Winter is cold and flu season – and sometimes, when you start feeling sick, you wonder if it is the flu or just a cold. This episode begins by explaining how early symptoms can help you figure it out quickly so you can seek the appropriate remedy. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/is-it-cold-flu During the holidays especially, people sense the need and importance of being connected to others. Perhaps one reason people often feel disconnected and isolated may just be that they don’t have the rig...
Dec 11, 2023•52 min•Ep. 981
People frequently choke when they drink something because – “it went down the wrong pipe.” Is there really a wrong pipe? Why do people sometimes choke when they swallow? I begin this episode by discussing the rather complicated process of swallowing and why sometimes things go awry. Source: Joel Herskowitz, author of Swallow Safely (https://amzn.to/3pXFjqv) Do you prioritize having fun in your life? Or is fun just something you do if there is time once the serious business is finished? Maybe we ...
Dec 09, 2023•50 min•Ep. 980
One of the best parts of Christmas is the tree. There is so much lore, and history and fascinating facts about Christmas trees. Listen as this episode begins with some things you may not know. https://www.gertens.com/blog/christmas-fun-facts-and-trivia.html The sense of smell is the one most people say they could live without if they had to pick one. Really? There is a lot more to your ability to smell scents and odors than you may realize. Do you really know how your sense of smell works? What ...
Dec 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 979
Seems like there isn’t much your smartphone CAN’T do. However, one weakness it has is the inability to stand up to cold weather. This episode begins with an explanation of why and how your phone is so vulnerable to the cold and what to do about it. https://blog.gaiagps.com/how-to-keep-your-phone-alive-in-cold-weather/ What makes human intelligence superior to the intelligence of other creatures? What are the flaws in human thinking? Will AI ever really be able to think like a human brain or is t...
Dec 04, 2023•51 min•Ep. 978
I’m sure you’ve noticed those little silica gel packs in boxes of shoes or electronics. And if you look closely, you’ll see they typically have a warning to NOT eat them. Are they really that poisonous? What would happen if you did eat one? I begin this episode with an explanation. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-to-know-silica-gel Every day we interact with manmade machines and those interactions have revolutionized modern life. Now with AI and more advanced robotics our relation...
Dec 02, 2023•52 min•Ep. 977
Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? It seems to be a smell everybody finds pleasing and it also turns out to have some benefits. This episode begins with some reasons why you should take the time to enjoy the scent of pine. https://www.foxnews.com/health/the-healing-power-of-pine Being part of an audience can be magical. Whether you are watching a play or a movie or a concert, the audience members can become a singular force – getting energy and emotion from one another. So, how did ...
Nov 30, 2023•48 min•Ep. 976
People say where you fall in the birth order compared to your siblings determines (or strongly influences) certain traits and outcomes. This episode begins with a look at whether the research backs this up or it is just a pop culture theory. https://psychcentral.com/blog/birth-order-and-personality#birth-order-and-personality The holidays bring back memories. Many of us get very nostalgic this time of year – longing for people, places and Christmases gone by. Being nostalgic was once thought to ...
Nov 27, 2023•50 min•Ep. 975
You have probably heard that poinsettia plants are poisonous to people and pets. Really? How poisonous? Can you die from eating them or what? Should you be concerned and keep them out of your home? This episode begins with an explanation of just how dangerous poinsettias are – and are not. https://www.stranges.com/are-poinsettias-poisonous/ Our keen human instincts have helped us survive all these years. However, some of those instincts are not so practical in today’s modern world. This is accor...
Nov 25, 2023•53 min•Ep. 974
Food labels are full of claims. They say things like “All-Natural” or “Doctor Recommended” or “Made with Whole Grains.” Should you be impressed or are those words and phrases a lot of nothing and nonsense? I begin this episode by revealing why those phrases are worded the way they are and what they actually mean. https://www.cornucopia.org/2010/05/nutrition-buzzwords-make-hay-out-of-grains-of-truth/ Convincing people to do what you want can be a challenge. One of the best ways is to get people t...
Nov 23, 2023•50 min•Ep. 973
Texting and email seem to have replaced the telephone as a primary means of communication. Still, the telephone is sometimes a better option. When it is – how can you make sure you get a call back or a response of some kind? Listen and I’ll tell you. Source: Bill Jensen author of Simplicity Survival Handbook (https://amzn.to/3MMDmt7). Have you ever accomplished a goal and thought – “Hey if I can do that, what ELSE can I accomplish?” It seems success is rarely totally satisfying. Instead, it crea...
Nov 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 972
During the holiday season, there are more occasions and opportunities to drink alcohol. So, it’s worth noting that not all drinks are created equal when it comes to how they affect you. This episode begins with some interesting information about the differences between beer, wine and hard liquor that could have a definite impact on you and how you feel the next morning. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00190.x Are people born lucky? Or unlucky? What is it about so...
Nov 18, 2023•50 min•Ep. 971
If you are getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night (and most people are), that can be a real problem. And the problem is more than just feeling a little sleepy the next day. This episode begins with a stark example of how just a little more sleep each night can make a world of difference and how too little sleep is affecting your life in a negative way. https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/15-minutes-extra-sleep Simple is better than complicated - every time, every place and in everything. Ye...
Nov 16, 2023•48 min•Ep. 970
A kiss can be very powerful. It can make you feel wonderful and connect you to a person – or it can really mess things up. This episode begins with some interesting intel about the power of a kiss, both good and bad. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-we-kiss/ Change is sexy and exciting – and it can also be your worst enemy. On the other hand, there are some things that never change. You can count on them. And perhaps paying more attention to things that stay the same can be a huge ...
Nov 13, 2023•48 min•Ep. 969
If you have siblings, they have had an important impact on you, even if you don’t realize it. This episode starts with a discussion about how brothers and sisters affect your personality and character throughout your life. https://www.tlc.com/life---relationships/study-says-having-a-sister-makes-you-more-optimistic-kinder-and-happier You have probably had at least one experience of déjà vu – maybe several. It’s that feeling that what is happening now, you have experienced before. What causes it?...
Nov 11, 2023•51 min•Ep. 968
Ever notice how restaurant kitchens have huge exhaust fans over the stove? They have to have them. It’s the law. You have an exhaust fan over your stove too. Listen as I begin this episode by explaining why you need to use it more often – a lot more often. https://polk.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/04/how-and-why-to-use-your-kitchen-exhaust-fan/ “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” “Drinking wine is good for your heart.” “you should really cut back on red meat.” These are examples of some popu...
Nov 09, 2023•49 min•Ep. 967
Why are the numbers 1, 2 and 3 across the top of a telephone keypad but across the bottom of a calculator? That’s one of three interesting questions that get answered as I begin this episode. The other 2 have to do with portholes and time. Source: Ivan Semeniuk, co-author of Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? (https://amzn.to/3sf8muM) There is nothing wrong with achievement. But if you believe that you are only as valuable as your achievements, that can be a problem. If we let our success or lack ...
Nov 06, 2023•48 min•Ep. 966
You often hear the terms antique, collectible and vintage used interchangeably. However, they do have different meanings that have to do with the age and value of an item. I begin this episode with a brief and helpful explanation. https://www.antique-hq.com/the-difference-between-antique-vintage-and-collectible-item-127/ We don’t swear here on Something You Should Know, so we won’t actually say the word that BS stands for. But everyone knows what it means because we hear BS from people all the t...
Nov 04, 2023•53 min•Ep. 965
It might sound odd but the weather can have a significant impact on your purchase decisions. Some things you are likely to buy on a warm sunny day you wouldn't even think of buying on a cloudy and dreary day. This episode begins with an explanation of how this works. https://lifehacker.com/how-the-weather-can-influence-our-car-and-house-buying-5933701 Have you ever felt like an imposter? It’s that feeling of self-doubt that you are in over your head and that other people overestimate your compet...
Nov 02, 2023•50 min•Ep. 964
Your grandmother probably told you to sit up straight – and boy was she right! Good posture can do wonders for all kinds of things from your self-esteem to your math skills. I begin this episode with an explanation. https://www.deseret.com/2023/10/24/23930242/dont-slouch-minding-your-posture-good-mental-health-productivity What could be wrong with creativity? Nothing actually, but creativity may not be all it has been cracked up to be. That’s according to Samuel Franklin. He is a cultural histor...
Oct 30, 2023•49 min•Ep. 963
Becoming a homeowner is an important goal for a lot of people. After all, home ownership is part of the American dream. However, owning isn’t always better than renting in all situations. Listen as I explain why renting may be the way to go. https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/so-you-think-owning-a-home-will-make-you-happy-dont-be-too-sure/. Also, here is the link to the home ownership/rental calculator: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/upshot/buy-rent-calculator.html What does i...
Oct 28, 2023•53 min•Ep. 962
While some people take pride in being a perfectionist, the fact is no one is perfect, so it is a somewhat pointless quest to try. Being a perfectionist can also be bad for your health and longevity in a big way. Listen as I begin this episode explaining the dangers of perfectionism. http://www.livescience.com/6724-dark-side-perfectionism-revealed.html In school, we are taught to write well. However, when we communicate in the real world today, effective writing – the kind that people will actual...
Oct 26, 2023•49 min•Ep. 961
You can search online for information on just about any topic. Recently there was an interesting article posted on the Reader’s Digest website regarding some topics you probably shouldn’t search. This episode begins with a fun look at some of those topics that might be better the less you know. https://www.rd.com/list/things-never-google-search/ You likely have a sense that when you watch TV or a movie, it has an impact on you. What you probably didn’t realize is how big a deal those influences ...
Oct 23, 2023•48 min•Ep. 960
Seems like everyone hates passwords. If they are too random, you forget them. If they are too obvious, you could be hacked. This episode begins with a quick and easy formula to create passwords that are easy to remember and no one else will ever guess. Source: Eran Katz author of Where Did Noah Park The Ark (https://amzn.to/3at5fmx). When you make a choice – any choice, your decision is influenced by so many factors. For example, the order the options were presented to you and who presented them...
Oct 21, 2023•53 min•Ep. 959
Wi-Fi being what it is, sometimes it slows down and things get glitchy – shows stop streaming, games glitch out and other weird things seem to happen. Wouldn’t it be great if you could prioritize which devices in your house get first dibs on the bandwidth? Well actually there is a way. This episode begins with an explanation of how to do it. https://www.popsci.com/diy/prioritize-devices-on-your-wifi-network/ What is the difference between joy and happiness? They are definitely not the same thing...
Oct 19, 2023•49 min•Ep. 958
Every PC owner has probably wondered what the difference is between RESTART and SHUTDOWN – or if there really is a difference. Actually, there is. And if you are having trouble and need to reboot your PC, one is a much better option than the other. Listen as I explain. https://computer.howstuffworks.com/restarting-shutting-down-computer.htm What stops you from doing the important things you say you want to do? If they are so important, why do they remain undone? And how does that impact the rest...
Oct 16, 2023•51 min•Ep. 957
Is taking a daily multivitamin a good idea? It seems to make a lot of sense – like an insurance policy. This episode begins with a discussion about what the science says about taking a multivitamin and what it does or doesn’t do for you. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2009/02/multivitamins.html Dating is hard. So you might think dating apps would make it easier. After all, you can meet an endless number of people you would likely never meet otherwise. And therein lies the problem. Ma...
Oct 14, 2023•51 min•Ep. 956
If you went to your backyard and took a pinch of dirt in your fingers, you would be holding a piece of a shocking underground world you never knew about. Listen as I explain what lives in that world. Source: David W. Wolfe author of Tales From The Underground” (https://amzn.to/3tvUBIk) Whether you are talking to people in a small group or at a large formal event, it can be intimidating and sometimes scary. However, with some simple techniques, you can make speaking less stressful and make your m...
Oct 12, 2023•49 min•Ep. 955
If you are buying candy for Trick or Treaters this year, what kind will it be? Well, if you want to hand out the candy that kids really want, listen as I start this episode with the Top 10 list of the most popular Halloween candies. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2023/10/03/blow-pops-win-title-ohio-favorite-halloween-candy/71041875007/ Believe it or not, there is an oyster that has lived over 500 years. There is another creature that doesn’t seem to age at all – ever! What if we ...
Oct 09, 2023•50 min•Ep. 954
Have you heard of the Pink Tax? It’s when the women’s version of a product (like razors) costs more than men’s even though they are the same – except maybe the packaging and the color. It happens with a whole host of products from children’s toys to clothes to deodorant and yes, razors. Listen to hear why this “tax” exists and why women might be smart to pick the men’s version of the same thing instead. https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_all-about-america_does-pink-tax-force-women-pay-more-men/617778...
Oct 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 953
When you are faced with a tough decision, some common advice is to “sleep on it." By sleeping and waking up you may have a new and different perspective that will make your decision easier. Is that true? Is it good advice to sleep on it? This episode begins with a brief discussion. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/does-sleeping-on-it-really-work Are you a victim of your circumstances or can you build the life you want? According to Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, your life is your...
Oct 05, 2023•49 min•Ep. 952
