Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, host Marielle Segarra talks to experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.
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Sometimes we buy things that we later regret spending on: a new sweater that's already falling apart, or a thrifted "vintage" vase that turns out to be a mass-produced dupe. In the moment, it's difficult to resist the temptation of making a purchase. But with a few pointed questions, you can make sure you've done your due diligence and buy something guilt-free. This episode, financial experts offer a framework to help you decide whether or not something is worth buying. This episode originally p...
Receiving praise can feel good. But it can also feel uncomfortable. Should you say something nice back? Brush it off? Make a self-deprecating comment? Many of us were never taught how to accept compliments, but there's science to back up the benefits of receiving and giving kudos. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
In the era of online dating, asking someone out in real life has become a lost art. This episode, confidence coach Regina Bonds shares tips on putting yourself out there, bouncing back from rejections and talking to people in person. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Oftentimes, it's easier to scroll through our phones than do some squats. So what can we do to motivate ourselves to pick movement? In this episode of Life Kit, we speak with clinical psychologist Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman about how to retrain your brain to crave physical activity more than your phone. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle talks to entomologist Sammy Ramsey and environmental health professor Brian Byrd about why some people get bitten more than others, which ingredients to seek in bug repellents and what you can do to protect yourself against those itchy bites. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Play isn't just for kids. Research shows it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. In this episode, play researchers and enthusiasts share the benefits of playtime at any age and how you can bring more play into your life. This episode originally published July 27, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
There are options beyond living solo or with roommates — and one of them is called 'communal living.' In this arrangement, people don't just simply live together, but share resources and create community. In this episode, co-living enthusiasts explain how it works and how to decide whether it's right for you. This episode originally published on April 16, 2024. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship...
Typical savings account interest rates can earn you pennies. In this episode, you'll learn about other high-interest savings options to earn more in interest and protect your savings against inflation. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Sex, and the pursuit of it, can feel amazing. But sometimes, cravings for sex lead to unhealthy obsessions, poor choices or a loss of identity. If you're struggling to see a way out of old dating patterns or if you want to pour more into yourself, Melissa Febos, author of The Dry Season , suggests taking a break. In this episode, Febos and others share the benefits they've gotten from temporary periods of celibacy and why you might want to try one too. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...
It's long been thought that eating protein from animals (eggs, meat, chicken, fish) can help you become stronger. But a new study out of the University of Illinois shows that plant protein is just as effective at building muscle. NPR health correspondent Will Stone explains how the science around plant protein is shifting. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
There's a heat wave hitting much of the United State this week. Our bodies do have natural ways to dissipate heat, but when temperatures get extreme, sometimes they just can't keep up. In this episode of Life Kit, learn how to keep cool, hydrated and safe in extreme heat. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
As summer heats up, we often crank the air conditioning, which uses a lot of energy. NPR's Climate Solutions Correspondent Julia Simon has five simple and affordable tips to save electricity without sacrificing comfort. We'll cover the science behind the open window versus AC debate, "night flushing" your home and cost-saving home improvement projects to help keep you cool. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcas...
More than 31 million people in the United States get bitten by ticks each year, and some of those ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, according to the CDC. In this episode of Life Kit, we cover where you might encounter ticks this summer, how to protect yourself against them and what to do if you get bitten. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Air travel can be frustrating. According to the Department of Transportation, in 2024 flights were delayed about 20% of the time and there were over 400 tarmac delays of three hours or more for domestic flights. In this episode, learn what you can do ahead of time to avoid delays, get ahead of drama in the terminal when your flight is cancelled and strategies for getting refunds quickly (like referencing the Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard ). See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...
Your pelvic floor helps with all sorts of bodily functions — it helps you go to the bathroom, breathe, and orgasm, and it supports your internal organs. But pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to painful sex, constipation, urinary leakage, and pelvic pain. In this episode, we talk with pelvic floor physical therapist Sara Reardon about how to treat pelvic floor dysfunction and the basics of keeping your pelvic floor healthy and functioning. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection ...
Hurricane season can feel unnerving for many, especially as hurricanes grow more intense due to climate change. WUSF climate and environment reporter Jessica Meszaros breaks down how to know your flood risk level and ways to flood-proof your home so that you'll be more secure this season. This episode is part of NPR's Climate Solutions Week, a series where we examine how to be more resilient in a changing climate. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data ...
Ideas on how to have fun this summer without breaking the bank. Go on a "penny date." Throw a movie marathon party. Swap houses with a friend. With a little imagination, you can bring delight and joy — at a low cost — into your sunny days ahead. This episode originally aired August 1st, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
If you're online, your personal data is at risk. It might feel impossible to protect your data from hacks and breaches, but there are methods to make it slow and expensive for bad actors to target you. Our experts share simple measures to better protect your data online, including practices you can pick up starting now. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Dan Harris of the 10% Happier podcast interviews Life Kit host Marielle Segarra as part of their Get Fit Sanely series. Marielle talks her favorite tips, like building in exercise snacks, preventing revenge bedtime procrastination, finding your play personality and more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Whether you saw it coming or were completely blindsided, getting laid off is one of the most stressful experiences in life. It can also be a huge hit to your mental health, making it even harder to focus on logistics. This episode, we lay out concrete next steps for the first day, week, month and onward after a layoff. That includes how to find health insurance, apply for unemployment and create a job search plan. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data ...
Decision coach Nell Wulfhart guides listeners through practical methods to navigate life's big choices, from career moves to relationships. She explains how to make speedier decisions by focusing on personal values and future goals, rather than getting stuck in 'what-ifs.' The episode also covers how to assess risk, avoid sunk cost fallacies, and wisely seek outside counsel, ultimately encouraging a liberating perspective on post-decision regret.
Even if you use a credit card all the time, it can be difficult to understand the ins and outs of how they work. Whether you're a new credit card owner or just want to make sure you're getting the most out of your card, this episode will walk through the fundamentals of the credit card game. This episode originally published August 29, 2024. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Pr...
Nailing the vacation packing list is a difficult art. Overpacking or underpacking can make an already unpleasant travel day go off the rails. But when you bring exactly what you need and nothing more, the whole trip runs more smoothly. This episode, Life Kit experts outline the ideal packing list and how to customize it based on your destination, the weather, how you're getting there and more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and t...
Knowing how to swim can help you have fun at the pool or beach this summer. But it could also save your life. Here are some tips to start swimming if you never learned as a kid. This episode originally published June 29, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
What should you do if your next-door neighbor plays the drums all the time? Or shows up uninvited? Or leaves trash in their front yard? In this episode of Dear Life Kit, professional mediator Sasha Philip and writer Celeste Headlee share advice on these thorny neighbor dilemmas. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
Psychologist Zorana Ivcevic Pringle says creativity isn't a trait. It's a choice, something you can foster and prioritize. In this episode of Life Kit, in collaboration with NPR's science podcast, Short Wave, Ivcevic Pringle explains how to bring creativity into your everyday life, overcome creative blocks and stick with creative ideas and projects. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences...
NPR's Life Kit, with Nina Badzin, delves into the art of sustaining long-standing friendships, highlighting their importance for personal happiness and identity. The discussion covers essential skills like avoiding scorekeeping, giving the benefit of the doubt, and creatively adapting communication to busy lives. It also emphasizes the value of forgiveness, allowing friends to evolve, and treating these relationships with the seriousness they deserve to ensure they thrive for decades.
Learn crucial techniques for maintaining composure in any emergency, drawing insights from first responders and clinicians. Discover how to shift your mindset, utilize mindfulness, and apply practical tools like mental rehearsal to navigate high-stress situations. The episode also emphasizes the life-saving power of honest communication and connection, especially during mental health crises, offering a five-step approach to support others.
Priya Parker, author of 'The Art of Gathering,' introduces 'magical questions' as a powerful tool to transform mundane social events into opportunities for genuine connection. These questions are specific, story-inviting, and designed to reveal deeper layers of personality, moving beyond surface-level interactions. The episode also explores how hosts can use 'generous authority' to guide these conversations, the importance of reading the room, and the nuanced art of sharing with appropriate vulnerability.
Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home. This episode original published May 30, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy...
