Life Kit

Should you tell a colleague that you heard they might be fired? A stranger that they have spinach in their teeth? Your followers that you just won a big award? In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle speaks with social psychologist Vanessa Bohns, author of the new book Should I Say Something? The Science of What to Share — and What to Keep to Yourself. Bohns shares tips on when to be honest, the best ways to share good and bad news, and what to say when it feels like there's no right thing to say.

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If you often overextend yourself or struggle to uphold your boundaries, telling people "no" might not feel easy. But Caroline Sylge, author of the book, How to Retreat: A Guide to Stepping Away from the Everyday to Find Space for Your Self, says that learning to say "no" might just take some intentional practice. This episode, Sylge offers advice on saying "no." And she makes the case for a "say no" retreat — carving out a full day to practice telling people "no."

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Trying to get pregnant can feel like being stuck on a stressful hamster wheel. Between monitoring your cycle, dealing with your family's probing questions and navigating medical ups and downs, conception is rarely straightforward and often anxiety-inducing. This episode, reporter Andee Tagle shares tips on dealing with conception anxiety no matter your pregnancy journey.

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Unlocking the "flow state" – that euphoric, effortless immersion in a challenging task – offers a powerful roadmap for finding purpose and momentum in midlife. In this episode from NPR's new midlife health podcast, Your Turn with Allison Aubrey, Aubrey explores the science and lived experience of “flow,” a psychological state where a person becomes fully absorbed in an activity, losing sense of self and time while achieving peak performance.

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We can't prevent you from getting sick this year, but we can help you prepare. In this episode, we talk to a doctor and a pharmacist about their medicine cabinet must-haves, how to read medicine labels, and when to treat an illness at home or see a doctor.

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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. This episode was originally published Sept. 16, 2025.

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Shorter days, less sunshine, rain and snow ... the colder months can be a drag. But they don't have to be! In this episode, we share ideas to help you embrace the seasonal changes, whether you're a fan of the cold or not. We'll cover cozy rituals, dressing for the outdoors, ways to celebrate and gather, and how to use this reflective time of year for contemplation.

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Picking a health insurance plan can be confusing and frustrating. There are endless acronyms and it's hard to predict what your health needs will be in six months. This episode, we break down some of the terms and share guided questions to help you choose the plan that's best for you. This episode was originally published Oct. 31, 2023.

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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 insight. This episode originally published July 28, 2025.

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Companies look at their financial picture on a quarterly basis. We can do the same for our personal finances. In this episode, how to do a financial check-in ahead of Q4. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger says it's not too late to get back on track with your money goals and set yourself up for success in 2027.

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