The Upgrade by Lifehacker

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This week we're fine-tuning our instruments with help from Hollywood vocal coach, Denise Woods. Denise has been a professional vocal and dialect coach for over 20 years and has worked with stars like Will Smith, Halle Berry, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, and Mahershala Ali. Listen to hear Denise gives tips on how to nix the[...]

Ever find yourself in an anxiety spiral, ruminating over things that stress you out? If so, you're in luck because this week we're learning how to better control that voice in our heads with help from psychologist Ethan Kross. Ethan is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and Ross School of Business,[...]

This week we're learning how to better focus and pay attention with help from neuroscientist Dr. Amishi Jha. Dr. Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. She's also the author of Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your[...]

The team at Gizmodo has a brand new podcast womansplaining the latest technology. Each week hosts Florence Ion and Caitlin McGarry sit down to talk about the latest gadgets and the biggest headlines in tech. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're learning how to be better, more conscientious travelers with help from travel journalist Sara Clemence. Listen to hear Sara's advice on how to find destinations that aren't experiencing "overtourism," and what research to do and choices to make that have a more positive impact on the local economy on the places you're[...]

This week we're talking with award-winning author Wendy Thomas Russell about tackling the tricky topic of religion with kids—whether you're religious yourself or not. Listen to hear Wendy's advice on how to talk about the religions that are embedded in our culture and answer tricky questions about God in a neutral and educational way. Wendy[...]

This week we're learning how to be a better reader with help from librarian and podcaster Margaret H. Willison. Listen to hear Margaret break down how we should re-think our definitions of "good" or "well-read" readers, and the tactics we can use to improve our reading game. After our conversation with Margaret, we get tips[...]

This week we're learning how to tackle the notorious challenge of dating with help from Logan Ury—Director of Relationship Science at Hinge and author of the new book, How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love. Listen to hear Logan talk about what we so often get wrong about what[...]

This week we're learning how to better care for our skin with help from physician and Atlantic staff writer James Hamblin. Listen to hear James explain why using less soap might actually be better for your skin's microbiome and how we should be re-thinking what "good hygiene" really is. James is the author of If Our[...]

This week we're learning how to become successful, effective critics of popular culture with help from Black Nerd Problems co-founders William Evans and Omar Holmon. Listen to hear William and Omar explain how to find your lane as a critic, grow your audience, and develop that ever-necessary thick skin. Also check out William and Omar's[...]

This week we're learning how to survive all sorts of disasters—from hurricanes to earthquakes to war zones and beyond with crisis reporter Judith Matloff. Listen to hear her best tips for surviving a wide range of scary situations, as well as how to prepare yourself for the unexpected both physically and psychologically. Judith's latest book[...]

This week we're learning how to strengthen the health of our marriages with help from psychologist Eli Finkel. Eli is a professor at Northwestern University and the author of the bestselling book The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work. Listen to hear Eli's tips on why marriage today is such a challenging (and potentially[...]

It goes without saying that this pandemic has had a huge impact on our mental health. So this week, we sit down with The Happiness Lab's Dr. Laurie Santos to learn some of the science-backed strategies we can use to help us cope, and even find some happiness. Dr. Santos is a Professor of Psychology and[...]

This week we're learning how to land a new job in a challenging economy, with personal finance expert (and friend of The Upgrade) Ramit Sethi. Listen to hear Ramit's tips on writing a great resume and cover letter, how to get clear on what your dream job actually is, and how to negotiate even when[...]

This week we're learning how to shift our mindsets with help from growth mindset expert, Eduardo Briceño. Eduardo is the most booked keynote speaker on growth mindset and the co-founder of Mindset Works, which he created alongside Stanford professor Carol Dweck. Listen to hear Eduardo give tips on how to change your mindset from a[...]

This week we're learning how to navigate our impossible healthcare system and avoid huge medical expenses with help from award-winning journalist, Dan Weissman. Dan has worked as a staff reporter for Marketplace and Chicago’s WBEZ, and is now the host of the podcast An Arm and a Leg which investigates the cost of healthcare and[...]

This week we're learning how to negotiate effectively with help from negotiation expert, Dr. Victoria Medvec. Vicki is a Professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, as well as a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Center for Executive Women at the Kellogg School. She's also the CEO of Medvec and[...]

This week we're learning about hypnosis, the placebo effect, and the ways we can use the power of suggestion to our advantage with help from science journalist Erik Vance. Listen to hear Erik discuss how the placebo effect works, the ways in which we may be able to use hypnosis to help us with various[...]

This week we're tackling the trickiest parenting questions and dilemmas with help from science journalist, Melinda Wenner Moyer. Melinda is an award-winning journalist who writes about science, parenting, and medicine, and she’s a contributing editor at Scientific American, The New York Times, Washington Post, and other national outlets. Melinda's new book is called, How to[...]

This week we're chatting with writer and user researcher Ximena Vengoechea about how to improve on our listening skills and have better, deeper conversations. Listen to hear Ximena give great tips on how to be more present in a conversation, how to set boundaries when you're someone's default listening ear, and the best kinds of[...]

This week we're learning how to get better with deadlines with help from journalist Christopher Cox. Christopher is the former chief editor of Harper’s Magazine and executive editor of GQ, and has a new book out called The Deadline Effect: How to Work Like It’s The Last Minute—Before The Last Minute. Listen to hear Christopher[...]

This week we're learning how to grow up with help from writer Julie Lythcott-Haims. Julie is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise An Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success, as well as Real American: A Memoir. Listen to hear Julie's advice on navigating your[...]

This week we're learning how to fight the burnout we might not even realize we're suffering from with help from journalist Anne Helen Petersen. Tune in to hear Anne's advice on how to recognize your own burnout, how to make space in your day for a breather, and how we as a society can start[...]

This week we're learning how to nail perfect timing with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink. Hear Daniel explain why certain hours of the day are more productive than others, how we can battle the mid-afternoon slump, and why certain dates are more effective for starting a new routine than others. Daniel's most recent book is When:[...]

This week we're learning how to reacclimate ourselves with the "return to normal" with help from therapist Chamin Ajjan. Chamin brings her 20+ years of experience in psychotherapy to help us tackle everything from how to get comfortable with parties again, to how to transition from online to in-person dating, and how to handle those[...]

This week we're learning how time off can actually help us be more productive, with help from writers John Fitch and Max Frenzel. Listen to hear how to build a healthy rest ethic, what leisure practices can help spark creativity, and how we can encourage more time off in our productivity-obsessed society. John and Max[...]

This week we're learning how to start being a little friendlier to the earth without completely overhauling our lives with help from activists Laurie David and Heather Reisman. Laurie is an environmental activist and an award-winning documentary film producer, having produced such films as Fed Up, The Social Dilemma, and the Oscar-winning documentary, An Inconvenient[...]

This week we're kicking our butts into gear and learning how to actually enjoy the act of running with help from Strength Running founder, Jason Fitzgerald. Jason is a USA Track & Field certified coach and host of The Strength Running Podcast. Listen to hear Jason's advice on how to actually start a running habit[...]

This week we're tackling our cravings for processed food with help from journalist Michael Moss. Michael is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, and his latest book is called Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions. Listen to hear Michael explain the[...]

This week we’re talking about impostor syndrome—the psychological phenomenon wherein people question their successes and have an internalized fear of being discovered as a fraud. We’ll hear from Lifehacker’s staff writer, Nick Douglas, who explains why he keeps something called a “brag file.” We’ll also chat with clinical psychologist Dr. Jessamy Hibberd, author of the[...]

This week we're learning how to pare down our belongings and embrace the freeing feeling of a minimalist lifestyle with help from author and advocate Christine Platt (aka The Afrominimalist). Listen to hear Christine's brilliant tips on how to start decluttering without overwhelming yourself, how to parent with a minimalist lifestyle, and why the first[...]

This week we’re learning about the ins and outs of negotiation. We’ll find out how to get someone to “yes” when they’re all about “no”; when and how the robots are going to negotiate for us; and what to do to get the raise you deserve.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at[...]

In this episode we’re talking about the lost art of conversation-making. Joining us is podcaster and raconteur Ken Plume, who has conducted extensive interviews with the likes of Mel Brooks and John Cleese. We discuss how Ken got his start feeling comfortable talking to just about anyone, how he handles the awkwardness of a cocktail[...]

This week we chat with productivity legend David Allen about GTD, his gold-standard time management philosophy. Lifehacker staffers share their productivity secrets as well.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

This week we're improving on our marketing skills with help from entrepreneur and marketing expert Seth Godin. Listen to hear Seth's insightful tips on the mentality we should have when it comes to our marketing strategy, finding your audience, and the common mistakes to avoid when starting to market your business. Seth is the bestselling author[...]

This week we're solving our boundary issues with help from therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab. Nedra is the New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, and she joins us this week to talk about how we can learn to recognize when our own boundaries have been crossed, and[...]

Ever find yourself in an anxiety spiral, ruminating over things that stress you out? If so, you're in luck because this week we're learning how to better control that voice in our heads with help from psychologist Ethan Kross. Ethan is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and Ross School of Business,[...]

On this episode of The Upgrade, we're tackling debt. Crippling, anxiety-inducing debt. It can be hard to know where to start when facing such a heavy burden. Fortunately, we got some help. First, hear Lifehacker staff writer Lisa Rowan answer Upgrade listener and Lifehacker reader-submitted questions about credit cards. Then, we're joined once again by[...]

This week we're learning how to embrace being a beginner again (and why we should) with help from journalist Tom Vanderbilt. Tom is the best-selling author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us), and You May Also Like: Taste in an Age of Endless Choice, and his[...]

Michael Pollan has been writing about the intersection of nature and culture for over 30 years. He may be best known as the guy who summed up his principles for eating thusly: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." He is the author of several books, including In Defense of Food, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and[...]

This week we're speaking with the ever-inspiring Anne Lamott—progressive political activist, writer, and bestselling author of such books as Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, and Operating Instructions. Anne's latest book is called Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage, and she joins us this week to talk about how we can find hope, even in the most challenging[...]

This week we're fine-tuning our instruments with help from Hollywood vocal coach, Denise Woods. Denise has been a professional vocal and dialect coach for over 20 years and has worked with stars like Will Smith, Halle Berry, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, and Mahershala Ali. Listen to hear Denise gives tips on how to nix the[...]

This week we're learning how to tackle the notorious challenge of dating with help from Logan Ury—Director of Relationship Science at Hinge and author of the new book, How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love. Listen to hear Logan talk about what we so often get wrong about[...]

It goes without saying that this pandemic has had a huge impact on our mental health. So this week, we sit down with The Happiness Lab's Dr. Laurie Santos to learn some of the science-backed strategies we can use to help us cope, and even find some happiness. Dr. Santos is a Professor of Psychology[...]

This week we're learning how to land a new job in a challenging economy, with personal finance expert (and friend of The Upgrade) Ramit Sethi. Listen to hear Ramit's tips on writing a great resume and cover letter, how to get clear on what your dream job actually is, and how to negotiate even when[...]

This week we're learning about the tools and tech we need to upgrade our lives in 2021. Helping us are Mark Frauenfelder and Kevin Kelly—hosts of the Cool Tools podcast and the Cool Tools blog. Listen to hear Mark and Kevin's recommendations for what to get for the best work from home experience, their favorite[...]

This week we're learning about hypnosis, the placebo effect, and the ways we can use the power of suggestion to our advantage with help from science journalist Erik Vance. Listen to hear Erik discuss how the placebo effect works, the ways in which we may be able to use hypnosis to help us with various[...]

Gretchen Rubin practically invented the concept of hacking your happiness. She's the author of The Happiness Project, host of the podcast Happier with Grethen Rubin, and for years has been exploring the good habits that bring joy to everyday life. She's here to chat about how we can get happy and stay that way. You[...]

Author and psychiatrist Mark Epstein's books include Thoughts Without a Thinker, and Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart. His latest book, Advice Not Given, uses Buddhism's Noble Eightfold Path as a roadmap for spiritual and psychological growth. According to Mark, Buddhism and psychotherapy arrive at the same conclusion: when we give the ego free rein, we[...]

This week we're tackling the challenge of getting your kids more invested in books with comedian and social entrepreneur Alvin Irby. Listen to hear Alvin's advice on how to get your kids more interested in reading without rewards or punishment based on his own experience as a former teacher as well as through his work[...]

This week we're getting advice on how to make our New Year's resolutions stick with help from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg. Listen to hear Charles share multiple science-backed strategies we can use to enhance habit formation, and how mental models can help us achieve our goals.Charles is the author of The Power of Habit:[...]

Financial journalist Felix Salmon joins us this week to talk about making money while doing good in the world, "Badass" author Jen Sincero tells us how she went from no money to a lot of money by changing her mindset, and we all end up rich.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at[...]

This week we're preparing for our 2021 reading goals with help from The Root's Danielle Belton and Maiysha Kai. Listen to hear Danielle and Maiysha share their tips for finding time to read, how to diversify your reading list, and the best ways to find books you'll love. Danielle and Maiysha are the hosts of[...]

This week we're learning about disability rights and how to be a better ally to the disabled, with activist and consultant Alice Wong. Listen to hear Alice talk about the unique perspectives that disabled people bring to the conversation, what non-disabled people can do to promote and protect equality, and why Crip Camp is essential[...]

This week Emmy and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern stops by The Upgrade to talk about how to do Thanksgiving this year...if you choose to do it at all. Listen as Andrew gets into the ways to cook a pared-down Thanksgiving meal for a smaller group, the safest ways to[...]

In this episode we’re talking about meditation and the lasting effects it can have on our minds and bodies. Joining us is Daniel Goleman, co-author of the book “Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body.” Daniel Goleman is a psychologist and science journalist known for his numerous books on emotional[...]

This week we're learning how to better care for our skin with help from physician and Atlantic staff writer James Hamblin. Listen to hear James explain why using less soap might actually be better for your skin's microbiome and how we should be re-thinking what "good hygiene" really is. James is the author of If[...]

This week we're learning how to crank out that book you've been meaning to write in a mere 30 days, with author Grant Faulkner. Grant is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) and author of the book, Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo. Listen[...]

This week we're improving our work-from-home setups with help from Gizmodo editors Alex Cranz and Brian Kahn. Listen to hear tips on how to increase your internet speed, make your space more comfortable, and dampen the annoying noise of your neighborhood. Alex and Brian are also hosts of Gizmodo's new podcast, System Reboot, which dives[...]

We're learning how to take our anxiety down a notch this week with help from cognitive behavioral experts Dr. Elena Welsh and Dr. David Burns. Listen to hear these two experts give tips on how to tame your anxiety using specific CBT methods, why it is that we tend to go down these anxiety spirals[...]

This week we're breaking free from our mental prisons of victimhood, fear, and hopelessness with help from psychologist and Holocaust survivor Dr. Edith Eger. Dr. Eger is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Choice: Embrace the Possible, which is her memoir about surviving Auschwitz. Her most recent book, The Gift: 12 Lessons[...]

This week we're learning how time off can actually help us be more productive, with help from writers John Fitch and Max Frenzel. Listen to hear how to build a healthy rest ethic, what leisure practices can help spark creativity, and how we can encourage more time off in our productivity-obsessed society. John and Max[...]

This week we’re talking about side hustles: those projects you pursue after work—at night or on weekends—to supplement your income or fulfill a passion. Our guests include Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days, and journalist Catherine Baab-Muguira, who wrote a revealing story in Quartz about millennials and side[...]

This week we're learning how to survive all sorts of disasters—from hurricanes to earthquakes to war zones and beyond with crisis reporter Judith Matloff. Listen to hear her best tips for surviving a wide range of scary situations, as well as how to prepare yourself for the unexpected both physically and psychologically. Judith's latest book[...]

This week we're learning how to nail perfect timing with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink. Hear Daniel explain why certain hours of the day are more productive than others, how we can battle the mid-afternoon slump, and why certain dates are more effective for starting a new routine than others. Daniel's most recent[...]

Danny Wallace is a comedian, radio host, and author of the book F You Very Much: Understanding the Culture of Rudeness—And What We Can Do About It. We talk about why we’ve all become so rude, and the steps we can take to help ourselves and others find our inner civility.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy[...]

We could all get better at conversing with our fellow humans. It’s just so easy these days to hide behind our screens, and when we’re finally face to face with actual people, we’re often talking too much and not listening enough. How can we make the most of those one-on-one, face-to-face, in-real-life moments? We’ll hear[...]

This week we're learning how to fight the burnout we might not even realize we're suffering from with help from journalist Anne Helen Petersen. Tune in to hear Anne's advice on how to recognize your own burnout, how to make space in your day for a breather, and how we as a society can start[...]

This week we're learning how to be a better reader with help from librarian and podcaster Margaret H. Willison. Listen to hear Margaret break down how we should re-think our definitions of "good" or "well-read" readers, and the tactics we can use to improve our reading game. After our conversation with Margaret, we get tips[...]

This week, we're learning how to improve on our time management skills with help from Tiffany Dufu, Founder and CEO of The Cru and author of the book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less. Listen to hear Tiffany's tips on how to get clear about your priorities, how to utilize your calendar to[...]

This week we’re learning how to breathe better and how that can vastly improve our overall health with help from journalist James Nestor. James is the author of the new book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, which covers the extensive research on the many ways in which we sometimes struggle to breathe—from[...]

Parenting is a wild and confusing trip—to put it mildly. So this week we’re learning how to teach our kids the ins and outs of how to be decent, responsible, adult people with help from writer Catherine Newman. Catherine is the author of How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn[...]

Have you ever spun out over why your friend ended that text with a period? Or missed the subtle sarcasm in an unpunctuated email? We’re clearing up all of these online miscommunications and more this week with help from internet linguist, Gretchen McCulloch. Gretchen is the resident linguist at WIRED and author of the New[...]

Have you ever wondered why your cat bites you after just three pets, or how to get your dog to chill out and stop barking? We’re uncovering the mysteries of our four-legged friends this week and learning how to make them happier with help from animal behavior expert Zazie Todd. Zazie is the creator of[...]

This week, we’re finding the humor in our woes with help from John Moe, host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast. John helps us understand what is funny, and sometimes even good about depression, how we can recognize it within ourselves and others, and what to do about it when we find ourselves struggling.[...]

We’ve seen a rise in preventable deaths since the start of the pandemic, largely because people are too afraid to go to the doctor. So we want to change that this week with the help of cardiologists Marc Eisenberg and Chris Kelly, who tell us all about the ease of booking a televisit, how to[...]

What are our rights when it comes to protesting? How do we protest safely and effectively during a pandemic? We answer these questions and more this week with help from activists L.A. Kauffman and Charlene Carruthers. L.A. is a veteran grassroots organizer with over 35 years of experience in political activism, and has written two[...]

To respect and support the movement for black lives, we at The Upgrade wanted to share some important resources and charities to donate to right now:Organizations to support:Black Lives MatterBYP100Black Visions CollectiveEqual Justice InitiativeThe Movement for Black Lives (M4BL)Southern Poverty Law CenterColor of ChangeThe Bail ProjectThe Loveland FoundationThe Legal Defense and Education FundFair FightResources:The National[...]

Being trapped with your significant other 24/7 is not a recipe for relationship success. That’s why this week we’re talking with divorce attorney James J. Sexton about how to save our marriage and avoid becoming a statistic in the post-pandemic “divorce boom”. James is the author, most recently, of How to Stay In Love: Practical[...]

Let’s face it, the economy feels a little doom and gloom right now. So we’re learning how to protect ourselves financially this week with the help of personal finance advisor Ramit Sethi. Hear him talk with Alice and Lifehacker’s personal finance writer Lisa Rowan about his practical tips for navigating this economically terrifying time. Ramit[...]

We’re learning how to be more present this week with meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. Hear her talk with Alice and Melissa about the ways that the pandemic highlights just how interconnected we are, and what we can do to find a little stability in the uncertainty. Sharon is the New York Times bestselling author of[...]

In this episode we’re talking about dinner: what you should make, how you should make it, and why the idea of “dinner” is fraught for so many of us. We talk with Melissa Clark, staff reporter for the New York Times Food section and author of the new cookbook “Dinner in an Instant.” We also[...]

Comedian and author Samantha Irby joins us this week on The Upgrade to talk about how to make yourself comfortable with self-quarantine. This includes finding the right TV shows to binge-watch (she has a recommendation or two), the right books to escape with, and the right foods to cook while you huddle up at home.[...]

Does social distancing have you feeling the blahs? We’re reviving our creative instincts this week with help from Jerry Saltz, New York Magazine’s Senior Art Critic and author of the New York Times bestseller How to Be An Artist. Hear Jerry talk about his secrets to finding inspiration in these isolating times, as well as[...]

Are you feeling burnt out? Do you find yourself working MORE, not less, even while working from home? Award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee joins us on The Upgrade this week to talk about how the toxic culture of busyness is harming both our brains and our bodies, and what we can do about it. Celeste is[...]

Gretchen Rubin joins us this week to talk about how she and her family are staying happy in their home during the pandemic—and how we can, too. Hear her talk about the rules, routines, and philosophies that are helping her maintain an inner calm during the current, chaotic state of the world. Gretchen is the[...]

New York Times bestselling author James Clear joins us on The Upgrade this week to help us form some important habits during this panic-stricken time—from grounding rituals to quitting the habits making us unsafe during this pandemic. James is the author of 2018's Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad[...]

Everyone at Lifehacker—along with the rest of the world—is now hunkered down at home, trying to make sense of this new (temporary) normal. So this week each of us recorded audio from our lives to provide a glimpse of what we’re up to. We want to hear from you, too. Call us at 347-687-8109 and[...]

On this episode of The Upgrade we’re talking about resilience. You know how some people seem to have some kind of inner strength that helps them bounce back when things go wrong? Those people who, even though the world sometimes feels like a scorched hellscape seem to carry on with grit, even gratitude? Our guest[...]

Forget paleo, keto, and intermittent fasting—we’re getting to the truth of how you really should be eating this week with Mark Bittman and Dr. David L. Katz. Their latest book is called How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered, and in this episode they discuss the importance of using both science and[...]

Dr. Robert Lustig joins us in the studio to talk about his new book, “The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains.” Dr. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist who is also author of the book “Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and[...]

Do you put things off ‘til the last minute? Are you one of the millions who tend to delay getting to your to-do list? Then you’re in luck—behavior scientist BJ Fogg joins us on this episode to talk about how to stop procrastinating thanks to his researched approach to behavior. BJ is the founder of[...]

Calling all insomniacs, tossers, turners, blanket hogs, disco nappers and snooze button pushers! This week we are talking to the experts about how to get a good night's sleep. And our advice goes way beyond putting your devices away before bed.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail,[...]

This week we're talking with Tim Ferriss, author, podcaster, investor, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed "human guinea pig." He's the author of several books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Four-Hour Workweek and The Four-Hour Body and his latest, Tribe of Mentors. We talked with Tim about his most worthwhile investments and his biggest failures,[...]

Ever felt at a loss for words when staring at a Jackson Pollock? New York Magazine’s Senior Art Critic, Jerry Saltz, joins us this week to help the less-cultured of us learn the art of discussing fine art. Saltz has won a Pulitzer and two National Magazine Awards for his art criticism, and his latest[...]

Trying to lower your sugar intake? We’re learning how this week with the help of two experts. First, Kathleen DesMaisons, addictive nutrition guru and author of Potatoes Not Prozac: Simple Solutions for Sugar Addiction, walks us through her practical and effective approach to gradually cutting sugar out of your diet. Then we speak with Dr.[...]

We’re learning how to practice true self-compassion this week with renowned psychotherapist and Buddhist meditation teacher Tara Brach. Tara is the author of Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN and her podcast receives over 1.5 million downloads per month.  In this episode, Tara breaks down the practice[...]

Alice and Melissa revisit their Upgrades of the Week from past episodes and see how they’ve held up. There’s a little bit of pride, a little bit of shame, and a whole lot of improvement. You’ll be so perfect by the end of this episode you won’t know what to work on next!Have an idea[...]

January is unofficially “Divorce Month” in the legal world, and to celebrate this not-so-joyous occasion, we’re bringing you an episode breaking down the complicated world of divorce. To help us understand the legal nitty-gritty we’re joined by Jacqueline Newman, a New York-based matrimonial attorney and author of the book “The New Rules of Divorce: Twelve[...]

Whether you’re dealing with a bad boss or disgruntled employees (or a great boss and enthusiastic employees) you’ve got an opinion on the employer/employee dynamic. This week we heard from the Lifehacker audience about their worst bosses. Then Lifehacker’s managing editor Virginia Smith talks to Ask a Manager’s Alison Green about what your manager wants[...]

It’s that time of year again! Time for our annual roundup of our very favorite Upgrade moments of 2019. And we’ve had so many—from touring a fecal transplant lab to improving our memorization muscles, this year has been chock-full of life-enhancing upgrades. Prepare for 2020 by hearing this collection of advice on how to be[...]

As we prepare to head into 2020, we thought we’d replay our annual Best of The Upgrade from last year for you. We’ll be bringing you our Best of The Upgrade 2019 next week!Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We[...]

Ever dreamed of making a podcast of your own? Of being the next Teri Gross or Joe Rogan? This week we’re learning how with the help of Lifehacker’s own video producer Abu Zafar. Abu recently produced a 3-part video series for Lifehacker called How to Start a Podcast and he joins us this week to[...]

Josh Gondelman, a.k.a. “The Nicest Guy in Comedy,” joins us this week to talk about what being nice really is, when it’s a quality that is NOT helpful, and the difference between “nice-ness” and “goodness”. Josh is Peabody- and Emmy-winning comedy writer who has worked on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and is currently[...]

We're tackling tough friendship scenarios this week with psychologist Miriam Kirmayer, who explains why it's so hard to navigate the norms of friendship and how to peacefully end those connections that are no longer working. Afterward, Dr. Kirmayer answers Upgrade listener- and Lifehacker reader-submitted friendship questions.Like the show? Have an idea for a future episode?[...]

How can we interpret body language and physical cues to better understand what others are really thinking? In this week's episode, Alice and Melissa are joined by Swedish mentalist Henrik Fexeus, who explains what mind-reading really is, and how we can use it to our advantage. Later, Alice and Melissa try out a mind-reading trick[...]

How do we even begin to find true love in a messy world of online dating, ghosting, and benching? Matchmaker Dr. Frankie Bashan tells us why people are using real-live intermediaries like herself to get dates. Etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning takes on the intricacies of Tinder etiquette. And Lifehacker’s food editor Claire Lower mixes[...]

Ramit Sethi, author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” and professional financial smart person, joins us to talk about how to reframe your approach to spending, the best ways to invest your savings, and how normal people can find a way to take a six-week honeymoon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy[...]

Jumping to an entirely new line of work, a new industry, a new identity, is extremely daunting. That’s why this week we’re diving right into the how-tos of making the big career switch. First we chat with consultant, speaker, and podcaster Joseph Liu, who has helped numerous people make big mid-career transitions over the years.[...]

What can we do to live longer, healthier lives? Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey joins us on The Upgrade to talk about the practices he’s adopted that he believes will help us all lengthen our lifespans. Then Lifehacker’s Health Editor, Beth Skwarecki, talks about the longevity secrets she learned while visiting the Nicoya Peninsula in[...]

This week we’re improving our public speaking skills with the help of expert Carmine Gallo, author of “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds,” who tells us about the importance of story and emotion when it comes to presenting. Then hear Lifehacker’s Food Editor, Claire Lower, tell her own story[...]

Do you ever find yourself spending way too much time worrying about what people think of you? Are you ready to let those needless concerns go to focus on other, more important things? This week on The Upgrade, we’re working through our issues with Mark Manson, author of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a[...]

We're talking fecal transplants, probiotics, gut flora and more this week. Do bacteria in your GI tract affect your moods? How does your microbiome affect your overall health?  We visit the lab of computational biologist Dr. Jose Clemente where he and his team study the efficacy of fecal transplants in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.See Privacy[...]

On this episode of The Upgrade, we're tackling debt. Crippling, anxiety-inducing debt. It can be hard to know where to start when facing such a heavy burden. Fortunately, we got some help. First, hear Lifehacker staff writer Lisa Rowan answer Upgrade listener and Lifehacker reader-submitted questions about credit cards. Then, we're joined once again by[...]

This week we chat with productivity legend David Allen about GTD, his gold-standard time management philosophy. Lifehacker staffers share their productivity secrets as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever found yourself totally immobilized in the face of a decision? Why is deciding on something so difficult, whether it’s deciding what to have for dinner or whether we should move across the country? This week, we talk with neuroscientist David Redish about what is actually happening in our brains during the decision-making[...]

On this smaller episode we’re diving into the topic of small talk. Is it there real value in shooting the breeze, or is it just inane jibber-jabber? Wherever you stand on the topic, you’re going to be called on to engage in small talk sooner or later—so how do you get more comfortable with it?[...]

This week we’re talking about impostor syndrome—the psychological phenomenon wherein people question their successes and have an internalized fear of being discovered as a fraud. We’ll hear from Lifehacker’s staff writer, Nick Douglas, who explains why he keeps something called a “brag file.” We’ll also chat with clinical psychologist Dr. Jessamy Hibberd, author of the[...]

We all think we’re experts at “doing nothing,” but there’s a difference between numbing out by staring at Facebook and truly letting your mind rest. There are concrete benefits to doing absolutely nothing—like actually being present in your life and noticing what’s around you. To help us constructively veg out, we’ve brought in essayist Pico[...]

Memory is a strange thing. What is a “memory,” anyway? Where does it live? And where did we put our keys? We’re unlocking the secrets of memory and how to improve ours with a little help from our friends. First, we’ve got staff writer Nick Douglas with a technique that will help you learn anything.[...]

We’re living in a time of secrets. Whether it’s the health-care bill, Russia’s secret connection with our recent election, or the lies we all tell, secrets plague all of us. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, author of “Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are” explains what the[...]

This week we’re talking about solo travel, from the best destinations to how to make friends once you’re there. We’ve got packing secrets, veteran travelers’ must-have apps, and a slew of magical stories from around the globe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calling all insomniacs, tossers, turners, blanket hogs, disco nappers and snooze button pushers! This week we are talking to the experts about how to get a good night's sleep. And our advice goes way beyond putting your devices away before bed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does it really take 21 days to create a habit? Is it possible to quit smoking when all your friends are smokers? Why can’t you ever get up early and go to the gym? We’re talking to productivity experts like “Atomic Habits”’ James Clear about how we can make changes to our behavior, and what it[...]

We could all get better at conversing with our fellow humans. It’s just so easy these days to hide behind our screens, and when we’re finally face to face with actual people, we’re often talking too much and not listening enough. How can we make the most of those one-on-one, face-to-face, in-real-life moments? We’ll hear[...]

We’re back! This week we’re learning about the ins and outs of negotiation. We’ll find out how to get someone to “yes” when they’re all about “no”; when and how the robots are going to negotiate for us; and what to do to get the raise you deserve.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy[...]

Where on earth have we been?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Cleo Stiller, host of Fusion TV's "Sex Right Now," joins us to talk about how porn is affecting our sex lives, what happens when men get menstrual cramps, and to introduce us to a Fitbit for your penis. We also talk to sex therapist Sari Cooper about how to keep intimacy alive in[...]

All too frequently, people who are good at making a thing get promoted to be the supervisors of the people making the thing—without any training as to how to lead. So how do you become a good boss? Do you pick up leadership skills on the job, or is special coaching required? We find out[...]

We spend a lot of time worrying about death: our own, and the deaths of those we love. This week we look at our deeply held fears and assumptions about dying and see if we can't lessen some of our anxiety about it. First, we talk with cardiologists Chris Kelly and Marc Eisenberg. Their patients[...]

Financial journalist Felix Salmon joins us this week to talk about making money while doing good in the world, "Badass" author Jen Sincero tells us how she went from no money to a lot of money by changing her mindset, and we all end up rich. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice[...]

Mel Robbins is a motivational speaker and the author of "The 5 Second Rule." She’s also the host of the new Audible series “Kick Ass with Mel Robbins.” In this episode, we talk about motivation, taming the negative voices in our head, and how we can kick our own asses to get from good to[...]

Mornings. Many of us hate them; some of us love them; all of us want to make the best of them. But how exactly do we do that? First we ask Benjamin Spall, co-author of My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired, about creating the ultimate morning routine. We also talk to[...]

Did you enjoy last week’s Best of The Upgrade 2018? Looking for even more great Upgrade moments? Check out our Best of The Upgrade 2017! Join us as we revisit some of our favorite discussions from our inaugural year, including how to turn awkwardness into a social asset; how to be brilliant (while being bored);[...]

Another year in life hacks come and gone! We're celebrating our favorite moments, hacks, guests and episodes of 2018 with this, our annual Best of The Upgrade episode! Whether you're a lifelong listener taking a trip down memory lane, or new listener looking to dip a toe in the magic that is The Upgrade, we're[...]

Buying presents can be a stressful activity. It's often hard to know what to buy for that film buff friend, or for the brother-in-law who's really into cooking these days. Fortunately, The Upgrade is here to help—just think of it as our gift to you. Listen as seven Lifehacker staffers each share three perfect gift[...]

How do we even begin to find true love in a messy world of online dating, ghosting, and benching? Matchmaker Dr. Frankie Bashan tells us why people are using real-live intermediaries like herself to get dates. Etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning takes on the intricacies of Tinder etiquette. And Lifehacker’s food editor Claire Lower mixes[...]

It’s our first live recording of The Upgrade, performed in front of an audience at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY. Joining us are comedians Chris Gethard and Akilah Hughes, as well as Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings of Gimlet Media’s “The Nod.” We talk about how you can’t succeed without failure, and how to[...]

Maybe you need to bring your heart rate down after a couple of heated Thanksgiving debates, or perhaps you’re generally feeling a little anxious because of the state of the world. We all could use a little calming down, these days. So we spoke with Dr. Craig Richard, author of Brain Tingles and founder of[...]

It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means that many of us will find ourselves elbow to elbow with family members, some of whom may have wildly differing opinions on topics like whether cranberry sauce should be homemade or canned, and who should be president. Before things get too heated, we recommend listening to this episode. Social psychologist[...]

In this episode we’re talking about how to tell the truth—and how to know when the people around you are being less than truthful.  We’ll be hearing from MSNBC host and author Lawrence O’Donnell with the story behind his book, Deadly Force—the murder of an unarmed black man and the police cover up that followed.[...]

There are so many different ways to be a dick: from being a schoolyard bully, to not mowing your lawn, to using plastic straws, to being a dick on the road. In this episode, we’re going to talk about some of the little ways we can be good to one another, to the environment, and[...]

Anne Lamott is a progressive political activist and writer, the bestselling  author of such books as Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, Operating Instructions, Plan B, and her latest, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. We're such fans of Anne Lamott that we've decided to devote an entire episode of The Upgrade to her.  We talk to[...]

This week we're talking about microdosing: the use of relatively low doses of psychedelics, like LSD and psilocybin mushroom,  to improve mood, focus and productivity in daily life. We spoke with author Ayelet Waldman, whose monthlong experiment with microdosing pulled her out of suicidal depression; psychedelics advocate Paul Austin; and psychologist Dr. Ingmar Gorman, who[...]

Vicki Robin is the co-author of the bestseller YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE and the godmother of a financial movement that’s becoming increasingly popular among millennials: FIRE, which stands for Financially Independent, Retire Early. Vicki talks to us about changing our relationship with money and redefining what a rich, full life actually means. See Privacy[...]

Dr. David Burns joins us in this episode to talk about how to change your perspective. Dr. Burns is a pioneer in the field of cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, and the author of best-selling books on the topic, including "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and "The Feeling Good Handbook." We’ll also hear from photographer[...]

This week we chat with Les Stroud, the creator and star of the hit TV series Survivorman. Alice and staff writer Nick Douglas talk with Les about just how one becomes an expert in surviving, as well as the one aspect of survival that he finds nearly impossible to endure. We’re also joined by our[...]

KJ Dell’Antonia—journalist and author of How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute—joins Offspring editor Michelle Woo to discuss how to make your family life less stressful and even (dare we say it) fun. But first, Alice gives staff writer and soon-to-be new parent Nick Douglas[...]

This week, we’re digging into the things you're terrified of--the concrete stuff like fear of spiders and heights, as well as the more conceptual, existential anxiety we all have about just being alive. First, we interview Dean Sluyter, author of the new book Fear Less: Living Beyond Fear, Anxiety, Anger, and Addiction. Then Ben Brock[...]

Mornings. Many of us hate them; some of us love them; all of us want to make the best of them. But how exactly do we do that? First we ask Benjamin Spall, co-author of My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired, about creating the ultimate morning routine. We also talk to[...]

Whether you’re dealing with a bad boss or disgruntled employees (or a great boss and enthusiastic employees) you’ve got an opinion on the employer/employee dynamic. This week we heard from the Lifehacker audience about their worst bosses. Then Lifehacker’s managing editor Virginia Smith talks to Ask a Manager’s Alison Green about what your manager wants[...]

Hey Upgrade listeners! We want to hear your horrible boss stories, and how you solved the situation, if you were indeed able to solve it. Leave us a message at (347) 687 - 8109, or send us a voice memo at upgrade@lifehacker.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want to totally change your life? Coss Marte tells us how he went from drug kingpin to fitness entrepreneur using a regimen he developed in prison, and gives us your new gym playlist for becoming a total beast. We go to Scary Corner with newsman Lawrence O'Donnell to learn about why people are so effing[...]

We’re back from summer vacation with writer Ottessa Mosfegh, Gilmore Girls’ Keiko Agena, a new format, new segments and a ton of new hacks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode we talk to Stephen Snyder, a sex and couples therapist, and the author of Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship. We’ll discuss why you should be sexually selfish, how the idea of “desire” can mess up your sex life, and why Stephen is against cuddling.[...]

In this episode we talk to Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC’s Note to Self and author of “Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self.” Back in 2015, Manoush wondered if being plugged in all the time to a constant stream of entertainment and information actually made our lives[...]

In this episode we’re talking about cults: how they operate, how you identify one, what it’s like to be in one, and how to get out. To that end, we’re talking with Rick Alan Ross, the founder and Executive Director of the Cult Education Institute and an internationally known expert on destructive cults, controversial groups[...]

This week, Alan Alda and The Moth’s Catherine Burns join us to talk about storytelling. What makes a good story? What makes a good storyteller? How can we use storytelling to communicate better, to sell people on our ideas, to make people like us?Actor, director, screenwriter, author and science advocate Alan Alda is the founder[...]

This week we're talking about psychopaths: what exactly is a psychopath, how to identify them and what to do if you suspect you might be dating one. We talk with Jen Waite, author of A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal about her marriage to someone who turned out to embody the[...]

This week we chatted with Samantha Irby, comedian, writer, the mastermind behind the blog “Bitches Gotta Eat” and the author of the new collection of essays “We Are Never Meeting in Real Life,” as well as the collection “Meaty.” We crowned her as the voice of her generation, talked marriage and the Bachelorette, and found[...]

Michael Pollan has been writing about the the intersection of nature and culture for over 30 years. He may be best known as the guy who summed up his principles for eating thusly: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." He is the author of several books, including In Defense of Food, The Omnivore’s Dilemma,[...]

Danny Wallace is a comedian, radio host, and author of the book F You Very Much: Understanding the Culture of Rudeness—And What We Can Do About It. We talk about why we’ve all become so rude, and the steps we can take to help ourselves and others find our inner civility. See Privacy Policy at[...]

Angela Garbes, author of the book “Like a Mother,” talks to us about the science and culture of pregnancy and motherhood, and why it’s so challenging for parents to find specific answers to their questions, instead of agenda-laden advice and judgment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Upgrade we’re talking about resilience. You know how some people seem to have some kind of inner strength that helps them bounce back when things go wrong? Those people who, even though the world sometimes feels like a scorched hellscape seem to carry on with grit, even gratitude? Our guest[...]

This week we’re talking about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with journalists Jay Caspian Kang and Aaron Lammer, co-hosts of the podcast Coin Talk. They explain the weird "Coinworld" that's grown up around blockchain technology, and who will be its winners and losers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Upgrade would like to share with you a podcast our colleagues at Gizmodo have been working on called The Gateway. It's a six-part series about Teal Swan, a new brand of spiritual guru, who draws in followers with her hypnotic self-help YouTube videos aimed at people who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.[...]

We're live with Esther Perel, James J. Sexton, and Donald Shorter, Jr.  discussing modern masculinity in the first installment of LIVEHACKER, recorded in New York City on May 16, 2018. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author of The Career Manifesto Mike Steib talks about figuring out your purpose, taking calculated risks and finding a fulfilling career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mel Robbins is a motivational speaker and the author of "The 5 Second Rule." She’s also the host of the new Audible series “Kick Ass with Mel Robbins.” In this episode, we talk about motivation, taming the negative voices in our head, and how we can kick our own asses to get from good to[...]

Nell Scovell is a comedy writer and the author of JUST THE FUNNY PARTS: And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into the Hollywood Boy’s Club. Nell’s written for The Simpsons, Newhart, The Late Show with David Letterman, and a ton of other shows. We’re going to find out how she managed to excel as[...]

Vicki Robin is the co-author of the bestseller YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE and the godmother of a financial movement that’s becoming increasingly popular among millennials: FIRE, which stands for Financially Independent, Retire Early. Vicki talks to us about changing our relationship with money and redefining what a rich, full life actually means. See Privacy[...]

Stephane Garnier is a French author whose book, HOW TO THINK LIKE A CAT, extols the many virtues of adopting a feline mindset. Obviously, when we saw this title, we had to talk to him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James J. Sexton is a divorce lawyer who has spent his career working with couples whose marriages are dissolving. He’s learned a lot throughout the years about what sours a good marriage (or ends a relationship that's already in trouble), and now he’s using that knowledge to help the rest of us. His new book[...]

Guests Brian Lewis and Seth Scott join us this week to talk about games. Game nights, it seems, are having a moment. We’ll find out why, and get some great game-night ideas, from Seth Scott, a video game designer who frequently hosts his own game night (and promises to invite us one of these days).[...]

In this episode we talk to Stephen Snyder, a sex and couples therapist, and the author of Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship. We’ll discuss why you should be sexually selfish, how the idea of “desire” can mess up your sex life, and why Stephen is against cuddling.[...]

Our guest this week is Outside magazine columnist Alex Hutchinson, author of Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. We discuss how endurance is a skill that involves drive and belief just as much as muscle--and how we all have the potential to go farther, push harder, and achieve more. See[...]

In this episode we’re talking about the lost art of conversation-making. Joining us is podcaster and raconteur Ken Plume, who has conducted extensive interviews with the likes of Mel Brooks and John Cleese. We discuss how Ken got his start feeling comfortable talking to just about anyone, how he handles the awkwardness of a cocktail[...]

This week on the Upgrade, we spoke in front of a live audience at On Air Fest with journalist Jill Abramson, the first female executive editor of the New York Times, and the co-author of Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas. We covered a wide range of topics, including: how journalists are affected by[...]

Author and psychiatrist Mark Epstein's books include Thoughts Without a Thinker, and Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart.  His latest book, Advice Not Given, uses Buddhism's Noble Eightfold Path as a roadmap for spiritual and psychological growth. According to Mark, Buddhism and psychotherapy arrive at the same conclusion: when we give the ego free rein,[...]

Ben Brock Johnson, host of the Reddit podcast ‘Endless Thread,’ gives us secrets and tips for fully experiencing all of the agony and ecstasy of that asylum where the lunatics are in charge, the sometimes magical, sometimes creepy, always fascinating Reddit.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we’re talking to Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild, the authors of The Two Most Important Days: How to Find Your Purpose—and Live a Happier, Healthier Life. In addition to talking about discovering your purpose, we’ll discuss the importance of gratitude, how to live in the present, and how to raise your “happiness[...]

Due to some technical difficulties, we are recasting the episode where Dr. Robert Lustig joins us in the studio to talk about his new book, “The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains.” Dr. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist who is also author of the book[...]

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about heartbreak. How do you know when your heart is broken? What can you do about it? And how do you help the heartbroken people in your life? Our expert guest is Guy Winch, noted TED speaker and author of the forthcoming book “How to Fix a Broken Heart.”[...]

It’s a new year (and a new you?) and we’re all trying to clean up our acts. This week we’re taking a closer look at alcohol—why we drink, what it does to us, and how to quit, if we’re so inclined. We’re joined by author Annie Grace, author of the book This Naked Mind: Control[...]

We're talking about personal hygiene with professional clean person Jolie Kerr. Jolie’s been a cleaning expert for Esquire, Deadspin and The Hairpin, and she’s the author of the New York Times bestselling book, My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag . . . and Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha. Starting this week, she’ll be writing[...]

Since we're sure you're like us and have spent far too much money this holiday season, we're recasting our episode featuring Felix Salmon, senior editor at Fusion and co-host of Slate’s Money podcast. We discuss banks debt, credit cards and other things you think are totally boring but we somehow make wildly entertaining. Plus, we've[...]

In this episode, we talk about (and listen to) our favorite moments from the past year’s episodes. In 2017, we learned how to turn our awkwardness into a social asset; how to be brilliant (while being bored); how to find real love; how to get smart about microdosing… and more. So much more. Oh, but[...]

This week we’re tackling the topic of urban cycling. Our guests include Eben Weiss, author of "The Ultimate Bicycle Owner’s Manual: The Universal Guide to Bikes, Riding, and Everything for Beginner and Seasoned Cyclists"; Rosemary Bolich, the Director of Community Outreach at We Bike NYC; and Doug Gordon, better known as Brooklyn Spoke—a TV producer[...]

This week we’re talking with Tim Ferriss, author, podcaster,  investor, entrepreneur, and  self-proclaimed “human guinea pig.” He’s the author of several books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Four-Hour Workweek and The Four-Hour Body and his latest, Tribe of Mentors. We talked with Tim about his most worthwhile investments and his biggest failures,[...]

Marissa Ross, the official wine columnist for Bon Appétit and author of the book “Wine. All the Time: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking,” joins us in the studio to talk about (what else?) wine: how to buy it, how to talk about it, and most importantly, how to enjoy drinking it. See Privacy Policy[...]

Mira Jacob, author of the novel “The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing,” joins Alice in the studio to talk about how her novel took her ten years to write, and what she learned in the process.  We also hear from Lifehacker staff writers Nick Douglas, Patrick Allen, and Beth Skwarecki about National Novel Writing Month (also[...]

This week’s interview is with Brian Louden and Jon Lung, the new hosts of Discovery's Mythbusters. Mythbusters, as you probably know, is the popular show that aims to uncover the truth behind myths and legends, by mixing scientific method with ingenuity and experimentation. Mythbusters has taken on the big questions of our time, like Can[...]

This week we’re talking about side hustles: those projects you pursue after work—at night or on weekends—to supplement your income or fulfill a passion. Our guests include Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days, and journalist Catherine Baab-Muguira, who wrote a revealing story in Quartz about millennials and side[...]

In this episode we talk to Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC’s Note to Self and author of “Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self.” Back in 2015, Manoush wondered if being plugged in all the time to a constant stream of entertainment and information actually made our lives[...]

In this episode we’re talking about dinner: what you should make, how you should make it, and why the idea of “dinner” is fraught for so many of us. We talk with Melissa Clark, staff reporter for the New York Times Food section and author of the new cookbook “Dinner in an Instant.” We also[...]

In this episode we’re talking about cults: how they operate, how you identify one, what it’s like to be in one, and how to get out. To that end, we’re talking with Rick Alan Ross, the founder and Executive Director of the Cult Education Institute and an internationally known expert on destructive cults, controversial groups[...]

In this episode we’re talking about meditation and the lasting effects it can have on our minds and bodies. Joining us is Daniel Goleman, co-author of the book “Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body.” Daniel Goleman is a psychologist and science journalist known for his numerous books on emotional[...]

The Equifax hack has made one thing clear: all of us are vulnerable to these kinds of attacks. But how can you keep your information (and money) safe? What steps should you take to protect yourself? To find out, we brought in Hector Monsegur, former black-hat hacker, now Director of Assessment Services at Rhino Labs—and[...]

This week we're talking about personality tests. You know: those tests that ask you personal questions about your philosophy of life or your behavior or your ethics, and then tell you what kind of person you are. How much do they really reveal? And what does our desire to take them say about us? We'll[...]

Dr. Robert Lustig joins us in the studio to talk about his new book, “The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains.” Dr. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist who is also author of the book “Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and[...]

This week we’re talking about bullshit: what it is, how to detect it, and how to call it out. First, staff writer Nick Douglas joins us for a rousing game of “Two Truths and a Lie.” Then we talk to Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West, professors at the University of Washington who teach a course[...]

This is a recast of the week Charles Duhigg joined us to discuss the science of productivity. He's a Pulitzer-winning reporter for the New York Times and best-selling author, most recently of Smarter Faster Better, which plumbs the science of productivity. He talks with us about how you can motivate yourself to do horrible things[...]

This week we're talking about microdosing: the use of relatively low doses of psychedelics, like LSD and psilocybin mushroom,  to improve mood, focus and productivity in daily life. We spoke with author Ayelet Waldman, whose monthlong experiment with microdosing pulled her out of suicidal depression; psychedelics advocate Paul Austin; and psychologist Dr. Ingmar Gorman, who[...]

We're talking about personal hygiene with professional clean person Jolie Kerr. Jolie’s been a cleaning expert for Esquire, Deadspin and The Hairpin, and she’s the author of the New York Times bestselling book, My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag . . . and Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha. Starting this week, she’ll be writing[...]

This week Cleo Stiller, host of Fusion TV's "Sex Right Now," joins us to talk about how porn is affecting our sex lives, what happens when men get menstrual cramps, and to introduce us to a Fitbit for your penis. We also talk to sex therapist Sari Cooper about how to keep intimacy alive in[...]

The entire Lifehacker staff convened in New York City and gathered in the studio this week to answer etiquette questions sent in by our readers. Want to know how often you should acknowledge a coworker in the office hallway? How to politely exit a conversation? Or how to tell a spouse that he’s a bit[...]

This week, Alan Alda and The Moth’s Catherine Burns join us to talk about storytelling. What makes a good story? What makes a good storyteller? How can we use storytelling to communicate better, to sell people on our ideas, to make people like us?Actor, director, screenwriter, author and science advocate Alan Alda is the founder[...]

We spoke with Steve Casner, author of the book CAREFUL: A User’s Guide to Our Injury-Prone Minds. Steve is a research psychologist with NASA who studies how and why we get hurt in our everyday activities: whether we’re chopping vegetables, climbing ladders, or just walking down the street. We found out how we can stay[...]

This week we're talking about psychopaths: what exactly is a psychopath, how to identify them and what to do if you suspect you might be dating one. We talk with Jen Waite, author of A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal about her marriage to someone who turned out to embody the[...]

Ty Tashiro, relationship expert and author of Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome, joins us in the studio to talk about how the same traits that make us socially anxious and cause embarrassing faux pas can actually be beneficial. We also get people to spill about their most awkward[...]

Marissa Ross, the official wine columnist for Bon Appétit and author of the book “Wine. All the Time: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking,” joins us in the studio to talk about (what else?) wine: how to buy it, how to talk about it, and most importantly, how to enjoy drinking it. See Privacy Policy[...]

We’re living in a time of secrets. Whether it’s the health-care bill, Russia’s secret connection with our recent election, or the lies we all tell, secrets plague all of us. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, author of “Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are” explains what the[...]

Sally Kohn, political commentator, columnist, and one of our leading progressive voices, joins us in the studio to discuss the state of our (deeply divided) union—and how we can come together despite our differences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we chatted with Samantha Irby, comedian, writer, the mastermind behind the blog “Bitches Gotta Eat” and the author of the new collection of essays “We Are Never Meeting in Real Life,” as well as the collection “Meaty.” We crowned her as the voice of her generation, talked marriage and the Bachelorette, and found[...]

Sharon Salzberg is one of the people who brought Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practice to the West and into mainstream culture. She co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and is the  author of nine books, including the New York Times best seller Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness, and her new book, which[...]

Andy Boyle is a writer, comedian, and web developer who has gone viral on the Internet multiple times. He’s also the author of the new book “Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You.” Andy joined us in the studio to talk about how he went viral, and all of the[...]

Hector Monsegur is a reformed black-hat hacker. Under the alias Sabu, he hacked corporations, news organizations, and Middle Eastern governments. After he was caught, Hector became an informant for the FBI; now he makes a living helping companies avoid getting hacked. Hector joined us in the studio to talk about all the ways we put[...]

Legendary tech guru Leo Laporte joins us to discuss what it means to be a geek, the mainstreaming of geek culture, why we must fight for our (geek) rights, and how he built an enormous—and enormously successful—podcast network. You can find the show notes and all episodes at http://www.lifehacker.com/theshow.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

Gretchen Rubin practically invented the concept of hacking your happiness. She's the author of The Happiness Project, host of the podcast Happier with Grethen Rubin, and for years has been exploring the good habits that bring joy to everyday life. She's here to chat about how we can get happy and stay that way. You[...]

There are a lot of reasons why we should eat less meat, but most of us don’t want to quit cold turkey. And that’s okay. We’re talking with Brian Kateman to learn why we should consider cutting back on our meat consumption, including both health and environmental benefits, even if we don’t go full-on vegetarian.[...]

Do you ever feel like you’re just hard-wired for stress and anxiety? According to psychology professor Daniel Keating, how we deal with stress may be determined while we’re still in the womb. We’re talking with Daniel about how our early development can affect the way we deal with stress throughout life and what we can[...]

The future of healthcare in America is uncertain but Planned Parenthood is continuing their mission to provide preventative care, contraception counseling, family planning, and more to whoever needs it. In this week’s show we discuss what you can do to maintain your own access to healthcare, Planned Parenthood’s role, and what can you do to[...]

Dave Asprey, otherwise known as the Bulletproof Exec, has spent decades experimenting with ways to optimize his mind and body. You might know him best as the guy who says you should put butter in your coffee, but that’s just one part of a whole lifestyle he’s created for himself and his enthusiastic followers. This[...]

Everyone seems to think they’re a great driver but your scuffed bumper might disagree. How can we learn to improve our driving in the age of infinite distractions? Do you even need to own a car these days? We’re talking with Jalopnik writer Kristen Lee about cars in the city, safer driving, and virtues of[...]

Felix Salmon, senior editor at Fusion and co-host of Slate’s Money podcast, is our guest this week. We discuss banks debt, credit cards and other things you think are totally boring but we somehow make wildly entertaining. Plus, we've got a wine recommendation for when you're feeling flush. You can find the show notes and[...]

Charles Duhigg joins us this week to discuss the science of productivity. He's a Pulitzer-winning reporter for the New York Times and best-selling author, most recently of Smarter Faster Better, which plumbs the science of productivity. He talks with us about how you can motivate yourself to do horrible things like answer email, why some[...]

This week on The Upgrade we're discussing how you can apply the principles of improvisational comedy to your life and work. Improv laid the foundation for many of our favorite comedy stars but it's more than just silly theater games. On this episode we're talking with Ed Herbstman, co-founder of the Magnet Theater and Hannah[...]

This week on The Upgrade we're starting fresh and discussing what you should and shouldn't do when you begin working at a new job. It's an exciting but daunting prospect when you set foot in a brand new office--there's room to grow, along with plenty of opportunities to embarrass yourself. We talk with Adrian Granzella[...]

This week on The Upgrade we're taking a look at the latest iterations of the two major operating systems on the market: Windows 10 and macOS. Mac versus Windows is an old rivalry that goes back a couple of decades, with each OS offering unique advantages--and disadvantages. You can find the show notes and all[...]

This week on The Upgrade we're learning how we can get involved with politics and make our voices heard even when it's not an election year. We discuss the best ways to reach out to your representatives, the efficacy of marches and demonstrations, and more. You can find the show notes and all episodes at[...]

This week on The Upgrade we’re looking for love online and learning about the world of online dating, including the dos and don’ts of crafting the perfect dating profile. Looking for the show notes? You can find the show notes and all episodes at http://lifehacker.com/theshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at[...]

This week on The Upgrade, we show you how to shop for, buy, and set up a good HDTV for the big game--or for any game, movie night, or Netflix binge session. Looking for the show notes? You can find the show notes and all episodes at http://lifehacker.com/theshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California[...]

Welcome (back)! We're relaunching our podcast with a new name, new logo, new tips and tricks for getting things done. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the podcast we're answering your questions about prepaid cellphone carriers, selling stuff online, and choosing Android phones—plus an announcement about the future of the Lifehacker podcast. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1557701694 (after 1:00 PM PT) and all episodes at http://lifehacker.com/theshow (anytime). See Privacy Policy at[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about the new Android service packs, streaming your movie collection with Google Drive, and OneNote vs Evernote. We're also answering your questions about fake items on Amazon, expensive cable bills, and backing up your files on Windows. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about Microsoft OneNote's big overhaul, what do to if you break your phone, and shortcuts every Windows user should know. We're also answering your questions about playing classic Nintendo 64 games, stopping housemates from hogging your internet, and buying the right cable modem. Looking for the show notes?[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about the scam that is speed reading, taking a pay cut to work the job you really want, and getting rid of telemarketers. We're also answering your questions about anonymity online, streaming video from your home to your hotel, and starting a podcast. Looking for the show notes?[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about Steam's new sharing feature, the best TV streaming services, and communication mistakes every couple makes. We're also answering your questions about Android battery life, how real cameras stack up to phones, and finding out how much data you use at home. Looking for the show notes? You[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about Apple's iOS and OS X security flaw, the new Dropbox terms of service you should opt out of, and gamifying everything in your life. We're also answering your questions about LastPass' security, job hunting in secret, and making money in your spare time. Looking for the show[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about everybody getting hacked, the best browser for privacy, and sex myths debunked. We're also answering questions about downloading movies legally, cheap tablets for students, and the best Bluetooth headphones. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1527099370 (after 1:00 PM PT) and all[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about Comcast getting hacked and merging with Time Warner, how to start exercising when you're already overweight, and modding headphones for better sound. We're also answering your questions about eating healthy on a budget, gaming with multiple monitors, and what Windows' "Power Saver" features really do. Looking for[...]

This week on the podcast, we're answering your questions about deleting old Facebook posts, automating Flickr uploads, and cheap ways to get a Plex media center. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1517617259 (after 1:00 PM PT) and all episodes at http://lifehacker.com/theshow (anytime). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California[...]

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about web sites listening to your microphone, explaining tech to the uninitiated, and why media companies block content overseas. We’re also answering your questions about DIY cable management, internet speeds, and building a new computer. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1512576865 (after[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about Chrome extensions becoming malware, free alternatives to LogMeIn, and Life lessons from World of Warcraft. We're also answering your questions about organizing your iTunes library, streaming from a Chromecast, and buying a used MacBook Air. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1507597532[...]

This week on the podcast, we're talking about the return of Winamp, the new ruling on Net Neutrality laws, and why you make bad decisions when you're attracted to someone. We're also answering your questions about combining cloud storage space, using technology in bed, and cooling your home in the hot summer. Looking for the[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about making your own food substitute, why fast Android updates don’t matter anymore, and a whole bunch of cell carrier announcements. We’re also answering your questions about salvaging old computer parts, saving your Android battery life, and whether or not Chromebooks can work as primary laptops. Looking for[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking to osteopathic physician and director of ​Examine.com, ​Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, to answer your health questions. We're also talking to ​Rod Ebrahimi, CEO of debt management site ​ReadyForZero.com to solve all sorts of personal finance problems, from credit scores to student loans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking to former landlord and property owner Bruce Dachis and Las Vegas-based registered dietician Andy Bellatti to get expert answers to your questions. We'll have another expert podcast next week before returning to our regular format, only at a new time: 10:00 AM PT. Stay tuned! See Privacy Policy[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Target stores getting hacked, the emergence of SteamOS, and how to stop your phone from tracking you. We’re also answering your questions about Beats by Dre headphones, making travel suck less, and fixing audiobook problems in iTunes. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about buying a versatile suit for any occasion, how cholesterol works, and Jay-Z’s best productivity tips. We’re also answering your questions about ditching iPhoto, salvaging your product keys from Microsoft Office, and replacing your broken iPod’s screen. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about Winamp shutting down, laptop reliability, and training Google Now for better suggestions. We're also answering your questions about Factory resets on Android, video game controllers on iOS, and whether you should build a NAS. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/1469261262 (after[...]

We're out celebrating Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean you have to go without a podcast! This week we're answering a backlog of your questions on comparing Android ROMs, turning email newsletters into an RSS feed, finding ebook deals, and tons more! On top of that, we also brought in a special guest: Carol Miller from[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about making the airport suck less, the science behind breakups and how to make them better, and what it really takes to switch to Linux. We're also answering your questions about Google Hangouts vs. Google Voice, broken laptops, silencing users on Twitter. Looking for the show notes? You[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about tons of Google news, finding great deals on PC games, and essential times for first-time computer builders. We’re also answering your questions about migrating iPhone data to Android, overriding annoying YouTube defaults, and improving sound quality on a MacBook Pro. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the new features in Android KitKat, evil tips from millionaires, and how to mooch off of your friends. We’re also answering your questions about tracking someone down online, changing your home address on Google Maps, and when you should upgrade your iPad and Windows 8. Looking for[...]

This week we’re talking about everything Apple did, whether or not you should buy all your stuff on Amazon, and how to donate to charity without giving money. We’re also answering your questions about making iOS 7’s Calendar app suck less, picking great headphones, and whether or not Flickr’s free storage is too good to[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about all the new stuff in Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu 13.10, Android security, and the truth behind 10 prolific health myths. We’re also answering your questions about waking up effectively in the morning, planning household chores, and if using the great email client Sparrow is worthwhile Looking for[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about all the bugs in iOS 7, time saving Android shortcuts you should be using, and how to find your parked car when you lose it. We’re also answering your questions about migrating a scattered iTunes collection to a new computer, improving cellular reception when you have none,[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about how manufacturers cheat on smartphone benchmarks, creating your own customized version of Android, and awesome URL tricks for YouTube. We're also answering your questions about prepaid cellphone plans, buying refurbished laptops, and syncing your podcast feeds between Android and iOS. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about whether it’s worth upgrading your phone every six months, how to be productive at work when everything is blocked, and which build of XBMC you should use on your Raspberry Pi. We’re also answering your questions about making your own ringtones, a good video camera app for[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about a little bit of iOS news, why you should take another look at widgets on Android, and how to survive inside of Apple's walled garden. We're also answering your questions about power line ethernet adapters, how to quit a job that you hate, and getting notifications for[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about iOS 7 and the new iPhones (briefly), making money in your spare time, and a few lesser-used Google services with awesome hidden features. We're also answering your questions about smartphone protection plans, using one keyboard with multiple computers, and power cycling electronics automatically. (Also, lots of immature[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Android’s new KitKat obsession, speeding up your old iPhone or iPad, and turning your phone into the ultimate alarm clock. We’re also answering your questions about hacking Netflix, removing file duplicates, and docking your MacBook without spending a fortune. Looking for the show notes? You can find[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about hacking your tiny apartment, making the most on a smartphone sale, and buying parts for your custom PC. We’re also answering your questions about consolidating music libraries, putting speakers in the shower, and toggling the cellular radio on your Android. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about blocking YouTube ads, the difference between antivirus and anti-malware, and app updates galore. We’re also answering your questions about international calling on the cheap, how to pick a Windows laptop, and BitTorrent privacy. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at LINK (after 5:00[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about encrypted email, whether Microsoft Office or LibreOffice deserves your download, and why you should ditch photo management software. We’re also answering your questions about making an awesome podcast, the best laptops for college, and which password manager you should use. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about the merits of Lifehacking, IFTTT for iPhone, and Amazon Prime. Also, Chrome's horribly insecure password manager. We're also answering your questions about Blu-ray ripping, syncing to multiple cloud services, and migrating from Picasa to Flickr. Show notes go up on Lifehacker at 5:00 PM PT every Thursday,[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about making tough decisions, lying on your resume, and the health benefits of personal rituals. We’re also answering your questions about ditching cable, hooking up tons of monitors to your laptop, and finding a career that you love. You'll find the show notes at http://lifehacker.com/993801681 after 5:00 PM[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about Android 4.3, the new Chromecast device from Google, and how stores are tracking you through your phone. We're also answering your questions about mechanical keyboards, when to use apps instead of mobile sites, and building the ultimate Photoshop PC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about AT&T's crappy new smartphone upgrade plans, the awesome secret stuff you can get on Monoprice, and how to survive an Airbnb disaster. We're also answering your questions about Mac Wi-Fi issues, MP3 tagging, and transforming go bags. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the biggest changes to Google Maps for Android, T-Mobile's crazy new Jump plan, and how to make the best of the Steam Summer Sale. We’re also answering your questions about securing your computer with a flash drive, reading PDFs on the iPad, and organizing your giant mess[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about all the new stuff in Windows 8.1, the imminent death of Google Reader, and gaming consoles from the past and future. We’re also answer your questions about home servers, wirelessly mirroring your computer screen, and syncing your music with Android. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we're debunking productivity myths, checking out smart watches, and migrating Google Reader to Feedly. We're also answering your questions about the future of Wi-Fi (802.11ac), getting your parents off of AOL, and using a TV as a computer monitor. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about all of Apple's big announcements, the unseen beauty of voice commands, and government spies. We're also answering your questions about downgrading an iPhone, calling a coworker out on his or her BS, and common MacBook Wi-Fi issues. It's a long one, so either you're welcome or sorry![...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the noisy glory of mechanical keyboards, detecting a bad boss before you take a job, and saving the most money when building a computer. We’re also answering your questions about mobile app security, Android launchers, and building your own NAS. Looking for the show notes? You can[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about the return of the start button in Windows 8.1, healthy habits you should follow, and how to create an awesome do-anything home server with FreeNAS 8. We're also answering quite a few of your questions about difficult job situations. Looking for the show notes? You can find[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about Google, Google, and more Google. Also, your questions about keeping to a budget, cold-emailing your dream job's company, and freeing up space on your iPhone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the show were discussing the death of Adobe Creative Suite, building a Raspberry Pi retro game console, and how you’re embarrassing yourself online. We’re also answering your questions about repurposing old Mac computers, the advantages of Dashlane over Lastpass, and how to beat the heat this summer. Looking for the show notes?[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about costly plane tickets, the science behind cold beer, and the best computer builds for your budget. We’re also answering your questions about prepaid cellular providers, working from home, and external drives for backing up your laptop. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at[...]

This week on the podcast we're experimenting with Google Chrome, finding the best internet service providers, and making your own battery-powered travel charger. We're also answering your questions about filtering out annoying Facebook posts, legally storing movies on your hard drive, and more. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/481319161[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about CISPA returning to the House of Representatives, Clever uses for reverse image search, and building your first home theater. We're also answering questions about building computers, automating downloads, and the new Gmail compose window. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at lifehacker.com/5993684 (after[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking with Trevor O'Brien, product manager at YouTube, to answer your burning YouTube-related questions and learn some search secrets. We're also discussing Google's tools to help your plan your digital afterlife, blocking porn on your Android, and the difference between all those different ethernet cables. Looking for the show[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about the cooking mistakes everybody makes, creating your own private cloud syncing service, and which Linux distro is better for beginners. We're also answering questions about reusing old file cabinets, keeping your unlimited data after Verizon takes it away, and syncing music to a flash drive for your[...]

This week on the podcast we're just answering questions about everything from spying employers to Dropbox duplicates to many things you wish you could ask your landlord. We covered a ton of different topics this week, so come check it all out! Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5991839 (after[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the crazy things you do in your sleep, how to pack an insanely efficient travel bag, and the jankiest lifehacks that actually work. We’re also answering your questions about old Android batteries, OS X’s built-in handwriting recognition, and Google’s new note taking and universal capture service. Looking[...]

This week on the podcast Whitson discovers he was using Evernote wrong, Thorin realizes he stopped pirating media by accident, and Dachis learns fancy toothpaste is a waste of money. Also, we discuss alternatives to the moribund Google Reader and, as always, answer your questions. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode[...]

This week on the show we're getting to a backlog of all your questions, from jailbreak hacks to transcribing meetings to weird eBay auctions. We covered a ton this week, so come check it all out! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Facebook annoyances, tracking stolen gadgets, and how much water you actually need. We’re also answering your questions about streaming from XBMC over the web, sharing music with your significant other, and how the six-strike law can impact you. Looking for the show notes? You can find this[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about getting to inbox zero in one hour flat, the advice you need for your first job, and tweaking your gaming rig’s settings for optimal performance. We’re also answering your questions about how much RAM a Macbook can handle, how to travel internationally without incurring huge data roaming[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the return of CISPA, re-installing Windows 8, and working an on-call job without losing your mind. We’re also answering your questions about why we give Google so much information, how to use unlimited data effectively, and syncing your files over your local network without the aid of[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the pains and pleasures of jailbreaking your iPhone and how to record and watch live TV through XBMC. We’re also answering your questions about finding cross-platform software alternatives, the best phone for a little old lady. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about future-proofing your job, automatic extreme couponing, and rooting your Android. We’re also answering your questions about the purpose of 4G cellular data, building or buying a new computer, and recording phone calls. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5980572 (after 5:00 PM[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about everything you can do with a raspberry pi, what documents you need to shred, and whether or not an online bank is worth the hassle. We’re also answering your questions about getting a job you actually like, the legality of DVD ripping, and making your iPhone more[...]

This week on the podcast we’re discussing Facebook’s new graph search, how to survive natural disasters, and how to microwave food without ruining it. We’re also answering your questions about using multiple calendars, learning guitar online, and much more. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5976745 (after 5:00 PM PT)[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the best times to buy anything in 2013, negotiating when you’re a nervous mess, and Craigslist’s new maps view. We’re also answering your questions about going paperless for tax season, managing a shared budget on Android and iOS devices, and literally foiling RFID thieves. Looking for the[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking a look back at 2012, learning about sleeping well instead of just sleeping more, and finding out if cheap furniture is really worth your money. We’re also answering your questions about buying cheap smartphones, sticking to your New Year’s resolutions, and whether or not anyone still syncs. Looking[...]

This week we a had a special live show. Despite some technical difficulties, we answered as many questions you posted as we could over the course of an hour. The minimal show notes are available at http://lifehacker.com/5969601 right now. You can also watch the video recording of the podcast if you want from that page,[...]

On this week's podcast we're having a discussion with Derek Bambauer, associate professor of law at Arizona State University. We'll be discussing the war between content providers and content pirates in light of the recent closure of Usenet's two primary indexers. Remember, December is the month of special episodes! This week we've got our Usenet[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about common productivity myths, how well gadgets survive under extreme temperatures in a car, and how to pitch an idea effectively. We’re also answering your questions about getting out of awkward conversations, how to use GitHub, the apps we couldn’t live without, and more. Looking for the show[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the inevitable shopping season and how to get some great deals as well as plenty of free stuff. We’re also answering your questions about DSLR lenses, noisy neighbors, keeping your gadgets clean when you’re sick, and much more. Looking for the show notes? You can find this[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking all about spying, lying, and boosting your powers of observation and deduction. We’re also answering your questions about the quirks of Windows 8 laptops, getting better photo prints, and buying your smartphone contract-free. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5960910 (after 5:00 PM[...]

This week on the podcast we’re discussing whether or not a Windows Surface can replace your laptop, how to frequently upgrade your smartphone on the cheap, and the Twitter password leak. We’re also answering your questions about cookware for beginners, upgrading or clean installing Windows 8, and making smartphone alerts actually useful. Looking for the[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about our special relationship with Hurricane Sandy, everything you need to know about Windows 8, and Google’s latest crew of Nexus phones and tablets. We’re also answering your questions about shredding files on an SSD, judging app security, removing background noise from a video, and other great podcasts[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Windows 8, Apple’s new hardware, freedom of speech on the internet, and how to make a good impression at a new job. We’re also answering your questions about building a super home theater PC plus PVR combo, journaling in Dropbox, and printing from your Android tablet. Looking[...]

It’s evil week on the podcast and we’re looking at the dark side of getting things done. We’ll help you become a productive dictator, get out-of-warranty repairs, free internet, and the best cheap pizza you can microwave. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5951115 (after 5:00 PM PT) and all[...]

This week on the podcast we’re finding ways to keep you motivated, learning that buying two computers can be cheaper than one, and the least horrible ways to get poop and other disgusting crap off your body. Also, we’re answering your questions about archiving digital photos, accessing streaming media from remote countries, and more. Looking[...]

This week on the podcast we’re weighing the pros and cons of overclocking a laptop, helping a listener cope with career burnout, and recovering lost iTunes purchases. We’re also answering extra questions and offering up our favorite downloads and tips of the week. Looking for the show notes? You can find this episode at http://lifehacker.com/5946982[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Facebook’s latest attempt to track everything you do (and what to do about it), coping with Apple’s new Maps app, and the best set top box for your needs. Also, we’re answering your questions about recovering stolen Android phones, taking iTunes with you on a thumb drive,[...]

This week we're talking about the many problems of iOS 6, the greatness of Windows 8 tablets, how you can download all the things, and much more. We're also answering your questions about formatting drives for a hackintosh, keeping desktop layouts in sync among several computers, and how to solve a Playstation Network identity crisis.[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about so much Apple stuff, but we’re also hacking cameras, fixing coffee addictions, solving mail archive issues, and figuring out how to gift a DD-WRT router. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Amazon’s new pile of Kindles, water cooling your computer for super feats of overclocking, and rooting out lies. We’re also answering your questions about shutting down your computer, remapping function keys on your keyboard, and figuring out if brain training games actually work. See Privacy Policy at[...]

This week on the podcast we’re powering up your brain, making your online life more secure with two-factor authentication, and figuring out why everyone’s pissed at Twitter. Also, we’re answering your questions about home automation, Linux on Macs, and a diet that actually helps you put on weight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about building an amazing but cheap media center, upgrading your phone's notification system, and making YouTube less annoying. We're also answering your questions about BitTorrent privacy, converting audio files, sharing to-do lists, and playing loud music without annoying the rest of the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy[...]

This week on the podcast we're talking about reviving your old laptop, migrating Google data, using tablets as communal devices, and making grocery shopping suck a bit less. Also, we're answering your questions about our podcasting setup, migrating data between Windows installations, and if Dropbox is really the best file syncing solution out there. And[...]

This week on the podcast we’re discussing why strong passwords aren’t enough to keep you safe online anymore, Craigslist keeps ruining its reputation, and how to stay productive when you’re expected to be available all the time. Also, we’re answering your questions about password management, dual-booting, and remote torrenting. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

This week we’re learning that Microsoft’s new Outloook webmail service is actually pretty awesome, that you can watch the olympics online, in real time, for free, and that Amazon’s CloudPlayer service is actually worth a look again. Also, we’re answering your questions about cloud music, uTorrent, and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. For more information and links[...]

This week we're varying from the usual format (yes, again) and focusing on Apple's latest release, OS X Mountain Lion with some of the new features, how to prepare your Mac for the upgrade and how to tweak some of the annoyances that we found in the new OS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

This week we’re realizing it doesn’t matter if AT&T charges for 3G Facetime because you should just use Skype, that there are several ways to stop biting your nails (including an app), and that you can trick your Android into streaming music to another Android. Also, we’re hacking a Nintendo DS. For more information and[...]

This week we’re foregoing the usual podcast format and talking to a variety of different people about the perfect salary for happiness, simple exercises you can do to move better, some of our favorite binder clips tricks, and a whole lot more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about Google, Google, and more Google--specifically, the new features in Android 4.1 Jellybean, the Nexus Q, and Chrome for mobile. Also, we’ll help you choose a tablet and a laptop bag, plus deal with your email spam problems. The audio cuts out during the Nexus Q news story.[...]

This week on the podcast we’re taking a look at Microsoft Surface and the new features in Windows Phone 8, plus an surprising technology from Ford. We’re also answering questions about getting started with web design and making your older television set work with devices it doesn’t support. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California[...]

This week on the podcast we’re discussing the ins and outs of Apple’s latest updates to their mobile and desktop operating systems, breaking warranties with Linux, and only sort of caring about the “death” of unlimited data. Also, we’re helping you decide if you should build an XBMC home theater PC or just get Google[...]

This week on the podcast we’re discussing the Windows 8 Release Preview, iOS 5.1.1’s great new jailbreak, compromised passwords, and a lot more. Also we’ll be answering a couple of questions about reinstalling Windows, yet another inquiry about SSDs, and whether or not you can build your own iPod. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

This week on the podcast we’re learning about phantom vibrations in your pocket, free Wi-Fi for everyone (with cable internet), and life at your local hackerspace. Also, we’re solving Apple TV jailbreak problems, speeding up slow Windows boot times, and getting Chrome to keep your activity a secret. For more information and links about the[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about mapping out your neighborhood with a Google weather balloon, saying goodbye to software we love, and learning about Google’s new Knowledge Graph. Also, we’re answering questions about batch audio conversions, making tablets productive, having a say in what search engines say about you. See Privacy Policy at[...]

This week on the podcast we’re talking about Bing’s major overhaul, a few updates from Apple, and how to conduct a weekly review to get more done. Also, we’re answering questions about the best file compression formats, using Apple peripherals with Windows, and solving one hot man’s sweaty problem. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and[...]

This week on the Lifehacker podcast we’re learning that Internet Explorer 9 isn’t the worst browser on the face of the planet. Also, the Galaxy SIII dominates this month’s best Android phone contest and we realize the Skype ringtone is the best there is. We answer questions about hybrid hard drives, show off a surge[...]

This week on the Lifehacker podcast we’re comparing Google Drive to Dropbox, looking at the cost of renting Adobe software, and finding out what happens when you throw your privacy out the window. We’ve also got tips on learning to type better, finding free music, installing Windows on a Mac, and more. Plus a bunch[...]

This week on the podcast, we're prepping for the next Gmail outage, learning a new language in a matter of months, and wondering if an all-in-one home theater is a good idea. We'll also figure out the best time to upgrade to an iPhone, the best format for your music, and how to fix one[...]

This week on the Ask Lifehacker podcast, we’re learning how music affects your ability to work, getting great deals on mobile apps, and protecting your passwords on public Wi-Fi networks. Also, Facebook blows a billion dollars on Instagram, terms of service contracts are no longer the ironclad documents companies wanted them to be, and a[...]

This week on Ask Lifehacker we're debating the feasibility of Google's futuristic augmented reality glasses, protecting ourselves from hacks and viruses, blocking porn in every possible way, and fitting our big hard drives on small SSDs. Also, we take a look at a few downloads that can turn your diet and exercise routines into games,[...]

This week on Ask Lifehacker we're wondering if anyone's going to use the Google Drive service supposedly coming in April, upgrading our media centers, and urging you not to give your employer your Facebook credentials. Also, we take a look at the troubles of dual-booting Windows and OS X, getting on an information diet, making[...]

This week on Ask Lifehacker we're not talking about the new iPad, but what we'd buy instead. Firefox 11 finally brings add-on sync and March Madness proves that piracy isn't always the best option when you want to watch TV online. Also, we'll extend a Wi-Fi signal from a house to a barn, figure out[...]

This week on Ask Lifehacker we're talking about the new iPad and Apple TV, Google's rebranding, a creative new Android keyboard, and an awesome iPhone camera app. We'll also be showing off an incredible charging cable and answering questions from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

001: Put On Your Tinfoil Hats by Fusion Media Group See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.