What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath

Harvesting five million bushels of wheat and corn from Texas to Montana, outrunning hailstorms that decimate a year's income in 20 minutes, and running a multimillion-dollar convoy of equipment down the highway with Josh Beckley, a third-generation custom harvester from Kansas. Why do farmers outsource the harvesting of their own crops? And what happens when you drive a combine into a ditch?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Guiding grieving families through arrangement meetings, orchestrating meaningful memorial services within days, and preparing bodies for viewing with Heather Hill, a funeral director in North Carolina. What's different about doing makeup on a dead person? And what is it like to field a death call?LINKS & REFERENCESHeather writes about her work on her website.She's a funeral director at Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina."The Future is Female" - American Funeral Director on the surge of women graduating from mortuary school WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Landing the Perseverance rover on Mars, working in clean rooms to minimize the microbial bug count, and slogging through hundreds of engineering trade-offs with Swati Mohan, an aerospace engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. What are the "seven minutes of terror"? And is there evidence of past life on Mars?LINKS & REFERENCES:Watch Swati voice the landing of Perseverance in 2021.Swati's official NASA bioMore about the Perseverance roverSwati Mohan spoke with us in a personal capacity. The views expressed in this episode are her own and do not represent the views of NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or any other organization.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Defusing a crisis after an ambassador hinted at a preemptive strike on Russia, delivering demarches in multiple languages, and surviving the frantic evacuation of the Kabul embassy with John Johnson, a retired diplomat who spent more than twenty years in the US Foreign Service. Do diplomats still send "cables" in the 21st century? And what does "not/not" mean?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Wiring a neighborhood back to life after a tornado, coveting the work of helicopter linemen in Faraday suits, and surviving the collapse of a rotten utility pole with Elden Rivas, a journeyman lineman in Houston, Texas. What is the one sound on the crew radio that stops every lineman cold? And why does a squirrel on a transformer mean easy money?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Suspending the licenses of unsafe restaurant operators, hunting down the origins of foodborne illness outbreaks, and eliciting truthful answers from anxious managers with Justin Dwyer, a health inspector in Peoria, Illinois. What happens when a restaurant locks the door on an inspector? And why should you never wash your Thanksgiving turkey?LINKS & REFERENCESUpstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath. You can find the audiobook at Audible, Spotify, and Apple Books.The Poison Squad by Deborah BlumThe Jungle by Upton SinclairUSDA: To Wash Or Not to Wash Your TurkeyWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Hurtling down an ice track at nearly 100mph, perfecting the practice of visualization, and shaving off hundredths of a second with Kaillie Humphries, an Olympic bobsledder. What's the most feared track in the world? And how do athletes practice when there's no ice in the summer?This episode originally aired on December 17th, 2024.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Negotiating cases in which neither spouse wants custody of the cat, setting clients' expectations about what's legally possible (versus what feels "right"), and finding hope in people's ability to bounce back from dark times with Lucy Stewart-Gould, a divorce lawyer in London. What simple question can break open a deadlocked settlement? And what's a "jurisdiction race"?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a criminal defense attorney, a forensic accountant, or a couples therapist.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Tinkering with the recipe for gingerbread cake until it's right, adjusting to the variability of local grains, and cherishing the quiet mornings when the sun fills the bakery windows with Sophie Williams, a baker in Bellingham, Washington. What happens when you bake all your sourdough starter by accident? And what's a "starch attack"?Links & References:Sophie owns and operates Raven Bakery in Bellingham, Washington.The Economics of Everyday ThingsBullshit Jobs by David GraeberWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Sculpting mullets on Havanese, enduring countless bites, and surviving level-five furnadoes with Aaron Williams, a dog groomer in Alabama. Why is the grooming table his most powerful psychological tool? And which part of the grooming process is most dreaded by dogs?You can see Aaron in action at his YouTube channel.Want more episodes featuring professions who work with animals? We've spoken with a veterinarian, a cattle rancher, and a dog trainer.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Judging the permissibility of real-time battle decisions, advising commanders how to handle soldier misconduct, and assessing "hostile acts" and "hostile intent" with Lieutenant Colonel Susan Upward, a Marine Corps JAG. What does "dispo" mean in military justice? And how do you tell a commander his idea is colossally stupid -- while keeping your job?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Weaving songs and dances into classroom lessons, having difficult conversations with parents, and navigating the second-day meltdowns of kindergarten students with Yaronda Kilgo, an elementary school teacher. What did a backpack full of snacks teach her about empathy? And what makes her "extra"?We're teaming up this month with GiveDirectly to collect money that will go directly to Rwandan families. Dan will match every dollar raised from What It's Like To Be... listeners. Donate now: givedirectly.org/whatitslikeWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Managing Ebola treatment centers in Sierra Leone, coordinating with government officials and local leaders, and advocating for the radical simplicity of cash aid with Grace Jackson, a humanitarian worker. When low-income families are given money, what's the first thing they often buy? And what is “CMCoord”?This episode is part of a fundraising effort called Pods Fight Poverty. We're teaming up with GiveDirectly to collect money that will go directly to Rwandan families. Dan will match every dollar raised from What It's Like To Be... listeners. Donate now: givedirectly.org/whatitslikeWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Reinterpreting centuries-old classical music, marking up symphonies with notes on phrasing, and turning mid-performance disasters into unforgettable moments with Carlos Miguel Prieto, a music director and conductor. How do you get an orchestra to pick up the tempo? (Spoiler: Not by waving your hands faster.) And how does a performance of Beethoven's Fifth sound different today from a century ago?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Calculating electrical loads, getting zapped by 277 volts, and savoring the freedom of the skilled trades with Doug Powell, a master electrician. Why are blue-collar professions growing increasingly more attractive? And what are the telltale signs of a hack electrician?Doug runs Lumen Brothers Electric Company with his business partner, Josh.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Scaling outfield walls to pick off home runs, bouncing between La Quinta hotels and sleeper buses, and chasing the dream of the majors with Trayvon Robinson, a professional baseball player. What superstitions did he live by? And what did he do to make SportsCenter in his major league debut?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Monitoring global networks of seismometers, evangelizing for stronger buildings instead of better predictions, and measuring LA's slow crawl toward Alaska with Lucy Jones, a seismologist in Southern California. Why does she begin counting when she feels the earth start to shake? And how did a nuclear test ban treaty end up boosting the science of earthquakes?Lucy is author of the book The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them). She also founded the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society.The piece composed by Lucy featured at the end of the episode is called "In Nomine Terra Calens: In the name of a warming earth". It was performed and mixed by Josh Lee.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Butchering whole alligators, costing out every plate down to the garnish, and perfecting grilled sweetbreads with Cindy Wolf, an executive chef. What was it like to cook for Julia Child? And what popular item does she wish she could purge from the menu?Dan's latest book is Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. It's out in hard cover and as an audiobook.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Writing for the ear rather than the eye, racing to meet teleprompter deadlines, and recasting lost memories as timeless advice with Stephen Krupin, a speechwriter. What was it like to write speeches for President Obama? And when can a speaker's desire for "authenticity" go too far?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Crafting floral masterpieces that disappear within hours, dealing with the eccentricities of wealthy clients, and making 3am runs to the flower market with Paul Hawkins, a floral decorator in England. Why is it a no-no to mix red and white flowers? And what's it like to design floral decorations for royalty?You can see some of Paul's work on his Instagram page.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Cracking automotive mysteries one diagnostic code at a time, mastering the art of quoting complicated repairs, and playing the "what kind of noise is it?" guessing game with Justin Snodgrass, a car mechanic who owns his own shop. Why should $19.99 oil changes make you suspicious? And why might your local car mechanic decline to work on new cars?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a forensic accountant, a welder, or a software engineer. WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Counting out pills in fives, working with million-dollar drugs, and ensuring the right medication in the right dose gets delivered at the right moment with Rose Davin, a pharmacy technician in Rochester, New York. What are the layers of protection that prevent pharmacy employees from absconding with opioids? And what happens if a technician accidentally drops a pill on the floor?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a nurse, a veterinarian, or a hospice nurse.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Forecasting what a business will earn and spend, allocating resources among teams clamoring for more, and practicing professional skepticism without killing the vibe with Steve Love, a chief financial officer. What does it feel like to confess to a board of directors that you've made a potentially catastrophic error? And what happens when business leaders accidentally release non-public information?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a turnaround consultant,  a forensic accountant, or a life insurance salesman.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Boiling briskets for five hours, escorting obnoxious customers to the door, and preserving the ritual of saying "hello" with Steven Peljovich, who runs Michael's Deli in Boston. What makes a deli different from a sandwich shop? And, until recently, why did he resist taking orders online?Read The Boston Globe story that Steven mentioned about longtime customer Rita Manor.IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a stadium beer vendor, a barman, or an ice cream truck driver.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Choreographing massages to Mozart, enforcing cancellation policies with beloved clients, and shutting down callers seeking "undraped sessions" with Allissa Haines, a massage therapist. What made her cry in her car after one particular house call? And what is "effleurage”?In this episode, Dan recommended The Work of Art by Adam Moss, a book about how artists make their work. Check it out here.IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a couples therapist, a hair stylist, or a piano teacher.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Scaling three-story rope ladders up the sides of ships, memorizing every rock and current in a harbor, and narrowly avoiding catastrophic collisions with Captain Grant Livingstone, a retired harbor pilot. What do you do when your engine and anchors fail in heavy fog? And how do you dock a ship the size of the Empire State Building?Grant and his twin brother Captain George Livingstone co-authored the recent book Shiphandling, The Beautiful Game.IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a long-haul trucker, an ocean lifeguard, or a London cabbie.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Comforting patients as they prepare to transition, navigating end-of-life regrets and frayed relationships, and providing support and advice for fearful families with Heather Meyerend, a retired hospice nurse. How does she know when the end is imminent? And what has the work taught her about the different ways we deal with death?Heather is a contributing author to the book Resilient Faith: Dare To Believe. She was also profiled in The New Yorker in 2016: "A Tender Hand in the Presence of Death".IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a nurse, a brain surgeon, or a veterinarian.Learn more about StoryCorps and the Story Preservation Initiative at their websites.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Calming scared cats with pheromone sprays, advising families how to balance their pet's well-being with budget realities, and diagnosing mysterious animal maladies with Dr. Hindatu Mohammed, a veterinarian in Austin, TX. What breed of dog, when having its nails clipped, responds as though it's being murdered? And how did an injured ant shape her career choice?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a dog trainer, a nurse, or a brain surgeon.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Tracing mysterious errors to their source, jousting with product managers, and rolling out new features (without breaking the old ones) with Taylor Hughes, a software engineer. How did one failed software fix ruin Christmas for kids around the country? And what is "spaghetti code"?Taylor is currently a co-founder and the CTO at Hypernatural.ai.IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a forensic accountant, a creative director, or a brain surgeon.Learn more about StoryCorps and the Story Preservation Initiative at their websites.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Mediating pickleball noise disputes, shepherding communities through thorny decisions, and practicing radical pragmatism with Martha Bennett, city manager of Lake Oswego, Oregon. What is it that makes public hearings so noxious? And what's the difference between "Big P" and "Little P" politics?IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a high school principal, a PR crisis manager, or a turnaround consultant.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Pouring pints for thirsty tourists, defusing situations with drunk patrons, and finding flow in the Friday night rush with Brian Wynne, a barman in Dublin. What caused one customer to throw a dog at Brian? And what is "craic"?If you'd like to reach out to Brian, email Dan at [email protected] YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be an ice cream truck driver, a stand-up comedian, or a London cabbie.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Zapping parts of the brain to know where to cut, operating a mouth-controlled microscope that's worth more than a house, and carrying the weight of life-or-death decisions with Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, a brain surgeon at the Mayo Clinic. How do you preserve a mathematician's expertise when removing tumors? And how did he go from picking tomatoes to performing brain surgery?Dr. Q wrote about his remarkable journey to the operating room in the book, Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon.He was also featured in the Netflix documentary series The Surgeon’s Cut.IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Check out what it's like to be a hospice nurse, a nurse, a veterinarian.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Commanding a floating city of 5,000 sailors, intercepting Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, and stripping rank from sailors who cross the line with Captain Chris "Chowdah" Hill, commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier. How do you stop a fighter jet in 2-seconds? And what are “midrats”?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Singing cleanup songs, tiring out kids before naptime, and battling the "babysitter" stereotype with Brenda Hawkins, a daycare owner in Maryland. How has childcare changed over the years? And what is a "dope and drop"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Fine-tuning the perfect accent for a character, recording for hours in a sound-insulated booth, and tracking down obscure pronunciations with Sean Pratt, an audiobook narrator. What is "punch and roll"? And what kind of voice do you need to be a great narrator?EXTRAWe spoke with Sean about his work narrating the David Foster Wallace literary behemoth Infinite Jest. That part of the interview didn’t fit into this episode, but you can listen to it here!WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

We've got something a little different and special for you this week! The day this is dropping, January 21st, is the launch day for my new book, called RESET: How to Change What’s Not Working. We’re running an excerpt (a whole chapter!) from the audiobook on this podcast.You can buy the full audiobook, hardcover, or Kindle version here!We’ll be back next week with a new episode of the show, talking with a professional audiobook narrator!WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Cracking decades-old murder cases, delivering unthinkable news to victims' families, and tracking suspects across borders with John Lamberti, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Why are cold cases harder to solve these days? And what's a "415"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Forecasting demand for 40,000 different products, arranging for model kits to traverse the globe from Chinese factories to mom-and-pop hobby shops, and enduring random customs inspections with Alan Bass, a hobby kit and toy distributor. Why can't shops place orders directly with factories and cut out distributors? And what is it like to discover your childhood toys were actually samples given out for market research purposes?The hobby kit and toy distributor business he runs is Stevens International. You can find his family’s brick-and-mortar hobby shop, AAA Hobbies and Crafts, in Magnolia, NJ, and an online store at MegaHobby.com. WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Hurtling down an ice track at nearly 100mph, perfecting the practice of visualization, and shaving off hundredths of a second with Kaillie Humphries, an Olympic bobsledder. What's the most feared track in the world? And how do athletes practice when there's no ice in the summer?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Shearing Christmas trees into their classic shape, fighting back weeds and blackbirds, and planting 5,000 trees a year with Sheldon Corsi, a Christmas tree farmer near Cincinnati, Ohio. What does a tree baler sound like? And what makes Christmas tree farming distinctive within the world of agriculture?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Swimming with 20-foot manta rays, suffering through grant applications, and rushing to the whale freezer with Jessica Pate, a marine biologist based in Florida. How have drones changed her work? And what's wrong with being a "parachute scientist"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Perfecting the soft finishes, dealing with divorcing couples, and cultivating the perfect network of artisans with Julie Anne Burch, an interior designer. Why did she need a crane to move a piano? And how can interior designers create a "moment"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Ignoring 10,000 booing fans, collaborating with the replay center, and striving for perfection with Billy Kennedy, an NBA referee. What happens when you get a call wrong? And what's the difference between the trail, slot, and lead officials?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Outsmarting drunks, competing with ride-share apps, and discovering that some of your passengers were Spice Girls with Jamie Owens, a London cabbie. How much does it cost to buy a cab? And what's "The Knowledge"?You can find Jamie on YouTube at his channel "Jamie The Cabby".WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Overcoming "soft objections," hustling to line up meetings, and navigating the line between business and friendship with David Johnson, a third-generation life insurance salesman. What is the mistake that "ruins careers" for salespeople? And what is a "feed list"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Framing a scene to draw in the audience, dealing with screaming directors, and getting lost in an actor's performance with Pauline Edwards, a camera operator. What's it like filming a reality TV show? And what's a "swingle"?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Hauling 32,000 lbs of dead rats, strategically planning every turn and pit stop, and soaking up the highway sunrises and sunsets with Kathy and Gene Lednicky, team truck drivers. What's the chatter like on the CB radio? And what's a "lumper”?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Conjuring a world where kids can reinvent themselves, running a small town in the woods, and witnessing camp counselors falling in love with Eric Sasson, a summer camp director. What happens on the last night of camp? And why does the question "Do you have a minute?" spark anxiety?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Transforming school buses into ice cream trucks, watching kids grow up (one popsicle at a time), and struggling to keep the freezers running with Erin Bailey, an ice cream truck driver in New Jersey. What’s her best selling treat? And does she ever get sick of the ice cream truck song?Music credit:"The Entertainer" by Scott JoplinCourtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 LicenseWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Learning to read the ocean, performing CPR on a dolphin, and leading daring (and sometimes foolish) rescues with Ed Vodrazka, an ocean lifeguard in California. What are the signs that someone is in trouble in the water? And how do you stay vigilant after many hours in the tower?Ed is the author of a couple of books about ocean lifeguards, including Stories from Sea Level: The Heroic and Humorous Adventures of California’s Ocean Lifeguards.WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue.GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at [email protected] SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at [email protected] TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise.We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.