Life Kit

By NPR

Education Business Kids & Family

What's Life Kit about?

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+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

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LAST EPISODE

Make the most of your chill...

12.04.2023

How cold is too cold? What kind of gear should you wear? And how do you stay motivated to workout outside when the weather is dreary? Cold-loving runners and a doctor share their advice to get moving during the winter. ...

Life Kit episodes:

12.04.2023 Make the most of your chilly outdoor workouts How cold is too cold? What kind of gear should you wear? And how do you stay motivated to workout outside when the weather is dreary? Cold-loving runners and a doctor share their advice to get moving during the winter. ...
11.30.2023 Kids and firearm safety Firearms are the number one cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. Parents can take life-saving precautions to protect children — whether or not you own a gun.
11.28.2023 5 questions to ask your partner for a healthy, lasting marriage These conversation starters get at the heart of your values, including how you deal with conflict, your attitude toward gender roles and your relationship with money.
11.27.2023 How to donate to a charity with purpose and intention Not sure which cause to support or how much to give? Kevin Scally of Charity Navigator has some advice to help you make the right decisions.
11.23.2023 Giving thanks is good for you. Here's how to make it a habit Being thankful doesn't have to happen just once a year. Creating a daily gratitude habit can improve our mental and physical health. This episode, ways to be grateful all year long. This episode originally published November 21, 2022.
11.21.2023 Create a ritual to honor your ancestors Your ancestors don't have to feel like a distant memory. In this episode, spiritual practitioners and Indigenous educators offer cross-cultural guidance on how to set up a special place to honor them. Plus, how to dig into genealogical records.
11.20.2023 Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it Dipping in cold water is a growing trend. It's not just for the thrill — people who cold plunge say it helps with anxiety, metabolic health and more. But is there science to support those claims?
11.16.2023 A beginner's guide to roasting a Thanksgiving turkey If you roast your turkey on a pre-heated pizza stone, you can avoid the dreaded task of flipping the piping hot bird midway through the cooking process, says Lan Lam of 'America's Test Kitchen.'
11.14.2023 Find a bra that actually fits Can't wait to take your bra off at the end of every day? Laura Henny, a bra fitter and owner of The Rack Shack, shares tips for finding a bra that fits correctly and makes you feel comfortable and cute.
11.13.2023 What to do if your flight gets delayed or canceled this holiday season But if you have to, here's some advice. Scott Keyes, the founder of the travel site Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), shares the best days to fly and what to do if your flight gets delayed.
11.09.2023 How to ditch the apps and date offline Tired of swiping through dating profiles on your phone? Maybe it's time to get out there and meet people in real life. A sexuality and relationship educator shares advice about how to meet new people, strike up conversations and move ...
11.07.2023 Protect yourself from scams Scams can happen to anyone. Experts explain how to safeguard your data and money from being exploited or stolen by fraudsters.
11.06.2023 How to build low-waste practices into your life The average American generates five pounds of trash per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Reduce your household trash by listing your output and taking these simple actions.
11.04.2023 How screens are changing our eyes Myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise in children as a result of reduced time outside and screen usage. TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi talks to Maria Liu, an optometrist, about how to slow down this progression and how ...
11.02.2023 Dear LK: My kids are enemies. What should I do? A sister relentlessly picks on her brother despite their mom's best attempt to make peace between them. Psychologist Becky Kennedy shares advice with a parent who feels out of ideas — and patience.
10.31.2023 Demystifying your health insurance plan It's open enrollment season, meaning it's time to pick a health care plan. But it can be confusing to decipher all the acronyms and lingo of health care — so how do you pick the right health care plan for ...
10.30.2023 It's soup season! Get cooking with these tips from Sohla El-Waylly Soup can be a flexible, cozy meal that allows you to experiment in the kitchen. But to make a delicious one, you need to get some fundamentals down first. Chef Sohla El-Waylly offers her best tips on everything from creating ...
10.26.2023 How to save a life with CPR Every year, more than 350,000 people go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting in the United States. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can help double or triple survival rates. In this episode, we'll explain the basics of this emergency ...
10.24.2023 Anxious about public speaking? We've got tips It can be anxiety-inducing to deliver a speech in front of an audience. How do you capture people's attention? What do you do if you stumble? A speechwriter and a speech coach share their best tips.
10.23.2023 Live with your parents? Here's how to create a harmonious household Three people who've spent time living with their parents as adults share advice on how they've coped with their situation. Don't compare yourself to others, they say — and find ways to still live your life.
10.19.2023 A shame-free guide to digging out of debt Life happens, and so does debt. Unexpected car trouble, the high price of food, a family emergency — there is no shortage of reasons why debt can pile up. In this episode, we offer shame-free solutions for digging out of ...
10.17.2023 Boo! Halloween is coming. Here's how to decide on a costume Haven't figured out your costume yet? Don't sweat. Stylist Sophie Strauss explains how to create a Halloween outfit that's unexpected, fun and won't break the bank.
10.16.2023 How to get the most out of your library Baking pans, legal help, language classes and more — libraries can provide so much more than books. See if your local branch offers these free or discounted resources and services.
10.12.2023 How to talk to kids about the violence in Israel and Gaza Last weekend, militants from the terrorist group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, including children, in an attack on Israel while also taking hostages. Israel has ordered a full siege of Gaza, where nearly half of residents are under ...
10.10.2023 How to actively heal from an injury or illness If you're recuperating after an illness or injury, it's normal to not feel like yourself. Your body needs time to heal so you can get back to your regular activities. Physician Gavin Francis shares practical tips on active healing, deciding ...
10.09.2023 Can I afford to totally change my life? Longing to quit your job and follow your passion? Or perhaps take a break to travel? Or move to a new place? First, you'll need to look at your finances. In this episode, Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner and ...
10.05.2023 Dear Life Kit: Your most petty social dilemmas, answered Lunch snubs, bad neighbors and needy in-laws. Advice columnist R. Eric Thomas responds to the bad behavior getting under your skin.
10.03.2023 6 big purchases that can save energy and money at home To live a more climate friendly life, invest in home appliances and vehicles that run on electricity, not fossil fuels, say sustainability experts. Here are a few energy-saving solutions to consider.
10.02.2023 The new rules of laundry Patric Richardson, host of 'The Laundry Guy' on HGTV, wants you to change the way you wash your clothes. Go ahead and wash those darks in warm water — and embrace the express cycle.
09.28.2023 What to know if you're exploring non-monogamy When we think about romance, many of us have a specific script in mind. Two people date, fall in love and get married. But that traditional path doesn't work for everyone.
09.26.2023 Teeth: an owner's manual Brush twice a day. Remember to floss. Visit the dentist twice a year. We know the drill...or maybe not? In this episode, how to take care of your teeth, from finding a good dentist, to home teeth whitening, to the ...
09.25.2023 How to talk to your parents about their money There comes a time when it's the kid's turn to take care of mom and dad. Here's how to broach this sensitive subject with your parents.
09.21.2023 Ace Your Freshman Year of College Congratulations! You've been accepted into college. Now you've got to find your way around campus, pick out classes, make new friends, and figure out a plan to graduate — on time. Here's how to make it easier. This episode originally ...
09.19.2023 We've heard we need more fiber in our diets. Here are 8 easy tips for getting there NPR's Maria Godoy is a self-proclaimed fiber fanatic. She explains how to add fiber to your diet (munch on popcorn!) and provides a grocery list of high-fiber foods that you can print out at home.
09.18.2023 The consequences of overindulging your kids Giving in to your kid too much can be harmful to their development. Take the 'Test of Four' to examine your relationship with your child — then find out how to say 'no' and enforce rules that stick.
09.14.2023 What to know about the new COVID boosters Updated versions of the mRNA vaccines roll out this week. Experts say they offer good protection against current COVID variants. Who should get them, and when's the best time to roll up your sleeve?
09.12.2023 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 ...
09.11.2023 Scarfing down your food? Here's how to slow down and eat more mindfully Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard, shares helpful tips on how to slow down while eating — including saying 'The 5 Contemplations' by Buddhist master Thích Nhất Hanh.
09.07.2023 Dear Life Kit: My husband shuts down any time I try to talk about our finances I'm struggling to get my husband to make a family budget with me. Whenever the topic comes up, he completely gets defensive. How do I get him to talk to me about money?
09.05.2023 Stomp, scrape, repeat: What you can do to stop the spotted lanternfly An entomologist shares surprising insights about the invasive bug, which is wreaking havoc on crops and trees across 14 U.S. states. Plus: A poster with our facts that you can print out at home.
09.04.2023 Don't 'get' art? You may be looking at it wrong Art professionals explain how to look at paintings and sculptures like an expert — and how to make the most out of a museum visit. This episode originally published January 10, 2023.
08.31.2023 Prenups aren't just for the rich and famous. Here's when to consider one Everyone should consider a prenuptial agreement before getting married, says family law attorney Theresa Viera. Here's how to talk about it with your partner and decide whether it's right for you.
08.29.2023 Student loan repayment is resuming. Here's what you need to know The three-year federal pause on student loans is expiring soon. If your financial circumstances have changed, or you just need an explanation of the many payment plans out there, here's a refresher course on how to pay off your student ...
08.28.2023 Start cleaning your home more sustainably with these tips 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 ...
08.24.2023 A guide to forest bathing Spending time in the forest isn't just enjoyable, it's good for your health. Here are some research-backed exercises to try the next time you find yourself under a canopy of trees.
08.22.2023 When is it OK to lie? When are white lies harmless or hurtful? Experts weigh in on when it's appropriate to tell a lie, explain how lying can lead to more lying and share tips for cutting back if you want to break the habit.
08.21.2023 Meal prep made easy What's for dinner? It's a question that can lead to overspending on delivery, unhealthy meals and dread. FitMenCook founder Kevin Curry shares meal prep techniques that can alleviate stress and save money. This episode originally published January 31, 2023.
08.17.2023 Protect your hearing and ears Go easy on the Q-tips. Watch your phone volume. And if you're experiencing hearing issues like muffled sounds or tinnitus, see a professional. This comic offers advice on how to care for your ears.
08.15.2023 Start a financial self-care routine We're supposed to do things routinely for our health, like brushing our teeth, showering and exercising. And there are basic hygiene tasks to maintain your financial health too. Here are five tasks to tackle each year.
08.14.2023 The 5-minute playtime ritual that can help your kids listen Children's health professionals widely recommend a strategy known as 'special time' to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. This episode explains how to do it and why this simple and free tool is so powerful.

Older episodes

Life Kit

What's Life Kit about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Kit episodes:

Make the most of your chilly outdoor workouts

Kids and firearm safety

5 questions to ask your partner for a healthy, lasting marriage

How to donate to a charity with purpose and intention

Giving thanks is good for you. Here's how to make it a habit

Create a ritual to honor your ancestors

Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it

A beginner's guide to roasting a Thanksgiving turkey

Find a bra that actually fits

What to do if your flight gets delayed or canceled this holiday season

How to ditch the apps and date offline

Protect yourself from scams

How to build low-waste practices into your life

How screens are changing our eyes

Dear LK: My kids are enemies. What should I do?

Demystifying your health insurance plan

It's soup season! Get cooking with these tips from Sohla El-Waylly

How to save a life with CPR

Anxious about public speaking? We've got tips

Live with your parents? Here's how to create a harmonious household

A shame-free guide to digging out of debt

Boo! Halloween is coming. Here's how to decide on a costume

How to get the most out of your library

How to talk to kids about the violence in Israel and Gaza

How to actively heal from an injury or illness

Can I afford to totally change my life?

Dear Life Kit: Your most petty social dilemmas, answered

6 big purchases that can save energy and money at home

The new rules of laundry

What to know if you're exploring non-monogamy

Teeth: an owner's manual

How to talk to your parents about their money

Ace Your Freshman Year of College

We've heard we need more fiber in our diets. Here are 8 easy tips for getting there

The consequences of overindulging your kids

What to know about the new COVID boosters

How to avoid 'lifestyle creep'

Scarfing down your food? Here's how to slow down and eat more mindfully

Dear Life Kit: My husband shuts down any time I try to talk about our finances

Stomp, scrape, repeat: What you can do to stop the spotted lanternfly

Don't 'get' art? You may be looking at it wrong

Prenups aren't just for the rich and famous. Here's when to consider one

Student loan repayment is resuming. Here's what you need to know

Start cleaning your home more sustainably with these tips

A guide to forest bathing

When is it OK to lie?

Meal prep made easy

Protect your hearing and ears

Start a financial self-care routine

The 5-minute playtime ritual that can help your kids listen

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