Episodes

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…

Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? For most of us, the scent of pine is wonderful. So much so that it is in all sorts of products from car air fresheners to kitchen cleaners. As it turns out smelling pine is also good for you and we begin this episode of the podcast exploring the benef…

When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear this surprising list of things people notice when they come through your front door. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-guests-r…

You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are doing. Those two types of environments have an impact on you that affect your thinking. We begin this episode by exploring that. https://www.medicald…

Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing waves – certain sounds can have a very positive effect. We begin this episode with an explanation of which sounds do what. http://www.huffingtonpost.…

The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But when is the best time to take a break? I begin this episode by telling you EXACTLY when to take a break for optimum performance. http://www.menshealth.com…

What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say is what makes them so happy. John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA)Probably the one wo…

Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up and why. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/theres-no-evidence-you-need-annual-physical-exam-say-doctorsYour unconscious mind affects your th…

In most places around the world, Siri comes with a female voice by default. Of course you can change it but most people don’t. This is true for most other voiced-based computer programs. Why? We begin this episode with the fascinating reasons why most people prefer their devices sound female. http:…

This episode is released a few days before most people in the U.S. change their clocks back to standard time. And each time we change the clocks, people complain about all the bad things that result from that. Well, there are some good things as well. So I begin with some of those and the reasons b…

The weather can affect your buying decisions without you realizing it. That can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house or a car. This episode begins with an explanation of why and how the weather impacts such important decisions and why you are more likely to buy a convertible …

We all have those times when we are stressed and need to chill out. So I begin this episode with some proven simple and easy ways to reduce anxiety and stress instantly – and one way is so easy all you have to do is listen a hit song from 1972. https://us.ditchthelabel.org/101-ultimate-ways-chill-r…

If you don’t play a musical instrument – maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your personality can predict with great accuracy, how much musical skill and talent you have. We begin this episode by exploring that. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub…

So you get ready to make a salad and you rinse the lettuce and carrots and tomatoes under the faucet for a few seconds. Does that really get rid of the pesticides and bacteria? We explore that very important question and you really need to hear the answer. http://www.menshealth.com/how-to-wash-prod…

Spending time with annoying and irritating people can be hazardous to your mental health! That’s according to some research from my alma mater, the University of Southern California. I begin this episode with that and how to bulletproof yourself from the negative effects of those most irritating pe…

Anyone who has ever cooked pasta has thought about using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes less time to boil. But is it really a good idea to cook with hot tap water? We begin this episode with a discussion on why it is such a bad idea. https://ww…

Even the best drivers get in serious accidents – usually because of bad drivers. So we start this episode with a look at why good drivers get into accidents and how to steer clear of them http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/how-good-drivers-get-killed.htmlA lot of us don’t’ sl…

Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or go to jail if you got caught? We begin this episode of the podcast with a look at what the law really says and why you would never want to kill one anyway. https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-illegal…

Not long ago I went to the supermarket only to find everything had been moved around. Nothing was where it used to be. Why? I’ll explain why they do that and other little tricks supermarkets play on you.  http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Supermarket-Psychology-Tricks-18344600?stream_view=1#phot…