Have you ever held a pet up to a mirror and wondered why they don't seem to recognize themselves? Humans usually figure it out very young, but most animals never do. Yet a surprising handful of species appear capable of recognizing their own reflection—a clue that scientists use to explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology: self-awareness. https://www.livescience.com/4272-elephant-awareness-mirrors-humans.html

Smartphones have become the villains of modern life. We blame them for distraction, anxiety, shortened attention spans, poor sleep, and endless scrolling. But is the phone itself really the problem? Or are some activities on our phones far more harmful than others? Dr. Faye Begeti, a neurologist, neuroscientist, and researcher at Oxford University Hospitals, says we've been focusing on the wrong question. In our conversation, she explains what the latest research reveals about how smartphones affect the brain, why some forms of phone use can actually be beneficial, and how to build healthier digital habits without throwing your device into a lake. She is author of The Phone Fix: The Brain-Focused Guide to Building Healthy Digital Habits and Breaking Bad Ones (https://amzn.to/3yJUhIM).

Paradoxes have a way of making your brain stop and say, "Wait a minute..." If someone says, "I always lie," are they telling the truth? If not, then maybe they are. These strange logical puzzles have fascinated philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists for centuries because they expose flaws in how we think and force us to see the world from a different perspective. George Szpiro, journalist, mathematician, and author of Perplexing Paradoxes: Unraveling Enigmas in the World Around Us (https://amzn.to/4aEASGo), joins me to explore some of the most fascinating paradoxes ever conceived and explain why wrestling with impossible questions can actually make you a better thinker.

Learning to juggle might seem like little more than a party trick. But researchers have discovered that mastering this surprisingly challenging skill can create measurable changes in the brain. In fact, a few days of practice may do more for your mind than you would ever expect. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016114055.htm

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000

AIR DOCTOR: Head to ⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty! 

RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started.

QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

DELL:  With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down.  Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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