It’s not too early to think about Mother’s Day. It’s not that far away. So, who started it? How did it all begin. Listen as I begin this episode with a brief explanation of the origins of Mother’s Day and how it got pretty nasty for a while. https://www.rd.com/list/history-of-mothers-day/ Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? And laughing also turns out to be really good for you. Laughing has been linked to a longer life and enjoy of host of other benefits. So incorporating more humor, laughter and li...
Mar 11, 2023•53 min•Ep 862•Transcript available on Metacast At the start of a relationship, how important is that first kiss? This episode begins with some interesting statistics that show the significance and long-term potential of being a good kisser. Source: The Science of Kissing by Sheril Kirshenbaum (https://amzn.to/3J35RkN). By now you have heard terms like cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, digital art, and NFTs (non-fungible tokens). But how important is it for you to really know and understand them? Maybe you should be buying them. After al...
Mar 09, 2023•52 min•Ep 861•Transcript available on Metacast Can trees fight crime? Apparently so - at least some types of crime. Although no one is exactly sure how. Listen and I’ll explain. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2019/04/trees-crime-cincinnati-philadelphia-ida-b-wells-chicago/ Is it true that a goldfish has a 3 second memory? Or that lightning never strikes the same place twice? Of course, you know water conducts electricity, right? Actually no. In fact none of those things are true. There are so many myths in science that people believ...
Mar 06, 2023•51 min•Ep 860•Transcript available on Metacast Cat owners are well aware that cats like to hunt, kill and bring home birds and mice as a trophy. There is something cat owners can do to help reduce the number of times that happens. This episode begins with an explanation. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210211113943.htm You must be afraid of something -right? In fact, we are all have fears and that’s a good thing. Fear helps keep us safe. So, what exactly is fear? Where does it come from? And what do you do if fear is keeping yo...
Mar 04, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Being left-handed or right-handed actually impacts how you make decisions. So how can that be? This episode begins with the explanation. http://casasanto.com/papers/Casasanto&Chrysikou_2011.pdf Many birds see colors you can’t see. Dogs smell things you can’t even imagine. Some animals can sense the magnetic fields of the earth - yet we couldn't possibly do that. These are a few of the fascinating ways that other creatures perceive the world differently than humans. And believe me, it gets even m...
Mar 02, 2023•51 min•Ep 858•Transcript available on Metacast Go to any drug store and somewhere you will see the initials Rx. You probably assume it has to do with medicine or prescriptions or something. But why Rx? What do those letters stand for. This episode begins with an explanation. https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/06/rx-mean-come/ You are not the person you used to be. And you are not the person you will one day become. That’s the message from Paul Bloom, psychology professor at the University of Toronto and the Brooks and Suzanne Rage...
Feb 27, 2023•51 min•Ep 857•Transcript available on Metacast Think of all the batteries you use in your home for all your remotes and clocks and flashlights. We all go through a lot of batteries and as you are aware, they aren’t cheap. This episode begins with some interesting facts and myths about batteries you likely never knew. http://www.greenbatteries.com/ It does seem that most people don’t like their own voice and wish it sounded better. The good news is, you really can make it better. Your voice is really an instrument and like a musical instrumen...
Feb 25, 2023•53 min•Ep 856•Transcript available on Metacast The simple act of touching other people – by hugging or a high five or putting your arm around someone – is very powerful. This episode begins by explaining the power of touch and how it improves all of our lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R9qyWEJuDI Our memories are incredible… sometimes. And sometimes they fail us miserably. So how does memory work exactly? Why do we remember some things so well and other things, not at all. Why do memories get distorted over time? How can you make your...
Feb 23, 2023•52 min•Ep 855•Transcript available on Metacast You know when you see a really good dancer? What separates the good ones from the not-so-good ones? Well, it is all about one specific part of the body. I start this episode by telling which body part that is and why it is so important. http://www.nature.com/articles/srep42435 Ever wonder why some people are so much more likable than others? Nicholas Boothman knows. He has researched this and authored a book on the subject called How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less (https://amzn.to...
Feb 20, 2023•48 min•Ep 854•Transcript available on Metacast Why are there potholes? Did you know there actually is a “pothole season” when they are more likely to occur? This episode begins with a discussion on one of every drivers’ nemesis – potholes! https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642198/reason-roads-have-potholes We all have big events in life we need to prepare for. Whether it is a job interview, a speech or any other kind of performance, you have to be ready. So what is the best way to prepare? Listen as I talk to someone who knows a lot about ...
Feb 18, 2023•54 min•Ep 853•Transcript available on Metacast The freezer in your kitchen is not especially kind to the ice cream you store in it – or many other foods for that matter. This episode starts with the explanation and the reason there is often ice crystals on top of your ice cream - and how to get rid of them. Source: Professor Richard Hartel author of the book Ice Cream (https://amzn.to/3jNcVrY). Unlike other creatures on the planet, we have figured out how to take food and make it tastier and tastier. Why do we do that? What is it that makes ...
Feb 16, 2023•52 min•Ep 852•Transcript available on Metacast We start this episode with some interesting things worth knowing about your credit card including what your options are when the credit card company raises your interest rate. https://motuscc.com/credit-card-processing/9-interesting-credit-card-facts-and-stats/ No one likes to be scammed or taken for a fool. In fact we keep our antenna up so make sure that doesn’t happen. Maybe though, we are being too vigilant. By being so skeptical and wary of situations and opportunities, we may miss out on s...
Feb 13, 2023•52 min•Ep 851•Transcript available on Metacast How much gold is on our planet? And have we found most of it? This episode begins with some fascinating intel on gold including how much gold is actually in an Olympic Gold Medal and how much more gold is on a Nobel Prize. https://www.rd.com/article/gold-facts/ If you own your home, how much of the sky above it do you own? Why is “tolerated theft” actually encouraged by some businesses? These are just some of the interesting questions about ownership you will hear discussed with Michael Heller, ...
Feb 11, 2023•53 min•Ep 850•Transcript available on Metacast Why do you have eyebrows? Like everything else, they must have a purpose – there must be a reason. Well, actually there are three reasons. I begin this episode by explaining what they are. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58424/why-do-we-have-eyebrows When you think about it, every relationship you have ever had, started with small talk. Whether personal or professional, every encounter starts this way if it is ever to develop into something. Still, a lot of people claim to hate small talk an...
Feb 09, 2023•50 min•Ep 849•Transcript available on Metacast You have likely had the experience of walking into a room for something – and then forgetting why. You probably feel foolish, yet it happens to everyone. What's the reason? This episode begins with an explanation. http://news.nd.edu/news/27476-walking-through-doorways-causes-forgetting-new-research-shows Should you be concerned about toxins in your home? And if so, how do you get rid of them and where do you even begin? That is what toxicologist Daniella Chace is here to discuss. Daniella works ...
Feb 06, 2023•50 min•Ep 848•Transcript available on Metacast You have likely noticed that men – and teenage boys – will sometimes act foolishly in front of a pretty women. It is also true that men take more risks if they know a woman is watching. Why do they do that? This episode begins with an evolutionary explanation. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/sp-wdm031810.php You probably think the world is fairly predictable and there is probably a good explanation for why things happen. However, that’s not exactly true. For instance, why does one...
Feb 04, 2023•54 min•Ep 847•Transcript available on Metacast How can dirt be good for you? This episode begins with the proven benefits of playing in the dirt – or even gardening if that is more your speed. https://loganhailey.medium.com/can-you-actually-get-high-on-soil-use-dirt-to-elevate-your-mood-8680d3eb8e00 Healthcare is big business. And as you may have noticed, doesn’t always seem to work so smoothly. What’s wrong with it? What are patients complaining about. More importantly, how can you make it work right for you? Dr. F. Perry Wilson studies thi...
Feb 02, 2023•53 min•Ep 846•Transcript available on Metacast Human beings seek out novelty. That’s a good thing in many ways – but it is also troublesome. This episode begins with a look at why we seek out new things, places and experiences and how we quickly adapt to them so that we then need to seek out more new novelty. Source: Winifred Gallagher author of the book New (https://amzn.to/3XsAxRb) When you have a problem, you are often told to, “Use your head!” While that may be good advice, you can actually use things outside your head to help you think....
Jan 30, 2023•51 min•Ep 845•Transcript available on Metacast Everyone makes mistakes. Still, it would be nice if we could all make fewer of them. This episode begins by revealing a few simple strategies to help people make fewer errors as they attempt to accomplish a task. (Source: Joseph Hallinan author of Why We Make Mistakes https://amzn.to/39OVFrM). When you have a problem, you need a solution. And maybe the best way to find one is to change or reframe the problem. That’s according to Thomas Wedell Wedellsborg, who is author of the book What’s Your Pr...
Jan 28, 2023•50 min•Ep 844•Transcript available on Metacast Could you be smarter, thinner and better looking than you think you are? This episode begins with a look at how people tend to underestimate some of their own characteristics. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dating-and-mating/201801/3-reasons-youre-more-attractive-you-think-you-are When you think of hackers, you probably think of computer hackers doing bad things. However, there is a broader view of hacking that is really quite interesting. …. Bruce Schneier is a renowned security techno...
Jan 26, 2023•51 min•Ep 843•Transcript available on Metacast Why are they called marshmallows? Where did the name Spam come from? Is there alligator in Gatorade? This episode begins with the interesting origins of some iconic foods. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tagged/health/at-home/odd-facts-7-iconic-products-164000529.html Certain inventions throughout history have had a dramatic effect on how we all view the world. The mirror, photography, television, and the smartphone (amongst others) have all significantly altered how we see ourselves and our pla...
Jan 23, 2023•50 min•Ep 842•Transcript available on Metacast Some people tend to over-apologize. They even apologize for things that are not their fault. I start this episode by explaining why we do it and why we need to stop. And when you do have to apologize, I will tell you how. (Source: Harriet Lerner author of the book Why Won’t You Apologize (https://amzn.to/37NoYug) Getting enough sleep is far more important than many people realize. It affects your health, mood, performance and longevity. Here to reveal just how important it is and how to make sur...
Jan 21, 2023•51 min•Ep 841•Transcript available on Metacast When you see a construction site where there is sandblasting going on, you probably shouldn’t hang around. This episode begins with an explanation of the problem sandblasting poses to anyone nearby. Source: Dr. Paul Blanc author of “How Everyday Products Make People Sick” (https://amzn.to/3iug5Me) You have a voice inside your head. It talks to you all the time and tells you good things and bad things. It can be a positive coach or a negative critic. Where does that voice come from? How can you u...
Jan 19, 2023•52 min•Ep 840•Transcript available on Metacast The pitch of your voice sends a message. Often when you are nervous or stressed, the pitch goes up and people can tell. This episode begins with some advice on how to tame your voice in stressful situations, so you sound great and are not betrayed by your own voice. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communications-matter/202101/why-you-need-pitch-your-voice-lower Even though we all have one, there does seem to be a cultural mystery and fascination with the human butt. And by the way, only ...
Jan 16, 2023•50 min•Ep 839•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Is it ever too late?” Perhaps there are goals in your life and career that you think have passed you by. That if you don’t set course early in life, maybe you will miss out. Often parents worry that if their kids don’t get on the right track early enough, others will pass them by. This episode begins with some interesting and optimistic research on why these worries may not be justified. Source: Susan Krauss Whitbourne author of The Search for Fulfillment (ht...
Jan 14, 2023•51 min•Ep 838•Transcript available on Metacast Wouldn’t it be great if you had a way to turbocharge your will power when you are faced with temptation? Well, you do have such a way. This episode begins with a simple technique that will help you resist whatever is tempting you in the moment and keep you on the straight and narrow. http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/clenched-muscles-assist-self-contro-10-10-20/ Everyone wants to be happy but being happy isn’t something you do, it's the result of doing something you enjoy. You mu...
Jan 12, 2023•54 min•Ep 837•Transcript available on Metacast When you are all stuffed up with a cold or the flu or Covid, it can be very hard to sleep because you can’t breathe. This episode begins with some excellent ways to open things up so you can breathe better and get some rest. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/cold-relief-6-sleep-tips-to-help-youbreathe-easi There are a lot of ways to experience that sense of awe and wonder. And it turns out that the experience is really good for you both mentally and physically. Joining me to discuss the...
Jan 09, 2023•51 min•Ep 836•Transcript available on Metacast You’ve heard about pheromones, right? Supposedly they can make you more appealing. In fact, some perfumes and colognes claim to have pheromones in them that will give you more sex appeal. This episode looks at those claims and whether they can really improve your love life. https://www.rd.com/article/do-pheromone-perfumes-really-work/ Does dessert taste sweeter on a round plate than it does on a square plate? Can candles on the table improve the taste of a meal? It seems that a lot of things can...
Jan 07, 2023•51 min•Ep 835•Transcript available on Metacast We all want to be happy – but maybe not too happy. This episode begins by explaining how too much happiness can be a problem and how a little unhappiness can be a very good thing. https://www.businessinsider.com/on-a-scale-of-1-to-10-how-happy-should-you-aspire-to-be-2012-5 One of the most amazing things about your smartphone is the camera. And you likely haven’t taken the time to really understand all the amazing things it can do. Yes, it takes pictures and videos but it does so much more. Here...
Jan 05, 2023•53 min•Ep 834•Transcript available on Metacast When you use a public restroom, is it better to use a paper towel or an air dryer to dry your hands? In terms of getting your hands really clean, there is really one clear choice. This episode begins with answer. http://lifehacker.com/5967976/ Everything you buy is the result of a decision you make. From breakfast cereal to a new car, you decide what to purchase. And there are a lot of things going on that influence that decision. Some of those things will surprise you. Listen to my guest, Phil ...
Jan 02, 2023•51 min•Ep 833•Transcript available on Metacast 
