Podcasts · Education · Health & Fitness

Life Kit

NPR

300 episodes

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 page 1 of 6

  1. Dear Life Kit: Why are they like this?!

    · 15 min

    In this edition of Dear Life Kit, more wisdom from our vast archives to help you figure out: -Can you keep your group chat from descending into chaos? -Should you break up with your partner if they can't keep the house…

  2. How to DIY a clever (and low-budget) Halloween costume

    · 18 min

    Halloween is nigh! Do you have your costume ready? Sophie Strauss, "stylist for regular people" and Halloween enthusiast, shares tips to DIY a costume without spending big bucks or a lot of time. This episode…

  3. How honest should you really be? Tips for sharing good and bad news

    · 23 min

    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…

  4. Why you should take a 'say no' retreat

    · 21 min

    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…

  5. Anxious about trying for a baby? Here's how to deal

    · 18 min

    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…

  6. How to find your flow state when you’ve lost it

    · 33 min

    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,…

  7. How to stock your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season

    · 21 min

    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…

  8. Overcoming romantic obsession

    · 22 min

    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…

  9. It's fall. Let's get cozy!

    · 18 min

    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…

  10. It's open enrollment season. Here's how to make the best decision for you

    · 16 min

    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…

  11. How journaling can help you through hard moments

    · 20 min

    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…

  12. There's still time to reach your 2026 money goals

    · 19 min

    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…

  13. Worried you’re being overcharged when shopping online? Listen to this

    · 23 min

    When shopping online, you and another person could be buying the exact same item, and you'll pay more because of who you are, where you are and your purchase history. In this episode of Life Kit, author Lindsay Owens…

  14. A head-to-toe check in for your health

    · 23 min

    Fall is officially here. Why not use this new season as a chance to check in with your health? This episode of Life Kit, medical professionals share advice to help you care for your ears, eyes, teeth, feet and skin. We…

  15. Beat performance anxiety with these quick tips

    · 16 min

    Whether it’s before a big race, during a job interview, or after meeting a new friend, performance anxiety can feel impossible to beat. So what if you talked to it instead? Certified mental performance coach and author…

  16. Is IVF actually right for you?

    · 24 min

    Interested in having a baby outside of the bedroom? In vitro fertilization is just one of many options on the reproductive technology table. This episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle shares how to choose the right…

  17. Dear Life Kit: How much advice is too much advice?

    · 14 min

    In this edition of Dear Life Kit, more wisdom from our vast archives to help you figure out: -Can you bug your friends to do something they're avoiding? -If your partner has a boundary, do you need to go along with it?…

  18. No, it's not too early to start saving for the holidays

    · 17 min

    Holiday spending can sneak up on you. From endless gift shopping to expensive flights home, it's easy to lose track of your long-term goals in this season of financial obligations. This episode, Life Kit experts share…

  19. Feeling insecure? Try this memory-update exercise

    · 18 min

    Memories from your past can affect your self worth in the present. Marisa Franco, psychologist and author of the book Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment, shares a memory-updating technique you…

  20. Quitting is sometimes the right decision. Here's how to know when to walk away

    · 17 min

    Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure…

  21. How to jumpstart your child's financial future

    · 19 min

    If you're a new or soon-to-be parent, free time is at a premium. And sorting through different investment account options is confusing and time-consuming. On this episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle walks you…

  22. Want more intimacy in your relationships? Conflict could help

    · 21 min

    Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s necessary for close, authentic relationships, says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and the author of a new book, The Art of Fighting. But sometimes…

  23. Boost your mood in 15 minutes

    · 23 min

    Sometimes you're just feeling blah: maybe the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode,…

  24. 5 rituals to reclaim that back-to-school buzz

    · 15 min

    Meal prep. Refresh your wardrobe. Make a new friend. You don't have to be headed to a classroom to harness the back-to-school buzz. In this episode of Life Kit, we bring you tactics and tips that will help you break…

  25. The reasons you procrastinate -- and how to finally stop

    · 16 min

    Want to finally stop doomscrolling and actually do the thing you've been putting off? Itamar Shatz, author of the book Solving Procrastination, explains the evolutionary reason we avoid difficult tasks and the…

  26. Find your lost keys faster with these techniques

    · 18 min

    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 strategies to hunt it down. They'll make your search process faster,…

  27. How to stop fixating on your body in the era of GLP-1s

    · 22 min

    It can be difficult to love how your body looks, or even like it. But what if you could expand the way you think about your body? This episode, psychologist Diana Hill shares how to practice body image flexibility and…

  28. Mom needs a moment! How to pause parental rage

    · 22 min

    Parenthood is exhausting. When a kid asks for snack for the millionth time while you're running on little sleep and trying to make dinner, it's easy to snap. Licensed marriage and family therapist Cassidy Freitas says…

  29. 5 questions that can save you from a bad purchase

    · 18 min

    Sometimes we buy things that we later regret: a new sweater that's already falling apart, or a thrifted "vintage" vase that turns out to be a mass-produced dupe. In the moment, it's difficult to resist the temptation…

  30. Dear Life Kit: Should I put my life on hold for my partner?

    · 17 min

    In this edition of Dear Life Kit, more wisdom from our vast archives to help you figure out: -Whether you can refuse a gift -If you should move in with your partner if they're not ready -How to feel like an actual…

  31. Your perfectionism isn't a problem — if you know how to use it

    · 21 min

    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 with our quiz. This…

  32. Is hormone therapy the cheat code to perimenopause?

    · 18 min

    Perimenopause can be overwhelming. Mood swings, insomnia and hot flashes can make you feel like a completely different person. Hormone therapy is one way a lot of women are treating the symptoms. Life Kit’s Marielle…

  33. If sex is painful, you have options

    · 24 min

    There are lots of reasons women may experience pain during or after sex. Whether you've just given birth, are experiencing hormonal changes, or are under a lot of stress, you have options to address the pain. In this…

  34. Feeling short on time? Do a time audit

    · 19 min

    Many of us feel overwhelmed by life's obligations — work, family, friends and relationships. In a culture fixated on busyness, time always seems in short supply. What if we could find more time for what really matters…

  35. Shrink your grocery bill

    · 17 min

    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. This episode…

  36. Tiny pep talks for everyday problems

    · 13 min

    We use encouragement and support to get through life's big moments. But what about a little pep talk for those smaller moments, like when it's raining and your dog needs to go out? Or some inspiration to help you…

  37. Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant

    · 30 min

    Many people pause physical activity during pregnancy -- but research shows that exercising while pregnant is good for your health and your baby's health. If you're unsure which kinds of exercise are on the table, fear…

  38. Find your side quest

    · 26 min

    In gaming, a side quest is a mission outside the main narrative or goal that players can take for fun. In life, it functions similarly. It's a hobby or activity that doesn't have any purpose other than bringing more…

  39. Free yourself from 'information overload'

    · 24 min

    Do you check your phone to set a reminder, then get sidetracked by every targeted social media ad? Or plan to spend your day in focus mode only to be derailed by your TV? We encounter dozens of screens everyday, each…

  40. How to have better conversations

    · 20 min

    Called 'supercommunicators,' these people have the exceptional ability of creating authentic connections with others — just by listening and talking. This episode originally ran on Februrary 20, 2024 Follow us on…

  41. Savings strategies that actually work

    · 22 min

    You know you want to save for that vacation, those new tires and more generally, the future. But what savings approach actually works? Certified financial planner Tania P. Brown recommends trying savings buckets. By…

  42. What to do when you're too upset to think straight

    · 23 min

    Stressed, anxious, or angry? Distress tolerance tools — from dunking your head in a bowl of ice water to imagining yourself in a calm setting — can help. In this episode, clinical psychologist Shireen Rizvi shares…

  43. A decision coach's approach to making hard decisions

    · 22 min

    In this episode, decision coach Nell Wulfhart shares exercises to make speedier decisions, when to ask others for guidance and how to deal with any regret. This episode originally published June 2, 2025. Follow us on…

  44. Before you fibermaxx, know these tips

    · 15 min

    Fiber is a dietary superhero. It lowers cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps your hunger in check. But chances are, you're not getting enough of it. NPR health correspondent (and fiber fanatic)…

  45. When your best friend tells you to stop texting her

    · 17 min

    Advice inbound. In this edition of Dear Life Kit, we're pulling wisdom from the Life Kit archives to help you: -Support a friend who is imposing distance -Escape your kids' exhausting schedule -Handle a tricky…

  46. Summer fun that doesn't break the budget

    · 12 min

    Wondering how to have fun this summer without spending a fortune? All you need is a little creativity. Go on a "penny date." Throw a movie marathon party. Swap houses with a friend. With a little imagination, you can…

  47. A financial planner's advice for spending without guilt

    · 23 min

    Whether you're feeling guilty about overspending or guilty about not spending enough, shame around money can get in the way of your goals. In this episode, Marielle Segarra talks with certified financial planner Lauryn…

  48. Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think

    · 26 min

    Whether you’re ready to become pregnant today or thinking about the future, there’s a lot to learn about your fertility. In this episode, a reproductive endocrinologist and a reproductive psychiatrist walk through the…

  49. You can have a good divorce

    · 27 min

    A lot of marriages end in divorce. As painful as it can be, there’s a way for separating partners to engage with the divorce process in a healthy way. Karen McNenny, certified divorce coach and author of The Good…

  50. Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals

    · 17 min

    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 to enjoy meals while paying attention. This episode…

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