Life Kit

By NPR

What's Life Kit about?

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.

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LAST EPISODE

Get more out of your dreams

06.06.2023

Dreams have inspired works of art, led to breakthroughs in organic chemistry and helped people process their deepest fears and emotions. They're not just weird little movies our brains put on while we sleep. In this episode, we explain why ...

Life Kit episodes:

06.06.2023 Get more out of your dreams Dreams have inspired works of art, led to breakthroughs in organic chemistry and helped people process their deepest fears and emotions. They're not just weird little movies our brains put on while we sleep. In this episode, we explain why ...
06.05.2023 Why you should play video games with your kid Video games get a bad reputation that's often unwarranted. But kids do need guidance in using them wisely. Here's how to help them, starting with spending some time with the games your kids can't put down.
06.01.2023 Dear LK: I'm happily married but hate our sex life. Should I ask for a divorce? I've been in a loving relationship with my husband for years. We're incredibly compatible except for our sex life. The sex started off great, became less interesting over the years, and now it's non-existent. I'm considering divorce even though the ...
05.30.2023 To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home.
05.29.2023 Pick the right sunscreen for you No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use, how often to reapply and the difference between ...
05.25.2023 Extend the life of your clothes with visible mending There's no need to give up on a sweater with a hole in the elbow or a shirt with a tear in the collar. Visible mending is beginner friendly, highly creative and helps extend the life of your clothes.
05.23.2023 What to do when you're feeling anxious Anxiety can feel awful and overwhelming. But it can also be a helpful warning signal — telling us when we're in danger or out of alignment with our true feelings. We share tips on how to turn down the dial ...
05.22.2023 How to have healthy dating expectations Dating in search of "the one"? Relationship therapist Jeff Guenther, known as Therapy Jeff on TikTok, says that might not be practical. If your goal is a successful, long-term partnership, having realistic expectations and a clear understanding of your values ...
05.18.2023 Making friends anywhere you move Whether you're moving into a summer sublet or your forever home, friendships are important to feeling settled in a new place. So how do we do that? A friendship coach walks us through how we can be more vulnerable and ...
05.16.2023 Create a better to-do list Is your to-do list helping you reach your goals? Or is it holding you back? Productivity experts explain how to level up your list so it prioritizes what matters to you. This episode originally published Jan. 5, 2023.
05.15.2023 Make your thrift shopping trips a success Shopping secondhand is a good way to be more sustainable, explore your personal style, or score a deal. But sifting through a seemingly endless supply of clothes can be intimidating. We have tips from some diehard thrifters that will help ...
05.11.2023 Pregnant? Here's how to deal with the new you Pregnancy is hard work – for the body, mind and soul. There are seemingly endless resources for all the physical and logistical aspects of pregnancy but far fewer for renegotiating your sense of self in every part of your life. ...
05.09.2023 5 ways to improve your indoor air quality Want fresher, cleaner air at home? We share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality, and change your habits to limit indoor air pollution.
05.08.2023 5 ways to explore your gender identity If you're an adult starting to explore your gender identity, it can be tough knowing where to begin. Here's some advice from trans people to help you on this intimate and powerful journey.
05.04.2023 Dear LK: My parents pay my tuition. Do I have to show them my grades? If your parents pay for your college, do they have a right to demand to see your grades? Berna Anat, the author of Money Out Loud, shares advice on defining financial expectations and boundaries.
05.02.2023 A better way to talk to your doctor Ever leave the doctor's office confused or with unanswered questions? Talking to doctors and other medical professionals can be hard — whether they're good at their jobs or not. We'll give you the tools to get more out of your ...
05.01.2023 Want to create a stronger bond with your kids? First relinquish control It may sound counterintuitive, but if you want to take charge as a parent, stop trying to control your child, says psychologist and author Shefali Tsabary. Her new book, "The Parenting Map," lays out a step-by-step guide for creating conscious ...
04.29.2023 When a partner keeps a financial secret How do you cope when your partner keeps a secret that impacts your personal finances? Meredith Goldstein of the Love Letters podcast from The Boston Globe talks with a couple who worked through financial troubles in their marriage that threatened ...
04.27.2023 How to break up with your therapist Getting into therapy comes with its own hurdles, but what about knowing when to stop it? Moraya Seeger DeGeare, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has advice on how to figure out when it's time to end therapy and what ...
04.25.2023 A field guide for fledgling birders You don't need binoculars and a trip to a nature preserve to go birding. If you've ever paused to appreciate a bird, you're already well on your way. Here are some tips to up your game.
04.24.2023 Put your savings to work The current inflation rate in the US is 5 percent. And most big bank savings accounts offer interest rates much lower than that. In this episode, you'll learn how to protect your savings against inflation.
04.20.2023 How to clean when you don't feel like cleaning Therapist and author KC Davis shares a framework to help you get a messy room back to functional quickly. She says that in any space, there are really only five things: trash, dishes, laundry, things that have a place, and ...
04.18.2023 Your guide to running for office If you've ever thought about running for office — your town council or school board, the state legislature, or even Congress, this episode is for you. We'll tell you where to start and how to navigate everything from campaign fundraising ...
04.17.2023 So you don't want kids. How to build a child-free life If you've decided not to have kids, your life will look different from what you might have seen growing up. Here's how to build your child-free life, with or without a long-term partner. We talk about finding community, planning for ...
04.13.2023 Find your way to a (high-paying) trade job There are lots of jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree and pay well. Here's what to consider if you're thinking about a job in the trades — from assessing your options to choosing a training program. This episode originally ...
04.11.2023 Get your debt under control 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 ...
04.10.2023 Practicing the art of saying goodbye Saying goodbye can be tough, especially if you're parting ways for good. But grief counselor and patient advocate Isabel Stenzel Byrnes says the art of saying goodbye to loved ones can be learned and practiced.
04.06.2023 Dear LK: My boyfriend's parents pay for everything. It makes me uncomfortable She loves her boyfriend's parents, but their generosity feels inappropriate. Maya Lau, host of the podcast Other People's Pockets, weighs in on how to move forward.
04.04.2023 Tips for acing that job interview How should you prepare in advance for a job interview? We discuss what questions to prep for, how to choose an outfit you feel your best in, and what to do if you get nervous. Plus, we walk through a ...
04.03.2023 Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro Getting ready for a trip is fun until you have to start packing. These tips for packing a carry-on will help you figure out what you need in your bag (and what you don't!) so you can have peace of ...
03.30.2023 How to show up for teens when big emotions arise Being a teenager is hard. There are emotional highs and lows every day. Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour says instead of jumping into problem-solving mode, parents can learn to ride the wave of emotional management with their teens. NPR's Rachel Martin ...
03.28.2023 Tips for negotiating your medical bills There's an estimated $195 billion of medical debt in America. But just because a medical bill comes in the mail doesn't mean you have to pay that exact price. Here's how to eliminate, reduce or negotiate a medical bill.
03.27.2023 6 tips for raising happy houseplants From monstera to snake plants, we'll walk you through how to care for your houseplants properly. Plus, troubleshooting tips for knowing when your plant needs water and how to get rid of pests.
03.25.2023 How an aerialist uses trapeze to teach students about consent How do we learn to trust what our bodies tell us and express it to others? Aerialist Adie Delaney speaks with TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi about how communication, trust and safety in trapeze can provide valuable lessons on ...
03.23.2023 5 things to remember when a friendship ends Not all friends are meant to last forever. Here are 5 things to remember if you're processing the loss of a friendship — or trying to save one that matters to you.
03.21.2023 How to have the STIs conversation With Dr. Evalene Dacker, we lay out the science of STIs and then give you language to talk about them and, more broadly, about sex, with a potential partner. Because for something so fun, sex can be hard to talk ...
03.20.2023 Tricks to boost your credit score A strong credit score can make major purchases and financial transactions much easier. Here's how to make yours better and keep it high. (This episode originally ran in November 2020.)
03.16.2023 Masculinity doesn't have to be restrictive. Here's how to redefine it for yourself Restrictive expectations of masculinity can be perpetuated by anyone and impact how we view ourselves and others. We spoke with experts for tips on how you or those in your life can begin to redefine masculinity.
03.14.2023 5 questions you should ask your partner before getting married It takes more than love to sustain a marriage. A marriage social scientist goes over five big questions to answer about your relationship and your values before getting hitched.
03.13.2023 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. (This episode originally ran in October 17, 2022).
03.11.2023 Finding joy in the face of sorrow Poet Ross Gay knows a thing or two about finding joy in life's most difficult moments. He talks with It's Been a Minute host Brittany Luse about his new book of essays, "Inciting Joy" — which covers the complexity of ...
03.09.2023 So you want to be a mentor In this episode, we talk about who can be a mentor, how to structure the relationship, and how to have tricky conversations with your mentees. Also, how to make sure it's not a one-sided relationship.
03.07.2023 The truth about caffeine 75% of Americans consume some kind of caffeine at least once a day. Whether your caffeine of choice is coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, how do you know that it's working for you and not against you? We speak ...
03.06.2023 This is the period talk you should've gotten We asked two experts how they would give the period talk. Here are six pieces of advice — including the science of periods, management techniques, and how to know when something is wrong.
03.02.2023 Dear Life Kit: Do I have to listen to my boss complain? An employee struggles to cope with her boss's constant oversharing and negativity. Journalist and host of the podcast Work Appropriate Anne Helen Petersen shares advice for establishing boundaries ... with your boss.
02.28.2023 Can I afford to quit my job? 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 ...
02.27.2023 'Do I really need to floss?' and other common questions about dental care We asked experts to answer five questions about how to properly care for your teeth. Here's what they said about finding a dentist, whitening your teeth at home, and whether daily flossing is necessary.
02.23.2023 How to file your tax returns: 6 things you should know this year For something that's legally required, taxes can be confusing. This guide explains when and how to hire a tax preparer, covers the latest credits and deductions — and helps you plan ahead for next year.
02.21.2023 Define your personal style Fashion may not have been at the top of your priority list over the last two years. If you're ready to shake the dust off, here's advice from the experts — from purging your closet to taking fashion risks in ...
02.20.2023 How caregivers can prevent burnout 1 in 5 Americans are acting as unpaid caregivers. The work can be meaningful but also stressful. Caregivers give advice about how to approach the job, find support and make time for yourself.

Older episodes

Life Kit

What's Life Kit about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Kit episodes:

Get more out of your dreams

Why you should play video games with your kid

Dear LK: I'm happily married but hate our sex life. Should I ask for a divorce?

To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store

Pick the right sunscreen for you

Extend the life of your clothes with visible mending

What to do when you're feeling anxious

How to have healthy dating expectations

Making friends anywhere you move

Create a better to-do list

Make your thrift shopping trips a success

Pregnant? Here's how to deal with the new you

5 ways to improve your indoor air quality

5 ways to explore your gender identity

Dear LK: My parents pay my tuition. Do I have to show them my grades?

A better way to talk to your doctor

Want to create a stronger bond with your kids? First relinquish control

When a partner keeps a financial secret

How to break up with your therapist

A field guide for fledgling birders

Put your savings to work

How to clean when you don't feel like cleaning

Your guide to running for office

So you don't want kids. How to build a child-free life

Find your way to a (high-paying) trade job

Get your debt under control

Practicing the art of saying goodbye

Dear LK: My boyfriend's parents pay for everything. It makes me uncomfortable

Tips for acing that job interview

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

How to show up for teens when big emotions arise

Tips for negotiating your medical bills

6 tips for raising happy houseplants

How an aerialist uses trapeze to teach students about consent

5 things to remember when a friendship ends

How to have the STIs conversation

Tricks to boost your credit score

Masculinity doesn't have to be restrictive. Here's how to redefine it for yourself

5 questions you should ask your partner before getting married

Braving the 'quarterlife' crisis

Finding joy in the face of sorrow

So you want to be a mentor

The truth about caffeine

This is the period talk you should've gotten

Dear Life Kit: Do I have to listen to my boss complain?

Can I afford to quit my job?

'Do I really need to floss?' and other common questions about dental care

How to file your tax returns: 6 things you should know this year

Define your personal style

How caregivers can prevent burnout

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