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

How to actually look forward to winter

November 24, 2025 • 22 mins

Winter tends to get a bad rap: people complain endlessly about its shorter days, darker skies and plummeting temperatures. It's true that parts of winter can be unpleasant, but psychologist Kari Leibowitz, author of How to Winter: Harness your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days, says that winter can also be a time of reflection, creativity and coziness. This episode, Leibowitz shares tips on learning to appreciate w...

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What to do if you're losing your hair

November 20, 2025 • 12 mins

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How to work with your social anxiety

November 18, 2025 • 23 mins

It's easy to spiral and feel anxious when you're on a first date, at your office holiday party or heading to your high school reunion. The stakes feel high and you want to make a good impression. But social anxiety can get in the way of connection, fun and feeling good. In this episode, we give you tools to survive small talk, practice social courage and embrace the awkward.

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5 fitness and mental health tips for men

November 17, 2025 • 24 mins

Why is muscle power so important? What do you really need to know about your testosterone levels? What are some free, research-backed tools for managing depression? Brett McKay, founder and editor-in-chief of The Art of Manliness, an independent men's health and lifestyle web magazine, shares top health tips. Whether you identify as a man or not, he says a lot of this advice can help us all live healthier lives.

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Dear Life Kit: I’m sick of all this unwanted attention

November 13, 2025 • 19 mins

Clinical psychologist Adia Gooden and NPR's It's Been A Minute host, Brittany Luse, answer questions from Dear Life Kit listeners and they share their best advice on unsolicited advice.

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Having good posture doesn't just mean sitting up straight

November 11, 2025 • 19 mins

Does your back hurt after a long day at your desk? Do you wake up with a sore neck every morning? Muscle aches in your body could be a sign you need to improve your posture. This episode, a physical therapist and a biomechanist break down what "good posture" looks like and how you can begin to correct yours. This episode originally published Feb. 2, 2025.

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How to afford food when money is tight

November 10, 2025 • 16 mins

Millions of people have been left without access to food as a result of funding delays for SNAP benefits. Kevin Curry of Fit Men Cook, an online food community, shares resources for those affected, including how to build a low-budget cart at the grocery store.

A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that Kevin Curry graduated from Harvard Business School. In fact, he graduated from Harvard Kennedy School.
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How to repair after a fight with your partner

November 6, 2025 • 20 mins

After a big blowup or recurring fight with your partner or spouse, how do you reconnect? Couples therapist Baya Voce offers a five-step process for couples to make amends after conflict, including what to do if you're still upset and how to make sure both of you get a chance to say what you feel and need.

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Smart home decoration tips from designer Vern Yip

November 4, 2025 • 24 mins

When you're decorating a room, it can be difficult to identify your personal vision and stay true to it — especially if you have financial constraints or are designing with others in mind. But Vern Yip, who has designed on TLC's Trading Spaces and hosts the interior design show Home Reimagined, says that compromising on your tastes now means you might be redecorating a year from now. This episode, Yip shares a step-by-step guide fr...

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How to get lower prices on prescription drugs

November 3, 2025 • 19 mins

Prescription drug prices can be costly. What are you supposed to do if you can't afford medication? In this episode, Dan Weissmann, host of KUOW's podcast Read more

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How introverts and extroverts can be better friends

October 30, 2025 • 18 mins

Introverts and extroverts move through the world differently and sometimes friendships can suffer when those differences clash. Reporter Yowei Show, host of the podcast Proxy, explores the science of personality to help you bridge the divide in your own friendships.

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Want to avoid flight delays this holiday season? Follow these tips now

October 28, 2025 • 20 mins

When you've already spent money on an expensive ticket, and bad weather can cause potential flight delays and cancellations, it's good to know what you're entitled to in the event of a travel issue. Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going.com (formerly known as Scott's Cheap Flights), shares his recommendations, including days to avoid and the best time of day to fly. This episode originally published Nov. 13, 2023.

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Do collagen supplements really work?

October 27, 2025 • 15 mins

Collagen supplements have been widely promoted on social media, with claims that they'll strengthen hair and nails, lessen wrinkles and even ease joint pain. But are there studies backing these claims? NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy dives into the research and shares science-backed tips for better skin that are more effective.

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How parents can be screen time role models

October 23, 2025 • 24 mins

There's a lot of talk about how to monitor screen time for kids. But for kids to have healthy relationships with technology and smartphones, parents need to model good habits. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle talks with experts and offers practical tips so parents can set the tone for positive technology use that benefits the whole family.

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Frustrated by a relationship? Questions to ask yourself to move forward

October 21, 2025 • 19 mins

If you feel overwhelmed or stuck in a close relationship, therapist KC Davis, author of Who Deserves Your Love, has a list of questions to help you decide whether you should continue to engage. Davis provides guidance on how to create boundaries you feel good about without cutting people out of your life.

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How to take a refreshing nap (without ending up more tired)

October 20, 2025 • 21 mins

Naps can offer significant benefits, from emotional regulation to improving memory and athletic performance. But there are right and wrong ways to snooze. A sleep psychologist and a sleep physician explain the factors of the perfect nap and the importance of daytime rest. This episode originally published Feb. 26, 2024.

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Roy Choi's tips for healthy and flavorful meals

October 16, 2025 • 21 mins

James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Choi's new cookbook The Choi of Cooking is all about cooking nutritious meals without sacrificing flavor. Roy shares standout shortcut ingredients to level up your meal-prep game and some of his favorite recipes from the book.

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Coming up with a business idea that takes off

October 14, 2025 • 22 mins

Ready to take that big idea and turn it into a thriving business? Rachel Rodgers, author of Future Millionaire: A Young Person’s Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable, shares the ingredients of a successful business venture. The best part? You don't necessarily need a lot of money to get started.

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How the local library can save you money

October 13, 2025 • 16 mins

Libraries provide so much more than books. This episode, get acquainted with the free or discounted resources of your local library, like free museum tickets, SAT tutors, language classes and more. This episode originally published Oct. 16, 2023.

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Dear Life Kit: I'm at my breaking point

October 9, 2025 • 18 mins

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 around them.

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Life Kit

Episodes

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.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}What to do if you're losing your hair

How to work with your social anxiety

5 fitness and mental health tips for men

Dear Life Kit: I’m sick of all this unwanted attention

Having good posture doesn't just mean sitting up straight

How to afford food when money is tight

How to repair after a fight with your partner

Smart home decoration tips from designer Vern Yip

How to get lower prices on prescription drugs

How introverts and extroverts can be better friends

Want to avoid flight delays this holiday season? Follow these tips now

Do collagen supplements really work?

How parents can be screen time role models

Frustrated by a relationship? Questions to ask yourself to move forward

How to take a refreshing nap (without ending up more tired)

Roy Choi's tips for healthy and flavorful meals

Coming up with a business idea that takes off

How the local library can save you money

Dear Life Kit: I'm at my breaking point

Popular Podcasts

How to actually look forward to winter

What to do if you're losing your hair