Life Kit

Canadian wildfires are causing poor air quality in parts of the U.S. The health effects of smoke and poor air quality are dangerous. Here's how to stay safe when the air quality is unhealthy. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Dreams have inspired works of art, led to breakthroughs in organic chemistry and helped people process their deepest fears and emotions. They're not just weird little movies our brains put on while we sleep. In this episode, we explain why we dream — and how to get more out of them. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your...

Video games get a bad reputation that's often unwarranted. But kids do need guidance in using them wisely. Here's how to help them, starting with spending some time with the games your kids can't put down. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

I've been in a loving relationship with my husband for years. We're incredibly compatible except for our sex life. The sex started off great, became less interesting over the years, and now it's non-existent. I'm considering divorce even though the rest of our relationship is fine. Initiating a divorce feels cruel, but I also feel like I'm settling and watching time slip away. See pcm.adswizz.com...

Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use, how often to reapply and the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen. We explain what to look for on the back of a sunscreen bottle and how to use it effectively. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p...

Extend the life of your clothing with this creative sewing technique. All you need are a few basic sewing skills, thread and scrap material to get started — oh, and maybe a pair of ripped jeans. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Whether you're moving into a summer sublet or your forever home, friendships are important to feeling settled in a new place. So how do we do that? A friendship coach walks us through how we can be more vulnerable and resourceful in adult friendships. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences...

Is your to-do list helping you reach your goals? Or is it holding you back? Productivity experts explain how to level up your list so it prioritizes what matters to you. This episode originally published Jan. 5, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Shopping secondhand is a good way to be more sustainable, explore your personal style or score a deal. We have tips from some diehard thrifters so you can find those hidden gems. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Pregnancy is hard work – for the body, mind and soul. There are seemingly endless resources for all the physical and logistical aspects of pregnancy but far fewer for renegotiating your sense of self. Life Kit spoke with author and journalist Chelsea Conaboy about how pregnancy impacts the brain and how to embrace the changes that parenthood brings. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co...

Want fresher, cleaner air at home? Researchers share practical tips on how to limit indoor air pollution. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

If you're an adult starting to explore your gender identity, it can be tough knowing where to begin. Here's some advice from trans people to help you on this intimate and powerful journey. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

If your parents pay for your college, do they have a right to demand to see your grades? Berna Anat, the author of Money Out Loud , shares advice on defining financial expectations and boundaries. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Ever leave the doctor's office confused or with unanswered questions? Talking to doctors and other medical professionals can be hard — whether they're good at their jobs or not. We'll give you the tools to get more out of your appointments. We'll talk about how to choose a provider, prepare for your visit, ask the right questions, and get your provider's attention if they're not hearing you. To su...

It may sound counterintuitive, but if you want to take charge as a parent, stop trying to control your child, says psychologist and author Shefali Tsabary. Her new book, "The Parenting Map," lays out a step-by-step guide for creating conscious parent-child relationships. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast spo...

How do you cope when your partner keeps a secret that impacts your personal finances? Meredith Goldstein of the Love Letters podcast from The Boston Globe talks with a couple who worked through financial troubles in their marriage that threatened their hard-earned sense of security. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your...

Getting into therapy comes with its own hurdles, but what about knowing when to stop it? Moraya Seeger DeGeare, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has advice on how to figure out when it's time to end therapy and what actually to say when you do. Depending on the situation, ending with your therapist could involve anything from ghosting to a sit-down conversation. See pcm.adswizz.com for in...

You don't need binoculars and a trip to a nature preserve to go birding. If you've ever paused to appreciate a bird, you're already well on your way. Here are some tips to up your game. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The current inflation rate in the US is 5 percent. And most big bank savings accounts offer interest rates much lower than that. In this episode, you'll learn how to protect your savings against inflation. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Too overwhelmed to tidy up? KC Davis, author of the book "How to Keep House While Drowning," suggests a clean-up strategy that homes in on trash and clutter. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

If you've ever thought about running for office — your town council or school board, the state legislature, or even Congress, this episode is for you. We'll tell you where to start and how to navigate everything from campaign fundraising to building a "kitchen cabinet." This episode was originally published on October 17, 2019. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe...

There are lots of jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree and pay well. Here's what to consider if you're thinking about a job in the trades — from assessing your options to choosing a training program. This episode originally published April 26, 2021. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship prefer...

Life happens, and so does debt. Unexpected car trouble, the high price of food, a family emergency — there is no shortage of reasons why debt can pile up. In this episode, we offer shame-free solutions for digging out of debt. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Saying goodbye can be tough, especially if you're parting ways for good. But grief counselor and patient advocate Isabel Stenzel Byrnes says the art of saying goodbye to loved ones can be learned and practiced. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy