Something You Should Know

Is it possible to work and stay focused in a messy office or environment? This question has actually been tested by researchers at Princeton to see. Listen and find out what they discovered. https://aurorastorage.com/resources/additional-resources/workspace-clutter-reduces-focus-and-productivity/ For centuries people have used storytelling as a powerful way to communicate. The reason is - it is ve...

There are a lot of benefits to being a happy person. This episode begins by discussing one more reason to look at the bright side of life that can really pay off in your later years. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2021/09/421506/happiness-early-adulthood-may-protect-against-dementia The only way medicine makes advances is by testing new drugs, vaccines and procedures on people. It's very risky and come...

Becoming a homeowner is a big goal for so many people. It is part of the American dream. But is owning a home always better than renting? This episode begins with some interesting facts that may make renting more attractive. https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/so-you-think-owning-a-home-will-make-you-happy-dont-be-too-sure/ Also, here is the link to the home ownership/rental calculator: ht...

It is called the “psychology of requests.” That is, if you want someone to do something for you, it is all about how you phrase it. This episode begins with a discussion on the best ways to ask people, so they respond the way you want and do things you want them to. http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/09/persuasive-techniques-that-actually-work.html Every day you are presented with problems. Accordi...

Passwords are a real pain. If it is too random, you can’t remember. If you it too easy, you could easily be hacked. So this episode begins with a simple formula to create a new password that you will remember and no one else will ever guess. Source: Eran Katz author of Where Did Noah Park The Ark (https://amzn.to/3at5fmx). When you are asked to make a choice, your decision on what to choose is inf...

Taking a daily multivitamin seems like it might be good insurance - but is it? This episode begins with a discussion about what taking a multivitamin does or does not do for you or your kids. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2009/02/multivitamins.html With online dating and all the dating apps, it would seem that dating should be a lot easier. After all, you can meet an endless number of...

I’ll bet there have been times when someone has offered to help you and you declined. You probably said something like, “No, that’s ok I got it.”? Well, why say that? Why we are so reluctant to ask other people for help when we likely could use it? This episode begins with a discussion on why asking for help is hard and yet it is one of the smartest things you will ever do. http://rd.com/advice/re...

Can you actually get sick from being sad? Can prolonged sadness shorten your lifespan? A lot of people think so. This episode begins by looking at the scientific link between sadness and health. http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-12-08-happiness-and-unhappiness-have-no-direct-effect-mortality It would be great if people noticed how competent you are on their own. But that rarely happens. If you want to...

It’s called The Pink Tax. It’s when the women’s version of a product (like razors) costs more than men’s even though it is exactly the same - except maybe the packaging and the color. It happens with a lot of products from toys to clothes - to razors.. This episode begins with an explanation of which women’s products cost more and why it might be better to buy the men’s version. https://www.voanew...

Can your employer boss spy on you? You bet they can! This episode begins by explaining just how far an employer can go to keep tabs on you and what you are up to. http://workrights.us/ Do you have a lot of self-confidence? Could you use a little more? We probably all could and Lana Otoya author of The Mindset of Self Confidence: Why Self Confidence Has Nothing to Do with Speaking Up or Standing St...

The #2 pencil is the one most of us use most of the time. So, why not a #1 pencil? Is there even such a thing? This episode begins with some remarkable facts about the humble pencil such as why we prefer #2 pencils, how many words the average pencil will write, why the vast majority of pencils are yellow and more. https://www.straightdope.com/21343238/how-come-you-see-2-pencils-but-no-1-pencils Wa...

Jet lag can cause a trip to get off to a tough start. This episode begins with some simple and effective ways to minimize the effects of jet lag so your trip can get good, right from the start. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/jet-lag-remedies Despite all the advances in health and medicine, one thing that has gotten substantially worse is the overweight and obesity problem. Why is i...

I bet everyone has flushed the toilet with their foot to avoid the germs on the handle. I know I have and it turns out to be one of many well-intentioned but flawed techniques to steer clear of germs lurking in nasty places. This episode begins with some ways people try to avoid germs that fail and better ways instead. http://www.menshealth.com/health/things-that-do-not-protect-from-germs/slide/2...

“You’re call is very important to us…” Don’t you just hate hearing that? Having to call customer service can be a long and frustrating experience. So, this episode begins by discussing how to make that experience a little bit smoother. https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/customer-service-tips If you didn’t experience pain, would you appreciate pleasure as much? Do humans actually...

What is the purpose of that ball of cotton in your bottle of pills? You probably think you know but I bet you don’t. This episode begins with an explanation of why that cotton is in there and what you should do with it. https://www.businessinsider.com/why-huge-cotton-ball-comes-pill-bottles-medicine-health-pharmacy-prescription-2017-5 I am sure you have wanted to ask someone to do something for yo...

How could using reusable grocery bags affect your body? f you take your own bags to the grocery store, there may be an unintended health consequence – and it’s not good. Listen as this episode begins by revealing what happens to some people who use reusable grocery bags. https://grist.org/food/are-your-reusable-grocery-bags-making-you-fat/ Every driver has a real impact on the flow of traffic acco...

You make a countless number of decisions every single day, from what to have for breakfast to what toothpaste to buy. This episode begins with a discussion on how humans make decisions and choices and how to recognize which ones you are probably spending too much time worrying about. https://fs.blog/2014/09/the-history-of-cognitive-overload We all spend a good portion of most days in conversations...

Have you ever felt that urge to snoop or eavesdrop on someone? Actually, everyone does it. This episode begins with a brief discussion on why humans and most other creatures eavesdrop and the purpose it serves. Source: John Locke author of the book Eavesdropping (https://amzn.to/3l7rIud) When you think about all the tasks you do throughout the day, there are probably some you could do better, easi...

What could be cuter than a young child and a dog together? Yet, it could be a very dangerous situation. This episode begins with a warning about leaving young children alone with a dog even if the child and dog are familiar with each other. https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/ Do you ever wish you had more willpower? It does seem that...

Putting nitrogen in your car’s tires (instead of just plain air) is kind of a trendy thing. If you ever see those green caps on the tire’s valve stems - that is supposed to indicate a tire with nitrogen in it. Since it costs money (up to $10 or more per tire) to fill it with nitrogen, this episode begins with a discussion on what the supposed benefits are and whether it is worth it. https://www.co...

Want to be really happy? If so, it makes sense to ask happy people what makes them happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say are the things that makes them so happy so you can be happy too! Source: John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA) The one word you likely hear more than any other throughout your life is – NO! For some...

Here’s a question for you if you wear a watch. Have you washed it recently? I bet not. So, this episode begins with just how gross and disgusting the surface of your watch and watchband are and why they need a bath right now – today! http://www.ladbible.com/news/uk-watches-three-times-dirtier-than-toilet-seats-study-finds-20190623 There are some people believe vaccines cause autism – science says...

You already know how important a good night’s sleep is. But how much is enough? This episode begins with some startling information about how just 15 minutes more sleep per night can make a big difference. https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/162769 We all want pleasure in life. In fact, most of us have a lot of pleasure. Maybe too much pleasure. And all that pleasure can make you miserable ac...

We all want to save energy and money - but does doing things like turning off lights or unplugging appliances really do much or are there other things you could do that have more impact? This episode begins with a look at what does and doesn’t do much to conserve energy and reduce your utility bill. https://www.pnas.org/content/107/37/16054 Some people seem to excel under pressure while other chok...

When you think about preventing skin cancer, you most likely think about sunscreen and limiting sun exposure. But what about diet? Could the right diet help prevent you from getting skin cancer? This episode begins with a brief discussion on some interesting research about diet and skin cancer. https://www.skincancer.org/blog/can-your-diet-help-prevent-skin-cancer/  Imagine if you could start a su...