Something You Should Know

Whenever you get a new credit card in the mail, you are encouraged to sign the back of it. In fact many say, “Not valid until signed.” But should you sign the back of your credit cards? For security reasons, maybe not. But there is something you might want to write in that little box instead. We start the episode by discussing that. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1444/should-you-sign-the...

If you want to ask someone on a date, you could call them up and ask or you could send a text or email. So which of those methods is most effective? We begin this episode with the interesting answer. http://news.indiana.edu/releases/iu/2015/09/email-versus-voicemail-romantics.shtml When someone walks into your home, they immediately make assumptions about you. So what do people assume about you? W...

Have you ever thought to yourself, “When I lose weight, where does the fat go?” It is an interesting question and the fact is most health professionals cannot answer it. But I can – and will as we begin this episode. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/health/lose-weight-where-does-it-go-partner/index.html If the “lose-it-or-use-it” theory applies to anything – it applies to memory. U.S. Memory Champio...

If you want someone to know you really care for them and that they are special to you, there are a few simple things you can do that can have a huge impact. I begin this episode with those things which I am sure will come in handy at some point in your life. http://www.caring.com/articles/5-surprising-actions-that-show-love When you want to make a point or sell your idea or convince someone of som...

When you have pain – you want it to go away. While taking a pill or two can help ease the pain, there are some other interesting and unconventional ways to ease pain that have been proven to work. This episode begins with those and at least most of them will likely be new to you. http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/12-weird-pain-remedies/ss-AAcuOQ#image=1 Self-sabotage is when you set a goal,...

I suspect you’ve been cheated or lied to at some point in your life and thought to yourself, “How in the world did I fall for that?” There is actually a good reason why it happened to you and to every other human on the planet. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201109/the-5-reasons-we-get-suckered-and-ripped While there is no shortage of advice for people in relations...

Have you ever watched someone blow out the candles on a birthday cake and wondered, “Do I really want to eat cake after someone blew and spit all over it?” I have. So I start this episode with a look at the risks of eating that cake once the candles are out. http://foodnetwork.wikia.com/wiki/Food_Detectives A lot has been written about peak performance. There are books, articles, podcasts, seminar...

Somehow I simply cannot walk and text at the same time. And that turns out to be a good thing. I begin this episode with some fascinating research about texting and walking – and how the people around you hate you when you do it. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/people-who-text-while-walking-are-annoying-as-hell-study-confirms_us_55b8f3e7e4b0a13f9d1b0b13?ir=Healthy%2BLiving%C2%A7ion%3Dhealthy-...

When it comes to successful online dating, the two things that seem to matter most are your screen name and your profile picture. I begin this episode by explaining what works best as determined by researchers who reviewed thousands of online profiles of people who were successful online daters and people who failed miserably. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150212212100.htm What dete...

This episode begins with a look at some fascinating science of everyday life. For example, how the calorie count for food is determined, what does it take to actually crush a Lego brick, why water of the same temperature feels colder than air of the same temperature – and more. http://mentalfloss.com/article/66086/11-scientific-explanations-everyday-life Do you swear? If so, why? Are there any ben...

Negotiating your own salary can be stressful and difficult. This episode begins with some proven ways to help you maneuver through the negotiation process effectively so you get the best deal and the most money possible. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary Just about everyone enjoys music. But it is more than mere entertainment. Researcher and writer Dan Levitin author...

What’s the real reason people get angry over the little things? At least one leading expert believes it’s all about control. I begin this episode of the podcast discussing the high cost your pay by getting so upset over nothing and how to let go of life’s little aggravations. (The Anger Trap by Les Carter https://amzn.to/2NYGHpd) So much of the advice on eating healthy is about what to avoid – mea...

Should you really not go swimming until a half hour after eating? Can you really get poison ivy by touching someone who already has it? These are just some of the common pieces of summertime advice you often hear. We’ll take a look at the science behind these and several others and reveal whether or not they are true. http://www.silive.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2012/07/summer_myths_debunked.html If...

When you want something from someone else – like in a negotiation – it usually doesn’t pay to get mad. But it might be a good idea to get sad. This episode begins with some interesting research that can help you get better at getting what you want. http://www.thestar.com/business/careers/2015/07/02/wanta-raise-try-crying-it-8217-s-science-.html Does eating sweets put you in a sweeter mood? Does th...

A kiss is just a kiss. Or is it? It turns out kissing does a lot. I begin this episode with some interesting facts about what kissing does, the messages it sends and why men and women tend to prefer different kinds of kisses. https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/relationships/20-things-you-never-knew-about-kissing/ss-AA3gtBD Why would you ever want to pay more when you can pay less? Well, that turn...

A lot of things about you determine how likable you are but there are a few simple techniques to make you appear more likable instantly. I start this episode with three ways, according to Psychology Today, that will make you more likable to others when you meet them. And they aren’t what you probably think. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201107/get-anyone-yo...

Do you blush? Most people who do blush wish they didn’t because it is embarrassing and – as blushers know – it is impossible to stop doing it. But blushing has a purpose and I begin this episode by discussing who blushes, why they blush and what it means to others when you do. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-we-blush-social-embarrassment I’m sure you know that feeling of delig...

Getting kids – or even some grownups – to eat their vegetables can be frustrating. However there are some simple techniques that researchers at Cornell University have studied that appear to be quite effective Listen and I’ll tell you how and you’ll discover the fascinating side effects of improving your reputation as a cook and a human being amongst your family members. And who wouldn’t want to d...

Not drinking enough water is a big problem. And while being a little dehydrated won’t kill you, dehydration does have a lot of significant and negative effects on your physical and mental wellness. This episode starts with a look at some surprising findings. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/5-signs-dehydration-besides-color-your-pee Language controls what you think and how you think it...

It is rare to see a UPS truck turning left. Sure, sometimes they have to but they try not to. And there is a really good reason why that we can all learn from. I begin this episode with a discussion on that. (http://mentalfloss.com/article/60556/19-secrets-ups-drivers) Could it be you are not as smart as you think you are? Apparently so according to David McRaney author of the book and host of the...

There is only one right way to build a fire. It has always been this way and it is unlikely anyone will ever come up with a better way. Interestingly, you probably already do it. I start this episode with an explanation on how to build the perfect fire. http://www.pratt.duke.edu/news/fire People tend to ask for help all wrong! Humans like to help, we get joy from helping and if you ask the right w...

Want to feel REALLY good? Watch this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiKxytbCWk. It’s a dull and boring video about folding towels and will make you (or at least many people) get chills and give you a “brain orgasm.” Why? No one really knows for sure but I’ll explain what is known about it as I start this episode. How could 95% of the universe be missing? Why is it that science can...

When you search for something in Google does it matter what order you put the words in? What about punctuation – does that matter? We start this episode with the best ways to optimize Google searches to get the best results. (https://edu.google.com/coursebuilder/courses/pswg/1.2/assets/notes/Lesson1.5/Lesson1.5Wordordermatters_Text_.html) What makes someone beautiful? Can you really become more be...

Do nice guys finish last? Sure, there are a lot of successful nice guys but there are a lot of successful jerks too. So which is it? The answer may actually lie somewhere in between. This episode begins with some interesting insight into that (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/06/why-it-pays-to-be-a-jerk/392066) Humans are motivated by….what? Traditional thinking has been that carro...

Humans are programmed to flirt. It’s the beginning of the process that keeps the species going forward. And while some people are clearly better at the art of flirting – there is some science to it as well. I begin this episode with scientifically proven ways to improve your flirting skills.  (http://theweek.com/articles/448643/how-flirt-according-science) One thing that makes us human is our crea...