Episodes

  • Signs of Winter, Mystery Smells, and Blimps At Night

    Signs of Winter, Mystery Smells, and Blimps At Night
    Oct 22 2025

    This week from the archives: Mike and Ian search for signs of winter, and Peter test-smells a mystery scent from a professional flavor chemist. Plus a Goodyear blimp pilot reveals more than you’d ever think to ask about blimps including where they go to sleep at night.

    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. This episode was produced by Gillian Donovan. Technical direction from Lorna White.


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    24 mins
  • Earthquakes, Dentists, and How To Talk To Your Dog

    Earthquakes, Dentists, and How To Talk To Your Dog
    Oct 15 2025

    On today’s episode: a bold new way to help out when an earthquake hits, and Mike and Ian help out a listener with the help of a friendly dentist and a dog named Stella. Plus, our continuing commitment to be your Out of Office emergency contact turns into a surprise birthday celebration.

    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Schuyler Swenson. Technical direction from Lorna White.


    ******

    (Once again) after listening:

    “I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.”

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    27 mins
  • Snack Bags, Shrek and Barry Manilow

    Snack Bags, Shrek and Barry Manilow
    Oct 8 2025
    This week from the archives, Mike and Ian help a high school student nail his performance in the school play. Plus, a listener asks how to compose a catchy jingle, so Barry Manilow joins the show to help out. And a quick tip on how to open your pesky bag of chips.


    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.



    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.

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    20 mins
  • AI, War, and Exercise, with Arnold Schwarzenegger

    AI, War, and Exercise, with Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Oct 1 2025
    On today’s episode, how to get rid of Google’s AI summaries, and we help a listener who wants to exercise in her car during a long commute–with an assist from a very overqualified exerciser and a very overqualified driver. Plus we talk about a possible connection between pizza and war with The Washington Post’s Tim Carman.

    You can check out Tim’s piece here and Juan's training routine here. And 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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.

    ******

    (Once again) after listening:

    “I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.”

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    27 mins
  • Apple Stores, Cow Chips and Miracles

    Apple Stores, Cow Chips and Miracles
    Sep 24 2025

    On today’s episode from the archives, Apple’s top-secret guide on how to be a human being. Plus, how (not) to scam the airlines, and a competition you might want to avoid.

    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.

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    16 mins
  • How To Make Lasagna Without An Oven, with Peter Sagal

    How To Make Lasagna Without An Oven, with Peter Sagal
    Sep 17 2025
    Today, Mike and Ian recruit the help of legendary Taste-Tester-Turned-Public-Radio-Host Peter Sagal to rate a new, unorthodox approach to making lasagna. Plus, a listener calls in claiming he’s physically incapable of burping, so the guys ask a medical professional to help him out.

    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.

    ******

    (Once again) after listening:

    “I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.”

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    25 mins
  • Gum, Frogs and Fred Armisen

    Gum, Frogs and Fred Armisen
    Sep 10 2025
    On today’s episode from the archives, Fred Armisen helps a grad student set up her wifi router. Tips on how to keep your milk fresh using nature’s little creatures, and how to tie your hair up stress-free. Plus, we finally answer the burning question: does gum really stay in your stomach for 7 years?

    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.

    Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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    14 mins
  • OOO Baby, with Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón

    OOO Baby, with Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón
    Sep 3 2025

    We are so back! How To Do Everything returns for a packed second season. This episode, one listener asks Mike and Ian how to write the perfect “out of office” message. So, they confer with the highest language authority in the land, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.


    Comedians Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon join the show to answer your couple’s advice questions, some stranger than others. Plus, a fashion tip for your post-Labor Day needs.


    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 show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

    How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.


    ******

    After listening:


    “I am OOO from (INSERT DATES HERE). For any urgent concerns, please email Mike and Ian at howto@npr.org. Please bear in mind that Mike and Ian don’t know anything about anything and their help may in fact make your urgent concern worse, but they did promise to answer any email they get from this out of office message.”

    Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    NPR Privacy Policy
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    21 mins