The Wirecutter Show

Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack, shares her profound journey with journaling as a lifeline during her fight with leukemia. She highlights how journaling unlocks creativity and supports mental health, transforming life’s challenges into meaningful expression. Practical tips abound, from overcoming the blank page fear to her ritual of using a fountain pen. Plus, insights into digital notebooks reveal how they modernize journaling while keeping the tactile experience intact.

Antara Sinha, a ketchup aficionado and writer on Wirecutter's kitchen team, joins Rachel Wharton, a food studies expert and an appliance team senior staff writer, for a flavorful journey. They experiment with 13 supermarket ketchups, revealing unexpected preferences and exploring ketchup's cultural history. The pair also taste-test various potato chips, highlighting surprising winners, and savor ice cream sandwiches, including delightful non-dairy options. Get ready for a fun and delicious summer taste test!

Tanya Sichynsky, an editor for New York Times Food and Cooking and The Veggie newsletter, shares mouthwatering ideas for packing hot-weather-friendly foods. She offers easy recipes like Chickpea Salad, Vegan Mayo, and Ham and Jam Sandwich for your next beach or picnic. Tanya also discusses clever hacks to keep your snacks cool and avoids soggy items. Plus, tune in for thrilling snack ideas, from vegan cheesy popcorn to refreshing frozen grapes. Get ready to elevate your outdoor eating game!

Kit Dillon, a senior staff writer on Wirecutter's travel and outdoors team, shares his beach gear expertise honed through field tests in Hawaii. He discusses essentials like versatile shelters, top coolers, and comfortable beach chairs. The conversation highlights innovative designs such as the Shibumi Shade and durable options like the Yeti cooler. Kit also emphasizes the importance of investing in quality gear for a successful beach day while offering tips on selecting the perfect beach chair to enhance comfort and convenience.

Max Eddy, a Wirecutter writer specializing in privacy and security, discusses the daunting quest to disappear online. He shares his personal journey and the emotional challenges of erasing digital footprints. Listeners learn about tools to check for data breaches and ways to manage their online presence more effectively. The conversation highlights the complexities of deleting social media accounts and offers practical strategies to mitigate unwanted visibility. Max emphasizes the importance of protective measures in an increasingly interconnected world.

Thom Dunn, a staff writer at Wirecutter specializing in air conditioning, shares expert tips on optimizing your cooling strategy. He highlights must-have features for window AC units and even a ceiling fan hack to beat the heat. Liam McCabe, another Wirecutter expert focusing on heat pumps, explains how these systems can enhance home comfort. The discussion also tackles the Midea U air conditioner recall, offering key advice on mold checks and maintenance. Get ready to stay cool this summer with their invaluable insights!

Annemarie Conte, Deputy Editor at Wirecutter, dives into the intricate world of tariffs and their surprisingly muted impact on product prices. She reveals findings from a methodical 60-day price tracking of 40 products, noting why price increases haven’t hit yet but are expected as shopping seasons ramp up. Annemarie also shares smart strategies to avoid hefty customs bills when ordering online, helping consumers navigate the evolving landscape of tariffs and make informed purchasing choices.

Rachel Wharton, a Senior staff writer at Wirecutter and James Beard Award winner, dives into the decline of appliance durability. She highlights that today's fridges and ovens often fail within a decade due to factors like planned obsolescence and complex technology. Wharton provides insights on making smarter purchasing decisions and shares practical tips for selecting long-lasting kitchen products. The conversation also explores the relationship between technology and durability, encouraging a more sustainable approach to replacing appliances.

Rory Evans, Wirecutter's skincare supervising editor with over 20 years in the field, breaks down the hype surrounding red light therapy masks. She explores their effectiveness for anti-aging, discussing benefits like collagen boosting while expressing some caution about their true efficacy. Rory shares insights on the best products, such as the LightStim for Wrinkles and Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask. Personal usage experiences and safety tips add depth to the conversation, helping listeners make informed decisions about incorporating red light into their skincare routines.

Max Eddy, a staff writer at Wirecutter specializing in privacy and security, shares insightful tips on traveling safely online. He explains how VPNs protect personal information while abroad and discusses their importance for accessing region-specific content. Max provides recommendations for various VPNs, highlighting affordable options and the critical features to consider. He also emphasizes the need for additional security measures, like password managers and two-factor authentication, to keep your digital life secure while exploring the globe.