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.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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Coping with the end of a fr...

03.23.2023

Not all of our friendships are meant to last forever. Friendship expert Marisa Franco says losing a close friend can feel like we're losing a part of ourselves. In this episode, how to process the loss of a friendship — ...

Life Kit episodes:

03.23.2023 Coping with the end of a friendship Not all of our friendships are meant to last forever. Friendship expert Marisa Franco says losing a close friend can feel like we're losing a part of ourselves. In this episode, how to process the loss of a friendship — ...
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 Defining masculinity on your own terms The "man box" refers to the strict expectations we learn about what it means to be a "real man." In reality, those rules limit the way masculine folks believe they can move through the world. On this episode of Life ...
03.14.2023 5 questions to ask each other before marriage It takes more than love to sustain a marriage. In this episode, a marriage social scientist goes over the big questions to ask 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 The period talk you never got This episode, we hear from two period experts on understanding 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. In this episode, caregivers give advice about how to approach the job, find support and make time for yourself.
02.16.2023 Earthquake preparedness in 6 steps Earthquakes strike at a moment's notice. That's why having a plan in place is key. In this episode, emergency and disaster experts share their tips to help prepare you and your family.
02.14.2023 The science of finding a partner Logan Ury, a behavioral scientist at the dating app Hinge, says making dating decisions based on initial chemistry alone is a losing battle. In this episode, dating coach Damon Hoffman speaks with Ury about her book, How to Not Die ...
02.13.2023 Why the 5-minute walk break is so powerful Sitting all day isn't good for your health. Long stretches glued to a chair can increase the risk of heart disease and early death. Thankfully, new research shows that five minute walk breaks can be powerful in offsetting those risks.
02.09.2023 Dear LK: My husband is still living under COVID lockdown Three years into the pandemic, one spouse is ready to lift lockdown. The other? Not so much. Epidemiologist and science communicator Jessica Malaty Rivera shares ideas on finding compromise and managing a risk budget.
02.07.2023 Creative ways to get kids to eat their veggies Veggies help kids grow and develop, but it can be hard to convince them to eat their broccoli. These research-backed tips can help you encourage your kids to eat more veggies — or at least try them.
02.06.2023 Budgeting for dating How much should you spend on a date? Who should pick up the bill? Can you talk money on the first date? Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, shares the results of a recent survey on finances and dating.
02.02.2023 Be an awesome gift giver Searching for the perfect gift for a loved one doesn't have to be stressful. With some clever thinking, buying a present can be even more fun that receiving one. 'SELF magazine' editor-in-chief Rachel Wilkerson Miller shares her best tips for ...
01.31.2023 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.
01.30.2023 The five kinds of perfectionists Are you a 'Parisian perfectionist'? How about a 'messy perfectionist'? Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler believes there are 5 kinds of perfectionists in the world. Find out which one you are.
01.26.2023 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.
01.24.2023 Helpful financial advice for creative types Got a side hustle and not sure how to handle your money? Financial coach Paco de Leon, author of 'Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances,' explains why you should put your freelance funds into a separate ...
01.23.2023 Practical tips for exercising in the cold Athlete and activist Alison Mariella Désir and sports medicine specialist Dr. Kelechi Okoroha explain how runners should dress when temperatures drop to the 50s, 30s and below.
01.21.2023 'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth This is the story of one particularly devious octopus who lost a limb, was captured by humans — then managed to make an escape from its aquarium tank back into the ocean. This episode comes from our friends at 'Terrestrials,' ...
01.19.2023 Looking for a job? Advice to help you land the gig How helpful are personal connections? When should you send a thank you email? Cynthia Pong, founder and CEO of the career coaching firm Embrace Change, answers questions about how to find a job now.
01.17.2023 Pushing back against 'anti-fatness' All Things Considered host Juana Summers interviews Aubrey Gordon, author of the book " 'You Just Need To Lose Weight': And 19 Other Myths About Fat People." Gordon explains how the concept of 'anti-fatness' keeps fat people on the margins ...
01.16.2023 How to reduce your climate footprint in 2023 Lowering individual greenhouse emissions may be easier than you think. Here are some New Year's resolutions experts agree have an impact in addressing climate change.
01.12.2023 Dear LK: I'm tired of my boyfriend's lack of ambition Can you successfully motivate someone else to change? Clinical psychologist Jody Adewale shares advice with a letter writer feels put off by her partner's lack of direction.
01.10.2023 How to look at art (and have a perception-altering experience) Everyone can have a profound connection with a work of art. You just need the right mindset and attitude. Art professionals share tips on how to navigate museums and observe paintings and sculptures.
01.09.2023 Find your authentic personal brand Life Kit's Andee Tagle talks to networking coach Lynda Peralta about how to present her personal life and her professional life on Instagram. See how her experiment went, then try it out for yourself.
01.05.2023 How to make 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.
01.03.2023 Clear out your clutter Got piles of stuff you just can't seem to get rid of? Professional organizer Star Hansen explains how to let go of unnecessary items – and keep your home neat and tidy.
01.02.2023 New Year's resolutions from Life Kit Happy New Year! Team members at Life Kit share some of their favorite tips they are looking to trying in 2023, from how to start an art habit to how to get kids to listen better. For more great New ...
12.29.2022 How to start an exercise routine that works for you You don't have to be a marathoner or gym rat to get meaningful health benefits from exercise. In fact, that die-hard mentality can actually deter you from getting movement. Here's how to start a fitness routine that you'll actually stick ...
12.27.2022 Ready to make a change for New Year's? Behavioral science can help When is the best time to start a new habit? And why are some habits easier to practice than others? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman, author of 'How to Change,' explains how to get a behavior to stick.
12.26.2022 This acronym will help you give the perfect toast It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. Done well, it can be a memorable highlight. Done badly, it can be a total cringefest. Here's a helpful way to remember how to give a terrific toast, whether ...
12.22.2022 How to help someone at risk of suicide If you know someone struggling with despair, depression or thoughts of suicide, you may be wondering how to help. Psychologists and researchers explain how to recognize the warning signs and what to do and say when a loved one is ...
12.20.2022 How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics This guide — which comes with a fun brochure you can download and print at home — offers advice on how to pick a film, get outside your comfort zone and deepen your enjoyment of movies.
12.19.2022 How to cut down your alcohol intake Want to skip the champagne and cocktails this holiday season? Here's how to take a break from drinking alcohol — including in social settings — and start healthy habits.
12.17.2022 Can therapy save their friendship? Would you ever consider going to therapy with a friend? In this episode from NPR Invisibilia, two best friends — who are so close they call themselves brothers — were drifting apart, so host Yowei Shaw asked psychotherapist Esther Perel ...
12.15.2022 Dear LK: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend An ideological difference over adopting versus shopping for a pet causes a rift between friends. Tania Israel, a professor of psychology, shares advice about how to have difficult conversations with people you care about.
12.13.2022 How to support people with long COVID One in five Americans who have had COVID have experienced symptoms lasting three months or more. How can patients navigate this chronic illness? And how can the people in their lives provide comfort and strength? In this episode from our ...
12.12.2022 Build a healthy relationship with your in-laws Creating a relationship with your partner's family can be hard work. Experts share how to navigate 5 tricky situations, including dealing with in-laws who can't seem to stop giving unsolicited advice.
12.08.2022 How to start new traditions that feel right to you Traditions can foster a sense of unity with the people we love and help pass down cultural values. But what happens when these events no longer make sense in our lives?
12.06.2022 Piece together your family tree If you're interested in learning more about your family history, genealogist Mica Anders says to get creative. Look through newspaper archives, census data, vital records and more. And who knows, you may find some unexpected gems in the process.

Older episodes

Life Kit

What's Life Kit about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Kit episodes:

Coping with the end of a friendship

How to have the STIs conversation

Tricks to boost your credit score

Defining masculinity on your own terms

5 questions to ask each other before marriage

Braving the 'quarterlife' crisis

Finding joy in the face of sorrow

So you want to be a mentor

The truth about caffeine

The period talk you never got

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

Earthquake preparedness in 6 steps

The science of finding a partner

Why the 5-minute walk break is so powerful

Dear LK: My husband is still living under COVID lockdown

Creative ways to get kids to eat their veggies

Budgeting for dating

Be an awesome gift giver

Meal prep made easy

The five kinds of perfectionists

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

Helpful financial advice for creative types

Practical tips for exercising in the cold

'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth

Looking for a job? Advice to help you land the gig

Pushing back against 'anti-fatness'

How to reduce your climate footprint in 2023

Dear LK: I'm tired of my boyfriend's lack of ambition

How to look at art (and have a perception-altering experience)

Find your authentic personal brand

How to make a better to-do list

Clear out your clutter

New Year's resolutions from Life Kit

How to start an exercise routine that works for you

Ready to make a change for New Year's? Behavioral science can help

This acronym will help you give the perfect toast

How to help someone at risk of suicide

How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics

How to cut down your alcohol intake

Can therapy save their friendship?

Dear LK: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend

How to support people with long COVID

Build a healthy relationship with your in-laws

How to start new traditions that feel right to you

Piece together your family tree

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