logic loops Animals gaining emotional leverage over humans The unintended comedy of laminated signs 🫖 Featured Beverages North Star tea from Matolius Hibiscus Rose & Sweet Berry tea from Good Earth Because every serious discussion about squirrels and hospital logistics deserves proper tea. 📣 Join the Conversation Have you ever fed a wild animal and immediately questioned your life choices? Witnessed unnecessary feedback in public? Worked somewhere where a minor problem became a full committee? Send your stories and you might hear them on a future episode. 🔔 Listen & Follow Find Doing The Most wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full episodes on YouTube at Less Cats Please.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

One toddler, two nurses, three couches, four coffee makers, five cats, and seven vacuums… recipe for fun? Oh yes, so much fun that we decided to podcast about it so you might know you are not alone in Doing the Most.

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