Life Kit

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  An Arm and a Leg , shares how to find discounts on prescription medications and navigate the health care system when drugs cost more than you expected. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea o...

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. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us a...

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 original...

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. Fill out our survey at npr.org/lifekitsurvey. Follow us on Instag...

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. Take our survey at  npr.org/lifekitsurvey Follow us on Instag...

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. Take our survey at  npr.org/lifekitsurvey Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for...

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. Take our survey at  npr.org/lifekitsurvey . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifek...

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.  Take our survey at  npr.org/lifekitsurvey Sign up for our  newsletter series on credit card debt . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit...

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. Sign up for our  newsletter series on credit card debt . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifek...

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. Sign up for our  newsletter series on credit card debt . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or fe...

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. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ a...

If you have a friend or family member diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, all you want to do is help. But where do you start? What if you say the wrong thing or don't show up in the right ways? In this episode, we go over different ways to offer support. No matter what your strengths are, we have ideas to get you started. Sign up for our  newsletter series on credit card debt .   Fol...

Credit card debt can make you feel stressed, ashamed and lonely. But there are proven strategies to free yourself from this burden. In this episode, five tips to help you get out from under credit card debt. And to sign up for our newsletter series with step-by-step plans to pay down your debt, go to  npr.org/creditcarddebt . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Ha...

Toddlerhood is a big and beautiful period of self-discovery. Kids are picking up new cognitive and motor skills and learning language a mile a minute. But there are some behaviors in this age range that can be confusing, frustrating or spirit-breaking for parents, like tantrums, hitting, stealing toys and more. This episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle helps you decode your toddler's behavior an...

Longing to quit your job and follow your passion? Or perhaps take a break to travel? Or move to a new place? First, you'll need to look at your finances. In this episode, Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner and business analyst for CBS News, walks through her five steps for assessing your financial situation before a possible life change. This episode originally published Feb. 28, 2023...

Soup can be a flexible, cozy meal that allows you to experiment in the kitchen. But to make a delicious one you need to get some fundamentals down first. Chef Sohla El-Waylly offers her best tips on everything from creating a yummy broth to ensuring you get your cook time right. This episode originally published Oct. 30, 2023.  Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here....

When deciding between colleges, it can be tempting to let prestige guide your choice. But so many factors go into finding the right fit: research opportunities, campus extracurriculars, social life, specific classes or programs, and of course, very real financial considerations. This episode, higher education journalist Jeffrey Selingo, author of  Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for...

As bad as it feels, anxiety is essential, says psychotherapist Britt Frank, author of  The Science of Stuck.  It can be a helpful warning signal that something is off, or even dangerous. But when anxiety hits, it's hard to remember its importance. In this episode, Frank explains what we can do to feel more centered when we anxiety makes us feel overwhelmed -- so we can listen to what it's telling...

If you're in an interracial relationship, there can be additional concerns even with lots of love and care: cultural misunderstandings, family members who say hurtful things, disagreements over values or communication styles and larger power imbalances at play. This episode, writer Davon Loeb shares advice on navigating racial differences in your relationship and creating a stronger connection wit...

What happens when you get a medical bill for something your insurance should have covered? KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér outlines who talk to, what to say and how to appeal a denial from your insurance company. Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit...

When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book  Smitten , about how limerence works in the brain, what you can do to stop it, and how to replace limerence with healthier interests. Follo...

There are a lot of misconceptions about sleep. Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins and her colleagues looked into common myths about sleep to help everyone get a better night's rest. This episode originally published Janaury 9, 2024. Want better sleep? Sign up Life Kit's Guide to Better Sleep, our special newsletter series. When you sign up, you'll receive a series of emails over one week with tips yo...

For chef Samin Nosrat, one of the most valuable parts of life is sharing food with the people you love. Samin joins Life Kit to discuss her new cookbook, offers advice for ritualizing ongoing gatherings with friends and shares her recipe for the ultimate garlic bread.  Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us...

A new semester has begun, which means college students across the country are taking on debt, opening credit cards and navigating meal plans and housing on their own. Budgeting and managing money, especially as a first-year college student, can be daunting. In this episode, we cover how to plan for student loans, look for scholarships, get part time work and more. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlife...

Searching for an item you've misplaced, like a passport, wedding ring or keys, can get frustrating quickly. Luckily, there are tips to help make your search process faster, smoother and calmer. Life Kit digital editor Malaka Gharib talks with visual search experts about their best tricks for finding what's lost. This episode originally published October 31, 2024. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifek...