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

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

Dan Heath
Piano Teaching
Music Education
Child Development
Stand-Up Comedy
Mystery Writing
Student-Teacher Relationships
Pedagogy
Indiana
Live Performance
Healthcare Challenges
Patient Care
Nursing
Eric Cline
Santa Claus
Improvisation
Life Skills
Welding
Comedy
Healthcare Salary Issues
Dog Training

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 monthlyEpisodes70Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureCareersBusiness

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

Latest Episodes

Wiring a neighborhood back to life after a tornado, coveting the work of helicopter linemen in Faraday suits, and surviving the collapse of a rotten utility pole with Elden Rivas, a journeyman lineman in Houston, Texas. What is the one sound on the c... more

Suspending the licenses of unsafe restaurant operators, hunting down the origins of foodborne illness outbreaks, and eliciting truthful answers from anxious managers with Justin Dwyer, a health inspector in Peoria, Illinois. What happens when a resta... more

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's the most feared track in the world? And how do athletes practice when ... more

Negotiating cases in which neither spouse wants custody of the cat, setting clients' expectations about what's legally possible (versus what feels "right"), and finding hope in people's ability to bounce back from dark times with Lucy Stewart-Gould, ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Recent Guests

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
Grace Jackson
Country Director for GiveDirectly in Malawi, humanitarian worker.
GiveDirectly
Episode: A Humanitarian Worker
Carlos Miguel Prieto
Music director and conductor
North Carolina Symphony; Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria
Episode: A Conductor
Lucy Jones
A seismologist devoted to understanding and preparing for earthquakes.
US Geological Survey
Episode: A Seismologist
Paul Hawkins
A floral decorator who previously was a child actor and has created arrangements for high-profile events.
Episode: A Floral Decorator

Host

Dan Heath
Host of What It's Like To Be... who guides conversations with professionals from various fields.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Six stars

    So pleased to have found this show. The vibe is spot on, brilliantly hosted and produced. I wish I was doing a job that allowed me to be a guest! Six stars!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Node71
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • GREAT show!!!

    One of my favorite Podcasts. I learn something new/interesting every episode!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beth_j74
    United Statesa month ago
  • First Podcast Addict review! I love this podcast. It feels family friendly, and also has a lot of interesting information. Love what yall do, especially with just 2 people.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    MilesWK
    a month ago
  • Even the ones you think will be boring are interesting

    Dan has a gift for asking the questions that bring out the interesting facts about what it’s like to be…. I find every episode fascinating and engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Runner 133
    Canada2 months ago
  • Recommended listen

    I'm happy to have discovered this podcast, such a fascinating insight into so many professions. Could be twice as long and not be boring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    singaporesal
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

People appreciate the empathetic, humanizing approach that makes unfamiliar jobs accessible and inspiring.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, curiosity-driven interviewing and ability to surface engaging, practical details from diverse careers.
Audiences value the mix of technical insight and personal storytelling, noting the show's broad relevance for career exploration and workplace understanding.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#14
United States/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#155
Canada/Business
Apple Podcasts
#171
Australia/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#10
Singapore/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Lineman
Q: How has safety evolved for linemen over generations?
Safety standards were historically weaker, but the profession has fought for stronger standards and safety measures since the early days of the IBEW, significantly reducing injury and fatality rates over time.
A Lineman
Q: What moment convinces Elden that the effort is worth it for linemen?
Seeing the moment when a neighborhood finally has power back after a storm, with lights and AC turning on, is the point where the team's difficult work meets its benefits for the public.
A Lineman
Q: What are the three main lanes of linemen work, and are there other specialized roles beyond those lanes?
The three main lanes are utility linemen, outside construction/contractors, and still others who focus on building and maintaining the grid for the future; some roles involve working on live wires as part of progression, which requires stepping into more advanced training and safety.
An Olympic Bobsledder (Replay)
Q: Is visualization a standard part of the training for the sport?
Yes, every Olympic athlete utilizes visualization to enhance their performance.
An Olympic Bobsledder (Replay)
Q: How do you make a living as an Olympic athlete?
Athletes often combine sponsorships, media appearances, and personal engagements; many do not earn a sustainable income solely from their sport.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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 offers intimate, human-centered conversations with people who love what they do, spanning trades, public service, the arts, science, and entrepreneurship. Episodes foreground practical realities, gearheads and grit, daily routines, and the human stories behind professional expertise—from linemen wrestling with storms to health inspectors enforcing safety, chefs crafting memorable menus, and researchers shaping public understanding of risk. Across samples, the host's curious, empathetic approach surfaces surprising anecdotes, tradecraft details, and the mindset that makes a profession compelling. The format tends to blend technical gloss with personal narrative, making complex work approachable and inspiring for listeners considerin... more

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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. The Economics of Everyday Things
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. Hidden Brain
4. How To Do Everything
5. Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

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

What It's Like To Be... launched 3 years ago and published 70 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. Elden Rivas
2. Justin Dwyer
3. Kaillie Humphries
4. Sophie Williams
5. Aaron Williams
6. Grace Jackson
7. Carlos Miguel Prieto
8. Lucy Jones

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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