How To Do Everything
Half advice show. Half survival guide. Half absurdity-fest. (Wait, how does this work again? We're not numbers people.) Each episode, we answer all your burning questions, from how to survive a public bathroom to how to get close to a panda. When we don't know the answer, which is roughly 92% of the time (again, not numbers people), we bring in overqualified experts to help out. So you'll eventually walk away knowing how to do everything. That's what happens when you're one & a half shows. From the team at Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Episodes
July 18, 2025 • 2 mins
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January 15, 2025 • 27 mins
On our season finale, when a young listener has a question on behalf of her fifth grade class, we call up an old friend/chimp butt expert to help her out. And Saturday Night Live's James Austin Johnson walks us through his hilarious Donald Trump impression to tend to a listener's curiosities. Plus, Mike and Ian are stressed about some (cryptic) hate mail, so they call Patton Oswalt for some words of encouragement.
You can ...
You can ...
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January 8, 2025 • 14 mins
Today from the archives, a chance to win a free t-shirt if you have a sharp ear for dinosaur moans. And we help a listener with a question about public bathrooms. Plus, why both "Nathaniel" and "Phyllis Isabel Gertrude" are statistically awful names for a child.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell M...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell M...
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January 1, 2025 • 24 mins
Ringing in 2025: Mike and Ian knock out a New Year's resolution with the help of filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg, and a listener calls in to settle a high-stakes bet on the sturdiness of honeybees. Also, the world's northernmost towns are in the middle of months-long darkness. To learn how to survive it, we call an astrophysicist who spent six months in complete Antarctic darkness.
You can email your burning questions to howto@n...
You can email your burning questions to howto@n...
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December 25, 2024 • 10 mins
From the archives: When cows need help, Ian and Mike create a Christmas miracle, with the help of some adorable reinforcements.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring exclusive games, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Sign up a...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring exclusive games, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Sign up a...
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December 18, 2024 • 17 mins
On this week's archive episode, Mike and Ian learn about a unique Catalonian Christmas tradition that celebrates nature's calling. And when a listener calls into question her boyfriend's family traditions, Peter Sagal steps in to give a final ruling. Plus, NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on how to show someone that you care.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available...
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December 11, 2024 • 20 mins
On today's episode, Charlie needs help writing a children's book for his wife. So, Mike and Ian call up some of the greatest minds in modern literature, Gillian Flynn and James Patterson. Plus, a slippery way to stay warm on your run and a cool trick to avoid saying "you guys".
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait W...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait W...
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December 4, 2024 • 18 mins
On today's archive episode, when one listener wonders how TV shows get a hold of actors' childhood photos, Mike and Ian ring up a Hollywood mom. Plus, one listener needs help keeping his Velcro bag quiet, so we call in the military.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episode...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episode...
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November 27, 2024 • 22 mins
This week on How To Do Everything, a listener calls in asking how to avoid startling innocent pedestrians when she goes on runs. So Mike and Ian recruit the help of an Olympic marathoner and one of Hollywood's most iconic composers. Plus, an update from you (party people) on the "you guys" fast.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for su...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for su...
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November 20, 2024 • 19 mins
This week from the archives, how to instantly summon 40 worms from the ground. Plus, former Obama advisor David Axelrod addresses listener concerns about engaging with their despised family over the Thanksgiving table. And, when a listener asks how to make his name more memorable, the guys recruit an expert of musical mnemonics.
Also! We've loved hearing from so many of you about joining our "You Guys" fast. This is an arc...
Also! We've loved hearing from so many of you about joining our "You Guys" fast. This is an arc...
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November 13, 2024 • 15 mins
Two roommates disagree about how to pronounce "pecan," so Mike and Ian call up Martha Stewart–and others–to help. Plus, an Italian town in the shadow of the Alps spent three months of the year without sunlight, until Mayor Pierfranco Midali decided to make his own sun.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't...
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November 6, 2024 • 16 mins
This week from the archives, all things wilderness survival. Mike and Ian take a trip to Denali National Park in Alaska to learn how to survive a bear attack. And when a listener asks how to quench thirst if they're stranded in the desert, another kind of Bear (Grylls) walks them through it. Plus, how to discover a new species with the help of some bloodsuckers.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
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October 29, 2024 • 21 mins
This week on the show, when a mother can't get her four-year-old's favorite song out of her head, Mike and Ian call up Broadway's beloved Josh Gad to help. Plus, Ian has a formal request for the Secretary of Transportation, and the guys find a tip to quell those pesky election mailers.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters o...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters o...
Mark as Played
October 28, 2024 • 6 mins
On this Halloween bonus episode of How To Do Everything, comedian Amy Sedaris tells Mike and Ian how to terrify the neighborhood children, and they bring in Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Judge and Scorekeeper Bill Kurtis for help.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of ...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of ...
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October 22, 2024 • 24 mins
This week from the archives, a teenage math wiz helps Mike and Ian optimize the Reese's chocolate pumpkin, and a tip on the spookiest (and most strategic) way to heal an open wound. Plus, when one listener wants to know how to look cool, the guys call up the Fonz himself.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Do...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Do...
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October 16, 2024 • 22 mins
This week Mike and Ian recruit television icon Maury Povich to help a listener reveal some hard truths, and we create some helpful (and unhelpful) reminders for when you should replace your household items. Plus, when a married couple calls in with a 29-year-old feud, the guys recruit some royal help.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages...
Mark as Played
October 9, 2024 • 17 mins
On today's episode, how to defoam your root beer and how to insult someone, medieval-style. Plus, one listener has a question about British cows, and Sir Patrick Stewart offers his services.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring ...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring ...
Mark as Played
October 2, 2024 • 23 mins
This week, Mike and Ian help a caller who's curious about mascot races – with the help of a talking sausage. A police inspector in Finland reveals his creative hack for keeping beaches safe. And a high school cheerleading squad saves the day.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bon...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bon...
Mark as Played
September 25, 2024 • 22 mins
This week, we bring you the best of How To Do Everything's first life. Nick Offerman cures your hiccups, our intern downvotes our segments, and we learn the most painful place to get a bee sting. Plus, one listener wants help looking cool for school.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who als...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who als...
Mark as Played
September 18, 2024 • 20 mins
On today's episode, the great Tom Hanks teaches us the art of being adored, and Mike and Ian help a listener who's curious about world fame. Plus, a bottoms-up approach to recognizing your family members.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell ...
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell ...
Mark as Played
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