Episodes

  • Teens are using AI. Here’s how parents can talk about it.
    Sep 2 2025
    High school and college students graduating in 2026 will have had access to artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT since their freshman year. Teens are using it in creative ways to help them study, but many have also received little to no guidance on responsible use. In this episode, we discuss how to talk to teens about AI, including its risks and potential benefits for young people.

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    24 mins
  • Boost your mood in 15 minutes
    Sep 1 2025
    Sometimes you're just feeling blah: maybe the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode, NPR's Science desk and Life Kit staff present research-backed mood boosters to instantly shake yourself out of a slump and turn your day around. This episode originally published September 3, 2024.

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    24 mins
  • Dear Life Kit: When money makes relationships murky
    Aug 28 2025
    Behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa and personal finance expert Katie Gatti Tassin answer murky money questions from Dear Life Kit listeners.
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    20 mins
  • Road safety for pedestrians and cyclists
    Aug 26 2025
    No matter whether you're walking, biking or driving, there are things you can do to stay safe on the road. NPR health correspondent Pien Huang shares her reporting on tips to keep each other safe while sharing our busy streets.

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    16 mins
  • How to deal with intrusive thoughts
    Aug 25 2025
    Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with a therapist and a researcher to figure out what these thoughts mean, where they come from and how best to handle them.

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    21 mins
  • Ouch, I've got a crick! Neck pain 101
    Aug 21 2025
    Have you ever woken up with a crick in your neck after a bad night's sleep? Or feel like you can't rotate your head? Many people will experience neck pain at some point in life. Luckily, there are science-backed treatments and exercises to ease those nagging aches. This episode, a spine surgeon, sports medicine doctor, sleep expert and physical therapist give tips on working through neck pain.

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    27 mins
  • A better way to support your teens as they go back to school
    Aug 19 2025
    Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a 2024 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup poll. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. This episode originally published August 27, 2024.

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    23 mins
  • Quitting isn't always bad. How to know when it's time to walk away
    Aug 18 2025
    Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure out its cost and know when it's time to throw in the towel.

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    18 mins