The Upgrade by Lifehacker

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 intelligence, including the bestselling book “Emotional Intelligence...

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 Bodies Could Talk: Operating and Maintaining a Human Body, and his latest book is Clean: The New Science of Skin...

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 to hear Grant talk with Jordan and Alice about the unexpected benefits of NaNoWriMo's community, the process of writing without editing, and why writer's block is a myth...

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 into the systems that are failing us and explores realistic opportunities to create something better...

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 in the first place, and how to change our thinking for better outcomes. Dr...

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 to Save Your Life, is her guide to navigating life’s most complicated challenges...

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 are the authors of the book Time Off: A Practical Guide to Building Your Rest Ethic and Finding Success Without the Stress...

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 hustles. Plus, our producer takes to the streets to find out from everyday people what kind of side hustles they have going on.

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 is called How to Drag a Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope to Never Need: Survival Tricks for Hacking, Hurricanes, and Hazards Life Might Throw at You...

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: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing...