What It’s Like to Be…a Summer Camp Director
Conjuring a world where kids can reinvent themselves, running a small town in the woods, and witnessing camp counselors falling in love with Eric Sasson, a summer camp director.
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…an Ice Cream Truck Driver
Transforming school buses into ice cream trucks, watching kids grow up (one popsicle at a time), and struggling to keep the freezers running with Erin Bailey, an ice cream truck driver in New Jersey.
What It’s Like to Be…an Ocean Lifeguard
Learning to read the ocean, performing CPR on a dolphin, and leading daring (and sometimes foolish) rescues with Ed Vodrazka, an ocean lifeguard in California.
What It’s Like to Be…a Secret Service Agent
Scanning crowds for suspicious behavior, learning how to leap from moving vehicles, and investigating every threat to the president with Cindy Marble, a retired Secret Service agent.
What It’s Like to Be…a Tennis Coach
Scouting for signs of greatness, bolstering players after heartbreaking losses, and fighting the “yips” with Vesa Ponkka, a veteran tennis coach.
What It’s Like to Be…a PR Crisis Manager
Taking late-night phone calls from panicked clients, dueling with company lawyers over what to disclose, and rushing to preempt unfavorable stories with Chris Thomas, a PR crisis manager.
What It’s Like to Be…a Creative Director
Churning out creative possibilities on tight timelines, crafting bespoke stock images with help from AI, and pitching unique ideas to risk-averse clients with Jo Skillman, a creative director in Texas.
What It’s Like to Be…a Dog Trainer
Reading canine body language, boarding dogs to teach them manners, and training the dogs’ owners with Keely Korbel, a dog trainer.
What It’s Like to Be…an Archaeologist
Unearthing ancient wine cellars, finding the right places to dig, and tracing the arc of lost civilizations with Eric Cline, an archaeologist.
What It’s Like to Be…an FBI Special Agent
Building cases against MS-13 gang members, flipping a suspect in an interrogation, and writing countless subpoenas for phone records with Dan Brunner, a retired FBI Special Agent.