What It's Like To Be...
Curious what it would be like to walk in someone else’s (work) shoes? Join New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath as he explores the world of work, one profession at a time, and interviews people who love what they do. What does a couples therapist think when a friend asks for relationship advice? What happens if a welder fails to wear safety glasses? What can get a stadium beer vendor fired? If you’ve ever met someone whose work you were curious about, and you had 100 nosy questions but were too polite to ask … well, this is the show for you.
Our Editor's Take
What It's Like To Be... helps podcast listeners imagine alternate careers. Some are intimidating jobs, like being stand-up comedians. Others are professions that provoke questions. How do attorneys defend heinous crimes? What's it like serving beer for decades?
Podcast host Dan Heath is a notable author. He wrote the Wall Street Journal bestseller Upstream and cowrote four New York Times bestsellers with his brother. Heath co-invented the innovative textbook company Thinkwell. His interesting career helps him ask compelling questions about the guest's professions. In each episode, Heath invites a guest with a specific profession. The episode is about understanding that profession and how it works.
One episode features meteorologist Lacey Swope. Swope works in Oklahoma City, one of the most tornado-prone areas in America. She describes her 2:30 a.m. wake-up, 7:00 p.m. bedtime, and her husband's cooperation. Swope explains where her forecasts originate and why they differ from phone forecasts. She doesn't use teleprompters or scripts. Heath asks about her most severe weather coverage. Swope recalls the EF5 tornado on May 20, 2013. It demolished two elementary schools. She remembers parents digging through bricks to find their children. The most horrific day elicited the best in humanity. The podcast shares the community's response, including students donating their piggy banks.
In another episode, Dr. Marcus Belin describes the role of a high school principal. His contract included the bullet point, "other duties as assigned." He consoles students crying on bathroom floors. Sometimes, he even serves food when the cafeteria needs help. He was late to the interview because he had to substitute teach for an absent teacher. Dr. Belin endures constant observation. Parents approach him at Walmart. Some principals don't live in their school's community for that reason. Dr. Belin explains why he does. The principal tries to connect with his 3,000 students since his decisions affect their lives. He wears Air Jordans, not business suits. Podcast listeners learn how his grandmother inspired his purpose. He also explains why TikTok and Snapchat are impeding education.
New episodes of the What It's Like To Be... release every other Tuesday.
Episodes