Life Kit

How to cook and eat healthy on a budget

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Minding your budget while eating the foods that nourish you takes a little planning — but it's possible. Dietitian Shana Spence shares her tips to h...

How to arrange flowers like a professional

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you forgot to order flowers for that special occasion, or you just want to flex a new creative muscle, here's how to DIY a professional-lookin...

How to give the perfect toast

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a new year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech, or any other toasts this...

How to get the most out of your health insurance plan

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Using your health insurance doesn't have to be on an "in-case-of-emergency" basis. Learn how to make the most of your coverage by taking advantage of ...

Life Kit presents: The power in owning your 'Big Feelings'

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our friends at It's Been a Minute speak with Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy about their new book, Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not...

Storytelling 101

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Storytelling creates connections and builds community. In this episode of Life Kit, storytelling coaches from The Moth give a step-by-step guide to te...

How to thrive while working in a hybrid setup

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More companies are offering hybrid work schedules, allowing office workers to split their time between the office and home. A hybrid set up has plenty...

Become a community scientist in 3 steps

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From the songs of sparrows outside your apartment window to the purple crocuses bursting into bloom in a nearby park – all that nature you're observ...

What to know about wearing a mask on public transit

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that a federal judge has thrown out mask mandates on public transportation, many people are wondering, "How safe is it to use these forms of trave...

Our favorite ways to live sustainably

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change calls for long-term, systemic solutions, but that doesn't mean we can't all strive to live more sustainably. Life Kit is here with solu...

How to get outside and enjoy nature — on your own terms

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoying the outdoors can look like anything from walking the dog to celebrating Indigenous culture — you don't have to hike the tallest mountain pe...

Live more freely with autism, and nurture inclusivity

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Autistic people are constantly forced to suppress who they are as a means of pleasing a neurotypical world. Social psychologist Devon Price not only w...

How to help birds during migration

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bird migration season is starting. But across North America, their populations are in trouble. We asked experts for 8 everyday steps you can take to l...

Tips for dealing with conflict in the workplace

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When the discomfort of conflict arises, it can be hard to know what to do, especially in the workplace. Get the tips you need to become a conflict-res...

How to cultivate your personal style

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's advice from the experts on cultivating a personal style — from purging your closet to taking fashion risks in a way that feels true to you.Le...

How to have more fun

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have enough fun in life? Catherine Price, author of The Power of Fun, explains the three components of true fun and how to tap into this powerf...

How to start bike commuting: tips for a safe and easy ride

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Biking is a great way to get to work – it's good for the environment, and it can be faster than driving or public transit. If you ever had an inklin...

Too much pleasure can lead to addiction. How to break the cycle and find balance

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explains when too much pleasure-triggering dopamine upsets the delicate balance of pleasure and pain our bra...

How to start gardening

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you have big plans for a vegetable garden or a tiny pot of window sill herbs, this episode will help you get your green thumb. We cover the ba...

Intro to Korean American cooking

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In an introduction to Korean American cooking, New York Times food writer and cookbook author Eric Kim walks us through pantry essentials, quick-fix r...

Your tax refund, explained

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's tax season (insert collective groan here). But don't worry: in this episode of Life Kit, CPA and tax analyst Kimberly Washington offers helpful a...

How working parents can win back some time

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Calling all working parents and caregivers! We see you, and we know you don't have much time. Career coach Daisy Dowling shares time management tips t...

Regret is universal, here's what to do when you feel it

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rather than striving for a life with no regrets, Daniel H. Pink, author of The Power of Regret, suggests embracing regret and learning from it. He out...

From bills to appointments, here's how to tackle the homework of adulthood

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Life seems full of ever-increasing piles of paperwork — bills to pay, appointments to make, forms to sign, carpools to organize. Here's how to conqu...

How to talk to customer service – and actually get what you want

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Asking to speak to the manager isn't going to get the results you want. In this episode, negotiation consultant Craig dos Santos gives tips on how to ...

4 tips to stay connected when your friends live far away

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Long distance friendships are a common reality of adulthood, as we move around for school, work or family. While they might require some planning and ...

Our most valuable lessons from 2 pandemic years

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been two years since our lives changed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Producers of NPR's Life Kit look back on the most valuable lessons th...

How to deal with mental health issues at work

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's depression, anxiety, burnout or something else, if you're struggling with your mental health at work, it can be hard to know what your op...

Four ways to combat everyday indecision

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We make so many basic decisions each day that it's easy to fall into "analysis paralysis." We explore where indecision comes from, why so many of us a...

How to pick a birth control that works for you

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Picking a form of contraception can be overwhelming. It involves understanding how birth control works, your preferences, side effects and more. This ...

The basics to home maintenance

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

DIY home maintenance can be intimidating. Mercury Stardust, better known as the Trans Handy Ma'am on TikTok, is a maintenance technician with 14 years...

4 tools to help unblock your creativity

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way and architect of the famous creative practice "Morning Pages," has spent her career teaching "creative unblo...

How to deal with anxiety from the news

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The news is overwhelming right now. Neuroscientist Judson Brewer shares tips on calming your nerves when the headlines won't stop. Take a break and le...

Food substitutions 101

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Improvising in the kitchen takes a lot of practice. But when you get to that point in the recipe where you realize you're out of white wine/fresh garl...

What to say to kids when the news is scary

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether a school shooting or a deadly tornado, scary events in the news can leave parents struggling to know when and how they should talk with their ...

What to know and how to talk about disability

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

July is Disability Pride Month. Do you find yourself avoiding conversations on disabilities? A disability rights activist shares ways to be a better a...

How to train for your first marathon

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A running coach and athlete with a background in exercise science shares tips on building your mileage and finishing your first race injury-free.Learn...

Why passing on wealth requires strategy

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wealth isn't just cold hard cash, says strategic investor Pamela Jolly. It's whatever you value, meaning generational wealth can take lots of forms. H...

What's your attachment style?

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

According to the field of attachment theory, each person has a unique attachment style that informs how that person relates to intimacy: secure, anxio...

How to let more joy into your life

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Poet Ross Gay sees joy all around him. In infinity scarves, orchards, pawpaws, even weeds. He explains the subtle mindset shift that allows him to let...

How to get over someone

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Breakups come in all shapes and sizes — slow dissolves, out-of-nowhere endings — and maybe you even initiated the breakup. But they all have a few...

How to lose well — and why it matters

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How to turn failure into an opportunity — and walk away a winner even in the face of defeat.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices...

Financial advice for artists who think they're 'bad with money'

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Getting your finances in order can be intimidating, especially for freelancers, creatives and side-giggers. Financial planner and artist Paco de Leon ...

How to talk to your Latinx parents about mental health

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their fa...

Pick a card, any card: How to get into tarot

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you've gotten a tarot reading before, you may be intimidated by the cards or wondering whether you're cool enough to learn. Tarot reader and w...

It's OK to not be passionate about your job

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Passion and work often feel inextricably linked, but that's a fairly new phenomenon — and maybe it shouldn't be the expectation. Sociologist Erin A....

What 'likeability' really means in the workplace

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Likeability" is a loaded word. And try as we might, none of us has full control over who likes us. Journalist and podcaster Alicia Menendez, author o...

How to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can...

Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you recently searched the internet for "dog trainers near me," there's a good chance you became immediately overwhelmed by the options, certificati...

How to make sure you're paid for your time and work

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Time is money. But often, especially in the creative industries, trying to advance your career can mean literally selling yourself short. It's commonp...

The case for being ordinary

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For those in emerging adulthood, there's endless pressure from all sides to chase an extraordinary standard in every aspect of life. But writer Raines...

Need to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, H...

How to talk about the COVID vaccine with people who are hesitant

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jasmine Marcelin shares how she has conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with people who have doubts about getti...

How to make ethical investing work for you

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Money talks, but how do you make sure your money is sending the right message? Ethical investing isn't magic, but it's one way to try and put your mon...

How to work through a creative rut

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever try to be creative, but no matter how hard you try, struggle to access that spark in your head? This episode explains how to escape that c...

How to enjoy single life

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Singlehood is not the waiting room of life. It's unfair to think single people can't create meaningful lives that are filled with purpose and love. We...

A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease docto...

How to curb money avoidance and face financial woes head-on

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you wince every time you open up your credit card app or feel stressed just thinking about personal finances, here's how to curb money avoidance an...

How to divest from diet culture

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022, 40% of New Year's resolutions in the U.S. were based on weight loss. Why do we set these goals for ourselves? Diet culture, the social expect...

Mindfulness For Beginners

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close ...

When it comes to exercise, "all movements count"

30 Dec 2021

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...

How to give the perfect toast

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a new year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech, or any other toasts this...

6 tips on taking a break from drinking

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking about taking a break from drinking? Here are ways to help you make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship w...

How solitude can help you regulate your mood

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone needs a little alone time, but during this pandemic, you may have felt like you had too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance ...

How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday gift exchanges can feel like a burden, especially if you're shopping on a budget. Here are tips from a shopping expert on how to give more tho...

Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We asked for your questions on navigating the holiday blues. Clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior guides us through some rough patches involving family...

What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat

18 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we lose a loved one, it can feel like we've lost a part of ourselves. And for good reason, our brains are learning how to live in this world with...

How to shop for sustainable holiday gifts

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shopping secondhand can ease the environmental burden of holiday consumption — and save you money, too. Here are three tips to help you start cuttin...

How to squash negative self-talk

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being self-critical comes naturally for a lot of people. It's easy to focus on the one bad review or the tiny flaw in an otherwise perfect presentatio...

How to host a meaningful holiday gathering

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosting family and friends during the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker discusses way...

Omicron variant, COVID booster shots — and how to stay safe during the holidays

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season is well underway, and with it, a fresh batch of worries over the latest COVID-19 variant, omicron. For those planning end-of-year c...

How to talk about money with friends, from planning a hangout to splitting the bill

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Even among the closest of friends, conversations about money and privilege can be awkward. In this episode from Life Kit and The Cut, author Otegha Uw...

How to stop being late

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People are late for lots of reasons — being overly optimistic, not accurately gauging how much time it takes to actually get somewhere, even being a...

Coping with grief during the holidays

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we inch toward the holidays, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith shares how she's processing grief, a subject at the center of much of her w...

How to be a kinder, more caring neighbor

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be a kinder, more caring neighbor? From Daniel Tiger's world of make-believe to Winnipeg, here's how to plug into your community,...

How to decide if freezing your eggs is right for you — and where to get started

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Freezing your eggs can open doors for your fertility. It's also emotional, time-consuming and expensive. Here are some things to think about before yo...

How to give good advice by less fixing, more listening

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When someone comes to you for advice, where do you start? This episode explores how to give good advice to the people you care about. Hint: It's not a...

How To Have Meaningful Conversations At Holiday Gatherings

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Having good conversations is an art form. To help you out at end-of-year gatherings, NPR's Sam Sanders tapped longtime radio host and podcaster Celest...

How To Make Tastier, Prettier Pies, According To A Self-taught Pie Artist

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just in time for Thanksgiving, self-taught baker Lauren Ko shares her tips for making tastier — and more beautiful — pies.Learn more about sponsor...

This Thanksgiving, You Can Carry On Family Recipes In Your Own Way

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Making a family recipe for the first time can be daunting. Will it turn out just like you remembered? For those cooking for the holidays, podcaster No...

How To Document Family Stories

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learning stories about our loved ones helps us understand their lives and make sense of our own story. Here are five tips to guide you as you document...

Remembering Petra Mayer: Everyone's a 'real writer.' Here's how to write that book

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beloved books editor Petra Mayer believed that all you have to do to be a 'real writer' is to write. We're re-running this episode in honor of Petra w...

How to simplify your Thanksgiving menu

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family. New York Times food writer Eric Kim shares easy recipes for salt-and-pepper roast turkey bre...

Suleika Jaouad On Working Through Isolation And Life's Interruptions

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Suleika Jaouad has made a career out of covering folks living in the 'in between' spaces — starting with herself. Diagnosed with leukemia at ...

5 Tips For Transferring Colleges

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most students who want to transfer colleges don't. The process can be complicated and confusing and differ from state to state and institution to inst...

How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. For parents and caretakers struggling to get their l...

How To Wake Up Early, Even If You're Not A Morning Person

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like ...

What To Do When There's A Flash Flood Warning While You're Driving

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What should you do when there's a flash flood warning? In this episode, we'll walk you through why we're seeing an increase in flood events, what you ...

How To Start A Budget. (And Why You Might Actually Enjoy It)

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're paying down credit cards or saving for daily necessities, the best place to start is with a budget. Some simple tools can help. (This e...

From Family Planning To Recycling: Your Climate Questions Answered

30 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow this weekend, we're sharing this episode from our friends at It's Been A Minute with Sam Sanders.In this ep...

Your guide to a simple skin care routine

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your skin is your largest organ. If you want to care for it without getting sucked into a wormhole of pharmacological-sounding jargon, this guide to b...

How To Learn A New Skill

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It can be incredibly gratifying to harness mastery of a skill. But why is learning new things so hard? In this episode, we'll explore that question an...

Climate Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Address It

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The climate crisis is here, and if you feel climate anxiety, that's a totally normal response. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or numb when you start th...

Inbox Zero Isn't The Goal Anymore. Try Inbox Infinity

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Unread emails can be a source of anxiety for a lot of people. So instead of trying to read, filter or delete everything in your inbox, what if you jus...

Finding agency with a birth plan

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For expectant parents, navigating pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum can raise a range of emotions. There are so many things to think about and prep...

How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Open enrollment is back again and with it, its confusing health insurance jargon. Here are some of those terms defined to help you choose the best pla...

How To Rethink What You Spend Your Time — And Life — Doing

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You've only got 4,000 weeks to live — give or take. While that may come as a brutal dose of reality, it's also an opportunity to think about how you...

5 Tips For Getting Started With Strength Training

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Strength training is a great way to exercise efficiently while preventing injury. But it can be nerve-wracking if you're worried about what other peop...

How You Can Honor Your Heritage — And Improve Your Health — Through Food

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Food is more than just fuel for your body. Food is a connection to the stories of your ancestors and the stories of your descendants.In this episode o...

Get Your Pantry Organized With These Tips From Smitten Kitchen's Deb Perelman

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel like you're not an organized person? Deb Perelman of the blog and cookbook Smitten Kitchen says she can relate. But when it comes to the k...