Slate Advice

Tesla owners are dumping their vehicles in protest of CEO Elon Musk—and driving down resale prices. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin talks with two soon-to-be-former owners—and with Patrick George, editor-in-chief of InsideEVs and co-host of the Plugged-In podcast. Patrick helps them figure out how to sell their Model Ys and find a ride that aligns with their practical and ideological n...

On this episode: Zak, Lucy and Elizabeth answer a question about going on nap strike. This mom has a toddler who’s suddenly just… not napping. And, of course, she starts getting tired way before a reasonable bedtime. So, mom is looking for advice, but also just solidarity. We’ll help her out and then check in and share what’s on our minds this week. Then, if you’re hanging out for the Slate Plus P...

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Ada Calhoun, the author of Crush and Why We Can’t Sleep. Together, they answer questions about going no contact with your parents permanently, reconciling after a messy divorce, and cutting ties with an ungrateful kid. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across...

On this episode: Zak, Lucy, and Elizabeth are answering a question from a mom who’s wondering if she’s going to accidentally cause body issues for her four-year-old. This kid has developed what seems like a compulsive habit every time she uses the bathroom… and our mom wants it to stop, but also doesn’t want to somehow make things worse. We’ll talk through what might be happening here — and then,...

To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the Nati...

On this episode: Jamilah and Zak talk about the popular kids. A member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group has a daughter who’s become obsessed with being popular… even though she doesn’t seem to fit in with those kids.  We’ll help her out and then check in and share what’s on our minds this week. Then, if you’re hanging out for the Slate Plus Playground, we’re taking a look at a recent article...

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Traci Thomas, the creator and host of the critically acclaimed literary podcast The Stacks. Together, they answer questions about dealing with rude stepchildren, loving but not liking your sister, and being sick and tired of watching other people’s kids. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you...

On this episode: Zak, Lucy, and Elizabeth sit down with Dr. Sheilagh Maguinness — a board-certified pediatric dermatologist, an entrepreneur, and a social media star.  This episode is your one-stop shop for all things skin. We’ll talk about sun protection, rashes, acne, and whether our tweens and teens really need all of those Sephora products. Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod...

Music streaming services like Spotify offer huge libraries of songs and albums—with recommendation engines that can feel unadventurous and repetitive. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace welcomes online tastemaker and podcast host Derrick Gee to discuss the shortcomings of music streaming algorithms. And, they sit down with R.J. and Brie—two music fans from different generations—to offer u...

On this episode: Jamilah, Lucy and Elizabeth answer a question about separation anxiety. This listener’s 7-month-old is already showing signs of what looks like some serious discomfort with anyone who’s not mom or dad. But with a no-kids wedding coming up, this mom is wondering how to help her daughter get more comfortable with other people.  We’ll help her out and then check in and share what’s o...

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by comedian and actress Heather McMahan. Together, they answer questions about believing abuse accusations, getting in the middle of a sibling’s relationship, and making boundaries with a friend. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate po...

On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Jamilah talk about secrets. A member of our Facebook community recently asked how you should handle it when a kid confides in you… and asks you not to tell your co-parent. Is her current no-secrets policy solid, or should she maybe reconsider?  And after that discussion, we’ll of course circle up for a round of triumphs and fails. Join us on Facebook and email...

The final installment of our series explores the conversations that most of us dread, like frank discussions of our differences or a negative performance review at work. We often anticipate that these chats will go badly—and end in hurt feelings or embarrassment—but there are proven ways to make them easier to navigate. Host Charles Duhigg talks with psychologist Jay Van Bavel about strategies for...

For most of her life, Elizabeth was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which forbids having sex outside of marriage. But she recently left the Mormon faith, and now she’s ready to have sex for the first time—at age 43. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Nicole Hardy, author of Confessions of a Latter-Day Virgin to offer Elizabeth advice that’s relevant...

On this episode: Jamilah, Zak and Elizabeth answer a question from someone who’s not a parent — and not even a stepmom, yet! This member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group is dating a single mom and wondering how to make meeting the kids and joining the family as seamless as possible. We’ll help her out and then check in and share what’s on our minds this week. Then, if you’re hanging out for t...

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Real Housewives alumna and Humble Brag podcast host Crystal Kung Minkoff. Together, they answer questions about feeling conflicted over an ex living their best life post-divorce, navigating a friendship after someone breaks the other’s trust, and asking for financial help. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus...

On this episode: Elizabeth and Jamilah talk about building a village. Our listener wants to create a community of parents and kids who hang out and trust each other. The question is: how intentional do you have to be, here? And after that discussion, we’ll of course circle up for a round of triumphs and fails. Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions,...

Interviews are a time-honored way to elicit intimate insights from public figures and people in power. But at a moment when so much history is being denied or even deleted, interviewing family members and elders can be an important way to document their lives—and understand more about ourselves. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Sam Fragoso, host of the podcast Talk Easy. Sam e...

On this episode: Lucy, Zak and Elizabeth think about summer break. There’s a budding conversation in the Slate Parenting Facebook group about the life skills we should have kids work on over the summer – think shoe-tying, kitchen stuff, and riding a bike. We’ll share some of the Facebook Group’s ideas, and some stuff we’re going to work on. We’ll also check in and share what’s on our minds this we...

Why is it that we can tell someone “I’m totally fine!” and they instantly know we’re not? Gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other subtle nonverbal cues play a huge role in how we connect with one another.  In this episode, host Charles Duhigg explores how we communicate without words, including a deep dive into the visual and tonal cues embedded in one of the biggest sitcoms of all...

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by writer and YouTube essayist Princess Weekes.  Together, they answer questions about reconciling with a daughter after a huge fight, navigating toxic inlaws and making boundaries with selfish parents. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite S...

On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak are talking about estrangement. We got a really thoughtful question from a listener whose four-year-old is starting to ask questions about why one of his grandparents isn’t in the picture. And with kids that age, the questions just keep coming… even on topics like this, that are really hard to explain. Elizabeth recommended the following resources:  A Famil...

May’s father nearly lost $4,000 to an online scam. How can she protect him from future fraud? On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs at AARP. She also runs their Fraud Watch Network. Kathy helps May rethink how she’s talking to her parents about cyber scams—she explains steps that everyone can take to avoid becoming a crime victim....

On this episode: Lucy, Zak and Elizabeth tackle a letter from a mom who feels like she’s living in Wrestlemania. This mom and dad love tickle fights and wrestling with their two boys — but the younger one isn’t so good at honoring a tap-out. So, we’ll talk about how to prevent, or at least pause, the wrestling match before anyone gets hurt. We’ll also check in and share what’s on our minds this we...

Why are some people able to talk with just about anyone—about almost anything? One answer may lie in the questions we ask—and how deeply we ask them. Stick with us here… In this episode, host Charles Duhigg examines why deep questions are so powerful and how to ask them in everyday life. He talks to Nick Epley, psychology professor at the University of Chicago and lifelong researcher of deep quest...