Something You Should Know

It might sound strange, but the way you evaluate your relationship could actually depend on the chair you’re sitting in. Multiple experiments suggest that posture and stance can influence how you judge your marriage or partnership. In the opening segment, I explain this fascinating connection. https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/how-your-stance-may-test-your-marriage

We all talk about intuition — that gut feeling when you know what to do without being able to explain why. But is intuition a real thing, or just a name we give to quick decision-making? And if it is real, can you actu...

Speed reading might sound impressive, but research shows that slowing down can actually improve comprehension, retention, and enjoyment. In this opening segment, we explore why reading at a slower pace could be the real key to getting the most out of your books and articles. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-slow-reading-is-actually-a-good-thing-because-being-a-speed-reader-is-overrated-73092

On average, people juggle about 22 goals at any given time — but chasing all of them often leads to frustration and burnout. My guest, Jon Acuff, bestselling speaker and author of nine books, including All It Takes is a Goal (https://amzn.to/3PtSiOF), shares a fresh, mo...

You probably aren’t letting your dishwasher do its job the way it’s designed to — and you may be wasting time (and water) in the process. In this opening segment, we reveal why your dishwasher is smarter than you think, how to make it work harder for you, and the one thing it desperately wants you to stop doing. https://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/a51170/stop-prerinsing-dishes/

Social status isn’t just for the shallow or phony — it’s something we all crave in one way or another. Whether at work, in friendships, or within communities, status offer...

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Why do kids really get the summer off from school? The popular myth is that it was to help out on the family farm—but that’s not true at all. The real reason is much simpler (and more obvious). This episode begins with the surprising explanation.Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/56901/why-do-students-get-summers

Stress often gets a bad reputation. We’re told it’s harmful and that the goal should be to reduce o...

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Walking is great exercise. However, the speed you walk at can make a big difference. The right pace can offer health benefits and can have a surprising impact on how long you live. Source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/people-who-walk-faster-tend-to-live-longer

How do top performers get to be the best at what they do? Many people assume it’s all about experience or endless practice, but there’s a more effective approach. Eduardo Briceño joins me to...

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When you stay at a short-term rental property such as Airbnb, you often notice security cameras. After all, it is someone’s home. But what about cameras inside the home? This episode begins with surprising data about just how common hidden surveillance is—and what every guest should know. Source: https://www.ipx1031.com/surveillance-rental-study/

For as long as humans have been around, we’ve had to do something with our hair. We’ve cut it, colore...

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Why do humans blush—and why does it feel so uncomfortable when someone points it out? Charles Darwin once called blushing “the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.” In this episode, I start by exploring the surprising science of blushing and what it really communicates about us. Source: https://www.rd.com/article/why-do-people-blush/

Credit cards are so embedded in modern life that it’s hard to imagine shopping wit...

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How often do you think the average American checks their phone each day? Whatever your guess, you’ll probably be shocked by the actual number. This episode kicks off with some eye-opening stats about our cell phone obsession and just how much it’s shaping our daily lives. https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/

When it comes to decisions, many of us waste valuable energy stressing over choices that don’t even mat...

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Chances are, your home is full of things you don’t use, don’t need, and maybe don’t even recognize. Listen to the start of this episode and you’ll discover a simple list of household items you can toss out today — without a second thought. Clearing them out will free up space and make room for what truly matters. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/things-in-your-home-to-get-rid-of_n_4748455

Even the brightest mind...

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Your phone’s battery is an engineering marvel — but you might be killing it without even realizing it. In this opening segment, you’ll learn simple, science-backed charging habits that can dramatically extend your battery’s life and keep it holding a charge for years to come. https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a15731/best-way-to-keep-li-ion-batteries-charged/

Have you heard of “primal intelligence”? It’s essentially the opposite of artificial intelligence — the inn...

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No one likes making a fool of themselves — but it turns out, it might be one of the best things you can do for your happiness. In this opening segment, we explore how moments of public embarrassment can lead to surprising psychological benefits. It may feel awful in the moment, but research says it could actually improve your well-being in the long run. https://exploringyourmind.com/making-fool-yourself-makes-you-happier/⁠

Everyone lies… but at...

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“Happy Birthday to You” might seem like a simple song, but its history is anything but. It has generated millions of dollars in royalties and been at the center of a wild legal saga. In this opening segment, you'll hear the fascinating backstory of one of the world’s most famous tunes — and learn about its current legal status. https://www.wipo.int/web/wipo-magazine/articles/in-the-courts-court-confirms-legal-status-of-happy-birthday-to-you-55581

Is happiness just a...

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Try formulating an answer to a difficult question while looking someone in the eye. It is almost impossible. You must look away. Why is it so hard to concentrate while looking at someone? This episode starts with an explanation of that. http://www.livescience.com/7155-helps-concentration.html

To be labeled as a great innovator is an honor. Innovators are held in high esteem. But what is it that makes th...

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Everyone knows exercise is good for you. But have you ever thought HOW it is good for you? This episode begins by explaining exactly what the benefits are both mentally and physically. And the benefits are substantial. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389

Ever find yourself caught in a loop of “what ifs”? You imagine things going wrong — even when there’s no real reason to worry. That c...

What if starting your meal with a mediocre appetizer could actually make the main course taste better? In this surprising opening segment, we dive into the psychology of taste and explore clever, science-backed tricks to make your food taste better — using your brain, not just your palate. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3139067/

We’re all being influenced by algorithms every day — from what we watch and buy to what we believe. But what exactly is an algorithm, how does it work, and can you fight back against its invisible influence? Math professor and author Noah Giansi...

What if you were convinced you got a good night’s sleep even if you didn’t? It turns out what you believe can actually determine if you do or don’t feel tired the next day. How can this possibly be true? This episode starts with an explanation which could be very useful one day when you didn’t sleep well. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24417326/

Many times in your life you have felt totally bored. What exactly is boredom? Is it a feeling or maybe it is a lack of a feeling? Does feeling bored ev...

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You probably have a drawer where you keep spare batteries for when you need them. But if some or all those batteries are loose and floating around that drawer, it could be dangerous. This episode begins with an explanation and a better way to store batteries. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/612670/never-store-batteries-your-junk-drawer

Just how French are French fries? Why are frankfurters also called hot dogs and why do we hav...

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People don’t drown the way you think they do. Someone could drown right in front of you, and you might not notice. It happens all the time. This episode begins by revealing what to look for to spot a drowning person. https://www.thehealthy.com/first-aid/silent-signs-of-drowning/#ixzz3dGUMjhU8

In the United States, we have an expectation of privacy. We are entitled to a private life. But it wasn’...

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As people age, changes in the eyes require that some to get reading glasses to see things clearly close-up. What’s odd is that women seem to require reading glasses at an earlier age than men. Why? Listen as I reveal the interesting answer. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120623144946.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

We all want to get along and be liked but some people take it to t...

It might seem odd, but a lot of dogs get stolen in the United States. Like most other things, it’s all about money. This episode begins with an explanation and a warning about your pet. https://petkeen.com/dognapping-dog-theft-statistics/

Being sensitive is a good thing. Being told you are TOO sensitive is more of an insult. It is perceived as a weakness, as if there is something wrong and the way to fix it is to toughen up. That isn’t going to work according to Jenn Granneman. Yes, being sensitive can be difficult at times but...

Your body temperature is about 98 degrees. So why does it feel so hot when you walk outside in 98-degree heat? Shouldn’t you feel just right? I’ll explain all this as I begin this episode. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50080/why-do-we-feel-hot-temperatures-lower-our-body-temp

We all know that stores and online retailers use strategies to influence how we shop and how much we buy. There are the obvious ways they do it and some subtle ways you may miss. Yet, when you understand these strategies, it can make you a better shopper and make you immune to their manipulation. Here...

If you enjoy eating nuts – good for you! Nuts are healthy. But you might be surprised to hear just how healthy they are - and you don’t have to eat very many to get the benefits. This episode begins with a look at a fascinating study on nuts that has been going on for decades. https://www.herbazest.com/news/nut-consumption-may-prolong-life

“It’s right on the tip of my tongue!” We have all had that experience of not being able to recall a word but feel like it is just out of reach. It’s different than simply...

Things can get dangerously hot in the summer. The interior of your car, the sidewalk, even your patio furniture can heat up in the summer sun and burn you. Listen as I reveal just how hot these things can get. https://www.rd.com/article/things-that-get-dangerously-hot/

You’ve likely noticed that some things are harder to learn than others and that some people learn faster than others. Are there ways to make learning easier and quicker for those of us who aren't rocket scientists? Yes, according to my guest Daniel Willingham. He is a professor of psychology at...

Like a supermarket, major airports are laid out and configured to try to get you to spend money while you are there. Listen and discover how they do it and when you are most likely to open your wallet at an airport. https://www.neatorama.com/2015/06/11/12-Behind-the-Scenes-Secrets-of-Airports/

How many times have you used "therapy-speak" to descibe someone - words like toxic or narcissist or psychopath? It’s a handy and very descriptive way to talk about someone – but there are potential problems with doing it. Those words are often used by psychologists to describe serious conditions that most...

“Let me sleep on it.” That always seems like a good idea when a big decision has to be made. But is there true wisdom in that advice? This episode starts with the answer. https://www.newswise.com/articles/sleep-on-it-is-sound-science-based-advice#

Ever feel like you are being watched? Ever walk into a room for something and forget why you did? Ever felt “in the zone” – like you could do no wrong? We all have these weird mental experiences but why? Do they serve a purpose? Here to reveal the explanation behind these and other similar things is Dr. Jen Martin...

Why is it that people seem to come up with good ideas in the shower? Could there really be something special about the shower experience that generates great thoughts and simple solutions? This episode begins with some interesting research about the magic of the shower. https://www.headspace.com/articles/shower-epiphanies

The strangest things can affect your health. For example, your birthday or if there is a parade or a 10K in your town. Even if there is EZ Pass on a highway somewhere near you can affect your health. It sounds odd and you may ask...

Shampoo, lotions, guns, knives and a lot of other things are confiscated at airport security checkpoints every day. What happens to all those things? Can you ever get them back? This episode starts by taking a look. https://www.rd.com/article/return-confiscated-items-tsa/

Even if you don’t believe in them, you probably participate in some superstitions. Maybe you knock on wood or avoid walking under a ladder or steer clear of black cats. Where do these superstitions come from? Why do they still exist since we know they don’t really do anything? Here to explain this...

There is an experience some of us (but not all) are able to have called autonomous sensory meridian response or ASMR. It can be triggered by a soft monotonous voice explaining something as well as other triggers. Sounds weird, right? Listen as I explain how it works, why science doesn’t recognize it as a real thing but for many of us, it is a wonderful sensation, and I will tell you how to experience it. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/53220/listening-soft-voices-can-cause-brain-orgasms

The YouTube video link mentioned is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiKxytbCWk

Di...

Not all that long ago, people felt paying bills by sending a check in the mail was the best way to do it. Today, it seems like a bad idea. In fact, banks and the post office are recommending against it. Listen as I reveal why. https://www.businessinsider.com/post-office-check-fraud-mailing-be-careful-usps-scam-2023-6

There are a lot of weird but true stories out there. And this episode offers you several of them!. For instance, how one U.S. President prevented his own assassination and how Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr’s unique drumming style is due to exorcisms. And, how...

While people may not point it out to you when you use the wrong word – they DO notice. This episode begins by setting the record straight on the right words to use that people commonly get wrong. For instance, when do you use take or bring, further or farther, ironic or coincidental and others? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/misused-words-make-smart-people-look-dumb-dr-travis-bradberry/

For every person on earth, there are 1.4 billion bugs. We share the world with bugs, and we owe them our very existence. How can that be? Here with the explanation and some fascinating intel about all the bu...

Having good friends can help you live longer, see the world more positively and make you look more attractive. How can that be? Listen as I explain. https://www.thehealthy.com/family/relationships/friends-facts/

We are learning more and more about the healing power of music. You already know music can help your mood or help you relax or give you motivation. But it also can help with depression, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and who knows what else? Why does listening to music and making music seem to have such positive effects? Joining me to reveal the la...

Why do people seem to get sick when (or just after) they fly? Many believe it is the recirculated air on the plane that everyone is breathing. That is probably not the reason. This episode starts by explaining what the real culprit is and how to protect yourself. https://www.rd.com/article/recirculated-air-on-airplanes/

It is amazing how often we miscommunicate with other people. It happens when we speak, or send a text or email, on the phone – it happens all the time. The trouble is that what we think we are saying is not necessarily what pe...

Who hasn’t had a brilliant idea or revelation while taking a shower? It seems the shower is a place where we do some of our best thinking. Why is that? This episode starts with an explanation. https://www.headspace.com/articles/shower-epiphanies

What is love? Is it an experience, or an emotion or something else? According to Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist at Oxford University, love is a human need that is as important as food, sleep or water. Listen to our discussion and you will realize how important having love in your life is and ho...

Everyone is bound to make a typo in an email. What’s interesting though is the reader will often see that typo and alter the way they interpret your message – sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. Listen to discover how this works. https://www.businessinsider.com/typos-in-emails-2015-5

The science of weather forecasting has come a long way in the last few decades. Interestingly, forecasters are not only improving their accuracy but also how they communicate the information to you and me. With more and more extreme weather (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, high winds/fire...

How do spiders find their way into your house? This episode starts by revealing how it happens and some ways to make your home less appealing to spiders, so they stay outside. https://www.prevention.com/life/a32332424/how-to-get-rid-of-spiders/

Unless you are some sort of grouch, you probably laugh at something almost every day. Have you ever thought about what makes something funny? Do humor and laughter influence you in some way? Is it true that laughter is the best medicine? Why do we seek out comedy in movies, TV shows or in clubs? Researchers have studied...

People sometimes cheat on their partner. Not everyone – but some do. This episode begins with some insight into one big reason that causes infidelity in a marriage or relationship. https://www.thoughtco.com/why-people-cheat-on-their-partners-3026688

We are surrounded by information on every topic you can imagine. The problem is that if you want to learn how to do something, you could spend an eternity learning and never get to the doing – because there is always more to learn. The solution to this is to learn less according to Pat Flynn. He is a leading serial entrepreneurs, online marketer and...

Summer brings ice cream, popsicles and other frozen treats – all of which can cause painful brain freeze. Why does that happen, and can you stop it? Listen as I explain what brain freeze is and a really good remedy for it. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brain-freeze-why-does-ice-cream-give-you-headaches/

To make changes in your thoughts, personality and behavior takes a lot of work over a long period of time. Well, maybe for some things. However, there are some quick and simple strategies to tackle some more common psychological problems. Here to explain many of them is Richard Wiseman. He is...

Being sure to get enough sleep is one of the suggestions for people trying to lose or control their body weight. What’s the connection? How does sleep affect weight loss? This episode begins with an explanation. https://www.webmd.com/obesity/features/cant-shed-those-pounds

The English language is full of weird little phrases like: “Cut to the chase.” “Made from scratch.” Close but no cigar.” Where do these strange sayings come from? That’s just one of the topics about our language I discuss with Erin McCarthy, VP/Editor-in-Chief of MentalFloss.com and author of the book Mental Floss...

It makes sense that if you want to cut down on the amount of spam email you get, just unsubscribe from those emails. WAIT! That could make things worse. There is a better way to handle spam emails, and I begin this episode by explaining how. https://www.yahoo.com/news/warning-hitting-unsubscribe-unwanted-emails-115900557.html

Predicting the future is a losing game most of the time. Still, a lot of influential people spend a lot of time and money trying to do it. People forecast where the stock market is going, they predict trends in fashion, technology and everything...

Can drinking tea make you happy – or do happy people just like to drink tea? There is definitely a connection between tea and mental health, and this episode begins with an explanation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25657295/

Artificial Intelligence is either the next big thing that will transform our lives or the worst thing ever that will curse humanity. So, what is the truth? Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Gary Rivlan has taken a hard look at AI and joins me to discuss the good and the bad and reveals how AI will affect us all. Gary ha...