Something You Should Know

How many times did your mother tell you not to swim for half an hour after you eat or not to scratch a bug bite or don’t touch someone who has poison ivy because you can catch it? There is a lot of that summertime advice flying around. This episode begins by looking at whether this advice is true or not. https://www.silive.com/healthfit/2012/07/summer_myths_debunked.html There is something called...

Water is amazing. Drink it and it keeps you alive. But did you know that drinking water can also make you smarter? This episode begins by explaining why that is and you may find the answer quite surprising. https://becausewater.com/7-reasons-staying-hydrated-makes-smarter/  Anyone can count. It is one of the first things children learn to do. Yet figuring out how to count took a long time and invo...

Seems like there is always new research coming out about the benefits of coffee. This episode begins with another one – and maybe one you haven’t heard before. You just need to drink 3 cups a day – or more. https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/food/can-your-coffee-habit-help-protect-you-skin-cancer Probably everyone has been witness to a bully or some other inappropriate behavior and didn’t int...

You have likely heard people say that having a dog is good for you. Usually, dog lovers say that. So exactly how good is good? Do dogs really improve your health and well-being? This episode begins with an explanation. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-science-based-benefits-dog/ Shopping malls are an American institution. For decades they have been popular places to shop, eat, go to...

If you took driver’s education, you probably remember being told to keep your hands at 10:00 o’clock and 2:00 o’clock on the steering wheel. That may have been some really bad advice. We begin this episode with a discussion on the best way to steer your car. http://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/9882/team-oneil-shows-how-to-position-your-hands-on-the-wheel Is it possible to get someone to tell you...

You probably hate when people don’t respond to your emails, right? Well, you may be part of the problem. Listen as I explain how this one little mistake in the subject line makes it easy for others to dismiss your emails and how to fix it. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/291896/subject-line-typos-decrease-email-engagementrates.html Why is it that bad things feel bad more than good th...

The earth is getting warmer and the consequences of that have already begun to impact us all. Today, 6 out of 10 Americans describe themselves as “alarmed” or “concerned” about climate change, according to one recent study. Climate change is a huge global problem and there is likely not going to be a single solution.  Joining me to explain and help us all understand the problem and the solutions t...

Dog owners love it when their dog kisses them on the face. But is it really safe? This episode begins by explaining just how clean a dog’s mouth is and whether you should be so intimate with your pet. https://nypost.com/2022/04/06/your-dogs-kisses-could-contain-deadly-superbug-study-says/ People say they love their car or their house or maybe even a pair of shoes. But is it really love? Maybe, acc...

Being healthy takes a lot of work. But maybe it doesn’t always have to. This episode begins with some simple yet effective techniques that will help your overall health – and they only take a minute and hardly any effort. http://www.menshealth.com/health/ways-to-be-healthier Why does time only go in one way? Every moment we move forward into the future, but we cannot go back into the past. How com...

People cry when they are sad – so why do they also cry when they are happy? This episode begins with the explanation for why two opposite emotions can have the same symptom. And what happy occasion actually causes people to cry the most “tears of joy.” (BTW, it’s not weddings). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141111124047.htm Did you know that flavor and taste are not the same thing?...

Why is it that as soon as you get your car washed, a bird will find it and leave a nice big poop on your shiny clean car? Whatever force of nature causes that, you need to get that poop off – fast. Listen as I explain why and how to do it so you don’t cause more damage. https://www.mccarthycollisioncenters.com/blog/8-tips-to-clean-bird-poop-off-car-paint Traveling this summer has been challenging...

It seems to be human nature that the more money you have in your wallet, the more likely you are to spend it. And it also turns out that what kind of money is in your wallet influences how much you spend as well. Listen as this episode begins with some interesting psychology that will help you spend less so you keep more of your money. http://www.forbes.com/video/4061993829001/ I bet you have had...

Nothing ruins a trip like getting car sick. But now there are motion sickness glasses. Do they work? Reader’s Digest tested them out and a lot of people who bought them left reviews. Listen and I’ll tell you what they said. https://www.rd.com/article/motion-sickness-glasses/ How can you be in a relationship and still be an individual? It has always been a tricky balance that has gotten even toughe...

We’ve all seen how dogs sniff each other – and it appears we humans do the same thing. (Not to dogs but to other humans). I begin this episode explaining how people make judgements about others based on how they smell. And it all happens subconsciously. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm Are you resilient? Do you bounce back after facing a big challenge? Can we learn to...

Ever have a hard time finding your keys or wallet or glasses – or even where you left your car in a parking lot? Why is it so hard to keep track of them? This episode begins with an explanation and some advice to use the next time you can’t find one of those things. http://lifehacker.com/the-two-factors-that-make-you-forgetful-1563418168 Do you know what your DNA is? How does it work and how does...

Do you prefer fresh or frozen fish? Most people would likely choose fresh – but the topic is a bit more complicated than choosing one or the other. A lot of times what you think of as “fresh” fish was once frozen. To start this episode, I unravel the discussion about whether fresh fish is really better – or not. https://www.thespruceeats.com/frozen-fish-better-than-fresh-fish-1300625 What if you c...

We’ve all gotten the word about the importance of sunscreen. But there are several places on your body you are likely to miss when you apply it. This episode begins with an important list of the most likely places you need to make sure NOT to miss. https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/how-to-apply-sunscreen-to-commonly-missed-spots/ What if there was a drug that could give you better health,...

What is it about spicy food that makes some people love it and others avoid it like the plague? This episode begins with an interesting explanation and some helpful facts about hot and spicy food that could come in handy if things get too hot. http://lifehacker.com/how-to-actually-enjoy-the-painful-pleasure-of-spicy-foo-1794616828 How important is it that you do something you love? Must you be pas...

Given the price of gasoline, we all need to conserve every drop we can. While you have probably heard of some of the ways to save gas, there are a few you probably haven’t heard before. This episode begins with some effective gas saving hacks from the people at Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a39504408/how-to-improve-your-vehicles-gas-mileage/  Do you believe in luck? It p...

Why do cashiers often ask for your phone number or email address? What if you don’t want to share that information? This episode begins by explaining why they ask and what your response should be. https://www.rd.com/article/this-is-why-stores-ask-for-your-phone-number-at-the-checkout/ Everyone needs at least one friend. That’s according to Lydia Denworth, a science journalist and author of the boo...

People like reruns. We like to watch old TV shows and movies over and over again, we often order the same meal at a restaurant, listen to the same songs- maybe even reread a book. Why? This episode begins with an interesting explanation. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-you-like-to-watch-the-same-thing-over-and-over/ Change is hard. Who hasn’t tried to make a change in their life onl...

Are you a smiler? Smiling turns out to be really good for you in a lot of ways. This episode begins with an explanation of some of the surprising benefits of smiling more often. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/03/22/the-untapped-power-of-smiling/#23fc80fc7a67 Why do we pay attention to some people but not others? What makes those people seem more credible? According to researcher Step...

The pandemic certainly made us more aware of the importance of washing our hands. However, it isn’t just how often you wash, it is also the technique that matters. Listen as I explain. http://www.hardydiagnostics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hand-Washing.pdf For as long as there have been people, there has been a need for fun. People like to have fun whether it is amusement parks, board games, s...

With today’s gas prices, you want to make every gallon count. So perhaps you’ve wondered if you should stop your engine at a railroad crossing or if you are in the drive-thru line at a takeout place for just a minute. Listen to the beginning of this episode and I’ll give you the answer. https://slate.com/technology/2008/05/is-it-more-efficient-to-leave-your-car-idling.html Sometimes your own thoug...

About one in ten people claim to be allergic to penicillin. Interestingly, while they may think they are – many of them are not. How can this be? This episode begins with an explanation of how this can be. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/do-you-really-have-a-penicillin-allergy-2019022616017  Distractions are everywhere. People are always complaining about the distractions in their lives. So ho...