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. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. You'll support the show and unlock exclusive curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

Episodes

July 2, 2026 20 mins
Want to cut through small talk at your next mixer? Try asking a "magical question," says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of the book The Art of Gathering. These questions, like "What is a path you almost took but didn't?" and "What topic could you give a 20 minute talk on with zero preparation?" can spark deep and meaningful conversations and foster connection. In this episode, Parker explains how to come...
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Do you blow $20 on slop bowls because you keep forgetting to pack lunch? Or can't help but overspend every time you eat out with friends? Dining out can be expensive but there are ways to minimize the financial punch. This episode, reporter Joe Hernandez shares tips on how to dine out on a budget. Sign up for his one-month newsletter, How to Cut Your Food Bill, for more tips.

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Sometimes you just don't have the energy to do the dishes and pick up all the dirty clothes from the floor. Therapist KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, has developed a framework for keeping up with house cleaning without feeling overwhelmed. This episode originally ran April 2023.

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June 25, 2026 15 mins
Need some advice? In this edition of Dear Life Kit, we're pulling wisdom from the vast Life Kit archives to help you: 

-Avoid energy vampires 
-Set firmer boundaries with friends at work 
-Navigate your own success when others are struggling

Have a question for the Life Kit team? Write us or send a recording to lifekit@npr.org. Questions about money, health, home and family life, staying orga...
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June 23, 2026 19 mins
If chasing a "perfect" life feels exhausting, try for a nice life instead, says Rachel Wilkerson Miller. In her upcoming book, The Nice Life: How to Elevate the Everyday and Find Joy in What You Have, Miller argues that a nice life means noticing beauty, being open to curiosity, seeking community and more. Life Kit host Marielle Segarra spoke to Miller at The WBUR Festival in Boston about honing your personal de...
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Research shows that our gut microbiome -- the trillions of microbes that populate our intestines -- isn't just involved in digestion. It's intimately linked to our immune systems, mental health, cognition and more. If you want to improve the health of your gut microbiome, there are specific best practices that can help. This episode, NPR health correspondent Will Stone shares tips on probiotic supplements, microbiome tests, and the...
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June 18, 2026 19 mins
We often talk about the mental load of parenting as something mothers carry. But active, involved dads have questions, too, and not many places to ask them. In this episode, Kevin Maguire, author of The New Fatherhood, and clinical psychologist David Defoe answer listener questions from dads.

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How do you want to make this summer special? Whatever it is, now is a good time to think through your goals before the season flies by. In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra sits down with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin to share tips on designing the summer you want to have. Pick a theme, write your bucket list, and come up with a challenge to get the most out of these months.

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The list of skin care products being sold as “essential” can feel endless. What do all those serums, creams, acids and toners actually do — and do you need them? In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra talks to health journalist Kelle Walsh, who just wrote a newsletter series for us on this topic.

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Do you always buy cucumbers just to watch them slowly become mush in the fridge? Or save your half-eaten pasta only to forget about it for a month? If you're done with chucking half-used ingredients in the compost bin, this episode is for you. Reporter Emily Siner shares tips on reducing food waste by repurposing leftovers, getting creative with odds and ends and shifting your perspective on the chore of cooking.

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In this distracted age, settling in and actually focusing on a book can feel like a challenge. But retraining your reading muscles is doable. In this episode, tips from writers, readers and researchers to help you accomplish your summer reading goals.

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June 8, 2026 17 mins
Tips to help you thrive this season. We've got tips on how to effectively apply mosquito repellent (you need more than you think!), prevent tick bites, the safest place to position your grill, and keep everyone safe while swimming. Plus, advice on making a crave-worthy salad.

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June 4, 2026 17 mins
Need a break? Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, author of The 5 Resets, offers quick, easy ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life changes necessary. This episode originally aired Feb. 6, 2024.

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June 2, 2026 19 mins
Floating your furniture, zoning, floor arrangements and art -- there are lots of ways to make a small space or a small home feel bigger. In this episode, Life Kit host Marielle Segarra speaks with reporter Andee Tagle about low-budget, renter-friendly solutions to make your small space work for you.

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Decades of research have shown that "forest bathing" is good for your health. It can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure and help with depression. Here's how to reap these benefits on your next walk in the woods. This episode originally published August 24, 2023.

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In the world of investing, gold is having a moment. Last year, the price of gold crossed $4,000 an ounce for the first time ever. But does that mean it's time to rebalance your portfolio and get in on the precious metal action? This episode, NPR finance correspondent Maria Aspan explains why the world has been so obsessed with gold lately, how you can invest and whether doing so makes sense in the long-term.

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Could you see your life just as easily with children as without? What if you're not cut out for parenthood? What if you grow lonely in your old age? Or what if you have a loving partner, but you disagree on this choice? Deciding between parenthood and a child-free life requires clarity about your fears and deepest desires -- no easy task. This episode, psychotherapist and author of the book, The Baby Decision, Merle Bombardieri, he...
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Play isn't just for kids. Research shows it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. In this episode, play researchers and enthusiasts share the benefits of playtime at any age and how you can bring more play into your life. This episode was originally published on July 27, 2023.

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May 21, 2026 20 mins
Green, grassy lawns are bad for the environment. They need a ton of water, they’re inhospitable to wildlife and gas-powered mowers contribute to greenhouse gases. Celia Llopis-Jepsen, host of Harvest Public Media’s Up From Dust podcast, shares how to turn your lawn into a low-maintenance native plant garden, lessening your environmental impact while still keeping your yard pleasing to the eye.

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May 19, 2026 19 mins
If you have a baby in your life, you may not find them the most intellectually stimulating conversation partner. But your baby is soaking up everything you say. On this episode, advice from early childhood experts on the importance of talking to babies from day 1 to 12 months old, and tips on what to say.

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