How To! with Mike Pesca

Jessi navigates life with ADHD using a complex web of coping strategies. She used to strive for absolute perfection, but feels overwhelming guilt when she forgets something or loses focus at work or at home. On this episode, How To! co-host Carvell Wallace introduces Jessi to Dr. Sarah Wheeler , an educational psychologist who specializes in ADHD. Dr. Wheeler shares her own experience with ADHD an...

Psssst. You didn't hear this from me, but gossiping—can be good for you! Our series on embracing your inner antihero wraps—for now—with a guilty pleasure: gossiping. Normal Gossip host (and beloved former Slatester ) Rachelle Hampton sits down with How To!'s Carvell Wallace to dish on the right way to gossip, the link between whisper networks and safety, and the importance of leaving no receipts....

Our series on embracing your inner antihero continues with a look at superheroes who definitely don't wear capes: ethical haters. Slate culture writer Scaachi Koul sits down with How To!'s Carvell Wallace for a conversation about the power of haterade—and why "hating up" distinguishes ethical haters from run-of-the-mill, establishment negativity. Links Mentioned: Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul Scaac...

In this Quick Fix bonus episode, our conversation about how to get revenge continues. Writer and comedian Matthew Dicks weighs in on the "let them" mindset popularized by podcaster Mel Robbins. "I don't understand why we would let terrible people continue to be terrible," he says. And, Matt explains the tiny moment of social-media comeuppance he delivered to Donald Trump. Links Mentioned: Mel Robb...

Jordan is mired in a bitter war over off-leash pups at an unofficial dog park. With pro-leash forces deploying fake signage, ambush videos, and questionable zip-tie tactics in a campaign of shame aimed at her fellow dog owners, Jordan is ready to take matters into her own hands. In this first installment of How To's guide to becoming an antihero, Courtney Martin brings on writer, storyteller, and...

In this bonus episode for Slate Plus members, two How To! producers follow Oliver Burkeman's advice and head to the art museum to stare at some art. The challenge originates from Harvard professor Jennifer L. Roberts, who assigned her students a task in deep observation… and patience. Leland Bell, "Temma in Orange Dress" Wendell Castle, "Walking Cabinet" Tony Oursler, "MMPI (Self-Portrait in Yello...

Kate is juggling a lot: work, kids, caregiving for an elder, a dance troupe, the PTA, community organizing. Oh, and she runs a '90s-themed DJ night, too. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals , to talk with Kate about how to stop doing everything all the time. If you liked this episode check out: How To Mana...

Kate stopped reading in 2016. Since then, she's tried to find her way back to it but something's not clicking, and it's left a book-shaped hole in her heart. Reading used to be something she really enjoyed, took pride in, and loved connecting with people over. On this episode of How To!, co-host Carvell Wallace brings in Maryanne Wolf, director of ⁠UCLA's Center For Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and...

Mary is juggling a busy career and family life and, like many of us, she feels guilty about the time she spends on her phone. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin talks with author and teacher Molly Caro May about how she's helping others rethink—and rewire—their dependency on devices with an approach that's focused on the mind-body connection. If you liked this episode, check out How To Ma...

In this bonus episode for Slate Plus members, our conversation about harnessing the power of drawing continues as Wendy MacNaughton walks Courtney through a drawing meditation that helps people relax and refocus. 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 , Spotif...

Drawing isn't just child's play. It's a shortcut to joy, presence, and connection—all things we could use a lot more of these days. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on artist , graphic journalist , and founder of DrawTogether Wendy MacNaughton to explain how everyone at the grown-ups table can start drawing, too. Courtney's blind contour drawing If you liked this episode check ou...

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 n...

Our conversation about families and college life continues in this special bonus episode for Slate Plus members. Carvell Wallace talks with our listener Jennifer and Texas Tech administrator Christine Self about how to help younger siblings when an older brother or sister heads off to school. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646...

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...

Think of all the broken stuff you're storing in your home. A blender that won't blend? A bike without brakes? A buttonless blouse? Resist the urge to buy new stuff—and listen to this How To! episode instead! Courtney Martin brings together Phoebe Schenker, executive director of Reuse Alliance and founder of The Mending Library , and Sue-Jean, a reuse enthusiast, to talk about breathing new life in...

Lily wants to have satisfying sex that plays to her core desires, but lately it's been hard to describe to potential partners exactly what she wants. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Dr. Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman —sexologists, authors , and the founders of the Somatica Institute . They coach Lily (and all of us) on how to define the individual experiences we're seek...

Can advice from a podcast actually make your life better? How To! producer Rosie Belson is putting previous advice to the test. This month: How to make cleaning a breeze—or a little less awful, at least. Featured How To! episodes: How To Do Housework (and Not Hate It) How To Be a Lazy Genius How To Tame a Chaotic Household How To Get Your Dog to Stop Eating Your Daughters' Underwear With Jenny Sla...

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 ne...

At least 10 percent of parents in the U.S. are disabled, but Andrea can't seem to find parenting advice on disability and accessibility. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice , author of the new book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World , to help Andrea reimagine parenthood. If you liked this episode check out: How To Date With a Disability...

Our series Living at Odds concludes with a special episode of Slate's ⁠Death, Sex & Money⁠ . Host Anna Sale returns to her native West Virginia to talk with the state's only full-time lobbyist for LGBTQ rights. Andrew Schneider of ⁠Fairness West Virginia⁠ has spent years cultivating working relationships with conservative allies in state and local government. Aided by those relationships, Andrew h...

In this exclusive Living at Odds bonus episode: Kellie Farrish tells Courtney Martin about the research tools and techniques she uses while helping people uncover information about ancestors lost to history. Farrish, a restorative genealogist, brings together descendants of people who were involved in American chattel slavery for conversations about family pain, generational trauma, dignity, and b...

In the third installment of our series Living at Odds, How To!'s Courtney Martin examines what it's like being in conflict with your family history. She talks with ancestors of the famous names in Plessy v. Ferguson , the Supreme Court decision that affirmed racial segregation in the U.S. as "separate but equal." Later, researcher Kellie Farrish explains how reparative genealogy can unlock family...

In the second installment of our series Living at Odds, former How To! host Amanda Ripley returns to talk with two public school officials in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who found themselves at loggerheads upon their very first meeting. Deborah and Stacey's difficult working relationship continued until COVID-19 sparked some solidarity—and the two began to learn more about each other. Later, Stacey would fin...

Living at Odds is a new How To! series about what's holding us together when so much threatens to break us apart. In our first episode, host Courtney Martin talks with two street vendors who operated rivaling merch tents at the same busy intersection during the 2024 election. Steve hawked MAGA caps and Trump-branded pool floaties just a few feet away from Sandra, who sweetened her sales of Harris-...

Can advice from a podcast actually make your life better? How To! producer Rosie Belson is putting sage wisdom from past episodes to the test. This month: How to reevaluate your social media usage! Featured How To! episodes: How To Put Down Your Phone How To Break the Spell of Social Media How To Rethink Screen Time Tell us about a piece of How To! advice that stuck with you. ? Send us a note at h...