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Life Kit

NPR

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit.

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United States

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NPR

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Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit.

Language:

English

Episodes

Coping with the end of a friendship

3/23/2023
Not all of our friendships are meant to last forever. Friendship expert Marisa Franco says losing a close friend can feel like we're losing a part of ourselves. In this episode, how to process the loss of a friendship — and tips on how to save ones that matter to us.

Duration:00:18:25

How to have the STIs conversation

3/21/2023
With Dr. Evalene Dacker, we lay out the science of STIs and then give you language to talk about them and, more broadly, about sex, with a potential partner. Because for something so fun, sex can be hard to talk about.

Duration:00:17:04

Tricks to boost your credit score

3/20/2023
A strong credit score can make major purchases and financial transactions much easier. Here's how to make yours better and keep it high. (This episode originally ran in November 2020.)

Duration:00:18:54

Defining masculinity on your own terms

3/16/2023
The "man box" refers to the strict expectations we learn about what it means to be a "real man." In reality, those rules limit the way masculine folks believe they can move through the world. On this episode of Life Kit, stories and tips to break free of the "man box."

Duration:00:24:51

5 questions to ask each other before marriage

3/14/2023
It takes more than love to sustain a marriage. In this episode, a marriage social scientist goes over the big questions to ask about your relationship and your values before getting hitched.

Duration:00:22:13

Braving the 'quarterlife' crisis

3/13/2023
Stuck between two conflicting desires and can't seem to move forward? Psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock shares an exercise called "My Two Conflicting Selves" to help people find a compromise. (This episode originally ran in October 17, 2022).

Duration:00:15:40

Finding joy in the face of sorrow

3/11/2023
Poet Ross Gay knows a thing or two about finding joy in life's most difficult moments. He talks with It's Been a Minute host Brittany Luse about his new book of essays, "Inciting Joy" — which covers the complexity of joy, the beauty of grace, and meaning in life.

Duration:00:19:54

So you want to be a mentor

3/9/2023
In this episode, we talk about who can be a mentor, how to structure the relationship, and how to have tricky conversations with your mentees. Also, how to make sure it's not a one-sided relationship.

Duration:00:20:59

The truth about caffeine

3/7/2023
75% of Americans consume some kind of caffeine at least once a day. Whether your caffeine of choice is coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, how do you know that it's working for you and not against you? We speak with experts about how you can assess your relationship to caffeine and explore why caffeine may not deserve its bad rap.

Duration:00:23:19

The period talk you never got

3/6/2023
This episode, we hear from two period experts on understanding the science of periods, management techniques and how to know when something is wrong.

Duration:00:21:43

Dear Life Kit: Do I have to listen to my boss complain?

3/2/2023
An employee struggles to cope with her boss's constant oversharing and negativity. Journalist and host of the podcast Work Appropriate Anne Helen Petersen shares advice for establishing boundaries ... with your boss.

Duration:00:13:27

Can I afford to quit my job?

2/28/2023
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.

Duration:00:19:08

'Do I really need to floss?' and other common questions about dental care

2/27/2023
We asked experts to answer five questions about how to properly care for your teeth. Here's what they said about finding a dentist, whitening your teeth at home, and whether daily flossing is necessary.

Duration:00:21:12

How to file your tax returns: 6 things you should know this year

2/23/2023
For something that's legally required, taxes can be confusing. This guide explains when and how to hire a tax preparer, covers the latest credits and deductions — and helps you plan ahead for next year.

Duration:00:12:56

Define your personal style

2/21/2023
Fashion may not have been at the top of your priority list over the last two years. If you're ready to shake the dust off, here's advice from the experts — from purging your closet to taking fashion risks in a way that feels true to you.

Duration:00:21:20

How caregivers can prevent burnout

2/20/2023
1 in 5 Americans are acting as unpaid caregivers. The work can be meaningful but also stressful. In this episode, caregivers give advice about how to approach the job, find support and make time for yourself.

Duration:00:19:48

Earthquake preparedness in 6 steps

2/16/2023
Earthquakes strike at a moment's notice. That's why having a plan in place is key. In this episode, emergency and disaster experts share their tips to help prepare you and your family.

Duration:00:17:39

The science of finding a partner

2/14/2023
Logan Ury, a behavioral scientist at the dating app Hinge, says making dating decisions based on initial chemistry alone is a losing battle. In this episode, dating coach Damon Hoffman speaks with Ury about her book, How to Not Die Alone.

Duration:00:19:44

Why the 5-minute walk break is so powerful

2/13/2023
Sitting all day isn't good for your health. Long stretches glued to a chair can increase the risk of heart disease and early death. Thankfully, new research shows that five minute walk breaks can be powerful in offsetting those risks.

Duration:00:11:04

Dear LK: My husband is still living under COVID lockdown

2/9/2023
Three years into the pandemic, one spouse is ready to lift lockdown. The other? Not so much. Epidemiologist and science communicator Jessica Malaty Rivera shares ideas on finding compromise and managing a risk budget.

Duration:00:11:54

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