Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

How to Think Outside Your Brain & Proven Secrets to A Long and Fulfilling Life Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Human beings seek out novelty. That’s a good thing in many ways – but it is also troublesome. This episode begins with a look at why we seek out new things, places and experiences and how we quickly adapt to them so that we then need to seek out more new novelty. Source: Winifred Gallagher author of the book New (https://amzn.to/3XsAxRb)

When you have a problem, you are often told to, “Use your head!” While that may be good advice, you can actually use things outside your head to help you think. Gestures are a good example. We often use gestures to help us figure out what we are trying to say. Computers help us think and so do pictures. But there is a lot more to this idea of thinking outside the brain which you will hear when you listen to my guest Annie Murphy Paul. Annie is science writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Scientific American, Slate, Time magazine and she is author of the bestselling book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain (https://amzn.to/3Hp3k3R)

What if you followed a group of people for decades and watched how they lived? Think of it - you could discover a lot about what makes people happy and healthy over a long period of time. Well, that’s exactly what happened. The Harvard Study of Adult Development has followed the lives of two generations of individuals from the same families for more than 80 years. And you will be fascinated by what they have found. Listen as I speak with Dr. Robert J. Waldinger, who directs the study and is author of the book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness (https://amzn.to/3HpbFVc)

Ever wonder where you fall on the introvert/extrovert scale? Listen as I explain the difference between extroversion and introversion and how to tell which one you are. I also discuss why being shy is not the same as being introverted. Source: Susan Cain author Quiet (https://amzn.to/3XQUH7d)

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SYSK Choice: How to Solve a Problem by Reframing It & Understanding Behavioral Bias Jan 28, 2023

Show notes

Everyone makes mistakes. Still, it would be nice if we could all make fewer of them. This episode begins by revealing a few simple strategies to help people make fewer errors as they attempt to accomplish a task. (Source: Joseph Hallinan author of Why We Make Mistakes https://amzn.to/39OVFrM).

When you have a problem, you need a solution. And maybe the best way to find one is to change or reframe the problem. That’s according to Thomas Wedell Wedellsborg, who is author of the book What’s Your Problem? To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve (https://amzn.to/3bUChLN) . Listen as Thomas explains how to change the problem to find a better solution.

Seems like whenever you are sick with almost any illness, part of the prescription to get better is bed rest. So, what is so special about bed rest? Listen as I discuss what bed rest actually does to help you get better – and the benefits are real. https://www.wsj.com/articles/fighting-the-flu-when-you-need-to-stay-home-and-in-bed-1423504355

Of course, you like to think that you see the world through objective eyes, but it just isn’t true. Humans have very distinct biases that color your view of things, events and people. While these biases can be helpful, they can also get in the way. Listen as I discuss this with Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, professor of behavioral and brain science at the University of Texas in Dallas. He is also the co-host of the Mental Models podcast (https://www.mentalmodelspodcast.com/) and co-author of the book Understanding Behavioral Bias (https://amzn.to/2vOw3MY). You’ll get some great insight into to how biases influence your thoughts and the decisions you make.

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Understanding The Hacker's Mind & Your Ever Shrinking Attention Span Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

Could you be smarter, thinner and better looking than you think you are? This episode begins with a look at how people tend to underestimate some of their own characteristics. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dating-and-mating/201801/3-reasons-youre-more-attractive-you-think-you-are

When you think of hackers, you probably think of computer hackers doing bad things. However, there is a broader view of hacking that is really quite interesting. …. Bruce Schneier is a renowned security technologist, who has written more than a dozen books. He teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School and is latest book is called A Hacker's Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society's Rules, and How to Bend them Back (https://amzn.to/3HhdVgQ). Bruce joins me to explain how hacking goes on in all aspects of life from taxes to basketball and how it’s not always a bad thing. In fact hacking can be revolutionary.

Attention spans are shrinking – and that’s not a good thing. When you can’t stay focused for very long it leads to errors in judgement and other costly mistakes and problems. Here to explain what those problems are and how to stay focused and keep from being distracted is psychologist Gloria Mark. She is a professor at UC Irvine and author of the book Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity (https://amzn.to/3XmFCL4).

The color of the plate or bowl you eat from can alter people’s perception of how the food tastes. Listen as I explain this interesting finding. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51841254

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Inventions That Changed Your World & How to Make Better Love and Money Decisions Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Why are they called marshmallows? Where did the name Spam come from? Is there alligator in Gatorade? This episode begins with the interesting origins of some iconic foods. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tagged/health/at-home/odd-facts-7-iconic-products-164000529.html

Certain inventions throughout history have had a dramatic effect on how we all view the world. The mirror, photography, television, and the smartphone (amongst others) have all significantly altered how we see ourselves and our place on the planet. Listen to this intriguing tale as told by my guest Susan Denham Wade author of the book A History of Seeing in Eleven Inventions (https://amzn.to/3vZdj9k)

Decisions about love and money are often the most difficult ones to make and ones we often get wrong. How can we improve our chances of making better love and money decisions? That is what Myra Strober is here to reveal. Myra is a labor economist, Professor Emerita at Stanford University and author of the book Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decisions (https://amzn.to/3H34xNO)

From the time you were a child you have likely been told to stand up straight and suck in your gut. Part of that advice is good but the other part isn’t. Listen as I explain why. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/11/12/how-to-stop-holding-in-stomach/

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SYSK Choice: Critical Steps to Quality Sleep & The Secret to Productive Disagreements Jan 21, 2023

Show notes

Some people tend to over-apologize. They even apologize for things that are not their fault. I start this episode by explaining why we do it and why we need to stop. And when you do have to apologize, I will tell you how. (Source: Harriet Lerner author of the book Why Won’t You Apologize (https://amzn.to/37NoYug)

Getting enough sleep is far more important than many people realize. It affects your health, mood, performance and longevity. Here to reveal just how important it is and how to make sure you are getting enough sleep is Dr. Jennifer Ashton, chief medical correspondent for ABC-TV and author of the book, The Self-Care Solution (https://amzn.to/2tlwDkw).

Arguments and disagreements can be interesting, even fiery but often they are just an exercise in futility. That may be because we are approaching the process of arguing all wrong. Julia Dhar is a partner at Boston Consulting Group and author of the book The Decision Maker’s Playbook (https://amzn.to/36MlZkq). Listen as she offers some fascinating research on disagreements and some excellent strategies to use when you get into an argument so that the conversation is actually productive – or at the very least not destructive.

Wash, condition, rinse. That’s the order of how you probably wash your hair. So what if you changed up the order a bit? Listen as I explain why that may be a good thing for your hair. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/shampoo-or-conditioner-first

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Harnessing the Voice Inside Your Head & How to Shape a Perfect Meeting Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

When you see a construction site where there is sandblasting going on, you probably shouldn’t hang around. This episode begins with an explanation of the problem sandblasting poses to anyone nearby. Source: Dr. Paul Blanc author of “How Everyday Products Make People Sick” (https://amzn.to/3iug5Me)

You have a voice inside your head. It talks to you all the time and tells you good things and bad things. It can be a positive coach or a negative critic. Where does that voice come from? How can you use that voice to your advantage? Find out by listening to my guest Ethan Kross. He is an award-winning psychologist, professor at the University of Michigan and author of the book Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It (https://amzn.to/38XXEwa)

While meetings can be good and are often necessary, it does seem that a lot of meetings are a big waste of time. Wouldn’t it be great if you could make meetings better? You absolutely can according to my guest Mamie Kanfer Stewart. She is founder of a company called Meeteor (www.meeteor.com) which helps businesses improve the quality of meetings. Marnie is coauthor of the book Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings (https://amzn.to/2XXL2yT). Listen as she offers some easy ways to make your meeting more productive and engaging.

When was the last time you checked your tires – REALLY checked them? You may not realize it, but your tires can lose half of the air in them before they even start to look flat. Having underinflated tires can cause all kinds of problems and cost a lot of money. Listen as I explain those problems and how to prevent them. Source: https://bit.ly/3oYpjmj

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Our Fascination With Butts & What Makes A Good Apology (and A Bad One) Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

The pitch of your voice sends a message. Often when you are nervous or stressed, the pitch goes up and people can tell. This episode begins with some advice on how to tame your voice in stressful situations, so you sound great and are not betrayed by your own voice. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communications-matter/202101/why-you-need-pitch-your-voice-lower

Even though we all have one, there does seem to be a cultural mystery and fascination with the human butt. And by the way, only humans have actual butts. So what is it about butts and why do so many people hate the one they have? What makes an attractive butt? Here to shed some light on all this is Heather Radke author of a book that Amazon awarded one of the best books of 2022 - called Butts: A Backstory (https://amzn.to/3IDCndo)

There will always be times when we need to apologize. And how you deliver that apology can help make things better – or worse. So what is the anatomy of the perfect apology? And what makes a terrible one? To find out, listen to my guest Marjorie Ingall, co-author of the book Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies (https://amzn.to/3vTllk9).

When you leave a tip at a restaurant, you are sending a message. How much should you leave? What if the service was bad? Listen as I explain some things to consider when deciding how much to leave and why. Source: Steve Dublanica author of Keep The Change (https://amzn.to/3Wjelut)

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SYSK Choice: Why You Are Prone to Financial Mistakes & Why Time is Just a Mirage Jan 14, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Is it ever too late?” Perhaps there are goals in your life and career that you think have passed you by. That if you don’t set course early in life, maybe you will miss out. Often parents worry that if their kids don’t get on the right track early enough, others will pass them by. This episode begins with some interesting and optimistic research on why these worries may not be justified. Source: Susan Krauss Whitbourne author of The Search for Fulfillment (https://amzn.to/3bCL47h)

Everyone makes blunders with their money from time to time. In fact, we just may be wired that way according to research conducted by Brad Klontz. Brad is a financial psychologist, a certified financial planner, an associate professor at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business in Nebraska and author of the book Money Mammoth: Unlocking the Secrets of Financial Psychology to Break from the Herd and Avoid Extinction (https://amzn.to/2LHWU5h). Brad joins me to discuss why people have so much trouble with money, why we never seem to save enough and how to get on the path that will make you feel good about your financial life. You’ll find his advice is pretty easy and painless.

Where does all the lost and unclaimed luggage from airplanes go? Not only is this an interesting story, it turns out you can shop online and buy things left on airplanes and some of it is really amazing. https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/

Of course you know what time is but try to define it. It is impossible really even though we know intuitively exactly what time is and how to measure it. It wasn’t always that way though. For most of history, it wasn’t all that important to know EXACTLY what time it was. But it all changed when the railroads came along. Listen as I discuss the fascinating history of time with Joseph Mazur professor emeritus of mathematics at Marlboro College and author of the book, The Clock Mirage: Our Myth of Measured Time (https://amzn.to/3oJ8qvI).

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The Proven Benefits of Having More Fun & How We Tamed Electricity Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a way to turbocharge your will power when you are faced with temptation? Well, you do have such a way. This episode begins with a simple technique that will help you resist whatever is tempting you in the moment and keep you on the straight and narrow. http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/clenched-muscles-assist-self-contro-10-10-20/

Everyone wants to be happy but being happy isn’t something you do, it's the result of doing something you enjoy. You must first have fun, then happiness follows. This is according to organizational psychologist Mike Rucker author of a book on this called The Fun Habit (https://amzn.to/3inKGPT). Listen as Mike explains why fun is the key to happiness and why so many of us struggle with the idea of just playing and having fun. He reveals how the benefits of incorporating even just a little more fun in your life can be tremendous. Mike also offers some easy strategies to carve out time for fun. And he explains why everyone can and should do that as soon as possible.

The fact that we all have reliable electricity at the flip of a switch is really quite amazing when you think about it. It has only been in the last 120 years or so that having electricity in your home has been the norm. So how did scientists tame this force of nature so that it now powers so much of our lives? Here to tell the story is Kathy Joseph. She holds multiple advanced degrees in physics ad engineering and has a YouTube Channel called Kathy Loves Physics and History. https://www.youtube.com/c/KathyLovesPhysicsHistory. She is also author of the book The Lightning Tamers: True Stories of the Dreamers and Schemers Who Harnessed Electricity and Transformed Our World (https://amzn.to/3CqcyJY)

Whenever you feel down or depressed, it is typically because you are regretting something in your past or you worry about something in your future – or both. Listen as I explain what you can do the next time that happens that should make you feel better in the moment. Source: Dr. Jeffrey Rossman author of The Mind-Body Solution (https://amzn.to/3QkommK)

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The Power of Awe and Wonder & The Backstories of Your Favorite Songs Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

When you are all stuffed up with a cold or the flu or Covid, it can be very hard to sleep because you can’t breathe. This episode begins with some excellent ways to open things up so you can breathe better and get some rest. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/cold-relief-6-sleep-tips-to-help-youbreathe-easi

There are a lot of ways to experience that sense of awe and wonder. And it turns out that the experience is really good for you both mentally and physically. Joining me to discuss the science of awe is Dacher Kelter. He is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and author of the book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life (https://amzn.to/3YYVMvh). Listen and you will be seeking out and finding awe a lot more often.

Here is the website he references in the interview: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/

Every song has a story – often several stories. Listen and hear the stories behind some of the most famous and loved songs including You’re So Vain, Yesterday, Satisfaction, I Am The Walrus and others. My guest is music critic David Cheal who works at The Financial Times in London and is coauthor of the book The Life of a Song: The Stories Behind 100 of the World’s Best Loved Songs (https://amzn.to/3jIUvbp)

Sticking to New Year’s resolutions or to any big change is hard. And there’s actually a good reason why that is. Listen as I explain why change is hard and a better way to make a change that is more likely to stick. Source: Kelly Traver M.D. author of “ The Healthiest You (https://amzn.to/3G0oB1F).

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