People cry when they are sad – so why do they also cry when they are happy? This episode begins with the explanation for why two opposite emotions can have the same symptom. And what happy occasion actually causes people to cry the most “tears of joy.” (BTW, it’s not weddings). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141111124047.htm Did you know that flavor and taste are not the same thing? In fact, your sense of taste is much more complicated than you imagined and really involves all you...
Jul 14, 2022•46 min•Ep. 759
Why is it that as soon as you get your car washed, a bird will find it and leave a nice big poop on your shiny clean car? Whatever force of nature causes that, you need to get that poop off – fast. Listen as I explain why and how to do it so you don’t cause more damage. https://www.mccarthycollisioncenters.com/blog/8-tips-to-clean-bird-poop-off-car-paint Traveling this summer has been challenging at best. For some travelers it has been downright miserable. High airfares, cancelled flights, unrul...
Jul 11, 2022•53 min•Ep. 758
It seems to be human nature that the more money you have in your wallet, the more likely you are to spend it. And it also turns out that what kind of money is in your wallet influences how much you spend as well. Listen as this episode begins with some interesting psychology that will help you spend less so you keep more of your money. http://www.forbes.com/video/4061993829001/ I bet you have had someone design a logo or brochure or website for you and then when they show you what they did, they...
Jul 09, 2022•53 min•Ep. 757
Nothing ruins a trip like getting car sick. But now there are motion sickness glasses. Do they work? Reader’s Digest tested them out and a lot of people who bought them left reviews. Listen and I’ll tell you what they said. https://www.rd.com/article/motion-sickness-glasses/ How can you be in a relationship and still be an individual? It has always been a tricky balance that has gotten even tougher as we have shifted to a more “It’s-all-about-me” culture. Joining me to discuss this is internatio...
Jul 07, 2022•51 min•Ep. 756
We’ve all seen how dogs sniff each other – and it appears we humans do the same thing. (Not to dogs but to other humans). I begin this episode explaining how people make judgements about others based on how they smell. And it all happens subconsciously. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm Are you resilient? Do you bounce back after facing a big challenge? Can we learn to be more resilient? These are just a few of the things I discuss with with Stephen Magness. He has b...
Jul 04, 2022•53 min•Ep. 755
Ever have a hard time finding your keys or wallet or glasses – or even where you left your car in a parking lot? Why is it so hard to keep track of them? This episode begins with an explanation and some advice to use the next time you can’t find one of those things. http://lifehacker.com/the-two-factors-that-make-you-forgetful-1563418168 Do you know what your DNA is? How does it work and how does it solve crimes? Your DNA is fascinating and if you’ve ever bought one of those DNA test kits, you k...
Jul 02, 2022•52 min•Ep. 754
Do you prefer fresh or frozen fish? Most people would likely choose fresh – but the topic is a bit more complicated than choosing one or the other. A lot of times what you think of as “fresh” fish was once frozen. To start this episode, I unravel the discussion about whether fresh fish is really better – or not. https://www.thespruceeats.com/frozen-fish-better-than-fresh-fish-1300625 What if you could solve problems before they actually happen? That’s why you change the oil in your car. Doing so...
Jun 30, 2022•54 min•Ep. 753
We’ve all gotten the word about the importance of sunscreen. But there are several places on your body you are likely to miss when you apply it. This episode begins with an important list of the most likely places you need to make sure NOT to miss. https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/how-to-apply-sunscreen-to-commonly-missed-spots/ What if there was a drug that could give you better health, a longer life, more happiness and more success – would you take it? This drug actually exists accor...
Jun 27, 2022•51 min•Ep. 752
What is it about spicy food that makes some people love it and others avoid it like the plague? This episode begins with an interesting explanation and some helpful facts about hot and spicy food that could come in handy if things get too hot. http://lifehacker.com/how-to-actually-enjoy-the-painful-pleasure-of-spicy-foo-1794616828 How important is it that you do something you love? Must you be passionate about your career to be happy and fulfilled? Some people don’t really have a passion they ca...
Jun 25, 2022•51 min•Ep. 751
Given the price of gasoline, we all need to conserve every drop we can. While you have probably heard of some of the ways to save gas, there are a few you probably haven’t heard before. This episode begins with some effective gas saving hacks from the people at Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a39504408/how-to-improve-your-vehicles-gas-mileage/ Do you believe in luck? It probably depends on your definition. Some people believe luck is a mystical force while others think o...
Jun 23, 2022•53 min•Ep. 750
Why do cashiers often ask for your phone number or email address? What if you don’t want to share that information? This episode begins by explaining why they ask and what your response should be. https://www.rd.com/article/this-is-why-stores-ask-for-your-phone-number-at-the-checkout/ Everyone needs at least one friend. That’s according to Lydia Denworth, a science journalist and author of the book Friendship: The Evolution, Biology and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond (https://amz...
Jun 20, 2022•55 min•Ep. 749
People like reruns. We like to watch old TV shows and movies over and over again, we often order the same meal at a restaurant, listen to the same songs- maybe even reread a book. Why? This episode begins with an interesting explanation. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-you-like-to-watch-the-same-thing-over-and-over/ Change is hard. Who hasn’t tried to make a change in their life only to have it fail? Is there a way to tilt the odds in your favor and make the process easier? Joinin...
Jun 18, 2022•46 min•Ep. 748
Are you a smiler? Smiling turns out to be really good for you in a lot of ways. This episode begins with an explanation of some of the surprising benefits of smiling more often. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/03/22/the-untapped-power-of-smiling/#23fc80fc7a67 Why do we pay attention to some people but not others? What makes those people seem more credible? According to researcher Stephen Martin there are 8 subtle characteristics that make some people more credible and believable tha...
Jun 16, 2022•53 min•Ep. 747
The pandemic certainly made us more aware of the importance of washing our hands. However, it isn’t just how often you wash, it is also the technique that matters. Listen as I explain. http://www.hardydiagnostics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hand-Washing.pdf For as long as there have been people, there has been a need for fun. People like to have fun whether it is amusement parks, board games, sports, festivals, video games or whatever people do for fun. The backstories of how a lot of these f...
Jun 13, 2022•53 min•Ep. 746
With today’s gas prices, you want to make every gallon count. So perhaps you’ve wondered if you should stop your engine at a railroad crossing or if you are in the drive-thru line at a takeout place for just a minute. Listen to the beginning of this episode and I’ll give you the answer. https://slate.com/technology/2008/05/is-it-more-efficient-to-leave-your-car-idling.html Sometimes your own thoughts can ruin your day. Thoughts can become toxic and distort your perception of the world and interf...
Jun 11, 2022•50 min•Ep. 745
About one in ten people claim to be allergic to penicillin. Interestingly, while they may think they are – many of them are not. How can this be? This episode begins with an explanation of how this can be. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/do-you-really-have-a-penicillin-allergy-2019022616017 Distractions are everywhere. People are always complaining about the distractions in their lives. So how do you not give in to temptation and stay focused on what’s important? Joining me to offer some rea...
Jun 09, 2022•52 min•Ep. 744
I’ve always thought it was odd that it is called “plastic” surgery. What’s even stranger is that the term goes back over 200 years – long before what we know as plastic was really a thing. This episode begins with an explanation that all makes sense once you hear it. Source: Lindsey Fitzharris author of The Face Maker (https://amzn.to/3x3IP69). When you hear the word evil, you know what it means – but what is evil really? Is it a sinister force? Is it an unexplainable phenomenon? What makes a pe...
Jun 06, 2022•50 min•Ep. 743
No one likes getting those annoying robocalls. This episode begins with a simple way to stop robocalls for free – and it really works. In fact it is so effective, it won a contest held by the Federal Trade Commission looking for the best way to stop robocalls. Source: Interview with Aaron Foss founder of www.Nomorobo.com Everyone breathes. However, we don’t all breathe correctly. It turns out that when you DO breathe the right way, amazing things can happen according to journalist James Nestor, ...
Jun 04, 2022•52 min•Ep. 742
Everyone snoops and eavesdrops. . It’s part of being human. This episode begins with a discussion on eavesdropping and snooping and why it is so hard to resist and what purpose it serves. ( Source: John L. Locke author of Eavesdropping (https://amzn.to/2O7an63) Financial advice often begins with the admonition that you need to stop spending so much - no more credit cards, save more - spend less, you know the drill. Maybe that is the is the wrong way to look at it. Maybe you should spend even mor...
Jun 02, 2022•49 min•Ep. 741
Did you know Memorial Day wasn’t declared a national Holiday until 1971? And it wasn’t always called Memorial Day either. Those are just a few of the interesting facts this episode starts with as we look at this uniquely American holiday and day of remembrance. https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/memorial-day-2022-facts-american-holiday A few years ago, we had Brian Little on as a guest. Brian is one of the leading researchers on the science of personality which I find particularly fascinating. I ...
May 30, 2022•47 min•Ep. 740
When you get a fever, what should you do? Some people say you should take medicine to knock it down – some say to leave it alone and let it run its course. Who’s right? This episode begins with an expert answer to that question. http://www.menshealth.com/health/clean-up-your-health-routine When you’re hungry - you’re hungry. Right? Not exactly. While you may think hunger is one thing, there is evidence to show that we have several different kinds of hungers – 5 actually. Stephen Simpson has stud...
May 28, 2022•47 min•Ep. 739
It seems that no matter how much water you drink, someone is always telling you to drink more. They may be right. It does seem that staying hydrated is good for you. This episode begins with an explanation of the benefits of drinking more water - both physical and mental. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/17435/why-drink-water-how-water-and-health-are-connected/ Everyone seems more stressed out than ever before. People sometimes even brag about how stressful their lives are. Yet stress can caus...
May 26, 2022•49 min•Ep. 738
For some reason, dogs seem to love to hang their head out the car window when it’s moving. Why do they do that? And is it a good idea to let them do that? This episode begins with an explanation of what dogs get out of the experience and what you should do as the dog’s owner. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-behavior/should-my-dog-hang-their-head-out-of-a-car-window/ Imagine where we would be without modern surgery. Many of us wouldn’t be here, actually. The history of surgery is rem...
May 23, 2022•51 min•Ep. 737
People say they are attracted to people who make them laugh and have a good sense of humor. But it is a bit more complicated than that. It is true that humor can bring people together, but it can also pull them apart. This episode begins with an explanation about humor and couples. https://www.theknot.com/content/couples-who-share-sense-of-humor-study When someone asks you for advice, you likely give it. After all, they asked. However, you may be better off by keeping quiet and withholding your ...
May 21, 2022•52 min•Ep. 736
Do you know the difference between ice cream, gelato, soft-serve, frozen yogurt and sorbet? This episode begins by explaining what they all are and how they are different from each other. https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/differences-between-ice-cream-gelato-frozen-yogurt-sherbet Pay attention! Stay focused. Do one thing at a time. We have all been told these things yet now more than ever, distractions are everywhere. So how exactly do you keep your attention focused? Is it really necessary? ...
May 19, 2022•51 min•Ep. 735
Two of the biggest problems facing the world today are hunger and food waste. So, what if you created a business that tackled both problems in a way that one helped solve the other? That’s exactly what Jasmine Crowe did. Listen to this wonderful story about a woman who went from cooking meals in her kitchen to help hungry people in Atlanta to founding Goodr. (https://goodr.co). Today Jasmine is not only helping feed hungry people all over the country but is tackling the problem of food waste in ...
May 18, 2022•10 min
Don’t you hate it when a doctor makes you wait well past your appointment time? Why do they do that? Should you complain? What’s a reasonable amount of time to wait before you say something? This episode begins with some interesting insight into the problem and what you should do to make sure the doctor understands your time is valuable. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/ppatients-switched-doctors-long-wait-times-vitals# How effective is peer pressure? Are we really influenced by the pe...
May 16, 2022•50 min•Ep. 734
Does a full moon really bring out craziness in people? Does it cause more car accidents and hospital admissions? This episode begins with a look at whether or not the moon really affects human behavior – or at least why so many people believe it does. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/stop-blaming-the-moon-says-ucla-scientist Being happy is a big goal for almost everyone. And finding it is often a struggle. Joining me with some insight and science regarding how we can all be happier is Tim Bono,...
May 14, 2022•52 min•Ep. 733
This is a special bonus episode that is part of the Dell PodFerence 2022… Everyone has been in a situation where your phone was running out of power, there was no place to charge it and you really needed to have it NOT DIE! Listen to this great story about an ambitious 23-year old entrepreneur who saw this universal problem and created a great opportunity. Hugo Tilomuth created a company in Great Britain called ChargedUp that directly addressed the problem of dying phones needing a charged. His ...
May 13, 2022•11 min
If you wear a certain fragrance, people will perceive you as 12 pounds thinner. That’s just one of many fascinating things I discuss about your sense of smell in the first segment of this episode. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/02/scents We are all learning all the time. But have you ever thought about HOW you learn? Maybe you can learn better if you did it differently. One person who has thoroughly researched the topic of learning is Scott Young, author of the book UltraLearning: Master Hard ...
May 12, 2022•47 min•Ep. 732
