Something You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

SYSK Choice: Why We Are Not So Smart & How Longevity Works Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Have you taken your temperature lately? Most of us think a normal temperature is 98.6 degrees. However, if you were to take your temperature now – it probably ISN’T 98.6. This episode begins with an explanation of why that is. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201028171432.htm

Could it be you are not as smart as you think you are? Apparently so according to David McRaney author of the book You Are Not So Smart (https://amzn.to/2tGvPTq). David explains some of the interesting quirks and flaws of the human brain that make us think the way we do – that also makes our perception quite inaccurate a lot of the time.

I bet you’ve wondered if it helps to pay your credit card bill early. Well, if you carry a balance it does. I will explain a simplified version of the math to show you how. You may not get rich from doing it but it certainly worth knowing and can save a fair amount of money over time. https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/pay-credit-card-bill-early-and-save/

How long will you live? It’s important to grasp this because there are ramifications to the question for you, your parents and your children. Longevity continues to rise and with that comes the good and the bad. Dr. Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology and public policy at Stanford University is founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and author of the book, A Long Bright Future (https://amzn.to/2KqrvPe) offers up so fascinating insight into how wonderful it is to be living so much longer than our ancestors – and why perhaps the best is yet to come.

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How to Handle Difficult Moments and Emotions & Could an Asteroid Destroy the Earth? Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

Ever worry that an elevator you are in will somehow come loose and drop? Or that a big spider will come after you and bite you? This episode begins with some insight into these and other common worries and whether or not that could likely happen. https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/everyday-dangers-not-to-worry-about

How well do you handle difficult emotions that come your way? Do you try hard to push them aside and focus on the positive or do you confront those tough emotions head-on? Harvard Medical School Psychologist Susan David joins me to discuss difficult emotions that life certainly brings and how best to experience and deal with them. Susan is author of the book Emotional Agility (https://amzn.to/3lbAiaf) as well as host of the podcast “Checking in with Susan David” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1504596643). You can also take her Emotional Agility Quiz at https://www.susandavid.com/#ea-quiz

How could brushing your teeth and flossing impact how well your brain works? Listen as I reveal some interesting research that will have you brushing and flossing good tonight! https://www.ameritasinsight.com/wellness/health-and-wellness/dental-health-may-affect-mental-health

Did you know that rocks from outer space are hitting the earth all the time? Tons and tons of rocks! What would happen if a big asteroid hits the earth – could it wipe us all out? Here to discuss that and explain the difference between meteors, meteorites and asteroids and why they are important is Tim Gregory. He is a is nuclear chemist and former research scientist at the British Geological Survey and author of the book Meteorite: How Stones from Outer Space Made Our World (https://amzn.to/3kbfrCD

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The Science and Myths of Living Healthy & Negotiation Advice from a Legend Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

What happens if you work hard to build up your FICO credit score but then you make a mistake and miss a payment? This episode begins by explaining what could happen and how to protect yourself from a drastic drop in your FICO score. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/does-one-late-payment-hurt-my-credit-score-11604078238?mod=personal-finance

While there is a lot of science about what it takes to live a long and healthy life, there are also a lot of myths and misinformation. Joining me to set the record straight is Graham Lawton. He is a science journalist who has researched the data on what we should and shouldn’t do to stay healthy. Graham is the author of the book This Book Could Save Your Life: The Science of Living Longer Better (https://amzn.to/2I0ZiCJ)

Being nice is underrated. Listen as I explain a few interesting examples of how former U.S. Presidents used the power of being nice to their ultimate advantage. Source: Linda Kaplan Thaler, co-author of The Power Of Nice (https://amzn.to/2U07J3r)

Even if you don’t like to negotiate you are going to love my conversation with Herb Cohen. Herb is legendary negotiator who has been involved in some very high-profile negotiations over the years. He is also a real character who has some great advice and insight on how you can be a great negotiator. And it isn’t by being smart – it’s more about playing dumb. Listen, you’ll really enjoy it. Herb is the author of a couple of books including You Can Negotiate Anything. (https://amzn.to/3mXUMnj)

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SYSK Choice: Why Complainers Complain and How to Stop Them & How Gaslighting Works Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

If you would like to feel really good, then watch this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiKxytbCWk. It’s a dull and boring video about folding towels and will make you (or at least many people) get chills and give you a “brain orgasm.” Why? No one really knows for sure but I’ll explain what is known about it as I start this episode.

Do you know a complainer? It’s a trick question because you probably know a lot more than one. In fact, you might be a complainer without realizing it. Cianna Stewart has studied the subject of complaining in great detail and even wrote a book on it called, No Complaints: How to Stop Sabotaging Your Own Joy (http://amzn.to/2CNYU1M ). Listen as she reveals why some people complain about every little thing and strategies to stop yourself from complaining and to stop complainers from complaining.

A lot of the time you use the word “that” in a sentence, it is totally unnecessary. Oh, and so is “totally” as in totally unnecessary. I’ll have a list of words you probably use that you don’t really need to – in fact you really shouldn’t. https://www.themuse.com/advice/15-words-you-need-to-eliminate-from-your-vocabulary-to-sound-smarter

You may have people in your life who “gaslight” you. It is a form of manipulation and it is very toxic. Therapist Robin Stern, author of the book, The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (https://amzn.to/2M8RzyP), joins me to explain how it works and how to defend yourself from gaslighters.

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How to Bounce Back from Tough Times & How to Get A Handle on All Your Stuff Nov 05, 2020

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Do you know how to get the most juice out of a lemon or lime? Or how to get the smell of garlic off your hands? This episode begins as I reveal a few very useful and well tested kitchen hacks you are sure to use in the kitchen. Source: Harold McGee author of On Food and Cooking (https://amzn.to/2TIxR2W)

I bet there have been challenging times in your life when you wish you had been able to bounce back better and faster. Clearly some people do seem to be much more resilient in the face adversity – so how can you be more like that? Akash Karia joins me with some interesting and insightful thoughts about resilience. Akash is a keynote speak and author of several books including 7 Things Resilient People Do Differently (https://amzn.to/2TGATVg)

A lot of people tend to hang on to stuff. And then one day that stuff turns into clutter. Why? Why do we hold on to so many things we don’t really need or want? Professional organizer Michelle Vig has some important insight into all of this. Listen as she explains how there are three types of clutter and offers some great strategies to get a better handle on your stuff so you can keep what you want and let go of what you don’t. Michelle is author of the book The Holistic Guide to Decluttering: Organize and Transform Your Space, Time, and Mind (https://amzn.to/3oJ1jnB) and her organizing business is called Neat Little Nest (www.neatlittlenest.com) .

Life can be full of little aggravations. For example, why is it called your funny bone when there is nothing funny about it when it hit it? Why do mosquitoes bother some people but not others? How do you get an ice cream headache to stop hurting quicker? Listen as I explain some of these little aggravations. Source: Laura Lee author of The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation (https://amzn.to/3kGsvkq)

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How Intellectual Property Laws Can Get You in Trouble & How Noise Harms Your Health Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

While you are probably more careful about the surfaces you touch and keeping things sanitized, you may have overlooked all the surfaces in your car. This episode begins with a discussion on the surfaces in your car and what you should do to keep them as germ-free as possible. Source: Westways Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

Can someone really sue you if you use their picture on your website? Will they win if they do? This is just one of the areas of intellectual property law I discuss with attorney Devin Miller, CEO of Miller IP Law (www.milleripl.com) and host of The Inventive Journey podcast. Devin explains how to protect your intellectual property and what you can and cannot do with other people’s. If you’ve ever wondered about copyrights, trademarks and patents and what they do, you need to listen.

How do rich people become rich? There is actually a simple formula that most wealthy Americans follow that reliably builds wealth over time. Listen as I explain how most wealthy people get that way. https://consumerfed.org/press_release/how-americans-view-personal-wealth-v-how-financial-planners-view-this-wealth/

We all know that too much noise is a problem. So how big a problem is it? Are there really serious, long-term effects of noise? What can you do to protect yourself if you are bothered by all the noises around you? Listen to Marcia Epstein, a musicologist and historian at the University of Calgary as well as author of the book, Sound and Noise: A Listener's Guide to Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/2HEH5KG) . Once you hear her I think you’ll realize that noise is a bigger problem than you imagined.

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SYSK Choice: The Biology of Beauty & Life Changing Inventions Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

When you search for something in Google does it matter what order you put the words in? What about punctuation – does that matter? We start this episode with the best ways to optimize Google searches to get the best results. https://edu.google.com/coursebuilder/courses/pswg/1.2/assets/notes/Lesson1.5/Lesson1.5Wordordermatters_Text_.html

What makes someone beautiful? Can you really become more beautiful? These are important questions because beauty and attractiveness have some clear benefits for everyone. Rachelle Smith, associate professor of psychology at Husson University, is author of the book, The Biology of Beauty (https://amzn.to/2JOKMtn). Rachelle joins me to explain the importance of your own beauty and how to maximize what you have.

If you are going on a job interview it matters whether you are the first person interviewed or the last person or better yet, the fourth person. I’ll explain why. http://www.businessinsider.com/always-go-fourth-during-interviews-2015-5

Seemingly small inventions like the razor blade, the TV dinner and paper money have had profound impacts on our lives and the economy in ways you never knew. Tim Harford, author of the book, Fifty Inventions that Shaped the Modern Economy (https://amzn.to/2JV5zM9) joins me for a fascinating explanation of how these innovations have transformed our lives.

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Why The World is Doing Better Than You Think & What Your Musical Taste Says About You Oct 29, 2020

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Did you know the can opener was invented 50 years AFTER the tin can? So how did they open cans before that? That’s one of the interesting stories about product packaging that kicks off this episode of the podcast. Source: Thomas Hine author of The Total Package (https://amzn.to/3mlNoC1).

If you watch the news, you would think the world falling apart and going to hell. Yet it is totally NOT true. Sure, the world has problems not the least of which is the corona virus but when you look at all the indicators of well-being in the world, things are actually going pretty well. . In fact we are living in an age of enlightenment according to Harvard professor Stephen Pinker. Author of the book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science Humanism and Progress, (http://amzn.to/2FKuhNb). Listen as Stephen reveals why things are much better than you probably think. What he says will make you feel great!

We all have our own musical tastes and preferences. Where do they come from? What do they say about us. That’s what Nolan Gasser is here to discuss Nolan is a composer and musicologist who was the chief architect of the Music Genome Project, which powers Pandora Radio. He is also author of Why You Like It: The Science and Culture of Musical Taste (https://amzn.to/31BCtfy)

What’s the difference between flammable and inflammable? It’s weird because they are two words that sound as if they are opposites but actually mean the same thing. Listen as I explain why one of the words is 400 years older than the other and where it came from. https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-flammable-and-inflammable-607314

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Money Hacks to Build Wealth & How Buildings Affect Your Health and Happiness Oct 26, 2020

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First impressions count. One big reason why is that once a person makes judgements about you, they can be difficult to change even if they are not true. This episode begins with 3 things people decide about you within the first 30 seconds and how to make sure you put your best foot forward. Source: Sherry Maysonave author of Casual Power (https://amzn.to/2Thh1I7)

Why should you fill your gas tank on Monday instead of Friday? Does transferring credit card balances to lower interest rate card make sense? What’s the best way to save money at the grocery store? Why should you always order a large pizza? These are just some of the questions I discuss with Lisa Rowan, author of Money Hacks: 275+ Ways to Decrease Spending, Increase Savings, and Make Your Money Work for You! (https://amzn.to/34iOM24). Listen and I am sure you will hear ideas you can use to spend less and keep more of your money.

People love a bargain. That’s why outlet shopping has become popular. So why are outlet stores always out in the middle of nowhere? Listen as we discuss the psychology of outlet shopping and why it may not always be the great deal some people think. https://consumerist.com/2009/08/11/how-outlet-malls-fool-shoppers/

When you walk into an awe-inspiring building, you become friendlier. When kids work in rooms with high ceilings, they become more creative. In short, the room or building or environment you are in has an impact on how you think and on your well-being. That is according to Sarah Williams Goldhagen, an award-winning writer who has written about buildings, cities, and landscapes for many national and international publications. She taught at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design for several years and is author of Welcome to Your World: How the Built Environment Shapes Our Lives (https://amzn.to/3oem3mW). Sarah joins me to explain how building design impacts thought and behavior in ways you never knew.

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SYSK Choice: The Secrets of Motivation & How Effortless Conversation Works Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

Is it true that nice guys finish last? Sure, there are a lot of successful nice guys but there are a lot of successful jerks too. So which is it? The answer may actually lie somewhere in between. This episode begins with some interesting insight into that http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/06/why-it-pays-to-be-a-jerk/392066

What is the best way to motivate people? Traditional thinking has been that carrots and sticks – in other words rewards or punishments are the best way to get people to do things. Well that may work but there are other ways that are better says Daniel Pink, author of the book, Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us (https://amzn.to/2LNHze7). Daniel joins me to offer some advice on how to successfully motivate yourself and others.

Friends are important but I bet you didn’t know just HOW important. Let’s put it this way… research shows not having a strong social network is equal to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. And that’s just one of the things I discuss about the importance of friends. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/friends-facts/#slideshow=slide2

Are you one of those people who hates small talk? Or perhaps you find it difficult to talk to strangers and connect with people. Or maybe you just wish you were better at conversation. If so, you need to listen to Jill Spiegel, author of the book, How to Talk to Anyone About Anything.(https://amzn.to/2t6tIb3). Jill is an expert when it comes to striking up conversations and making them count. Incidentally, she is also the great granddaughter of Joseph Spiegel, founder of the famous Spiegel mail order catalog.

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