Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

How Your Memory Works and Sometimes Doesn’t & What Humans Are Made Of Feb 23, 2023

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The simple act of touching other people – by hugging or a high five or putting your arm around someone – is very powerful. This episode begins by explaining the power of touch and how it improves all of our lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R9qyWEJuDI

Our memories are incredible… sometimes. And sometimes they fail us miserably. So how does memory work exactly? Why do we remember some things so well and other things, not at all. Why do memories get distorted over time? How can you make your memory work better when you want it to? Here to discuss all this is Andrew Budson M.D. Andrew is a professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and he is author of the book Why We Forget and How To Remember Better: The Science Behind Memory (https://amzn.to/3S45vND).

You are made up of lots of atoms and molecules and cells that all come together to make you what you are. So where do those things come from? How do they work to make you a functioning human being? Joining me to reveal some interesting answers to this puzzle is Dan Levitt. Dan has been writing and producing award-winning science and history documentaries for the National Geographic, Discover, Science, and The History Channel and he is author of the book What's Gotten Into You : The Story of Your Body's Atoms, from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner (https://amzn.to/3YuAWDb)

Whenever you meet someone, you make a first impression on them. And whatever impression you make tends to stick. People size you up in about 7 seconds. Listen as I explain how to make the best of those 7 seconds so people think you are absolutely wonderful! Source: Marianne LaFrance author of Why We Smile (https://amzn.to/31n2v8X)

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What Makes People Like You & The Power and Benefits of Asking for What You Need Feb 20, 2023

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You know when you see a really good dancer? What separates the good ones from the not-so-good ones? Well, it is all about one specific part of the body. I start this episode by telling which body part that is and why it is so important. http://www.nature.com/articles/srep42435

Ever wonder why some people are so much more likable than others? Nicholas Boothman knows. He has researched this and authored a book on the subject called How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less (https://amzn.to/3RVLybP ) Listen as he joins me to explain what it is that will get people to like you and how to avoid doing and saying those things that turn people off.

It seems like common sense that if you need something from someone else, you just ask them. Yet asking for help is hard for so many of us. We like to think we can and should do things for ourselves. However, asking others for help may be a really smart things to do for reasons beyond what you ever imagined. It not only does NOT make you look weak, it does just the opposite. And the truth is people like to help – but only if you ask. Listen as I talk about this with Wayne Baker, professor of Business Administration & Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He is also author of the book All You Have to Do is Ask (https://amzn.to/2VMts12) and he joins me to explain the amazing power and benefits of asking for what you need.

As we have discussed before, there is very little evidence that Vitamin C has much effect in preventing or curing the common cold. But there is conclusive evidence that Vitamin C is good for another problem that all of deal with from time to time. Listen and I will tell you what that is. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/vitamin-c-stress-buster

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SYSK Choice: How to Be Ready for Your Big Moment & Making Sense of Statistics Feb 18, 2023

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Why are there potholes? Did you know there actually is a “pothole season” when they are more likely to occur? This episode begins with a discussion on one of every drivers’ nemesis – potholes! https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642198/reason-roads-have-potholes

We all have big events in life we need to prepare for. Whether it is a job interview, a speech or any other kind of performance, you have to be ready. So what is the best way to prepare? Listen as I talk to someone who knows a lot about preparing for a big event - Buzzy Cohen. He was a 9-game winner on Jeopardy who then went on to victory in the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions. As you will hear, Buzzy says it wasn’t that he was so smart; he was just better prepared. He is here to share his insight into the best ways to prepare for any big event or performance in your life. He also talks about his experience and gives a little “behind the scenes” info on Jeopardy. Buzzy is the author of the audio book Get Ready: A Champion’s Guide to Preparing for the Moments that Matter (https://amzn.to/3tSdp04).

People often use data and statistics to make an argument or support their case because data is supposed to be convincing. However, it also seems that more of us are less trusting of data. Should we be? It sometimes seems that you can use data to support any side of any argument. So how can we better understand how data and statistics work and how can we use these to improve our understanding of the world? Joining me with some excellent advice is Tim Harford who has been called “the best popular economics writer in the world.” He is author of the book The Data Detective: 10 Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics (https://amzn.to/3jENog6).

Have you ever forgotten something and worried that your memory maybe isn’t working right? It happens to people at every age. Often the reason it happens is simple and relatively easy to fix. Listen as I explore 3 things that can mess with your memory. Source: Scott Hagwood author of Memory Power (https://amzn.to/2LO2ofm).

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What Makes Food Delicious & The Fight Against Quackery Feb 16, 2023

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The freezer in your kitchen is not especially kind to the ice cream you store in it – or many other foods for that matter. This episode starts with the explanation and the reason there is often ice crystals on top of your ice cream - and how to get rid of them. Source: Professor Richard Hartel author of the book Ice Cream (https://amzn.to/3jNcVrY).

Unlike other creatures on the planet, we have figured out how to take food and make it tastier and tastier. Why do we do that? What is it that makes some food taste better than others? Is it all personal preference or are we all programmed to like certain tastes? What is flavor exactly? All these are questions I discuss with Rob Dunn. Rob is an evolutionary biologist and professor at North Carolina State University and author of the book, Delicious: The Evolution of Flavor and How It Made Us Human (https://amzn.to/3RPAIUM).

Quackery is when people tout medical cures or theories without real evidence. While you might think you can detect it when you see it, it can actually be hard to spot. While believing in some quack theories can be harmless, it also has the potential of being quite dangerous. Dr. Joe Schwarcz has spent his career shining a light on quackery and pseudoscience and he is here to discuss some common forms of it. If you believe Vitamin C can cure a cold or that herbs can treat cancer, you need to hear what he has to say. Joe is Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, and author of the book, Quack Quack: The Threat of Pseudoscience (https://amzn.to/40JILGO).

Your dishwasher can do more than wash dishes. Listen as I reveal what else you can wash in there that you may not have ever thought of. https://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/tips/a5539/10-things-you-can-clean-in-the-dishwasher-115717/

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The Upside of Being Taken For A Sucker & Why Projects Are Often Late and Over-Budget Feb 13, 2023

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We start this episode with some interesting things worth knowing about your credit card including what your options are when the credit card company raises your interest rate. https://motuscc.com/credit-card-processing/9-interesting-credit-card-facts-and-stats/

No one likes to be scammed or taken for a fool. In fact we keep our antenna up so make sure that doesn’t happen. Maybe though, we are being too vigilant. By being so skeptical and wary of situations and opportunities, we may miss out on some very rewarding ones according to Tess Wilkinson-Ryan. She is a University of Pennsylvania law professor and psychologist and author of the book Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order--And What We Can Do About It (https://amzn.to/3jMqrfo). Listen as she explains how to put the fear of being taken for a sucker into perspective and feel a lot better for doing so.

Can you name a big project that has ever been finished on time and under-budget? Think about any construction project at home or even any government project to build a road or a bridge. It seems it always takes longer and costs more than was projected. Why is that? Why can’t anyone seem to get it right? Well, actually some people can. That is what Bent Flyvbjerg is here to explain. Bent is a professor at Oxford and considered one of the leading experts on topic. He has consulted on over one hundred projects costing $1 billion or more and he is author of the book How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between (https://amzn.to/3YxwnHX).

Why do kids who grow up in the same family, with the same parents and the same rules often turn out so differently? Listen as I explain one leading psychologist’s explanation that should come as good news to parents. Source: Dr. Wes Crenshaw author of the book Dear Dr. Wes: Real Life Advice for Parents of Teens (https://amzn.to/3RIO6dx).

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SYSK Choice: The Complexities of Ownership & What Money Really Is Feb 11, 2023

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How much gold is on our planet? And have we found most of it? This episode begins with some fascinating intel on gold including how much gold is actually in an Olympic Gold Medal and how much more gold is on a Nobel Prize. https://www.rd.com/article/gold-facts/

If you own your home, how much of the sky above it do you own? Why is “tolerated theft” actually encouraged by some businesses? These are just some of the interesting questions about ownership you will hear discussed with Michael Heller, one of the world’s leading authorities on ownership. Michael is professor of real estate law at Columbia Law School and co-author of the book Mine! How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives (https://amzn.to/3uDMJkn)

Where did money come from in the first place? Why do we (and must we) agree that pieces of paper and metal discs actually have value? Listen as Jacob Goldstein tells the fascinating story of money. Jacob is co-host of NPR’s Planet Money program and author of the book Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing (https://amzn.to/2P11CwB). Jacob discusses things about money you probably didn’t knew including why there are more $100 bills than $1in circulation and who is uses them mostly.

A lot of people collect autographs – but what makes certain ones so much more desirable and valuable than others? Listen as I explain what type of autographs are really worth something and which ones are worth little more than the paper they are printed on – and why. https://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/features/autographs/

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The Importance of Small Talk & Why You Do What You Do Feb 09, 2023

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Why do you have eyebrows? Like everything else, they must have a purpose – there must be a reason. Well, actually there are three reasons. I begin this episode by explaining what they are. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58424/why-do-we-have-eyebrows

When you think about it, every relationship you have ever had, started with small talk. Whether personal or professional, every encounter starts this way if it is ever to develop into something. Still, a lot of people claim to hate small talk and many of us feel as if we are not very good at it. Here to fix that is Debra Fine. She is probably the number one expert on small talk, and she is author of the book, The Fine Art of Small Talk (https://amzn.to/3wSdl3t). Listen and she will explain some powerful yet simple techniques so you will never be uncomfortable making conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Ever done something and later wondered why you did it? Or wondered why you reacted to something the way you did? A lot of what drives our actions and reactions is under the radar and may seem mystifying. Here to explain why that happens and how it works is Helena Boschi. She is a psychologist and author of a book called Why We Do What We Do (https://amzn.to/3RE47kL) . Listen as she explains some of the mechanisms of the brain that cause you to do things or react to things that may seem hard to understand.

If you take a liquid medication, it is pretty easy to just grab a spoon out of your silverware drawer to measure it. Bad idea. Listen as I explain a couple of common mistakes people make when taking medicines at home that can really mess things up. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/pln/blogs/pln/michael-cawley-pharmd-rrt-cpft-fccm/december-31-2014/medication-errors-among-children-are

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Easy Ways to Rid Toxins From Your Home & Secrets to Having a Happy Pet Feb 06, 2023

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You have likely had the experience of walking into a room for something – and then forgetting why. You probably feel foolish, yet it happens to everyone. What's the reason? This episode begins with an explanation. http://news.nd.edu/news/27476-walking-through-doorways-causes-forgetting-new-research-shows

Should you be concerned about toxins in your home? And if so, how do you get rid of them and where do you even begin? That is what toxicologist Daniella Chace is here to discuss. Daniella works with clients to rid their homes of potential toxic hazards and she has written a book called HomeDetox: Make Your Home a Healthier Place for Everyone Who Lives There (https://amzn.to/3HmzKKU) . Listen as she offers a systematic approach to start to make your home less toxic.

If you have a pet dog or cat, you have questions – we all do. Here to answer some of the most important and often asked questions about keeping pets happy and healthy is veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne author of the books, Naturally Healthy Cats and Naturally Healthy Dogs (https://amzn.to/3XPml54). Every pet owner needs to hear her advice.

Anyone who has felt lonely – REALLY lonely, knows it feels horrible. Almost painful. And that is for a very good reason. Listen as I explain how the pain of loneliness is actually a good thing. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/loneliness#:~:text=Loneliness%20is%20the%20state%20of,a%20deep%20and%20pervasive%20loneliness.

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SYSK Choice: Why Half of Life is a Total Mystery & How The News Affects Us Feb 04, 2023

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You have likely noticed that men – and teenage boys – will sometimes act foolishly in front of a pretty women. It is also true that men take more risks if they know a woman is watching. Why do they do that? This episode begins with an evolutionary explanation. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/sp-wdm031810.php

You probably think the world is fairly predictable and there is probably a good explanation for why things happen. However, that’s not exactly true. For instance, why does one smoker die young while another lives to 100? Why do certain medications work for some people but not others? The answer is – no one knows. Journalist and broadcaster Michael Blastland believes that we need to face the fact that much of how the world works is a total mystery. Michael is the author of a book called The Hidden Half (https://amzn.to/3pCFvt8). Listen as he makes the case that there are unforeseen forces that influence much of what happens – and no one can explain it.

News has always been treated as important. If there is a story in the news, it must be a big deal – or it wouldn’t be in the news. When you watch or read the news you get the impression that whatever is being discussed must really matter. But does it? Do people really care about what is in the news? You may be surprised to hear the answer from Rob Brotherton, a psychology and science writer who teaches at Barnard College in New York and is author of the book Bad News: Why We Fall for Fake News (https://amzn.to/3dySmKn). If you watch the news, you will find what he says to be fascinating.

Did you know chocolateis partly responsible for the discovery of the microwave oven? Do you know how much caffeine is in chocolate? And what’s the link between chocolate and acne? Listen as I explain some fascinating facts about chocolate you may not know. http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-chocolate/

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What’s Wrong With Healthcare & How Restaurants Work and Why So Many Fail Feb 02, 2023

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How can dirt be good for you? This episode begins with the proven benefits of playing in the dirt – or even gardening if that is more your speed. https://loganhailey.medium.com/can-you-actually-get-high-on-soil-use-dirt-to-elevate-your-mood-8680d3eb8e00

Healthcare is big business. And as you may have noticed, doesn’t always seem to work so smoothly. What’s wrong with it? What are patients complaining about. More importantly, how can you make it work right for you? Dr. F. Perry Wilson studies this and has some fascinating insight into the workings of the healthcare industry and how to navigate it so it works for you and your family. Dr. Wilson is a nephrology and internal medicine specialist and is on the faculty at the Yale School of Medicine. He is author of the book How Medicine Works and When It Doesn't: Learning Who to Trust to Get and Stay Healthy (https://amzn.to/3iZcb2F).

The restaurant business is fascinating. It is also a very difficult business to be in. After all, most new restaurants fail within a few years. So what is it that attracts people to that business? How do successful restaurants operate? How can you get a table when a restaurant is packed? Here with the inside scoop on the restaurant business is Michael Cecchi-Azzolina who has worked in the New York restaurant business for many years and is author of the book, Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D’ (https://amzn.to/3kKzTQG).

Your dog probably hates it when you leave your home without him or her. Separation anxiety is a real big deal for a lot of dogs. Listen as I explain why this happens and what you can do to reduce the anxiety Source: Marty Becker DVM author of From Fearful to Fear Free (https://amzn.to/3JjjEnP)

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