The Upgrade by Lifehacker

Whether you’re dealing with a bad boss or disgruntled employees (or a great boss and enthusiastic employees) you’ve got an opinion on the employer/employee dynamic. This week we heard from the Lifehacker audience about their worst bosses. Then Lifehacker’s managing editor Virginia Smith talks to Ask a Manager’s Alison Green about what your manager wants you to know. Finally, Alice and Melissa talk about the out-of-office auto-reply: does anyone really need it?Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s that time of year again! Time for our annual roundup of our very favorite Upgrade moments of 2019. And we’ve had so many—from touring a fecal transplant lab to improving our memorization muscles, this year has been chock-full of life-enhancing upgrades. Prepare for 2020 by hearing this collection of advice on how to be a better conversationalist, how to make or break a habit, how to negotiate like a pro, and more! Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we prepare to head into 2020, we thought we’d replay our annual Best of The Upgrade from last year for you. We’ll be bringing you our Best of The Upgrade 2019 next week!Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever dreamed of making a podcast of your own? Of being the next Teri Gross or Joe Rogan? This week we’re learning how with the help of Lifehacker’s own video producer Abu Zafar. Abu recently produced a 3-part video series for Lifehacker called How to Start a Podcast and he joins us this week to talk about some of the podcasting basics he’s learned from experts like Josh Clarke (Stuff You Should Know), Misha Euceph (Tell Them I Am), and Roman Mars (99% Invisible). When Abu isn’t busy crafting snappy how-to videos for Lifehacker he moonlights as a host and producer of his very own podcast network, Lore Party. One week left to fill out our super-short listener feedback survey! Please let us know how we can upgrade The Upgrade.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Josh Gondelman, a.k.a. “The Nicest Guy in Comedy,” joins us this week to talk about what being nice really is, when it’s a quality that is NOT helpful, and the difference between “nice-ness” and “goodness”. Josh is Peabody- and Emmy-winning comedy writer who has worked on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and is currently the senior staff writer and producer for the Showtime series Desus & Mero. He also has a stand up album out called “Dancing on a Weeknight” and new book called, “Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Results”.ATTENTION LISTENERS: Please take a moment to fill out our short survey! We want to hear from YOU about what you like about the show, what you don't like about it, and how we can improve. It’ll take less than 5 minutes to complete. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're tackling tough friendship scenarios this week with psychologist Miriam Kirmayer, who explains why it's so hard to navigate the norms of friendship and how to peacefully end those connections that are no longer working. Afterward, Dr. Kirmayer answers Upgrade listener- and Lifehacker reader-submitted friendship questions.Like the show? Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can we interpret body language and physical cues to better understand what others are really thinking? In this week's episode, Alice and Melissa are joined by Swedish mentalist Henrik Fexeus, who explains what mind-reading really is, and how we can use it to our advantage. Later, Alice and Melissa try out a mind-reading trick on a couple of Lifehacker team members.Like the show? Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we even begin to find true love in a messy world of online dating, ghosting, and benching? Matchmaker Dr. Frankie Bashan tells us why people are using real-live intermediaries like herself to get dates. Etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning takes on the intricacies of Tinder etiquette. And Lifehacker’s food editor Claire Lower mixes up a very sexy three-ingredient cocktail.If you love this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts because our love language is “service” and we need you to do things for us before we truly feel the depth of your ardor.Like the show? Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ramit Sethi, author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” and professional financial smart person, joins us to talk about how to reframe your approach to spending, the best ways to invest your savings, and how normal people can find a way to take a six-week honeymoon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jumping to an entirely new line of work, a new industry, a new identity, is extremely daunting. That’s why this week we’re diving right into the how-tos of making the big career switch. First we chat with consultant, speaker, and podcaster Joseph Liu, who has helped numerous people make big mid-career transitions over the years. Then we hear a personal career change story from Julieta Benavides, who leapt from her high-paying career in restaurant management into the world of therapeutic massage.Like the show? Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What can we do to live longer, healthier lives? Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey joins us on The Upgrade to talk about the practices he’s adopted that he believes will help us all lengthen our lifespans. Then Lifehacker’s Health Editor, Beth Skwarecki, talks about the longevity secrets she learned while visiting the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica—an area that author Dan Buettner has designated as a Blue Zone.Like the show? Have a suggestion? Leave us a voicemail at 347-687-8109 or send us a voice memo at [email protected], and we might even include it in the next episode!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re improving our public speaking skills with the help of expert Carmine Gallo, author of “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds,” who tells us about the importance of story and emotion when it comes to presenting. Then hear Lifehacker’s Food Editor, Claire Lower, tell her own story about how she learned to get comfortable in front of a crowd.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you ever find yourself spending way too much time worrying about what people think of you? Are you ready to let those needless concerns go to focus on other, more important things? This week on The Upgrade, we’re working through our issues with Mark Manson, author of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck,” as well as revisiting our interview with writer Samantha Irby from our 2017 “How to Not Give a Shit” episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're talking fecal transplants, probiotics, gut flora and more this week. Do bacteria in your GI tract affect your moods? How does your microbiome affect your overall health?  We visit the lab of computational biologist Dr. Jose Clemente where he and his team study the efficacy of fecal transplants in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Upgrade, we're tackling debt. Crippling, anxiety-inducing debt. It can be hard to know where to start when facing such a heavy burden. Fortunately, we got some help. First, hear Lifehacker staff writer Lisa Rowan answer Upgrade listener and Lifehacker reader-submitted questions about credit cards. Then, we're joined once again by personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi, who coaches us on how to start to get a handle on debt. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we chat with productivity legend David Allen about GTD, his gold-standard time management philosophy. Lifehacker staffers share their productivity secrets as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever found yourself totally immobilized in the face of a decision? Why is deciding on something so difficult, whether it’s deciding what to have for dinner or whether we should move across the country? This week, we talk with neuroscientist David Redish about what is actually happening in our brains during the decision-making process. Then, we're joined by Lifehacker’s managing editor Virginia Smith to figure out how our moral, social and legal frameworks inform the decisions we make.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this smaller episode we’re diving into the topic of small talk. Is it there real value in shooting the breeze, or is it just inane jibber-jabber? Wherever you stand on the topic, you’re going to be called on to engage in small talk sooner or later—so how do you get more comfortable with it? Our producer asked the people who are probably the most fluent in small talk: bartenders. Then, Melissa and Alice are joined in the studio by Lifehacker staff writer Nick Douglas to discuss their varied feelings on idle chitchat, and if there’s any value in talking about the weather.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re talking about impostor syndrome—the psychological phenomenon wherein people question their successes and have an internalized fear of being discovered as a fraud. We’ll hear from Lifehacker’s staff writer, Nick Douglas, who explains why he keeps something called a “brag file.” We’ll also chat with clinical psychologist Dr. Jessamy Hibberd, author of the book The Impostor Cure. And our producer takes to the streets to find out how people deal with their own feelings of inadequacy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all think we’re experts at “doing nothing,” but there’s a difference between numbing out by staring at Facebook and truly letting your mind rest. There are concrete benefits to doing absolutely nothing—like actually being present in your life and noticing what’s around you. To help us constructively veg out, we’ve brought in essayist Pico Iyer, Lifehacker’s Human Resource Columnist Rob Walker, and artist and educator Jenny Odell, whose new book teaches us how to resist the “attention economy.” We recommend listening with your feet up and your eyes closed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Memory is a strange thing. What is a “memory,” anyway? Where does it live? And where did we put our keys? We’re unlocking the secrets of memory and how to improve ours with a little help from our friends. First, we’ve got staff writer Nick Douglas with a technique that will help you learn anything. Then staff writer Beth Skwarecki explains just how scientists sucked the memory out of one snail and put it in another—and what this means for all of us. Finally, four-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis talks to Alice and Melissa about how he went from being a guy with an average memory to a, well, champion. And we play a memory game that listeners can play, as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re living in a time of secrets. Whether it’s the health-care bill, Russia’s secret connection with our recent election, or the lies we all tell, secrets plague all of us. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, author of “Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are” explains what the Internet can tell us about the prejudices, fears, and fetishes we’re hiding. We talk with our Lifehacker writers about a Reddit thread where Redditors shared secrets that, if revealed, would ruin people’s lives. Psychiatrist Eileen Wachter visits the studio to discuss the psychological effects of keeping secrets. And our producer takes to the streets to find out what sort of secrets we’ve been keeping for other people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re talking about solo travel, from the best destinations to how to make friends once you’re there. We’ve got packing secrets, veteran travelers’ must-have apps, and a slew of magical stories from around the globe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calling all insomniacs, tossers, turners, blanket hogs, disco nappers and snooze button pushers! This week we are talking to the experts about how to get a good night's sleep. And our advice goes way beyond putting your devices away before bed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does it really take 21 days to create a habit? Is it possible to quit smoking when all your friends are smokers? Why can’t you ever get up early and go to the gym? We’re talking to productivity experts like “Atomic Habits”’ James Clear about how we can make changes to our behavior, and what it takes to actually stick with those changes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We could all get better at conversing with our fellow humans. It’s just so easy these days to hide behind our screens, and when we’re finally face to face with actual people, we’re often talking too much and not listening enough. How can we make the most of those one-on-one, face-to-face, in-real-life moments? We’ll hear from journalist Celeste Headlee, whose career revolves around talking to people. And Lifehacker’s own Michelle Woo tells us how to talk to kids—because do any of us really know how to do it? And our producer Casey Georgi talks to people on the streets of NYC to find out what irks people most when it comes to bad conversationalists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re back! This week we’re learning about the ins and outs of negotiation. We’ll find out how to get someone to “yes” when they’re all about “no”; when and how the robots are going to negotiate for us; and what to do to get the raise you deserve.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where on earth have we been?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Cleo Stiller, host of Fusion TV's "Sex Right Now," joins us to talk about how porn is affecting our sex lives, what happens when men get menstrual cramps, and to introduce us to a Fitbit for your penis. We also talk to sex therapist Sari Cooper about how to keep intimacy alive in long-term relationships. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All too frequently, people who are good at making a thing get promoted to be the supervisors of the people making the thing—without any training as to how to lead. So how do you become a good boss? Do you pick up leadership skills on the job, or is special coaching required? We find out this week. First, we'll get a sense of what makes a good boss, with the author of Lifehacker's brand-new career advice column, “Human Resource”: Rob Walker. Then, executive coach Jen Goldman-Wetzler tells us how she helps bosses be the best they can be. And finally, the creator of Ruby on Rails and co-founder of Basecamp, David Heinemeier Hansson, tell us how to make a workplace that’s not crazy in five steps. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We spend a lot of time worrying about death: our own, and the deaths of those we love. This week we look at our deeply held fears and assumptions about dying and see if we can't lessen some of our anxiety about it. First, we talk with cardiologists Chris Kelly and Marc Eisenberg. Their patients come to them with millions of different ailments, but the one question that patients ask them most often, regardless of symptoms, is "Am I dying?!" Then Zen monk Koshin Paley Ellison talks with us about how we think about death and dying, how we can give care without becoming emotionally and spiritually depleted, and how in talking with people who are dying, we learn a lot about how to live. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financial journalist Felix Salmon joins us this week to talk about making money while doing good in the world, "Badass" author Jen Sincero tells us how she went from no money to a lot of money by changing her mindset, and we all end up rich. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mel Robbins is a motivational speaker and the author of "The 5 Second Rule." She’s also the host of the new Audible series “Kick Ass with Mel Robbins.” In this episode, we talk about motivation, taming the negative voices in our head, and how we can kick our own asses to get from good to great. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mornings. Many of us hate them; some of us love them; all of us want to make the best of them. But how exactly do we do that? First we ask Benjamin Spall, co-author of My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired, about creating the ultimate morning routine. We also talk to Vanessa Marin, a licensed sex therapist (and regular “After Hours” Lifehacker contributor) about why we should occasionally ditch the routine and just do it. And Melissa quizzes Alice about the quirky (and sometimes bizarre) habits (morning and otherwise) of famous artists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you enjoy last week’s Best of The Upgrade 2018? Looking for even more great Upgrade moments? Check out our Best of The Upgrade 2017! Join us as we revisit some of our favorite discussions from our inaugural year, including how to turn awkwardness into a social asset; how to be brilliant (while being bored); how to find real love; and how to get smart about microdosing. We’ll be back to create all new memories in 2019! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another year in life hacks come and gone! We're celebrating our favorite moments, hacks, guests and episodes of 2018 with this, our annual Best of The Upgrade episode! Whether you're a lifelong listener taking a trip down memory lane, or new listener looking to dip a toe in the magic that is The Upgrade, we're here for you. And what would an end-of-year episode be without our annual tradition of Alice and Melissa singing Auld Lang Syne? Just kidding! It's our Upgrades of the Year, of course. See you in 2019! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buying presents can be a stressful activity. It's often hard to know what to buy for that film buff friend, or for the brother-in-law who's really into cooking these days. Fortunately, The Upgrade is here to help—just think of it as our gift to you. Listen as seven Lifehacker staffers each share three perfect gift ideas, from artful prints to wireless gadgets to Secret Santa hacks, to help you buy the perfect present. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we even begin to find true love in a messy world of online dating, ghosting, and benching? Matchmaker Dr. Frankie Bashan tells us why people are using real-live intermediaries like herself to get dates. Etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning takes on the intricacies of Tinder etiquette. And Lifehacker’s food editor Claire Lower mixes up a very sexy three-ingredient cocktail.If you love this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts because our love language is “service” and we need you to do things for us before we truly feel the depth of your ardor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s our first live recording of The Upgrade, performed in front of an audience at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY. Joining us are comedians Chris Gethard and Akilah Hughes, as well as Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings of Gimlet Media’s “The Nod.” We talk about how you can’t succeed without failure, and how to move past even the most embarrassing of screw-ups. Plus: we play a few rounds of Never Have I Ever (Upgrade-style) and a new game we’re calling “Lifehacker Saves Your Life.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maybe you need to bring your heart rate down after a couple of heated Thanksgiving debates, or perhaps you’re generally feeling a little anxious because of the state of the world. We all could use a little calming down, these days. So we spoke with Dr. Craig Richard, author of Brain Tingles and founder of the ASMR University. And because it’s not only adults who lose their cool, Lifehacker writer Beth Skwarecki gives us 5 ways to stop a child's temper tantrum. Plus: our favorite songs for when we need to chill out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means that many of us will find ourselves elbow to elbow with family members, some of whom may have wildly differing opinions on topics like whether cranberry sauce should be homemade or canned, and who should be president. Before things get too heated, we recommend listening to this episode. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt will explain why there’s value in being exposed to different opinions, and blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to us about how we should treat each other despite our differences. Then, writer and theorist Andra Medea gives us five steps for defusing a Thanksgiving fight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode we’re talking about how to tell the truth—and how to know when the people around you are being less than truthful. We’ll be hearing from MSNBC host and author Lawrence O’Donnell with the story behind his book, Deadly Force—the murder of an unarmed black man and the police cover up that followed. Melissa chats with writer and semi-professional poker play Peter Alson about his former life as a bookmaker, and how to tell when someone is lying. And Lifehacker managing editor Virginia Smith tells us about a story from the Lifehacker archive: “How to Detect When Someone's Lying (and Get Them to Tell the Truth).” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are so many different ways to be a dick: from being a schoolyard bully, to not mowing your lawn, to using plastic straws, to being a dick on the road. In this episode, we’re going to talk about some of the little ways we can be good to one another, to the environment, and by extension, to ourselves. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anne Lamott is a progressive political activist and writer, the bestselling author of such books as Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, Operating Instructions, Plan B, and her latest, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. We're such fans of Anne Lamott that we've decided to devote an entire episode of The Upgrade to her. We talk to Anne about almost everything, including but not limited to: how to deal with the news cycle; having compassion for our small upsets in the face of large tragedies; how help can be a form of control; comparing our insides to other people’s insides; and the horrors of visiting the DMV. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're talking about microdosing: the use of relatively low doses of psychedelics, like LSD and psilocybin mushroom, to improve mood, focus and productivity in daily life. We spoke with author Ayelet Waldman, whose monthlong experiment with microdosing pulled her out of suicidal depression; psychedelics advocate Paul Austin; and psychologist Dr. Ingmar Gorman, who specializes in "psychedelic psychotherapy" and substance use treatment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vicki Robin is the co-author of the bestseller YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE and the godmother of a financial movement that’s becoming increasingly popular among millennials: FIRE, which stands for Financially Independent, Retire Early. Vicki talks to us about changing our relationship with money and redefining what a rich, full life actually means. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. David Burns joins us in this episode to talk about how to change your perspective. Dr. Burns is a pioneer in the field of cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, and the author of best-selling books on the topic, including "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and "The Feeling Good Handbook." We’ll also hear from photographer Tyson Wheatley on five steps to taking better pictures. And Alice and Melissa discuss two books that changed how they see the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we chat with Les Stroud, the creator and star of the hit TV series Survivorman. Alice and staff writer Nick Douglas talk with Les about just how one becomes an expert in surviving, as well as the one aspect of survival that he finds nearly impossible to endure. We’re also joined by our old friend, divorce attorney James J. Sexton, yes we have him on speed dial. James tells us the five steps to developing a thick skin. Emotionally, that is. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KJ Dell’Antonia—journalist and author of How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute—joins Offspring editor Michelle Woo to discuss how to make your family life less stressful and even (dare we say it) fun. But first, Alice gives staff writer and soon-to-be new parent Nick Douglas an important (note: not really important) parenting quiz. Finally, we’ve got a playlist of non-kid songs that your kids will love as much as you do. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we’re digging into the things you're terrified of--the concrete stuff like fear of spiders and heights, as well as the more conceptual, existential anxiety we all have about just being alive. First, we interview Dean Sluyter, author of the new book Fear Less: Living Beyond Fear, Anxiety, Anger, and Addiction. Then Ben Brock Johnson, host of the Reddit podcast “Endless Thread,” shares the scariest stories from Reddit. And Alice and Melissa confront two of their worst fears via virtual reality. Spooky. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.