Podcast · 324 episodes
Life Kit
by NPR · English
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.
Latest episodes
Worried you’re being overcharged when shopping online? Listen to thisHow online “personalized” or “surveillance” pricing can overcharge shoppers using browsing data, and what consumers can do to reduce it; includes discussion of dynamic pricing and “fair price”…29 Sep 2026 · 23 min
A head-to-toe check in for your healthA head-to-toe health check-in with practical tips for hearing, eye health, dental care, foot care, and bathing/skincare, plus reminders to get regular medical checkups.28 Sep 2026 · 23 min
Beat performance anxiety with these quick tipsHow to beat performance anxiety and build confidence before, during, and after high-stakes moments (presentations, interviews, races) using specific mental-training tools.24 Sep 2026 · 16 min
All episodes
Worried you’re being overcharged when shopping online? Listen to thisHow online “personalized” or “surveillance” pricing can overcharge shoppers using browsing data, and what consumers can do to reduce it; includes discussion of dynamic pricing and “fair price”…29 Sep 2026 · 23 min · 1 chapter
A head-to-toe check in for your healthA head-to-toe health check-in with practical tips for hearing, eye health, dental care, foot care, and bathing/skincare, plus reminders to get regular medical checkups.28 Sep 2026 · 23 min · 10 chapters
Beat performance anxiety with these quick tipsHow to beat performance anxiety and build confidence before, during, and after high-stakes moments (presentations, interviews, races) using specific mental-training tools.24 Sep 2026 · 16 min · 9 chapters
Is IVF actually right for you?LifeKit explains whether IVF (under the broader umbrella of ART, assisted reproductive technology) is the right choice, and how to choose among options like IVF, IUI, egg/sperm donation, and…22 Sep 2026 · 24 min · 12 chapters
Dear Life Kit: How much advice is too much advice?How much advice is too much, across three “Dear Life Kit” questions: (1) reminding friends about unclaimed government money, (2) whether a spouse should listen to estranged parents’ affectionate…21 Sep 2026 · 14 min · 3 chapters
No, it's not too early to start saving for the holidaysHow to create a holiday spending plan now (before December) to avoid credit-card debt, reduce pressure, and prioritize meaningful activities.17 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 9 chapters
Feeling insecure? Try this memory-update exerciseMemory reconsolidation to reduce insecurity and self-doubt by updating “open” childhood memories in a new, safer emotional context; memories can shape present feelings and predict future expectations.15 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 5 chapters
Quitting is sometimes the right decision. Here's how to know when to walk awayWhen quitting is the right decision, and how to tell when to walk away from a goal, job, relationship, or other pursuit.14 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 8 chapters
How to jumpstart your child's financial futureHow new parents can “jumpstart” children’s financial futures by choosing and prioritizing kid investment accounts, starting with their own financial stability.10 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 16 chapters
Want more intimacy in your relationships? Conflict could helpConflict as a necessary, learnable skill for intimacy and healthier relationships.8 Sep 2026 · 21 min · 14 chapters
5 rituals to reclaim that back-to-school buzzFive “back-to-school” rituals adapted for adults—pack a lunch, plan outfits, read more, recreate recess/play, and make new friends—using psychology and habit ideas.3 Sep 2026 · 15 min · 8 chapters
The reasons you procrastinate -- and how to finally stopWhy people procrastinate and practical ways to stop, using psychology-based strategies.1 Sep 2026 · 16 min · 9 chapters
Find your lost keys faster with these techniquesLife Kit episode “Find your lost keys faster with these techniques” is about using cognitive-science and professional search methods to recover lost items (keys, passports, rings, documents) more…31 Aug 2026 · 18 min · 9 chapters
How to stop fixating on your body in the era of GLP-1sHow to stop fixating on appearance (especially in the GLP-1/beauty-procedure era) using “body image flexibility,” mental exercises, and attention-shifting away from mirror/social media.27 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 14 chapters
Mom needs a moment! How to pause parental rageParenting stress and “maternal rage” management—how to pause before reacting by building “margins” (time/space) in daily life, using emotions as data, and practicing repair and community support.25 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
5 questions that can save you from a bad purchaseA framework to avoid bad purchases by separating needs vs wants, checking emotions, matching items to lifestyle, researching and comparing quality, setting a spending ceiling, and sometimes walking…24 Aug 2026 · 18 min · 7 chapters
Dear Life Kit: Should I put my life on hold for my partner?Dear Life Kit advice episode covering (1) whether to refuse/return a neighbor’s $50 gift card after you help them, (2) whether to move closer to work/dining when your boyfriend isn’t ready to move…20 Aug 2026 · 17 min · 9 chapters
Your perfectionism isn't a problem — if you know how to use itPerfectionism isn’t inherently bad; it’s a neutral, human impulse that can be a “superpower” if you understand how and why you pursue ideals.18 Aug 2026 · 21 min · 6 chapters
Is hormone therapy the cheat code to perimenopause?Whether menopausal hormone therapy is a “cheat code” for perimenopause/menopause symptoms, what it treats, who should avoid it, and what alternatives exist.17 Aug 2026 · 18 min · 7 chapters
If sex is painful, you have optionsThe episode explains that painful sex (including pain at entry, during arousal, or after intercourse) is not “normal,” is often treatable, and should be addressed medically and with pelvic floor care.13 Aug 2026 · 24 min · 9 chapters
Feeling short on time? Do a time auditHow to stop feeling short on time by doing a “time audit,” cutting time wasters, setting boundaries, and learning to tolerate the empty space after trimming activities.11 Aug 2026 · 19 min · 14 chapters
Shrink your grocery billHow to shrink grocery bills by calculating per-serving recipe costs, swapping ingredient ratios, shopping smarter, and using storage and assistance resources.10 Aug 2026 · 17 min · 7 chapters
Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnantLife Kit explains why pregnant people should keep exercising (not stop), what’s safe, and how to adapt workouts by trimester, with emphasis on strength, pain prevention, and pelvic floor preparation.4 Aug 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Find your side questThe episode explores “side quests” (video-game missions off the main storyline) as a way for adults to practice play, embrace “not knowing,” and refresh life through curiosity and beginner mindset.3 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters