Life Kit

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 published September 19, 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ideas on how to have fun this summer without breaking the bank. 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 — into your sunny days ahead. This episode originally published August 1, 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

When a romantic relationship ends, it can feel like a total loss. How do you go from being an important person in someone's life to a complete stranger? But experts say it doesn't have to be all or nothing. On this episode: Three questions to ask yourself before building a platonic connection with a former romantic partner. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

You broke someone's heart. You missed your kid's recital. You weren't there for your mom when she needed you. Guilt! It can be painful – but also a powerful tool for connection. In this episode, learn how to have a healthy relationship with guilt with help from a psychologist and an ethics researcher. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Many parents share photos and videos of their babies and children on social media. But there are potential dangers to constantly posting about your kid online, says Leah Plunkett, a faculty member of Harvard Law School who specializes in children, family law and technology. This episode, Plunkett explains what adults should consider about a kid's privacy and personal data before hitting the upload button. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A visit to the gynecologist isn't just an essential part of your health routine. It's an opportunity to ask questions about your reproductive health, from birth control to painful periods to a decreased interest in sex. Dr. Rachel Bervell, co-founder of The Black OBGYN Project, explains how women and trans or non-binary people can structure their next visit — and get the answers they need. A previous version of this podcast defined endometriosis as a condition that happens when menstrual tissue that's supposed to be in the womb ends up outside the womb. It would have been more accurate to mention that gynecologists disagree on the origin of endometriosis. Some believe endometrial tissue originates in the uterus and migrates outside of the womb. Others believe that it originates outside of the uterus during fetal development. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Taylor Swift claimed that "jet lag is a choice" at this year's Super Bowl. Sleep scientists like Jade Wu would like you to know they very much disagree. The disorder can throw your body clock out of whack and leave you feeling sluggish — not great when you're on a big vacation abroad. Wu explains how to make jet lag less miserable and more manageable. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

For a lot of people from Asian American backgrounds, discussing mental health - especially with loved ones - can be difficult. Psychologist and author Jenny T. Wang has advice on everything from working through guilt to defining home on your own terms. The episode originally published on May 26, 2022. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Check out your new NPR podcast listen: Wild Card with Rachel Martin. On the show, Rachel rips up the typical interview script and invites guests to play a game about life's biggest questions. In this episode, she talks with actor and writer Issa Rae. They discuss questions you can try asking a loved one, like: What's a moment when you felt proud of yourself as a kid? How do you stay connected to people you've lost? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Becoming a blended stepfamily can be fraught for everyone involved. How can your family build trust, function more smoothly and ultimately grow closer? In this episode, NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy shares research on stepsiblings and blended families that can make this process easier. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

If a close friend or family member is in need of money, your first impulse might be to help out. But what if they don't pay you back? What if they need more than you can provide? How do you ensure your financial agreement doesn't harm your relationship? There are no hard and fast rules around lending money. Expectations may depend on culture, financial status or even your marital status. Advice on when to give — and how to say no. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Do you feel like you always need to use GPS to get around? Never quite sure if it's a left or a right turn — even though you just looked at a map? It can be anxiety-inducing to get around when you don't have a great sense of direction. This episode, experts explain how to gain more confidence while navigating. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Pregnancy complications — like miscarriage, preterm birth or postpartum depression — are incredibly common. But expecting parents can often feel alone if they are experiencing these conditions, or like a second pregnancy is out of reach. This episode, Emily Oster, co-author of 'The Unexpected', on how to deal with complications when they arise, and make your next pregnancy a little smoother. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

When was the last time you got lost in a book? These days, the act of 'deep reading,' or reading with intention, can be difficult to practice. Maryanne Wolf, an expert in the science of reading, explains what we lose when we skim — and how to create an environment conducive to deep reading. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Approximately one in four adults has a fear of needles, according to the CDC. Many of those people say the phobia started when they were kids. Researchers developed a five step plan to prevent what they call "needless pain" for kids getting injections or their blood drawn. NPR's Short Wave talks with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, who works with a team to implement the plan at his own hospital, about how to eliminate pain during shots. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In the 1990s, colorectal cancer was the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Now, it's the first in men and second in women — and rates are rising among people under age 50. This episode, we explore how you can lower your risk and make sure you catch colorectal cancer early. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

No matter how old you are, having a happy birthday is one of life's great pleasures, says birthday enthusiast Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming. You just need to figure out what that means for you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sometimes you crave a vacation — but actually taking one feels out of reach. Maybe you're struggling to find the time or save up the money. Or maybe you just can't seem to launch those plans out of the group chat. Overcome that planning inertia and take the big trip of your dreams. Here's where to start your search, organize your logistics and enjoy yourself. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Etiquette coach Myka Meier revisits traditional wedding customs, including the cost of wedding gifts — and how much a mother-in-law should contribute to the matrimonial budget. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

There are options beyond living solo or with roommates — and one of them is called 'communal living.' In this arrangement, people don't just simply live together, but share resources and create community. In this episode, co-living enthusiasts explain how it works and how to decide whether it's right for you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy