Life Kit
Episodes
How To Vote By Mail: A Guide
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're planning on voting this fall — which you should be — you can probably mail in your ballot instead of voting in person. Here's how to do ...
Biking is for everyone. Here's how to start
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Biking is good for the environment and can be faster than driving or public transit. Plus, regular exercise is good for your mental and physical healt...
Friendships Change. Here's How To Deal
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Friendships inevitably shift over time — and during COVID-19, you might be facing more changes than usual. But those shifts in relationships aren't ...
Navigating The Sticky Social Situations Of COVID-19
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do you tell a stranger to be better at social distancing? What do you do when a backyard gathering suddenly has one too many unmasked guests? This...
What 'The Rocket Years' Can Teach Us
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There's often a lot of pressure put on a person's 20s. Stay career focused? Or make it a time of exploration? In this episode, Elizabeth Segran talks ...
Why Forgiving Others Actually Heals You
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deciding to forgive is a big step. After all, you're the one who's been harmed! But it turns out that forgiving someone actually has benefits for your...
How To Brew A Better Cup Of Coffee
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You don't need to get super fancy with your morning coffee at home. All it takes are a few strategies to elevate your coffee game. Whether you use a d...
Regulate Your Mood With Solitude
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone needs a little alone time, but with the current pandemic, you might have either too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back...
If you're new to camping, here's how to get started
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Attention new campers! This episode will get you ready for your first car camping trip so you'll feel comfortable and confident in being a responsible...
How To Work With — Not Against — Screen Time
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Some parents think the best way to manage a child's screen time is to set hard limits. But those rules are particularly difficult to keep during a pan...
How to pick the right sunscreen for you
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is your guide to sunscreen — what SPF to use, how often...
The Grandparents Want To See You. Is It Worth The Risk In A Pandemic?
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about making a trip to visit family? In the age of the coronavirus, there are questions you need to answer before showing up at your relative...
Getting Out Of Medical Debt Can Feel Impossible. Here's How To Do It
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One in five Americans struggles with medical bills. The secret is that there's something you can do about it — you just have to know where to look a...
Getting Out Of Medical Debt Can Feel Impossible. Here's How To Do It
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One in five Americans struggles with medical bills. The secret is that there's something you can do about it — you just have to know where to look a...
What You Need To Know About Protective Face Masks
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Face masks are crucial for curbing the spread of the coronavirus. This episode goes over some best practices when it comes to face masks, including ho...
'Me And White Supremacy' Helps You Do The Work Of Dismantling Racism
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There's been a lot of talk about the work white people need to do to understand their role in racism. Layla Saad's book, Me and White Supremacy, helps...
Your Boss Wants You Back. But Is It Safe?
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic? This episode helps workers understand their rights, including current rules about unemployment, safety...
Why Does My Plant Look Sad? 6 Tips For Raising Happy Houseplants
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anyone can have a green thumb with a little time and attention. We'll walk you through how to care for your houseplants properly, step by step. Plus, ...
Anxiety Is Overwhelming. Here's A Mindfulness Tool That Works
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all need strategies to push back against conflict, anger and worry. Tara Brach distills the practice of mindfulness into a simple 4-step tool from ...
Why writing a will and planning for your death is a 'lifetime gift' to loved ones
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Talking about death makes many of us uncomfortable, so we don't plan for it. But the reality is that even a small amount of planning ensures our final...
Want to be happier? Evidence-based tricks to get you there
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to be happy, and science has some answers. In this episode, Laurie Santos, the host of The Happiness Lab podcast, shares the science of...
Navigating the coming out conversation — from both sides
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Coming out looks different for everyone and is a continuous process. WNYC Studio's Nancy hosts talk with people about their coming out stories to lear...
Kids Know How To Occupy Themselves. We Need To Let Them Do It
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
American parents often feel like event planners for their kids. There's a pressure to make sure kids are entertained and content every minute of the d...
'Interrupt The Systems': Robin DiAngelo On 'White Fragility' And Anti-Racism
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may not think of yourself as racist, but Robin DiAngelo says that "nice white people" are still complicit in racist structures. DiAngelo has tips ...
4 ways to make your workplace equitable for trans people
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gender Reveal host Tuck Woodstock answers questions about making the workplace safer and more inclusive for trans people and provides simple ideas to ...
Want to have better conversations about racism with your parents? Here's how
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For some, talking to your parents and elders about racism can lead nowhere, or even backfire. Ijeoma Oluo, author of So You Want To Talk About Race, o...
Discussing 'The Talk'
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's Been A Minute host Sam Sanders talks with his colleague Kenya Young, executive producer of Morning Edition and mother of three boys about "the ta...
Microaggressions are a big deal: How to talk them out and when to walk away
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Microaggressions are the everyday, thinly veiled instances of racism, homophobia, sexism and other biases that come across in gestures, comments or in...
Sleep better with these bedtime rituals
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do you get a good night's sleep? Many of us have routines we use to try to reach that blissful state of slumber — from meditation to melatonin t...
How To Sleep Better With These Bedtime Rituals
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do you get a good night's sleep? Many of us have routines we use to try and reach that blissful state of slumber — from meditation to melatonin ...
How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
NPR's Michel Martin talks with Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, about how to talk wit...
Code Switch: A Decade Of Watching Black People Die
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The last few weeks have been filled with devastating stories about the police killing black people. In this episode of Code Switch, Jamil Smith, a sen...
Telehealth Tips: How To Make The Most Of Video Visits With Your Doctor
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A visit to the doctor's office looks a little different during the pandemic. Doctors are using telemedicine services to treat patients more frequently...
From Camping To Road Trips: Here's How Experts Rate The Risks Of Summer Activities
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is here, but the typical summer activities don't feel quite as carefree. How do you know if it's safe to hit the beach, rent a vacation home or...
Be Honest And Concrete: Tips For Talking To Kids About Death
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's a family pet or a loved one, every child will experience a death at some point — and their parents will likely struggle to explain it. ...
Picking A College For The Fall? Here's How To Decide For An Unknown Future
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While it's hard to know what college will look like this fall, college decision day is almost here. So what can students do to make a sound choice dur...
How Body Positivity Can Lead To Better Health
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Weight stigma can hurt more than just your feelings. Negative messages about weight are actually bad for your health. This episode, a case for ditchin...
Congress could allow banks to charge higher overdraft fees. How to avoid extra costs
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On Tuesday, the House is expected to vote on the resolution to lift the overdraft fee cap. A few simple tools can help you hold onto your hard-earned ...
Don't Fall For The Unnecessary Fee Trap
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to get caught in a cycle of mounting overdraft fees, credit card interest and high-cost loans. A few simple tools can help you hold onto tho...
How to be a supportive friend
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When we see a friend going through a rough patch, it can be hard to know how to help. What do you say? What if you say the wrong thing? In the second ...
Why Caring For Yourself Helps You Care For Others
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You can't fully show up for the people in your life until you know how to do the same for yourself. In this episode, we talk with Rachel Wilkerson Mil...
Grief for beginners: 5 things to know about processing loss
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're all experiencing some kind of grief these days. As this pandemic progresses, more of us will experience losing someone important to us. This epi...
'When Will This Be Over?' Sesame Workshop's Tips For Parenting In A Pandemic
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many parents are struggling right now — juggling kids at home 24/7 and coping with their own losses. In this episode, Rosemarie Truglio, a developme...
Your Guide To Adopting A Dog During The Coronavirus Pandemic
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dog adoptions are up now that people are spending more time at home. Before you get in over your head, here are some things to consider before adoptin...
Sesame Street's Grover On Coping During Coronavirus: Just For Kids
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey kids! Sesame Street's Grover is here and he's got some great ideas for making your days brighter during coronavirus. Grover explains how to make v...
Want To Get Creative? Easy Art Projects For Quarantine
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Looking for a creative outlet? Sarah Urist Green, author of Your Are An Artist, shares ideas for art projects you can do while at home during the coro...
Love on lockdown: Tips for dating during the coronavirus crisis
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of people want to find love, but the pandemic makes doing so more complicated. In this special episode, Sam Sanders of NPR's It's Been a Minute s...
Screen Time Overload? Here's How To Find Balance
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Screens keep us connected while we're socially distant, but phone fatigue is real. It's important to take breaks from your device to destress. In this...
If you've always wanted to write a book, here's how
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone has a book in them. Everyone also has a crummy inner voice telling them it's never going to happen. This episode will help shut down those di...
Juggling Student Loans During A Pandemic
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The CARES Act provides relief to many student loan borrowers during the coronavirus pandemic. But how do you know if you qualify? What if you're enrol...
Peter Sagal Teaches Us How To Run
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You don't need fancy equipment or a gym to start running. Grab your headphones and some sneakers and let Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal te...
A step-by-step guide to planting an edible garden this spring
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Transform your outdoor space into a fruit and vegetable garden. Find out which plants to grow, what kind of soil you'll need and whether to start from...
Fake News Can Be Deadly. Here's How To Spot It.
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Experts say the coronavirus outbreak may be the biggest source of Internet misinformation ever. Fake cures, unscientific tips, and conspiracy theories...
Coronavirus Panic: How To Get Your Thinking Brain Back Online
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Shame spirals, toilet paper panic and bingeing on news — it's easy to worry, but harder to stop. Psychiatrist Judson Brewer explains why panic can b...
How To Shop For Groceries During Coronavirus
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grocery shopping during coronavirus is fraught with confusion. Do you need to disinfect your groceries? When are the best times to go grocery shopping...
Don't Be Discouraged. Here's How To Help During Coronavirus
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There are lots of ways to give back during the coronavirus pandemic, but where do you start? Ari Shapiro of All Things Considered talks with experts a...
5 easy steps to start composting
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you've got a small apartment or a big backyard, there are ways to compost your kitchen scraps in any space. This episode is your starter for h...
How To Focus While Reading
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you'd like to read more, but you're finding it difficult — maybe you can't focus, you feel slow or like you're not enjoying the books you tried —...
How to get therapy when you can't leave the house
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Taking care of your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic is important, and it's still possible to get therapy even when you're staying at hom...
Here's How To Pick A College During Coronavirus
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus pandemic is making college decisions more complicated. This episode answers the burning questions: How do I get a hold of final transc...
To read poetry like a poet, don't worry about 'getting it'
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
April is National Poetry Month. Poets share advice on how to make a meaningful connection with the art form. One tip? Think of the poem like a movie o...
What To Do If You Lost Work Because Of Coronavirus
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus pandemic has caused vast economic disruptions. Millions of people are filing for unemployment, trying to pay rent and deferring loans....
Coping With Coronavirus: Tips For Your Wallet And Kitchen
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Staying at home means new challenges for your daily habits. This episode, we talk about budget tips and cooking hacks for your self-quarantine time.Le...
Anxious Thoughts? 5 Tips To Help You Sleep
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Difficulty sleeping can cause anxiety, which often leads to more trouble sleeping. Life Kit host Allison Aubrey talks to sleep experts about how cogni...
Anxious thoughts? 5 tips to help you sleep
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Difficulty sleeping can cause anxiety, which often leads to more trouble sleeping. Life Kit host Allison Aubrey talks to sleep experts about how cogni...
Tips For Homeschooling During Coronavirus
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tens of millions of parents are homeschooling their kids during the coronavirus. Here's a realistic guide to keeping kids engaged and everyone sane. H...
Stuck Inside? Here's Your TV Streaming Strategy
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As more television streaming services pop up, consumers face more choice than ever. NPR's TV critic lays out a streaming strategy, so you know what op...
Disrupted and Distanced: The Latest Advice On Navigating Coronavirus
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How can I tell the difference between allergies and coronavirus symptoms? Can you get coronavirus from food? Can I have people over? The coronavirus p...
8 Tips To Make Working From Home, Work For You
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Millions of people are trying to work from home because of coronavirus. Life Kit wants to help WFH work for you, especially if you're doing so for the...
Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Coronavirus is raising a lot of questions for parents. From how to talk to children about coronavirus to weathering school closures, enforcing good hy...
'Big Mouth' Creators On Embracing The Awkwardness Of Puberty
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg are the co-creators of 'Big Mouth,' an animated comedy about a group of tweens stumbling through the mysteries of puber...
How To Read Food Labels, From Free-Range To Fair Trade
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
So many food labels proclaim their eco-virtues these days: organic, pasture raised, cage-free, non-GMO. But what is a label based on? Here are six way...
When It Comes To Exercise, "All Movement Counts"
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a d...
Start an exercise routine that you'll actually stick with
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a d...
Is It Better To Rent Or Buy A House?
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Owning a home is part of the quintessential American dream, but how do you know if it's right for you? These 6 tips will help sort out the pros and co...
5 Ways To Prevent And Prepare For The Coronavirus
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You might be wondering how to prevent coronavirus and protect your family if the virus continues to spread. Nancy Messonnier from the Centers for Dise...
'Tiny Habits' are the key to behavioral change
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Want to start a new habit? Think small. That's the counterintuitive idea in BJ Fogg's book, Tiny Habits. Fogg explains that making small behavior chan...
To give better advice, try less fixing and more listening
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When someone comes to you for advice, where do you start? This very meta episode of Life Kit explores how to give good advice to the people you care a...
Your guide to navigating birth control
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Between pills, patches, IUDs, implants, shots and condoms, picking a form of birth control can be overwhelming. It involves understanding how birth c...
How to buy a car (without being taken for a ride)
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're a pro at car buying or intimidated by the thought of stepping into a car dealership, there are always ways to play the car-buying game ...
Can I date that co-worker? What to consider before an office romance
13 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The workplace still ranks as one of the top five places where people meet their mates. Love is intoxicating, but you don't want a workplace romance to...
What your teen wishes you knew about sex education
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Consent, dating, masturbation, porn. It can be difficult having conversations about sex and relationships with teens. NPR's Life Kit has a few tips to...
Helping a child whose parent is struggling with addiction
06 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What can you do if you suspect a child is being impacted by a family member's addiction? Experts say you don't need to be an addiction expert, just a ...
Feeling Anxious? Here's a Quick Tool To Center Your Soul
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all need strategies to push back against conflict, anger and worry. One of the globe's leading mindfulness teachers distills the practice of mindf...
How Race And Racism Affect Our Friendships
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do race and racism affect our friendships? In this special episode, NPR's Code Switch team and WNYC's Death, Sex & Money podcast answer your quest...
Picking A Lightbulb, Made Easy
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
LED or incandescent? How many watts? What's a Kelvin? We help focus your lightbulb search to make the decision easy.Learn more about sponsor message c...
How to recognize postpartum depression and get help
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One in seven women experiences postpartum depression. But it's easy to feel alone — especially when you're told having a baby is supposed to be blis...
How to start therapy
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If the mere thought of going to therapy seems overwhelming, you're not alone. Plenty of people put off seeking therapy because of the stigma, cost and...
Thinking About Returning To College? Here's How To Start
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Should I go back to college?" If you're asking yourself this question, here are tips to help you figure out how to do it — whether it's to change j...
How to quit smoking, with help from science
16 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to quit smoking can be hard. The good news is the science behind how to quit smoking is very clear. This episode gives you strategies to help b...
How To Start A Book Club That Actually Meets
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Here's how to start a book club that actually meets, has a focus, fosters good discussion and steers clear of logistical nightmares.Learn more about s...
The Right Way To Quit Your Job
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're completely fed up at work or just ready for the next thing, quitting a job can be stressful and complicated. You don't want to quit a j...
Making art is good for your health. Here's how to start a habit
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professional artists aren't the only people who can make art. In this episode, learn how to weave art into your everyday life. Because whether you're ...
6 strategies to help you take a break from drinking alcohol
02 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to cut back on alcohol, here's how to make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship with alcohol so you ca...
Why treating your weekend like a vacation can make you happier on Monday
31 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
So many weekends get filled up with errands, plans and work. These relaxation techniques can make your days off feel less taxing and more rejuvenating...
Choose The Best Diet For You
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are so many food tribes out there — everything from Keto to vegan. We help you understand how to choose a diet approach that's right for you.L...
This 22-Minute Workout Has Everything You Need
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've got 22 minutes, you can get an effective total-body workout. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg's personal trainer Bryant Johnson wal...
This 22-Minute Workout Has Everything You Need
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've got 22 minutes, you can get an effective total-body workout. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's personal trainer, Bryant Johnson, w...
How Do I Get This Out? Your Guide To Stain Removal
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are so many different kinds of stains — grass stains on your shorts, a wine stain on your carpet or a grease stain on your shirt — but with ...
Tips For Talking To Kids About Sex
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sex, genitals, consent, self-touching — it's tricky to talk to younger kids about these topics. This episode helps parents get past the confusion an...