Juliet knows she’s one of the best tennis players in her community league, but whenever she gets on the court, she’s paralyzed by self-consciousness. Did the crowd notice how bad that shot was? With all eyes on her, Juliet keeps bungling big points and losing matches she should win. On this episode of How To!, new host David Epstein brings on Sian Beilock, president of Barnard College and the author of Choke, to walk us through the science of why sometimes we play our worst when it matters the most. For Juliet to ace her game, Sian says, she needs to practice being self-conscious and then learn to push past it. It’s all too common for women to shy away from natural competition for fear of “not being nice,” but playing to win doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk—advice that applies to Juliet’s life off the court as well.
If you liked this episode, check out “How To Perform Under Pressure.”
Do you have a seemingly impossible problem? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.
Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After a Year of Survival, How to Start Living Again
How To Have the Best Sex of Your Life
How to Turn Grit Into a Lifelong Habit | Angela Duckworth | The TED Interview
My Kid's Anxiety Is Giving ME Anxiety! How Do I Fix This?
The Single Most Important Thing to Know Before Becoming a Single Parent
How to Stand Up to Your Terrible Manager—Without Getting Fired
How To Have a Fight That Actually Helps Your Relationship
Now Is the Time To Escape Your Bad Relationship. Here’s How.
I’m Great at My Job. So Why Do I Feel Like a Fraud?
How To Give a Killer Speech
I Was Lost at Sea for 438 Days. Here's How I Survived.
How To Fight Rattlesnakes and Polar Bears
How To Write the Perfect Obituary
How To Make an Exit Like Mary Poppins
How To Stop Snoring (And Breathe Easier)
How To Quiet the Chatter in Your Head
How To Survive a Doomsday Cult
How To Fall Out of Love
How To Start Over at 60
How To Leave the Church When Your Dad’s the Pastor
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Slow Burn
Slate Debates
What Next | Daily News and Analysis
Decoder Ring
The Gist