Life Kit

NPR's Life Kit is basically the adulting manual nobody gave you when you moved into your dorm. Host Marielle Segarra talks to experts about the practical stuff that suddenly matters once you're on your own — how to negotiate, how to actually make friends (not just acquaintances), how to manage your energy when coffee stops being enough. With over 1,100 episodes and a 4.4-star rating from nearly 4,700 reviews, it's built a loyal audience of people figuring life out in real time. Episodes are tight, usually 12 to 25 minutes, which makes them easy to squeeze into a commute, a gym session, or that dead time between afternoon classes. The format is consistent and efficient. Segarra introduces the topic, brings in an expert, and pulls out specific takeaways you can use immediately. A recent episode on emotional regulation wasn't abstract theory — it was concrete techniques you could try the same day. Another on turning acquaintances into real friendships addressed something most first-year students struggle with but rarely talk about. What sets Life Kit apart from other advice-style shows is NPR's editorial standards. The information is vetted. The experts are credible. And Segarra doesn't oversell anything or pretend that one episode will transform your life. She gives you tools, explains how they work, and moves on. For students juggling finances, health, relationships, and academics for the first time, it's an incredibly practical resource that respects your intelligence and your time.