Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

SYSK Choice: Your Brain On the Internet & Embracing Your Weirdness Aug 05, 2023

Show notes

Doodling – it is just something people do, particularly when listening to a boring speaker. While people often think of it as a distraction, doodling can actually help your memory. Listen as I begin this episode by explaining how that works. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226210039.htm

The Internet is messing with your mind according to Nicholas Carr. He took a close look at the research on this for his book The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains (https://amzn.to/2VasqO6) ( by the way, his work on this made him a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize). Listen as Nicholas makes the case that always being connected and available online takes a toll. Sure the Internet makes life convenient and offers other conveniences, there is a price we all pay that you may not realize.

Being a bit weird may actually be one of your greatest strengths. In fact, your weirdness can propel your personal and professional success according to Chris Williamson who gave a TED Talk on Embracing Your Weirdness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Murw1YnFfiw&t=205s). He joins me to explain just how unique you really are and what you can do for yourself and the world by expressing it. Chris is also the host of the podcast Modern Wisdom (https://apple.co/2MNqIgw)

Everyone’s life is full of problems. While you may not know what problems lie ahead, you can be sure they are there waiting out there somewhere. Listen to hear some interesting advice that will help you better handle those troubles and crises when they do show up. And they will show up. Source: Brain Tracy author of Crunch Point (https://amzn.to/3zJaGs0)

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We really like the Freakonomics Radio podcast! Check it out at https://freakonomics.com/podcasts OR search foriton Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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Good News If You Are a Sensitive Person & The Fascinating History of Recorded Sound Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

An amazing number of dogs get stolen every year. And it’s all about the money. This episode begins with a look at this growing crime and why you should keep a close eye on your pet. https://petkeen.com/dognapping-dog-theft-statistics/

When people are told they are too sensitive, it is usually not a compliment. Being sensitive is often looked at as a weakness – a character flaw. What sensitive people need to do is toughen up. Well, not so fast, says Jenn Granneman. While being sensitive can have challenges, that sensitivity is also a super power. Listen as she champions those who are labeled sensitive with research to back up her beliefs. Then she offers some terrific advice to help sensitive people deal with a not-so-sensitive world. She also has excellent advice if you are not highly sensitive but have sensitive people in your life. Jenn is author of the book Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World (https://amzn.to/456D3Qu).

Think of how much recorded sound plays a role in your life. Music, podcasts, radio, movie and TV sound – recorded sound is important to us. From Thomas Edison’s first cylindrical recordings to digital downloads and streaming, the history of recorded sound is fascinating. Joining me to tell that story is Jonathan Scott author of the book Into the Groove :The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl (https://amzn.to/3Kh1d2Q).

I bet most people still use paper checks to pay for things - at least occasionally. If you do, there is something you might want to consider the net time you order new checks. Listen as I explain. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/

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The New Science of How We Learn & How To Prevent Arguments From Happening Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

On a hot summer day, lots of things can get dangerously hot. Your street, the dashboard and steering wheel inside your car, even your patio furniture can get hot enough to burn you. Listen as I explain just how hot. https://www.rd.com/article/things-that-get-dangerously-hot/

Why are some things harder to learn than others? Why do some people seem to learn things faster? Are there ways to make learning something easier? Joining me to explain all this and other aspects of the science of learning is Daniel Willingham. He is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and author of several books including Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy (https://amzn.to/43Lkb8N).

Arguments happen – a lot. Yet, what do they accomplish really? The fact is they often leave people more polarized and upset than before. What if people could resolve problems without arguing? What if we could prevent arguments from happening in the first place? That is what Linda Bloom specializes in. Linda and her husband Charlie are veteran marriage counselors and seminar leaders who have authored several books including An End to Arguing: 101 Valuable Lessons for All Relationships (https://amzn.to/3Y5J5yR).

There is this old advice I’m sure you have heard that when you are really upset, you should count to ten before you say or do anything because that will calm you down and prevent you from doing something you later regret. Is that really good advice? Listen as I explain some interesting research. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2168645/Angry-Counting-worst-thing--makes-furious.html

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We really like the Freakonomics Radio podcast! Check it out at https://freakonomics.com/podcasts OR search foriton Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!

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SYSK Choice: Understanding the Dimensions of Love & The Power of Strangers Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

Isn’t salt – salt? I’ve always thought so. Sure there is kosher salt and sea salt and regular salt but now there are all these different colored designer salts? Does it really matter or make a difference This episode begins with a salty explanation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/sea-salt/faq-20058512

We crave to have love in our lives, yet love can also be the source of immense pain, misery and sadness. It seems odd sometimes that as much as we need love and care about it – we are often not particularly good at it. That’s according to Laura Mucha author of the book, Love Understood: The Science of Who, How and Why We Love (https://amzn.to/3AZIdjm). Laura has spent most of her adult life researching love and relationships. Listen as she joins me with her insights on the topic that will hopefully inspire you to love better.

Do you like making small talk with strangers? A lot of people don’t because they think it is a waste of time or because they simply hate small talk, or they figure -what’s the point? Well, Joe Keohane has another perspective. He there is great value in talking with strangers and has proof to back it up. Joe is author of the book The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World (https://amzn.to/3hzh1QK) and he lays out a compelling case for why you should be more willing to talk with people you don’t know, because the benefits are numerous.

Integrity is defined as, “The perceived pattern of alignment between words and actions.” Living a life of integrity seems noble and is something to strive for. Listen as I explain how living with integrity can really pay off. Literally! Source: Tony Simons author of The Integrity Dividend (https://amzn.to/3kedPeY)

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Weird Things That Really Affect Your Health & Do You Work to Live or Live to Work? Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

People claim to get great ideas in the shower. But is that a real thing? Is there something about taking a shower that can actually generate ideas and solutions? Listen as this episode begins with some interesting research about the power of a shower. https://www.headspace.com/articles/shower-epiphanies

You are about to amazed at some of the unusual and random things that can affect your health in significant ways. Things like your birthday, if there is EZ Pass on a highway nearby, if there is a parade or a race through the streets of your town – all these things can impact your health and wellbeing in ways you can’t imagine. How so, you ask? That is what Anupam B. Jena is here to explain. Bapu, as he is called, is a medical doctor, economist, Harvard professor, host of the podcast Freakonomics M.D. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-m-d/id1577556965 and author of the book Random Acts of Medicine: The Hidden Forces That Sway Doctors, Impact Patients, and Shape Our Health (https://amzn.to/3Y54hF4).

You can certainly make the case that we are and have been a career-focused culture. So much of our identity and self-worth gets wrapped up in what we do for a living – our job. Is that a good thing? Maybe for some but not for everyone according to Simone Stolzoff. He is a journalist whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, WIRED and numerous other publications. He is also author of the book The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work (https://amzn.to/44MYZjI). Listen as he explains the downside of always looking for the perfect job sacrificing other aspects of your life for the sake of your career. He then offers an alternate way to look at work and life.

How can brushing your teeth help you lose weight? It’s all about WHEN you brush them. Listen as I explain how good dental hygiene can reduce the size of your waistline. https://www.popsci.com/does-brushing-your-teeth-affect-your-appetite/

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Scams You Might Easily Fall For & Smalls Ways to Significantly Improve Your Health Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Is it true that a bee will die after it stings you? Or that YOU can die after a black widow spider bites you? This episode begins with a look at some facts and myths about summertime bugs and pests. https://www.ledfordspestcontrol.com/blog/pest-facts/7-common-pest-myths/

There are a lot of bad people who want to steal and scam you out of your money. While most of us like to think we are too smart to fall for scams, it’s just not true. Some of the smartest people have fallen victim to some very clever scams – and you might too! Here to discuss what the latest scams are ad how to protect yourself is Daniel Simons a psychology professor at the University of Illinois and author of a new book called Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It (https://amzn.to/3OvpjK1).

Drinking coffee, standing on one foot, taking an early morning walk – all these things are actually proven to be good for your health and longevity. Joining me to discuss these and lots of other very simple things you can do to improve your overall wellbeing is Dr. Michael Mosley, host of the podcast Just One Thing (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-one-thing-with-michael-mosley/id1560369423) and author of the book Just One Thing: How Simple Changes Can Transform Your Life (https://amzn.to/3rBVnTv).

The best time to clean your oven may just be in the middle of summer. Sounds weird but there is actually a really good reason to do it then. Listen as I explain Source: Appliance Handbook for Women (https://amzn.to/43wGlLY)

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SYSK Choice: How Material Science Has Changed Your Life & The Joy of Sweat Jul 22, 2023

Show notes

Ever noticed that aluminum foil has a shiny side and a dull side? Why do you suppose that is? Maybe it is significant – after all some recipes call for it to be either shiny side up or shiny side down. But how much difference could it possibly make? Listen and find out. https://culinarylore.com/food-science:aluminum-foil-shiny-side-up-or-down/

Bet you didn’t know that radio technology helped to create the quartz watch. Or that railroad technology reshaped how we celebrate Christmas. And how in the world did the telegraph change the way we speak? These are just a few of the fascinating ways older technologies have had an significant impact on how we live today. Ainissa Ramirez, is a material scientist and author of the book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another (https://amzn.to/2UyQkCy) . Listen as she takes us on a journey through some of the fascinating technologies that continue to shape how we live our lives.

Humans are one of a very few species that actually sweat through the skin. The purpose of sweating is to help you stay cool. And how this cooling system works inside your body is really interesting. You have millions of sweat glands and what kind of climate you spent your toddler years in likely affected how many of your sweat glands were activated and how efficiently they work today. There’s a lot to the story of human perspiration. Science writer Sarah Everts has gone deep into the research on sweating for her book, The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration (https://amzn.to/3AwyPTX) and she is here to explain.

You know if you have ever flown on an airplane, there are oxygen masks in the event of an emergency. So where do they keep the oxygen? And why do they tell you to tug on the mask to begin the flow of oxygen? Listen because the answer to that question is really going to surprise you. https://www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners/do-airplanes-really-carry-oxygen-for-the-oxygen-masks.html

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What Causes Coincidences & Where Did the Molecules In Your Body Come From? Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Somehow blue jeans, which are basically just work clothes, became this worldwide fashion staple, and have remained so for decades. How did that happen? This episode begins by discussing the origins of jeans and how they became such a big deal. Source: James Sullivan, author of Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2F0wyID)

Do coincidences happen for a reason or are they just quirky random events? Why is it so hard to find a 4-leaf clover – or any other plant with 4 leaf clusters? Is there a better day to buy lottery tickets than another day? These are just some of the fascinating life questions tackled by Rob Eastaway, author of the book Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/2FEWfib)

Where do you come from and what are you made of? It appears we are made from recycled atoms that have come from parts of stars, dinosaurs and even other people. Science writer Brian Clegg author of the book What Do You Think You Are? The Science of What Makes You You (https://amzn.to/35TifRq) joins me to discuss the latest science about what goes in to making you what you are. And he explains how and why you are uniquely different from everybody and everything else in the universe.

You probably know that laughing is good for you and crying is as well. In fact, laughing and crying are really very similar. Listen as I discuss the fine line between laughing and crying and the many benefits of both. https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/09/07/curious-behvaior-provine/

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The Awesome Life and Contributions of Albert Einstein & How Ambitious Are You Jul 17, 2023

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What is the best (or worst) seat on a commercial airliner? That kind of depends on whether you mean safest, healthiest, or most comfortable seat. This episode begins with a look at how to choose the best airplane seat for you. https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19536853/the-worst-place-to-sit-on-a-plane/

Albert Einstein was a cultural rock star. He was arguably one of the most popular people on the planet for much of his life. He was Time magazine’s Man of the Century. Even today, most people know who he is. His likeness is everywhere – even Doc Brown’s dog in Back to The Future was named Einstein. Albert Einstein has 20 million followers on social media even though he has been dead for almost 70 years. What was it about him that made him so popular and what are some of his many contributions to our modern lives? Here to discuss this Benyamin Cohen who actually manages all of Albert Einstein’s social media accounts and he is author of the book The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds (https://amzn.to/44moatD).

Most of us were taught to be ambitious. After all, ambition is the road to success in life. However, there may be another way to use your ambition that is less about just working harder at your job but rather diversifies your ambition into other areas of your life. This is according to Rainesford Stauffer. She is a journalist, speaker and author of the book All The Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and The Way We Strive (https://amzn.to/3DbQ5QR). Listen as she shines a different kind of light on personal ambition.

How could the color of your hair affect how much money you make? Listen as I reveal the surprising results of a 27-year study about hair color and salary, that may make you want to lighten your hair. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016517651000114X

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SYSK Choice: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything & Why Scientists Can’t Define Life Jul 15, 2023

Show notes

When you order something online, do you then track the package to see where it is and when it is coming? This episode begins with the results of a survey about how people track their orders and why and how they hate it when a package is late. https://blog.4over.com/delivery-tracking-consumers-statistics

Do you know how soap works to get the dirt out – or how moisturizers work? What is it about caffeine that keeps you awake? The answer is - chemistry! With everything you do and anywhere you go there is a lot of chemistry working in the background. Here to explain how it all works is chemist Kate Bibendorf. Kate is a chemist and author of the book It’s Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything (https://amzn.to/3ycoZEK). You are going to hear things you never knew before and you will likely never drink a flaming shot of vodka again in your life!

Doesn’t it seem that science should have a pretty solid definition of what life is. Actually though, it is a mystery. Even though we all have a pretty good sense or understanding of life – it remains undefinable. Why? That’s what Carl Zimmer set out to find out. Carl writes the Matter column for The New York Times and is author of 13 books including Life’s Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be Alive (https://amzn.to/3yhCBP1) He joins me to explain what we do know, what we don’t know and how some things you might think are alive – actually are not. Maybe.

Who hasn’t had a swig of water from a garden hose on a hot day? But it is probably a very bad idea. Listen as I explain why you are much better off going into the house and getting a glass of water and leave the garden hose water in the garden. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/06/do-you-suppose-it-s-safe-to-drink-from-a-hose/

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