Life Kit: Health

Dr. Natasha Desai, a sports medicine physician, explains injury causes and the value of warming up and varied training. Anna Cockrell, an Olympic track medalist, shares elite rest and recovery routines. They cover cool-downs, post-workout protein, night habits like stretching and sleep, and how to structure rest to prevent breakdown and boost performance.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent and author, reframes how we think about pain and its surprising causes. He explores why the brain can create pain without injury. He discusses how context, inflammation, and non-opioid treatments like mindfulness, nerve blocks, and ketamine can change pain experiences.

Meghan Rabbitt, journalist and author of The New Rules of Women's Health, breaks down common myths about women's health. She covers breast screening options and timing, why both strength and cardio matter, how reproductive history links to heart risk, and the realities of menopause and cycle-based workouts. Short, evidence-minded, and myth-busting.

Dr. Amy Shah, a double board-certified physician and nutrition expert focused on gut health and energy. She discusses how gut inflammation can sap your energy. She outlines foods that support gut health and what to avoid. She also covers syncing your circadian clock with sunlight and meal timing. Short lifestyle tweaks and curiosity-driven hobbies can help restore vitality.

Dr. Sherry Lipner, a clinical dermatology professor who runs a nail clinic, explains nail function and medical concerns. Dr. Dana Stern, a board-certified dermatologist, breaks down nail anatomy and care basics. Titilayo Bancoli, a pro manicurist with 30+ years, shares practical cuticle and salon tips. They discuss cuticle protection, trimming and filing best practices, salon safety, polish and remover choices, and limits of supplements.

Sarah Boden, a health care reporter who covers insurance and patient navigation, explains why insurers require prior authorizations and how opaque rules cause delays. She highlights surprising examples like generics needing approval. She outlines how to check rules, avoid lapsed authorizations, and speed up or appeal decisions when care is at risk.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an internist and author of Sacred Rest, maps out seven distinct kinds of rest to help replenish body and mind. She explains physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual rest. Short, practical strategies and simple diagnostics help you spot which respite you need and how to restore balance in everyday life.

Zach Dyer, a KFF Health News reporter covering health policy, walks through common hurdles getting PrEP and how to navigate them. He describes billing nightmares and wrong codes. He talks about providers who lack PrEP knowledge and where to find queer-aware clinicians. He outlines insurance coverage rules, appeals, telehealth and online PrEP alternatives.

Catherine Y. Brown, founder of Learn CPR America and a 30-year CPR instructor, champions bystander CPR and AED access. She walks through recognizing cardiac arrest and when to call for help. Clear steps on hands-only compressions, switching rescuers, and using an AED are discussed. Special guidance is offered for infants and children.

Allison Aubrey, an NPR health correspondent who covers nutrition and policy, unpacks the controversial new federal dietary guidelines. She walks through the revamped food pyramid, talks saturated fat and LDL risk, and why the pyramid clashes with long-standing science. She also covers protein choices, cutting refined carbs, and changes to alcohol guidance.