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
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
If you're in an interracial relationship, there can be additional concerns even with lots of love and care: cultural misunderstandings, family members who say hurtful things, disagreements over values or communication styles and larger power imbalances at play. This episode, writer Davon Loeb shares advice on navigating racial differences in your relationship and creating a stronger connection with your partner. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode...
What happens when you get a medical bill for something your insurance should have covered? KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér outlines who talk to, what to say and how to appeal a denial from your insurance company. Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lif...
When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book Smitten , about how limerence works in the brain, what you can do to stop it, and how to replace limerence with healthier interests. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you ...
There are a lot of misconceptions about sleep. Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins and her colleagues looked into common myths about sleep to help everyone get a better night's rest. This episode originally published Janaury 9, 2024. Want better sleep? Sign up Life Kit's Guide to Better Sleep, our special newsletter series. When you sign up, you'll receive a series of emails over one week with tips you can try that very night to prioritize and improve your sleep. Sign up at npr.org/sleepweek. Follow...
Chef Samin Nosrat shares her philosophy on creating meaningful community meals, moving beyond the pressure of perfect hosting to embrace shared experiences. She discusses the benefits of ritualizing gatherings with consistent times and locations, and offers practical advice on collaborative cooking and navigating group dynamics like income and dietary preferences. Nosrat also highlights ideal recipes for groups, including her famous Pane Criminale garlic bread.
A new semester has begun, which means college students across the country are taking on debt, opening credit cards and navigating meal plans and housing on their own. Budgeting and managing money, especially as a first-year college student, can be daunting. In this episode, we cover how to plan for student loans, look for scholarships, get part time work and more. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at ...
Discover effective strategies for locating misplaced items with insights from cognitive psychologists and search professionals. Learn how stress impacts your search, why focusing on distinctive object features can speed up discovery, and the power of recreating the last known scenario. The episode also emphasizes the importance of changing your search perspective, employing systematic grid searches, and maintaining persistence, all designed to make your search calmer and more successful.
It’s not just school kids who could use a back-to-school reset. Your body could use one too. This episode of Life Kit, medical professionals share advice to help you care for your ears, eyes, teeth, feet and skin. We hope these tips leave you feeling healthy and strong as the fall season begins. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by sign...
High school and college students graduating in 2026 will have had access to artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT since their freshman year. Teens are using it in creative ways to help them study, but many have also received little to no guidance on responsible use. In this episode, we discuss how to talk to teens about AI, including its risks and potential benefits for young people. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you w...
Sometimes you're just feeling blah: maybe the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode, NPR's Science desk and Life Kit staff present research-backed mood boosters to instantly shake yourself out of a slump and turn your day around. This episode originally published September 3, 2024. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode ...
Behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa and personal finance expert Katie Gatti Tassin answer murky money questions from Dear Life Kit listeners. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to man...
No matter whether you're walking, biking or driving, there are things you can do to stay safe on the road. NPR health correspondent Pien Huang shares her reporting on tips to keep each other safe while sharing our busy streets. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit See pcm.adswizz.com for ...
Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with a therapist and a researcher to figure out what these thoughts mean, where they come from and how best to handle them. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here . Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to ...
Learn to combat nagging neck pain with expert advice from a spine surgeon, sports medicine doctor, sleep specialist, and physical therapist. This episode covers how to prevent neck discomfort through strong posture and proper ergonomics, and how to optimize your sleep environment for ideal spinal alignment. Discover exercises to build neck strength and mobility, understand when to seek professional help for persistent pain, and explore various holistic pain management strategies to keep you moving comfortably.
Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a 2024 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup poll. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. This episode originally published August 27, 2024. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Supp...
Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure out its cost and know when it's time to throw in the towel. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub . Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want...
Eating disorders are complicated illnesses that are often misunderstood. Dr. Eva Trujillo, a specialist in eating disorders, says eating disorders "literally rewire the brain," decrease brain size and make it harder to concentrate and regulate emotions. Emily Kwong, host of NPR's Short Wave, talks about the physical and mental impacts of eating disorders and how to recover in a world steeped in diet culture. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode ide...
We use encouragement and support to get through life's big moments. But what about a little pep talk for those smaller moments, like when it's raining and your dog needs to go out? Or some inspiration to help you parallel park or send that email you've been avoiding? In this episode, Paula Skaggs and Josh Linden, co-authors of the book Tiny Pep Talks , share bite-sized motivation for everyday nuisances . For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at...
Helping an aging parent with end-of-life planning? Financial journalist Cameron Huddleston explains how to broach the topic with your parents — and the documents and plans they should have in place. This episode originally published on Sept. 25, 2023. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship p...
Phones can be addicting: There are endless texts to answer, notifications to check and games to play. We often end up on our phones without intending to. But Jose Briones, author of Low Tech Life: A guide to Mindful Digital Minimalism , says there is a solution. This episode, tips on quitting your smartphone in favor of simpler technology. This episode originally published July 30, 2024. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to mana...
Whether you're sleeping on your old friend's couch or staying with a family member for a long weekend, we have tips to make sure your presence is a gift and not a chore. What's the ideal amount of time to stay with your host? Should you strip the bed when you leave? When your host says, "Make yourself at home," what does that really mean? In this episode, lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann answers these questions and more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...
Almost 7 in 10 consumers were misled into purchasing counterfeit items online at least one time in the last year, according to a 2023 study from Michigan State University. And buying knockoff versions of products can be dangerous. Kari Kammel, the director at the Center for Anti Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, shares tips for how to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products, especially online. This episode originally published October 22, 2024. See pcm.adswizz.com...
This episode examines controversial claims about seed oils, like canola and sunflower, often cited as health hazards. Researchers address concerns about hexane residue from processing, deeming it toxicologically insignificant. They also debunk the popular belief that omega-6s in seed oils cause chronic inflammation, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet. The experts conclude that ultra-processed foods, rather than seed oils themselves, are the primary dietary concern for health.
From pregnancy tracking apps to smart baby monitors, technology is ingrained in parenthood at every turn. But at what cost? In this episode, Amanda Hess, author of Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, shares how data, metrics and our relationship to technology can shape child-rearing — and create barriers between parents and their kids. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. ...
For Suleika Jaouad, journaling has been a source of solace through life's ups and downs for as long as she can remember. Writing in her journal helps her process, reflect and make meaning from painful experiences. In her book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life, Jaouad shares writing prompts from writers, artists and thinkers, to help you put pen to paper (even when you don't feel like it). Because creative expression, even on bad days, can offer inspiration and insigh...
If you have kids, cooking with them might sound like a daunting prospect. But David Nayfeld, the chef behind the new book, Dad, What's for Dinner? , says cooking with your kids can create positive memories and help your kids build useful skills. In this episode, Nayfeld shares easy weeknight recipes to try with your kids and cooking tasks children can help with at any age. Yes, it might get messy, but that's OK if you're connecting and spending time together. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ...
Author and body-acceptance advocate Katie Sturino joins Ronald Young Jr., host of the podcast Weight For It , to answer listener questions about body image. 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
Financial educator Yanely Espinal shares her don'ts when it comes to money. Don't co-sign loans. Don't make hype-driven investments. Don't spend money you don't have. If you've been making these missteps, don't worry — Espinal has advice on how to create a path forward. 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...
Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org 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
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...
