Life Kit

People may think of hair loss as a guy thing. But by some estimates, half of all women experience hair loss in their lifetime. While there are some solutions out there based in science, not every remedy works for every person — or every type of hair loss. Today's episode is from our friends at NPR's science podcast  Short Wave . Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here....

It's easy to spiral and feel anxious when you're on a first date, at your office holiday party or heading to your high school reunion. The stakes feel high and you want to make a good impression. But social anxiety can get in the way of connection, fun and feeling good. In this episode, we give you tools to survive small talk, practice social courage and embrace the awkward. Follow us on Instagram...

Why is muscle power so important? What do you really need to know about your testosterone levels? What are some free, research-backed tools for managing depression? Brett McKay, founder and editor-in-chief of  The Art of Manliness , an independent men's health and lifestyle web magazine, shares top health tips. Whether you identify as a man or not, he says a lot of this advice can help us all live...

Clinical psychologist Adia Gooden and NPR's  It's Been A Minute  host, Brittany Luse, answer questions from Dear Life Kit listeners and they share  their  best advice on unsolicited advice. 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 u...

Does your back hurt after a long day at your desk? Do you wake up with a sore neck every morning? Muscle aches in your body could be a sign you need to improve your posture. This episode, a physical therapist and a biomechanist break down what "good posture" looks like and how you can begin to correct yours. This episode originally published Feb. 2, 2025. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign...

Millions of people have been left without access to food as a result of funding delays for SNAP benefits. Kevin Curry of  Fit Men Cook , an online food community, shares resources for those affected, including how to build a low-budget cart at the grocery store. A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that Kevin Curry graduated from Harvard Business School. In fact, he graduated from H...

After a big blowup or recurring fight with your partner or spouse, how do you reconnect? Couples therapist Baya Voce offers a five-step process for couples to make amends after conflict, including what to do if you're still upset and how to make sure both of you get a chance to say what you feel and need. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or...

When you're decorating a room, it can be difficult to identify your personal vision and stay true to it — especially if you have financial constraints or are designing with others in mind. But Vern Yip, who has designed on TLC's  Trading Spaces  and hosts the interior design show  Home Reimagined,  says that compromising on your tastes now means you might be redecorating a year from now. This epis...

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...