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

Don't mess with your cuticles (and other nail advice)

February 12, 2026 • 24 mins
Is there a right way to trim your nails? Are manicures bad for your hands? Can a supplement help with nail growth and health? We'll answer all these questions (and more) in this episode of Life Kit.

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Health insurance hell: Why do I need a prior authorization?

February 10, 2026 • 12 mins
Some medical procedures and treatments require prior authorization from your health insurance company, meaning you'll need pre-approval before you can receive care. This episode, health care reporter Sarah Boden shares tips on making the prior authorization process as smooth as possible — so you can save yourself frustration and get medical support sooner.

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Why "we should hang out" won't make you real friends

February 9, 2026 • 20 mins
Ready to turn that work bestie into a real friend? Or maybe you want to hang outside run club with your fun jogging buddy? In this episode, Kat Vellos, author of We Should Get Together, explains how to turn acquaintances into real friends — and how to foster the connection you’re seeking.

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Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend’s female friendships stress me out

February 5, 2026 • 24 mins
Relationship expert Amy Chan and sex educator and researcher Emily Nagoski dig into listener questions about jealousy, desire, and modern relationships ahead of Valentine's Day. 

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Money tips no one taught you

February 3, 2026 • 21 mins
You have a budget and an emergency fund (or at least know you need both) - but you want to go deeper. What else do you need to know about managing your money? Ever heard of capturing the carry on your debt, for example? Finance experts share their top tips on handling debt, investing, taxes and more.

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7 kinds of rest (other than sleep)

February 2, 2026 • 20 mins
In Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's book, Sacred Rest, she outlines different kinds of rest you may be craving. From the mental to the physical, Dalton-Smith shares how to identify what kind of respite you need and how to embrace rest.

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Shoveling snow can be dangerous. Here's how to protect yourself

January 31, 2026 • 4 mins
Ahead of another winter storm, Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep talks with a cardiologist about how to stay safe while shoveling.

Listen to our episode about how to keep your house safe during a winter weather disaster here.
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Clever kitchen hacks from ‘Bake Off’ judge Prue Leith

January 29, 2026 • 16 mins
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 all cut ourselves a bit of slack in the kitchen. That’s the idea behind her cookbook, Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom. It includes flavorful and simple recipes -- but also dozens of practical cooking hacks from her 65-year culinary career. From peeling garlic to rescuing o...
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How to save a life with CPR

January 27, 2026 • 19 mins
Every year, more than 350,000 people go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting in the United States. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can help double or triple survival rates. In this episode, we'll explain the basics of this emergency procedure so you can feel empowered to help in a life-or-death situation. This episode originally published on October 26, 2023.

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How to interpret the new dietary guidelines

January 26, 2026 • 17 mins
In January, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released new dietary guidelines calling for a significant reset in nutrition policy and "an end to the war on saturated fat." The guidelines come with a new food pyramid that emphasizes red meat, full-fat dairy and fats. In this episode, NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey unpacks the new guidelines and offers tried-and-true nutrition advice from the experts.

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A snowstorm is on the way. Here’s what to do.

January 22, 2026 • 16 mins
This weekend, much of the country is to be hit by a major snow storm. Experts say there are several precautions to take before a winter storm arrives in your area. A meteorologist and emergency preparedness expert share tips to prepare your home, your car and your family ahead of a big snowfall.

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The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

January 20, 2026 • 13 mins
Children's health professionals widely recommend a strategy known as 'special time' to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. This episode explains how to do it and why this simple and free tool is so powerful. This episode originally ran October 17, 2022.


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Too many goals and too little time? How to focus your attention

January 19, 2026 • 18 mins
Time is precious and we never seem to have enough of it. We have to work, feed ourselves, clean our homes, take care of kids or family members, catch up with friends, sleep ... and on top of that, there are endless hobbies or pursuits we'd want to do if only we had more hours in the week. Is it any wonder we feel like we're constantly scrambling? In this episode, how to carve out time for that passion project. Life Kit experts shar...
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How to make your solo trip a success

January 15, 2026 • 21 mins
Traveling alone can be a great opportunity to relax, try a new experience and learn more about yourself. But if you're interested in planning a solo trip, where do you start? In this episode, we'll cover how to cope with loneliness, safety concerns when traveling alone, and how to plan while staying open to serendipity.

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A proven method to make a habit stick

January 13, 2026 • 22 mins
BJ Fogg, a behavior scientist at Stanford University and author of Tiny Habits, says you’ve got to start small if you want your habit to stick. He shares his research including the important role of positive emotion in habit formation and why you can work on several habits at once.

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Tips to save money across all parts of your life

January 12, 2026 • 17 mins
For a lot of us, this time of year often triggers a financial reckoning. As you recover from the holidays, here are 6 tips from past Life Kit experts on how to save money year-round.
 
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Stressed about sleep? Don't make these mistakes

January 8, 2026 • 25 mins
Will I be able to show up for work? For my kid? For my partner? When you find yourself awake when you should be asleep, it’s easy to let those middle-of-the-night fears creep in. And failing to manage that anxiety can turn a few bad nights of sleep into a cycle of insomnia. Three sleep experts share strategies on minimizing sleep stress — from rethinking sleep trackers to ditching your bedtime.

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How to build a village

January 6, 2026 • 21 mins
Many of us crave stronger community, especially in the areas we live. Imagine how nice it would be to know all of your neighbors, have third spaces you're a regular at and plan routine gatherings with a wide circle of friends. But how do you actually make this dream a reality? Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, shares her best tips for building community at the local level.

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The science of losing weight

January 5, 2026 • 22 mins
When it comes to weight loss, there are many misconceptions about what works. So if you want to lose weight this year, here's what the science says about the potential health benefits, GLP-1 drugs, exercise and more.
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How to set resolutions you'll actually keep

January 1, 2026 • 22 mins
Happy New Year! If you want to achieve a goal (big or small) this year, make sure it's specific, concrete and realistic. In this episode, writer Gretchen Rubin shares how to set and maintain resolutions, what to do when you fall away from them and other ways to look ahead to your 2026. Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Building Strength here: npr.org/stronger


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Popular Podcasts

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