Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

How Just a Little Rest Can Change Your Life & Fascinating Stories You Never Knew Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

You know what customer service people really like? They like when you are nice to them. This episode begins with a magical phrase the next time you need a customer service person to go the extra mile for you. (Lori Jo Vest, author of Who’s Your Gladys?)

Your body needs to rest. Not just sleep - rest. And rest isn’t necessarily sitting on the couch watching television. There are different kinds of rest all of which are vital to your function and performance as a human being. Physician Dr. Matthew Edlund, author of the book The Power of Rest: Why Sleep Alone Is Not Enough (https://amzn.to/2MJ6S5M) joins me to talk about the importance of rest and how to do it for maximum effect. Dr. Edlund’s website is http://regenerationhealthnews.com/

Ever notice that you never quite look right in a selfie? Your face can sometimes look weird and distorted. That has to do with the camera lens in the phone and when you understand how that works, you can adjust how and where you are in the picture so you look like you actually look. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-look-good-in-phone-photos-selfies-2016-8

There are so many strange and fascinating stories you probably never heard like: the time the Soviets invaded Wisconsin or why the scoring system is tennis is so strange or the story of the guy who bought Green Bay Packer tickets by donating blood and it saved his life. Dan Lewis has been collection these stories for his book series Now I Know . His latest book is called Now I Know: The Soviets Invaded Wisconsin: And 99 More Interesting Facts, Plus the Amazing Stories Behind (https://amzn.to/2MJ55O9). Listen as Dan shares some of his best stories. And to subscribe to his newsletter visit: http://nowiknow.com/

This Week's Sponsors

-Omax Health Sleep & Stress Remedy. For 50% off your first box and free shipping go to www.OmaxHealth.com and use promo code SYSK.

-Daily Harvest. Go to www.DAILY HARVEST.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get $25 off your first box

-Upstart. Find out how low your interest rate is by going to www.Upstart.com/something

-Dashlane. For a 30 day free trial plus 10% off Dashlane Premium go to www.Dashlane.com/SYSK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Be More Creative Than You Ever Imagined & A Simpler Way to Change Any Behavior Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

People who have high credit scores are often quite proud of them. And there is no doubt that a high credit score is better than a low credit score. But is a high credit score better than an average one? This episode begins with some interesting insight into how credit scores really work. https://twocents.lifehacker.com/your-credit-score-doesn-t-matter-unless-it-s-bad-1785050429

Who doesn’t love those great stories of new inventions and other creative breakthroughs? But often there is a lot more to the story than the big breakthrough. Creativity is a process and joining me to discuss how to process works best is Michael Roberto, Trustee Professor of Management at Bryant University in Rhode Island and author of the book, Unlocking Creativity: How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets (https://amzn.to/2ZrqYDk).

Having a lot of debt is bad for your financial health – and it appears to take a toll on your physical and mental health as we. Listen as I discuss the health benefits of paying off debt. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2013/08/high-debt-could-be-hazardous-to-your-health/

When you stop and analyze it, a lot of your behavior is habitual. And as everyone knows, changing a habit can be hard. But not always. A lot of it has to do with how you approach it according to Alexander Heyne. He is the author of several books including The Lazy Guide to habit Change (https://amzn.to/2ZkMutn) Alexander joins me to explain how to change any habit or behavior by taking the path of least resistance.

This Week's Sponsors

-Daily Harvest. Go to www.DAILY HARVEST.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get $25 off your first box

-Upstart. Find out how low your interest rate is by going to www.Upstart.com/something

-Dashlane. For a 30 day free trial plus 10% off Dashlane Premium go to www.Dashlane.com/SYSK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Drastically Improve Your Intuition & How Planet Earth Has Shaped Who You Are Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Your shoulders speak volumes. It turns out how you hold your shoulders telegraphs a message to the world as to what kind of person you are. This episode begins with a discussion about who your shoulders say you really are. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201205/what-the-shoulders-say-about-us

At some point you have probably listened to your intuition. It’s a gut feeling. You know you should or shouldn’t do something even though you don’t know why you know it. That’s what is called intuition. But is it a real thing? Can you trust it? Or is intuition just wishful thinking or merely a hunch? And if it is a real thing, how do we make better use of it? Joining me to discuss that is Rick Snyder, author of the book Decisive Intuition. (https://amzn.to/31STDCV)

If you have ever gone on a diet, you probably had the experience that – it didn’t work. However, there are some ways that, according to science, really do work to help take and keep body weight off. Listen as I discuss what those techniques are. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-07-08/the-7-simplest-easiest-ways-to-lose-more-weight-according-to-science

You probably tend to think of the earth as a stage on which human history has unfolded. What is so interesting is that our planet is also a major player in human history. It has had profound impacts on everything in ways you likely never considered. Lewis Dartnell explores this in his book Origins: How Earth's History Shaped Human History (https://amzn.to/2KM8lG3) and he joins me for a fascinating discussion about what he discovered.

This Week's Sponsors

-Native Deodorant. For 20% off your first purchase go to www.nativedeodorant.com and use the promo code SYSK at checkout

-Capterra. To find the best software for you business for free go to www.Capterra.com/something.

-LinkedIn Jobs. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Feedback Often Fails & A More Effective Way to Have a Conversation Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

How physically strong are you? Interestingly, men today are not as strong as they once were. I begin this episode with the explanation of why that is and the surprising health consequences of not having the physical strength of your ancestors. http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/grip-strength-weaker-today

“Can I give you some constructive feedback?” Usually, that question is followed by some criticism you would probably rather not hear. The “annual performance review” is a good example of this. Yet feedback – when done correctly – can be very powerful and quite helpful according to Tamra Chandler, founder and CEO of PeopleFirm, LLC and author of the book Feedback (and Other Dirty Words) Why We Fear It, How to Fix It (https://amzn.to/2Z10SXB). Tamra joins me to explain how to better give and take feedback and why this is so important.

How important is it for children to have siblings? Is being an only child a handicap? That has been an assumption for a long time but lately it is being questioned. Listen as I explain what the research says about the pros and cons of being an only child. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/one-true-thing/201106/susan-newman-the-case-the-only-child

The purpose of having a conversation is to communicate and share thoughts and ideas. However, a lot of conversations seem more about making a point or telling people why they are wrong and/or why you are right. Communications expert Andrew Blotky has worked in political communications at Facebook, The White House and Congress and he is author of a book called Honestly Speaking: How the Way We Communicate Transforms Leadership, Love and Life (https://amzn.to/2YL4W36). Andrew joins me to discuss a better way to approach important conversations so that everyone feels heard and ideas are actually shared.

This Week's Sponsors

-Capterra. To find the best software for you business for free go to www.Capterra.com/something.

-LinkedIn Job. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How a Little Surprise Will Change Your Life & How Introverts Can Thrive in the Workplace Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that when you are working on a problem or trying to come up with an idea there comes a point of diminishing returns? The harder you concentrate, the worse it gets. It’s true for everyone and there is a sweet spot after which your efforts suffer. This episode begins with a discussion on why this happens and when you should stop trying and go do something else. https://hbr.org/2014/07/get-your-brain-unstuck

At times in your life there have been important moments that have helped to shape who you are. These are transformative moments. Perhaps someone said something to you that made you think differently about yourself or your abilities – good or bad. So what is it about these brief moments in life that make them so powerful they can change your course in life or even change what you think of yourself? Dr. Michael Roussel is an associate professor at southern Oregon University and has been studying transformative moments for over three decades. He joins me to reveal the surprising reason why these moments stick with us and how you can use these moments to your advantage. To see Michael’s TED talk on the subject, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5O6mFWpgZo&t=3s

How do you clean a dusty oil painting or rusty old gardening tools? Well, those are just a few of the dirty things you can clean with some handy items that are in your kitchen. Listen as I explain. https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/more-surprising-natural-cleaners

As many as half of all people in the U.S. consider themselves introverted. As you might imagine, those people often feel at a disadvantage particularly when it comes to getting ahead in the workplace. However, there are some advantages to being an introvert and ways to play to those strengths according to career coach Jane Finkle, author of the book The Introvert’s Complete Career Guide (https://amzn.to/2Z0YmRr). Listen as Nancy explains some great strategies for introverts to navigate through the world of work.

This Week’s Sponsors

-Proactiv. Go to www.Proactiv.com/SOMETHING and with your order, you’lll also receive Proactiv’s “On the Go Bag” (close to a $100 value!) PLUS FREE SHIPPING & a 60 Day Money Back Guarantee!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Effectively Grow Your Self-Confidence & Why Intelligent People Do Dumb Things Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Can your boss spy on you? You bet! This episode explains just how far an employer can go to keep tables on you and what you are up to. http://workrights.us/

Do you have a lot of self-confidence? Could you use a little more? We probably all could and Lana Otoya author of The Mindset of Self Confidence: Why Self Confidence Has Nothing to Do with Speaking Up or Standing Straight (https://amzn.to/2yKXqWu) joins me to explain how self-confidence works, what it is and how to develop more of it.

Are you religious? If not, you might want to be? Listen as I discuss the amazing health benefits that happen when you believe in a religion. Duke Johnson, M.D. author of “Optimal Health”

Intelligence is a funny thing. Sure, it’s good to be smart but there is also a down side. David Robson is a journalist for for the BBC, the Atlantic, and New Scientist and he is also author of the book The Intelligence Trap: The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes (https://amzn.to/2YRNYLz). He joins me to explain just what intelligence is and how (and when) being intelligent can be a bad thing.

This Week’s Sponsors

-Embark Dog DNA Test Kit. Go to www.Embarkvet.com and use Promo code SOMETHING to save 15%.

-SimpliSafe. Go to www.SimpliSafe.com/SOMETHING to get free shipping and a money-back guarantee!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Kill a Good Idea (and Why You Shouldn’t) & Fighting Humans’ Deadliest Predator Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

Why do people have nightmares? Do they serve a purpose? This episode begins with some fascinating facts about nightmares and the people who have them. https://www.prevention.com/health/g20516173/6-creepy-things-you-never-knew-about-your-nightmares/

Where do good ideas come from? Good ideas typically blossom in environments that encourage people to express their ideas. Yet we often shoot down people’s ideas before they have a chance to develop. One place that does NOT happens is in improv theater. That’s where someone throws out an idea and everyone adds to it to see if they can make it interesting or funny. And there may be a real lesson there for the rest of us according to Norm LaViolette an improv performer, founder of Improv Asylum in Boston and author of a book called The Art of Making it Up: Using the Principles of IMPROV to Become an Unstoppable Force (https://amzn.to/2YLvegE). Norm consults major corporations on how to use the skills of improv to nurture great ideas and he joins me to share his strategies with you.

I know I’ve heard the advice that if you fake a smile that it can actually make you feel better. Or could it be that faking a smile when you don’t feel happy can actually make you feel worse? Listen and find out what the research says. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/msu-sfa022211.php

You probably wouldn’t have guessed off the top of your head that mosquitoes are our deadliest predator - but they are according to Tim Winegard, a professor of history and political science at Colorado Mesa University and author of the book The Mosquito:A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator (https://amzn.to/31pWnHV). Tim joins me to offer a fascinating explanation of how the mosquito has killed more people and changed the course of history in ways you never knew.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Best Way to Learn Anything New & How to Deal With People You Can’t Stand Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

If you wear a certain fragrance, people will perceive you as 12 pounds thinner. That’s just one of many fascinating things I discuss about you amazing sense of smell in the first segment of this episode. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/02/scents

We spend our entire lives learning. Yet we seldom think about HOW we learn. One person who has thought about it a lot is Scott Young, author of the book UltraLearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career (https://amzn.to/2yCu4cF). Scott joins me to discuss the best and worst ways to learn anything and how you can learn anything better.

Gotta cramp? Reach for the pickles. There is some fascinating research I discuss on how what appears to be an effective and fast cure for a muscle cramp and it is in a jar of pickles. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/phys-ed-can-pickle-juice-stop-muscle-cramps/

We all come in contact with difficult and unreasonable people. What is the best way to deal with them? Well, it depends on what the goal is, according to Rick Brinkman, author of Dealing with People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst (https://amzn.to/2YG8cMa). Rick reveals the best ways to handle jerks, idiots and other difficult people who get in your way so that you get what you want without escalating the trouble.

This Week's Sponsors

-Dashlane. For a 30 day free trial of Dashlane Premium go to www.Dashlane.com/sysk

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our 300th Episode! - How to Stop Sabotaging Yourself & A Fascinating Explanation of the Universe Aug 01, 2019

Show notes

Kim Kardashian and her sisters speak with something called “vocal fry.” In fact a lot of women do and it is a real problem. This episode begins with an explanation of what vocal fry is and why it is harmful to a person’s vocal health and professional career. http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/15/get-your-creak-on-is-vocal-fry-a-female-fad/

Have you ever sabotaged yourself? You go for a goal and somehow screw it up and it was no one else's fault but yours. The really good news is – everyone has done it. It is very human. And there is something you can do to stop it. Judy Ho a triple board-certified and licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and author of the book Stop Self Sabotage (https://amzn.to/2yltujB) joins me to explore this fascinating topic and reveals what you can do to stop it.

Ever go to the beach but chicken out when it comes to going in the water? Whether it is an ocean, river or lake, you need to take a dip this summer and I will explain the excellent reasons why it is well worth it. https://www.livestrong.com/article/400377-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-swimming-in-sea-water/

When you look at the universe, do you see chaos or order? While it may look chaotic, the great minds of science have discovered a distinct order to the universe. Why is this important? Graham Farmelo, senior research fellow at the Science Museum in London, adjunct professor of physics at Northeastern University and author of the book The Universe Speaks in Numbers: How Modern Math Reveals Nature's Deepest Secrets (https://amzn.to/2MtOJbg) is here to explain. He will fascinate you with his explanation about how the universe is quite mathematical – and not chaotic at all!

This Week’s Sponsors

-Dashlane. For a 30 day free trial plus 10% off Dashlane Premium go to www.Dashlane.com/SYSK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Secret to Getting Everything Done & How to Optimize Your Brain for Peak Performance Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

Pizza math. It’s worth knowing because when you understand it, you’ll realize why a small pizza is usually a lousy deal. This episode begins with a mathematical formula that will save you real dough on your next pizza. http://lifehacker.com/the-math-equation-that-explains-why-you-should-alwaysb-1784641566

How well do you organize, prioritize and execute your life? I bet you wish you were better at it – at least some of the time. World renowned productivity expert David Allen, author of the book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (https://amzn.to/32Vr6Or) is here to offer some amazingly simple yet powerful ways to live and work more efficiently so you have plenty of time for you.

Since so many people are dehydrated, listen and discover a quick way to tell if you are. This test requires nothing more than to pinch the skin on the back of your hand. http://www.livestrong.com/article/252621-how-to-tell-if-you-are-dehydrated/

Have you ever experienced brain fog? It’s knowing that you are not performing at your best. A lot of things can contribute to it – including stress and diet – and there can be serious long term effects. Dr. Mike Dow, author of the books The Brain Fog Fix (https://amzn.to/3105nTG) and Your Subconscious Brain Can Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/2yl6u3W) joins me to discuss how to combat the feeling and optimize your brain to perform at its best.

This Week’s Sponsors

-Capterra. To find the best software solutions for your business for free, go to www.Capterra.com/something

-Stroke of Genius Podcast. Subscribe to Stroke of Genius on Apple Podcasts, at www.ipoef.org, or your favorite podcast platform.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected