Best Stories 538916 Podcasts (2024)

1
What It's Like to Photograph the Olympics--Reprise 51:14

44m ago51:14

51:14

Send us a Text Message. In celebration of the Summer Olympics, we're reprising some past episodes featuring guests who have been there! Photographer Jeff Cable has had a front-row seat at the past seven Olympic Games--although his seat is cluttered with cameras, lenses, and laptops. As the photographer for the United States Olympic Committee, Jeff …

1
What It's Like To Embrace Tiny Living 30:57

3M ago30:57

30:57

Send us a Text Message. Interest in "tiny living" is getting bigger. But what is it, really--what are the benefits, and what do you sacrifice by "going small"? Tiny house enthusiast Laura Lynch shares what inspired her to trade in her 2300-square-foot house for a home about one-fifth that size; the process of downsizing ("do you own your stuff, or …

1
What It's Like To Summit Mt. Everest--Reprise 36:58

4M ago36:58

36:58

Send us a Text Message. We're revisiting a popular episode from our archives this week! It's not easy to get to the top of the world. It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain and suffering--and no small amount of luck. Even the most prepared climber can confront a deadly avalanche or fatal turn in the weather. Our …

1
What It's Like To Travel for a Living 42:09

4M ago42:09

42:09

Send us a Text Message. Lots of people say they “like to travel”... but most probably can’t claim they're “travel addicts.” Karen Gershowitz has earned that title by visiting more than 95 countries–many of them numerous times! She’s worked her career around traveling, and is now a travel writer. She has also published two books about her travels. I…

1
What It's Like to be on the Reality Show "Naked and Afraid" Six Times 37:38

5M ago37:38

37:38

Send us a Text Message. EJ Snyder has spent 206 days in very tough, uncompromising environments, having to create his own shelters, forage for food, and keep warm in the elements--all in the nude. EJ--a.k.a. "Skull Crusher"--is an extreme survivalist, and has appeared six times on the reality television show "Naked and Afraid" (as well as other sho…

1
What It's Like To Be a Stuntman and a Strongman 38:06

5M ago38:06

38:06

Send us a Text Message. Todd Jones has crashed into walls, been punched in the face, flown through the air, tumbled down stairs, and fallen off high buildings, numerous times--willingly. He is a professional stuntman for movies and television shows. Todd also is a strongman: among other things, he holds a Guinness World Record for "hearting" horses…

1
What It's Like To Be a Solo RV Traveler 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

Send us a Text Message. Jenell Jones has everything she owns with her at all times, and can travel wherever she chooses (as long as the destination is on this continent!). Jenell is a full-time RV (recreational vehicle) traveler. She spends her life on the road, but Jenell isn't lonely: she runs an RV club for other solo travelers, so they travel "…

1
What It's Like To Be a Bikini Bodybuilder 33:15

6M ago33:15

33:15

Send us a Text Message. Silja Paulus spent a year pounding weights in the gym, tailoring what she ate (and often massively restricting calories), and sculpting her body--all for a few short minutes posing in a bikini and high heels in front of a panel of judges. This is the life of a bikini fitness athlete, a form of bodybuilding that requires a pa…

1
What It's Like To Know--and Use--Your Superpowers 41:39

7M ago41:39

41:39

Send us a Text Message. Everybody has a superpower--you don't have to be a superhero to have one or to know what it is. Mary Beth Robinson, a "superpower queen," helps us find out what our special talents are, and how we can best use them to help ourselves and other people. In this episode, Mary Beth describes her own gift of intuition, and then us…

1
Holiday mini episode--with Elizabeth and her daughters 5:04

7M ago5:04

5:04

Send us a Text Message. It's the holidays! So no full new episode this week. Instead, Elizabeth sat down with her daughters and asked them about their favorite Christmas traditions and what they'll be doing over Winter Break. Next new episode coming in the new year--January 10, 2024! Support the Show.…

1
What It's Like To Be Deaf and Advocate for the Deaf Community 40:06

8M ago40:06

40:06

Send us a Text Message. At age 10, Rachel Zemach lost her her hearing in an accident. That obviously changed her life--but, she says, becoming deaf was one of her life's greatest gifts. In this episode, Rachel shares her experiences going through the world with and without hearing, and offers advice on how hearing people can help and advocate for d…

1
What It's Like to Approach Climate Change with Humor 33:46

8M ago33:46

33:46

Send us a Text Message. For most of us, climate change is a heavy topic. Ethan Brown has made it his mission to make environmental issues more approachable and understandable--by using humor. His website and podcast, aptly titled "The Sweaty Penguin," is able to cut through the noise and the doom-and-gloom of the climate conversation with late-nigh…

1
What It's Like to Start an Award-Winning Global Organization 38:53

9M ago38:53

38:53

Send us a Text Message. In 2008, Celeste Mergens was volunteering at an orphanage in Kenya when she saw an issue that she couldn't ignore, and decided to try to help improve it. Through some trial and error, and lots of listening, humility and determination, she founded Days for Girls, which champions women's health and menstrual equity. Days for G…

1
What It's Like to Compete in a Cross-Country Bike Race 48:17

9M ago48:17

48:17

Send us a Text Message. Andrew Backer decided to enter his first-ever bicycle race--but not just any old competition: the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, ultra-distance ride that takes weeks to complete (21 days, for Andrew). Not only did Andrew do it, and complete the ride (a feat in itself); he was sixth overall, and the first American to f…

1
What It's Like to Be on a Reality Baking Show 38:57

10M ago38:57

38:57

Send us a Text Message. When Adesuwa Elaiho was a little girl, she pretended to be a contestant on cooking shows; now, she actually is one! Adesuwa is one of the 12 bakers competing on the Food Network's "Halloween Baking Championship." On this episode, she shares the inside scoop about life on the set of a baking reality show--from the time pressu…

1
What It's Like to Endure Your Child's Suicide 43:28

10M ago43:28

43:28

Send us a Text Message. Barbara Legere experienced every parent's ultimate nightmare: her child died. Her son took his own life, after years of struggling with mental health issues and addiction. After an intense period of feeling "in a fog," Barbara started writing, which eventually became a bestselling book, called "Keven's Choice." In this episo…

1
What It's Like to Be a Member of the NYPD 40:52

10M ago40:52

40:52

Send us a Text Message. Movies and TV shows often take us behind the scenes of the New York Police Department--but the truth is often stranger than fiction. Vic Ferrari spent 20 memorable years as a member of the NYPD, most of them as a detective. In this episode, he shares stories from his many hours on the job, and on the streets: targeting car t…

1
What It's Like to Create a Podcast 48:17

12M ago48:17

48:17

Send us a Text Message. Making a podcast requires a lot more than just sitting in front of a microphone, hitting "record," and talking with a guest--as I've learned over the past few years. To find out what it takes to make a good podcast, and make it grow, I turned to an expert: Colin Gray, the founder and CEO of ThePodcastHost.com. Colin gave me …

1
What It's Like to Be Betrayed 41:04

1y ago41:04

41:04

Send us a Text Message. Debi Silber experienced two major betrayals: first by her family, and then by her husband. What did she do next? She didn't just sit on her couch and wallow. She used her story as her own case study as she embarked on a PhD about betrayal; came up with groundbreaking discoveries; and eventually founded an institute to help o…

1
What It's Like to Find Joy in the Midst of a Serious Illness 50:17

1y ago50:17

50:17

Send us a Text Message. Eleven years ago, Terry Tucker learned he had an extremely unusual form of melanoma. Since then he has had two amputations, one of his foot and later of his leg above the knee. He recently learned he also has tumors in his lungs. Terry has endured physical pain most of us will never know. Yet, as he says, "Suffering is optio…

1
What It's Like to Walk on Fire 44:15

1y ago44:15

44:15

Send us a Text Message. Dave Albin knows all the reasons you don't want to walk with bare feet on 1000 degree hot coals--after all, he didn't want to do it either! He was first presented with the opportunity at a Tony Robbins seminar many years ago. But he did it--and soon thereafter was working as the Fire Captain for Robbins. Albin now runs his o…

1
John Malone episode encore + where is Elizabeth now? 39:31

1y ago39:31

39:31

Send us a Text Message. Elizabeth explains why she's replaying the episode, "What It's Like to be a Voice Actor" with John Malone (hint: she's away on vacation--but there's more to it than that); and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what went on during the taping of John's interview. Show notes from John's episode: A voice actor can be a silly ani…

1
What It's Like to Be in the Secret Service 43:41

1y ago43:41

43:41

Send us a Text Message. For 24 years, Daniel Dluzneski's job required him to be in the White House and attend events with the President--often with a large, very well-trained dog: Daniel was a lieutenant in the U.S. Secret Service. In this episode he shares behind-the-scenes stories from that position--what it was like to be in the White House on S…

1
What It's Like to Coach the USA Olympic Track & Field Team 50:15

1y ago50:15

50:15

Send us a Text Message. Sue Humphrey says she was a "not very good" athlete growing up--but she loved sports, and she found her niche early: as a teenager she started helping other athletes. She excelled at coaching track and field, and worked her way up to college coaching (experiencing the beginning of Title IX), and eventually the international …

1
What It's Like to Be A Contemporary Artist 50:37

1+ y ago50:37

50:37

Send us a Text Message. Whether you feel intimidated by art--or visit every museum you can--you will appreciate Nina Katchadourian. Nina approaches the world with wonder and curiosity. She is a world-renowned contemporary artist (her work has been shown all over the world, including at the Met and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Venice Bi…

1
What It's Like to Survive a Death Event 41:15

1+ y ago41:15

41:15

Send us a Text Message. In July 1990, Joyce Mikal-Flynn died after finishing a swimming race and sinking to the bottom of the pool. After 22 minutes of CPR, she was revived--but her recovery took much longer than that. One of her doctors later said, "You are the luckiest person I've ever met." In this episode, Dr. Mikal-Flynn describes her death-de…

1
What It's Like To Be Imprisoned for 19 Years for a Murder You Didn't Commit 51:11

1+ y ago51:11

51:11

Send us a Text Message. Gregory Nottage was a successful businessman when, at age 26, he was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder. He spent 19 years in prison before being exonerated after the killer confessed to the crime. He says he lost everything--except hope. Gregory was released from prison in 2014 with just $200 of "gate money." What …

1
What It's Like To Be a Sound Healer 38:22

1+ y ago38:22

38:22

Send us a Text Message. Picture this: you lay down on a comfortable surface, close your eyes, and for up to an hour your body and mind are lulled into a state of prime restoration and relaxation by listening to the soothing sounds of crystal bowls being played by a master. Laura Penn Gallerstein, a master sound healer, uses a variety of modalities,…

1
What It's Like to Start a College 36:28

1+ y ago36:28

36:28

Send us a Text Message. There are more than 4000 colleges in the United States--many of them hundreds of years old. Adam Braus decided to create a new one. In this episode he shares why he took this bold step, as well as the many hoops he had to jump through to gain accreditation (and the "corruption" he claims he encountered along the way). Elton …

1
What It's Like To Sail Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean (at Age 16) 36:23

1+ y ago36:23

36:23

Send us a Text Message. Last year, Cal Currier decided to try to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Portugal, alone. But he was only 16--and he didn't know how to sail! With a lot of dedication and determination, and a refusal to take "no" for an answer, Cal overcame every obstacle (including convincing his initially-reluctant mot…

1
What it's Like to Save Money and Live Better 30:32

1+ y ago30:32

30:32

Send us a Text Message. Can you imagine living on a beach, in a bigger house, with more disposable income and more free time, doing work you enjoy? Julia Vitality, the guest on this week's episode, says stop dreaming--make this your reality. Julia and others like her are using a strategy called geoarbitrage: lowering their cost of living, usually b…

1
Holiday plans 0:50

1+ y ago0:50

0:50

Send us a Text Message. Support the Show.By Elizabeth Pearson Garr

1
What It's Like To Be a TV News Anchor and Reporter 43:47

1+ y ago43:47

43:47

Send us a Text Message. When I was 28 years old, I packed up my things and moved to Billings, Montana to become a television news anchor and reporter. I knew I was getting out of my comfort zone, but I had no idea how far. The person who helped me through it--my colleague, Jonathan Marcus--is my guest on this episode. We reminisce about our experie…

1
What It's Like to Perform Spoken Word Poetry 44:35

1+ y ago44:35

44:35

Send us a Text Message. Anthony Febo--AKA "Febo"--brings poetry to life as a spoken word artist. He describes spoken word poetry as "poetry written with the intention to perform"--and his performances are deeply personal, emotional, and rich, with touches of signature humor. (He performs two amazing pieces in this episode.) Febo is not only an arti…

1
What It's Like to Be a Hollywood Actor 46:07

1+ y ago46:07

46:07

Send us a Text Message. Like lots of other starry-eyed young actors, Barret Swatek moved to Los Angeles right out of college with dreams of making it in Hollywood. Unlike most of them, she succeeded. In this truly behind the "scenes" conversation, Barret shares her journey--from skanky agents, acting classes and sneaking onto studio lots, to finall…

1
Day Before Thanksgiving Special (with Elizabeth's mom) 6:19

1+ y ago6:19

6:19

Send us a Text Message. Pull up a seat at the table for a day-before-Thanksgiving chat between Elizabeth and her mom, as they discuss why this day is one of their favorites of the year. Support the Show.

1
What It's Like To Write "Bizarro" Cartoons 44:19

1+ y ago44:19

44:19

Send us a Text Message. Not many people's resumes include "pediatrician, medical philanthropy consultant, and cartoon writer"... but Dr. Cliff Harris clearly is a man of many talents. In this episode, he shares how he got started in cartooning (including a very special childhood story involving "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz); how he got conne…

1
What It's Like To Win an Olympic Medal 50:33

1+ y ago50:33

50:33

Send us a Text Message. Justin Spring went from tumbling around his neighborhood to later winning NCAA gymnastics titles and eventually earning a place on the 2008 Olympic team. The road getting there had its share of twists and turns (pun intended), including a slew of injuries leading up to the Olympics. Justin shares behind-the-scenes stories of…

1
What It's Like To Work on "What It's Like To..." 18:20

1+ y ago18:20

18:20

Send us a Text Message. We're getting really meta for this episode--Elizabeth usually asks other people what it's like to be in their shoes; now she's chatting with her special guest (who has been her secret weapon behind the scenes of the podcast since Day 1) about what it's like to work on this podcast! There have been a lot of tweaks and changes…

1
What It's Like To Be a Rock Star 46:30

2y ago46:30

46:30

Send us a Text Message. Brett Anderson never planned on being a rock star. She was in middle school when she and three girlfriends decided to form a band. Just a few years later--while still in high school--they were touring Japan, and soon after that they signed a major record deal and became known worldwide. The Donnas were a hit. In this episode…

1
What It's Like to Start and Run a Multi-Million Dollar Business 44:28

2y ago44:28

44:28

Send us a Text Message. Nancy Mueller went from baking petite quiches and other hors d'oeuvres in her home kitchen, to becoming known as the "Queen of Quiche." Through hard work, determination, lots of eggs and flour, and refusing to take "no" for an answer, she built Nancy's Specialty Foods into a multi-million dollar business that eventually prod…

1
What It's Like to Lose 60+ Pounds--and Keep It Off 41:57

2y ago41:57

41:57

Send us a Text Message. Christine Meyer spent a lot of her life either trying diets that didn’t work, or feeling guilt and shame about her weight. The pandemic made everything worse, with increased focus on comfort foods and wine any time, because… why not? But then everything changed. In the summer of 2020, Christine reached out to a health coach …

1
What It's Like To Walk Away From Being an NFL Quarterback 47:34

2y ago47:34

47:34

Send us a Text Message. Jake Locker was a 3-sport star athlete in high school (he was drafted to play Major League Baseball, but turned down the offer because he preferred playing football). He was hailed as a hero when he played quarterback for the University of Washington. He was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the NFL draft.…

1
What It's Like To Start--and Run--a Global Beauty Brand 46:36

2y ago46:36

46:36

Send us a Text Message. Ready for a hit of inspiration? Aishetu Fatima Dozie says she's insecure and full of fear, but she also calls herself courageous--and crazy. Aisha (as "everyone" calls her) transitioned from two decades as an investment banker to starting Bossy Cosmetics. Many people said it was a wacky idea; she persevered. A global pandemi…

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Update on Season 4! 0:52

2y ago0:52

0:52

Send us a Text Message. We're hard at work on the upcoming season. Season 4 launches on September 28! We'll release new episodes each Wednesday from then on. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any! Follow us on social media to find out all the latest about our upcoming guests: Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Support the Show.…

1
What it's Like to Be a Professional Baseball Player--Part 2 25:43

2y ago25:43

25:43

Send us a Text Message. Professional baseball playerJoe Biagini is back on The Experience Podcast to continue his revealing, honest, droll take on playing pro ball. Part 2 of our conversation is filled with quips, anecdotes and insights about the differences between playing in the major league and the minors; what it's like to be teammates with som…

1
What it's Like to Be a Professional Baseball Player--Part 1 37:27

2y ago37:27

37:27

Send us a Text Message. Lots of kids dream of growing up to become pro athletes. Joe Biagini actually became one. He has pitched in the major leagues for the Houston Astros, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Chicago Cubs, and minor league teams as well. He was even part of a pitching team that performed an historic no-hitter for the Astros. In this ra…

1
What it's Like to Be a (Wannabe) Minimalist 41:56

2y ago41:56

41:56

Send us a Text Message. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your stuff? A lot of us have gotten to the place of feeling pretty comfortable living with clutter--even if we don't like having a bunch of extra clothing, gadgets, books, toys and trinkets around, it's easier than getting rid of our things. In this episode, Deanna Yates shows us how to start.…

1
What it's Like to Start a Farm 37:53

2y ago37:53

37:53

Send us a Text Message. Have you ever wanted to sell your house and buy a farm? After listening to Zach Gobeil describe his adventurous lifestyle, you might be tempted to. Zach, a science teacher turned farmer, stay-at-home dad, and Instagram influencer, took the risk of moving with his wife and newborn son onto a farm in New Hampshire during the p…

1
What it's like to Advocate for Children 42:41

2y ago42:41

42:41

Send us a Text Message. As a teacher, Matt King has always been an advocate for children of all backgrounds. But when he fostered an 11-year-old boy who had endured trauma, his perspective changed. In this episode, Matt describes the common mistakes that schools make in dealing with victims of abuse, and questions some models of discipline. For exa…

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