Life Kit

There are things we're supposed to do routinely for our health: brush our teeth, shower and exercise. There's a version of that for financial health too. We'll talk about those tasks — and go beyond the number-crunching to explore how our mental health affects our finances. This episode originally published Aug. 15, 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have a...

Did you remember to pick up milk? Or reschedule that dentist appointment? Oh, and pick up cupcakes for the meeting ? The never-ending tending to the never-ending to-do list is known as the mental load. Sociologist Leah Ruppanner explains how to tame the mental load in her new book, Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newslet...

Did you know that if you have a high-deductible health plan, some services like immunizations and screenings are free (even if you haven't met your deductible)? Or that you might be able to invest the money in your HSA? This episode, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér shares tips on getting the most out of your HDHP. Have a question about navigating the health care system?  Contact us here  a...

Spring has sprung, and so too seasonal allergies. This episode, what you can do to stay more comfortable if you suffer from pollen allergies. Dr. Prathyusha Savjani shares strategies you can use, both outdoors and at home, to find relief. 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 th...

It’s easy to set big goals — but will you stick with them? The buddy system can help. In this episode, we talk about how to find an accountability partner and build a lasting, productive relationship. This episode was originally published on Jan. 15, 2025. 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@...

From brain fog to identity crises to complicated feelings of guilt (or relief), returning to work as a new parent can be daunting. Luckily, you don't need to navigate this transition alone. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle talks to working parents and experts about how to balance a job, parenting and being a person all at once. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Hav...

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. This episode was originally published on Jan. 5, 2023. 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...

Writing and publishing a book is just as much about money as it is about creativity. Planet Money co-host Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi walks us through how publishing works. He also explains the differences between publishing fiction and nonfiction, the chain of people that help get a book from rough draft to hard copy, and when self-publishing is a good option.   Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign...

Protein is having a moment. Coffee chains are adding it into lattes. Many snack companies are labeling their products as high-protein. But how much protein do you really need? Host Marielle Segarra talks with NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey about the different factors to consider when planning your protein intake. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have a...

Using chatbots for emotional support can pose risks to teens' mental health. How should parents talk to their teens about using chatbots safely? And what's the best way to have those conversations without causing conflict? On this episode, NPR's Rhitu Chatterjee speaks to experts about how to support your teen's mental health and talk to them about AI. Life Kit's episode on helping a child at risk...

How much money do you make? What assets and debts do you have? What are your spending habits? These are all questions you should ask your partner, says Vivian Tu, founder of Your Rich BFF, a financial education company, and the author of Well Endowed . In this episode, host Marielle Segarra talks with Tu about how to get “financially naked” with your partner, whether you just started dating or hav...

Unlike texting and email, old-fashioned letters, hand-addressed and sent in the mail, are "read intentionally," says Rachel Syme of The New Yorke r. In her book, Syme's Letter Writer , Syme offers advice on what to write about, how to find the perfect stationery, and why we should communicate more through snail mail. This episode originally published April 15, 2025. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprli...

Having kids comes with a lot of clutter - some of it even shows up before your baby does. From toys that overflow from the toy chest, to unwanted hand-me-downs, and piles of art your kids make, you can't keep it all.   Psychotherapist Denaye Barahona offers advice for parents on the whys and hows of decluttering.   Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episo...

Marielle joins Raj Punjabi-Johnson and Noah Michelson, hosts of the podcast Am I Doing It Wrong?  about the art of giving advice. The three talk about the best advice they've been given, what they're good at giving advice about, and how they select topics for their respective shows. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to s...

What is happiness? How do you define it? Maybe it's feeling good, having a sunny disposition or being fulfilled, even if you don't feel pleasant all the time. Gretchen Rubin, host of the Happier podcast and author of The Happiness Project, says happiness is less about attaining joy than it is about growing in the right direction. In this episode, she explains how to make small changes that can mov...

Between the start of 2022 and the start of 2025, car insurance rates jumped by more than 50%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Luckily, there are tried-and-true tactics for finding the cheapest deal you can -- from comparing rates from multiple insurance companies to not letting your teen get their license just yet. NPR's cars and energy correspondent, Camila Domonoske, breaks down the...

Psychologist Deepika Chopra says that optimism isn’t about being positive all the time. It’s about staying open, curious and resilient. In her new book, The Power of Real Optimism , she explains the science behind optimism and evidence-based manifestation, and how affirmations done the right way can lead to success. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an epis...

It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your post-workout recovery routine. A sports medicine doctor, nutritionist and professional athlete break down everything you can do from the moment your last workout finishes to right before your next one begins – to feel better in your body, mi...

There's a lot of tax advice on social media, but not all of it is sound. This episode, certified public accountant Mark Gallegos breaks down how to identify bad tax advice and avoid this year's most common tax scams. 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 i...

So you want to be on your phone less? But what actually works when it's easier than ever to just keep scrolling. This episode, 5 expert-backed tips that will help you unplug and stay focused on what matters IRL. 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 spo...

Just because you're not a homeowner doesn't mean you can't put your stamp on the place. Three home décor experts share their tips to make your rental homey for the long term. This episode was originally published on July 16, 2024. 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 a...

Nina Badzin, host of the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, has spent a lot of time thinking about the richness that old friends add to our lives. In our lows and in our highs, our old friends can remind us of who we are. But time can also do a number on those relationships. So on this episode of Life Kit: how to maintain your longstanding friendships. This episode was originally p...

Why do we have pain in the absence of injury, or long after our tissue has healed? How can the same pain stimulus feel so different, depending on who you are, or even what day it is? Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, author of It Doesn't Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life , talks about some of the surprising developments in pain science, including n...

If you're a new parent, picking out a car seat can be stressful. Do you need to spend extra on special features to keep your kid safe? How long should your child be rear-facing? How do you know if the car seat is secure enough? In this episode of Life Kit, we cover common mistakes parents make when installing car seats. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an...

Do women really need to focus on cardio? Worry about heart health? Do a yearly mammogram? Meghan Rabbitt, author of the new book  The New Rules of Women's Health , sets the record straight. Find the BCRAT calculator here: https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/ In a previous audio version of this story, Meghan Rabbit incorrectly said that ventricles "go in and out of our heart." In fact, ventricles are cha...