Episodes

There are a lot of things you likely believe that are not true. For example, sugar causes hyperactivity in children. That’s just one of several commonly held beliefs that are not true as I begin this episode of the podcast. http://www.rd.com/culture/false-facts-everyone-believes/You are constantly …

When you grocery shop, are you one of those people who sometimes changes their mind and takes items out of your shopping cart and stashes them somewhere in the checkout line so you don’t have to buy them? Well, stores are making it harder to do that and that is just ones of the ways grocery stores …

Couples should have a date night. That’s common advice to help keep the romance alive in long term relationships. But interestingly, “couple time” is not the highest quality time couples can have. In fact it doesn’t even come in second. Listen as I explain another way couples can spend their time t…

If you want to be more persuasive, there is one little sentence to tack on to the end of any request that is more likely to get people to do what you want. Listen as I begin this episode by revealing that one simple sentence. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10510974.2012.727941?journalC…

People who deal with the public as part of their job often begin to believe that people in general are not very bright. For example, one question workers at Disney theme parks are often asked is “What time is the 3 o’clock parade?” Which is, of course, a pretty stupid question on its surface. But i…

When I need to solve a problem or think of something creative, I often lie down, close my eyes and think. And it turns out that is good advice for everyone. I start this episode with some interesting research that reveals why lying down is a good position to think in. https://lifehacker.com/need-a-…

Some people like their chocolate chip cookies crispy right out of the often while others like them soft and chewy and some people like them somewhere in between. This episode begins with an explanation of how to get them just the way you like them every single time. http://www.realsimple.com/food-r…

We have all heard how some people become sad or depressed during the winter months? Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight or the social isolation of winter – or maybe it’s all a myth. I begin this episode with a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and reveal how real it really is. http://medicalres…

As I write and post this, much of the U.S. and other parts of the world have been hit by extreme cold in the last several days. So I begin today’s episode with a look at the science of how to stay warm when you are out in the cold. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6620391/How-brace-cold-S…

There is a good chance that your partner is not a lot taller or shorter than you are. People seem to be attracted to people who are of a similar height but it is not for the reasons you might think. This episode begins with a fascinating explanation of how height is involved in mate selection. (htt…

Should you really get an annual check-up or go to the dentist twice a year? What about wearing sunscreen everyday? Are all these things really necessary? We begin this episode with a look what the experts say about common health advice you’ve heard all your life.(http://health.usnews.com/health-new…

How many times have you been told you should be thankful for what you have? Well, there may be some profound wisdom in that. I begin this podcast with some great research that shows how simple acts of gratitude can bring you benefits for a long time. http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/01/how-express…

When you feel and ache or pain in your body, you likely reach for a Tylenol. And it turns out that you should also reach for one when you are feeling emotional pain as well; such as loneliness or distress. Why? I begin this episode with that explanation. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12…

Everyone seems to have a cellphone – ALL the time. But there are some circumstances when you really should put your phone away so others don’t see it. I begin this episode by discussing when that is and why it is important. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9589232/Putting-a-mobile-ph…

You think you understand the concept of distracted driving – yes? You know it is NOT a good idea to text and drive. But it turns out to be more complicated than that. I begin this episode with some fascinating research that shows that there is a residual effect when you get distracted that affects …

We end 2018 with the second of our two-part look back at the best moments of the past year. With so much fascinating information from the last twelve months, it is fun to hit some highlight moments and relive them. I know you will hear things in this episode that you either missed or forgot – so li…

You probably associate yawning with being tired or maybe being bored. However, according to some interesting research, yawning has nothing to do with either one of those things. I begin this episode of the podcast at a look at why we yawn and why yawning is contagious. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/sto…

With over 100 episodes a year, it is entirely possible you may have missed some of the best, most interesting moments of the past year. Or perhaps you may have forgotten some interesting intel you learned. So here are some highlights from 2018.

Does being unhappy make you more likely to get sick or even shorten your life span? A lot of people believe that. So, in this episode we look at the science behind that belief. How could unhappiness cause illness? The answer is complicated and not what you probably think. http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2…

There are a lot of theories and myths about alcohol and how not to fall victim to its effects. For example, mixing caffeine with alcohol will make you feel less sleepy or that light beers are healthier than regular beers. I begin this episode with an examination of which of these and other common h…

Do attractive people really get the best tables at a restaurant? Did you know menus are designed to steer you to particular dishes? These are just a few of the things I cover as we kick-off this episode. It turns out there are a lot of fascinating things going on behind-the-scenes at restaurants th…

It is easy and tempting to overspend on holiday gifts. Plus retailers do everything they can to encourage you to spend more. So this episode begins with some strategies to help you spend a bit less and avoid those impulse purchases that you often wish you hadn’t made once you get home. http://www.w…

When you look at old holiday photos, you will notice something is definitely missing – and it is something you really wish was there. I begin this episode of the podcast with that missing ingredient and advice on how to put it back in to your photos for this Christmas and in the future. (Cheryl Lig…

Sometimes you may find yourself in a bad mood for no real reason. So how do you snap out of it? We begin this episode with some very easy, practical and proven ways to get you out of your funk and back to being happy when you are feeling grumpy. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/10-sc…