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

Episodes

Get better at being grateful

Being thankful doesn't have to happen just once a year. Here are two meaningful ways to show gratitude all year long, a practice that can improve your mental and physical health. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 21, 202219 minEp. 560

Dear LK: My boyfriend is too close with his former coworker

My partner is constantly texting his former coworker and even spent the night at her house. He says they're just friends, but I don't like it. How can I trust him when he ignores my boundaries? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 17, 202213 minEp. 559

Michelle Obama's philosophy on relationships

In her new memoir, 'The Light We Carry,' the former first lady shares her philosophy on the relationships we have with our partner, our family and ourselves. 'You have to evolve with it,' she says. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 15, 202220 minEp. 558

How to deepen your connection with your ancestors

Your ancestors don't have to feel like a distant memory. Spiritual practitioners share cross-cultural guidance on how to set up a ritual and an altar to honor them at home. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 14, 202224 minEp. 557

How to rethink the way you spend your time — and life

Assuming you live to be eighty, you have just 4,000 weeks to live. While that may come as a brutal dose of reality, it's also an opportunity to think about how you're spending that time. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 10, 202221 minEp. 556

Life Kit answers your pressing questions about inflation

The prices of goods and services have gone up. How much of that is due to Ukraine or the pandemic? What can our elected officials do to lower prices? And how does inflation slow down? NPR's Marielle Segarra and Stacey Vanek Smith tackle listener queries. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 08, 202221 minEp. 555

Credit card points are for everyone. Here's how to get into them

Credit card rewards programs can offer big perks like airline miles and hotel upgrades. Finance journalist Katherine Fan explains how to choose the right card and what to know before signing up. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 07, 202219 minEp. 554

Mexican cooking 101

Want to start making authentic Mexican cuisine at home? Here's what you'll need in your pantry and your fridge to get started, according to two Mexican chefs and cookbook authors. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 01, 202221 minEp. 552

How to stay safe during a night out

Safety experts explain how to prevent harm in nightlife settings like bars and clubs. That includes how to project an air of confidence with your body language — and how to effectively say "no." Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 31, 202222 minEp. 551

How to throw a clever theme party

Party planning experts say to send out invites at least 6 weeks in advance. That can give guests ample time to mark their social calendars — and prepare for the big bash. Read on for more tips. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 27, 202222 minEp. 550

How to wake up early, even if you're a night owl

Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm. (This episode originally ran in November 2021.) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 25, 202223 minEp. 549

Student loan forgiveness Q&A

Life Kit teams up with NPR Education to answer some common questions about student loan relief, including: What's the application process like? What loans qualify for debt relief? What if you have multiple loans? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 24, 202223 minEp. 548

Dear LK: I cared for our dad. Now my greedy siblings want the inheritance

She cared for her stepdad through illness and death. Now she's disheartened that her siblings only seem to care about the inheritance. Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin weighs in. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 20, 202212 minEp. 547

Braving the 'quarterlife' crisis

Stuck between two conflicting desires and can't seem to move forward? Psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock shares an exercise called "My Two Conflicting Selves" to help people find a compromise. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 18, 202216 minEp. 546

The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

Called "special time," the strategy is widely recommended by children's health professionals to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. Here's a guide on how to do it with your kids at home. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 17, 202214 minEp. 545

How to use music to express your authentic self

For R&B darling Omar Apollo, music has been a powerful way to showcase his Mexican American culture and queer identity. In an episode with NPR's Alt.Latino, he explains why that takes courage and confidence — and a little soul-searching too. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 15, 202229 minEp. 544

Why rest is an act of resistance

Known to her fans as the 'nap bishop,' Tricia Hersey, author of the new book 'Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,' explains why relaxation and leisure are a human right — especially for communities of color. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 13, 202225 minEp. 543

Tips for finding relief from IBS

More than 25 million Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While IBS symptoms present in the gut, it turns out that stress and anxiety can actually exacerbate symptoms. Here's how to identify triggers for IBS, eat a diet that decreases gas and bloating — and learn where to seek help. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 11, 202216 minEp. 542

How to recreate a beloved family recipe

Step 1? Throw your expectations out the window, says NPR's Noor Wazwaz. Your dish won't be the same as the one you grew up eating — and that's OK. Here's how to add your own unique spin to a family dish and pass on it on to the next generation. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 10, 202220 minEp. 541

Dear LK: Should I give my boyfriend an ultimatum?

Pop musician and reality dating series host Betty Who gives advice to a letter writer who asks if she should give her boyfriend an ultimatum because she's ready to move in together — and he isn't. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 08, 20229 min

Protect yourself from election disinformation

It's almost time to vote. NPR's Miles Parks explains what research can tell us about how to combat fake political news — and why it's so tricky to separate fact from fiction. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 06, 202215 minEp. 539

How to start professional networking (and feel good about it)

Networking expert Robbie Samuels explains why adapting the attitude of a croissant is more likely to create meaningful job connections — and shares ways to make networking feel more natural. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 04, 202218 minEp. 538

Dear LK: My dad's wife died and he won't leave the house

Psychotherapist David Defoe offers advice to a letter writer who is concerned about how to help their grieving father. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 01, 202211 minEp. 536

What to do when driving during flood conditions

Hurricane Ian is rapidly intensifying, and with that there are predicted storm surges of up to 18 feet. We'll walk you through how you can to stay safe during heavy rain on the road. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 29, 202210 minEp. 535

When something feels personal, here's how to cope

Being offended by something that someone did or said can be upsetting — but it doesn't have to eat away at us. Mental health experts share how to slow down and gain clarity when things get personal. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 27, 202222 minEp. 534

When it comes to parenting, lead with connection

It all starts with the assumption that your kids have good intentions and want to do the right thing, says Becky Kennedy, a psychologist and host of the Good Inside parenting podcast. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 26, 202218 minEp. 533

Dear LK: My parents ran a background check on my boyfriend

A daughter tries to rebuild trust with her parents after they secretly ran a background check on her boyfriend. Therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab shares insight on how to move forward. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sep 24, 202210 minEp. 532

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