HOW TO DO EVERYTHING

How to get out of a ticket, and author Mary Roach tells us how...

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:21:00 -0400

How to get out of a ticket, and author Mary Roach tells us how to prepare for a trip to space. Plus we make our own ketchup and check in with Rob to see if he survived the NATO Summit.

Listener Gin Recipes: Tyler

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:12:05 -0400

In the aftermath of our taco gin debacle, Tyler from New Mexico called to tell us his gin turned out “yummy.” What are you trying to say, Tyler?

Here’s his recipe. [Note: amounts are estimated] [Note: We didn’t know what Mormon Tea was either.]

Popotillo (Mormon Tea) - Three 4-Inch Twigs

Juniper Berries - 1/4 Cup

Pine Needles - 1/8 Cup

Fresh Mint - 1/8 Cup

Cilantro - 1/2 Cup (Loosely Packed)

Peel from 1 Lime

Powdered Green Chile 1/8 tsp

“I bruised each of the ingredients, except the Green Chile, in a mortar and pestle before putting it in the jar. I poured 2 Cups Smirnoff Triple Distilled 100 Proof (the only 100 Proof vodka I could find in my town) over the mixture and let it sit for four days, swirling it around in the jar three or four times during that time. On Day 4, I poured the mixture through a coffee filter, and then poured it through another coffee filter. I haven’t bought a Brita filter yet, but will probably do that at some point. I then mixed the resulting green liquid with 2 Cups Stolichnaya.”

That Must Be Some Delicious Pudding

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:49:00 -0400

This week we learned Mark Zuckerberg could spend $300,000 a day for the rest of his life and still have money left over. How do you spend that much in a single day?

“He could start a new diet, where he could eat nine daily servings of the world’s most expensive pudding. Let’s call it the Billionaire Nerd Diet.”

That’s from CNBC’s Robert Frank, talking on HTDE this week. That pudding, by the way, is $34,000 a serving.

How to stay safe at the NATO summit, and Jon Langford of The...

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:32:00 -0400

How to stay safe at the NATO summit, and Jon Langford of The Mekons helps a listener learn how to sing country music. Plus we help Mark Zuckerberg spend all his money, and special guest Peter Sagal tastes our fresh batch of Taco Gin.

[Image credit: Sherif9282, Creative Commons]

Songs We Played on Episode 57

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:52:37 -0400

00:45 - “Living Room” by Tegan & Sara

05:15 - “Swallowing The Decibels” by Yeasayer

08:10 - “Rumpus” by Karen O. and The Kids

18:16 - “The Ocean” by Against Me!

Two words: Taco Gin. [image credit: Agne27, Creative Commons]

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:01:00 -0400

Two words: Taco Gin.

[image credit: Agne27, Creative Commons]

"Taste it. It burns a little, right?"

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:16:00 -0400

“Taste it. It burns a little, right?”

- Jeffrey Morgenthaler, who teaches us how to make gin on this week’s episode. Find his basic recipe here.

How to make sure your surprise is a surprise, dress for the...

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:21:00 -0400

How to make sure your surprise is a surprise, dress for the Kentucky Derby, and save money when you go on a cruise.

Songs We Played on Episode 55

Wed, 02 May 2012 13:01:06 -0400

03:30 – “Day Is Gonna Come” by Milano

09:39 – “Yes I Know” by Memory Tapes

13:33 – “Like You Could Have It All” by The Grates

18:48 – “Nick and Nora’s Theme” by Mark Mothersbaugh

19:37 – “Big Pimpin’” by Jay-Z

How to: pick a winner in a bear v. tiger fight, find an...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:59:00 -0400

How to: pick a winner in a bear v. tiger fight, find an endangered species, and eat spicy food. Plus: Bear Grylls tells you how to survive if you can’t find water. You probably know where this is headed.

How to save money on gas, and keep your cake from going stale....

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:28:44 -0400

How to save money on gas, and keep your cake from going stale. Plus comedian and chronic hat-wearer Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock helps you avoid hat hair, and director James Cameron helps you get to the bottom of the ocean (alive).

Songs We Played on Episode 53

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:12:00 -0400

02:48 – “Forgot about Dre” by Dr. Dre featuring Eminem, Hittman

06:49 – “Midnight City” by M83

16:13 – “Yuka” by Future Twin

18:59 – “Intermezzo” by Little People

22:27 – “Big Pimpin’” by Jay-Z

A little extra bonus segment with Producer Blythe: how to get...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:00:42 -0400

A little extra bonus segment with Producer Blythe: how to get all sorts of free stuff on tax day next week.

That Free Stuff On Tax Day

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:12:00 -0400

Here are your Free Blythe tips for Tax Day Tuesday (April 17^th). For maximum disgustingness, consume in this order:

1) Maggie Moos (Free frozen yogurt between 4pm - 7pm) http://www.maggiemoos.com/

2) Panda Express (Free Shanghai Angus Steak entrée) www.facebook.com/PandaExpress

3) Cinnabon (Two free Cinna Bites between 6-8pm) http://www.cinnabon.com/

4) Arby’s (One free value sized curly fries) http://www.facebook.com/arbys

* Office Depot (25 free black and white copies and up to five pounds of shredding through April 16^th) (Do not consume, even if free.).

How to: get a new species named after you, name your new hit...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:27:00 -0400

How to: get a new species named after you, name your new hit sitcom, and name your new hit pharmaceutical. Plus: a correction, and your Belated March Madness winner!

[Image credit: Fillmore Photography, Creative Commons/Flickr]

Please print out this handy guide and keep it in your wallet in...

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:45:03 -0400

Please print out this handy guide and keep it in your wallet in the event you are attacked by a lizard you cannot identify.

From Tinymarkers.

Andreas needs to know how to tell the difference between a...

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:14:00 -0400

Andreas needs to know how to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator.

[Image credit: Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim, Creative Commons]

Songs We Played on Episode 52

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:22:50 -0400

01:44 – “Wake-up” by Arcade Fire

07:14 – “Tech Romance” by Her Space Holiday

13:25 – “Lovesick” by Lindstrom featuring Christabell

16:14 – “Boom” by Wild Flag

21:50 – “The Son of Flynn” by Daft Punk

How to: fix a soaked iPhone, plan an expedition to the bottom of...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:53:17 -0400

How to: fix a soaked iPhone, plan an expedition to the bottom of the sea, pick a pope for your religion, and cook gourmet food around the campfire. Plus: we crown the winner of our World’s Best Worst Song contest!
[Image credit: Eric Dufresne, Flickr/Creative Commons]

Welcome Morning Edition listeners! We’re How To Do...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:12:00 -0400

Welcome Morning Edition listeners! We’re How To Do Everything, a weekly advice/survival guide podcast. We’re happy you’re here.

Most of what we do is answer your how-to questions. If you have anything you need to know how to do, send us an email at howto (at) npr (dot) org.

If you want to hear our podcast, you can scroll down for past episodes, or here’s a recent episode we like a lot.

If you like what you hear you can subscribe on iTunes or via our RSS feed here.

And if you’re trying to keep our voices straight, Ian’s the one in overalls.