Life Kit - podcast cover

Life Kit

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.

Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. You'll support the show and unlock exclusive curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit
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Episodes

How to talk to kids about abortion

Talking about abortion can be complicated, even with adults. How do you talk about the medical procedure and the politics around it with kids? NPR's Ailsa Chang gets tips from Dr. Elise Berlan and parenting expert Reena Patel. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 21, 202210 minEp. 501

Making ethical, sustainable clothing choices

Fast fashion takes a toll on the environment and on workers. Here's how you can shop more sustainably and build a closet with a better impact. This episode originally published March 8, 2021. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 19, 202214 minEp. 500

How to help a child at risk of suicide

More families are dealing with their children feeling anxious, depressed – even thinking about or attempting suicide. But mental health professionals say that suicide is preventable. This episode, how parents and family members can play an important role in the mental health of their child. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 18, 202222 minEp. 499

How to avoid 'lifestyle creep'

Making more money tends to lead to spending more money. It's a phenomenon known as "lifestyle creep." Paco de Leon, author of Finance for the People , shares advice on keeping your long-term financial goals in check and fending off the subconscious urge to automatically increase spending when your income increases. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 14, 202222 minEp. 498

How to deal with a crush

Having a crush is natural - they're a part of human biology. Sometimes, acting on it is a great, healthy step — or it can create a lot more trouble than it needs to. Certified dating coach Damona Hoffman walks us through how to handle a crush in several common scenarios. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 12, 202220 minEp. 497

A beginner's guide to green cleaning

Environmentally-friendly living isn't an all-or-nothing equation: think of it as a spectrum of greens. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, green cleaning is one easy way to dip your toe into the green living waters. These tips will help you get started. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 11, 202219 minEp. 496

How to set boundaries in your daily life

Have you ever felt resentful or responded passive-aggressively to a request on your time or energy? That's a sign your boundaries are being crossed – and it might be because you haven't set them clearly. Therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab shares advice on how to set boundaries — and stick to them — in your daily life. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 07, 202219 minEp. 495

Car maintenance 101

Car ownership can be intimidating — and expensive — especially when it comes to upkeep. Auto educator and journalist Chaya Milchtein shares tips to help you maintain essential safety features in a car, how to find the right mechanic for you and when it's time for a new car. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 05, 202219 minEp. 494

How to stay safe during extreme heat

About 600 people in the U.S. die from heat related causes each year. While our bodies have ways to dissipate heat, sometimes they just can't keep up with extreme temperatures. Here are four tips from experts on how to stay safe and cool in extreme heat. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 04, 202213 minEp. 493

How to talk to kids about radicalization

It's a horror to think your kid could be a victim in a violent act of racism, sexism or other radicalization. It's a whole different kind of fear to think they could be the perpetrator of that act. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 30, 202224 minEp. 492

How to reframe your beliefs about aging

Negative age beliefs can impact us on social, psychological and even physiological levels. Here's how to deconstruct ageism and reframe your beliefs about aging with tips from Becca Levy, author of Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 28, 202223 minEp. 491

How to raise a good citizen

Talking to kids about civics is kind of like talking to kids about sex - avoiding the conversation can have some really negative consequences. Here's how to talk to kids about civic participation, from discussing our hard history to taking action. This episode originally aired in November 2020. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 27, 202223 minEp. 490

How to stop stress spending

We could all stand to stretch our cash a little further right now. Life Kit teamed up with financial expert Tiffany Aliche, also known as the Budgetnista, for tips about how to separate needs from wants, stop stress-spending and save for the future. This episode originally aired in September 2020. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 23, 202220 minEp. 489

Find freedom and create your own path in your first queer relationship

The dating game can be hard, but navigating the dating world for the first time as a queer person can mean even more complexity – and a lot of room for creativity. Here's how to face your dating fears, find queer community and practice comfortable communication while staying true to you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 21, 202224 minEp. 488

How to celebrate your heritage through food

Food is more than just fuel for your body. Food is a connection to the stories of your ancestors, and the stories of your descendants. In this episode, a culinary historian, a professor and a nutritionist share their advice on how to carry on culinary traditions. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 20, 202223 minEp. 487

Life Kit presents: What's in a dad?

Code Switch host Gene Demby and comedian Hari Kondabolu are both new fathers, and they're both learning to raise kids who will have very different identities and upbringings than their own. It's left both of them reflecting on some big questions: How will they teach their children about race? What are the elements of their childhoods that they want to pass on? And what, exactly, is a father anyway? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 18, 202226 minEp. 486

How to stop revenge bedtime procrastination

When your days are packed, it can be hard to find some "me time" time to unwind. You might find yourself staying up past your bedtime, scrolling on social media or watching an extra episode of your latest show, That's called "revenge bedtime procrastination." These tips can help you overcome it. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 16, 202220 minEp. 485

How to find a new hobby

When was the last time you did something just for fun — not to make money, or be productive, or because someone else wanted you to? These five tips can help you approach starting a hobby. This episode originally published in May 2021. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 14, 202219 minEp. 484

How to cope with a fear of flying

Whether you're a nervous flyer, you'll do almost anything to avoid flying, or you have an actual flying phobia, these tips from associate professor of psychiatry Luana Marques, Ph.D. can help you overcome a fear of flying. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 13, 202222 minEp. 483

Your reproductive health options without Roe v. Wade

For decades, the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision protected abortion access and reproductive health decisions. Now, that has been overturned. Here's what you need to know about birth control, emergency contraception and terminating a pregnancy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 09, 202225 minEp. 482

How to be an activist without burning out

Activism can look like big gestures of protest, but it can also look like baking cupcakes for a charity bake sale or reading at an after school program. These tips will help you find joy in activism while avoiding burnout. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 07, 202224 minEp. 481

How to make dating apps work for you

The idea behind dating apps is to make finding a connection easier — but that's not always the case. These expert tips will help you make the experience less anxiety-inducing, whether you're looking for something long-term or casual. This episode first aired in August 2021. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jun 06, 202223 minEp. 480

Life Kit answers your personal finance questions

Whether you want to save for a vacation or retirement, build generational wealth for your kids or figure out how to split expenses with a partner, Life Kit answers your personal finance questions. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 02, 202220 minEp. 479

How to learn your parents' language

Heritage language learners are different from people learning a second language for the first time. They often grow up hearing it, but that can come with its own set of challenges. Experts offer their advice on how to learn your heritage language. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 31, 202223 minEp. 478

How to prepare for a hurricane

Atlantic hurricanes are more intense and have heavier rainfall due to the effects of climate change. These tips will help you prepare for hurricane season before disaster strikes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 30, 202217 minEp. 477

What to say to kids when the news is scary

The news can be devastating, and tragic events can be incomprehensible for adults — so how do we talk about them with kids? Child development experts offer advice on what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say to help kids process all the scary news out there. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 28, 202223 minEp. 476

How to talk about Asian American mental health

Saying 'no,' speaking up for yourself and being less than perfect can be hard for many Asian Americans to do. Psychologist Jenny Wang has tips on how to address them with yourself and your loved ones. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 26, 202221 minEp. 475

A beginner's guide to grilling: How to start a fire, adjust your heat and more

Intimidated by grilling? Cooking over an open flame can do that! In this guide, learn the basics from which type of grill to choose, to how to maintain a fire and create different temperature zones, to tips on tools and safety. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 24, 202221 minEp. 474

How to get a job after college

Now that you have your diploma, you'll need to focus on a different piece of paper: a résumé. Here's how to think about what you want to do and then go out and get a job — maybe even a career. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 23, 202226 minEp. 473

Singing 101: How to find your voice

Follow these exercises to help you build the skills and confidence to start singing, whether in your car or at the karaoke bar. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 19, 202222 minEp. 472
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