Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

How Toxic Individualism Is Destroying Relationships & The History of Fragrances Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Nothing ruins a trip like getting car sick. But now there are motion sickness glasses. Do they work? Reader’s Digest tested them out and a lot of people who bought them left reviews. Listen and I’ll tell you what they said. https://www.rd.com/article/motion-sickness-glasses/

How can you be in a relationship and still be an individual? It has always been a tricky balance that has gotten even tougher as we have shifted to a more “It’s-all-about-me” culture. Joining me to discuss this is internationally recognized family therapist, speaker, and author Terrence Real. His latest book is titled US: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship (https://amzn.to/3bLzN6N). Listen as he offers some great insight and very specific advice on improving any relationship.

Terry's website is www.terryreal.com

What is it about fragrances? Soaps, candles, laundry detergent, perfume – we like things to smell nice. Why? When did this all start? Listen to my guest Elise Pearlstine, a natural perfumer, consultant, and educator and author of a book called Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance. (https://amzn.to/3AtMA8b). If you have ever wondered why flowers or the smell of cut grass or vanilla smell so good, listen as Elise explains.

It can be brutal getting into a car that been parked in the hot sun. However, there is quick way to cool the car down before you get in it. Listen as I reveal a simple yet very fast and effective technique. https://www.wikihow.com/Cool-a-Hot-Car-as-Quickly-as-Possible

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Why You Should Do Hard Things & Sneaky Ways Companies Get Your Personal Data Jul 04, 2022

Show notes

We’ve all seen how dogs sniff each other – and it appears we humans do the same thing. (Not to dogs but to other humans). I begin this episode explaining how people make judgements about others based on how they smell. And it all happens subconsciously. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm

Are you resilient? Do you bounce back after facing a big challenge? Can we learn to be more resilient? These are just a few of the things I discuss with 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 also hosts a couple of podcasts (The Growth Equation and Magness and Marcus On Coaching) . He is also author of the book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness (https://amzn.to/3OSE3Qb).

If you think protecting your privacy is mostly about passwords, account numbers and your social security number, you are missing something really important. 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. Listen and be amazed by how much is known about you as I speak with 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 bit monotonous. You can only eat so many hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts and steaks. Listen as I tell you how to cook some things on the grill you never imagined that taste great – like pineapple, avocado, watermelon, pound cake and more! https://www.rd.com/list/7-food-you-didnt-know-you-could-grill/

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SYSK Choice: DNA Demystified & Why Food Culture is So Popular Jul 02, 2022

Show notes

Ever have a hard time finding your keys or wallet or glasses – or even where you left your car in a parking lot? Why is it so hard to keep track of them? This episode begins with an explanation and some advice to use the next time you can’t find one of those things. http://lifehacker.com/the-two-factors-that-make-you-forgetful-1563418168

Do you know what your DNA is? How does it work and how does it solve crimes? Your DNA is fascinating and if you’ve ever bought one of those DNA test kits, you know it can tell a lot about you and your ancestors. Joining me to explain this is Alan McHughen who is a scientist, educator, DNA expert and author of the book DNA Demystified (https://amzn.to/3eUNihl).

Have you noticed that teenagers can easily sleep until noon – but the older you get the harder that is to do? Why? That’s one of the things I discuss about sleep and just how important it is to get enough sleep and how it can wreak havoc with your health if you don’t. http://www.menshealth.com/health/sleep-and-age

It seems as if food is more important today than it used to be. A lot of us spend a great deal of time and money eating certain foods, watching cooking shows on TV and going to trendy restaurants. Many people identifying themselves by the food they eat – or don’t eat ("I’m a vegetarian – I don’t eat meat!" ). Eve Turow-Paul has been researching the growing food culture around the world and she joins me with some really interesting insight. Eve is author of the book Hungry: Avocado Toast, Instagram Influencers, and Our Search for Connection and Meaning (https://amzn.to/38lrc54).

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A Better Way to Solve Problems & Why Anxiety is a Good Thing Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Do you prefer fresh or frozen fish? Most people would likely choose fresh – but the topic is a bit more complicated than choosing one or the other. A lot of times what you think of as “fresh” fish was once frozen. To start this episode, I unravel the discussion about whether fresh fish is really better – or not. https://www.thespruceeats.com/frozen-fish-better-than-fresh-fish-1300625

What if you could solve problems before they actually happen? That’s why you change the oil in your car. Doing so, solves problems before they occur. And there are lots of other problems in life we could prevent or solve sooner – if we looked at things a bit differently. That’s according to Dan Heath author of the book Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen (https://amzn.to/3atB1Os). Listen as he explains this interesting method of problem solving that I am sure you will find helpful.

Being anxious doesn’t usually feel good. Most people would likely agree that anxiety is something to avoid. In fact, some say anxiety is a threat to your health and well-being. However, there may be another way to look at anxiety, according to Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Hunter College, the City University of New York, and author of the book Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad) (https://amzn.to/3A96NQM). Listen as she explains how to harness and use your anxiety to help propel you to success in whatever is important to you.

Airline passengers frequently have items confiscated because those things are not allowed to be carried on the plane. So, what happens to those pocket knives, snow globes, vintage wine, bottles of shampoo or whatever else is confiscated? Can people get them back if they want? Listen as I explain why some things get tossed, some get sold and some go back to their rightful owner. https://www.rd.com/article/return-confiscated-items-tsa/

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The Magic That Happens When You Help Others & How to Survive Just About Anything Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

We’ve all gotten the word about the importance of sunscreen. But there are several places on your body you are likely to miss when you apply it. This episode begins with an important list of the most likely places you need to make sure NOT to miss. https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/how-to-apply-sunscreen-to-commonly-missed-spots/

What if there was a drug that could give you better health, a longer life, more happiness and more success – would you take it? This drug actually exists according to Stephen Trzeciak, M.D. All you have to do is help others. I know it sounds 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? What would you do if someone near you drops to the ground with a heart attach or seizure? Do you know what to do if you get lost in the woods? These and other emergencies happen all the time and it is important to know what to do beforehand so you don't panic when it actually happens. Joining me 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).

As someone who is left-handed, I know that being a southpaw has its challenges. Yet, for students, it 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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SYSK Choice: The Paradox of Passion & How Problems Can Improve Relationships Jun 25, 2022

Show notes

What is it about spicy food that makes some people love it and others avoid it like the plague? This episode begins with an interesting explanation and some helpful facts about hot and spicy food that could come in handy if things get too hot. http://lifehacker.com/how-to-actually-enjoy-the-painful-pleasure-of-spicy-foo-1794616828

How important is it that you do something you love? Must you be passionate about your career to be happy and fulfilled? Some people don’t really have a passion they can make a career out of. Are they doomed to be miserable? Before you try to “Follow your passion,” listen to my guest Brad Stulberg author of the book The Passion Paradox (https://amzn.to/2Bjuw4H). Bruce explains some interesting facts about what passion really is, according to the research, and just how important it is to have and then follow your passion. He is also the host of the The Growth Equation Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-equation-podcast/id1505257676

If you have outdoor allergies, you may unknowingly be making things worse than they need to be. Listen as I reveal what to do and not do to help clear the air and allow you to breathe better with fewer allergy symptoms. https://midstatemedical.org/about/news-press/news-detail?articleId=42255&publicid=395

I suspect most people would agree that a happy and harmonious relationship is the best kind. Yet, it seems having a little trouble, messiness, turmoil, and chaos is also good for a relationship. Listen to my guest Ed Tronick PhD. Ed is a developmental neuroscientist and clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of the book The Power of Discord (https://amzn.to/3dHMta6). He explains why a perfectly happy relationship may actually be a prescription for trouble.

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Should You Really Believe in Luck & How to Accept Bad Things You Cannot Change Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Given the price of gasoline, we all need to conserve every drop we can. While you have probably heard of some of the ways to save gas, there are a few you probably haven’t heard before. This episode begins with some effective gas saving hacks from the people at Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a39504408/how-to-improve-your-vehicles-gas-mileage/

Do you believe in luck? It probably depends on your definition. Some people believe luck is a mystical force while others think of luck as something grounded in probability and statistics. Still others believe you can create your own luck. To help sort out what luck really is and how it works is 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).

Life can be cruel and unfair. Bad things happen to all of us. The challenge is – how do you accept and make peace with terrible things that inevitably happen so you can get on with your life? Clinical psychologist Janina Scarlet works with people everyday 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/3N7RpHb). If you’ve ever had trouble coping with something that is hard to accept, you will want to hear what she has to say.

As people get older, it is natural to try to stay looking young. But there is a limit. Listen as I explain the negative consequences of trying to act or dress too young and what really works well if you 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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Why Friends Are So Important & The Extraordinary Benefits of Writing Things Down Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Why do cashiers often ask for your phone number or email address? What if you don’t want to share that information? This episode begins by explaining why they ask and what your response should be. https://www.rd.com/article/this-is-why-stores-ask-for-your-phone-number-at-the-checkout/

Everyone needs at least one friend. That’s according to Lydia Denworth, a science journalist and author of the book Friendship: The Evolution, Biology and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond (https://amzn.to/3N5UebS). Lydia joins me to discuss how important friendship is, how to make friends and how to have better, stronger friendships.

Do you have a good system to keep track of all the information you have to deal with? Many of us try to keep track of everything – or most things – in our head. That may not be such a good idea according to Tiago Forte, a leading expert on productivity and author of the book Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential (https://amzn.to/3xuA9WB). Listen as Tiago explains the positive impact of simply writing things down to help you keep track all the things in your life – and it doesn’t require a complicated system in order to get the benefits.

If you’ve ever spent time in an airplane bathroom, you know that the less time you spend in there, the better. But just how gross is it really? And if you have to go in there, what’s the best strategy to minimize germ exposure? Listen as I explain some expert advice. Source: Dr. Charles Gerba author of The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu (https://amzn.to/3NXx48A).

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If you're the type of person who's always thinking about new business ideas or wondering “What’s the next side hustle I should spin up?” — check out the podcast My First Million!

Today is made for Thrill! Style, Power, Discovery, Adventure, however you do thrill, Nissan has a vehicle to make it happen at https://nissanusa.com

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SYSK Choice: Effective Ways to Make Big Changes & The Benefits of Thinking for Yourself Jun 18, 2022

Show notes

People like reruns. We like to watch old TV shows and movies over and over again, we often order the same meal at a restaurant, listen to the same songs- maybe even reread a book. Why? This episode begins with an interesting explanation. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-you-like-to-watch-the-same-thing-over-and-over/

Change is hard. Who hasn’t tried to make a change in their life only to have it fail? Is there a way to tilt the odds in your favor and make the process easier? Joining me to discuss this is Ross Ellenhorn. He is a sociologist, psychotherapist and social worker and author of the book How We Change (and 10 Reasons We Don’t) (https://amzn.to/2VeIUSx). He has some important advice on how to make changes – and make them stick.

Are we losing our ability to think for ourselves? After all, no matter what problem you have, there is some app or YouTube video or some expert with a solution. While help is good, it is also important to think for ourselves and some people believe we are losing our ability to think critically and make our own decisions. Vikram Mansharamani is a lecturer at Harvard and author of the book Think For Yourself: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence (https://amzn.to/2A30BNs). Listen as he makes the case for more critical thinking when it comes to the big decisions in life and how to do it.

Did you know spring fever is real and has real symptoms Listen as I explain what the symptoms are and what it means if you have them. https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/diseases_cures/2010/04/29/spring_fever_has_scientific_basis_psychologist.htm

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What Makes Someone Credible & How to Finish What You Start Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Are you a smiler? Smiling turns out to be really good for you in a lot of ways. This episode begins with an explanation of some of the surprising benefits of smiling more often. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/03/22/the-untapped-power-of-smiling/#23fc80fc7a67

Why do we pay attention to some people but not others? What makes those people seem more credible? According to researcher Stephen Martin there are 8 subtle characteristics that make some people more credible and believable than others. Interestingly it has nothing to do with the message they are delivering. Listen as Stephen and I discuss this. Stephen Martin is a visiting professor of behavioral science at Columbia University and author of the book Messengers: Who We Listen To. Who We Don’t. And Why. (https://amzn.to/2MDAtej)

Are you clear on what your priorities are? Do you have things you say you want to do – or things you start doing but somehow those things never get finished? If you would like to get a clearer picture on what your priorities really are and how to actually get them done, listen to my guest Charlie Gilkey. He is the founder of Productive Flourishing, (https://www.productiveflourishing.com), a website that helps people tackle and finish the things that matter – and he is author of the book Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done (https://amzn.to/33t5dp6). Charlie has some proven ways to help you get to those projects – or let them go.

Admit it, you’ve taken a drink straight from the milk carton - right? And when you get caught people probably told you that it was really gross. But how gross is it? Listen as I explore the science of drinking from the carton and what that does for the next person who drinks from that carton and also what it does to the milk. https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/we-debunked-the-5-second-rule-double-dipping-and-other-food-myths