We're off this Monday for the holiday but didn't want to leave you empty-eared — so here's an episode of How To! starring our friend Carvell Wallace's son. We'll be back with you Thursday for a new episode.

Ezra is adrift in his early 20s. He craves a life of meaning, community, and love. But he’s struggling to find those things in a world that seems increasingly uncertain and discouraging for young people. On this existential episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings in Andrew McPeak, author, podcast host, and vice president of Growing Leaders. He tackles Ezra’s big questions and explains how Gen Z (and everyone else) can make life more meaningful.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Keep Caring Amid Endless Crises

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrea.

Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen.

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On this episode: Lucy, Zak, and Elizabeth take flight. Our listener’s kid has suddenly decided – or realized – he’s afraid of airplanes and heights. With a big trip coming up, this parent is looking for advice… and musing on whether bribes have to be involved. Or are they simply little treats?

After that, of course, we’ll circle up to share some Triumphs and Fails. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Special thanks to Alicia Montgomery, on her last week at Slate, for being an extraordinary cheerleader for this show.

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On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who emailed us wondering how to break up a friendship. Her son is friends with an obnoxious girl who the parent would just rather not see. But, of course, friendships are complicated… and this might not be as easy as just not inviting this girl over.

We’ll also check in on where the hosts are this week – and then, if you’re coming to hang out on the Slate Plus Playground, the hosts are listening back to their 2024 resolutions and deciding if it truly was the year of “meh.”

If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.

Jamilah’s check-in: the duck was secured.

Elizabeth’s check-in: fawning and freedom 

Zak’s check-in: how long was winter break, actually? 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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A note: this episode was recorded just minutes after the Palisades Fire reportedly ignited in California. Jamilah and her family are safe as of the airing of this episode. 

If you want to help victims of any of the fires in the Los Angeles metro area, please consider donating to the California Fire Foundation, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen, or CORE. 

On this episode: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth help the favorite parent. This 6-year-old says she might love mom more than dad… and dad is, understandably, upset. We’ll offer some assurances to both parents — and some evergreen advice to love harder. 

After that, of course, we’ll circle up to share some Triumphs and Fails. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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On this episode: Lucy sits down with actress and author Mandy Gonzalez for a wide-ranging conversation about parenting, building a creative mom group, and enduring cancer treatment with your head held high. Mandy also answers questions from our own budding Broadway stars.

Lucy also shares a quick update about her mom's cancer journey - and Care & Feeding's production schedule in the new year.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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We’re still enjoying the last dregs of the holiday season — but we thought C&F listeners might love to hear Zak’s recent appearance on another advice show you might’ve heard of.

Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Zak Rosen, who co-hosts Slate’s Care & Feeding parenting podcast – and doles out his own advice on The Best Advice Show. Together, they answer letters from a listener concerned their step son is turning into an attention seeking drama queen, a cancer patient whose husband is turning resentful after taking on primary caretaking duties, and a couple concerned with making new friends post-retirement. 

Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/prudie-plus to get access wherever you listen.

Dear Prudence is produced by Maura Currie, Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Anuli Ononye.

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On this episode: we’re sharing our favorite Slate Plus segments with our whole audience, as we do every year. 2024 was a big year for our Slate Plus supporters: we launched the Slate Plus Playground, which is a whole new way to get bonus content and recommendations. If you like the Playground segments you’re about to hear, we hope you’ll consider joining us for them every week.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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On this episode: it’s the day after Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah — so we thought there would be no better time than now to sit down to talk about parenting, faith, and the cultural traditions that we adopt, and craft, for our kids.

Zak is joined by Slate writer and friend of the show Aymann Ismail and interfaith relationship and parenting expert Susan Katz Miller. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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On this episode: it’s our annual holiday party! We traditionally hand the mics over to our kids at this time of year. This year, we did something a little different: our kids all interviewed each other. It’s sweet, it’s chaotic, and you’re going to love it.

Some naughty elves left a glitch in the show’s audio on Dec 23. It’s been fixed and they learned their lesson.

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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On this episode: Jamilah, Lucy, and returning guest host Dillon Michael White answer a question from a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group about being on time. This kindergartener’s class has helper days that you lose if you’re late to school that day… but what do you do when it’s your fault your kid is late? 

After that, of course, we’ll circle up to share some Triumphs and Fails. 

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a parent who’s thinking ahead to when her baby is a little bigger… and wondering how to build a close relationship with a kid who has a life of their own. How do you raise someone who wants to come to you for advice?  

We’ll also check in on where the hosts are this week – and then, if you’re coming to hang out on the Slate Plus Playground, we’re continuing our conversation about building trust between parents and kids… and talking about what happens when it all breaks down. 

If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.

Jamilah’s check-in: Chi-town and Christmas

Elizabeth’s check-in: the gift is the trip

Zak’s check-in: whales and lights

Join us on Facebook and email us at [email protected] to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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