Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

Where Christmas Traditions Come From & How to Talk With Children Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

When you go to a restaurant, there are some things you may not want to touch. Why? Well, because they are crawling with germs and just kinda gross. This episode begins with a look at the germiest things in restaurants. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/germ-infested-areas-restaurants_n_2159281.html

Christmas is chock full of traditions. We wrap Christmas gifts and put them under a tree, we eat Christmas foods, we sing Christmas songs, we send Christmas cards and on and on. Where did these traditions come from? Here with the backstories of some of your favorite holiday traditions is Brian Earl. He is host of the Christmas Past podcast https://christmaspastpodcast.com/podcast/ and author of the book Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions (https://amzn.to/3FoB3bt). If you love Christmas, you will want to hear this conversation.

Talking with children is different than talking to other adults – or at least it should be. That’s the message from my guest Rebecca Rolland, a speech pathologist, Harvard lecturer, and author of the book The Art of Talking with Children (https://amzn.to/3Y2nYgd). Since there is a good chance you’ll spending time with children during the holidays (yours or someone else’s) this discussion will come in very handy and give you some insight into how to have great conversations with kids that benefits them and you.

Ever see that sign in the store that says, “Buy one, get one free”? Sounds tempting but is it really a good deal or could it be a trap? Listen as I explain some retail psychology at work that you should be aware of. http://www.businessinsider.com/7-way-stores-trick-you-into-making-impulse-purchases-2012-5?op=1

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The Surprising Benefits of Religion & What Living In Outer Space Does To A Person Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Especially around the holidays, wouldn’t it be great if you could get more done in less time? Listen as I explain a simple strategy that works amazingly well yet only 1 in five people bother to do it. http://www.balancetime.com/

Throughout human history and in every culture there has been religion. People are drawn to religion. Why? What does religion really do for people? That is a fascinating question. And it turns out that people who practice religion get some wonderful benefits according to David DeSteno author of the book How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion (https://amzn.to/3AWs2Vx) and host of the podcast How God Works https://davedesteno.com/podcast . Listen as he explores the scientific findings that help explain why religion is so important, how it benefits people and how anyone can reap those benefits regardless of what you believe.

What would it really be like to live in outer space? What would it do to your body and your mind. After all, humans know nothing but living with gravity. So what happens if you go for long periods of time without it? To answer that and more is someone who has actually travelled to space and lived there for a long time – TWICE! Dave Williams is an astronaut, pilot, ER physician, former Director of Space & Life Sciences at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and author of the book, Why Am I Taller?: What Happens to an Astronaut's Body in Space (https://amzn.to/3FoI5xK). Listen as he explains the challenges as well as the benefits of living in space. If you’ve ever wondered how people sleep or eat in zero gravity, tis will be a fun conversation to listen to.

“That’s a whole nother story…” It is a common phrase yet it contains a word that isn’t really a word – or is it? Listen as I explain what the “nother” in “a whole nother story” is all about.

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SYSK Choice: Making Good On Your Best Intentions & What Your Brain Is Doing Now Dec 10, 2022

Show notes

The Christmas season is full of stories and traditions. This episode begins with some facts about Christmas you may have never heard before. For example, ever wonder why we use the term Noel at Christmas? Did you ever wonder what Christmas decorations are edible? Listen to discover the answers to these questions and get other fascinating Christmas information that will be fun to share. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/50-things-yule-never-know-653613)

I am sure you have the best of intentions. Yet, intentions are not enough. Very often people fail to follow through and act on their good intentions. Why is that? If you tell yourself you are going to do something, why don’t you just do it? Well, there is a good reason why and here to discuss it is Steve Levinson, clinical psychologist, inventor, entrepreneur and internationally recognized authority on the topic of following through. He is the author of a couple of books including Following Through (https://amzn.to/36rIldU).

Your brain is the control center of your entire body. The brain does so many wonderful things and works in ways you probably don’t realize. Joining me to discuss how your brain functions and ways you can help it function even better is neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. She is a professor at Northeastern University, Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior at Harvard University and author of the book Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain (https://amzn.to/2JJecxK).

Warming your car up on a cold morning before you drive it seems like a good idea. But is it really? If your car battery dies and needs a jump, how long does it take to fully charge it. Listen as I answer some important questions every car owner needs to know.(https://www.motorbiscuit.com/do-you-really-need-to-warm-up-your-car/ )

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How to Optimize Your Argument Skills & Tips to Instantly Improve Your Writing Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

The holiday season is when we are most likely to give to those less fortunate. However, if you are going to give, there are some things that homeless shelters and other charitable organizations need more than others. This episode begins by explaining what those donation centers would really like you to give them for Christmas. http://www.purewow.com/home/best-items-to-donate-to-charity-drives

You might think that the best way to win an argument is to offer up a lot of evidence to support the fact that you are right. If so, you might want to listen to this because it will likely change the way you argue EVERYTHING. Professor Niro Sivanathan of the London Business School is an expert on what is called the “dilution effect” which says that more evidence is not better. In fact more evidence can actually weaken your argument. Listen as he explains a better way to strengthen any argument and more importantly how to not dilute your arguments by putting all your evidence on the table. You can see his TED talk about this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=hkFCu6K8Ghw

Do you pay much attention to the age recommendations on toy boxes when you buy Christmas gifts? Listen as I explain why you should, what they mean and how to use them wisely. Source: Toy Tips by Marianne Szymanski (https://amzn.to/3OtzixL)

If you would like to be a better, more effective writer, it’s not that difficult says Mary-Kate Mackey, author of the book Write Better Now: The Reluctant Writer’s Guide to Confident Communication and Self-Assured Style (https://amzn.to/34DBnPP). She joins me to offer some simple ways to improve the quality of your writing so people really get what you are trying to say when you write letters, reviews, blog posts, texts, emails or anything else.

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How to Sleep Like You’ve Never Slept Before & Sharpening Your Assertiveness Skills Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

“Warning: Do Not Remove This Tag Under Penalty of Law”. For many years every pillow and mattress carried a tag with that warning. Today the language isn’t quite so harsh, but the warning is still there. Why does anyone care whether or not the tag gets removed from your mattress? Listen as I explain. https://www.livescience.com/33039-why-do-mattresses-have-do-not-remove-tags.html

Sleep is a natural part of your life. So why is it sometimes difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep? What is the latest scientific research on how to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep? To explain all this is Aric Prather, a world renowned sleep scientist and author of the book The Sleep Prescription: Seven Days to Unlocking Your Best Rest (https://amzn.to/3OKZWC7). Even if you think you have heard all the conventional wisdom about sleep – you probably haven’t heard all of what Aric has to say. Listen today and sleep like a baby tonight.

When you think of assertive people, they are often folks you admire. Most likely that's because they seem to know what they want and are able to communicate it in a clear and confident way that is not offensive. We’ve likely all been in situations where we wish we spoke up and were more assertive yet somehow weren’t able to do it. Here to help you understand how to be assertive is psychologist Randy Paterson author of The Assertiveness Handbook: How to Express Your Ideas and Stand Up for Yourself at Work and in Relationships (https://amzn.to/3GNDJ4C).

Most employees probably wish they got more praise and compliments from the boss. And if the boss is smart, he or she probably should. Listen as I explain the benefits of giving compliments and positive feedback – not only benefits for employees but for employers as well. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0048174

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Constant Wonderis a podcast that will bring more wonder and awe to your day. Listen to Constant Wonder wherever you get yourpodcasts! https://www.byuradio.org/constantwonder

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SYSK Choice: The Science Behind Human Quirks & Why Counting is Complicated Dec 03, 2022

Show notes

During the holiday season, you likely use a lot of power strips to plug in lights and decorations. This episode begins with some advice about what NEVER to plug in to a power strip for the safety of everyone in your home. And you will probably be surprised by what you hear. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/things-you-should-never-do-with-power-strips/

Human beings are quirky. We do things and behave in ways that are frankly a bit odd. Where do these quirks come from and why do we do them? Here to explore some of the fascinating quirks of our humanness is Marty Jopson. Marty is the resident science reporter on BBC TV’s “The One Show” and is author of the book, The Science of Being Human: Why We Behave, Think and Feel the Way We Do (https://amzn.to/2VYTZqY).

What could be more objective than counting? If you want to find out how many of something you have – you count them. It seems pretty obvious. However, counting turns out to be a bit trickier than you might think. People can and do use numbers and counting to deceive you if you don’t understand what they are doing. Joining me to explain the interesting world of counting is Deborah Stone. She is a scholar who has taught at Brandeis, MIT, Duke, Dartmouth, Yale, Tulane, among others and she is author of the book Counting: How We Use Numbers to Decide What Matters (https://amzn.to/33UeKZ1)

One important difference between men and women is that men are generally better at asking for what they want. Listen as I describe the consequences of that and what women can do to get more of what they want – and the solution is fairly simple. Source: Linda Babcock author of Women Don't Ask (https://amzn.to/3AHEjNj).

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Why You Need to Play More & The Good News and Bad News About Habits Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

The FedEx logo is legendary. It has won countless awards. Everyone who knows about logos says it is fabulous. Why? This episode begins with a look at what makes the FedEx logo so special. https://turbologo.com/articles/fedex-logo/

Do you make a real effort to incorporate play into your life? Many of us believe that play is for children - which is certainly true but adding in some playfulness to your adult life has some real benefits you should be aware of. Joining me to discuss those benefits and offer ways to become more playful is psychotherapist Joanna Fortune author of the book Why We Play: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/3GuxF0K).

So much of what we do is done without thinking. You can walk, talk, get dressed, brush your teeth and drive your car without having to think about each step along the way – you just do it. Those things become habits and that makes life so much easier. Yet most of us develop some bad habits along the way as well – things we would like to stop doing. So, what is the difference between a good habit and a bad one? How did you get some of those habits in the first place and why are the bad habits so hard to break? Here to explain how habits work is Russell A. Poldrack, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Center for Reproducible Neuroscience (http://reproducibility.stanford.edu). He is also author of the book Hard to Break: Why Our Brains Make Habits Stick (https://amzn.to/3AKqqy4).

If you take certain over-the-counter pain relievers, you could develop a hearing problem – especially if you are a woman. Listen as I reveal some research about pain relievers and hearing loss you need to know. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/09/pain-relievers-increase-hearing-loss-risk/

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How Scarcity Influences What You Buy & How Social Media Clouds Your Perception Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Your doctor is supposed to wash his or her hands between patients. But sometimes doctors forget. Would you speak up if you saw that and ask your doctor to wash up? This episode begins with a look at this important problem. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-hospitals-want-patients-to-ask-doctors-8216have-you-washed-your-hands8217-1380582268

Scarcity is powerful. It is the force that drives people to stock up on toilet paper before a storm or to buy something they might not buy because it is on sale for 2 days only. When something is hard to get it becomes more desirable. Sometimes things really are scarce but sometimes it may just be manipulation. Here to discuss how marketers use scarcity and why it works so well is Mindy Weinstein a marketing instructor at Grand Canyon University and the University of Denver, as well as a program leader for The Wharton School and Columbia Business School. Mindy is also author of the book THE POWER OF SCARCITY: Leveraging Urgency and Demand to Influence Customer Decisions (https://amzn.to/3tGrIpE)

If you spend a lot of time on social media, it can become a lens through which you see the world. It takes on an importance that is a little proportion and it can become addicting. That is exactly what happened to Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD and author the book Influenced: The Impact of Social Media on Our Perception. (https://amzn.to/3EnuzsM). Listen as Brian tells his personal story of social media addiction and discusses what happens in your brain each time you click “Like”. It is an important story for anyone who worries they may be spending a little too much time on social media or have kids who may be doing the same.

What will happen to your pets if you die before they do? You might think you know but listen as I explain what you need to do to make sure your wishes are followed – and it is not just about putting it in your will. http://pettrustlawyer.squarespace.com/

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SYSK Choice: The Good and Bad in Human Nature & Let’s Rethink Your Daily Routine Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

People didn’t always eat cereal for breakfast. In fact, the idea really didn’t catch on until the 1940s and 1950s. So, where and how did they idea start? And how did it get so popular? This episode reveals the answers to these questions plus I explain how popcorn was really the first breakfast cereal. Source: David Hoffman, author of The Breakfast Cereal Gourmet (https://amzn.to/35UKIpr)

Are humans inherently good or evil? Are we naturally inclined to be kind or are we more likely to act in our own self-interest? Historian Rutger Bregman joins me to take a serious look at human nature and how it sets us apart from other animals. Rutger is the author of Humankind: A Hopeful History (https://amzn.to/3fzk09e) and he has some great insight into what makes us tick.

Think about all the decisions you make during a day. For instance, you decide when to have your first cup of coffee, whether to sit or stand, what to drink and what to eat – or not eat. All these things collectively make up your daily routine. And that routine can have an impact on your health and wellbeing. Stuart Farrimond, M.D. is here to explain how these little daily decisions matter and how you can optimize them to stay healthy and happy. Stuart is the author of Live Your Best Life: 162 Reasons to Rethink Your Daily Routine (https://amzn.to/2HpS0s0).

Is the meat people eat okay to give to dogs? After all, a lot of people give their dogs meat. But should you do it or could it cause harm to your dog? Listen as I explore this question as well as explain what your dog thinks about all day long. Source: Paulette Cooper-Noble author of Dog Secrets: Fun & Fascinating Things Your Dogs Wants You To Know (https://amzn.to/2KBskd9)

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First Alert would like you to know that along with alarms, fire extinguishers are essential. Make sure to place fire extinguishers on every level and in common spaces like the kitchen and know how to use them. For more information on fire safety products, safety tips and educational activities you can do at home with your family visit https://www.firstalert.com

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Why We Are So Often Wrong & How to Dial Down Anxiety Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Why does it seem that your stomach growls at exactly the wrong time? It is right when the room is full of people and very very is quiet. That's when your stomach emits those grumbling noises that you are certain everyone can hear. This episode begins with an explanation as to why your stomach growls in the first place and what you can do to prevent it. https://www.outsideonline.com/1784166/why-does-my-stomach-growl

A lot of the time you think you are right – you are really wrong. You see humans seem to like to believe things that are just not true. Often, we tend to believe things are actually worse than they really are. It’s important to understand how and why this happens. Here to discuss this odd human quirk is Bobby Duffy, a professor of public policy at King’s College in London and author of the book Why We’re Wrong About Nearly Everything (https://amzn.to/2qdz9aK).

Doesn’t it seem that people are more anxious than they used to be? Tempers are shorter, patience wears thin quickly, and people just seem generally worried about so many things. So how can we dial down the anxiety and worry? That’s what Olivia Remes is here to discuss. Olivia is an anxiety researcher at the University of Cambridge in London. Her writing has appeared in several major publications and she posts a lot of information on the topic on Twitter. (@OliviaRoxann). Listen as she offers some simple ways to ease your anxiety and find more joy in life.

There is a good chance you hit an afternoon slump around 3 pm. You can try a cup of coffee to help fight it off but there is actually a way to prevent yourself from getting – or at least minimizing that late day slump. Listen as I explain a simple yet effective technique. https://www.thorne.com/take-5-daily/article/avoiding-the-afternoon-energy-slump

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