Episodes

Why trying harder can make sleep worse, why “new” is so irresistible, plus cold fingers and the purpose of goosebumps.

How horses transformed civilization, why strategic laziness can help you succeed, plus the dirty truth about cash.

How to get companies to actually help when customer service fails, plus the surprisingly curious history of the remote control.

Why time speeds up as you age, why ads work even when you resist them, and other fascinating tricks of the human mind.

A smarter way to make big life changes, the fascinating history of cats & why airplane food tastes so bad.

The amazing gases that make life possible, plus why some everyday habits become so hard to stop.

The bizarre ways everyday products get tested, plus why some people feel rejection and criticism more intensely.

Why do we trust some people instantly? The surprising signals that make someone seem credible and believable.

How your expectations can make you feel sick, plus strange facts and word origins you probably never knew.

Why secrets are so tempting to tell, who we tell them to, and the strange stories behind the quirks and rules of language.

Want to significantly improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep? There is one surprisingly simple thing you can do during the day that may actually help you sleep better that night. And no, it doesn’t involve exercise, meditation or giving up your phone. This episode begins with what it is and why it may work. https://sleepopolis.com/news/make-bed-better-sleep/ Every language and every culture has swear words. We’re taught as children not to say them, yet somehow we all learn exactly ...

Processed food gets a bad rap. Chemist George Zaidan reveals what’s really in it and which ingredients deserve concern.

How to get better healthcare, plus the surprising ways weather affects your mood, mind, sleep and behavior.

How music can improve your health and even help treat illness — plus the important human skills technology is causing us to lose.

Why talking to strangers is surprisingly good for you — plus, which threats could actually bring about the end of the world?

Why is it so hard to pay attention today? Johann Hari explains what's stealing your focus—and how to get it back.

Amazon's hidden playbook, how social media is changing your life, plus the smell of rain and fluffy towels.

How your brain reacts in disasters, the surprising benefits of solitude, dog vision, and your germ-covered phone.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lose their hearing gradually while insisting they hear just fine? It turns out this isn't simply denial or stubbornness. The way hearing fades can fool the brain into believing everything is normal—often delaying treatment until significant hearing has already been lost. Listen as I explain what's really happening and why recognizing the signs isn't nearly as easy as you might think. Source: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss ...

The surprising science of physical intelligence and why your body plays a bigger role in thinking than you realize.

Why more people feel empty than ever—and the science that finally cuts through the confusion about healthy eating.

Learn simple ways to waste less food and discover why insects are far more important than most people realize.

Discover the hidden science of imagination and why AI still struggles with things humans find surprisingly easy.

Discover what your dog is really thinking—and how understanding its mind can make training much easier.