Something You Should Know - podcast cover

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Mediawww.somethingyoushouldknow.net
Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel" you can use to make your life better - today. Right now.

Episodes

Science Behind Love and Friendship & How to Get Better At Saying No

Every now and then you see someone being interviewed on television who has reached 100 years old - or older and claims to have smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey their whole life. Yet other people do all the right things and die young. This episode begins with and examination and explanation of this odd phenomenon and tells you what your odds are of living to 100 on the cigarette and whiskey diet. Source: Dr. Robert Butler author of The Longevity Prescription (https://amzn.to/392khSV) I’m sure ...

May 09, 202252 minEp. 731

SYSK Choice: How to Successfully Negotiate Anything & The Unknown Benefits of Walking

What you smell can have a really interesting effect on you. Smells can make you happy, improve concentration and even boost your energy. This episode begins with an explanation of which scents do what to you. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/26/scents-and-wellbeing_n_5193609.html The thought of negotiation can turn some people off. IF you are one of those people, then you will love this. Alexandra Carter is an expert at negotiation and her approach is easy to understand and simple to execut...

May 07, 202253 minEp. 730

Weird Factors That Distort Your Thinking & How Animals Perceive the World

Holding on to a grudge can feel righteous. After all, you’ve been wronged. You are entitled to hold that grudge. However, there are a lot more reasons - and better ones - to let that grudge go. This episode begins with an explanation and a great quote to remember about grudges. Source: Judith Kuriansky author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Relationship (https://amzn.to/3KQEetb) So many things can alter your thinking in ways you don’t realize. For example, the human brain has trouble ...

May 05, 202250 minEp. 729

Using Data to Get What You Want & What You Didn’t Know About Weather and Nature

Shoes can be dangerous - especially if they have big heels. This episode begins by looking at the long history of trouble caused by high heels and other interesting facts about women’s shoes. https://reut.rs/3rXNqoR & https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150521120924.htm Think about all the choices you have made based solely on your gut. Most likely that list includes things like; what career path to take, who to marry, how best to be happy and other life-changing choices. Yet, for all ...

May 02, 202254 minEp. 728

SYSK Choice: The Key to Mega-Successful Products & Public Speaking Made Easy

Spring is when birds build nests and lay eggs all over the place. And you have probably heard that if a baby bird falls out of the nest you shouldn’t put it back because the mother will abandon the baby. Is that true? Listen to hear the surprising answer. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2287/if-you-handle-baby-birds-will-their-parents-shun-them Who hasn’t thought how great it would be to be a successful entrepreneur? However, it takes a certain kind of person to handle the ups and downs...

Apr 30, 202254 minEp. 727

How to Learn From People You Disagree With & Ways to Turn Down Your Anxiety

How many times have you heard that - “We live in a fast-paced world?” Yet, in many ways we set that pace for ourselves. We like to do things quickly. So, this episode begins with a look at things that would go a lot better for all of us if we just slowed down a little. Source, Debbie Mandel, author of “Addicted to Stress” https://amzn.to/3v9JpzD Politics has gotten downright nasty. It seems people on opposite sides of a political issue can’t have a civil discussion about their differences anymor...

Apr 28, 202253 minEp. 726

The Science of Creativity & What You Never Knew About the Periodic Table of Elements

How many hours of sleep do you need? Some people claim they can do just fine with 4 or 5 hours. Can they really? This episode begins with a look at what happens when people don’t get a full 8 hours of sleep. https://lifehacker.com/how-many-hours-of-sleep-do-you-really-need-5802650 While most people would agree that creativity is a wonderful human attribute, the fact is creativity isn’t always good. It is sometimes evil and destructive - in fact it often is. Still, humans are born to create. Join...

Apr 25, 202251 minEp. 725

SYSK Choice: People Behind the Great Firsts in History & Job Search Strategies That Work

Have you heard of dooring? It is a bicyclist’s nightmare. Dooring is when someone in a car along the side of the road opens the door just as you ride by on your bicycle and – WHAM! It happens a lot more people than you might think – and it probably ALMOST happens even more. There is an interesting way to prevent it that comes from the Netherlands. Listen and find out what it is. https://www.rd.com/article/open-car-door-right-hand/ Have you ever wondered the name of the person who discovered fire...

Apr 23, 202253 minEp. 724

Why Perfectionists Aren’t So Perfect & How Advertisers Target You

As the weather gets warmer, people wear flip flops. While they may be easy and convenient, there are some problems with flip flops. This episode begins with some advice if flip flops are part of your warm weather wardrobe. https://abc7.com/archive/6266861/ Being a perfectionist may seem like a good thing. After all, if you are going to do something, why not do it right? Still, striving for perfection may not be wise in a world where “good enough” is just fine in many cases. Joining me to discuss...

Apr 21, 202249 minEp. 723

What to Do When You Feel Stuck & How Alternative Health Practices Can Actually Work

Who you hang out with can affect your health. This episode begins with some interesting research from Gallup about the impact your friends can have on you - both positive and negative. Source: Tom Rath author of Well Being (https://amzn.to/3EekZb7) We all feel stuck at some point in life. Maybe you are stuck in a job or a relationship - or you just feel stuck in general. So how do you get unstuck? Well, there are some good ways and some bad ways. Here to explain what works and what doesn’t and h...

Apr 18, 202253 minEp. 722

SYSK Choice: How to Avoid Eating Plastic & Overcoming Cognitive Bias

Every year a lot of pedestrians crossing the street get hit by cars and trucks. If you are often a pedestrian walking the streets, there is one technique that will drastically reduce your risk of getting hit. This episode begins with that simple technique that could save your life. http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-key-to-crossing-the-street-safely-eye-contact-1427734205 I hate to tell you this but you are eating a lot of plastic. You may think you aren’t - but you are. Consumer Reports has taken ...

Apr 16, 202254 minEp. 721

Take a Tour of the Human Body & Amazing Stories Your Doctor is Afraid to Tell You

If Easter is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ, how did the Easter Bunny become part of it? This episode begins by explaining where rabbits fit into Easter and where the Easter basket came from. Source: The History of Easter https://www.phancypages.com/newsletter/ZNewsletter2599.htm How the human body works is a marvel. Joining me to explain and take us on a tour of parts of the human body is Dr. Jonathan Resiman, a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics and he is author ...

Apr 14, 202255 minEp. 720

How to Be The Most Influential Person in the Room & What You Never Knew About Grief

Your freezer has an ice maker and your ice maker - believe it or not - has a heater. This episode begins with an explanation of why your ice maker has a heater in the first place and how it is costing you more money than you might imagine.https://lifehacker.com/save-some-energy-and-money-by-turning-off-your-ice-ma-5792410 Do you ever wish people would listen to you and take your ideas more seriously? Well, if you want to have more influence over the people in your life, you need to listen to Zoe...

Apr 11, 202254 minEp. 719

SYSK Choice: How to Get More by Doing Less & Fascinating Real-World Math Fails

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 ...

Apr 09, 202255 minEp. 718

How Changing Your Expectations Can Change Your Life & The Story of Pizza

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...

Apr 07, 202252 minEp. 717

Surprising New Science to Help Anyone Be Thin & How to Make Good Ideas Great

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...

Apr 04, 202254 minEp. 716

SYSK Choice: The Power of Personal Validation & Train Your Mind to Optimize Performance

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...

Apr 02, 202250 minEp. 715

How to Create More Willpower When You Need It & Skin Care Myths That Could Be Harmful

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...

Mar 31, 202251 minEp. 714

The Science of Slowing Down Aging & Things You Believe That Are Just Not True

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...

Mar 28, 202253 minEp. 713

SYSK Choice: How to Overcome Self-Deception & The Fascinating Science of Weather

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 ...

Mar 26, 202248 minEp. 712

Is AI Making You Lazy and Dumb? & The Secret Science of Stickiness

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 ...

Mar 24, 202255 minEp. 711

Have More Impact on the People Around You & Chef Secrets to Make Food Tastier

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...

Mar 21, 202250 minEp. 710

SYSK Choice: How to Think Like a Rocket Scientist & How Coffee Became Our Favorite Drink

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...

Mar 19, 202250 minEp. 709

Our Desire to Fit In and the Problems That Creates & How Language Lets Us Down

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...

Mar 17, 202253 minEp. 708

Wondery Presents: We Crashed

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 D...

Mar 15, 20225 min

The Reasons Humans Act So Strangely & Why the Health of Your Mouth Really Matters

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...

Mar 14, 202254 minEp. 707

SYSK Choice: The Anatomy of Love & How Successful People Achieve Their Goals

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 ...

Mar 12, 202248 minEp. 706

How To Make Smarter Decisions & Why Some Vices Are Actually Good

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 ...

Mar 10, 202242 minEp. 705

How to Be More Charismatic & How Modern Genetics is Changing Everything

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...

Mar 07, 202253 minEp. 704

SYSK Choice: The Best Way to Change Minds & The Relationship of Humans and Technology

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 ...

Mar 05, 202250 minEp. 703