Episodes

Want to be more persuasive? There is a simple phrase or two you can add to any request that will increase the chances that almost anyone will do you the favor you ask. I’ll tell you what those phrases are.If you’ve been watching the Olympics, you’ve seen THE best athletes in the world competing aga…

So the dentist has you open your mouth wide and while he is poking around in there with sharp instruments, he asks you a question. Why? You can’t really answer. I’ll explain this and other fascinating things that go on in the dentist’s office.Since it is Valentine’s week, I think you’ll enjoy heari…

Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t sing or carry a tune? Kids are often told that and it can really embarrass them and leave a lasting impression. The truth is just about anyone can sing and sing well. So forget what you were told and listen to my explanation.The ability to forgive is wonde…

Identity theft is often NOT the result of some high-tech scam. It is frequently because someone digs through your trash and finds documents with personal information. I start this episode explaining ways you haven't heard before to protect yourself from low-tech but highly effective dumpster divers…

When you fly on an airplane – you think things. Like: “How good, is the air I’m breathing? Will I get drunker than normal if I drink at 35,000 feet? What if some lunatic tries to open the airplane door during the flight?” I’ll reveal the answers to these and other common questions about air travel.…

You have likely been the victim of the Doorway Effect. It’s when you walk into a room and forget why you walked in there. We start this episode with an explanation of what this is and why it happens.Wouldn’t it be great if people regarded you as particularly fascinating? Well it turns out there are…

I am sure you have had to perform under pressure. And so you know that it is difficult to do and often your performance suffers. But why? Well a couple of interesting things happen in that situation and when you understand them you can make the experience of performing under pressure a lot easier. …

Sure, it’s great to want more money but if you don’t have the time to enjoy it – what’s the point? We begin this episode with a look at why spending more of your money on things that actually create more free time for you can make your life much more enjoyable. While the phrase “timing is everythin…

I bet this has happened to you… you are all set to take a bite of something delicious when you notice a fly has landed on it - a filthy disgusting fly! So is that food still safe to eat? Find out what the science says as we begin this episode of the program.Then, your success in life is due in larg…

Do you often find yourself in the slowest line at the supermarket? Me too. Is it bad luck or just your perception? I’ll explore what’s behind this universal annoyance and suggest a better way to handle this.It seems everyone hates the sound of their voice when they hear it played back. But what if …

It sucks when you have a cold. I’m sure you’ve heard that you should drink a lot of fluids and get rest and eat chicken soup – but there are other things you may not have heard before that can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold while you wait for it to go away. And since this is cold season, we …

How can drinking hot cocoa from an orange mug taste different from drinking hot cocoa from a blue mug? I’ll explain some interesting research that shows how color affects our perception of taste.Plus, a large percentage of the population report that they are shy. In fact, almost all of us feel shy …

Even though we all know not to talk or text while driving – it can be so tempting. After all, what harm can it do to send a text while stopped at a traffic light? Well, you might be surprised. Research by AAA found there is a residual effect even after you are done texting or talking that can impai…

I love strawberries. But I hate how they go moldy so fast. Well, there is a way to make them last longer – and that is just one of the great life hacks I have for you to begin this episode. Then, if you want to save money, the people at Consumer Reports are experts. Senior Editor Tobie Stanger join…

Here is the second of our two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. I know you’ll enjoy these excerpts and below are the links to the original episodes from which these segments are taken so you can listen to the complete interviews if you …

As 2017 draws to a close, this is the first of two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. Below are the links to the original episodes from which these excerpts are taken so you can listen to the complete interviews if you wish.Merry Christm…

Do you keep stuff? You know, things from your past that you have a hard time giving up even though you don’t use them anymore? This episode begins with some interesting advice on what to keep and what to toss or give away.You probably know that your genes influence things your eye color or hair col…

You can manipulate your brain to change your mood. How? Biofeedback. For example, when you are happy you smile. But it also works in reverse - if you smile, that makes you happy. And there are other ways I’ll discuss that you can improve your mood by doing very simple things. It’s fascinating.Then,…

It is called the “helper’s high.” It’s that feeling you get when you do something nice for someone else. It isn’t only a theory, there is solid evidence that doing the smallest thing for someone else is good for you. I’ll explore that as we begin this episode of the podcast.Achieving any goal can b…

Does love at first sight exist? Many experts say no but many people claim to have experienced it. So what’s the truth? We begin this episode by looking at this intriguing phenomenon.Then, whenever you speak, you should have a point. And not only should you have a point but you must make sure the pe…

How’s your driving? Sure you know you are a good driver but what do other drivers think? This episode starts with a slightly unusual driver’s test.Then, you know those people who are always so happy? Is it hard work to be that happy or does it just come naturally? David Niven author of several book…

I bet you have Googled medical symptoms you are experiencing. Everyone does. But the information you get can be contradictory and often times inaccurate. However, there is a place to go online that has accurate information and you’ve probably never heard of it before. We start this episode with tha…

Just a brief hello from Mike Carruthers, host of Something You Should Know. Mike explains the background and history of how the podcast started and what this new podcast is all about.