Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

How Your Refrigerator Changed Your Life & Why Are There Volcanoes? Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

In an argument there are usually two things going on that make it so difficult. Listen as I begin this episode by explaining what those two important things are and how to fix them so you can then move forward and resolve the argument. Source: Jim Ferrell author of The Anatomy of Peace (https://amzn.to/4erYLUP).

Everyday you open and close your fridge a million times without giving it much thought. Yet, your refrigerator is part of a technology that has completely changed our lives. The concept of refrigerating food is only about 150 years old, but it is impossible to imagine life today without it. Listen as I speak with Nicola Twilley about this. She is a writer, frequent contributor to The New Yorker, host of the podcdcast Gastropod (https://gastropod.com/category/podcasts/) and author of the book: Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves (https://amzn.to/3VuXNP0) . She reveals the good and bad consequences of refrigeration. And there are plenty of both.

Why are there volcanoes? That molten hot lava that comes to the surface when a volcano erupts came from somewhere but most of us don’t really understand where or how or why. Do volcanoes have a purpose? While they are destructive, could they also be helpful – even necessary? Why do volcanoes erupt? Why do they go dormant? To understand all of this and why you might even owe your existence on earth to volcanoes, listen to my guest Tamsin Mather. She is a professor of earth sciences at the University of Oxford and author of the book Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell Us About the World and Ourselves (https://amzn.to/3xk4DyI).

For many women, carrying a purse is a necessity. And because they go everywhere and carry everything, purses can get pretty gross. Yet they are seldom cleaned. Listen as I explain the problem this creates which is not just a “yuck factor” issue, it can be a real health concern. https://finderskeypurse.com/blogs/finderskeypurse-com-blog/how-dirty-is-your-purse-plus-how-to-keep-it-clean

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How to Bounce Back From Tough Times & How to Beat the Surveillance Economy – SYSK Choice Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

When dogs meet they often sniff each other. It appears we humans do the same thing (to other humans, not dogs). This episode begins with an explanation of how people judge other people based on how they smell. And we do it all subconsciously. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm

Do you consider yourself resilient? Are you able to bounce back after a big challenge? Can you become more resilient? There is little doubt that being resilient is important to your personal and professional success. Listen to my conversation with Stephen Magness. He has been a consultant for NASA, the Houston Rockets and other major organizations and has written for Runner’s World and Sports Illustrated. He has been featured in The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Men’s Health. Stephen is author of the book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness (https://amzn.to/3OSE3Qb).

It is harder and harder to protect your privacy. It is clear that data is being collected about you that is extremely sensitive and personal. For example, what you search for online, your religious beliefs, your sexual preferences, how well you sleep, what organizations you belong to and so much more has likely been captured, recorded and stored away somewhere. And it gets worse, as you will hear from my guest Carissa Veliz. She is an associate professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and the Institute for Ethics in AI, as well as a tutorial fellow at Hertford College, at the University of Oxford and editor of the Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics. Carissa is author of the book, Privacy is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data (https://amzn.to/3nqHIsX).

Cooking on the grill is great but it can get a little boring if it is always hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts and steaks. But it doesn’t have to be. Listen as I reveal how to cook some things on the grill you never imagined that taste great – for example, pineapple, avocado, watermelon and pound cake. https://www.rd.com/list/7-food-you-didnt-know-you-could-grill/

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Why Leadership is So Overrated & How Supply Chains Work or Don’t Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Sunscreen has been around for a long time. Has it changed much? Are there advancements in “sunscreen technology”? As summer begins, I explore the newest advancements in sunscreen. https://www.realsimple.com/new-sunscreens-6831077

We revere leaders. School mottos often say something about “Developing tomorrow’s leaders today…” Everyone should aspire to be a leader. But what if you don’t want to be a leader? If everyone becomes a leader – who is left to follow? Is everyone “leadership material”? To hear the surprising science about leadership, listen to my guest Dr. Elias Aboujaoude. He is a psychiatry professor and researcher at Stanford University, and author of the book, A Leader's Destiny: Why Psychology, Personality, and Character Make All the Difference (https://amzn.to/4b6JsOd)

Over the last few years we have heard about the supply chain in the news. It’s that somewhat vague process of making and getting products to where they need to be. So how does it all work? Why does it sometimes fail? Why does it often seem so fragile? Joining me to help us understand the supply chain and explain why you should care about it is Peter Goodman. He is the Global Economics Correspondent for The New York Times and he is author of a book called How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain (https://amzn.to/3KAlQXJ).

With summer comes lightning. How likely are you to get struck? And is it true that if you have been struck once, it is more likely to happen again? Listen for the answers and details. https://www.britannica.com/question. Source: What-are-the-chances-of-being-struck-by-lightning Source: http://lightningsafetycouncil.org/ and https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-the-chances-of-being-struck-by-lightning

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We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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The Science of Sexual Attraction & What Does Your Job Mean to You? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Of course, you know what a tank top is – but do you know why it is called a tank top? A tee-shirt looks like the letter T. But a tank top doesn’t look like a tank. So where did the name come from? Listen as I start this episode with the explanation that goes back to the 1920s. https://undersummers.com/blogs/undersummers-about-us/the-history-of-the-tank-top-why-is-it-called-a-tank-top

We have all likely felt a sexual attraction to someone. When you see that person across the room at a party and you can’t take your eyes off him or her – that is sexual attraction. It is very different from other kinds of human attraction, like being attracted to someone as a friend or someone you want to work with. True sexual attraction is based solely on a person’s appearance. It is a universal yet very individualized pull towards someone else and it can be very powerful. Joining me to discuss the science of this little known human experience is James Giles. He is lecturer at the University of Cambridge Institute for Continuing Education and is well known for his writings on philosophical psychology and human relationships. He is author of the book, Sexual Attraction: The Psychology of Allure (https://amzn.to/4bY2Jmk).

The whole world of work has changed a lot in the last several years. Today, people don’t stay in one job or even in one career like they used to. Additionally, people are questioning their work and asking themselves, “Is this really what I want to be doing?” It also seems people are looking to find more meaning in their work, not just a paycheck. To help understand why things have changed and how best to navigate these changes is Jennifer Tosti-Kharas . She is a professor of management at Babson College and author of the book Is Your Work Worth It?: How to Think About Meaningful Work (https://amzn.to/3VnFf2V)

It is a mystery that has confounded people since the invention of laundry: Why does one sock go missing and where does it go? Listen as I explain one very plausible solution that explains why you have socks without a mate. https://reviewed.usatoday.com/laundry/features/youre-not-crazy-your-socks-really-can-disappear-in-the-wash

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Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit toget your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING

Go to https://Shopify.com/sysknow to grow your business - no matter what stage you're in!

We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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Why Compassion is a Wonder Drug & Essential Survival Advice - SYSK Choice Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

We all know sunscreen is important – but only if you cover all the places you need to cover. Interestingly, there are several spots people often miss that leave them vulnerable to the harms of the sun. This episode begins with a list of the most likely places you miss so you won’t miss the next time. https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/how-to-apply-sunscreen-to-commonly-missed-spots/

Imagine if there was a drug that could make you healthier, improve longevity, plus give you happiness and more success. Would you take that it? Actually, this drug exists according to Stephen Trzeciak, M.D. All you have to do is reach out and help other people. It may sound simplistic but there is solid science to show that the act of helping others has tremendous benefits. Listen as Stephen explains how it works and how much helping you have to do to get the benefits. Stephen is author of the book Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others is the Best Medicine For Yourself (https://amzn.to/3tT4Zr2).

Do you know what to do if you get bitten by a snake? How would you respond if someone near fell to the ground from a heart attack or seizure? Do you know what to do if you get lost ? These and other emergencies happen all the time and it is important to know in advance what to do so you don’t panic when something bad actually happens. Here to explain how to prepare for almost any emergency is Dr. John Torres. He is an emergency room physician as well as a senior medical correspondent for NBC and author of the book Dr. Disaster’s Guide to Surviving Everything (https://amzn.to/3yg7Flb).

Being left-handed can be challenging because the world is made for right-handed people. Yet, for students, being left-handed may be a good thing . Listen as I explain some interesting research that illustrates some differences between how left and right-handed students compare in school. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1215253/Left-handers-likely-enjoy-school-teachers-pets.html

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We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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How Safe Are You in Today’s World? & What Would You Change About Yourself? Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Whenever you see the equal sign, you know what it means. So how did these two little parallel lines come to mean - Is equal to? This episode begins with a story that goes back almost 1,000 years to reveal the answer. Source: Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures (https://amzn.to/3RhUt8l)

Do you feel safe? Do know what you would do if someone attacked you or broke into your home? Are you doing all you can to keep you and your family out of harm’s way? Perhaps most importantly, are sure you or your home are not an easy target for criminals? These are important questions we should all be asking ourselves according to Spencer Coursen. Spencer is a nationally recognized threat management expert and author of the book The Safety Trap: A Security Expert’s Secrets for Staying Safe in a Dangerous World (https://amzn.to/3gtV5pp). Listen and you will feel better about staying safe in an uncertain world.

Probably everyone has something about themselves they would like to change. But as we all know, change is hard. But what if it could be easier than you think? And what if you didn’t really have to change as much as you might think? That’s what Nicole Vignola is here to discuss. Nicole is a neuroscientist and organizational consultant and author of the book Rewire: Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change (https://amzn.to/3KAmZOO)

If you have a lawn, you have likely come to hate the dandelion. It is a prolific weed that drives people crazy. Actually, it didn’t start out that way. The dandelion was deliberately brought to North America and is used in some surprising ways. And insects love dandelions. Listen as I reveal why. http://www.gardenguides.com/76016-dandelion-flower.html

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Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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A Brilliant Way to Be More Productive & Why We Have Skyscrapers Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

10% of the human population is left-handed but what about other animals? Do they have a preference for which paw, foot, fin or wing to use? And what about the octopus? Do they prefer one arm over the other 7? Listen as I begin with the fascinating explanation? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202307/does-owner-left-handedness-influence-left-pawedness-in-dogs#:

If you are productive, you get a lot of things done. At least that is the conventional view of productivity. I invite you to come and listen to a different approach to productivity from Laura Mae Martin. She is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and author of the book Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing (https://amzn.to/4bLfnF4). I promise you will come away from this discussion with some great ideas you can implement in your day that will make you more productive and make your life easier.

The modern skyscraper is a recent invention. After all, skyscrapers couldn’t have really existed much before electricity or the invention of the elevator. But in the last 130 years or so, skyscrapers have come to define the modern city and they keep getting taller and taller. You are about to get a peek into this fascinating industry most of us know very little about from Jason M. Barr. He is a professor of economics at Rutgers University-Newark and one of the world’s foremost experts on the economics of skyscrapers. Jason is author of a book called Cities in the Sky: The Quest to Build the World's Tallest Skyscrapers (https://amzn.to/3yMPIgV).

We think taste is all about eating – but you really do “eat with your eyes.” In other words, the color of food and what it looks like before you eat it impacts what it tastes like. Listen as I explain. https://zoe.com/learn/how-color-changes-taste-flavor

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Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!

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Is Luck a Real Thing? & How to Accept What You Can't Change - SYSK Choice Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Gasoline is expensive and we all need to make sure we are squeezing every mile out of every gallon. You have probably heard a lot of suggestions on how to conserve gas. This episode begins with a few effective methods you may not have heard of before from Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a39504408/how-to-improve-your-vehicles-gas-mileage/

Do you believe in luck? That is likely going to depend on how you define it. Some people believe luck is a magical force in the universe while others think of luck as something you calculate with probabilities and statistics while others believe you can create your own luck. To get a better understanding of how luck works, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Jeffrey Rosenthal, professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Statistics and author of several books including Knock On Wood: Luck Chance and the Meaning of Everything (https://amzn.to/3uccXfh).

You don’t have to go too far before you begin to realize that life can be cruel and unfair and that bad things happen to everyone. What is most important is how you deal with and accept and ultimately make peace with the difficult things. Clinical psychologist Janina Scarlet works with people who must accept and come to terms with events that are unfair and often devastating. Janina is author of the book, It Shouldn’t Be This Way: Learning to Accept the Things You Just Can’t Change (https://amzn.to/4bHImcX). If you’ve ever had trouble making peace with something bad that has happened to you, you should listen to what she has to say.

People want to look their best. As we age, it seems natural for people to want to look youthful. However, there is a limit to it. Listen as I explain the negative consequences of trying to appear too young and what to do instead if you really want to appear younger than your actual age. http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/obsonline/act-your-age.html

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We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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What Are You Doing on Your Cellphone? & The Fascinating World of Paradoxes Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Ever try to get your dog or cat to recognize themselves in the mirror? This episode begins with an explanation as to why the result is almost always disappointing. https://www.livescience.com/4272-elephant-awareness-mirrors-humans.html

You hear a lot of concerns expressed about people's cellphone use. Are we spending too much time on our phones? What are people doing on their phones? Is it causing harm? Here to discuss some of the research about cellphone use and what it does to people is Faye Begheti. She is a practicing neurology doctor and neuroscientist at Oxford University Hospitals and author of the book The Phone Fix: The Brain-Focused Guide to Building Healthy Digital Habits and Breaking Bad Ones (https://amzn.to/3yJUhIM). Listen as she explains that it is not so much about simply being on your phone – it’s more about what you are doing while you are on it.

Paradoxes are those quirky little things that often seem to make no sense but actually help us think differently and problem solve better. For example, if I tell you I always tell lies – is that a lie? How can it be the truth if I always tell lies? Here to help you better understand paradoxes and why we have them is George Szpiro. He is a journalist with a PhD in mathematical economics and author of the book Perplexing Paradoxes: Unraveling Enigmas in the World Around Us (https://amzn.to/4aEASGo).

Several years ago I spent a weekend teaching myself to juggle. It wasn’t easy but with a little persistence (about a weekend’s worth for me), the basics can be mastered. And it turns out that knowing how to juggle is good for you in a lot of ways. Listen and I will tell you how. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2009-10-12-juggling-enhances-connections-brain

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Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit toget your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING

Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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

What You Do and Don’t Dream About & What Happens to You When You’re Alone Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

So many of us fantasize about being rich. Wouldn’t it be great to win the lottery or inherit a ton of money or be born into a wealthy family? Well it isn’t always as wonderful as you might imagine. Listen as I begin by explaining what being rich does to some people – especially young people. Source: Dr. Stephen Berglas author of Reclaiming the Fire (https://amzn.to/3VjeRIS)

Almost no one dreams about math. Almost everyone dreams about falling or being chased. These are just some of the fascinating things I discuss about dreams with Dr. Rahul Jandial. He is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who has been studying why people dream and what happens in the brain when dreams occur. If you have wondered about your dreams and how they affect you, you need to hear this conversation. Dr. Jandial is the author of several books, his latest is called, This Is Why You Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life (https://amzn.to/3KmOE5N).

Do you like solitude? We all like it somewhat – and some of us like a lot of solitude. Is that a problem? After all, humans are social creatures. We like to be with others. Still there are many people who cherish “alone time.” To understand why solitude is so important, listen to my guest Netta Weinstein. She is a psychologist and director of the European Research Council's 'Solitude: Alone but Resilient (SOAR)' project. She is also professor of psychology at the University of Reading and an associate researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford. Netta is author of the book Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone (https://amzn.to/3wVA7eb).

Every once in a while, you will see something on a menu labeled “organic seafood.” What does that mean? How can seafood be organic? Listen and I will explain why it is probably not as organic as you would like it to be. https://www.foodrepublic.com/1413904/why-organic-seafood-myth/

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Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit toget your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING

Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!

eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com

We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search forit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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