Podcast · 324 episodes
Life Kit, page 3
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.
All episodes, page 3
5 simple ways to minimize stressLife Kit (NPR) episode on “5 simple ways to minimize stress,” based on Dr. Aditi Narukar’s book The Five Resets, plus a “resilience rule of two” for starting small.4 Jun 2026 · 17 min · 7 chapters
Make your small space feel biggerHow to make a small apartment feel bigger using low-budget, non-permanent design and organizing tactics—decluttering, zoning, furniture arrangement (“floating”), rugs, wall color/continuity,…2 Jun 2026 · 20 min · 8 chapters
Gold is having a moment. Is now the time to invest?Gold’s recent surge and whether it’s a good time to invest; how to buy gold and how it compares to stocks.28 May 2026 · 15 min · 4 chapters
On the fence about parenthood? Listen to thisHow to decide whether to become a parent or remain child-free, framed as an intentional choice rather than fate, including managing regret, fear, and partner disagreement.26 May 2026 · 26 min · 8 chapters
Why you should kill your lawnThe episode argues that homeowners should replace some or all manicured grass lawns with native plants to reduce environmental harm (fertilizer/weed killer, sprinkler water use, fossil-fuel…21 May 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
The dos and don'ts of baby talkHow to talk to babies (birth to ~1 year): serve-and-return “conversation turns,” infant-directed speech/“parentese,” bilingual exposure, and why one-on-one in-person interaction beats screens.19 May 2026 · 20 min · 11 chapters
The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medicationsHow to use over-the-counter pain meds safely, covering acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Advil, naproxen/Aleve, aspirin), risks, dosing, interactions, when to see a doctor, and…18 May 2026 · 22 min · 12 chapters
Are there 'forever chemicals' in your drinking water?PFAS “forever chemicals” in drinking water—what they are, health risks, how common they are, current rules, and how to reduce exposure.14 May 2026 · 20 min · 6 chapters
Secrets to a successful couple's tripHow to plan a successful couple’s trip by aligning expectations, managing money, balancing alone and together time, handling conflict, and carrying lessons home.12 May 2026 · 21 min · 6 chapters
5 tips to help you poop betterFive tips to improve bowel movements and reduce constipation, framed by Dr. Tricia Pasricha’s book You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong.11 May 2026 · 23 min · 8 chapters
Unsure which retirement account to choose? We have some tipsLife Kit explains how U.S. retirement accounts reduce taxes and how to choose between traditional (401k/403b/IRA) and Roth (Roth IRA/Roth 401k/Roth 403b) accounts, emphasizing that confusion…7 May 2026 · 11 min · 4 chapters
Going beyond 'sorry for your loss' when a friend is grievingHow to support a friend who is grieving beyond “sorry for your loss,” focusing on what to say, what to do, and how to keep showing up over time.5 May 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
Shop less and save more with a 'no-buy challenge'A Life Kit episode on the viral “no-buy challenge” (often 30–60 days, but sometimes a full year) and how to shop less to save money, reduce clutter, and lessen environmental harm.30 Apr 2026 · 21 min · 12 chapters
Explosive power: exercises to boost mobility and prevent injuryExplosive power (ballistic/plyometric training)—how to generate force quickly to improve mobility, athletic performance, and reduce injury/fall risk as people lose fast-twitch muscle fibers with age.28 Apr 2026 · 18 min · 6 chapters
You don't have to use dating apps. But if you do - some tips!Life Kit episode on using dating apps more healthily—or not at all—by setting boundaries, clarifying intentions, reducing messaging, and watching for unhealthy signs.27 Apr 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters
Do you have a financial self-care routine?Life Kit episode on building a “financial self-care routine” with a daily, monthly, yearly cadence—so overwhelmed brains can still manage money.23 Apr 2026 · 16 min · 9 chapters
Feeling drained? Here's how to lighten your mental loadLife Kit episode “Feeling drained? Here’s how to lighten your mental load” explains “mental load” as the internal, invisible, ongoing work of tracking and planning life tasks (e.g., remembering milk,…21 Apr 2026 · 25 min · 12 chapters
Make the most of a high-deductible health planHow to use a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) without getting surprised by upfront costs, including budgeting, timing care, and using tools like payment plans and HSAs.20 Apr 2026 · 15 min · 8 chapters
Don't rely only on anti-histamines this allergy seasonSeasonal allergies (tree pollen) and why oral antihistamines aren’t enough; a three-pronged plan: reduce exposure, use targeted meds (especially nasal steroids and saline rinses), and consider…16 Apr 2026 · 20 min · 9 chapters
The power of an accountability buddy to help get things doneHow “accountability buddies” (a partner for goals) help people follow through on resolutions and ongoing projects, with advice on finding the right person and structuring check-ins.14 Apr 2026 · 19 min · 8 chapters
How to be a working parent? Lower your standardsReturning to work after having a baby—how to “lower your standards,” ask for flexibility, manage guilt/identity shifts, and build emotional support.13 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Give your to-do list a makeoverHow to improve a messy to-do list so it aligns with what matters, using goal-setting, a workable system, and better task formulation—plus guidance on what to drop and how to avoid productivity traps.9 Apr 2026 · 13 min · 6 chapters
What it takes to get a book publishedHow traditional book publishing works and what it takes to get a book published, including finding a literary agent, crafting proposals/manuscripts, pitching editors, and understanding money/risks;…7 Apr 2026 · 22 min · 13 chapters
Protein is personal. Here's how to calculate your optimal intakeHow to calculate personalized daily protein needs and meet them with food (including plant-based options), using updated U.S. dietary guidelines.6 Apr 2026 · 12 min · 6 chapters