What it’s like to...

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"What It’s Like To" lets you vicariously experience intriguing things you may never get the chance to do.

Each week, an insightful, accomplished guest shares personal stories and witty anecdotes with host Elizabeth Pearson Garr.

Latest Episodes

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Episode 073

Karen Gershowitz–a self-proclaimed “travel addict” who has been to more than 95 countries–offers tips for having authentic experiences in new places.

Episode 072

Extreme survivalist EJ Snyder on being “Naked” for 206 days, what goes on behind the scenes, and why all of us need to be prepared for extreme situations.

Episode 071

Todd Jones on being set on fire and getting punched in the face, setting a Guinness World record for bending steel, and the power of perseverance.

Episode 070

Jenell Jones on the joy and freedom of living, working and traveling in her recreational vehicle–and what surprises (and delights) her about living this pared-down lifestyle.

Episode 069

Silja Paulus on weight-training, calorie-counting, posing, and getting spray tanned with other muscular competitors.

Episode 068

Mary Beth Robinson uses her own superpower to help Elizabeth find hers, and reveals the joy of living “in flow” with your own special talents.

Episode 067

Rachel Zemach lost her hearing at age 10–but says she gained a great gift. Her thoughts on ASL, cochlear implants, and her “supportive, exceptional” community.

Episode 066

Ethan Brown, founder and host of “The Sweaty Penguin” podcast (a PBS affiliate), on the funny side of climate change.

Episode 065

Celeste Mergens, the founder of Days for Girls, on inspiration, dedication, gratitude, and ending the stigma of menstruation.

Episode 064

Andrew Backer on his first-ever (3-week-long, 4200 mile) bike race–and the strategies, foods, and people that helped get him to the finish line (in sixth place!).

Episode 063

Adesuwa Elaiho shares the secret ingredients of being a contestant on the Food Network’s “Halloween Baking Championship.”

Episode 062

After living through a parent’s worst nightmare, Barbara Legere wrote a best-selling book and advocates for grief awareness, suicide prevention.

Episode 061

Retired detective Vic Ferrari reveals why the truth of working in the NYPD can be stranger than fiction.

Episode 060

Podcasting expert Colin Gray used our podcast as a test case–but his advice can apply not only to other podcasts, but people in all fields.

Episode 059

Dr. Debi Silber on what happens to us physically, mentally, and emotionally when the people closest to us lie, cheat and deceive–and what she herself went through.

Episode 058

Terry Tucker has a rare form of cancer that has led to two amputations and a great deal of pain. Through that, he has found ways to lead an “uncommon and extraordinary” life.

Episode 057

Dave Albin–who spent more than 19 years as a Fire Master for Tony Robbins, and now runs his own firewalking company–says the fears you don’t confront become your limits.

Episode 056

Daniel Dluzneski on working in the White House (including on 9/11), his favorite President, and how he’s using his skills to help schools be prepared for emergencies.

Episode 055

Sue Humphrey on working her way up as a female coach, developing rapport with her athletes, and napping under tables at the Olympic stadium.

Episode 054

What merits attention? Nina Katchadourian creates art that will make you look at everyday life in a new way.

Elizabeth's Experience

Elizabeth has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.

Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.

Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.