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.
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Have you ever struggled with a problem—only to have the answer suddenly appear when you stopped trying? It feels almost like magic, but it’s actually your brain working in a very specific way when you step back. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2016/March/Insight_Correctness/ We all want to know what’s going to happen next. But life doesn’t work that way. In fact, the real challenge may not be uncertainty itself—but our growing discomfort with it. Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of How to N...
When buying a car, color might seem like a purely personal choice. But it turns out that picking a less popular color could actually pay off later in a surprising way—especially when it’s time to sell. Source: Westways Magazine Summer 2024 / “Color Considerations” What does it really take to get better at something? Is it just practice—or is there a smarter way to improve? Why do some people seem to make rapid progress while others plateau? Scott Young, writer, podcast host ( https://www.scotthy...
We often hear that we’re all connected by six degrees of separation—that you can link yourself to anyone on the planet through just a handful of people. But with billions of people in the world, how could that possibly be true? And in a world of social media and constant connectivity, is that number shrinking or growing? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98072-2 Some people just seem to have all the luck. Opportunities appear, things fall into place, and they end up in the right place a...
For a lot of people, the idea of negotiating feels uncomfortable—something to avoid if possible. It can feel confrontational, awkward, or even risky. But what if negotiating didn’t have to be that way? What if it wasn’t about pushing harder or being more aggressive—but simply about asking better questions? It turns out that the most effective negotiators don’t rely on pressure or persuasion nearly as much as you might think. Instead, they guide conversations in a way that uncovers what really ma...
Ever feel your phone buzz in your pocket—only to check and find nothing there? It feels completely real, and it happens to just about everyone. But it’s not your phone—it’s your brain playing a trick on you. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201305/phantom-pocket-vibration-syndrome We’re constantly told that creativity comes from “thinking outside the box.” But what if that idea is actually holding you back? It turns out that constraints—rules, limits, and...
If you ever feel a wave of anxiety or that vague sense of dread, your first instinct probably isn’t to reach for a pain reliever. But there’s evidence that something you already have in your medicine cabinet may affect more than just physical pain—and the reason why is surprisingly unexpected. https://www.livescience.com/28770-tylenol-eases-existential-dread.html Plants don’t have brains—so how could they possibly be intelligent? Yet research suggests plants can sense threats, communicate with e...
What makes someone—or something—attractive? It may have less to do with beauty and more to do with how easily your brain can process what you’re seeing. There’s a hidden pattern behind what we find appealing, and it shows up in more places than you might expect. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3130383/?utm Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, and it’s easy to feel like you’re either falling behind—or overestimating what it can actually do. So what is AI truly good at right now? ...
Stanford psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki discusses the pervasive rise of cynicism and its significant societal and personal costs, including poorer mental health and missed opportunities. He challenges the idea that cynicism equates to realism, presenting scientific evidence of human goodness and the benefits of adopting a "hopeful skepticism." The conversation offers practical ways to overcome distrust and build more meaningful connections.
What if you followed people for 80 years—tracking their health, happiness, and relationships over a lifetime? That’s exactly what one of the longest-running studies ever has done, and what it reveals about how to live a good life may not be what you expect. https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/ We all think we know what “now” means—until we try to define it. The present moment feels obvious, yet science struggles to explain it. Your brain doesn’t have a clear way to register “now,” and your exp...
When you buy fruits and vegetables, how much pesticide residue is actually on them? Is it something you should worry about—or not? And does buying organic really make a meaningful difference? Recent findings offer some answers that may surprise you. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/produce-without-pesticides-a5260230325/ We tend to believe that hard work and good decisions determine how life turns out. But luck and random chance play a much bigger role than most people re...
Cravings can feel almost impossible to resist—whether it’s something sweet, salty, or just tempting in the moment. Yet, there is a simple and somehow satisfying way to stop yourself or at least eat less of what you are craving than you might otherwise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habituation Your body works in amazing ways. For instance your immune system acquires intelligence over time, how you breathe can have a big impact on preventing disease, and the benefits of human touch are extraordin...
You probably laugh every day—at something someone says, a scene in a show, or a random moment that just hits you the right way. But have you ever stopped to wonder why something is funny? Why one person bursts out laughing while another barely cracks a smile? Humor feels spontaneous, but researchers say there is actually a structure behind it. Certain patterns, expectations, and subtle violations of those expectations seem to trigger laughter. In other words, what makes something funny may not b...
Choosing between two options can feel straightforward. Add a third—and suddenly the decision gets harder. Add more, and it can become overwhelming. There’s a surprising reason your brain struggles when options multiply, and it can quietly influence the choices you make every day. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/decoy-effect In every close relationship, there is an underlying pattern that shapes how you connect, respond, and react—your attachment style. It influences how you handle conflict, ho...
Talking on the phone while driving seems harmless—after all, you can talk to passengers just fine. So why is phone use so much more dangerous? There’s something subtle happening in your brain that makes it far riskier than it appears. https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/centers/trauma-center/resources/distracted-driving You see the world all day long—but how much do you actually notice? Visual intelligence is the skill of truly observing what’s in front of you, picking up details others miss...
When updating your resume or LinkedIn profile, it’s tempting to use words that make you sound impressive—terms like “world-class” or “team player.” But hiring managers often see those words very differently than you might expect, and they can actually work against you. https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/words-you-should-not-use-on-linkedin-profile-infographic Tipping has become increasingly complicated—and controversial. Requests for tips seem to be everywhere, suggested ...
Most people assume they’re safe—at home, out in public, going about their normal routine. But how often do you actually think about what you would do if that sense of safety was suddenly challenged? Would you recognize a real threat? Would you know how to respond in the moment—or would you freeze? Security expert Spencer Coursen says many people fall into what he calls a “safety trap”—believing that danger is unlikely or that they’ll instinctively know what to do if something happens. In reality...
Most people think they’re good drivers. But there’s one simple thing you can do—or not do—that has a surprisingly big impact on how well you drive. It takes almost no effort, yet skipping it can quietly increase your chances of making mistakes behind the wheel. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25890276/ Your financial life may feel like a series of personal choices—what you earn, spend, and save. But many of those decisions are shaped by forces you don’t always see. Technology, algorithms, credit...
Where do you do your best thinking? It’s probably not where you spend most of your time working. In fact, the environment you choose can quietly influence how clearly you think, how creative you are, and how well you perform. There’s a simple shift that can make a noticeable difference. Source: Edward Hallowell author of Driven to Distraction (https://amzn.to/3PQgv1u). Rituals are everywhere—handshakes, morning routines, lucky habits, traditions we repeat without thinking. Even people who don’t ...
This episode explores how factors like your name subtly influence perceptions and offers practical strategies for building lasting confidence. It features Lydia Fenet discussing how confidence is cultivated through pushing comfort zones and embracing challenges, including the "S.L.A.M." acronym for imposter syndrome. Additionally, Hayden Finch unpacks the psychology of procrastination, highlighting its emotional basis, the myth of working better under pressure, and strategies focusing on emotion management over willpower to get things done.
This episode explores how to become more resilient, defining it as the ability to bounce back stronger from adversity. Guest Akash Karia explains that resilience is a trainable skill, not just an innate trait, and outlines practical strategies. These include leveraging physical habits like posture and exercise to influence emotions, mastering mental focus by concentrating on what's controllable, and accepting negative emotions for growth. The episode also highlights the power of gratitude and the effectiveness of 'if-then' implementation plans for building lasting resilient habits.
You can spend $5 on a bottle of wine—or $5,000. But is one really that much better than the other? Or could something else be shaping what you taste in that glass? Researchers have taken a closer look—and what they found is surprising. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0706929105 Sibling relationships are some of the longest and most influential connections we have—yet they can be loving, distant, competitive, or even nonexistent. Why do siblings raised in the same home often grow up to be s...
Apologizing seems like the obvious thing to do when you’ve done something wrong. It’s supposed to make things right—and make you feel better. But interestingly, there’s something else that can feel even better than saying “I’m sorry”… and many people do it without even realizing why. https://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175714511/why-not-apologizing-makes-you-feel-better Every culture has superstitions—lucky charms, rituals, taboos, and beliefs that don’t seem to make logical sense. By definition, the...
You’ve heard it a thousand times: too much sugar is bad for you. But what does that actually mean? What is sugar really doing inside your body that makes it so harmful—and why is it so hard to cut back once you start? https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/added-sugar-in-the-diet/ What makes two people feel attracted to each other? Why does chemistry seem to spark instantly with some people but not at all with others? Is love at first sight real—or is something more subtle ha...
Almost everyone has experienced déjà vu—that strange, fleeting feeling that what’s happening right now has somehow already happened before. It can be subtle or intensely vivid, sometimes even a little unsettling. For a moment, it feels like your brain is replaying reality. But is it just a glitch in memory… or something more? Scientists have been trying to understand déjà vu for decades, and the answers are more fascinating than you might expect. Is it a sign your brain is working correctly—or a...
That eerie feeling that someone is watching you—even when no one is there—can be surprisingly convincing. It feels almost like a sixth sense. But where does that sensation come from, and can you actually trust it? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10707330/ Color is everywhere, yet it’s surprisingly difficult to pin down. Are we all seeing the same colors—or just calling them by the same names? Why are some colors calming while others feel energizing or even unsettling? Kory Stamper, lexicographer...
When you walk up to a table with a group of people, you probably pick a seat without thinking much about it. But where you sit can subtly shape how others perceive you and how the interaction unfolds. There’s actually a simple strategy to choosing a seat that can give you an advantage — whether the table is round, square, large, or small. https://lifehacker.com/always-choose-the-best-seat-at-any-multi-person-table-5990596 No matter how rational you try to be, your thinking is shaped by biases yo...
This episode delves into various fascinating topics, from how a slightly bad mood can surprisingly enhance decision-making to the profound challenges and realities of humans living permanently in space, impacting our bodies, minds, and even reproduction. It also examines the escalating costs of veterinary care, attributing them to supply-demand imbalances and other factors, and introduces pet telemedicine as an accessible, affordable alternative for non-emergency animal health. Finally, it touches on the psychological trap of micro-frugality versus larger financial strategies.
Anxiety has become incredibly common. Many people feel constantly on edge—worried about work, relationships, money, the future, or simply the pace of modern life. The usual advice focuses on calming down, reducing stress, or trying to eliminate anxiety altogether. But Dr. John Delony believes that approach misses the point. Anxiety itself is not the real problem—it’s a signal. Like a smoke alarm going off in your house, the goal shouldn’t be to silence the alarm but to figure out what’s causing ...
When you meet someone for the first time, you form an opinion about them almost instantly. Before they’ve said more than a few words, you may already feel they are trustworthy—or not. How do we make those snap judgments so quickly, and what exactly are we picking up on? https://www.princeton.edu/news/2006/08/22/snap-judgments-decide-faces-character-psychologist-finds Are we really in control of our behavior, or do our genes quietly influence the choices we make? Scientists are discovering that g...
Dr. Liat Yakir provides a biological perspective on love, detailing the stages of romantic attraction, the role of hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, and a unique "prescription" for stronger relationships focusing on individual satisfaction. Financial expert Matt Schultz then shares strategies for saving money, from waiving credit card fees to negotiating medical bills and everyday purchases, emphasizing the power of simply asking. The episode concludes with a brief look at the pros and cons of walking barefoot.
