Exactly one year ago, on January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton Fires erupted, eventually burning down more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 31 people , becoming among the most destructive and deadly wildfires in California’s history. Two Wirecutter writers, Gregory Han and Mike Cohen, lived through the Eaton fire. Both lived in Altadena, just outside Los Angeles. Gregory’s home was damaged, while Mike’s burned to the ground. They collaborated on an article sharing their biggest les...
Jan 07, 2026•35 min•Ep. 74
In this episode, our guest is Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack . We delve into how journaling can help you unlock creative potential and navigate life’s challenges. Suleika shares her personal journey with journaling as a lifeline during her battle with leukemia and a pathway to "creative alchemy" – transforming difficult experiences into meaningful expression. She highlights the benefits of journaling on mental health, and how it has c...
Dec 31, 2025•35 min•Ep. 73
In case you missed our bonus episode, we are re-airing it! Wirecutter’s staff tests thousands of products every year, and of that mountain of items a few always stick out as the best of the best. To close out 2025, we asked our experts to share the things they loved most–and what they think would make great holiday gifts. Whether you’re still finishing up your holiday shopping or you’re just here to soak up some end-of-year delight, this roundup is full of recommendations straight from the peopl...
Dec 24, 2025•21 min•Ep. 72
It happens every year: the season sneaks up, the calendar fills, and suddenly it’s gift-giving time… and you’ve bought nothing. To help you avoid the panic-buy spiral (and the regrettable “kitchen TV”-style gifts that follow), we brought in Samantha Schoech, senior staff writer on Wirecutter’s gifting team. Sam spends all year researching, testing, and vetting gift ideas—so she knows exactly what still delivers when you’re short on time, short on ideas, or short on shipping days. In this episode...
Dec 19, 2025•13 min
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the way people use the internet, gather information, shop online, and interact with products at home. If you’ve ever wondered what chatbots (like Gemini or Claude) are truly good for and how to use them smartly, this episode is essential. Our guest Kevin Roose, a New York Times tech columnist and co-host of the NYT podcast Hard Fork , has spent years reporting on AI and constantly uses these tools. Kevin shares strategies to make chatbots work be...
Dec 17, 2025•33 min•Ep. 71
The holidays are here, and that means it's time to tackle the hardest shopping challenge of all: finding the perfect gift(s) for the children in your life. In this episode, we skip the parental guessing games and go straight to the experts! Rosie sits down with three brutally honest critics—Dior (8), Robinson (11), and Chloe (6)—to get the definitive, unfiltered word on what kids really want this year. Listen as they enthusiastically share their current wish lists and, more importantly, evaluate...
Dec 12, 2025•18 min
When the holidays roll around, many of us romanticize the idea of a cozy game night—only to remember the part where someone has to read the rules, explain them, and keep the vibes going while everyone tries not to flip a table. If you’ve ever sighed at the sight of a board game box (or struggled through a four-hour strategy game you didn’t sign up for), this episode is for you. James Austin, Wirecutter’s staff writer covering games and hobbies, shares how to host a game night that actually stays...
Dec 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 70
Gift giving can be challenging when you're shopping for people who seem to already have everything they need (or who are just super hard to please). Hannah Morrill, Wirecutter’s gift editor, walks us through how to approach selecting presents for these trickiest recipients. Hannah also answers listener questions with dozens of specific gift recommendations. If you’d like to receive hand-picked gift recommendations right to your inbox, subscribe to Wirecutter’s gifting newsletter, The Gift ! Prod...
Dec 05, 2025•22 min
Holiday baking season is here, and nobody knows how to bake a delicious cookie better than Vaughn Vreeland, host of NYT Cooking’s Bake Time and author of the book, Cookies . In this episode, Vaughn breaks down the gear you actually need, and shares clever fixes for common cookie problems—from his best advice to using browned butter in a recipe to reducing sugar without sacrificing flavor. He also walks us through his best tricks for better texture, picture-perfect tops, and the surprising savory...
Dec 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 69
Wirecutter’s staff tests thousands of products every year, and of that mountain of items a few always stick out as the best of the best. To close out 2025, we asked our experts to share the things they loved most–and what they think would make great holiday gifts. Whether you’re still finishing up your holiday shopping or you’re just here to soak up some end-of-year delight, this roundup is full of recommendations straight from the people who test stuff for a living. If you’d like to receive han...
Nov 28, 2025•21 min
At Wirecutter, we have tons of advice about the practical side of the holiday season: giving gifts, preparing meals, hosting friends and family. But the emotional side of holiday gatherings can be even tougher. So, we invited Mel Robbins, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast , and author of The Let Them Theory , to walk us through her tools for keeping your cool through heated, holiday moments. With the holidays approaching, we ask Mel to help us navigate the harder parts of the season: tricky family...
Nov 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 68
Baking a show-stopping pie for Thanksgiving can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has baked hundreds of pies and spent years testing kitchen gear, joins us to share her hard-won wisdom—from the best pie plates and rolling pins to foolproof tips for flaky crusts. Lesley explains how to overcome baking anxiety, what tools are worth investing in, and her favorite nontraditional pies to bring to Thanksgiving. She also troubleshoots comm...
Nov 19, 2025•35 min•Ep. 67
Buying used can be a great way to save money and find unique items—but it takes a sharp eye to find the real gems. And you need to be savvy to get a good price, as some vintage furniture and clothing can cost more than new items (and you can’t return them!). In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior staff writer Ivy Elrod, who has spent years navigating secondhand marketplaces. Ivy walks us through her best strategies for finding high-quality used furniture, clothing, and other items–from ...
Nov 12, 2025•32 min•Ep. 66
Holiday shopping this season may look different than years past, as tariffs gradually increase prices on everything from electronics to kids’ toys. If you usually wait until Black Friday to find deep discounts, you may want to update your strategy this year. Wirecutter’s deputy editor Annemarie Conte joins us to discuss how tariffs are impacting the prices on a range of goods, and how to plan for your holiday shopping accordingly. You can find more of her reporting in Wirecutter’s Guide to Navig...
Nov 05, 2025•26 min•Ep. 65
If you’ve ever put off a home repair because you didn’t know where to start—or felt overwhelmed by the wall of tools at the hardware store—this episode is for you. In this Wirecutter Show bonus episode, we chat with senior staff writer and tool expert Doug Mahoney, who’s spent years testing everything from screwdrivers to power drills. Doug breaks down exactly which tools you need to build your first toolbox, what’s worth spending extra on, and how to know when you’re ready to move from hand too...
Oct 31, 2025•14 min
Long before Nick Offerman became the mustached, straight-faced Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation , he was a woodworker. Growing up in Minooka, Illinois, he described his childhood home as “ Little House on the Prairie” —a place where everyone made their own things, carefully crafting furniture, clothing, and tools by hand. And as a skilled woodworker and general handy person, Nick appreciates good tools. This is fortuitous, because Wirecutter’s staff are similarly obsessed. For this episode, w...
Oct 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 64
If your computer has been slowing down or showing its age, you might not need to replace it just yet. Wirecutter senior staff writer Kimber Streams, who covers laptops and accessories, shares practical steps for reviving an old machine—and how to tell when it’s finally time for an upgrade. Kimber explains what causes computers to slow down over time, the simplest DIY fixes that can make a big difference, and what to look for if you do end up needing to shop for a replacement. See more of Kimber’...
Oct 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 63
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should filter your drinking water, this is the episode for you. Wirecutter senior staff writer Tim Heffernan, who covers air and water filtration, shares practical steps for deciding whether to filter your water. Tim discusses the most common contaminants you should watch out for, how municipalities filter your drinking water, and when it might be worth ponying up for a water test. This episode covers: Why you should look up your annual drinking water quality ...
Oct 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 62
This week, we’re exploring how to travel for less, and in this episode we discuss how to smartly augment a travel budget with credit card points. Brian Kelly—founder of The Points Guy and author of How to Win at Travel –pulls back the curtain on exactly how these programs work, the crucial pitfalls to avoid, and the little-known strategies for scoring the best deals on flights and hotel rooms. For more affordable travel advice, don’t miss our earlier episode with Elaine Glusac (aka the Frugal Tr...
Oct 10, 2025•20 min
This week, we’re exploring how to travel for less. We dive into the best tried-and-true strategies for stretching your travel budget. Elaine Glusac, a longtime travel journalist and The Frugal Traveler columnist at The New York Times , joins us to share her best money-saving hacks, from timing your flight purchases just right, to negotiating directly with Airbnb hosts. She also explains how to leverage under-the-radar resources like Going.com for finding cheap flights and Costco Travel for car r...
Oct 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 61
We’re planning a special episode with Vaughn Vreeland from the NYT Cooking Team all about COOKIES! Vaughn is coming out with a new cookie cookbook in October–so he’s the perfect person to answer your toughest cookie-baking questions. Are you wondering whether certain baking gear is worth the investment? Are you looking for a special cookie that will impress? Is there a recipe you want advice on? Let us know! Record a voice memo on your phone and tell us your first name, where you’re calling from...
Oct 03, 2025•1 min
Chef and cookbook author Samin Nosrat, best known for Salt Fat Acid Heat , joins us to talk about her new book Good Things —and how she keeps cooking joyful, even in a small home kitchen. She shares the tools she relies on daily, the condiments that transform simple meals, and her approach to entertaining without burning out. This episode covers: How she organizes her tiny kitchen: Borrowing tricks from restaurant kitchens, Samin makes a small space efficient and inviting. The essential knives a...
Oct 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 60
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep from any fuel-burning appliance. If undetected, it can also be a silent killer–which is why most experts consider it crucial to have a CO detector in your home. Yet, many hotels, motels, and vacation houses aren’t required to have CO detectors. While the risk of CO poisoning on a trip is low compared to something like a car crash, it can still happen. In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter travel writer Maria Adelmann about why you may...
Sep 26, 2025•18 min
This week, we get nerdy about sheets—why you might be unhappy with your current set, how to pick ones you’ll actually love, and the marketing scams to avoid. Jackie Reeve, Wirecutter’s in-house sheets expert, enlightens us on everything you need to know to invest in a great set you’ll be happy with for years. This episode covers: Percale vs sateen: Percale and sateen are terms that describe how sheets are woven, and the weave determines the feel of the fabric. Percale tends to be lighter and cri...
Sep 24, 2025•39 min•Ep. 59
Apple’s September iPhone event usually comes and goes with only minor tweaks to the lineup. This year feels a little different. Alongside the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, Apple unveiled its first-ever iPhone Air—a super-thin model that promises Pro-level features without the massive price tag. In this bonus episode, Christine talks with senior staff writer Brenda Stolyar, who’s been testing the new phones all week. They dig into what’s exciting, what’s lacking, and why upgrading may not be...
Sep 18, 2025•17 min
You’ve likely heard the adage that "sitting is the new smoking." Basically, that sitting all day at work or elsewhere is one of the most harmful things you can do for your health. But is it really all that bad? In this episode, we talk with Molly Mirhashem, an editor from the New York Times Well Desk, about the health risks of being too sedentary, what you should know about “dead butt syndrome,” and what you should be doing if you have a desk job. Then we talk with Wirecutter's home office write...
Sep 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 58
Trader Joe’s is more than a grocery store; it’s a cultural phenomenon with a fiercely loyal fan base. But with shelves full of ever-changing products, which ones are actually worth the hype? In this episode, associate staff writer Antara Sinha on the kitchen team shares Wirecutter’s picks for the 18 best Trader Joe’s items, explains how TJ’s keeps prices low, and reveals why your favorite snack might disappear forever. She also gives insider tips on navigating seasonal drops and finding alternat...
Sep 10, 2025•34 min•Ep. 57
Fall can be bittersweet—you may be coming home from vacation and settling back into your routines, but you also want to soak up the last of the warm weather before the winter comes. An e-bike might seem like a tempting compromise for an affordable, but adventurous and outdoorsy commute. In this bonus episode, Wirecutter Senior Editor and bike expert Chris Ryan tells us what an e-bike is, which kind you probably want to look for, and what common safety and repairability issues you’ll want to be a...
Sep 05, 2025•16 min
Oral health is about more than just a pretty smile; it's also connected to your overall health and well-being. In this episode, senior staff writer and toothbrush fanatic Nancy Redd explains how to brush properly, whether a manual or electric toothbrush is right for you, and how to find the best toothbrush for your family, no matter the budget. She shares surprising tips about oral hygiene and how to get kids excited about taking care of their teeth. And don’t forget to check out our video guide...
Sep 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 56
More than 100 million Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise daily. To help you protect yourself and those you love, we’re re-airing this episode on how to determine if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what you can do about it. Lauren Dragan, Wirecutter’s longtime senior writer covering headphones and audio equipment, walks us through the health issues linked to noise pollution, how to find out if you’re exposed to too much noise, and specific ways to reduce sounds at home, while c...
Aug 27, 2025•38 min•Ep. 55
