How To!

Solving life’s problems, one question at a time.

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About the Show

What if Dear Abby were an investigative reporter? Each week, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg (The Power of Habit) takes on listeners’ toughest problems and, with the help of experts, finds the answers to questions you’ve always wanted to ask but couldn’t. Until now.

Host

How To Put Down Your Phone

Tips from Jia Tolentino, New Yorker writer, and Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism, about how to break your phone addiction.

How To Decide Whether to Have a Baby

Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild, on the biggest decision of your life.

How To Go on a Family Adventure

Tips on traveling the world with your kids (without killing each other).

How To Look Like a Superhero

Tips from the trainer who got Ryan Reynolds ready to play Deadpool.

How To Stress Your Kid the Right Way

How do you raise resilient children? When should you help out, and when should you chill out?

How To Survive a Pandemic

When killer germs come for us, what should we do?

How To Stop Being Anxious

Matt has anxiety attacks every day, so we introduced him to Ben Michaelis, a habit expert, to help him get back control over his head—and his life.

How To Uproot Your Life

Elizabeth’s family left the U.S. for Portugal a decade ago and now wonder if they ought to move back. We turn to professional poker player Annie Duke, who knows how to bet on the future.

How To Cook One Perfect Meal

Can New York Times superchef Sam Sifton help a twentysomething win back his ex with a home-cooked meal?

How To Fire a Bad Employee

It’s not as easy as you think. It takes preparation, compassion, and a strategically located box of tissues.

How To Give Your Mom a Kidney

Mary’s mother needs a new kidney—as long as it doesn’t come from Mary. What’s a good daughter to do?

How To Rob a Bank

Can someone who robbed more than 30 banks teach us how to plan the perfect heist—and getaway?

How To Withstand Pain

Can a runner learn how to complete a grueling ultramarathon with the help of the “Iceman,” a Dutch extreme athlete who sits in freezing water for fun?

How To Be Funny

What happens when Jesus, an Oklahoma pastor, and a New York comedian walk into a studio?