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Life Kit

Life Kit

NPR 1130 Episodes Jul 23, 2026

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, host Marielle Segarra talks to experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.

Episodes

What to do when you're too upset to think straight
What to do when you're too upset to think straight Jul 23, 2026 1362 Stressed, anxious, or angry? Distress tolerance tools — from dunking your head in a bowl of ice water to imagining yourself in a calm setting — can help. In this episode, clinical psychologist Shireen Rizvi shares dialectical behavior therapy skills from the recent book she co-authored, Real Skills for Real Life. These physical and mental exercises can help you care for yourself, so you can think
A decision coach's approach to making hard decisions
A decision coach's approach to making hard decisions Jul 21, 2026 1346 In this episode, decision coach Nell Wulfhart shares exercises to make speedier decisions, when to ask others for guidance and how to deal with any regret. This episode originally published June 2, 2025.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by s
Before you fibermaxx, know these tips
Before you fibermaxx, know these tips Jul 20, 2026 882 Fiber is a dietary superhero. It lowers cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps your hunger in check. But chances are, you're not getting enough of it. NPR health correspondent (and fiber fanatic) Maria Godoy shares easy ways to up your fiber intake. Plus, the science of what fiber does in your body and how having more in your diet could help you. This episode was originally publi
When your best friend tells you to stop texting her
When your best friend tells you to stop texting her Jul 16, 2026 992 Advice inbound. In this edition of Dear Life Kit, we're pulling wisdom from the Life Kit archives to help you: -Support a friend who is imposing distance -Escape your kids' exhausting schedule -Handle a tricky conversation about money with your family -Call out some bad energy in your friend's marriage Have a question for the Life Kit team? Write us or send a recording to lifekit@npr.org. Question
Summer fun that doesn't break the budget
Summer fun that doesn't break the budget Jul 14, 2026 739 Wondering how to have fun this summer without spending a fortune? All you need is a little creativity. Go on a "penny date." Throw a movie marathon party. Swap houses with a friend. With a little imagination, you can bring delight and joy — at a low cost — to your sunny days ahead. This episode originally aired Aug. 1, 2023.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an
A financial planner's advice for spending without guilt
A financial planner's advice for spending without guilt Jul 13, 2026 1388 Whether you're feeling guilty about overspending or guilty about not spending enough, shame around money can get in the way of your goals. In this episode, Marielle Segarra talks with certified financial planner Lauryn Williams about how to address financial guilt and align your spending with your values.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or fee
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think Jul 9, 2026 1571 Whether you’re ready to become pregnant today or thinking about the future, there’s a lot to learn about your fertility. In this episode, a reproductive endocrinologist and a reproductive psychiatrist walk through the basic factors that contribute to your ability to get pregnant — and explain the best ways to get your timing right.Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter.Follow us on Instagram:
You can have a good divorce
You can have a good divorce Jul 7, 2026 1599 A lot of marriages end in divorce. As painful as it can be, there’s a way for separating partners to engage with the divorce process in a healthy way. Karen McNenny, certified divorce coach and author of The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family, shares tenets for transforming your family without becoming bitter. Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter.Follow us on
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals Jul 6, 2026 1025 Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how to enjoy meals while paying attention. This episode originally published Sept. 11, 2023.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport
Elevate group conversations with a 'magical question'
Elevate group conversations with a 'magical question' Jul 2, 2026 1217 Want to cut through small talk at your next mixer? Try asking a "magical question," says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of the book The Art of Gathering. These questions, like "What is a path you almost took but didn't?" and "What topic could you give a 20 minute talk on with zero preparation?" can spark deep and meaningful conversations and foster connection. In this e
How to save at restaurants if you're burnt out on cooking
How to save at restaurants if you're burnt out on cooking Jun 30, 2026 1059 Do you blow $20 on slop bowls because you keep forgetting to pack lunch? Or can't help but overspend every time you eat out with friends? Dining out can be expensive — but there are ways to minimize the financial punch. This episode, reporter Joe Hernandez shares tips on how to dine out on a budget. Sign up for his one-month newsletter, How to Cut Your Food Bill, for more tips.Follow us on Instagr
How to clean when it's the last thing you want to do
How to clean when it's the last thing you want to do Jun 29, 2026 941 Sometimes you just don't have the energy to do the dishes and pick up all the dirty clothes from the floor. Therapist KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, has developed a framework for keeping up with house cleaning without feeling overwhelmed. This episode originally ran April 2023.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback

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