Something You Should Know

Episodes

1122
Nov. 4, 2024

How Notebooks Changed Your Life & Are Video Screens Really So Bad?

When you know someone’s musical tastes, it can affect what you think of that person. It can even impact how attractive you find someone. I begin this episode with an explanation of the link between music and relationships. https://www.medindia.net/news/Music-Predicts-Sexual-Attraction-80223-1.htm You’ve likely never thought about this but – notebooks have changed the world. When people started writing things down in notebooks, diaries, ledgers and lists, it was astonishing what happened and cont...
Nov. 2, 2024

A Smart Guide to Friendships & English Tips From A Master Grammarian - SYSK Choice

I can’t imagine anyone who wants to receive MORE emails. Most of us would prefer to get far fewer. That’s why this episode begins with some quick and effective ideas to reduce the number of emails flowing into your inbox every day. Source: Kaitlin Sherwood author of Overcome Email Overload (https://amzn.to/3RBsKNW) Having friends is important for a lot of reasons. Still, people today report having fewer friends than in the past while some people say they don’t have anyone they could call a real ...
1120
Oct. 31, 2024

How Pleasure Makes People Miserable & How Weight Loss Really Works

Everyone understands that getting enough sleep is important. But how important? This episode begins by revealing the benefits of getting just a mere 15 minutes more of sleep per night. https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/162769 We live in a world today where there is more abundance and more available pleasure than at any other time in history. You would think all this pleasure would make us happy. But could too much pleasure be causing a lot of people to be miserable? What if our brains are...
1119
Oct. 28, 2024

How Regular People Become Millionaires & How The Power of Suggestion Works

Is handwriting analysis a real thing? Can an “expert” really tell if handwriting is forged or real or is it just their opinion? And can you tell anything about someone’s personality from their handwriting? This episode begins by looking at the truth of handwriting analysis. Source: https://www.pens.co.uk/pen2paper/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Pen2Paper-The-History-of-Handwriting-Analysis.pdf What does it take to become wealthy? There seems to be a lot of confusion about who becomes wealthy and why...
Guest: Brad Klontz
1118
Oct. 26, 2024

The Keys to a Long Term Relationship & How Our Minds Are Quirky - SYSK Choice

From a very early age you were likely told not to lie. Lying is bad. And it seems that one of the things it is bad for is your health! This episode begins by explaining how lying affects your health – and not in a good way. https://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/32424-study-telling-fewer-lies-linked-to-better-health-relationships The idea of marrying someone for love is a relatively recent concept when you look back through human history. Today, it is often the primary reason for marriage. Yet if you look...
1117
Oct. 24, 2024

The Psychology of Crowds & Where Did Life Come From?

Most of us haveheard that the speed at which you drive can impact your gas mileage but by how much? My guessis you probably believe it isn’t a lot. This episode begins by explaining how much slowing down will save you on gas – and it is more than you think. And if you have a bike rack on your car – you really have to hear this. https://abc7.com/archive/9151803/ There is something about a crowd. When you go to a concert or sporting event, you feel a kinship with the crowd. And the crowd has an en...
1116
Oct. 21, 2024

Are You Treating Your Clothes All Wrong? & The Power of Being Quiet

You have seen a dollar bill hundreds of times, but have you ever really studied it? It’s fascinating. And the number 13 plays a prominent role. This episode begins with a short tour of a U.S. $1 bill. https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/jokes/dollar-bill-trivia You spend a lot of time with clothes – wearing them, buying them, and washing them. How you care for your clothes is important. If you care for them the right way, they will last a lot longer and look a lot better. You will also prob...
1114
Oct. 19, 2024

How to Master the Skill of Quitting & Deconstructing Conspiracy Theories - SYSK Choice

Do you suffer from any of these symptoms: Tiredness, stomach issues, dizziness, headaches, joint problems, dry skin or depression? What’s interesting is they all can be caused or aggravated by one thing which is really easy to fix. You’ll need a glass and some water. Listen and I’ll explain. https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/dehydration-and-anxiety I’m sure you’ve heard the expression that quitters never win, and winners never quit. No one wants to be called a quitter. It’s the people wh...
1115
Oct. 17, 2024

What You Never Knew About Your Childhood & Go Inside the U.S. Capitol

Something interesting seems to happen when couples are together for a long time. Without even trying, they are able to tune into their partner’s voice, thoughts and emotions in very interesting ways. This episode begins by explaining how well you can read your partner, even from across a crowded room. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265415.php Compared to most other species, humans have a very long childhood. A dog is an adult in a matter of months. We take 18 years and sometimes longe...
1113
Oct. 14, 2024

What Makes You Uniquely Human & How Words Affect Your Thoughts

Major storms all get names: Milton, Katrina, Ian, Sandy etc. Why do we name storms? Do the names of storms ever get used again for other storms? Find out as we start this episode with a brief look at the tradition of naming major storms. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-do-hurricanes-get-their-names-who-chooses-and-why-list/ What is it that makes us human and separates us from all the other animals on the planet? The answer will surprise you because a lot of characteristics you may think are uni...
1112
Oct. 12, 2024

Understanding Our Phobias & How Your Dog Thinks – SYSK Choice

We all tend to want to impress others with our accomplishments or skills or whatever else that makes us exceptional. Yet there is a real problem with trying to appear so exceptional. This episode begins with an explanation. Source: Steve Chandler, author of 50 Ways To Create Great Relationships (https://amzn.to/3e7uIYk). Are there actually people who have a fear or phobia about buttons? Or popcorn? Of course! People have phobias about lots of things. It sure makes you wonder why. Where do phobi...
1111
Oct. 10, 2024

What Makes You an Introvert or Extrovert? & Why Things Smell

When you are focused on a task, interruptions can be annoying and maddening. Yet, there may be a positive side to interruptions that balance out the negative. This episode begins with some surprising research the suggests there is a silver lining to being interrupted. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210803175253.htm What determines whether you are an introvert or extrovert? Is one better than the other? Can you change which one you are? Are all introverts shy? These are just a few ...
1110
Oct. 7, 2024

How to Know What Someone is Thinking & The Amazing Success Story of LEGO

Watch a couple hold hands as they stroll own the road. It often seems cute and quaint. But it is more than that. Holding hands has some real benefits. Even monkeys know this. Listen as I explain. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/fashion/05hands.html You probably like to think you are pretty good at reading people – right? As you talk with someone, you probably think you can generally tell what they are thinking or where their head is at. Well, what if I told you were not as good as you think y...
1109
Oct. 5, 2024

Setting Effective Boundaries & How to Make Important Decisions Confidently - SYSK Choice

When someone first sees you, what impression do they get? What image do you project? It’s important to think about this if you want to be persuasive. This episode begins by looking at how people judge you, your ideas, opinions and recommendations. And so much of it has to do with who you present yourself to be. Source: Robert Mayer author of the book Power Plays (https://amzn.to/3BWHKzy). Do you ever wish you were better at setting boundaries with others? If you can accomplish it, the benefits a...
1108
Oct. 3, 2024

How to Sync with Your Circadian Rhythms & A Fascinating History of Cars

“You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day!” Well, wait a second. That advice is about 80 years old and frankly doesn’t really “hold water.” This episode begins by explaining how much water you really should drink and how some people might actually be drinking too much. https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/medical-myths-drink-8-glasses-water-each-day Every cell in your body apparently has a little clock built into it. These clocks know when you should sleep, when you should get...
1107
Sept. 30, 2024

Why We Still Don’t Have Flying Cars & Your Amazing Teeth

Groceries are expensive. So, if you would like a simple yet effective technique to cut your grocery bill down, listen to the start of this episode to discover exactly how. Source: Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko (https://amzn.to/3ZKjVs6). For decades many of us have looked forward to flying cars, real human-like robots, smart cities, driverless cars and other technologies. Yet, they just never quite seem to get here. Why is that? Well, that is exactly what Nicole Kobie is here to explain an...
1106
Sept. 28, 2024

How to Get it All Done and Be Happy & Why Most Food Advice is Wrong - SYSK Choice

iPhone users have likely noticed that some texts show up in blue and some show up in green. What’s the difference? This episode begins by explaining why that happens and what it means. https://www.rd.com/article/why-are-my-texts-green/ Have you heard the expression “time poverty”? It’s when you have too much to do and never enough time to do it. Why live in time poverty when you can live in “time affluence”. Cassie Holmes is here to tell you how. She is a professor of marketing and behavioral de...
1105
Sept. 26, 2024

Why Pets Act in Weird Ways & When Your Brain Does Its Best Work

How is your posture right now? If your shoulders are slouched, you are sending a message to others that you probably don’t want to send. I start this episode by discussing how your posture speaks volumes – good and bad. https://www.jnforensics.com/post/what-the-shoulders-say-about-us Why do dogs seem so picky about where they poop? Can cats tell what you are feeling? Does a goldfish memory last only 3 seconds? While we pet owners love our pets, there is a lot we don’t know or understand. Here to...
1104
Sept. 23, 2024

When Doctors Get It Wrong & The Science of Kindness

Ever fake a smile? We all do. What harm can it do? Well, it could do you some harm if you are the one doing the faking. Listen as I reveal the downside of faking a smile. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2011/02/22/study-finds-fake-smile-is-bad-for-business/ While modern medicine is responsible for many miraculous things, there are some blind spots – some blunders. For example, the skyrocketing rate of peanut allergies is primarily due to some bad medical science. Same with over prescribing of a...
1103
Sept. 21, 2024

The Solution to Overthinking & Why You’re Smarter Than AI - SYSK Choice

What if you could reduce your risk of heart disease by 30% without a lot of effort? After all, it is the number 1 killer in the U.S. This episode begins with this simple little tactic – and by the way, it’s all in your attitude. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-positive-mindset-can-help-your-heart-2019021415999 “Stop overthinking this!” You have either said that to someone or had someone say it to you. Overthinking is that process where you think through an idea or a goal or a career move o...
1102
Sept. 19, 2024

Remarkable Ways Horses Changed Your Life & The Real Benefits of Being Lazy

We have become much more of a cashless society in the last few years. That turns out to be a good thing because cash is really disgusting. Listen as I explain just how disgusting and you are not going to like it! Source: Elizabeth Scott, author of How to Prevent Food Poisoning https://amzn.to/3XKAvHf Horses are the “Swiss army knife of animals.” They can do so much. Consequently, over the last 5,000 years they have done more to shape our lives and alter human history than any other animal. If it...
1101
Sept. 16, 2024

The Fascinating Gases that Surround You & Is Everyone Addicted to Something?

Some very popular drinks turn out to be really bad for your teeth. This episode begins with that list of drinks, what they do to your teeth and some strategies to help you minimize the damage if you are going to drink them. https://news.uthscsa.edu/more-u-s-teeth-susceptible-to-silent-enamel-eating-syndrome/ We are surrounded by gases - oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas, steam. Gases are everywhere. They fill our lungs, power our movement, create stars, and warm our atmosphere. As im...
1100
Sept. 14, 2024

What Your Favorite Music Says About You & How to Ditch Negative Self-Talk - SYSK Choice

My mother was a teacher, and I remember her saying that when you take a test and you don’t know the answer, go with the first answer that comes to your mind or the one that initially seems right. A lot of people believe that – but is it really good advice? This episode begins with the evidence that proves or disproves this theory. https://www.spring.org.uk/2012/02/multiple-choice-tests-why-sticking-with-your-first-answer-is-probably-wrong.php Hard to imagine life without music. You probably have...
1099
Sept. 12, 2024

The Untold Dangers of Prescription Drugs & Fresh Look at Dealing with Anger

At work, do you go out to lunch or eat at your desk? It makes a difference in the quality of your work after lunch is over. Listen and I’ll explain the details. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/going-out-lunch-zaps-mental-focus Drug companies. Big Pharma. They create life-altering and life-saving drugs that help people all over the world. However, the way they sometimes do business has a lot of people concerned. Why do some drugs get recalled after they were deemed to be safe and effective? W...