Something You Should Know

Everyone has had that "pins and needles" feeling when your foot or arm falls asleep. Why does it happen? A lot of people believe it is because you cut off circulation. But that’s not it. Listen as this episode of the podcast begins with an explanation of why your limbs fall asleep and what that tingly sensation actually is. https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-feet-and-legs-to-fall-asleep-2014-6

The buildings and the rooms you spend time in have a powerful impact on all aspects of your life. And you probably never realized it. Your health, your mood, your work, your ability to think – even your relationships are influenced by your indoor environment. To discuss how this happens is Emily Anthes , a science journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Slate, Businessweek and elsewhere. She is also author of the book The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behavior, Health, and Happiness (https://amzn.to/2Yr8ip3).

Human language is amazing. It is one of the main things that distinguishes us from other animals. Without it, communication would be very difficult. The complexities of languages and how it changes are really fascinating and important. Joining me to discuss this is David Adger. He is Professor of Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London and author of the book Language Unlimited: The Science Behind Our Most Creative Power (https://amzn.to/37huAxr)

What brand of dishwashing liquid is sitting on your kitchen sink? Everyone has their favorite but does one really do a better job than the others? Listen as I explain what Consumer Reports says after testing a bunch of them. https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/appliances/laundry/937114224001/testing-dishwashing-liquids/

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You can manipulate your brain to change your mood. How? Biofeedback. For example, when you are happy you smile. But it also works in reverse – if you smile, that makes you happy. And there are other ways I’ll discuss that you can improve your mood by doing very simple things. It’s fascinating. https://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/12/make-you-happy-3/

Then, have you ever wanted to create a new habit or break an old one? Charles Duhigg author of the book, The Power of Habit (http://amzn.to/2yKznVb) joins me to discuss the science of habits. He offers some great techniques to start new habits and explains why you should never really try to “break” a habit. There is something else you should do instead.

If you want to improve any relationship, there are 2 little things that can make all the difference. Listen to this advice from John Gottman, one of the best-known experts in the field of relationship psychology, and it could transform your relationship forever. http://www.businessinsider.com/lasting-relationships-rely-on-2-traits-2014-11

Plus, do you ever wish you were more courageous? Are there things you haven’t done because you lacked the courage to do them? Speaker and consultant Bill Treasurer author of the book Courage Goes to Work, (http://amzn.to/2CjBotT) will help you realize you probably have more courage than you think and how to become more courageous in spite of the fear you face.

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What should you do when you get a fever? Some people say you should take medicine to knock it down – some say to leave it alone. Who’s right? This episode begins with an answer to that question. http://www.menshealth.com/health/clean-up-your-health-routine

We tend to think of hunger as one thing. However, there is solid research to show that we have several different hungers – 5 actually. Stephen Simpson has studied this and explains how understanding different hungers can help you eat less and control your weight. Stephen is Academic Director of the Charles Perkins Centre and Professor in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney in Australia and author of the book Eat Like the Animals (https://amzn.to/36Z66sJ).

When was the last time you really cleaned your car’s steering wheel or dashboard or gear shift? After you hear this, you will probably want to attend to that right away. http://www.medicentre.co.uk/dirty_cars_breed_bacteria.html

All romantic relationships start out with high hopes. Still, many don’t last. So what can you do to make sure you find the right person and then keep the relationship happy and healthy? Here with some great advice is Joanne DaVila. She has been studying and speaking about romantic relationships as a professor at Stony Brook University. She is author of the book The Thinking Girl's Guide to the Right Guy (https://amzn.to/2Y4ZdSt) and she has a great TED Talk on the skills for healthy romantic relationships. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh5VhaicC6g)

This Week's Sponsors

-Kong Box. Got to www.KongBox.com/something to make a $1 donation to help less fortunate dogs and your first Kong Box is free!

-Pindrop. Listen to the new podcast Pindrop https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pindrop/id1514010062

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People often say they are attracted to people who have a good sense of humor. But it is actually more complicated than that. The truth is that humor can bring people together but it can also pull them apart. Listen as 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, it is quite normal to offer it up. After all, they asked. However, you may be much better off by keeping quiet and withholding your advice, at least for a while. That’s the suggestion of Michael Bungay Stanier. Last year Michael was named #1 Thought Leader in Coaching and he is considered to be one of the top coaches in the world. He is also author of a book called The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever (https://amzn.to/36WEUdY). Michael joins me to explain why you might want to be a little less free with your advice. 

We all somehow justify our mistakes and poor decisions to ourselves. When we do something wrong it doesn’t line up with our beliefs about ourselves as good as honest people so we make excuses or we decide there were extenuating circumstances because we know we are not bad people – we are good people who made a mistake. This whole process is called cognitive dissidence. Everyone does it and it can get us into trouble according to social psychologist Carol Tavris author of the book Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts (https://amzn.to/2ADP2Mw). She joins me to discuss this fascinating topic and explain why we do this. 

 How do you cut your lawn – side to side? Front to back? Listen and I’ll tell you what the experts say which is the best way to mow. https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/lawn-care/the-most-efficient-way-to-mow-the-grass/

This Week's Sponsors

-Kong Box. Got to www.KongBox.com/something to make a $1 donation to help less fortunate dogs and your first Kong Box is free!

-Pindrop. Listen to the new podcast Pindrop https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pindrop/id1514010062

Summary

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When you talk to your partner, there is something you do – or don’t do, that can predict with amazing accuracy whether or not your relationship will survive and thrive or crash and burn. I start this episode with an explanation of what that is exactly. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/06/happily-ever-after/372573/

Time may be constant but we all experience time differently in different situations. Marney Makridakis author of the book, Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life (http://amzn.to/2yjzCr3) reveals how to improve the way you experience the passing of time. She also explains how you can make time – or at least the way you perceive it – either speed up or slow down.

You know you should drink a lot of water but you may not know all the reasons why. When you hear them, you may just want to go get yourself some water. http://www.bustle.com/articles/121825-5-ways-drinking-enough-water-changes-your-body

No one ever said parenting was easy. Psychologist Wes Crenshaw author of the book, Dear Dr. Wes: Real Life Advice for Parents of Teens (http://amzn.to/2hr182v) offers some straight forward, down-to-earth advice for parents to be more effective parents and to make the process of parenting simpler.

This Week's Sponsors

-Kong Box. Got to www.KongBox.com/something to make a $1 donation to help less fortunate dogs and your first Kong Box is free!

-Pindrop. Listen to the new podcast Pindrop https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pindrop/id1514010062

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Do you like getting robocalls on your phone? Of course you don’t. So this episode begins with a simple way to stop robocalls for free – and it really works. Source: Interview with Aaron Foss founder of www.Nomorobo.com

You are breathing now – and that’s a good thing. However, you are likely not breathing correctly. When you DO breathe correctly, amazing things can happen according to journalist James Nestor, author of the book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art (https://amzn.to/36MehbD). While you might think you don’t need to learn about your breathing – listening to this segment will change your mind. And you will breathe better.

You likely have a box with old VHS video tapes that you said you were going to have transferred one day. Listen as I explain how time is running out. In fact the time may have come and gone. http://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/cd-and-dvd-longevity-how-long-will-they-last and http://conservativecommandosradioshow.com /facts_about_old_video_tape_deterioration_why_you_should_transfer_and_convert_now

What makes a good decision? And how do you make more of them? That’s the topic tackled by Ralph Keeney. Ralph has been studying decision making for some time now. He is Professor Emeritus at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and Professor Emeritus of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California He is also author of the book Give Yourself a Nudge: Helping Smart People Make Smarter Personal and Business Decisions (https://amzn.to/2XOwrWi). Listen and become a better decision maker for those important decisions in your life. 

This Week’s Sponsors

-Kong Box. Got to www.KongBox.com/something to make a $1 donation to help less fortunate dogs and your first Kong Box is free!

-Stroke of Genius. Listen to Stroke of Genius podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stroke-of-genius/id1438440166

--Pindrop. Listen to the new podcast Pindrop https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pindrop/id1514010062

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Could driving while dehydrated be as dangerous as driving while drunk? This episode begins with some fascinating research that shows a link between dehydration and driver error – and the results are surprising. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/driving-while-dehydrated-can-be-just-as-dangerous-as-drinkdriving-study-suggests-10187670.html

How do you get a lot of things done without feeling overwhelmed? That’s what I discuss with time management expert Sam Bennett author of the book Start Right Where You Are: How Little Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Overwhelmed Procrastinators, Frustrated Overachievers, and Recovering Perfectionists (https://amzn.to/2ZKmwDs). She discusses how to take control of your day and accomplish the important tasks – and how NOT to be one of those people who is always complaining about how much they have to do and how busy they are.

When you interact with other people you make judgments about them. You also make judgements about how they are judging you and what they are thinking. The interesting thing is that you are probably wrong according to human behavior expert Mark Bowden author of the book Truth & Lies: What People Are Really Thinking (https://amzn.to/3etmqUT). Listen as Mark explains how to size up situations and the people you deal with in a way that gets you closer to understanding what other people are REALLY thinking.

Loneliness can feel very painful. And that turns out to be a good thing. Listen as we discuss how to use the pain of loneliness to not feel lonely anymore. Source: Dr. Pat Love author of Never Be Lonely Again (https://amzn.to/2TKC3zq)

This Week's Sponsors:

-Kong Box. Get your first box free when you donate $1 to help dogs in need. Go to www.KongBox.com/something to start your subscription.

-Pindrop. Listen to the new podcast Pindrop https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pindrop/id1514010062

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Just like food, medications have expiration dates. But just how accurate are those dates? Is it better to take an expired medication or no medication at all? We’ll explore that as we begin this episode of the podcast. http://vitals.lifehacker.com/is-it-safe-to-take-expired-drugs-1769146595

When you cook on the grill, there are a lot of theories on how you should or shouldn’t do it. But a lot of those theories are wrong. To help you understand how to best use the outdoor grill to create the best flavor possible and cook food correctly is Chef Todd Mohr. Todd is a certified culinary educator and founder of WebCookingClasses.com. Listen and hear some great tips and techniques just in time for summer outdoor cooking season. 

Are you good at asking questions? Former CNN reporter Frank Sesno, author of Ask More (http://amzn.to/2ncfmCZ) explains the power and rewards of being able to ask the right questions – and how to really listen to the answers.

Do you ever get up and pace when you are thinking or trying to solve a problem? Many of us do it unconsciously. But does it actually help or is it just a way to burn off nervous energy? Discover what the science says about pacing and problem solving. http://mentalfloss.com/article/64404/why-do-we-pace-when-were-thinking

This Week's Sponsors

-Kong Box. Got to www.KongBox.com/something to make a $1 donation to help less fortunate dogs and your first Kong Box is free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some days it is just hard to get up and get going. So this episode begins with some interesting ways to get motivated and accomplish your goals on those days. All these strategies I discuss have been scientifically researched. http://www.purewow.com/wellness/time-management-tips-for-procrastinators

If you would like to be more persuasive, you really need to hear what James Crimmins has to say. James has spent his career in advertising and the world of persuasion. He has a unique definition of what persuasion is and discusses the science that anyone can use to help get people to do what you want. James is the author of the book 7 Secrets of Persuasion (https://amzn.to/2LVqf97)

If you own land, how far down do your rights extend – and how far up in the sky. Listen as I explain how much of the earth and sky is yours. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3216/how-far-down-do-property-lines-go

Would you consider yourself “globally literate”? To be globally literate is to understand how the world works, who the key players are, where the trouble is and who the troublemakers are. Someone who can help you be a lot more globally literate is Richard Haas. He has advised 4 U.S. presidents and is currently the president of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as the senior Middle East adviser to President George H. W. Bush, as director of the Policy Planning Staff under Secretary of State Colin Powell, and as the U.S. envoy to both the Cyprus and Northern Ireland peace talks. A recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award – and he is author of several books – his latest is big best seller called The World: A Brief Introduction. (https://amzn.to/36uddsH). Listen as he explains – how the world works.

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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, a lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis where he teaches courses on the Science of Happiness and author of the book Happiness 101: Simple Secrets to Smart Living & Well-Being (https://amzn.to/3cPVgY3).

Every child is told a million times to “stop fidgeting!” However, in some cases fidgeting may be the perfect thing to do. Listen as I discuss how fidgeting can help you learn better and improve cognitive performance, despite what your grandmother told you. http://www.inc.com/thompson-wall/how-fidgeting-at-work-can-promote-creative-thinking.html

I never thought I would be discussing mushrooms on this podcast. However it turns out that mushrooms and all fungi are absolutely fascinating. If we didn’t have fungus – life would be very different. Biologist Merlin Sheldrake has studied the world of fungus in great detail and you are about to discover things about the mushrooms you eat and all other fungi that will amaze you. Merlin is the author of the book Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures (https://amzn.to/2Xfdb3F)

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-Better Help. Get 10% off your first month by going to www.BetterHelp.com/sysk and use the promo code: sysk

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