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.
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Episodes
Life Kit5 ways to cut back your spending
As we enter a period of high personal spending, here are 5 tips from past Life Kit experts on how to save money during the holidays and year-round. See…
Life KitGive great gifts
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 than receiving…
Life KitIt's ok to run slow AF
Martinus Evans, author of Slow AF Run Club, explains what running is and what it isn't — and why anyone who wants to run can run. And for people interested in…
Life KitWhat people get wrong about hangovers
Do you feel anxious after a night drinking? Two doctors weigh in on how to treat hangover symptoms especially 'hangxiety' after drinking too much. Plus the…
Life KitGoing home for the holidays? Here's how to cope with travel stress
Holiday travel is stressful — especially if you're dealing with family baggage on top of your actual baggage. But with some patience and boundary setting, you…
Life KitGot two left feet? A guide to dance
A basic guide to boogying down, whether that's at a wedding, a dance studio or alone in your kitchen. In this episode, experts offer tips on how to shake off…
Life KitA 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…
Life KitClever kitchen hacks from 'Bake Off' judge Prue Leith
Chef and TV host Prue Leith may be an exacting judge with the bakers on The Great British Bake Off. But when it comes to the rest of us, she thinks we could…
Life KitA stress-free guide to organizing important paperwork
The paper of life — birth certificates, tax information, medical records and other important documents — all have to go somewhere. But keeping track of all…
Life KitHow long do leftovers last? And other food safety questions, answered
Did you grow up in a household where food was left out all day? Do you wash chicken before cooking it? If so, you might need this refresher course on food…
Life KitHow to pick the right health insurance plan
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…
Life KitBusting myths about hydration
Do you really need to drink eight glasses of water a day? Can drinking water help you lose weight? Does coffee dehydrate you? Experts explain the science of…
Life KitHow to recover from a bad night of sleep
If you've slept poorly, your instinct might be to sleep in or power through the day with extra cups of coffee. But those tactics may actually hurt your chances…
Life KitHow to slow down when you eat
Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how…
Life KitHow to find lost objects: Techniques that really work
Finding missing items isn't a matter of "looking harder." There's an art and a science to it. The next time you misplace your wedding ring, try these…
Life KitDear Life Kit: I need a gut check for a sticky situation
Comedian and advice columnist Sophia Benoit weighs in on questions from listeners with sticky interpersonal situations and gives us a gut check on each one…
Life KitA guide to breast cancer screening
October is breast cancer awareness month. Here's what you need to know about detection and screening. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection…
Life KitShould you let your kid quit something?
You signed your kid up for the soccer team (or swimming lessons, or piano or art), paid the fee and now they're begging to quit! In these moments, it's…
Life KitHow to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products online
Nearly 70 percent of people were deceived into buying a counterfeit product online at least once last year, according to research from Michigan State…
Life KitHow to cut ultra-processed foods from your diet
They're tasty and cheap, but they come with health risks. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy explains how to spot and avoid ultra-processed snacks and…
Life KitHow "parts" therapy can help you heal
Internal Family Systems, a type of therapy, encourages an examination of the different "parts" of your self. Listening to and learning from the voices within…
Life KitHow to talk to your aging parents about their finances
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. See pcm.adswizz.com for…
Life KitWhat to do when your house floods
The biggest threat in a hurricane isn't the wind, it's the water. And Atlantic hurricane season isn't over yet. NPR climate correspondent Michael Copley walks…
Life KitHow to deal with climate anxiety
It's hard to stay motivated in the face of threats like climate change — especially when it feels like you're the only one who cares. But a new course from the…
Life KitHow to refinance your mortgage
Mortgage rates have dropped significantly in recent months, and that means one thing for those who bought a home in the last couple years: It might be time to…
Life KitPersonal style when your body changes
It's important to feel good in your clothes. But when your body goes through big changes — say, you've just had a baby or are recovering from an illness, it…
Life KitStress-busting skills to try in everyday life
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Going through something really tough? Stress is a part of life — but we can learn to manage it. NPR health…
Life KitI ditched plastic for a week. Here's what I learned
Plastic isn't great for your health or the planet. Here's what NPR's Claire Murashima learned from avoiding single-use plastics for a week. See pcm.adswizz.com…
Life KitHow to talk to your loved ones about misinformation
Misinformation and disinformation undermine democracy by making it hard for people to make informed choices. It's also used to divide communities, scapegoat…
Life KitYour kid is having a tantrum in public. Now what?
Meltdowns, refusing to share, hitting other kids. Every child has bad behavior sometimes. At home, it's easier to deal with. But what about in public?…
Life KitHow to start saving for retirement
It's never too early to start putting away money for retirement. In this episode, Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains how…
Life KitHow to vote in 2024
There are more ways to exercise your right to vote than ever before. In this episode, NPR's voting and elections correspondent Miles Parks explains the ins and…
Life KitThe dirt on bathing
Whether you're Team Bath or Team Shower, there are some best practices to follow when it comes to cleaning your body. In this episode, dermatologists Sonia…
Life KitUp your lunchbox game
Sulhee Jessica Woo's love language is packing lunch. When she sends her three kids off to school, she includes themed lunches, snacks cut into cute shapes, and…
Life KitHow to show platonic love
Loneliness can be just as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day — which means that having friends might literally save your life. But often, we…
Life KitDear Life Kit: I'm at my breaking point
Family and marriage expert Moraya Seeger DeGeare weighs in on questions from listeners who have reached a breaking point in their relationships with the people…
Life KitCan magnesium help you sleep?
TikTok users claim that drinking the "sleepy girl mocktail," a mixture of magnesium powder, tart cherry juice and other ingredients, can help you sleep. But…
Life KitHow to cut down food waste (and fight climate change)
Tossing out overripe avocados, wilted greens and sour milk isn't just costing you money — it's also contributing to climate change. In this episode, learn how…
Life KitMath for English majors
If math never quite stuck for you, Ben Orlin is here to change that. He says think of math as a language. Numbers are the nouns and the arithmetic operations…
Life KitBoost your mood in 15 minutes
Sometimes you're just feeling blah: the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the…
Life KitHow to make networking less awkward
Shaking hands, sending cold emails and asking for coffee can feel unnatural. Networking expert Robbie Samuels explains how to create meaningful job connections…
Life KitSmart credit card habits to keep you out of debt
Even if you use a credit card all the time, it can be difficult to understand the ins and outs of how they work. Whether you're a new credit card owner or just…
Life KitHow to help your Gen Z kid cope with their back-to-school emotions
Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a recent survey. Teen…
Life KitDealing with neighbor drama
Conflicts with neighbors are common. Trash, noise, parking, weeds — there are seemingly endless ways neighbors can get on each other's nerves. But it doesn't…
Life KitFruit flies don't appear out of nowhere. Here's how to get rid of them
Seeing a swarm of pesky fruit flies in the kitchen is frustrating. We talk with a fruit fly researcher about how fruit flies make their way into your home, how…
Life KitHow to buy less stuff
If you're struggling to save for long-term goals, find yourself lost in a sea of clutter or are concerned about consumerism and climate change, there are ways…
Life KitGetting hitched? Protect yourself with a prenup
Prenups aren't just for the rich and famous. Family law attorney Theresa Viera explains how to talk about it with your partner and decide whether it's right…
Life KitSpending time in a forest can boost health and lower stress. Here's how
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…
Life KitBuild strength with a weightlifting routine
Strong muscles are good for us. They help prevent injuries, strengthen bones and improve balance. But it can be hard to build muscle mass if you're intimidated…
Life KitDear 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. See pcm.adswizz.com for…
Life KitHow to know if you're in a codependent relationship
Do you always fall for people who don't like you back? Do your friendships feel one-sided? Do work obligations creep into your personal life? If you notice…
Life KitCommon financial mistakes to avoid
Financial educator Yanely Espinal shares her don'ts when it comes to money. Don't co-sign loans. Don't make hype-driven investments. Don't spend money you…
Life KitHow tech experts recommend organizing your photos
Feeling overwhelmed by thousands of photos? Running out of storage? We spoke with a consumer tech expert, a professional photo organizer and a photo-loving…
Life KitFind your singing voice
When some of the greatest singers are Whitney Houston, Ariana Grande or Beyoncé, it's easy to feel like being a good singer is just a dream. But you don't need…
Life KitOverwhelmed by your smartphone? Try a boring phone
Your phone is designed to suck you in. You might use it to check the weather or look up directions, only to find yourself doomscrolling on social media. If…
Life KitWhat happens after someone cheats
The pain of infidelity in a romantic relationship can often break a couple apart — but the decision to stay or go is rarely a simple one. In this episode of…
Life KitTake your salads from drab to fab
We could all be eating more vegetables. One fast way to do that: toss them in a salad. To make a crave-worthy salad you'll actually want to eat, don't be…
Life KitUnhappy at work? How to plan your next move
To find a job you actually enjoy, figure out what's making you unhappy and move forward from there, says Tessa West, author of the new book Job Therapy…
Life KitScams can happen to anyone — here's how to protect yourself
New, sophisticated scams are popping up all the time. Experts explain how to safeguard your data and money from being exploited or stolen by fraudsters. This…
Life KitHow to babyproof your relationship
With a baby on the way, you'll need to babyproof your home — and your relationship. In this episode, how to strengthen your connection with your partner and…