How Did I Get This Far?

45 episodes listed below

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Adult basics you missed, explained by people who know.

The gist

How Did I Get This Far? takes the practical things adults are assumed to know, from decluttering to self-defense to a faulty laptop keyboard, and hands each one to someone who knows it. Amanda Ogun plays the curious beginner, questioning guests such as professional organizer Monica Fay and pro MMA fighter Chelsea LaGrasse.

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About How Did I Get This Far?

How Did I Get This Far? starts from a plain premise: plenty of adult basics slipped past plenty of people, and the fix is to ask someone who knows. Its titles bend the show's name around a new verb, so the run reads like a catch-up checklist: declutter, defend myself, use technology, grow up, smoke weed, become basic. Each subject gets a guest who works in it or has built a following around it. Amanda Ogun, who signs off by name, takes the part of the curious beginner. She admits freely when something is new to her, and that candor sets the tone. The advice itself is concrete. In the decluttering conversation, professional organizer Monica Fay moves past the familiar 'does this bring me joy' test and talks about becoming a confident decision maker about what to let go. Pro MMA fighter Chelsea LaGrasse, who also coaches self-defense, calls situational awareness the number one thing and suggests keeping headphones off when alone. Tech content creator Brian Tong hears about keys failing every few months and pins the fault on the low-profile butterfly keyboard found in some MacBooks. Specific and easy to act on. Other episodes run looser. Alex and Lauren, co-hosts of another podcast who embrace basic culture, spend time on candle wax, weighing paraffin against soy and beeswax, and a TJ Maxx candle gets its label checked mid-conversation. A 4/20 episode with cannabis industry specialist Dr. Dina compares how edibles and smoking affect the body, and includes a cautionary tale about a brownie from a Christmas party grab bag. How Did I Grow Up This Far? With Paul Angone of All Groan Up marks the end of season two and the show's one-year anniversary, and Angone recalls years of publisher rejections before a book of 101 secrets for your twenties took off. Playfulness runs through the framing. The technology episode hands its introduction to a virtual assistant character. Sign-offs get rewritten with a pun to match the subject, from thanking listeners for being so neat to promising to fight through another aspect of life. The mood stays light even on serious ground like personal safety. It makes a friendly, practical listen for picking up one small skill at a time.

Made for: Suits a listener who wants practical, low-pressure explanations of everyday adult topics, from tidying a home to staying alert on a solo run, delivered through friendly back-and-forth with people who know the subject.

What sets it apart: Rather than sticking to one niche, it rotates through unrelated life skills under a single title formula, with Amanda Ogun asking beginner questions of a different specialist each time and puns stitched into the framing.

In their own words

Have you often asked yourself, "how did I get this far?" Same here! This upbeat and enlightening podcast navigates everyday aspects of life that many of us secretly never learned. Each episode features interesting and useful information and advice that you can use today and for the future. Through conversation, stories, and games, expert guests share their insight to help you live with less stress and more confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why you'd press play

A gas station charge could be beer and beef jerky; your receipt knows the difference.

Press play if you want

  • a CPA to explain why photographing receipts beats trusting your bank statement
  • a professional organizer to help you trust your decision to let something go
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
decluttering and home organizingself-defense and situational awarenesseveryday technology troubleshootingcannabis basicsgrowing up and adulthoodbasic culture and lifestyle picks like candles

Talks about

Best episodes of How Did I Get This Far?

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

How Did I Grow Up This Far? With Paul Angone of All Groan UpMay 25, 2021

A warm finale turns post-college confusion into a grounded conversation about persistence, publishing, and growing up.

The season two finale treats growing up less as a grand revelation than as a practical education, using post-college uncertainty to ask how adulthood actually takes shape.

How Did I Become Basic This Far? With The Basic Bitch PodcastMay 18, 2021

A relaxed basic-culture chat that turns candle wax, air quality, and champagne into useful household talk.

How Did I Get This Far? uses a question about whether certain candles can be bad for you as a clean entry point into household basics, turning a familiar object into a practical conversation about wax, soot, cleanup, and burn temperature.

How Did I Defend Myself This Far? With Pro MMA Fighter Chelsea LaGrasseMay 4, 2021

A fighter keeps self-defense practical by starting with awareness, boundaries, and judgment.

Self-defense is framed less as a dramatic last resort than as a daily practice of noticing. Chelsea Kayanne LaGrasse, a professional MMA fighter and coach in fitness, nutrition, and self-defense, connects that view to a little over 10 years as a personal trainer.

How Did I Declutter This Far? With Professional Organizer Monica FayApr 27, 2021

Monica Fay turns decluttering into a practice of seeing volume clearly and trusting the decision to let go.

Decluttering is framed here as a test of meaning, confidence, and practical trust: what an object stands for, and whether something similar could be found again if it truly were needed.

How Did I Smoke Weed This Far? With Cannabis Industry Specialist Dr. DinaApr 20, 2021

A candid cannabis conversation about edible dosing, delayed effects, and homemade brownie risks.

Cannabis education is at its sharpest when it lands on the edible someone might casually take from a party grab bag. How Did I Get This Far? brings its signature question to cannabis with a discussion built around dosing, delayed effects, and the host's experience of eating a…

Podcasts like How Did I Get This Far?

Episodes

  1. 1

    How Did I Grow Up This Far? With Paul Angone of All Groan Up

    Hidden gem

    How Did I Get This Far?

    May 25, 2021·31m·2 clips
  2. 2

    How Did I Become Basic This Far? With The Basic Bitch Podcast

    Hidden gem

    ["Amanda Ogan brings Lauren and Alex from The Basic Bitch Podcast onto How Did I Get This Far?

    May 18, 2021·32m·2 clips
  3. 3

    How Did I Defend Myself This Far? With Pro MMA Fighter Chelsea LaGrasse

    Hidden gem

    Chelsea Kayanne LaGrasse tells Amanda Ogun that open palms, pepper gel, and situational awareness matter more than trying to punch like a fighter.

    May 4, 2021·25m·1 clip
  4. 4

    How Did I Declutter This Far? With Professional Organizer Monica Fay

    Hidden gem

    Monica Fay says clutter is anything people keep moving around while avoiding a decision, from mail and tax papers to old clothes and duplicate household items.

    Apr 27, 2021·33m·3 clips
  5. 5

    How Did I Smoke Weed This Far? With Cannabis Industry Specialist Dr. Dina

    Hidden gem

    Dr.

    Apr 20, 2021·30m·2 clips
  6. 6

    How Did I Use Technology This Far? With Tech Content Creator Brian Tong

    Hidden gem

    Amanda interviews tech host and content creator Brian Tong about practical technology basics, drawing on his five-plus years at Apple Computers and his coverage of CES.

    Apr 13, 2021·33m·2 clips
  7. 7

    How Did I Design My Home This Far? With Newbuild Newlyweds

    Amanda Ogun interviews Orlando DIY creators Ryan and Kelsey Mansing of New Build Newlyweds about tools, painting, wallpaper, decor, storage, and flooring.

    Apr 6, 2021·31m·2 clips
  8. 8

    How Did I Fix My Car This Far? With Ovet Reynoso

    Amanda Ogun asks Ovet Reynoso for beginner guidance on dashboard lights, air filters, oil, coolant, batteries, tires, and mechanic visits.

    Mar 30, 2021·24m·1 clip
  9. 9

    How Did I Gift This Far? With BeeandBlooms Tracie Garrett

    Hidden gem

    Tracy Garrett of Bee and Blooms explains how childhood wrapping sessions with her mother developed into viral gift-wrapping videos and an Etsy wreath business.

    Mar 23, 2021·28m·1 clip
  10. 10

    How Did I Clean My House This Far? With Housekeeper Vanesa Amaro

    Vanessa Amaro, professional housekeeper and co-owner of Amaro's Cleaning, explains practical housekeeping methods to host Amanda Ogun.

    Mar 16, 2021·31m·2 clips
  11. 11

    How Did I Do My Taxes This Far? With CPA Tyler McBroom

    Hidden gem

    Amanda Ogun interviews CPA Tyler McBroom of Measured Results about taxes, including the difference between deductions and credits.

    Mar 9, 2021·32m·2 clips
  12. 12

    How Did I Get Hypnotized This Far? With Hypnotherapist Norman Plotkin

    Hidden gem

    How Did I Get This Far?

    Mar 2, 2021·31m·2 clips
  13. 13

    Get Far Feature: Entrepreneurial Tips from Small Business Owners

    Feb 25, 2021·14m
  14. 14

    How Did I Start A Business This Far? With Soulful Business Coach Emily Cassel

    Feb 23, 2021·34m
  15. 15

    How Did I Crack My Back This Far? With Chiropractor Dr. Remix

    Feb 16, 2021·30m
  16. 16

    How Did I Understand Immigration This Far? With Immigration Lawyer Tahmina Watson

    Feb 9, 2021·33m
  17. 17

    How Did I Get An Internship This Far? With Rutgers Professor Steven Miller

    Feb 2, 2021·29m
  18. 18

    How Did I Manage My Money This Far? With TAP Intuit’s Taylor Price

    Jan 26, 2021·33m
  19. 19

    How Did I Take Medicine This Far? With The Med Life’s Dr. Adam Goodoff

    Jan 19, 2021·34m
  20. 20

    Get Far Feature: Audition Tips from Reality Stars and Casting Pros

    Jan 14, 2021·22m
  21. 21

    How Did I Audition For Reality TV This Far? With Casting Producer Jazzy Collins

    A casting producer reveals insider tips on how to audition for reality TV shows.

    Jan 12, 2021·30m
  22. 22

    Spilling the Tea on How Did I Get This Far? Collaboration Episode Part 2

    Nov 3, 2020·31m
  23. 23

    Spilling the Tea on How Did I Get This Far? Collaboration Episode Part 1

    Oct 27, 2020·30m
  24. 24

    How Did I Order Cocktails This Far? With The Paradise Bartender

    An interview with a bartender teaching how to make and order cocktails, covering basic ingredients and tips.

    Oct 20, 2020·29m
  25. 25

    How Did I Apply Makeup This Far? With Former Sephora Beauty Advisor Hannah Blackwell

    This episode teaches makeup application basics and tips with a professional makeup artist.

    Oct 13, 2020·34m
  26. 26

    How Did I Fly This Far? With Cabin Crew Star Jeenie Weenie

    A podcast episode about flying on a plane, featuring a former cabin crew member sharing travel tips and stories.

    Oct 6, 2020·32m
  27. 27

    How Did I Wash My Clothes This Far? With Costumer Janet Mulberry

    Sep 29, 2020·35m
  28. 28

    How Did I Understand Baseball This Far? With Atlanta Braves Pro Scout Billy Ryan

    Sep 22, 2020·30m
  29. 29

    How Did I Wash My Hair This Far? With Hairstylist Tarra Kruper

    Sep 15, 2020·33m
  30. 30

    How Did I Understand The Police This Far? With Officer Jeremy Bohannon

    Sep 8, 2020·33m
  31. 31

    How Did I Make My Bed This Far? With Good Housekeeping’s Lexie Sachs

    Sep 2, 2020·34m
  32. 32

    How Did I Get Car Insurance This Far? With Car Insurance Analyst Natali Janetske

    Aug 25, 2020·34m
  33. 33

    How Did I Shop For A Home This Far? With Realtor Ian Gordon

    Aug 18, 2020·36m
  34. 34

    How Did I Understand The News This Far? With News Reporter Julia Palazzo

    Aug 10, 2020·35m
  35. 35

    How Did I Manage My Mental Health This Far? With BroglieBox’s Julia Broglie

    Aug 4, 2020·37m
  36. 36

    How Did I Brush My Teeth This Far? With Dental Hygienist Caitlin Glazier

    Jul 28, 2020·37m
  37. 37

    How Did I Feed Myself This Far? With Food Blogger Tinger Hseih

    This episode teaches basic cooking skills, including how to spice up a plain burger and use essential kitchen tools, with expert Tinger Shea.

    Jul 20, 2020·33m
  38. 38

    How Did I Drink Wine This Far? With Wine Specialist Julien Tremblay

    This episode teaches wine basics including storage, pairing, and selection tips through an interview with a wine expert.

    Jul 14, 2020·36m
  39. 39

    How Did I Drink Coffee This Far? With Caveman Coffee Co.’s Lacie Mackey

    Jul 7, 2020·31m
  40. 40

    How Did I Go On Dates This Far? With GOATdate’s Heather Hopkins

    Jun 30, 2020·34m
  41. 41

    How Did I Make a Difference This Far? With The Bachelor’s Ben Higgins

    Jun 16, 2020·36m
  42. 42

    How Did I Avoid Scams This Far? With YouTuber Rosie Okumura

    An episode about scams, featuring a guest who pranks scammers, discussing how to recognize and handle scams.

    Jun 16, 2020·36m
  43. 43

    A Conversation on Black Lives Matter

    Jun 8, 2020·53m
  44. 44

    How Did I Make a Resume This Far? With Hollywood Resumes

    Jun 2, 2020·36m
  45. 45

    How Did I Start a Podcast This Far? With iHeartMedia’s Easton Allyn

    May 26, 2020·35m