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What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath

Dan Heath
Child Development
Piano Teaching
Christmas Trees
Daycare
Military Justice
Bobsledding
Tennis
Summer Camps
Music Education
Early Childhood Education
Military Operations
Operational Law
Baking
Olympic Games
Covid-19
Ice Cream Truck Drivers
Secret Service
Stand-Up Comedy
Emotional Development
Love and Attachment

Curious what it would be like to walk in someone else’s (work) shoes? Join New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath as he explores the world of work, one profession at a time, and interviews people who love what they do.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes79Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersSociety & CultureBusiness

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Artwork for What It's Like To Be...

Latest Episodes

Hugging a mother through an anxiety attack, bidding for the best routes, and absorbing strangers' confessions at 35,000 feet with Linda Beall, a flight attendant. What does it mean when the cabin bells ring three or four times? And what makes a trip ... more

Shooting cat-three landings in the fog, using the “voice of God” on unruly passengers, and declaring Mayday after an engine fire with Paul Drusch, a commercial airline pilot. Why does the pilot’s paycheck start with the parking brake? And what does “... more

Athletes get all the glory, but there are countless people around them making the games happen - from referees making judgments, to vendors in the stands hawking snacks and beer. In this episode from The StoryCorps Podcast, drawn from our archive of ... more

Untangling who gets to speak for a dying patient, weighing a treatment's benefits against its burdens, and searching for clarity in the grayest corners of healthcare with Esther Berkowitz, a clinical ethicist. What is the "dignity of risk"? And how d... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Josh Beckley
Owner of Beckley Harvesting, a third-generation custom harvester
Beckley Harvesting
Episode: A Custom Harvester
Heather Hill
Funeral director in Raleigh, North Carolina
Funeral home in Raleigh, NC
Episode: A Funeral Director
Swati Mohan
Aerospace Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Episode: An Aerospace Engineer
John Johnson
Retired diplomat, US Foreign Service, public affairs specialist
US Department of State
Episode: A Diplomat
Elden Rivas
Journeyman lineman, Texas
IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
Episode: A Lineman
Justin Dwyer
Health inspector with eleven years of experience
Peoria City County Health Department
Episode: A Health Inspector
Kaillie Humphries
Olympic bobsledder and five-time medalist.
Team USA Bobsled
Episode: An Olympic Bobsledder (Replay)
Sophie Williams
Owner of Raven Bakery
Raven Bakery
Episode: A Baker
Aaron Williams
Dog groomer with a unique style and approach to grooming.
Episode: A Dog Groomer

Host

Dan Heath
Host and interviewer guiding conversations with professionals from various fields

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Great work

    Great work

    Please do a paramedic (specifically the ones that work out of fire stations on ambulances)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Strigaformes Pizzaria
    United States3 days ago
  • Binge worthy

    So glad I found this show. This FEEL GOOD informational listening adds a boost to my day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CJEagleheart
    United States4 days ago
  • suggestion for an episode about what it’s like to be a Phd student

    Thank you for great episodes. I especially loved the episode of the elementary school teacher. Ms Kilgo’s experiences were amazing and the episode urged me to listen. How about doing an episode about Phd student. What’s it like to be a Phd student?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Idk bruh pls don’t take
    United States4 days ago
  • Thanks

    Thanks to Lizzie Peabody telling me about your podcast. Personal pilot for 64 years. Felt like I was getting behind the airplane and gave it up

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JudgeArt
    United States7 days ago
  • So glad I found this podcast!

    Thank you to Snap Judgment for playing an Episode of What it’s Like to Be - you’ve uncovered a treasure trove of incredibly interesting and thoughtful episodes that make me hopeful for everything that’s great about being human.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amc1975
    United States8 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes the wrap-up insights that distill lessons from each interview, adding extra value.
The show is described as relatable and enlightening, with stories that feel intimate and human.
Listeners praise the host's genuine curiosity and thoughtful questions that surface surprising details about everyday work.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#101
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#4
Canada/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#67
Canada/Business
Apple Podcasts
#155
United Kingdom/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Correctional Officer
Q: Why do you continue in a role that is so damaging mentally and emotionally?
He cites benefits like pension, stability, and a sense of purpose, plus belief in positive transformations he witnesses in others and the meaningful impact of his programs.
A Correctional Officer
Q: How has the job affected your personal life?
Battles at work spill into home life, influencing how he relates to his wife and family; recognizing this led to efforts to manage stress and keep boundaries.
A Correctional Officer
Q: What does it mean when you say communication is important in this job?
It means greeting inmates, checking in, and talking respectfully to build rapport, which helps deescalate situations and show humanity even in a tough environment.
A Custom Harvester
Q: What have you learned over years about managing people in this line of work?
People management is the hardest part; it requires adapting language and tone to different generations, controlling your facial expressions, and maintaining calm when mistakes happen, since you cannot replace a person like you replace iron, which makes leadership and communication crucial.
A Custom Harvester
Q: What's the biggest disaster you've faced on the harvest run, and how did you handle it?
Two major incidents stand out: a field fire caused by a bearing failure on a header that burned hundreds of acres, and a separate incident where a combine slipped off a ditch; both required quick coordination, insurance coverage for the fire, and cranes to recover the equipment, underscoring the volatility and risk in the job.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About What It's Like To Be...

What is What It's Like To Be... about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show spotlights a wide range of real-world professionals, from correctional officers and funeral directors to engineers, diplomats, athletes, and bakers, revealing how they navigate high-stakes environments, skillful tradecraft, and meaningful daily routines. Conversations emphasize humanity, resilience, and the practical realities of work, including leadership decisions, safety, ethics, and the personal costs and rewards of chosen careers. A notable throughline is the host's curiosity that draws out concrete details, lessons, and surprising angles—making abstract ideas about work tangible and relatable for prospective guests and listeners alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to What It's Like To Be...?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What It's Like To Be...:

1. Hidden Brain
2. Choiceology with Katy Milkman
3. The Economics of Everyday Things
4. Revisionist History
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of What It's Like To Be... are there?

What It's Like To Be... launched 3 years ago and published 79 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What It's Like To Be...?

Recent guests on What It's Like To Be... include:

1. Josh Beckley
2. Heather Hill
3. Swati Mohan
4. John Johnson
5. Elden Rivas
6. Justin Dwyer
7. Kaillie Humphries
8. Sophie Williams

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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