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.

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Have you found the advice on our podcast helpful? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might play it on the air.

Host

How To Win Arguments Like a Hostage Negotiator

I disable bombs for a living. But I hate confronting people.

Cheat Sheet: How To Survive High School and Whatever Comes Next

Getting your teen—and yourself—emotionally ready for the great unknown.

Cheat Sheet: How To Talk to Your Son About Sex

Make that dreaded conversation a little less awkward, and a lot more effective.

Cheat Sheet: How To Ace Zoom School

A technology expert on the secret to successful remote learning.

How To Become Your Own Boss with Guy Raz

The host of How I Built This gives advice to an aspiring entrepreneur.

How To Confront a Crazy Neighbor with Tig Notaro

The standup comedian helps our listener stand down and have some laughs.

How To Get That Promotion You Deserve

The trick is convincing your boss it’s in the company’s best interest.

How To Survive a Shark Attack

Fighting off a massive shark isn’t the hardest part—it’s what comes after.

How To Write a Bestseller

Unconventional tips from debut novelist Taffy Brodesser-Akner.

How To Fight Racism in Your Town

How to keep pushing for change when the protest is over.

How To Stand Up for Your Kid When Society Won’t

A mom learns to embrace her child’s nonbinary identity.

How To Walk Away from an Impossible Parent

Knowing when to mend fences, and when to move on.

How To Find a New Career Before It’s Too Late

A LinkedIn guru on what it takes to get hired—at any age.

How To Get a Stubborn Parent to Listen

We turned to a former SNL comedian who figured it out.

How To Say the Right Thing at the Worst Time

A grief expert who dealt with her own tragic loss has guidance for the rest of us.

How To Lose 155 Pounds Happily

The woman who inspired Brittany Runs a Marathon on life after the Hollywood ending.

How To Talk to Strangers

A professional introvert’s guide to turning shyness into a superpower.

How To Actually Enjoy Working from Home

A workplace design guru tackles a listener’s kitchen corner office.

How To Save the Planet (And Still Use a Plastic Straw)

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, convert your “green guilt” into group action.

How To Stop Procrastinating

A behavioral scientist teaches a dog trainer new tricks for productivity.