Something You Should Know

It is hard to get through life without writing things down on a yellow legal pad. You probably have some of those writing pads in your home right now. So, why are they yellow? And what makes them “legal”? Listen as I start this episode with the story. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/30325/why-are-legal-pads-yellow

You probably take your five senses for granted. That’s about to change when you hear my discussion with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen had an experience in a doctor’s office that caused her to reassess her understanding and appreciation of her 5 senses. That, in turn, led her on a journey that we can all learn from and participate in. And it just might make you a happier person in the process. Gretchen Rubin is the host of the hit podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/, she has written several books on happiness and her latest book is titled Life in Five Senses (https://amzn.to/41q1BCg).

There’s a pretty good chance you’ve had your heart broken by someone at some point in your life If so, you know how horrible it can feel. Some people are devastated and can barely function while others are able to deal with it and move on. What is a broken heart exactly? Why is the pain so intense? Can you actually die from a broken heart? And what is the best way to get over it? Joining me to discuss that is Florence Williams. She is a contributing editor at Outside magazine, and author of the book Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey (https://amzn.to/3KWFDRX).

A lot of us start our day with a hot cup of coffee. Maybe too hot. Listen as I reveal why one recognized coffee expert reveals what is the best temperature for a cup of coffee and why. https://www.coffeedetective.com/what-is-the-correct-temperature-for-serving-coffee.html

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Let’s find “us” again by putting our phones down for five.  Five days, five hours, even five minutes. Join U.S. Cellular in the Phones Down For Five challenge! Find out more at https://USCellular.com/findus

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If you want to be happy, it helps that you have happy friends. And it helps even more if your friends’ friends are happy too. I begin this episode discussing how social connections can influence our health and happiness. Source: Tom Rath author of Well Being (https://amzn.to/3xcMYUM) 

You probably think you know what your physical limits are. For example, when you exercise, you know when to stop because you “hit the wall.”  Actually though, that may not be such a good indicator. You could likely do more. That’s according to Alex Hutchinson. He says human endurance is flexible. After all, people break records all the time. People can achieve what was once thought to be impossible. How does that all work? Listen to this fascinating discussion with Alex who is author of the book Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance (https://amzn.to/3n9j7I7)

You could define rest by what you are NOT doing. We often look at rest as something we do to take a break from something else. However, that may be looking at rest all wrong. Rest turns out to be more complicated than that. Board-certified internal medicine physician Saundra Dalton-Smith says humans need different types of rest to restore different parts of ourselves. Even if you get plenty of sleep, there are other things that can mentally exhaust you and people who can leave you drained regardless of how much sleep you get. For those things you need a different kind of rest. In fact, Sandra has identified 7 kinds. She joins me to explain rest in a whole new way. Saundra is author of the book Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity (https://amzn.to/2RA9t5w).

Spring can be very uncomfortable if you have allergies. Listen as I reveal some simple yet effective strategies to fight back against those allergy symptoms that make you miserable so you can enjoy the pleasures of spring. The website I mention to check the pollen count in your area is www.aaaai.org. Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/allergy/how-to-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms/

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If you own a small business, you know the value of time. Innovation Refunds does too! They've made it easy to apply for the employee retention credit or ERC by going to https://getrefunds.com to see if your business qualifies in less than 8 minutes! Innovation Refunds has helped small businesses collect over $3 billion in payroll tax refunds!

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There is likely something you are worried about right now. After all, humans worry. This episode begins with some good news for you regarding whatever it is you are worried about https://www.huffpost.com/entry/85-of-what-we-worry-about_b_8028368

It is easy to find advice on how to be successful. The problem is one size does not fit all. For you to be successful and creative in what you do, you have to find what works for you. That is why Ozan Varol is here. Ozan has some interesting insight into what will make you more successful in whatever you choose to do. Ozan is a former rocket scientist, lawyer, and professor and he is author of a book called Awaken Your Genius: Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary (https://amzn.to/3Gx4qtl).

Would you want to change any part of your personality, or do you love everything about it – just as it is? Most people have at least some part of their personality they wish was different and the good news is, you can change it. That’s according to my guest Christian Jarrett a cognitive neuroscientist and author of the book Be Who You Want to Be: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change (https://amzn.to/40Y5BKD).

Next time you want to pitch an idea to someone – maybe you shouldn’t call it an idea. Listen as I reveal a better word that tends to get people to pay more attention to you. Source: Dan O’Connor author of Say This Not That https://amzn.to/3KC0Sam

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Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you’ve earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match

If you own a small business, you know the value of time. Innovation Refunds does too! They've made it easy to apply for the employee retention credit or ERC by going to https://getrefunds.com to see if your business qualifies in less than 8 minutes! Innovation Refunds has helped small businesses collect over $3 billion in payroll tax refunds!

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You would have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t like the smell of freshly cut grass. In fact, some people love that scent. Why? What’s so special about it? This episode begins with an explanation why it is so universally loved and why that scent may actually be good for you. https://www.prevention.com/life/a20432070/spending-time-outside-relieves-stress/

Whether it is a warm hug, a simple handshake or a passionate embrace, when people touch each other, something special happens. What is it about physical human contact that we seem to crave? Is it true that touch is actually good for your health? If so, how does that work? Here to explain the latest science about the importance and the impact of touch is Michael Banisey, an award winning professor and author of the book Touch Matters: Handshakes, Hugs, and the New Science on How Touch Can Enhance Your Well-Being (https://amzn.to/40HlNjl).

Saturn’s rings are vanishing. Black holes can sing. It’s raining diamonds on Neptune. These are just a few of the interesting things about outer space that you probably haven’t heard before that my guest Dr. Jillian Scudder is here to discuss. Jillian is an assistant professor of physics & astronomy at Oberlin College in Ohio and author of the book The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries: ...And Other Amazing Cosmic Facts (https://amzn.to/3GmAm3E).

Oven fires are one of the leading causes of house fires, yet many people don’t know what to do if it happens. Listen as I explain the recommended protocol if your oven or microwave catches on fire. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/cooking_fire_safety_flyer.pdf

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Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you’ve earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match

If you own a small business, you know the value of time. Innovation Refunds does too! They've made it easy to apply for the employee retention credit or ERC by going to https://getrefunds.com to see if your business qualifies in less than 8 minutes! Innovation Refunds has helped small businesses collect over $3 billion in payroll tax refunds!

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Music can affect us in lots of ways. You may not know that the music playing in a store can impact your spending behavior. This episode begins by looking at how different types of music can steer you to spend more or less. https://www.psychologistworld.com/behavior/ambient-music-retail-psychological-arousal-customers

Finding true love can be tricky. Sometimes it seems impossible. Here to the rescue is behavioral scientist turned dating coach Logan Ury. She has the latest research on what will and won’t work if you want to find love in the 21st century. Logan is author of the book How Not to Die Alone (https://amzn.to/3cWniDK).

Humans are the only mammal on earth that can speak words to communicate. That ability to speak words and thoughts and relay messages has been a key reason for our success as a species. Yet, could human speech also be the thing that ultimately destroys us? Listen to my guest John Colapinto a writer for The New Yorker and author of the book This Is The Voice (https://amzn.to/2PBA9m5). When you hear what he has to say, you will have a new appreciation for how amazing human speech is.

Estimates are that more than half of working people don’t like their job or the place where they work. And while that’s a shame for those who are unhappy, what really matters is how much YOU like YOUR job or place of employment Listen as I reveal a way you can discover just how satisfied you are in your work. The website I mention is https://www.iopenerinstitute.com/

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Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you’ve earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match

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There is an art and science to flattery This episode starts with a look at how powerful it can be if you know how to give and take a compliment and offers advice on how to execute a great compliment. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202109/the-psychology-compliments-nice-word-goes-long-way

Americans buy a lot of cheap crap. Knick-knacks, souvenirs, gadgets and who knows what else. What is the lure of this cheap crap? Why are our closets and drawers full of it? That turns out to be a fascinating topic for discussion with my guest Wendy Woloson, an associate professor of history at Rutgers University-Camden and the author of the book Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America (https://amzn.to/3M9M9WM). Listen as she explains what encourages us to buy these things and why they are often so very disappointing.

We’ve long heard about how artificial intelligence will replace humans in many jobs. What about your job? Certainly there must be some careers that are immune from this. What are the ramifications of AI replacing workers? That is what Kevin Roose is here to discuss. Kevin is a technology columnist for The New York Times, host of the Rabbit Hole podcast https://rabbitholepodcasts.com/ and author of the book Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation (https://amzn.to/42U861T).

Why would it be more dangerous to drive on the day your income taxes are due? Listen as I explain the reason and reveal the other days of the year that are more dangerous than most. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-people-die-in-fatal-car-crashes-on-tax-day-study-finds/

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Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you’ve earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match

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Are you a doodler like me? I often doodle when I listen to a talk or a presentation – even when I interview people for the podcast. And it seems there is a real benefit when you doodle. This episode begins with the explanation. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-power-of-the-doodle-improve-your-focus-and-memory-1406675744

You may be looking at exercise all wrong. Health and fitness may be less about going to the gym for an hour or other formal exercise and more about fitting more movement into your day – all day long. That’s according to Juliet Starrett attorney, professional athlete, and podcaster who has worked in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years. She offers up the latest proven research that shows how small movements are so important to health, longevity and your overall level of fitness. And she explains easy ways to do it. Juliet is co-author of the book Built To Move (https://amzn.to/3ZwADHH) and her podcast is The Ready State (https://thereadystate.com/podcasts/).

Every manmade thing you see or touch today was invented and engineered to work by someone. When you think about it, there is something amazingly creative about that process according to Bill Hammack. Bill is known as The Engineer Guy on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@engineerguyvideo) and is a professor of engineering at the University of Illinois. He joins me to take a peek into the fascinating world of invention and engineering to see how the things you use every day to make your life better, came to be. His book is titled The Things We Make: The Unknown History of Invention from Cathedrals to Soda Cans (https://amzn.to/3zhGpm3).

As the weather warms up, poison ivy, oak and sumac will start showing up and causing irritating rashes on people who come in to contact. Listen as I explain a few myths and facts about these plants to help you protect yourself. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/poison-ivy/who-gets-contagious

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Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you’ve earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match

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Using a public bathroom is usually not the highlight of your day. However, when it comes to choosing which stall or urinal to use, there is a way to minimize your potential exposure to germs and bacteria. I begin this episode by telling you which one you should choose – and if that one is taken, what should be your second choice. https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a58568/cleanest-bathroom-stall/

Sure, we’ve all heard how amazing the human brain is. Yet, it actually is rather lousy at many things. For instance, memories get distorted, your brain makes a lot of mistakes and misjudgments and there are plenty of other things is does not do particularly well. What’s interesting is those flaws are actually a good thing according to Henning Beck, a neuroscientist and author of the book Scatterbrain: How the Mind’s Mistakes Make Humans Creative, Innovative and Successful (https://amzn.to/31EemMJ). Listen as he describes how these brain deficiencies actually help make your life better, even though it is sometimes hard to see.

 The Internet can make your life a lot easier, however you do pay a price. And that price is your privacy, according to Firmin DeBrabander, professor of philosophy at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He is also author of the book Life After Privacy (https://amzn.to/3fzlORx). Listen as Firmin reveals what the potential dangers are and why so many people are gladly willing to give up their privacy anyway.

 You may have noticed that most pencils are not round and instead have six sides. Why? Some people believe it is to prevent the pencil from rolling off the table. That may be a benefit – but it is not the reason. Listen as I explain the real reason. Source: Douglas B. Smith author of “Ever Wonder Why?” https://amzn.to/2OcdGuU

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Packed with industry-leading tools ready to ignite your growth, Shopify gives you complete control over your business and your brand without having to learn any new skills in design or code. Sign up for a $1/month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk to take your business to the next level today!

With Instant Match from Indeed, as SOON as you sponsor a job post, you get a shortlist of quality candidates whose resumes on Indeed match your job description, and you can invite them to apply right away. You only pay for quality applications that match your must-have job requirements! Visit https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING to start hiring now!

Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

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How can the clothes you wear influence your personality? You will be surprised to discover how different clothes and different colors change the way you act, the way others perceive you and even how you perceive yourself. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html

There are all kinds of popular musical genres from rock, country, hip-hop, dance R&B, pop and more. And all that music came from somewhere. If you are a music lover you will want to hear the stories Kelefa Sanneh shares with me. Kelefa is a writer for The New Yorker, former pop music critic for the New York Times, contributor to the CBS Sunday Morning program and author of the book Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres (https://amzn.to/3npafT2). You will love how he reveals the backstories of popular music in a way you have never heard before. 

One of the major reasons people have financial troubles is they don’t really examine how much money they make or what they spend it on. Even people who think they know – probably don’t according to my guest Jill Schlesinger. Jill is a certified financial planner, award winning business analyst for CBS News, host of the Jill on Money podcast and radio show and author of the book The Great Money Reset (https://amzn.to/3JGJ91e). Listen as she offers some great advice on how to get a crystal clear view of your financial situation and strategies to make you feel financially secure so that you can live the life you want. 

Leftover pizza is always a disappointment. It’s weird because a lot of Italian food tastes better the next day. But not pizza. Listen as I reveal the perfect technique to reheat pizza to make it taste as good (or almost) as it did when it was first delivered. https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/how_tos/6453-the-best-way-to-revive-leftover-pizza

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Packed with industry-leading tools ready to ignite your growth, Shopify gives you complete control over your business and your brand without having to learn any new skills in design or code. Sign up for a $1/month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk to take your business to the next level today!

With Instant Match from Indeed, as SOON as you sponsor a job post, you get a shortlist of quality candidates whose resumes on Indeed match your job description, and you can invite them to apply right away. You only pay for quality applications that match your must-have job requirements! Visit https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING to start hiring now!

Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

The Dell Technologies’ Semi Annual Sale is on, with limited-quantity deals on top tech! Save today by calling 877-ASK-DELL

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If you want to make the food you cook taste better – switch the plates, bowls and glasses. This episode begins by discussing how and why that works. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/06/30/196708393/from-farm-to-fork-to-plate-how-utensils-season-your-meal#

You are probably a lot more mentally tough than you think you are. If you don’t believe me, you must hear my discussion with Amy Morin and she will convince you. Amy is a licensed clinical social worker, and psychotherapist who has a TED talk on mental toughness that is one of the most watched TED talks of all time with over 22 million views. She is host of The Verywell Mind podcast (https://www.verywellmind.com/the-verywell-mind-podcast-with-amy-morin-5115289) and author of the book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do (https://amzn.to/3LEMfoO)

Out of the 16,000 words you say today, you will probably mispronounce a couple. It’s not a big deal really, yet WHY we mispronounce certain words is really interesting. Joining me to explain all this is and why it is important to understand is Ross Petras, host of the podcast, You’re Saying It Wrong (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-saying-it-wrong/id1434115608) and co-author (with his sister Kathryn) of the book You're Saying It Wrong: A Pronunciation Guide to the 150 Most Commonly Mispronounced Words--and Their Tangled Histories of Misuse (https://amzn.to/3LKS8B8).

Remembering names is a struggle for many of us. If you would like to be better at it, listen as I explain a few techniques that will help you retain the names of people you meet. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201210/the-one-social-skill-can-change-your-life

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Packed with industry-leading tools ready to ignite your growth, Shopify gives you complete control over your business and your brand without having to learn any new skills in design or code. Sign up for a $1/month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk to take your business to the next level today!

With Instant Match from Indeed, as SOON as you sponsor a job post, you get a shortlist of quality candidates whose resumes on Indeed match your job description, and you can invite them to apply right away. You only pay for quality applications that match your must-have job requirements! Visit https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING to start hiring now!

Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

The Dell Technologies’ Semi Annual Sale is on, with limited-quantity deals on top tech! Save today by calling 877-ASK-DELL

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