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 014

Sarah Lavender Smith on running (and winning) “ultras” — 50k, 100 mile, 170 mile stage races, 24 hour timed events, and more.

Episode 013

Karen Petersen shows the power of vulnerability as she shares about addiction, treatment and recovery.

Episode 012

Jeff Cable on capturing Team USA’s motion and emotion during each exciting, exhausting Olympic Games.

Episode 011

Jeff Gottfurcht on what it takes to get to the top of the world… and he did it with rheumatoid arthritis.

Episode 010

Patricia Jimenez on the main ingredients needed to host this “feast of the heart”–the annual Raul Jimenez Dinner.

Episode 009

Ethan Herschenfeld returns to the podcast… this time to talk about auditioning, typecasting, singing opera, and asking, “Is this really ME?”

Episode 008

Marine Corps veteran Eric Davids on leadership and life-long friendships; the physical and mental aspects of the job; and wrestling with the morality of war.

Episode 007

John Malone on how he creates his variety of voices; pursuing a passion; and why it takes a lot more than just a “good voice” to do his job well.

Episode 006

Ken Mack gives us a seat next to him in the TV truck to share the X’s and O’s of being a sports producer, from life on the road to locker room chats with star athletes.

Episode 005

Glenn Slater is back! He talks about creating a song; balancing film, TV and theater; and “killing your orphans.”

Episode 004

Glenn Slater on inspiration, collaboration, and emotion in his lyrics for Tangled, School of Rock, Sister Act, and other hits.

Episode 003

Amanda Docter has been to the Oscars 8 times! Join her from the red carpet to the after-parties for the glamorous–and humorous–scoop about Hollywood’s big night.

Episode 002

Mike Pegg on “Googleyness,” Dooglers, if he’s still “feeling lucky,” and more insider info about life at Google.

Episode 001

Ethan Herschenfeld on brainstorming bits, practicing his hour-long comedy special in front of his mom, and the magic of performing.

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.