What It's Like To...

Interest in "tiny living" is getting bigger. But what is it, really--what are the benefits, and what do you sacrifice by "going small"? Tiny house enthusiast Laura Lynch shares what inspired her to trade in her 2300-square-foot house for a home about one-fifth that size; the process of downsizing ("do you own your stuff, or does your stuff own you?");

We're revisiting a popular episode from our archives this week! It's not easy to get to the top of the world. It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain and suffering--and no small amount of luck. Even the most prepared climber can confront a deadly avalanche or fatal turn in the weather.Our guest, Jeff Gottfurcht, was the first person ever

Lots of people say they “like to travel”... but most probably can’t claim they're “travel addicts.” Karen Gershowitz has earned that title by visiting more than 95 countries–many of them numerous times! She’s worked her career around traveling, and is now a travel writer. She has also published two books about her travels. In this episode Karen shares tales from

EJ Snyder has spent 206 days in very tough, uncompromising environments, having to create his own shelters, forage for food, and keep warm in the elements--all in the nude. EJ--a.k.a. "Skull Crusher"--is an extreme survivalist, and has appeared six times on the reality television show "Naked and Afraid" (as well as other shows). So are reality shows really as ch

Todd Jones has crashed into walls, been punched in the face, flown through the air, tumbled down stairs, and fallen off high buildings, numerous times--willingly. He is a professional stuntman for movies and television shows. Todd also is a strongman: among other things, he holds a Guinness World Record for "hearting" horseshoes (bending steel with his hands). Think all o

Jenell Jones has everything she owns with her at all times, and can travel wherever she chooses (as long as the destination is on this continent!). Jenell is a full-time RV (recreational vehicle) traveler. She spends her life on the road, but Jenell isn't lonely: she runs an RV club for other solo travelers, so they travel "alone, together." In this episode Jenell re

Silja Paulus spent a year pounding weights in the gym, tailoring what she ate (and often massively restricting calories), and sculpting her body--all for a few short minutes posing in a bikini and high heels in front of a panel of judges. This is the life of a bikini fitness athlete, a form of bodybuilding that requires a particular form of dedication. Silja had to train her body i

Everybody has a superpower--you don't have to be a superhero to have one or to know what it is. Mary Beth Robinson, a "superpower queen," helps us find out what our special talents are, and how we can best use them to help ourselves and other people. In this episode, Mary Beth describes her own gift of intuition, and then uses her unique ability to "tune in"

It's the holidays! So no full new episode this week. Instead, Elizabeth sat down with her daughters and asked them about their favorite Christmas traditions and what they'll be doing over Winter Break. Next new episode coming in the new year--January 10, 2024!Support the show

At age 10, Rachel Zemach lost her her hearing in an accident. That obviously changed her life--but, she says, becoming deaf was one of her life's greatest gifts. In this episode, Rachel shares her experiences going through the world with and without hearing, and offers advice on how hearing people can help and advocate for deaf people (including words and actions both to use a