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 much water does your body really need?

Do you really need to drink eight glasses of water a day? Can drinking water help you lose weight? Does coffee dehydrate you? Experts explain the science of hydration. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 22, 202219 minEp. 531

Stuck doing all the household chores? This practical guide can help

In four steps, experts Eve Rodsky and Jacqueline Misla explain how to fairly split domestic work with a partner or roommate. Don't forget to print out the handy zine! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 20, 202225 minEp. 530

How to start a new job

Life Kit host Marielle Segarra asks friends and family for advice on how to overcome her new-job jitters, meet new colleagues at NPR — and stay confident. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 19, 202216 minEp. 529

Dear LK: Do I have to read the book my husband wrote?

What's more, the letter writer hates her husband's writing style. Should she bite the bullet and read his novel? Or can she pass? Family therapist Kiaundra Jackson offers her two cents. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 17, 20229 minEp. 528

How to counteract common thinking traps

Humans have a tendency to make snap judgments and assumptions due to our cognitive biases, says Woo-kyoung Ahn in her book 'Thinking 101.' So how do we fight them? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 15, 202217 minEp. 527

A friendship expert shares the science of making and keeping friends

Psychologist Marisa Franco, author of a new book on the science of making and keeping friends, shares how to deepen the bonds in our platonic relationships. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 13, 202220 minEp. 526

The omicron boosters are here. What you should know about them

They target the original coronavirus strain and the omicron subvariants causing most of the current infections. And they're available at pharmacies, clinics and doctors' offices around the country. Should you get one? And if so, when? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 12, 20229 minEp. 525

Dear LK: I uninvited my sister-in-law from our wedding

The bride said she was "pissed" because her future sister-in-law was bringing two unauthorized guests. Rachel Wilkerson Miller, editor-in-chief of Self magazine, explains how to smooth things over. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 10, 202211 minEp. 524

How to gamify your exercise routine

Exercising doesn't have to feel like a chore if you approach it like a video game, say fitness gamification researchers Dr. Mitesh Patel and Elizabeth Lyons. Strategies to have fun while staying active. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 08, 202218 minEp. 523

3 tips for talking to your Latinx parents about mental health

Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their families. These steps can help you prepare for the conversation with your loved ones. (This episode originally aired in February 2022.) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Sep 06, 202223 minEp. 523

Simplify dinner (and cleanup) with these clever one-pan meals

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to food writer Melissa Clark about her new book, "Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals" — and gets tips on how to cook flavorsome weeknight dinners without a sink full of dirty dishes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 05, 202215 minEp. 522

Dear LK: My co-worker posted a terrible review about me!

A secretary asks if she should tattle-tale on a colleague who wrote an anonymous negative review about her. Career coach and HR professional Shanita Williams weighs in on the conundrum. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 03, 202211 minEp. 521

Learning a new skill can be easy — if you have the right mindset

Mastering a new hobby, like bowling or baking, can be a frustrating process. But experts say it doesn't have to be that way. If you set yourself up for success at the start and allow yourself to make mistakes — you can improve your chances of sticking with it. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 02, 202223 minEp. 520

The sex ed most queer students never got

School health classes in the U.S. rarely include instruction about sex for LGBTQ students. Here's what it could look like if they did. (This episode originally aired in April 2021 and was updated in August 2022.) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 30, 202224 minEp. 519

4 exercises that can prevent (and relieve!) pain from computer slouching and more

Vinh Pham, physical therapist and author of "Sit Up Straight: Futureproof Your Body Against Chronic Pain with 12 Simple Movements," explains why mobility exercises and good posture may be your best defense against muscle and joint pain. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 29, 202220 minEp. 518

What is 988? And is it safe to call? What to know about the new mental health hotline

When the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in July, some advocates and people who had experiences with the mental health system voiced concerns about 988. Life Kit talks to Aneri Patani, national health correspondent with Kaiser Health News, about how the hotline works, its purpose and the potential risks of calling 988. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Aug 25, 202219 minEp. 517

How to transition to natural hair — and learn to love it

For many Black people, transitioning to natural hair can feel frustrating, especially if you're doing it for the first time. Experts share what you need to know about growing out natural hair, from washing it and styling it – to learning to love it. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 23, 202221 minEp. 516

How to deal with online harassment — and protect yourself from future attacks

If you're posting frequently on social media, there's a chance that someday, one of those posts may make you a target of online harassment. Digital security expert Harlo Holmes and artist and independent researcher Ra'il I'nasah Kiam share tips on what to do if that happens — and how to tighten up your privacy online. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Aug 22, 202220 minEp. 515

Why being resilient might matter less than you think

Is the ability to endure hardship and adapt to difficult life situations always a good thing? Psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker Lourdes Dolores Follins revisits the concept of resilience — and explains why it's OK to let yourself feel angry or frustrated sometimes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Aug 18, 202224 minEp. 514

How to make the perfect playlist

So you're planning the perfect candlelit evening — or the perfect road trip, or the perfect afternoon at home. Where do you start? A playlist, of course. NPR Music's Bobby Carter showed us how he crafts them. (This episode originally ran in December 2020.) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 17, 202220 minEp. 513

The power in embracing your sadness

In the U.S., there's a relentless focus on positivity. But as we all know, with life comes death — and with happiness, sadness. Susan Cain, author of Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole, opens our eyes to the transformative power of melancholy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 15, 202223 minEp. 512

How to protect yourself from inflation

High inflation and a possible recession is making life more expensive. Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains how to manage debt as interest rates increase and prepare for an economic downturn. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 11, 202214 minEp. 510

Survival 101 with Bear Grylls

Survivalist and adventurer Bear Grylls shares his advice on facing fear, preparing for the worst and the power of courage to get you through any situation. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 09, 202223 minEp. 509

How to move in with your partner

Deciding to move in with a partner can be an exciting step. Cohabitating can also be challenging and bring up anxieties. Here's what to think about — and discuss — before you decide to move in together. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 08, 202221 minEp. 508

How to take better (and more distinctive) photos on vacation

When your smartphone can hold thousands of photos, it's tempting to snap away. But that approach may not actually help you capture the best moments. These tips on creating stunning images will help you more meaningfully document your trips. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 04, 202221 minEp. 507

You can choose a new name for yourself. Here's how

Many trans and nonbinary people choose new names during their transition. Here's advice if you're considering adopting a new name — from brainstorming name ideas to navigating the paperwork to change your name legally. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 02, 202220 minEp. 506

How to reset your digital life

Take this quiz to assess your digital habits — then learn how to engage with your electronic devices in a way that's intentional and appropriate. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Aug 01, 202216 minEp. 505

How to have a healthy adult relationship with your parents

When it comes to having an adult relationship with your parents, there's plenty of baggage: the friction of family history or the weight of unsaid expectations. Here's how to set healthy boundaries and understand generational trauma to help you have a grown up relationship with your parents. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jul 28, 202223 minEp. 504

How to financially plan for a baby

Having a baby is one of the biggest and most expensive life changes a person can experience. Farnoosh Torabi, editor-at-large at CNET Money, shares what you need to know about budgeting for a baby. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 26, 202222 minEp. 503

Crypto 101: blockchains, currencies and security

If the words "crypto," "Bitcoin," "blockchain," "mining," feel overwhelming or confusing Life Kit is here to help. In this episode, experts to demystify cryptocurrencies and give you the tools to decide whether buying some is a good option for you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jul 25, 202222 minEp. 502
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