What It’s Like to Be…a Homicide Detective
Cracking decades-old murder cases, delivering unthinkable news to victims’ families, and tracking suspects across borders with John Lamberti, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Dan Heath
Dan Heath is the New York Times bestselling coauthor/author of six books, including Made to Stick, Switch, and The Power of Moments. His most recent book is Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working. He also hosts the award-winning podcast What It’s Like to Be…, which explores what it’s like to walk in the shoes of people from different professions (a mystery novelist, a cattle rancher, a forensic accountant, and more).
What It’s Like to Be…a Toy Distributor
Forecasting demand for 40,000 different products, arranging for model kits to traverse the globe from Chinese factories to mom-and-pop hobby shops, and enduring random customs inspections with Alan Bass, a hobby kit and toy distributor.
What It’s Like to Be…an Olympic Bobsledder
Hurtling down an ice track at nearly 100mph, perfecting the practice of visualization, and shaving off hundredths of a second with Kaillie Humphries, an Olympic bobsledder.
What It’s Like to Be…a Christmas Tree Farmer
Shearing Christmas trees into their classic shape, fighting back weeds and blackbirds, and planting 5,000 trees a year with Sheldon Corsi, a Christmas tree farmer near Cincinnati, Ohio.
What It’s Like to Be…a Marine Biologist
Swimming with 20-foot manta rays, suffering through grant applications, and rushing to the whale freezer with Jessica Pate, a marine biologist based in Florida.
What It’s Like to Be…an Interior Designer
Perfecting the soft finishes, dealing with divorcing couples, and cultivating the perfect network of artisans with Julie Anne Burch, an interior designer.
What It’s Like to Be…an NBA Referee
Ignoring 10,000 booing fans, collaborating with the replay center, and striving for perfection with Billy Kennedy, an NBA referee.
What It’s Like to Be…a London Cabbie
Outsmarting drunks, competing with ride-share apps, and discovering that some of your passengers were Spice Girls with Jamie Owens, a London cabbie.
What It’s Like to Be…a Life Insurance Salesman
Overcoming “soft objections,” hustling to line up meetings, and navigating the line between business and friendship with David Johnson, a third-generation life insurance salesman.
What It’s Like to Be…a Camera Operator
Framing a scene to draw in the audience, dealing with screaming directors, and getting lost in an actor’s performance with Pauline Edwards, a camera operator.