Reflect on the standout advice of 2024, from flirting with confidence to being a mindful drinker. Discover the joys and challenges of forever parenting and hear heartwarming listener success stories. Delve into the importance of emotional processing in relationships and explore personal growth through family and career transformations. The conversation is filled with humor, authenticity, and valuable insights about life's meaningful moments. Join in the celebration of achievements and gratitude for a year well-spent!
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Quick takeaways
The podcast emphasizes the significance of listener engagement in shaping discussions, highlighting how shared experiences foster meaningful connections.
Heartfelt episodes showcase personal struggles, illustrating how vulnerability in dialogue can create empathetic spaces for listeners navigating similar challenges.
The hosts advocate for shared responsibility in reproductive health, stressing the importance of cultural shifts towards male birth control discussions.
Deep dives
Reflecting on the Year
The discussion centers around the podcast's achievement of releasing 50 episodes within the year, highlighting their consistent effort to tackle various topics and listener challenges. This reflection acknowledges the dynamic role that listeners and guests play in shaping the conversation by providing their insights and experiences. The hosts express gratitude for the input received from listeners and emphasize the importance of genuine feedback on the advice shared in the podcast. They also recognize the necessity of taking stock of what has been accomplished and the valuable lessons learned through these discussions.
Standout Episodes
A favorite episode features a guest who is the host's son, showcasing a heartwarming and humorous interaction that reveals authentic familial dynamics. The conversation touches on themes of youth, curiosity, and life’s big questions, with the son asking profound inquiries like the meaning of life, which demonstrates the blending of generational perspectives. This episode is portrayed as a joyful experience for the hosts, showcasing their ability to connect on deep levels with family. The conversation unfolds organically, illustrating how personal narratives can create meaningful connections on the podcast.
Navigating Vulnerability
The podcast features an emotional episode discussing a family member's dementia, highlighting the difficulties and vulnerabilities that come with caring for aging relatives. The hosts emphasize the importance of honesty in addressing tough topics, illustrating that true vulnerability fosters deeper connections with the audience. By sharing their personal struggles, they create an empathetic space that resonates with listeners facing similar challenges. This candid approach serves as a reminder that openness in conversation, especially about life’s hardships, can be healing and impactful.
Reproductive Justice and Male Responsibility
An informative episode delves into the topic of male birth control, encouraging conversation surrounding shared responsibility in reproductive health. The discussion sheds light on societal expectations that often place the burden of birth control solely on women, revealing the need for a cultural shift. The hosts express a sense of optimism about the growing awareness of this issue and emphasize the importance of open dialogues regarding reproductive justice. This exploration empowers listeners to think differently about gender roles in discussions about birth control and reproductive choices.
Listening to Listener Updates
The podcast features heartfelt listener updates that showcase the positive impact of the advice shared on the show. One listener reflects on their growth and newfound understanding of family relationships, while another shares their success in transitioning to a healthier work environment after leaving a toxic job. These updates illustrate the practical application of the advice given throughout the episodes and highlight the personal victories that have stemmed from addressing challenging life situations. The hosts celebrate these transformations, reaffirming the notion that small changes can lead to meaningful progress.
How will you remember 2024? Here at How To! Headquarters, this will be the year when a bunch of very smart and insightful guests taught us how to flirt with confidence, be a mindful drinker, make bank at a yard sale, and cope with forever parenting. On this episode, co-hosts Carvell Wallace and Courtney Martin break down their favorite advice of the year and share some heart-warming updates from listeners who joined us on the show.
Did we forget to mention your favorite advice of the year? Let us know with a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrea.
Psst! Slate Plus members can listen to a special year-end bonus episode with Carvell and Courtney’s recommendations for books, films, and Substacks. Not a member? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen.
