NYT’s Sam Sifton and Wirecutter's Lesley Stockton reveal their pro tips for Thanksgiving success—from menu planning and hosting to the essential kitchen gear.

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton and assistant managing editor of The New York Times Sam Sifton

Additional Reading: 

• Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton
• The Best Roasting Pan
• The Best Instant Read Thermometer
• The Best Chef’s Knife
• The Best Gas Grills
• The Best Gas Grill Tools 

Products We Recommend: 

• The best chef’s knife: Mac MTH-80
• The best instant-read thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

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Making dinner every night can be a challenge. This week, we talk with Emily Weinstein, of New York Times Cooking, about how to overcome the monotony.

Additional Reading: 

• Easy Weeknight Dinners 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for Busy People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat by Emily Weinstein and New York Times Cooking
• When You Love To Cook But Also Have a Kid, Embrace the Microwave
• The Best Sheet Pans
• The Best Air Fryer 
• Best Electric Pressure Cooker
• Best Slow Cooker 

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Many people unknowingly put their pet in danger while driving or flying. This week, we talk about how to keep your furry friends safe and calm when traveling.

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Mel Plaut 

Additional Reading: 

• The 6 Best Travel Carriers for Cats and Small Dogs of 2024
• Flying With Your Cat or (Small) Dog
• The 7 Best Multi-Tools of 2024

Products We Recommend: 

• SturdiBag Pro 2.0
• Feliway Travel Spray
• Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pad
• Mel loves: Leatherman Skeletool CX and Leatherman Signal

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Millions of Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise every day. This episode we discuss how to tell if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what to do about it. 

Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Lauren Dragan

Additional Reading: 

• The 4 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2024 
• The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better)
• The 3 Best Earplugs for Concerts of 2024 
• The 5 Best Kids Headphones of 2024
• The 4 Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds of 2024 
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Growing Problem. Here’s How to Protect Little Ears.

Products We Recommend: 

• Apple Watch with sound metering: Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• An app for any phone to monitor sound levels: NIOSH Sound Level Meter
• Earplugs for concerts or other loud moments: Loop Experience 2 or Loop Switch
• Noise cancelling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
• Noise cancelling over-ear headphones: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
• Noise Isolating tips for most earbuds: Comply ear tips
• Earmuffs for babies: Ems for Kids Baby Earmuffs
• Earmuffs for kids and teens: Muted Earmuffs
• Earplugs for kids and teens: Loop kids
• Headphones for sleeping: AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless and Soundcore sleep A20
• Noise cancelling headphones for kids: Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet-Plus
• Lauren loves: Bearaby Cotton Napper

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Quality kitchen gear can last a lifetime–but not every pot, pan, or knife is made to last. This week, we discuss how to invest in durable cookware and tools.

Guest: Wirecutter kitchen staff writer, Michael Sullivan 

Additional Reading: 

• How to Clean and Season Cast-Iron Cookware
• How to Clean and Care for Wood Cutting Boards
• The Best Flatware of 2024 
• The 2 Best Toasters of 2024

Products We Recommend: 

• Best Cast Iron: Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Best Dutch Oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Dutch Oven upgrade pick:Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven (5.5 quarts) 
• Aluminum Cake Pans: USA Pan Rectangle 9x13 Non-Stick Cake Pan
• Tri-Ply Pots & Pans: All-Clad D3 Stainless 12″ Fry Pan with Lid
• Tempered glassware: Duralex Le Picardie Tumbler, Kähler Hammershøi Tumbler and Kinto Hibi Tumbler
• Wood Cutting Board: Teakhaus Medium Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal 109
• Toasters We Like: Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toasterand Breville BTA720XL Bit More Toaster

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

In the fall, rodents move indoors, seeking warmth and food. We discuss how to keep these critters out of your home and how to vanquish an infestation. 

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer, Doug Mahoney 

Additional Reading: 

• The 4 Best Mousetraps of 2024
• How a Bag of Dead Rats Proved the Terro Garbage Guard Really Works 

Products We Recommend: 

• Best Mousetrap: Tomcat Press ’N Set Mouse Trap
• Runner Up: Victor M393 Power-Kill Mouse Traps 
• For when you need a LOT of mousetraps: Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap
• Doug recommends: Pleasant Hill MacIntosh Fruit Press 4 Gallon + Wood Basket [please note, this product is often out of stock]

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

The Wirecutter Show is planning a special episode for the holidays and we need your help! 

Send  a voice memo to us at [email protected] about your hardest-to-shop-for gift recipients! Let us know: 

• your name and where you're calling in from 
• who your hard-to-please gift recipient is 
• what makes them hard to shop for
• what they like & don't like

We'll play your stories on the show for an expert from Wirecutter's gifting team and see if we can stump them! No matter what, you'll walk away with some great gifting advice. 

Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at [email protected]. 

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Buying a vibrator can be tricky without a great recommendation. This week, we discuss why vibrators are still so taboo—and how to pick one you’ll love.

Guest: Wirecutter writer Bianca Alba 

Additional Reading: 

• The Best Vibrators
• The 6 Best Personal Lubricants of 2024 
• How to Clean Sex Toys

Products We Recommend: 

• The Classic Wand style: Magic Wand Rechargeable
• The Classic Wand style, but corded: Magic Wand Plus
• Affordable and versatile: Satisfyer Purple Pleasure
• For suction and vibration: Dame Aer
• For precise stimulation: Lelo Dot
• Bianca Recommends: Beast Blender for single serve smoothies

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

This week, we discuss microplastics (the small pieces of plastic that shed off many products), how they may impact your health, and how to mitigate exposure. 

Guest: Wirecutter's sustainability editor, Katie Okamoto

Additional Reading:

• Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Avoid Eating Them.
• The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser
• The Best Under-Sink Water Filter

Products We Recommend: 

• Pitcher Filter: Brita Standard Everyday Pitcher
• Under Sink Filter: Aquasana AQ-5300+ Max Flow
• Glass Food Containers: Pyrex Simply Store 9-Pack Mixed Sized Glass Food Storage Set
• Katie Recommends: Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

A natural disaster can happen to anyone, at any time. Are you prepared? Here’s our best advice on what to have on hand.

Guest: Wirecutter senior editor Harry Sawyers

Additional Reading:

• The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies
• How to Clean a Flooded Basement
• Everything I Did to Flood-Proof My Old House 
• The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies for 2024
• The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Products We Recommend: 

• Best rigid water container: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon
• Best flashlight: ThruNite Archer 2A V3
• Best floating solar lantern: LuminAid Titan 2-in-1 Power Lantern
• Best weather radio: Midland ER310
• Best portable solar charger: BigBlue 28W USB Solar Charger
• Best multi-tool: Leatherman Skeletool CX
• Folding saws Harry likes: Silky Pocketboy 130 mm Folding Saw Medium Teeth 340-13, Silky Professional BIGBOY Folding Saw 360mm Large Teeth (354-36), Silky Zubat Curved Hand Saw 270mm Large Teeth (270-27) 
• Harry’s favorite recent purchase: Aquatabs

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

We’re getting 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.

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve

Additional Reading:

• The Best Sheets
• The Best Cotton Sheets
• The Joy (and Anxiety) of Sleeping on $2,000 Sheets
• Best Linen Sheets
• Best Flannel Sheets
• What Is the Best Thread Count for Sheets?
• Should You Spring For Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

Products we recommend: 

• 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
• JCPenney's Wrinkle Guard’s 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheets
• L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set
• Jackie Recommends: Swoveralls

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast