The Upgrade by Lifehacker

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 in his non-profit literacy project Barbershop Books.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, and Smarter Faster Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity, and is also the host of the podcast How To! With Charles Duhigg.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 The Root Presents: It's Lit!—a new podcast from the team at The Root discussing all things literature, literally.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 viewing.In addition to being the Founder and Director of the Disability Visibility Project, she is also the host of the Disability Visibility podcast, and recently published the book Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories From the 21st Century.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 host an outdoor feast, and why you should consider skipping the holiday altogether this year. Andrew's previous shows include Bizarre Foods and The Zimmern List, and his latest series is called What’s Eating America.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.” In the book “Altered Traits,” he and his co-author Richard Davidson waded through the thousands of studies that have been published on mindfulness, and identified what data we should pay attention to, and what we should ignore as hype. They also reveal the latest results from Davidson’s own lab: data that point to what the future of mind-training methods should be.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 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. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Welsh is an LA-based psychologist who specializes in a wide variety of anxiety, mood, and depressive disorders, and is the author of The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work Book for Panic Attacks. Dr. Burns is a psychiatrist and the author Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, and most recently Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.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 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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 from journalist Celeste Headlee, whose career revolves around talking to people. And Lifehacker’s own Michelle Woo tells us how to talk to kids—because do any of us really know how to do it? And our producer Casey Georgi talks to people on the streets of NYC to find out what irks people most when it comes to bad conversationalists.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 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 to change this culture of hyper-productivity. Anne's latest book is Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, which comes out in September.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 from librarian and author Nancy Pearl on how to find a book you'll love.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 get things done, and the questions to ask yourself when debating over which tasks are most important. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 asthma, to allergies, to snoring—and what we can do about it. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Before You’re Grown Up. As a special deal for listeners, you can get Catherine’s book here for 20% off by using the code PERSON at checkout. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 York Times bestseller Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 the blog, CompanionAnimalPsychology.com, and author of the new book, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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. John’s latest book, The Hilarious World of Depression is out now. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 prepare for one, and what symptoms merit a visit to the doctor. Marc and Chris are the authors of the book, Am I Dying?!: A Complete Guide to Your Symptoms—and What to Do Next and also run the very helpful website amidying.com.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 books on the topic including her most recent, How to Read a Protest: The Art of Organizing and Resistance. Charlene was a founding national director of the Black Youth Project 100, and is now a part of the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). She is also the author of Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements. We also speak with Maryanne Kaishian, Senior Staff Attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services, about knowing our rights, and how to protect yourself legally in case of arrest.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Lawyers GuildBail Funds around the countryShowing Up for Racial JusticeThe Black WalletPodcasts:The NodCode SwitchStill ProcessingYo, Is This Racist?Sooo Many White GuysThe Stoop1619Justice in AmericaLifehacker articles:How to Protest During a PandemicHow to Support the Protests if You Can’t AttendThe Phone Settings You Need to Know Before ProtestingHow to Find Out If Your Local Prosecutor Is Holding People AccountableHow to Check Your PrivilegeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Wisdom from an Unexpected Source.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 is the author of the New York Times bestseller I Will Teach You to Be Rich and founder of IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com. After their conversation, keep listening to hear Lifehacker’s health editor Beth Skwarecki speak with medical laboratory scientist Dr. Constantine Kanakis about all aspects of COVID-19 testing.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Real Happiness,  Lovingkindness, and Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection. Her newest book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, comes out in September.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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 chat with Dave Arnold, the Founder and President of the Brooklyn-based Museum of Food and Drink. And we spend quality time with Claire Lower, Lifehacker's food editor and the mastermind behind the “Will It Sous Vide” column.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Samantha is the New York Times bestselling author of We Are Never Meeting In Real Life, Meaty, and most recently, Wow, No Thank You.In other news, WE ARE NOMINATED FOR A WEBBY! Please vote for us in the Best Lifestyle Podcast category if you’d like to see us win!Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 how he imagines the art world will emerge from this global pandemic.After their conversation, hear Lifehacker’s health editor Beth Skwarecki speak with epidemiologist and infection preventionist Dr. Saskia Popescu about the right and wrong ways to wear a mask, and what to really worry about at the grocery store.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 the author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter, and most recently, Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving. Later in the show, hear Lifehacker’s health editor Beth Skwarecki speak with mental health expert Dr. Sanam Hafeez about how to navigate this psychologically stressful time for ourselves and our kids. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 of The Happiness Project, Happier at Home, and The Four Tendencies, and also hosts the podcast Happier With Gretchen Rubin. Following our chat with Gretchen, hear Lifehacker's Senior Health Editor, Beth Skwarecki, talk with epidemiologist René Najera about how to effectively limit the spread of COVID-19 and what we can expect as life slowly begins to return to "normal".Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Ones.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. 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 today is Buddhist psychologist Rick Hanson. Rick has drawn on his forty years of clinical practice and teaching to help us cultivate resilience, to overcome the brain's negativity bias and find inner peace. Finally!Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 common sense when it comes to our consumption. Mark is a leading voice in the food world, having written over 30 books on the topic, including the New York Times bestseller How to Cook Everything. Dr. Katz is the founding director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, as well as the founder and president of the True Health Initiative. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Disease.” He talks to us about how corporate interests have worked to keep us addicted to pleasure—and how our addictions have robbed us of happiness.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!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 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, his most valuable purchases under $100 and over $10,000, and what beliefs and behaviors have most improved his life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 book, “How to Be an Artist,” comes out in March. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Yoni Freedhoff, author of The Diet Fix: Why Diets Fail and How to Make Yours Work, about why we should avoid diet fads and what habits we should focus on instead.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 of RAIN and how it can help us curtail our self-criticism and increase our sense of worthiness.Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Secrets to Protecting Your Wealth, Health, and Happiness.” As we found in our interview, divorce is a fascinating topic even if you’re not planning to split anytime soon. Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.