We're learning how to take our anxiety down a notch this week with help from cognitive behavioral experts Dr. Elena Welsh and Dr. David Burns. Listen to hear these two experts give tips on how to tame your anxiety using specific CBT methods, why it is that we tend to go down these anxiety spirals in the first place, and how to change our thinking for better outcomes. Dr. Welsh is an LA-based psychologist who specializes in a wide variety of anxiety, mood, and depressive disorders, and is the aut...
Oct 12, 2020•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're breaking free from our mental prisons of victimhood, fear, and hopelessness with help from psychologist and Holocaust survivor Dr. Edith Eger. Dr. Eger is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Choice: Embrace the Possible , which is her memoir about surviving Auschwitz. Her most recent book, The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life , is her guide to navigating life’s most complicated challenges. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voice...
Oct 05, 2020•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're learning how time off can actually help us be more productive, with help from writers John Fitch and Max Frenzel. Listen to hear how to build a healthy rest ethic, what leisure practices can help spark creativity, and how we can encourage more time off in our productivity-obsessed society. John and Max are the authors of the book Time Off: A Practical Guide to Building Your Rest Ethic and Finding Success Without the Stress . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8...
Sep 28, 2020•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we’re talking about side hustles: those projects you pursue after work—at night or on weekends—to supplement your income or fulfill a passion. Our guests include Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days, and journalist Catherine Baab-Muguira, who wrote a revealing story in Quartz about millennials and side hustles. Plus, our producer takes to the streets to find out from everyday people what kind of side hustles they have going on. See Privacy Policy at h...
Sep 21, 2020•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're learning how to survive all sorts of disasters—from hurricanes to earthquakes to war zones and beyond with crisis reporter Judith Matloff. Listen to hear her best tips for surviving a wide range of scary situations, as well as how to prepare yourself for the unexpected both physically and psychologically. Judith's latest book is called How to Drag a Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope to Never Need: Survival Tricks for Hacking, Hurricanes, and Hazards Life Might Throw at You . Ha...
Sep 14, 2020•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're learning how to nail perfect timing with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink. Hear Daniel explain why certain hours of the day are more productive than others, how we can battle the mid-afternoon slump, and why certain dates are more effective for starting a new routine than others. Daniel's most recent book is When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@life...
Sep 07, 2020•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Danny Wallace is a comedian, radio host, and author of the book F You Very Much: Understanding the Culture of Rudeness—And What We Can Do About It. We talk about why we’ve all become so rude, and the steps we can take to help ourselves and others find our inner civility. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 31, 2020•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast We could all get better at conversing with our fellow humans. It’s just so easy these days to hide behind our screens, and when we’re finally face to face with actual people, we’re often talking too much and not listening enough. How can we make the most of those one-on-one, face-to-face, in-real-life moments? We’ll hear from journalist Celeste Headlee, whose career revolves around talking to people. And Lifehacker’s own Michelle Woo tells us how to talk to kids—because do any of us really know ...
Aug 24, 2020•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're learning how to fight the burnout we might not even realize we're suffering from with help from journalist Anne Helen Petersen. Tune in to hear Anne's advice on how to recognize your own burnout, how to make space in your day for a breather, and how we as a society can start to change this culture of hyper-productivity. Anne's latest book is Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation , which comes out in September. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-...
Aug 17, 2020•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're learning how to be a better reader with help from librarian and podcaster Margaret H. Willison. Listen to hear Margaret break down how we should re-think our definitions of "good" or "well-read" readers, and the tactics we can use to improve our reading game. After our conversation with Margaret, we get tips from librarian and author Nancy Pearl on how to find a book you'll love. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at u...
Aug 10, 2020•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we're learning how to improve on our time management skills with help from Tiffany Dufu, Founder and CEO of The Cru and author of the book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less . Listen to hear Tiffany's tips on how to get clear about your priorities, how to utilize your calendar to get things done, and the questions to ask yourself when debating over which tasks are most important. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us ...
Aug 03, 2020•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we’re learning how to breathe better and how that can vastly improve our overall health with help from journalist James Nestor. James is the author of the new book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art , which covers the extensive research on the many ways in which we sometimes struggle to breathe—from asthma, to allergies, to snoring—and what we can do about it. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacke...
Jul 27, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Parenting is a wild and confusing trip—to put it mildly. So this week we’re learning how to teach our kids the ins and outs of how to be decent, responsible, adult people with help from writer Catherine Newman. Catherine is the author of How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn Before You’re Grown Up . As a special deal for listeners, you can get Catherine’s book here for 20% off by using the code PERSON at checkout. Have an idea for a future episode? Cal...
Jul 20, 2020•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever spun out over why your friend ended that text with a period? Or missed the subtle sarcasm in an unpunctuated email? We’re clearing up all of these online miscommunications and more this week with help from internet linguist, Gretchen McCulloch. Gretchen is the resident linguist at WIRED and author of the New York Times bestseller Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or wr...
Jul 13, 2020•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered why your cat bites you after just three pets, or how to get your dog to chill out and stop barking? We’re uncovering the mysteries of our four-legged friends this week and learning how to make them happier with help from animal behavior expert Zazie Todd. Zazie is the creator of the blog, CompanionAnimalPsychology.com , and author of the new book, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicem...
Jul 06, 2020•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we’re finding the humor in our woes with help from John Moe, host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast. John helps us understand what is funny, and sometimes even good about depression, how we can recognize it within ourselves and others, and what to do about it when we find ourselves struggling. John’s latest book, The Hilarious World of Depression is out now. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lif...
Jun 29, 2020•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve seen a rise in preventable deaths since the start of the pandemic, largely because people are too afraid to go to the doctor. So we want to change that this week with the help of cardiologists Marc Eisenberg and Chris Kelly, who tell us all about the ease of booking a televisit, how to prepare for one, and what symptoms merit a visit to the doctor. Marc and Chris are the authors of the book, Am I Dying?!: A Complete Guide to Your Symptoms—and What to Do Next and also run the very helpful w...
Jun 22, 2020•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast What are our rights when it comes to protesting? How do we protest safely and effectively during a pandemic? We answer these questions and more this week with help from activists L.A. Kauffman and Charlene Carruthers. L.A. is a veteran grassroots organizer with over 35 years of experience in political activism, and has written two books on the topic including her most recent, How to Read a Protest: The Art of Organizing and Resistance . Charlene was a founding national director of the Black Yout...
Jun 15, 2020•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast To respect and support the movement for black lives, we at The Upgrade wanted to share some important resources and charities to donate to right now: Organizations to support: Black Lives Matter BYP100 Black Visions Collective Equal Justice Initiative The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) Southern Poverty Law Center Color of Change The Bail Project The Loveland Foundation The Legal Defense and Education Fund Fair Fight Resources: The National Lawyers Guild Bail Funds around the country Showing Up ...
Jun 08, 2020•59 sec•Transcript available on Metacast Being trapped with your significant other 24/7 is not a recipe for relationship success. That’s why this week we’re talking with divorce attorney James J. Sexton about how to save our marriage and avoid becoming a statistic in the post-pandemic “divorce boom”. James is the author, most recently, of How to Stay In Love: Practical Wisdom from an Unexpected Source . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to...
Jun 01, 2020•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let’s face it, the economy feels a little doom and gloom right now. So we’re learning how to protect ourselves financially this week with the help of personal finance advisor Ramit Sethi. Hear him talk with Alice and Lifehacker’s personal finance writer Lisa Rowan about his practical tips for navigating this economically terrifying time. Ramit is the author of the New York Times bestseller I Will Teach You to Be Rich and founder of IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com . After their conversation, keep...
May 25, 2020•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re learning how to be more present this week with meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. Hear her talk with Alice and Melissa about the ways that the pandemic highlights just how interconnected we are, and what we can do to find a little stability in the uncertainty. Sharon is the New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness , Lovingkindness , and Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection . Her newest book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World , comes out in Septe...
May 18, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we’re talking about dinner: what you should make, how you should make it, and why the idea of “dinner” is fraught for so many of us. We talk with Melissa Clark, staff reporter for the New York Times Food section and author of the new cookbook “Dinner in an Instant.” We also chat with Dave Arnold, the Founder and President of the Brooklyn-based Museum of Food and Drink. And we spend quality time with Claire Lower, Lifehacker's food editor and the mastermind behind the “Will It Sou...
May 11, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Comedian and author Samantha Irby joins us this week on The Upgrade to talk about how to make yourself comfortable with self-quarantine. This includes finding the right TV shows to binge-watch (she has a recommendation or two), the right books to escape with, and the right foods to cook while you huddle up at home. Samantha is the New York Times bestselling author of We Are Never Meeting In Real Life , Meaty , and most recently, Wow, No Thank You . In other news, WE ARE NOMINATED FOR A WEBBY! Pl...
May 04, 2020•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does social distancing have you feeling the blahs? We’re reviving our creative instincts this week with help from Jerry Saltz, New York Magazine’s Senior Art Critic and author of the New York Times bestseller How to Be An Artist . Hear Jerry talk about his secrets to finding inspiration in these isolating times, as well as how he imagines the art world will emerge from this global pandemic. After their conversation, hear Lifehacker’s health editor Beth Skwarecki speak with epidemiologist and inf...
Apr 27, 2020•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you feeling burnt out? Do you find yourself working MORE, not less, even while working from home? Award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee joins us on The Upgrade this week to talk about how the toxic culture of busyness is harming both our brains and our bodies, and what we can do about it. Celeste is the author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter , and most recently, Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving . Later in the show, ...
Apr 20, 2020•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gretchen Rubin joins us this week to talk about how she and her family are staying happy in their home during the pandemic—and how we can, too. Hear her talk about the rules, routines, and philosophies that are helping her maintain an inner calm during the current, chaotic state of the world. Gretchen is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project , Happier at Home , and The Four Tendencies , and also hosts the podcast Happier With Gretchen Rubin . Following our chat wit...
Apr 13, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast New York Times bestselling author James Clear joins us on The Upgrade this week to help us form some important habits during this panic-stricken time—from grounding rituals to quitting the habits making us unsafe during this pandemic. James is the author of 2018's Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones . Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hea...
Apr 06, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Everyone at Lifehacker—along with the rest of the world—is now hunkered down at home, trying to make sense of this new (temporary) normal. So this week each of us recorded audio from our lives to provide a glimpse of what we’re up to. We want to hear from you, too. Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 30, 2020•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of The Upgrade we’re talking about resilience. You know how some people seem to have some kind of inner strength that helps them bounce back when things go wrong? Those people who, even though the world sometimes feels like a scorched hellscape seem to carry on with grit, even gratitude? Our guest today is Buddhist psychologist Rick Hanson. Rick has drawn on his forty years of clinical practice and teaching to help us cultivate resilience, to overcome the brain's negativity bias ...
Mar 23, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
