Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

The Power of Using the Right Words & How to Stop Avoiding Important Tasks Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Everyone likes to feel appreciation, and everyone knows just how powerful appreciation can be. However, there is one huge problem with appreciation. This episode begins with an explanation of why appreciation is important and why it is so often a missed opportunity. http://ombudsfac.unm.edu/Article_Summaries/Beyond_Reason.pdf

Laughter is important. Not just the act of laughter but the word laughter. People actually like it when you use that word in conversation. That’s according to my guest Will Jelbert, a communications consultant who has spent the last eight years researching how to best use the written and spoken word to connect with people. He is also the author of Word Wise: Say What You Mean, Deepen Your Connections, and Get to the Point (https://amzn.to/358ndaX). Will joins me to explain how using the right words in the right situation can make you a much more powerful communicator.

Once you carve a pumpkin you know its clock starts ticking and it won’t be long before it turns into a moldy, gooey mess. So, what can you do to lengthen the life of your jack o’ lantern? Listen as I explain how to prolong the life by at least a week or more. https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/how-to-make-pumpkins-last-longer

“Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?” Well, because that’s what human beings like to do – we procrastinate. Maybe if we understood why we put things off, it would be easier to actually get them done. And joining me to explain how is Matthew Boone. Matt is a psychotherapist as well as an instructor at the University of Arkansas and he is author of Stop Avoiding Stuff (https://amzn.to/2FyXTlw). Listen as he reveals a simple technique that will have you conquering all those things you keep putting off.

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Engineering Marvels Right in Your Neighborhood & What It Takes to Be an Expert Oct 19, 2020

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I bet you’ve had that experience of waking up just before the alarm goes off. It turns out it isn’t coincidence. Listen as this episode begins with the explanation as to why this happens so often to so many people. https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/why-do-we-wake-up-right-before-our-alarm/

The next time you take a walk around the block you will see it very differently after you listen to Spike Carlsen author of the book A Walk Around the Block (https://amzn.to/378CyuL). He discusses why the cement you walk on, the phone poles that line the street and the lawn in front of your house all have fascinating stories to tell.

Who doesn’t love a cozy fire in the fireplace on a chilly night? However, there is a potential problem with your fireplace on the days and nights when you do not have a fire. Listen as I explain how your fireplace could be causing you to waste a lot of money and the simple way to fix it. https://www.rennerinspectionservices.com/improve-home/

What makes someone an expert? In many cases people are experts only because they say they are. However, being a true expert in something is a bit more complicated than that. Here to explain is Roger Kneebone, MD Director of the Imperial College Centre for Engagement and Simulation Science and the Royal College of Music Imperial College Centre for Performance Science in the UK and he is author of the book Expert: Understanding the Path to Mastery (https://amzn.to/31cUuR1). Listen as he explains what it takes to be a true expert and why you should be skeptical of anyone who claims to be an expert.

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SYSK Choice: The Science of Creativity & How Happiness & Health Work Together Oct 17, 2020

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We humans are programmed to flirt. It’s the beginning of the process that keeps the species going forward. And while some people are clearly better at the art of flirting – there is some science to it as well. I begin this episode with scientifically proven ways to improve your flirting skills. http://theweek.com/articles/448643/how-flirt-according-science

One thing that makes us human is our creativity. We are all creative and many of us could be even more creative according to Allen Gannett. Allen is the CEO of Track Maven, a software analytics firm and he has been on the top “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes magazines. He is also the author of the new book, The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea at the Right Time ( https://amzn.to/2Jt9vaH) . Allen joins me to reveal some fascinating science behind creative people and the creative process that we can all benefit from.

It turns out that not all olive oil is what it appears to be. In fact a lot of extra virgin olive oil isn’t what the label says. Is there fraud in the olive oil business? And if it isn’t olive oil, what is it? We’ll discuss. http://time.com/3894609/extra-virgin-olive-oil/

If happiness is a choice, why do so many people choose to be unhappy? That is just one of the questions I tackle with Rick Foster co-author of the book, Happiness & Health: 9 Choices That Unlock the Powerful Connection Between the Two Things We Want Most (https://amzn.to/2JEdz78). I think you will be amazed by what Rick has to say.

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Why You See the World Differently Than Me & What Cellphones Do to Relationships Oct 15, 2020

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When you get angry, it seems normal to also get upset and maybe start yelling at whoever made you mad. Bad idea. This episode begins with a discussion how on to use anger constructively, so you get what you want without everyone being mad at each other. Source: Thomas A. Schweich, author of Staying Power (https://amzn.to/34Qrb85).

You and I can look at the same thing and see it differently. You look at the world through filters and biases and I see the same world through my filters and biases. So we each have our own perception of the world and so does everyone else. What is so interesting is we seldom think about that. We tend to believe there is this objective reality – the world is the way it is and everyone sees the same thing. But that’s not so, according to Dennis Profitt, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and author of the book Perception: How Our Bodies Shape Our Minds (https://amzn.to/3nPNhjI). Listen as he explains why you have your unique perceptions and why they are different from everyone else’s.

How much time do you spend on your cellphone every day? Probably a lot. For many of us, our cellphones are our constant companion. You probably stop and interact with your phone many times a day. So it is safe to say you have a relationship with that phone. Here to discuss how to manage and improve that relationship is Tchiki Davis, PhD. Tchiki is a technology consultant who writes the Click Here for Happiness blog for Psychology Today and she is author of Outsmart Your Smartphone: Conscious Tech Habits for Finding Happiness, Balance, and Connection IRL (https://amzn.to/2GQwxIa)

When was the last time you sent someone a handwritten note? If it has been a while, you need to hear why you need to start doing that again. It turns out the handwritten note can be very powerful when done correctly. https://www.handwrytten.com/resources/the-power-of-handwritten-notes/

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The Big Difference Between Being Kind and Being Nice & How Science Really Works Oct 12, 2020

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People will be more attracted to you if you appear confident. So this episode begins with short list of things you can do easily that will make you feel and appear as confident as possible. http://www.askmen.com/money/body_and_mind_150/173_better_living.html

Kind and nice are two words that are often used interchangeably but they don’t mean the same thing. Truly being kind is a lot harder and riskier and has a much greater chance of making the world a better place. Listen as I speak with Houston Kraft, author of the book called Deep Kindness A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness (https://amzn.to/2SFKPhj) as he explains what it means to be kind and how it can change the world.

When driving, you probably don’t think much about turning left – but left-hand turns are amazingly dangerous. Listen as I explain why avoiding left hand turns is a good idea whenever possible and why it is rare to see a UPS truck turn left. https://www.friedgoldberg.com/blog/how-left-hand-turns-affect-road-safety/

We hear a lot today about how we should “Trust the science!” So what does that really mean? What is science anyway? What makes something “scientific.” Someone who is well equipped to answer that is James C. Zimring, M.D. and Ph.D. in Immunology and professor of pathology at the University of Virginia. He is also author of the book, What Science Is and How It Really Works (https://amzn.to/2GNQQWA). Listen as he explains how science is used and sometimes misused to explain the world and why so many people don’t trust science.

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SYSK Choice: Why People Cheat & Get More Done by Being Less Busy Oct 10, 2020

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Every time you sit down to eat, several things affect how MUCH you eat and how much you enjoy the food. I begin this episode by revealing how the environment and atmosphere of the room in which you are eating can have a big impact. When you learn the details, you can use this information to help you eat less while enjoying your food more. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/restaurant-lighting-calories-music_n_1841077

People in marriages and relationships cheat. No secret there. But why? Are we programmed to cheat? Are humans, by nature, NOT monogamous? And what can you do if there has been cheating in your relationship? These are all important questions addressed by my guest Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg. Dr. Rosenberg is a board certified addiction psychiatrist, sex addiction counselor and he is author of the book, Infidelity: Why Men and Women Cheat (https://amzn.to/2J2slRL)

When you go to a business function you are often given a name tag to wear. So which side of your chest should you put it on – left or right – or does it even matter? While in the scheme of things it may not matter much, there is a correct side and it all has to do with function. I’ll tell you which side is the better side according to etiquette experts. https://etiquettedaily.com/index.php/2018/07/24/where-to-wear-a-name-badge-right-or-left/

In our culture we are obsessed with saving time. We have gadgets and apps and systems all designed to make us more productive so we get more done in less time. But then what do you do with the time you saved? Probably use it to get more things done. So what’s the point? For a different look at how you spend your time and what you spend it on, listen to my guest, Laura Vanderkam, author of the book, Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done (https://amzn.to/2xs4325). She has been speaking and writing about this topic for a while and has some interesting insight and practical advice I think you will enjoy hearing.

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A Fascinating Look At Why You Are Here & Why We Run Toward People We Love Oct 08, 2020

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The sandwich has been around for thousands of years in some form or another. Do you know how many sandwiches the average person eats in a year? Or why some sandwiches are called subs? Listen as I explain some fascinating facts about sandwiches to kickoff this episode. https://allthatsinteresting.com/sandwich-history

You have no doubt contemplated questions like: Why am I here? Or what is my purpose? Will my life really matter? What legacy will I leave? Listen as I delve into these and other questions with one of my favorite guests, Brian Greene. Brian is a theoretical physicist, mathematician, professor at Columbia University and authored several books. His latest is Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe (https://amzn.to/2GsvlKO). If you have ever pondered the meaning of life, you will want to hear what Brian has to say.

Whenever you are trying to convince someone of something, there is one key ingredient that will make the process a lot easier. And a lot of people miss this completely. Listen as I explain what it is. Source: Mark Magnacca author of So What (https://amzn.to/3cT1De3)

Why do we often run to hug people we haven’t seen in a while? Why do we walk slowly when we are sad? And this is really interesting – Parkinson’s patients tend to move slowly but they don’t have to. They could move faster and will move faster if there is a reason to. So what is going on here? What controls the speed at which we move? Reza Shadmehr is a professor of biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author of the book Vigor: Neuroeconomics of Movement (https://amzn.to/3ladKpP) and he joins me to discuss this fascinating connection between what is going on in your brain that determines how quickly or slowly you move and why it is important.

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The Myth of American Innovation & The Fascinating Physics of Life Oct 05, 2020

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The power of the human mind is amazing. This episode begins with a fascinating example of that. It turns out that how people feel about the medication they take determines how well it works. Things like cost, size of the pill and number of doses will influence your recovery. Listen and finds out how. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/health/research/05placebo.html

There is sure a lot of talk about innovation. Who doesn’t want to be a great innovator? Interestingly though, there isn’t as much innovation going on as you might think and not all innovation is particularly good. Some innovation is actually destructive. That’s according to Andrew Russell, professor of history and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and co-author of the book, The Innovation Delusion: How Our Obsession with the New Has Disrupted the Work That Matters Most (https://amzn.to/30nuPon). After you hear what he has to say, you may think differently about what innovation really means.

Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep. Listen as I explain a simple technique that will help just about anyone fall asleep faster on those nights where sleep does not come easy. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/631357/breathing-technique-helps-you-fall-asleep-faster

How does your GPS in your car really work? What is 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mean and what is the difference? Why are there dimples on a golf ball. Why does a balloon stick to the wall after you rub it on your head? The answer to all these questions is : PHYSICS! Joining me to explain all these things and more is Dr. Charles Liu, he is an associate professor at the City University of New York and author of the The Handy Physics Answer Book (https://amzn.to/3cTtxqp)

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SYSK Choice: How Music Effects You & Understanding “New Power” Oct 03, 2020

Show notes

No one enjoys getting a shot at the doctor’s office. But there is something you can do to ease the pain. We begin this episode with a little strategy that can cut the pain in half. But you have to do it just right. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27514-hold-your-breath-to-dampen-the-pain-of-an-injection/

Music plays an important role in our lives – but why? We don’t need it to survive yet every culture on the planet has music of some sort. John Powell, author of the books Why You Love Music (https://amzn.to/2IC5PTG) and How Music Works (https://amzn.to/2kcOYrP) joins me to examine the fascinating role music plays in our lives and why we like the music we like.

Buying something that is biodegradable or has biodegradable packaging sound like a good thing. However, things don’t really biodegrade in a landfill like you think they would. Listen as we explore that topic. http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/biodegradable-waste.html

Have you heard of the “New Power”? It is the power of connecting communities. Uber does it. Airbnb does it. Facebook does it. Their power comes not from owning something but from connecting people to something. Henry Timms has explores this in his book, New Power: How Power in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make it Work For You (https://amzn.to/2IzIDB7). He joins me to explain how it works and how you can put it to work for you and your organization.

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Individuality: Why You Are Different & What Exercise Really Does to Your Body and Mind Oct 01, 2020

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People generically call the dates on food packages, “expiration dates.” However, there are different kinds of expiration dates and they mean different things. This episode begins by sorting out what these different dates really mean. Don’t throw away any food until you hear this explanation. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter#1

There is no one like you and never will be. Why is that? What makes you so unique and different than everyone else? Still, you are a little like your parents and maybe a little your siblings while still being uniquely you. Ever wonder why? Find out when you listen to this fascinating discussion with David Linden, Professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and author of the book Unique: The New Science of Human Individuality (https://amzn.to/2Sa7S3j)

Making a good first impression is so important. There are 5 simple keys to making that good first impression and three ways you can really screw it up. Listen as I explain how to be truly memorable when you meet someone. Source: Mark Mazzarella, co-author of the book "Put Your Best Foot Forward" (https://amzn.to/3372kNz)

You have heard all your life that exercise is good for you but do you know exactly how? And how much exercise is necessary to get the benefits? Listen to my conversation with Judy Foreman. She is a journalist who has won more than 50 journalism awards and she is author of 3 books including Exercise is Medicine: How Physical Activity Boosts Health and Slows (https://amzn.to/2Ge4VMI)

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