{"id":7787,"date":"2025-06-08T09:46:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T15:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/?p=831"},"modified":"2025-06-08T09:46:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T15:46:56","slug":"a-very-useful-engine-a-story-about-parenthood-poop-and-thomas-the-tank-engine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/?p=7787","title":{"rendered":"A Very Useful Engine \u2014 A Story About Parenthood, Poop, and Thomas the Tank Engine"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-833\" src=\"https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/whyamipod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thumbnail-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\">\n<p class=\"Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 gfMYqC\" data-slate-node=\"element\" data-encore-id=\"type\" data-slate-fragment=\"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\">In this darkly funny personal essay, I reflect on the chaos and compromises of parenting through the lens of a family trip inspired by our toddler\u2019s obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine. It\u2019s got trains, rain, and an unforgettable roadside bathroom situation. Think David Sedaris meets wooden railroads. Watch as I recount two pivotal moments in our family\u2019s journey with Thomas, complete with backward train rides and a showdown at a gas station that no longer sells gas. If you&#8217;ve ever traveled long distances with a child under five, this one\u2019s for you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 gfMYqC\" data-slate-node=\"element\" data-encore-id=\"type\" data-slate-fragment=\"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\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.1.0\/72x72\/1f517.png\" alt=\"&#x1f517;\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" \/> Don\u2019t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\"><\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/creators.spotify.com\/pod\/profile\/whyamipod\/episodes\/A-Very-Useful-Engine--A-Story-About-Parenthood--Poop--and-Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-e33v454\">Podcast episode on Spotify here<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/creators.spotify.com\/pod\/show\/whyamipod\/embed\/episodes\/A-Very-Useful-Engine--A-Story-About-Parenthood--Poop--and-Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-e33v454\/a-ac043b9\" width=\"400px\" height=\"102px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\">Youtube version here:<\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uU5iZC1LRYE?si=oRjG_XnBhT2DIEVB\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div data-offset-key=\"5ljb8-0-0\">\n<div class=\"DK2WGA7X3rKos2v1AABBD _20x9t-BL2SDh7lOGEew66E\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"97ugl\" data-offset-key=\"b0nt9-0-0\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"b0nt9-0-0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"b0nt9-0-0\">\n<p class=\"Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 gfMYqC\" data-slate-node=\"element\" data-encore-id=\"type\"><span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\">If you want to <\/span><strong style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\">support the podcast<\/strong><span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\"> you can do so via <\/span><a style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/whyamipod\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/whyamipod<\/a><span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\"> (this gives you access to <\/span><strong style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\">bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!<\/strong><span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.015em;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this darkly funny personal essay, I reflect on the chaos and compromises of parenting through the lens of a family trip inspired by our toddler&rsquo;s obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine. It&rsquo;s got trains, rain, and an unforgettable roadside bathroom situation. Think David Sedaris meets wooden railroads. Watch as I recount two pivotal moments [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-podcast"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7787"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7802,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7787\/revisions\/7802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregsowell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}