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Most Popular

1.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a Veterinarian

Calming scared cats with pheromone sprays, advising families how to balance their pet’s well-being with budget realities, and diagnosing mysterious animal maladies with Dr. Hindatu Mohammed, a veterinarian in Austin, TX.

2.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a Software Engineer

Tracing mysterious errors to their source, jousting with product managers, and rolling out new features (without breaking the old ones) with Taylor Hughes, a software engineer.

3.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a City Manager

Mediating pickleball noise disputes, shepherding communities through thorny decisions, and practicing radical pragmatism with Martha Bennett, city manager of Lake Oswego, Oregon.

4.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a Barman

Pouring pints for thirsty tourists, defusing situations with drunk patrons, and finding flow in the Friday night rush with Brian Wynne, a barman in Dublin.

5.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a Brain Surgeon

Zapping parts of the brain to know where to cut, operating a mouth-controlled microscope that’s worth more than a house, and carrying the weight of life-or-death decisions with Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, a brain surgeon at the Mayo Clinic.

6.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…an Aircraft Carrier Commander

Commanding a floating city of 5,000 sailors, intercepting Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, and stripping rank from sailors who cross the line with Captain Chris “Chowdah” Hill, commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

7.
Health

In Uncertain Times, Get Curious

Asking better questions can act as an antidote to uncertainty—and the anxiety that comes with it.

8.
Culture

What It’s Like to Be…a Hospice Nurse

Comforting patients as they prepare to transition, navigating end-of-life regrets and frayed relationships, and providing support and advice for fearful families with Heather Meyerend, a retired hospice nurse.

9.
Culture

How Do You Become More Conscientious When You’re Not Conscientious Already?

The easiest way to become more conscientious is to already be conscientious—last week’s to-do list makes writing this week’s easier. But if you can’t lean on your past self, considering your future self can help.

10.
Science

Why Simplicity Can Be Strength in a Complex World

As intuitive as it seems, a complicated approach to behavioral design may not be the best response to complexity.

Behavioral Scientist

Original, thought-provoking reports from the front lines of behavioral science.

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