19 episodes
What It's Like To Be... Dan Heath
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 242 Ratings
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Curious what it would be like to walk in someone else’s (work) shoes? Join New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath as he explores the world of work, one profession at a time, and interviews people who love what they do. What does a couples therapist think when a friend asks for relationship advice? What happens if a welder fails to wear safety glasses? What can get a stadium beer vendor fired? If you’ve ever met someone whose work you were curious about, and you had 100 nosy questions but were too polite to ask … well, this is the show for you.
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An Archaeologist
Unearthing ancient wine cellars, finding the right places to dig, and tracing the arc of lost civilizations with Eric Cline, an archaeologist. What's the difference between a shard and a sherd? And what will archaeologists of the future make of us?
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Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? -
An FBI Special Agent
Building cases against MS-13 gang members, flipping a suspect in an interrogation, and writing countless subpoenas for phone records with Dan Brunner, a retired FBI Special Agent. What's the significance of the "1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle"? And what does it take to get a fugitive on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list?
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Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? -
A Cattle Rancher
Raising cattle in the high desert, hauling calves to auction, and protecting the herd from mountain lions with Chachi Hawkins, a cattle rancher in southwest Texas. How did she go from selling clothes to selling cattle? And does she ever get attached to particular calves?
Follow us on Instagram!
Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? -
(BONUS) From Choiceology: “The Superforecasters”
We've got a special bonus episode for you this week! Our friends over at Choiceology, the podcast hosted by Katy Milkman, explores the lessons that can be gleaned from behavioral economics. They tell true stories with high-stakes, sharing what the latest research tells us about making better decisions. In this episode, called “The Superforecasters”, they examine President Barack Obama’s decision to move forward with the raid on what was thought to be Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan back in 2011. But, as you’ll hear, there were doubts, and the costs of getting the mission wrong would have been massive. How was that decision made? And what can it tell us about how to make better predictions?
Katy Milkman is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of the national bestseller How to Change. You can learn more about Choiceology at the show’s website.
Follow us on Instagram!
Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? -
A Turnaround Consultant
Diagnosing what ails struggling companies, choosing the "least crappy option", and managing constant stress with Jeff Vogelsang, a turnaround consultant. What kind of personality do you need to lead turnarounds? And what does it mean to make someone "available to industry”?
Follow us on Instagram!
Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? -
A Nurse
Caring for patients with serious burns, making sure the correct leg gets operated on, and working 24 hours straight with Teresa Shuster, a nurse in Florida. How did a patient change the trajectory of her career? And what's a "Code Brown"?
Follow us on Instagram!
Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like? What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?
Customer Reviews
Super interesting!
I listen while making pottery in my studio, and it’s a delightful way to learn about other people and their jobs. I’ve listened to at least 10 episodes so far - loved them all! Great idea for a podcast!
Insightful AND entertaining
I appreciated the energy in each one of the interviews. Who thought a beer vendor could bring a tear to my eye? Who thought a marriage therapist would give me an idea (mystery date) I’d like to try 43 years into our marriage? Who thought someone could change my perspective on the morality of a defense attorney? 🤣 Thanks, Dan.
Love it!!!
What a surprise this podcast has been to my feed! From the first episode What it’s like to be a Beer Vendor, I have enjoyed hearing about different professions. I wish I had the experience of being in the stands and ordering a drink from a friend. Who knew a beer vendor made such lasting friendships at a ball game? Who knew I would tear up at the end of that episode?
I made the mistake of listening to the Criminal Defense Attorney on my way to meet up with friends. I arrived while he was discussing his difficult case and had to pause. Ugh! I had that podcast on my mind the entire afternoon before I had time to finish it. That was extremely stressful waiting to hear the ending but such an interesting case to hear about.
Keep up the interviews!