What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath

Howard Hart, a retired stadium beer vendor with more than 40 years in professional sports venues, shares life from the stands. He recalls meeting Muhammad Ali, Cal Ripken’s historic night, secret shoppers, and the art of pouring foam-free beer. He discusses loyal customers, ethical dilemmas around alcohol, colorful vendor culture, and dreaming of one more homestand.

Galen Hooks is a Los Angeles choreographer and former professional dancer known for story-driven work with stars like Usher and Camila Cabello. She shares how choreography takes shape in airport bathrooms, how tiny details guide performers, and why storytelling can matter more than flashy moves. They also explore body-conscious auditions, copyright, unfair pay, and her push for stronger rights in dance.

Peter Stumpf, a Pittsburgh piano technician with 36 years of experience, tunes instruments for Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and private homes. He reveals how harmonics guide his ear, why he bites a tuning fork, and how octaves are “stretched” for rock. He also shares concert-hall pressures, eccentric rituals, invisible precision, and the unpredictable drama of home visits.

Lisbeth Mikoleit is a Las Vegas-based professional contortionist, coach, and performing artist. She shares the hidden rigor behind four-minute acts, from six-day training and neurological control to pool-bubble performances and seasonal contracts. Discover the meaning of a “triple fold,” why she wears a mouth guard, and how performers navigate injury, longevity, sexism, and public misconceptions.

Big changes are coming to the release schedule, with more fresh stories and Sunday morning inspiration. Get a preview of remarkable moments ahead, including a contortionist’s jaw-dropping trick, a piano tuner’s unusual hopes for the world, and the frantic art of creating viral choreography on impossible deadlines.

Jorge McCormack, a Florida forensic architect and construction-litigation expert, investigates water intrusion, crumbling columns, and building failures. He reveals how cosmetic damage can conceal structural danger, why neutrality matters when clients dislike the findings, and how experts withstand hostile cross-examination. Along the way: AI sorting mountains of case files, risky emergency inspections, moisture meters, hollow stucco, and the mysterious Daubert motion.

Sierra Patrick, a South Carolina special education teacher, works with high-school students with significant intellectual disabilities. She shares the art of communication beyond speech, surprising breakthroughs, emotional regulation, and meeting students with empathy. Hear about classroom chaos, a student-run cookie business, community outings, and the uncertain transition to adulthood.

Joe Bodnar, a longtime New Jersey auctioneer and owner of Bodnar’s Auction, takes us behind the gavel. He shares the thrill of finding NASA photos in discarded boxes and $750,000 worth of Magic: The Gathering cards. Hear how auction chants, showmanship, rivalry, secret compartments, and insider lingo turn estate clear-outs into high-stakes treasure hunts.

Dr. Boghuma Titanji, infectious disease physician and Emory medicine professor who diagnoses rare and high-consequence infections. She recounts sleuthing travel and exposure histories to uncover surprises. She explains danger-first thinking, how a scorpion bite altered a diagnosis, diagnosing psittacosis from pet chickens, and coordinating a suspected Ebola response. Fun takes on TV portrayals and diagnostic smells.

John Ayala, a longtime Los Angeles mail carrier who delivered Mount Washington for 42 years before retiring in 2026. He recounts loading the mail truck, bidding and managing routes, coping with piles of packages and physical strain, handling dogs and safety tactics, and delivering through bad weather while staying connected to the neighborhood.