What It's Like To Be...

Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, a pioneering brain surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, shares his inspiring journey from migrant farm worker to neurosurgeon, as detailed in his book, "Becoming Dr. Q." He reveals the intricate preparation that goes into performing surgeries, likening the operating room to a symphony where teamwork is crucial. Dr. Q discusses the emotional weight of life-or-death decisions, advancements in brain surgery, and how family influences shaped his career. His insights highlight the delicate balance between personal life and the demands of surgery.

Chris Chowda Hill, the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, shares riveting insights from his naval career. He delves into the unique culture of Navy aviators, including the fun and personal process of assigning call signs. Hill discusses the strategic advantages of aircraft carriers and the intense operational pressures pilots face. He emphasizes the crucial role of morale in leadership, detailing how effective communication and compassion can inspire crew performance, especially during challenging deployments.

Brenda Hawkins, a dedicated daycare owner from Maryland with over 30 years of experience, shares her insights into the world of early childhood education. She discusses the evolution of childcare, the importance of playful learning, and the bonds formed with children. Brenda humorously tackles the 'dope and drop' stereotype and recounts transformative experiences with kids, from meltdowns to joyful moments. Her passion for creating a nurturing environment shines through as she reflects on building trust with families and the challenges of maintaining care amidst health outbreaks.

Sean Pratt, an experienced audiobook narrator with over 1,200 titles to his name, shares fascinating insights into the art of storytelling. He discusses the unique challenges of perfecting accents and character voices, while illustrating the emotional nuances required for captivating performances. Sean also highlights the impact of AI on narration and the personal struggles narrators face with ambient noise. His tips for aspiring narrators cover the importance of preparation and the often-overlooked logistical hurdles in this creative profession.

Discover powerful insights on leveraging change with actionable goal-setting strategies. Experience a relatable tale of misguided customer feedback at a dealership, revealing the flaws in prioritizing metrics over service. Dive into unique approaches to wellness, highlighting the humorous journey of an Australian mother. Uncover the 'miracle question' technique to enrich family and professional relationships. Explore transformative goals through the lens of veterans benefiting from simplified processes, showcasing the power of thoughtful decision-making.

In this engaging conversation, John Lamberti, a dedicated homicide detective from the LAPD known for his work on cold cases and crime dramas, shares riveting insights from his career. He discusses the emotional toll of delivering devastating news to families and the challenges of tracking down suspects. Lamberti reveals how technology has transformed homicide investigations, especially in solving old cases. He even highlights unique terminologies like '415' and emphasizes the delicate balance between personal life and the demanding world of law enforcement.

Alan Bass, a third-generation distributor at Stevens International, shares insights from his family's toy and hobby business. He discusses the intricate logistics of forecasting demand for 40,000 products and overcoming customs challenges. Discover why small shops rely on distributors instead of direct orders from factories. Alan reflects on nostalgic moments when he realized his childhood toys were marketing samples, along with the importance of relationships built over generations in the industry. He also touches on adaptations made during the pandemic.

Kaylee Humphries, an accomplished Olympic bobsledder and gold medalist for both Canada and the USA, shares her thrilling journey in the world of bobsledding. She discusses the adrenaline of racing down ice tracks at nearly 100 mph and the mental techniques, like visualization, that help athletes succeed. Hear about the financial struggles Olympic bobsledders face and the physical and emotional challenges of the sport. Kaylee also reveals insider terminology and the fears athletes confront, culminating in her aspirations for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Shearing Christmas trees into their classic shape, fighting back weeds and blackbirds, and planting 5,000 trees a year with Sheldon Corsi, a Christmas tree farmer near Cincinnati, Ohio. What does a tree baler sound like? And what makes Christmas tree farming distinctive within the world of agriculture?WANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue. GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at jobs@whatitslike.com FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at partnerships@whatitslike.com WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions: 1. What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? 2. What’s a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise. We can’t respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We’ll follow up if it's a good fit.

Jessica Pate, a Florida-based marine biologist studying manta rays, dives into thrilling tales of swimming with these magnificent creatures. She shares insights about the unique identification methods based on spot patterns and the elusive nature of manta ray reproduction. Discover how drones revolutionize marine research while addressing the conservation challenges these endangered species face. Pate also reflects on her work's joys and struggles, including the frantic race to preserve a rare manta ray for science.