Shows / Life Kit
Life Kit
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.
Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening and helpful curated playlists by topic for Life Kit.
Episodes
Life KitHow to get outside and enjoy nature — on your own terms
Enjoying the outdoors can look like anything from walking the dog to celebrating Indigenous culture — you don't have to hike the tallest mountain peaks or go…
Life KitLive more freely with autism, and nurture inclusivity
Autistic people are constantly forced to suppress who they are as a means of pleasing a neurotypical world. Social psychologist Devon Price not only wants to…
Life KitHow to help birds during migration
Bird migration season is starting. But across North America, their populations are in trouble. We asked experts for 8 everyday steps you can take to lend them…
Life KitTips for dealing with conflict in the workplace
When the discomfort of conflict arises, it can be hard to know what to do, especially in the workplace. Get the tips you need to become a conflict-resolving…
- Life Kit
How to cultivate your personal style
Here's advice from the experts on cultivating a personal style — from purging your closet to taking fashion risks in a way that feels true to you. See…
Life KitHow to have more fun
Do you have enough fun in life? Catherine Price, author of The Power of Fun, explains the three components of true fun and how to tap into this powerful…
Life KitHow to start bike commuting: tips for a safe and easy ride
Biking is a great way to get to work – it's good for the environment, and it can be faster than driving or public transit. If you ever had an inkling that…
Life KitToo much pleasure can lead to addiction. How to break the cycle and find balance
Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explains when too much pleasure-triggering dopamine upsets the delicate balance of pleasure and pain our brains need…
Life KitHow to start gardening
Whether you have big plans for a vegetable garden or a tiny pot of window sill herbs, this episode will help you get your green thumb. We cover the basics of…
Life KitIntro to Korean American cooking
In an introduction to Korean American cooking, New York Times food writer and cookbook author Eric Kim walks us through pantry essentials, quick-fix recipes…
Life KitYour tax refund, explained
It's tax season (insert collective groan here). But don't worry: in this episode of Life Kit, CPA and tax analyst Kimberly Washington offers helpful advice on…
Life KitHow working parents can win back some time
Calling all working parents and caregivers! We see you, and we know you don't have much time. Career coach Daisy Dowling shares time management tips to help…
Life KitRegret is universal, here's what to do when you feel it
Rather than striving for a life with no regrets, Daniel H. Pink, author of The Power of Regret, suggests embracing regret and learning from it. He outlines the…
Life KitFrom bills to appointments, here's how to tackle the homework of adulthood
Life seems full of ever-increasing piles of paperwork — bills to pay, appointments to make, forms to sign, carpools to organize. Here's how to conquer the…
Life KitHow to talk to customer service – and actually get what you want
Asking to speak to the manager isn't going to get the results you want. In this episode, negotiation consultant Craig dos Santos gives tips on how to make a…
Life Kit4 tips to stay connected when your friends live far away
Long distance friendships are a common reality of adulthood, as we move around for school, work or family. While they might require some planning and…
Life KitOur most valuable lessons from 2 pandemic years
It's been two years since our lives changed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Producers of NPR's Life Kit look back on the most valuable lessons they…
Life KitHow to deal with mental health issues at work
Whether it's depression, anxiety, burnout or something else, if you're struggling with your mental health at work, it can be hard to know what your options are…
Life KitFour ways to combat everyday indecision
We make so many basic decisions each day that it's easy to fall into "analysis paralysis." We explore where indecision comes from, why so many of us are…
Life KitHow to pick a birth control that works for you
Picking a form of contraception can be overwhelming. It involves understanding how birth control works, your preferences, side effects and more. This episode…
Life KitThe basics to home maintenance
DIY home maintenance can be intimidating. Mercury Stardust, better known as the Trans Handy Ma'am on TikTok, is a maintenance technician with 14 years of…
Life Kit4 tools to help unblock your creativity
Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way and architect of the famous creative practice "Morning Pages," has spent her career teaching "creative unblocking."In…
Life KitHow to deal with anxiety from the news
The news is overwhelming right now. Neuroscientist Judson Brewer shares tips on calming your nerves when the headlines won't stop. Take a break and learn about…
Life KitFood substitutions 101
Improvising in the kitchen takes a lot of practice. But when you get to that point in the recipe where you realize you're out of white wine/fresh garlic/brown…
Life KitWhat to say to kids when the news is scary
Whether a school shooting or a deadly tornado, scary events in the news can leave parents struggling to know when and how they should talk with their kids…
Life KitWhat to know and how to talk about disability
July is Disability Pride Month. Do you find yourself avoiding conversations on disabilities? A disability rights activist shares ways to be a better ally and…
Life KitHow to train for your first marathon
A running coach and athlete with a background in exercise science shares tips on building your mileage and finishing your first race injury-free. See…
Life KitWhy passing on wealth requires strategy
Wealth isn't just cold hard cash, says strategic investor Pamela Jolly. It's whatever you value, meaning generational wealth can take lots of forms. Here's how…
Life KitWhat's your attachment style?
According to the field of attachment theory, each person has a unique attachment style that informs how that person relates to intimacy: secure, anxious or…
Life KitHow to let more joy into your life
Poet Ross Gay sees joy all around him. In infinity scarves, orchards, pawpaws, even weeds. He explains the subtle mindset shift that allows him to let in more…
Life KitHow to get over someone
Breakups come in all shapes and sizes — slow dissolves, out-of-nowhere endings — and maybe you even initiated the breakup. But they all have a few things in…
Life KitHow to lose well — and why it matters
How to turn failure into an opportunity — and walk away a winner even in the face of defeat. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use…
Life KitFinancial advice for artists who think they're 'bad with money'
Getting your finances in order can be intimidating, especially for freelancers, creatives and side-giggers. Financial planner and artist Paco de Leon shares…
Life KitHow to talk to your Latinx parents about mental health
Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their families…
Life KitPick a card, any card: How to get into tarot
Even if you've gotten a tarot reading before, you may be intimidated by the cards or wondering whether you're cool enough to learn. Tarot reader and writer…
Life KitIt's OK to not be passionate about your job
Passion and work often feel inextricably linked, but that's a fairly new phenomenon — and maybe it shouldn't be the expectation. Sociologist Erin A. Cech talks…
Life KitWhat 'likeability' really means in the workplace
"Likeability" is a loaded word. And try as we might, none of us has full control over who likes us. Journalist and podcaster Alicia Menendez, author of The…
Life KitHow to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do…
Life KitDog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
If you recently searched the internet for "dog trainers near me," there's a good chance you became immediately overwhelmed by the options, certifications and…
Life KitHow to make sure you're paid for your time and work
Time is money. But often, especially in the creative industries, trying to advance your career can mean literally selling yourself short. It's commonplace and…
Life KitThe case for being ordinary
For those in emerging adulthood, there's endless pressure from all sides to chase an extraordinary standard in every aspect of life. But writer Rainesford…
Life KitNeed to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help
When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, How to…
Life KitHow to talk about the COVID vaccine with people who are hesitant
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jasmine Marcelin shares how she has conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with people who have doubts about getting…
Life KitHow to make ethical investing work for you
Money talks, but how do you make sure your money is sending the right message? Ethical investing isn't magic, but it's one way to try and put your money where…
Life KitHow to work through a creative rut
Do you ever try to be creative, but no matter how hard you try, struggle to access that spark in your head? This episode explains how to escape that creative…
Life KitHow to enjoy single life
Singlehood is not the waiting room of life. It's unfair to think single people can't create meaningful lives that are filled with purpose and love. We promise…
Life KitA pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5
Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease doctor Ibukun…
Life KitHow to curb money avoidance and face financial woes head-on
If you wince every time you open up your credit card app or feel stressed just thinking about personal finances, here's how to curb money avoidance and train…
Life KitHow to divest from diet culture
In 2022, 40% of New Year's resolutions in the U.S. were based on weight loss. Why do we set these goals for ourselves? Diet culture, the social expectations…
Life KitMindfulness For Beginners
It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close…
Life KitWhen it comes to exercise, "all movements count"
Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a day — and…
Life KitHow to give the perfect toast
It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a new year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech, or any other toasts this coming…
Life Kit6 tips on taking a break from drinking
Thinking about taking a break from drinking? Here are ways to help you make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship with…
Life KitHow solitude can help you regulate your mood
Everyone needs a little alone time, but during this pandemic, you may have felt like you had too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back!…
Life KitHow to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget
Holiday gift exchanges can feel like a burden, especially if you're shopping on a budget. Here are tips from a shopping expert on how to give more thoughtful…
Life KitYour questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior
We asked for your questions on navigating the holiday blues. Clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior guides us through some rough patches involving family, money…
Life KitWhat happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat
When we lose a loved one, it can feel like we've lost a part of ourselves. And for good reason, our brains are learning how to live in this world without…
Life KitHow to shop for sustainable holiday gifts
Shopping secondhand can ease the environmental burden of holiday consumption — and save you money, too. Here are three tips to help you start cutting down this…
Life KitHow to squash negative self-talk
Being self-critical comes naturally for a lot of people. It's easy to focus on the one bad review or the tiny flaw in an otherwise perfect presentation…
Life KitHow to host a meaningful holiday gathering
Hosting family and friends during the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker discusses ways anyone…