Something You Should Know

It is easy and tempting to overspend on holiday gifts. Plus retailers do everything they can to encourage you to spend more. So this episode begins with some strategies to help you spend a bit less and avoid those impulse purchases that you often wish you hadn’t made once you get home. http://www.womansday.com/life/work-money/g1877/how-to-stop-impulse-buying/

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we bring fir trees into our homes and decorate them? Why is Jingle Bells so popular at Christmas when it is really a Thanksgiving song? Ace Collins author of Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (https://amzn.to/2QfN1NA) and Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas (https://amzn.to/2Up4wtg) joins me to reveal the fascinating backstories of some your favorite holiday traditions and songs. 

Do you have the “It” factor? It’s the thing that makes people want to get to know you and perhaps become part of your life and help you succeed. Mark Wiskup is a top communications expert and coach and he is author of the book The It Factor (https://amzn.to/2EbHMXX). He joins me to explain how anyone can acquire the It factor even if you consider yourself shy or introverted.  

Doing household chores may not be the most exciting thing you do but it turns out there are some great health benefits. Things like making your bed or doing the dishes can actually be good for you. I conclude this episode by discussing some great reasons to tackle those chores you have been putting off. http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/health-benefits-chores/

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When you look at old holiday photos, you will notice something is definitely missing – and it is something you really wish was there. I begin this episode of the podcast with that missing ingredient and advice on how to put it back in to your photos for this Christmas and in the future. (Cheryl Lightle author of “The Creative Memories Way )

How often have you started something but never finished? How often have you said you wanted to accomplish something but never actually got around to starting it? It turns out these are very common experiences. Jon Acuff, author of the book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done (https://amzn.to/2EgKYmi) researched the science of setting and achieving goals. He joins me to explain where people go wrong and how to set and reach goals that are truly important to you.

Is the 5-Second Rule true? Is double dipping really so bad? How gross is it to eat birthday cake after someone blows out the candles? I explore all of these questions about food and germs and illness with scientist and Clemson University professor Paul Dawson, author of the book Did You Just Eat That? (https://amzn.to/2PqKLOw)

You probably don’t use punctuation when you write a text to someone. But maybe you should – sometimes. Listen as I explain why certain punctuation can make you sound more sincere and other punctuation makes you sound less sincere. And what’s interesting is it only applies to texts, not to any other type of written communication. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215302181

This Week's Sponsors

–BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING

–Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something

-Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.

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Sometimes you may find yourself in a bad mood for no real reason. So how do you snap out of it? We begin this episode with some very easy, practical and proven ways to get you out of your funk and back to being happy when you are feeling grumpy. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/10-science-backed-ways-to-beat-a-bad-mood-fast/ar-BBlfz4d#page=5

Is eavesdropping nothing more than an impolite indiscretion – or is eavesdropping something humans must do? John Locke, Professor of Linguistics at Lehman College, City University of New York and author of the book Eavesdropping: An Intimate History (https://amzn.to/2zzH4kp) joins me for a fascinating exploration into what drives us to want to uncover other people’s secrets and what purpose it serves. 

Why do some people like spicy food while others don’t? And what is that hot and spicy sensation you get in your mouth anyway – it is not a flavor or taste, so what is it? And perhaps the most important questions is, what is the best way to turn off the heat in your mouth when you eat something that is too hot and spicy? We will explore all of that in this episode. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3342526/So-S-chilli-peppers-tingle-tongue-Capsaicin-compoundbinds-pain-receptors-milk-really-does-help.html

While the workplace has become more informal, how you dress and behave still matters. In fact it probably matters more than ever. For example, is it okay for colleagues to kiss at work anymore? How do you politely extract yourself from a conversation you don’t want to be in? What about opening doors for others? Who picks up the check – when? What’s the best way to introduce yourself? Should you give your boss a Christmas gift? Barbara Pachter author of The Essentials of Business Etiquette: How to Greet, Eat, and Tweet Yourself to Success (https://amzn.to/2SqSG09) joins me to discuss all of that and more including social media etiquette.

This Week's Sponsors

–BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING

–Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something

Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.

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Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? For most of us, the scent of pine is wonderful. So much so that it is in all sorts of products from car air fresheners to kitchen cleaners. As it turns out smelling pine is also good for you and we begin this episode of the podcast exploring the benefits of that most enjoyable scent. (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/04/healing-power-pine/#ixzz2E8XgB7J4)

A large percentage of people classify themselves as passive. Many of those passive people wish they weren’t because they feel that other people walk all over them. So what’s the alternative? Dennis Adams, therapist, former minister and former passive person spent a long time developing a different approach for passive people that he calls - Honest Direct and Respectful. In fact that is the name of his book, Honest, Direct Respectful: 3 Simple Words That Will Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/2Q0tMrs). Dennis joins me to explain how and why it is such a powerful technique for passive people.

The holiday season is a time to give thanks for all the things you have. And it turns out that feeling thankful is a good idea the rest of the year too. There are many mental and physical benefits when people feel gratitude. Listen and I will tell you what they are. (http://my.happify.com/hd/what-is-the-science-of-happiness/)

If you travel, you don’t need me to tell you how stressful and challenging it can be – particularly around the holidays. Charles McPherson author of The Pocket Butler’s Guide to Travel (https://amzn.to/2KEAsp3) is here to share his advice to make traveling easier and more enjoyable and he has suggestions to help you get the most out of your travel dollars. 

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When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear this surprising list of things people notice when they come through your front door. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-guests-really-notice-in-your-home/ss-BBnq4Uw#image=8

Money matters. It determines your lifestyle, how long you must work and forces you to make decisions on how to spend it. So it would seem that having more money would make you happier. But not always. Joining me to discuss the role of money and its relationship with happiness is Laura Rowley who has been a personal finance columnist for Self magazine and The Huffington Post and is author of the book Money & Happiness: A Guide to Living the Good Life (https://amzn.to/2SdFXgT).

We spend a good deal of our life looking for answers to questions and problems. Interestingly, there are times where it may be more important to find a better question. That’s according to Hal Gregersen, Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of the book Questions Are The Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life (https://amzn.to/2DXAWWT). Hal joins me to explain the process of coming up with better questions which can lead to greater insight into any problem. 

We all have to wash our hands in public bathrooms. So what is the best way to dry them afterwards? Some people prefer paper towels, some hot air dryers. But what does the best job of leaving you with clean germ-free hands? We’ll explore that in this episode. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x/abstract

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-BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING

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You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are doing. Those two types of environments have an impact on you that affect your thinking. We begin this episode by exploring that. https://www.medicaldaily.com/clean-environment-leads-healthier-behavior-messy-desk-inspires-creativity-249383

What are the chances that there is life on other planets? Have aliens visited earth? There is no shortage of speculation on the topic and a lot of anecdotal stories about encounters but what does the science say? Michael Wall, senior writer at Science.com and author of the book Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious) (https://amzn.to/2S9oJl7) joins me to examine the possibilities and the evidence of other life in our galaxy.

Have you ever seen someone talking to themselves on the street or in a store? Your immediate reaction is probably to think it is really weird. But in fact you most likely talk to yourself out loud all the time. We all do. In fact there are several common behaviors we all do that we somehow think are strange when we see other people do them. We’ll explore what they are and why we think this way. http://mentalfloss.com/article/54126/6-embarrassing-things-you-do-and-why

The world is full of manipulative people who try to control other people’s thoughts and/or actions. You most likely have come across some of them at work or in your personal life. These people have a name – Gaslighters. And since we all have to deal with them at some point, Stephanie Sarkis, licensed mental health counselor and author of the book Gaslighting (https://amzn.to/2S0NMXa) offers a fascinating explanation of who these people are, what they do, why they act this way and what you can do to identify and avoid them. 

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Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing waves – certain sounds can have a very positive effect. We begin this episode with an explanation of which sounds do what. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/harp-music-blood-pressure-icu-patients-pain_n_1734615.html

Somewhere in your home are some valuable family treasures or heirlooms that mean something special to you. Maybe it’s your mother’s wedding dress, your old record collection or a prized piece of old furniture. The enemy of all these things is time. All these valuables will deteriorate over time if you don’t care for them properly. Joining me with some real help is Don Williams. Don was the senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and he is author of the book Saving Stuff… How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions (https://amzn.to/2RWnW6L). No one knows better how to keep your stuff in excellent shape as it marches through time.

While Thanksgiving is an important American holiday, much of the story we've been told is made up myth. Peter Mancall, professor of history and anthropology at the University of Southern California is an expert on early America. He joins me to explain the real origins of Thanksgiving, what the first Thanksgiving was really like and how it came to be a national holiday that ended up being celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

While some people seem to like to be touched more than others, physical human touch does seem to have real benefits for everyone. Listen as we explore some of the remarkable, positive effects touching has for children and adults. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/201309/why-we-all-need-touch-and-be-touched

This Week's Sponsors

-LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast

-Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock!

-BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING

-Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something

-Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

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The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But when is the best time to take a break? I begin this episode by telling you EXACTLY when to take a break for optimum performance. http://www.menshealth.com/best-time-for-break

There’s a pretty good chance you have at least one or two pairs of blue jeans – and maybe many more in lots of other colors! Jeans are the iconic American garment and have been for decades. Even as fashions and trends have come and gone there has always been a place for jeans. So where did they come? Why have they lasted? And what exactly is denim anyway – how is it different from other fabrics? Journalist James Sullivan, author of the book, Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2DGD45j) joins me to take you on an historical journey from Italy to the American west to a John Wayne movie set to explain the story of blue jeans. 

I bet there is someone famous or rich or super successful you would love to meet and maybe even get their advice –right? But you probably never tried because you figured they would never respond and it would be a complete waste of time. And maybe it would be. And then again, maybe not. Listen as I tell a story of a regular guy with no connections who got a lot of very important people to talk to him and exactly how he did it. https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-schedule-a-phone-call-with-a-billionaire/answer/Daniel-L-Jacobs

You have got to hear science writer Marcus Chown explain why over 99% of your DNA isn’t yours or how you could squeeze the entire human race into a space the size of a sugar cube or why the moon is actually hurtling towards earth – constantly! Marcus is author of the new book, Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand – 50 Wonders That Reveal an Extraordinary Universe (https://amzn.to/2OKnczM) and he joins me to explain some scientific facts that will absolutely amaze you. 

This Week's Sponsors

Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.

-SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something

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What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say is what makes them so happy. John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA)

Probably the one word you hear more than any other throughout your life is –NO! For some people no means no but for others it means something else entirely. BJ Gallagher, author of the book Yes Lives in the Land of No (https://amzn.to/2JXlPNh) offers some great advice for handling the word no when people tell you that you can’t have or do something. Since you will hear NO a lot for the rest of your life – this is worth listening to.

Who doesn’t love going to a live concert? And yet when you really dissect the experience, it is probably not as good as we tell ourselves it is. I’ll reveal what one writer has to say about the concert-going experience that you may not have thought about before. (http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a39525/live-music-overrated/)

We humans need people. We are social creatures. We thrive with others. Yet many of us are alone and isolated with few, if any friends. Someone who is very concerned about this is Radha Agrawal, who is an entrepreneur, investor, inventor, speaker, and community builder. She founded Daybreaker a grassroots, early-morning dance phenomenon that is now in over 25 countries. She is also author of the book Belong: Find Your People Create Community and Live a More Connected Life https://amzn.to/2DfaczU. Radha explains not only why friends are important but how and where to go and find them. 

This Week's Sponsors

-SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something

Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.

-LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING

Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com 

Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery

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

Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up and why. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/theres-no-evidence-you-need-annual-physical-exam-say-doctors

Your unconscious mind affects your thoughts and behaviors in ways you can’t imagine. That is the message from John Bargh, Yale professor of psychology and author of the book Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do (https://amzn.to/2JLKN2b). For example, feeling physically warm actually makes you more socially warm; feeling fear makes you think more politically conservative – it’s just amazing. Listen as professor Bargh takes you on a tour of your unconscious mind.  

A lot of things can get messy in your kitchen – from lingering cooking smells to fruit flies and a million other things. Listen as I reveal some great ways to solve common kitchen problems you probably haven’t heard before. http://food52.com/blog/14173-7-kitchen-cleaning-tricks-that-really-work

How did Facebook, Amazon, Google and other big companies get so big so fast? The answer is “blitzscaling.” It is a recent phenomenon in business that was named and identified by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Chris Yeh in their new book Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies (https://amzn.to/2D4HW33). Chris Yeh joins me to explain how blitzscaling works and others in business can use the same principles. 

This Week's Sponsors

Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  

Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. 

Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com 

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