Life Kit

Join Chef Sohla El-Waylly, author of "Start Here," as she shares her culinary expertise on the cozy world of soups. Discover essential tips for crafting the perfect broth and how to elevate flavors with secret ingredients. Sohla emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients and techniques, like sweating vegetables, to enhance your soup-making prowess. Plus, she shares clever ideas for using leftovers and reheating soups while maintaining their deliciousness. Get inspired to experiment and warm up this season!

Catherine Y. Brown, the Founder of Learn CPR America, shares her passion for CPR training and life-saving techniques. She highlights the staggering statistic of over 350,000 cardiac arrests outside hospitals in the U.S. each year. Catherine outlines crucial initial response measures and explains hands-only CPR, emphasizing its importance. She stresses that understanding CPR is not only empowering but essential for survival rates, advocating for everyone to learn this vital skill. Her grassroots efforts in community training further illustrate the impact of being prepared.

Kyle Norris, a skilled reporter, and Lauren Dominguez-Chan, a seasoned speechwriter, tackle the common fear of public speaking. They share powerful techniques to capture your audience's attention and recover gracefully from mistakes. Personal stories illustrate how joining groups like Toastmasters can transform anxious speakers into confident communicators. They emphasize the importance of a core message and authenticity, encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections while engaging effectively with their audience.

Living with parents as an adult can be a unique challenge. It combines financial benefits with emotional complexities that require open communication and setting boundaries. Personal stories highlight the importance of self-acceptance and navigating dating while under the same roof. Practical tips for maintaining social activities and contributing to household harmony are shared. Ultimately, embracing these transitional times can lead to personal growth and stronger family bonds.

Stacey Vanek-Smith, NPR's global economics correspondent, dives into the realities of debt and personal finance. She discusses the rising debt crisis in America and the common life events that contribute to financial struggles. Stacey offers empowering, shame-free strategies for tackling debt, such as negotiating lower interest rates and prioritizing repayments. She emphasizes the importance of budgeting while saving for emergencies, ensuring listeners gain both immediate relief and long-term financial discipline.

Sophie Strauss, a stylist focused on inclusivity and sustainability, shares her passion for Halloween costumes. She provides creative strategies for selecting costumes, emphasizing eco-friendly choices like using personal items and secondhand finds. Listeners are encouraged to explore unique ideas, even considering inanimate objects as costume inspirations. Strauss highlights the importance of accessories in personalizing looks and expressing individuality, making the Halloween experience not just fun but also responsible.

Libraries are treasure troves of resources beyond just books. From baking pans to language classes, they offer a wealth of free and discounted services. Discover how to unlock community benefits and obtain a library card easily. Learn practical tips on maximizing library resources, like borrowing popular titles and using digital apps. Libraries foster engagement through programs and activities, making them essential hubs for learning, creativity, and support in the community.

Becky Sullivan, an NPR News Desk reporter, shares her insights on discussing the recent violence in Israel and Gaza with children. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging emotions and using open-ended questions to foster understanding. Parents are encouraged to initiate conversations and clarify context, especially for those with personal ties to the region. Engaging children through creative outlets can help them process their feelings, ensuring they feel safe and supported during these challenging discussions.

Gavin Francis, a primary care physician from Scotland and author of "Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence," shares his insights on healing after illness or injury. He emphasizes the importance of patience and active recovery, offering practical tips for balancing rest and activity. Francis advocates for creating a supportive healing environment and encourages listeners to find joy in simple pleasures during their recovery journey. His holistic approach highlights the significance of self-kindness and gratitude while navigating the intricacies of convalescence.

Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner and CBS News business analyst, shares her expertise on navigating significant life changes. She outlines her 'fabulous five' steps for assessing financial readiness, emphasizing the importance of calculating assets and liabilities. Listeners learn about the emotional and practical aspects of career shifts and relocations, and the need for thorough financial evaluations. With a focus on self-reflection and strategic planning, Jill provides actionable advice to make informed decisions that align with personal goals.