Episodes

Why do some headaches seem to happen out of the blue? This episode begins with a list of reasons people seldom consider for what could be causing their headache - many of which you would likely never guess. https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/common-headaches-17/mild-moderate/slideshow-headache-triggers Many of us work long hours. It is often a badge of honor. But could working less actually make us more productive and happier? That’s what Celeste Headlee believes. She is a journalist and ...

Ever had something go “down the wrong pipe” while you were eating and you started choking? Why does that happen? Is it dangerous? This episode begins with an explanation. https://bottomlineinc.com/health/diseases-conditions/down-the-wrong-hatch What you expect to happen in your life has a great deal to do with how things turn out. Whether it is your health, happiness, body weight, even how long you live, your expectations determine the outcome to a large degree. That’s according to award winning...

You have likely heard the advice that you should wash brand new clothes before you wear them the first time. Is that true - and if so why? This episode begins by explaining that. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/11/wash-and-then-wear-unwashed-clothes-may-have-formaldehyde/index.htm The real science of diet and weight loss has come a long way. We now know that it isn’t just about calories in - calories out. Dr. Richard Johnson is on the forefront of research in the area of obesity an...

You only get one chance to make a good first impression. This episode begins with some proven techniques that will instantly make you look better and smarter to the people you meet. http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/12-ways-to-look-smarter While we all know it is important to be a good listener – but beyond listening is “validation.” When you validate the person you are talking with, great things start to happen, according to Michael Sorenson author of the book I Hear You: The Surprisingly Sim...

Putting Covid aside, it turns out people are not getting sick and dying like they used to or in the numbers they used to. In fact, the number of cases of some very common diseases has decreased dramatically over the last few decades. Listen to discover why - sort of. http://www.popsci.com/many-diseases-are-declining-and-doctors-arent-sure-why Do you ever wish you had more willpower? It does seem that some people have a lot more of it than others. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal says you probably ha...

What makes a food a comfort food? Do those foods really comfort you? This episode begins by discussing why we crave our favorite comfort foods and what, if anything, does eating those foods do for us. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/04/why-comfort-food-comforts/389613/ Can you really slow down the aging process and add years to your life? There is a lot of hype about products that supposedly help you turn back the clock that don’t have much evidence to support the claims. However...

Something I used to struggle with on my iPhone was going back and moving the cursor around in a text message or email. But I struggle no more! There is actually an easy way to do this. This episode begins with me explaining how and it is so very simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMevwmsbrTk If you are really honest, you will see that you sometimes lie and deceive yourself about yourself. Everyone else does it too. Clinical psychologist Dr. Cortney Warren is an expert on self-deception and ...

You probably have all sorts of batteries in your home. This episode begins with some interesting intel about batteries including how to use them, what NOT to do with them and how to store them properly. https://www.kickassfacts.com/battery-facts/ AI - or artificial intelligence is creeping into our lives more and more. In many ways AI is better at doing things than humans can but there is a downside. In fact several downsides to AI according to Jacob Ward, NBC News Technology Correspondent, and ...

Have you ever been tempted to buy a product (usually electronics) labeled, “refurbished”? The price is typically discounted and often the warranty is excellent - but is it a good deal or are you buying someone else’s headache? This episode begins by looking at what the term refurbished actually means and whether or not it is worth buying that product or leaving alone and going for the brand new one. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/laptops/refurbished-electronics-buying-guide With just about e...

Everyone knows not to go grocery shopping when you are hungry because you will likely buy junk you don’t need. Actually, it turns out you shouldn’t do ANY kind of shopping when you are hungry. This episode begins with the reason why. http://www.womansday.com/life/work-money/default/a49921/dont-buy-anything-on-an-empty-stomach/ When someone says to you “Hey, it’s not rocket science, ” it implies that rocket science is really hard and rock scientists are brilliant. And they probably are. So, would...

If you spend much time in meetings, you have probably noticed that often, it is just a few people who tend to dominate and take up most of the time. In fact, the larger the number of people in a meeting, the fewer of them actually speak up and participate. This episode begins with an explanation as to why so many people don’t speak up and how to get more people to participate in important meetings. Source: Kevin Coyne author of Brainsteering (https://amzn.to/36pCqc1). It is human nature to confo...

The founders of WeWork thought they were on the brink of making history. The company was valued at $47 billion dollars, ready for a huge IPO, and its charismatic CEO Adam Neumann believed he was going to change the world. Adam and his wife Rebekah had a prophet-like vision—but did it ever match the company's reality? Now the inspiration for a new AppleTV+ series starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, WeCrashed: The Director’s Cut is a complete refresh of our original six-part series. Hosted by ...

Can simply drinking water make you smarter? Apparently so, at least for a little while. While no one is exactly sure why, I begin this episode by explaining how we know it is true and some of the theories for what causes it to happen. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201205/can-sipping-water-make-you-smarter We humans engage in some strange behaviors. We constantly compare ourselves to others. We tend to exaggerate our stories and the strangest things can make us happy. W...

I know I have heard people claim that bad weather causes aches and pains in their body. Is that real? Can the weather affect your joints or bones in a way that causes it to hurt? Listen as I explore the science regarding the connection to weather and pain. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4105520/Don-t-blame-weather-pain-scientists-discover-no-linktwo.html At least for humans, falling in love seems to be a lot easier than staying in love. Why is that? Social anthropologist Helen Fisher ...

Every airport has runways - and all of those runways have numbers. The numbers are always between 1 and 36. This episode begins with an explanation on how airport runways get their numbers and what purpose those numbers serve. You will also discover why sometimes the runway numbers have to change. https://www.wired.com/2014/05/the-hidden-beauty-of-airport-runways-and-how-to-decipher-them/ Whenever you make a decision, you hope you make the right one. What you may not know is that there are some ...

A person’s first name can have a profound effect on their life. Listen as I describe how people get preconceived ideas about you based on your name - some good, some not so good. And how your name can help to shape who you are for the rest of your life. https://www.theifod.com/how-does-your-name-shape-who-you-are/ When someone with charisma walks into a room, you can see it right away. We are attracted to charismatic people. But what makes someone charismatic? Listen as my guest Vanessa Van Edwa...

Just how healthy is peanut butter? This episode begins with a look at some amazing and little-known health facts about eating peanut butter – just as long as it is the right kind of peanut butter. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323781#health-benefits Changing someone’s else’s mind is usually difficult if not impossible. Still, people do change their minds so clearly it can be done. Jonah Berger joins me to explain how you can get someone to change their mind and agree with you. Jonah ...

One way to get to know someone better or get closer to them is by doing them a favor. However, there is another way that is even more effective. This episode begins with technique that will bond you with someone you want to get to know - and it is really easy to do. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-initiative/201605/the-power-merely-requesting-favor Scams and identity theft are rampant - and the scams are becoming more sophisticated. It is really important to understand the latest sca...

Have you ever been driving down the highway and someone in the backseat rolls a window down and you get that horrible thumping in your ear? A lot of people think it’s just something weird about THEIR car. It’s not. This episode begins with an explanation of why that happens in most every car and how you make it stop. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/wind-buffeting-how-to-stop-it/ If I told you I think you are delusional, you might take offense to that. However, you ARE delusional, and it h...

All kinds of things can influence a big decision. However, one thing you likely never considered is the lighting in the room. Yet, it turns out that lighting can have a significant impact on what you decide. Listen as I explain how and why optimal lighting is so important. http://media.utoronto.ca/media-releases/education/new-research-shows-the-way-a-room-is-lit-can-affect-the-way-you-make-decisions/ My first guest on this episode is Brian Greene. He is a theoretical physicist, string theorist (...

Growing up I remember my mother telling me I shouldn’t drink coffee because it could stunt my growth. Really? How could that possibly be true? Also, people have long believed that coffee will sober up someone who has been drinking. Can coffee really do that too? This episode begins with a look at what coffee can and cannot do. http://lifehacker.com/four-popular-coffee-myths-debunked-by-science-1780764499 Why would you pay for name brand drug when a generic version is cheaper? After all, generic ...

If you have a big decision to make, you might want to wash your hands first. Listen as this episode begins with an explanation for why it is such a good idea. https://www.seeker.com/washing-hands-makes-tough-choices-easier-discovery-news-1766493167.html Can you actually smell fear or other emotions? Why do you like some odors while others make you ill? Why do certain smells bring back such vivid memories? These are just a few of the questions I explore with Jude Stewart author of the book Revela...

What will happen if you try to make a photocopy of a $20 bill? I begin this episode by revealing why copying money is discouraged and consequently is so hard to do and why a picture of money won’t open in PhotoShop either. http://www.businessinsider.com/money-counterfit-eurion-constellation-copy-scan-photoshop-2017-1 For many years, financial guru Suze Orman has been preaching the importance of financial responsibility. In this episode Suze joins me to offer some effective strategies to help you...

Does listening to music on earphone cause hearing loss? Well, that depends. This episode begins with an explanation of the 3 causes of most hearing loss and how listening to music on headphones (or earbuds) can be a problem. Once you understand the problem, it will be easier to avoid it while still enjoying the music you love . https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/electronics/headphones-hearing-loss-headaches-1131746/ It is often said that you cannot change other people. Peter Br...