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 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.

How To Tame a Chaotic Household

To tidy up a messy home, focus on the family first.

How To Not Go Crazy Under Quarantine

Some tips to help you get through this coming week. And the next one.

How To Forgive the Unforgivable

A woman with a terrible family secret tries to put it behind her.

How To Find Your First Kiss at 38

A professional matchmaker tries to help a 38-year-old woman find “The One.”

How To Get Your Mom to Accept You

Coming out to your parents is hard, especially when they’re half a world away.

How To Vote for the Next President

Can David Axelrod and Mike Murphy help a swing voter make up his mind?

How To Write the Perfect Breakup Song with Ben Folds

The master songwriter helps a listener express his feelings.

How To Convince People to Give You Money

What con artists can teach us about fundraising.