

How To Do Everything
NPR
Half advice show. Half survival guide. Half absurdity-fest. (Wait, how does this work again? We're not numbers people.) Each episode, we answer all your burning questions, from how to survive a public bathroom to how to get close to a panda. When we don't know the answer, which is roughly 92% of the time (again, not numbers people), we bring in overqualified experts to help out. So you'll eventually walk away knowing how to do everything. That's what happens when you're one & a half shows. From the team at Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 18min
Motivation, Secret Messages, and Stealing Your Thunder
 Theo Geeran, a producer from TED Radio Hour, discusses how teenagers are transforming old Spotify podcast comments into vibrant secret social spaces. Meanwhile, lexicographer Susie Dent uncovers the intriguing origin of the phrase 'steal your thunder,' tracing it back to the playwright John Dennis and his theatrical invention from 1709. From clever tricks to finish projects to the unconventional use of podcast comments, this conversation will keep you entertained and informed! 

Oct 22, 2025 • 24min
Signs of Winter, Mystery Smells, and Blimps At Night
 This week from the archives:  Mike and Ian search for signs of winter, and Peter test-smells a mystery scent from a professional flavor chemist. Plus a Goodyear blimp pilot reveals more than you’d ever think to ask about blimps including where they go to sleep at night.You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait Don't…Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. This episode was produced by Gillian Donovan. Technical direction from Lorna White.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 

Oct 15, 2025 • 27min
Earthquakes, Dentists, and How To Talk To Your Dog
 Discover how trained rats are saving lives in earthquake rescues with their impressive skills. Hear about a clever dental dilemma where hosts help a listener struggling to communicate at the dentist. Plus, meet Stella, the dog who speaks using a button board, and learn how the hosts tested this device during a dental appointment! The fun escalates as they turn an out-of-office message into a surprise birthday celebration, complete with heartfelt greetings and a hidden treasure within the episode. It's a whirlwind of creativity and humor! 

Oct 8, 2025 • 20min
Snack Bags, Shrek and Barry Manilow
 This week from the archives, Mike and Ian help a high school student nail his performance in the school play. Plus, a listener asks how to compose a catchy jingle, so Barry Manilow joins the show to help out. And a quick tip on how to open your pesky bag of chips.You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org. How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 

Oct 1, 2025 • 27min
AI, War, and Exercise, with Arnold Schwarzenegger
 On today’s episode, how to get rid of Google’s AI summaries, and we help a listener who wants to exercise in her car during a long commute–with an assist from a very overqualified exerciser and a very overqualified driver. Plus we talk about a possible connection between pizza and war with The Washington Post’s Tim Carman.You can check out Tim’s piece here and Juan's training routine here. And you can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait Don't…Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.******(Once again) after listening:“I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.”Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 

Sep 24, 2025 • 16min
Apple Stores, Cow Chips and Miracles
 On today’s episode from the archives, Apple’s top-secret guide on how to be a human being. Plus, how (not) to scam the airlines, and a competition you might want to avoid.You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org. How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 

8 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 25min
How To Make Lasagna Without An Oven, with Peter Sagal
 Dr. Michael Lerner, an ENT specialist from Yale Medicine, joins Peter Sagal to explore the quirky 'no-burp syndrome.' He explains retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction and discusses how Botox can help those who can't burp. Meanwhile, the hosts experiment with cooking lasagna in a dishwasher, challenging culinary norms and tasting the results. The mix of medical advice and unconventional cooking methods makes for an entertaining and educational discussion. 

Sep 10, 2025 • 14min
Gum, Frogs and Fred Armisen
 Dive into the wild world of household hacks and myths! Learn if gum really sits in your stomach for years and discover the intriguing secret of keeping milk fresh with frog skin peptides. Fred Armisen chimes in with whimsical Wi-Fi name suggestions, perfect for those looking to blend humor with a touch of privacy. Plus, engage in a fun hair-tying experiment that turns chaos into calm. This episode is packed with quirky insights and delightful advice! 

Sep 3, 2025 • 21min
OOO Baby, with Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón
 We are so back! How To Do Everything returns for a packed second season. This episode, one listener asks Mike and Ian how to write the perfect “out of office” message. So, they confer with the highest language authority in the land, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.Comedians Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon join the show to answer your couple’s advice questions, some stranger than others. Plus, a fashion tip for your post-Labor Day needs.You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.******After listening:“I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.” Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 

Aug 27, 2025 • 2min
"How To Do Everything" is so back
 How To Do Everything is back for season two! With more taste tests, more life hacks and more help for our beloved listeners. This season, Rick Ross gives advice to The Pope, Arnold Schwarzenegger helps a listener work out, Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon host couples therapy and poet laureate Ada Limón drafts the perfect “out of office” message. Seriously, this time around, we’re saving lives.First episode drops next week. You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy 


