How To! with Charles Duhigg

Latest Episodes:

How To Transition From Soldier to Civilian Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Dan enlisted in the Army in 2003 during the early phase of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He just retired after 20 years of service—and is adjusting to myriad challenges of civilian life while also managing PTSD, ADHD and new sobriety. On this episode of How To!, Bob Beard of Arizona State University's Center for Science and the Imagination joins us to talk about a new program that's helping veterans like Dan plan for the distant future using science fiction, conceptual art, and strategies employed by Fortune 500 companies.

If you liked this episode, check out How To Breathe Like a Navy SEAL.

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Carve Out Creative Time Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Allison is on the hunt for her next hobby. One that's satisfying. One that she can stick with. One that will fit into her family's very busy schedule. Except…maybe she's thinking about that last part all wrong. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space. Eve argues that drawing—and defending—boundaries for individual, creative pursuits is necessary for living a fulfilled life. She'll share how to balance domestic labor in order to carve out creative space and pick something that makes your soul sing.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Stop "Having It All" (Before You End Up With Nothing)

How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Grieve an Estranged Parent Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

A parent's main job is to protect. But what happens when your parent doesn't protect you? What happens when they not only let bad things happen to you, but they doubt and dismiss you when you ask them for help? Our listener, Haylie, decided to go no-contact with her father after multiple attempts to reconcile their relationship. Now she wants to know how to grieve the death of the relationship. On this episode of How To!, Patrick Teahan, licensed clinical social worker and childhood trauma therapist, joins us to explain why cutting off a parent is so difficult, why we grieve these relationships, and how to start healing.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Walk Away from an Impossible Parent

How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Jabari Butler.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Talk Politics Without Wrecking Relationships (Encore) Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

On a recent phone call Shannon's mom didn't mince words: The only way she'd vote for Joe Biden is if Jesus himself comes down and tells her to. Growing up in a conservative household, Shannon understands her parents' support for Trump. But she no longer sees eye-to-eye with them and every time they talk about politics it turns into a fight. The result is a complete fraying of their relationship. In this episode of How To!, we bring on Bill Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, and co-founder of the non-profit Braver Angels, to help Shannon and her parents navigate this heated election season. The most important thing to remember, Bill says, is that you can't change your parents' minds. But you can still save your relationship by recognizing shared values and treating each other as people, not political opponents.

If you liked this episode, check out "How To Get a Stubborn Parent to Listen."

Do you have a relationship you'd like to mend? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Get Through Menopause Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

Hot flashes, fatigue, and vaginal dryness were some of Katie's first clues that her body was changing. Half the population will experience menopause, yet misinformation still abounds—with doctors ill-prepared to talk to patients about this major life transition. On this episode of How To!, journalist Susan Dominus joins us to share the knowledge she gained from working on her viral magazine piece, "Women Have Been Misled About Menopause." She explains why women's pain has been ignored for so long, where to look for information, and how to connect with others during this confusing phase of life.

Resources mentioned:

"If Men Could Menstruate" by Gloria Steinem

What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You by Heather Corinna

The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter

Hot Flash Sonnets by Moira Egan

Alloy

Midi

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Make Aging Easier for Everyone. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Jabari Butler.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Build a Marriage That Lasts Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

To celebrate their third wedding anniversary, Anjali and Rahul are each selecting a surprise activity to do together. This happy couple loves spontaneity, so they're concerned about someday growing bored in their relationship. They're also feeling pressure to mark the traditional milestones of marriage, including having kids. On this episode of How To!, authors Caryl and Jay Casbon join us to share the wisdom they gained from interviewing other married couples for their book Side by Side. The Casbons draw upon their own 22-year marriage to urge Anjali and Rahul to face conflict with openness and focus on individual "inner work"—in order to grow together.

Learn more about Caryl and Jay Casbon here. If you liked this episode, check out an episode that Anjali loved: How To Decide Whether to Have a Baby with Wild author Cheryl Strayed.

How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Jabari Butler.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Hit "Reset" on Your Career Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Our listener Abdullah has reached a plateau. A mid-career manager at a large electronics engineering corporation, he feels intellectually unstimulated. Even though Abdullah has a stable job with seniority, he dreams of going back to school and pursuing his true passion: economics. But with a family to support, should Abdullah make a risky leap? On this episode of How To!, host Carvell Wallace is joined by Freakonomics co-author and University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt. Well-known for out-of-the-box thinking, Levitt shares surprising tips (including a simple coin flip strategy) that can help anyone on the edge of a huge decision.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Know When to Quit Your Job

Do you have a question we can help you solve? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001. We might invite you on the show! Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis, Derek John, Joel Meyer, and Rosemary Belson.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Let Go of Kid Clutter Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Kids generate so…much…stuff. A lot of it is memorable. Videos of their first words? So cute. Colorful drawings that progressively get better? Masterpieces. Trophies, stuffies, books? All valuable. The problem: There's no way to keep everything. So how do you figure out what to cherish and what to toss? On this episode of How To!, co-hosts Carvell Wallace and Courtney Martin bring in Nonnahs Driskill, professional organizer and founder of Get Organized Already. She has lots of insight into why we value certain items, what it means to have an organizing mindset, and how to archive your child's life in a way that works for you.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Be a Lazy Genius and How To Style Your Home Like a Pro.

Podcast production by Derek John, Joel Meyer, and Rosemary Belson.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Build Trust With Co-Workers Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

The beginning of the school year is a gauntlet for Andrea, who coaches teachers for a living. She needs to get to know the 52 educators she'll work with in the coming months. All of them are new faces to her. Which means she's starting from scratch. Time is tight, so Andrea is wondering how to make every interaction count. On this episode of How To!, co-host Courtney Martin brings in Marlon Styles, who has been in Andrea's shoes. As an educator and motivational speaker, Marlon is a pro at making connections. His wisdom will resonate with anyone who is looking to build trust, work together on goals, and connect in a more meaningful way with your colleagues.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Help Teachers Thrive.

Podcast production by Derek John, Joel Meyer, Rosemary Belson, and Jabari Butler.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Find Love Where You Least Expect It Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Camila is torn. She wants a partner. Someone who is ambitious. Someone who is financially secure. Someone who checks in with her at the end of the day. But most of her dates have turned out to be duds and she's starting to think she'll never find real romance. Should she keep searching for 'the one,' or should she focus on being happy on her own? On this episode of How To!, new co-host Courtney Martin brings in Samhita Mukhopadhyay to guide Camila. Samhita is an author and feminist. She was the executive editor of Teen Vogue and her first book was about dating. She has a ton of smart advice for understanding the narratives we have around dating, expanding where we find love, and ultimately healing our hearts.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Ditch the Apps & Actually Find a Date

Podcast production by Derek John, Joel Meyer, Rosemary Belson, Kevin Bendis, and Jabari Butler.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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