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.
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 Cattle Rancher
Raising cattle in the high desert, hauling calves to auction, and protecting the herd from mountain lions with Chachi Hawkins, a cattle rancher in southwest Texas.
What It’s Like to Be…a Turnaround Consultant
Diagnosing what ails struggling companies, choosing the “least crappy option”, and managing constant stress with Jeff Vogelsang, a turnaround consultant.
What It’s Like to Be…a Nurse
Caring for patients with serious burns, making sure the correct leg gets operated on, and working 24 hours straight with Teresa Shuster, a nurse in Florida.
What It’s Like to Be…a Stand-Up Comedian
Crafting jokes that kill, hustling to find gigs, and improvising based on the audience’s reaction with Chris Grace, a stand-up comedian.
What It’s Like to Be…a Hair Stylist
Cutting to accentuate the client’s eyes and ears, plotting to tame Einstein’s hair, and riding the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with Ona Diaz-Santin, a hair stylist from New Jersey.
What It’s Like to Be…a Welder
Pushing perfectionism to its limits, suffering third degree burns from slag, and having your welds “shot” by X-rays with Matt “Lucky” Reed, a welder in Florida.
What It’s Like to Be…a Piano Teacher
Delivering the perfect first lesson, working with 89-year-old students, and learning how to charge for your work with Christina Whitlock, a piano teacher in Indiana.
What It’s Like to Be…a Professional Santa
Refurbishing old sleighs, reviewing advance dossiers on kids, and going to “Santa School” with Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus.
What It’s Like to Be…a High School Principal
Managing complaints from parents, handling the horrors of teenage social media, and serving as an emergency substitute teacher with Marcus Belin, a high school principal in Illinois.