A.J. Jacobs

Known as "the human guinea pig," A.J. Jacobs has engaged in such lifestyle experiments as outsourcing his life to India, reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in a quest to become well-informed, living according to the Bible, and adhering to all modern medical advice to achieve optimal health. His experiences are documented in his New York Times bestsellers "The Year of Living Biblically," "The Know-It-All," and "Drop Dead Healthy."

Jacobs serves as an editor at large at Esquire magazine and has written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and New York Magazine. He has also authored several other books, including "Thanks A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey," and "The Puzzler: One Man’s Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life," released in 2022. He is known for his unique approach to storytelling, using immersive experiences to provide new perspectives.

Jacobs has also made a significant impact in the realm of charity. He is a member of Giving What We Can, pledging 10% of his lifelong earnings to charitable causes. This has included donations to the Against Malaria Foundation and other effective altruism organizations.

He has spoken at various events and is a well-known TED Talk presenter, including talks like "My year of living biblically" and "How Healthy Living Nearly Killed Me". In addition, Jacobs has made appearances on TV shows such as "By The Book" and radio programs like NPR's "Ask Me Another".

In addition to his writing and speaking engagements, Jacobs organized the Global Family Reunion in 2015 and previously hosted the genealogy-focused podcast "Twice Removed." He resides in New York City with his family.