How To!

Matthew Dicks, an elementary school teacher and expert storyteller, joins the discussion to help a frustrated dog owner, Jordan, navigate a chaotic feud over off-leash pets in her park. They dive into the emotional intricacies of revenge, sharing hilarious anecdotes about revenge-related pranks and community tensions. Dicks offers clever strategies to tackle park regulations and manage annoying individuals with humor, while exploring the morality behind seeking retribution. It’s both insightful and entertaining for anyone harboring a petty grudge!

Kate Levitt, a busy parent and community organizer from San Francisco, joins author Oliver Burkeman, known for his insightful work on productivity. They dive into the challenges of balancing numerous commitments while preventing burnout. The discussion emphasizes the importance of prioritizing joy and self-care amidst chaos. They highlight the value of accepting human limitations and the significance of indulgent, solitary moments for personal growth. Together, they explore how to embrace life's complexities without losing sight of one's well-being.

Maryanne Wolf, director of UCLA’s Center For Dyslexia, sheds light on the intricacies of the reading brain and the profound impact of literature on our lives. She shares insights on rekindling a love for reading, especially after loss or during difficult times. The discussion navigates the challenges posed by modern technology on our reading habits and emphasizes the joy of picking books that resonate personally. Wolf's expert advice on deep reading and sustaining the reading habit is both inspiring and practical.

Join Molly Caro May, a facilitator and writer dedicated to helping others reconnect with their minds and bodies, as she shares insights on managing technology dependency. They delve into the addictive nature of smartphones and how it affects creativity and productivity. Molly advocates for mindful engagement with devices, offering strategies to foster healthier relationships with technology. The conversation also highlights the importance of establishing boundaries for families amid digital distractions and finding joy in the natural world.

Wendy MacNaughton, a bestselling illustrator and founder of DrawTogether, discusses the transformative power of drawing. She explores how this art form fosters joy, presence, and connections in everyday life. Wendy shares a playful blind contour drawing exercise that highlights vulnerability and observation. She emphasizes embracing imperfections in art while overcoming creative barriers. The conversation touches on the importance of community in creativity, encouraging listeners to engage with their unique artistic perspectives and reconnect through drawing.

Mavi was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than 15 years ago. Since then, she’s managed her symptoms and myriad life changes—but the past several months have been dominated by intense, chronic pain. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick and How to Live Well With Chronic Pain and Illness, to talk with Mavi about making peace with this new normal. If you liked this episode check out: How To Withstand Pain.  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us 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. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer is about to send her oldest child off to college in the fall—and her kid isn’t the only one who’s anxious about the transition. On this episode of How To!, host Carvell Wallace and Jennifer talk with Christine Self, director of parent and family relations at Texas Tech University, about navigating a huge change, making the most of campus visits, talking about alcohol, and how much access you actually need to your kid’s life. Resources mentioned:  You're On Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me) by Marjorie Savage College Ready Grown and Flown If you liked this episode check out: How To Take a Gap Year and How To Pick a College (and Actually Afford It). Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us 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. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phoebe Schenker, executive director of Reuse Alliance and founder of The Mending Library, joins to discuss the burgeoning reuse economy. She emphasizes community repair fairs as creative hubs for fixing broken items. The conversation also explores the cultural contrasts in repair practices, particularly between the U.S. and South Korea. Listeners are encouraged to shift their mindset towards sustainability by embracing repairs and secondhand goods, fostering a culture of reuse, and understanding the ethical implications of waste and consumption.

Celeste Hirschman and Danielle Harel, co-founders of the Somatica Institute, are expert sex coaches specializing in human pleasure. They dive into how to unpack and communicate personal kinks and core desires effectively. The conversation explores the emotional dynamics of relationships, emphasizing safety, trust, and open dialogue. They highlight the importance of embracing one’s sexual identity while navigating personal experiences and vulnerabilities. Fun anecdotes and practical tips make understanding kink a more accessible and enriching journey.

Are you stuck in a hair rut? On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Alana Lucia Balestrino, hairstylist, barber, and founder of the Brooklyn-based studio Baddies. Alana explains how to work with a stylist or barber to get a haircut you love.  If you liked this episode check out: How To Dress with Confidence. Also: Decoder Ring’s Mystery of the Mullet.  Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us 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. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices