Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You

Headache relief that can start in seconds, using an acupressure point in the hand. Press into the fleshy muscle between the thumb and pointer finger and rub small circles until the pain eases, then switch hands when it gets too tender. It works for an oncoming headache or one that is already in progress. This episode first aired on March 6, 2025 Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere...

Starting a running habit is easier when the first goal is almost too small to fail. Arielle uses the Just Run app to set tiny run targets on a schedule, which builds consistency for beginner running without relying on motivation. This one is for anyone trying to go from “never runs” to “runs regularly.” This tip was originally shared on February 14, 2024. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us...

Scrambled eggs come out creamier and richer with one small change before whisking. Add a tiny dab of mayonnaise to the eggs, then cook as usual for fluffier results in the pan. This is for anyone chasing softer texture, richer flavor, and better breakfast eggs without changing the whole recipe. This episode first aired on August 6, 2024. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at http...

Free audiobooks and ebooks get a lot easier when a local library card unlocks Libby. The conversation breaks down how Libby works for audiobooks, books, and even some articles, plus what “waitlists” really feel like in practice. It also makes the case that libraries and library checkouts support authors. This episode first aired on May 28, 2024. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere...

Hotel wifi and airplane wifi sometimes connect, but the login page never loads, so the internet stays blocked. Try typing 192.168.1.1 into a browser to force the guest portal to pop up (it hits about 20 to 30 percent of the time). This tip can bail out anyone stuck on public WiFi with a captive portal that will not show. This tip is a re-run from of our November 5, 2025 episode. Music is by Marcus...

Wilting houseplants and dry indoor air can make even a long-owned pothos look done. One fix to try is adding a humidifier and seeing how the leaves respond, especially in a dry apartment. This episode was first shared on January 13, 2025. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: http...

Listening to an album front to back changes how the songs hit, especially when playlists and shuffle are the default. Ned Donovan argues for the full album experience, paying attention to sequencing, flow, and the ebb of the tracklist. This episode first aired on June 27, 2024 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Handling thank you moments can get awkward fast, especially when the reflex is to minimize what was done. This quick etiquette and gratitude tip helps keep the exchange clean by swapping “no problem” for “you’re welcome” and letting appreciation land. This episode was first shared on December 5, 2023. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com. Advertising...

WHO'S READY FOR SUMMER BREAK?! We are. No really, this is the 697th episode Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You without a break and boy howdy do we need one. We're going to be dropping old episodes for the next couple of months while we figure out some adjustments to this show! In the meantime! KEEP SENDING US YOUR TIPS! Please. And if you dig the show? Tell a friend or five. Or, you k...

Press passes are a smart way to get into pricey conferences, festivals, and events without buying a full ticket. If a newsletter, podcast, or social platform can legitimately cover the event, ask if press passes are available. The pass also creates a built-in networking job, talk to attendees, take notes, and report back afterward. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://da...

Sticky TV remotes get nasty fast, especially when gunk gets into the buttons and crevices. A silicone remote cover keeps the mess on the outside, so the remote is easier to wipe down and less gross to hold. It also makes it possible to add an AirTag-style tracker if the remote is always disappearing between couch cushions. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspo...

Google is getting rid of, you know, googling. Ned is here with a replacement recommendation. Kagi is a paid search engine that drops sponsored results and the pay-to-rank game, so the results feel like early-2000s Google again. It also has an Orion browser for Mac and iPhone that pairs with the search, but the core sell is paying money instead of paying with your personal data. Music is by Marcus...

Guest Tipper Zak Rosen shares a simple “segregated dishwasher method”, grouping forks with forks, spoons with spoons, and knives with knives to make unloading ridiculously fast. Zak Rosen is the host and creator of  Weirdly Helpful . He also co-hosts Slate's parenting show,  Care and Feeding  and he co-created and produces  Pregnant Pause  and   How To Survive the End of the World .  A veteran...

Stagnant houseplant growth can be a light problem, but it can also be a “too gentle” problem. Arielle shares how lightly disturbing potting soil with a fork and physically jostling the pot can trigger new growth in the days after. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redc...

Stuck lids and covers can feel impossible to loosen, even with a rubber grip pad. A couple light taps can break whatever is binding the threads so the cover finally twists off without a fight. This came up while replacing two oven light bulbs in a double oven, using the same logic as the old “tap the pickle jar” trick. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcas...

Getting a fresh perspective can fix the way a problem looks, especially when stress makes everything feel crooked. This advice is for anyone stuck in a loop with a decision, a conflict, or a creative edit, and needs to step away to see it clearly again. The tip is to literally walk outside, look at something real (like the color blue), then come back and re-check the situation. Music is by Marcus...

It's a word of the day! Foible is the word for a minor fault in someone’s character or behavior, a small character flaw that is not a big deal. Ned and Arielle also discuss its origins and riff on NPR vibes. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When Zak Rosen shares a 10-second elevator ritual (a solo hum or tiny dance break), it turns a dead moment into a quick hit of joy. The tip is simple, do something quietly weird when the doors close to reset the brain and remember the day is bigger than whatever is on the calendar. Great for elevator rides, in-between moments, and anyone who wants a small, low-stakes mood boost. Zak Rosen is the h...

Buying a wallet, chair, or glassware is a great moment to dodge fast consumerism and shop local without turning it into a whole personality. Ned and Arielle talk through buying direct from craftspeople at flea markets, tag sales, and local art fairs so the money goes to the person who made it. It is a way to end up with a weirdly better object and a better story than another big box order. Music i...

Dishwasher smells and funky odors can come from buildup in the seal and filter area, and a hot cleaning cycle can make a big difference. Arielle shares a dishwasher cleaning trick using white vinegar on the top rack to deodorize the machine. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: h...

Tippendale Heather shares a simple "bonus drawer" setup that turns the classic clothes chair into a tidy underbed system. The tip uses an underbed storage bin for rewearable clothes (after-work T-shirts, hoodies, loungewear) so the room stays uncluttered. It is an easy bedroom organization upgrade for anyone trying to manage gently worn clothes without creating laundry confusion. Music is...

Camera equipment decisions get expensive fast, especially for filmmakers and photographers weighing a new camera body versus a smarter smartphone setup. Renting from a local rental house for a two to three day shoot keeps costs down, and next year it often gets access to newer gear for the same rental price. Buying makes more sense when the gear is used constantly (like microphones for daily podca...

Guest Tipper Zak Rosen shares the ACT technique “cognitive defusion” to tackle your inner critic. A simple shift, replay negative self talk in a goofy character voice to create distance, break the spiral, and recover faster after small mistakes. Zak Rosen is the host and creator of  Weirdly Helpful . He also co-hosts Slate's parenting show,  Care and Feeding  and he co-created and produces  Pr...

Oil stains on jeans and shirts feel permanent until they get treated the right way, fast. Arielle shares two pantry level fixes, dry shampoo or baking soda, plus a small scrubbing toolthat can help lift grease before a full wash. It’s a solid move for pizza mishaps, cooking splatter, and any stubborn grease spot. Music is by Marcus Thorne Bagala. Find us everywhere at https://dailytipspodcast.com....

Tippendale Jill from Iowa City had a followup from Ned's tip a few weeks ago, so he's here with the *far* too in-depth breakdown! Reminder apps work best when each one has a job, like fast pop-up alerts vs project tracking. Ned uses Apple Reminders for household chores and time-sensitive nudges. For creative work, collaboration, and ongoing tasks, Notion holds the project systems, and a se...