Something You Should Know

The Interesting Math of Life and Death & Understanding the Science of Consciousness

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Flattery works – if you know how to do it right. So this episode begins with a discussion on how to use flattery and why it is such a powerful tool...

How Trust Works & Taking Back Healthcare

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some people can’t imagine exercise without having their cellphone. You can listen to music, text and chat and it helps the time fly by. Well, there ...

SYSK Choice: Your Mind and Your Money

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There’s nothing more embarrassing than those awkward moments in life – when your fly is down or there is spinach in your teeth or you embarrass yo...

The Problem With Following Your Passion & Understanding Small Data

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There is something about flying that makes you feel – lousy. Since a lot of people are flying this time of year, this episode begins with a discussi...

How Creating a Little Hope Can Change Your Life & How to Live Courageously

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You can look dramatically younger by doing almost nothing. This episode begins with 3 simple ways that change how people perceive you. Do these things...

SYSK Choice: Important New About Infectious Diseases & Looking at Life without Sight

21 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you really have a year to send a wedding gift? That turns out to be one of several etiquette myths we’ll explore as I begin today’s episode. ht...

How to Shake Off a Bad Experience & Where New Trends Come From

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How many times have you heard that it is important to drink a lot of fluids when you have a cold or the flu? But why? Does it help flush the illness f...

How To Make Your Voice Exude Confidence & The Amazing Effect Animals Have on You

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It is the most wonderful tine of the year! Many people will tell you that Christmas is their favorite holiday. Did you know that there was a time in t...

SYSK Choice: Why Kids Fail to Launch & Surprising Exercise Myths

14 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Next time you do something really embarrassing in front of other people – you will remember what I am going to tell you in this episode – and it w...

Why Voice Computing (Alexa) is a Game Changer & The Fascinating World of Liquids

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When your hands and feet are cold, you feel you cold. Why is that? And what can you do to warm them up quickly? This episode begins with some interest...

Separating Fact from Fiction in Nutrition & Why Humans Must Explore

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Something strange happens when most people read emails and texts and it could cause a health problem. Listen to and discover what it is so you can see...

SYSK Choice: What Your Dog is Really Thinking & Why Superstitions Actually Work

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the best way to deal with a jerk? Well, according to psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston, there is one word that will shut them up – and it is k...

How to Win An Argument & Simple Strategies to Be a Better Writer

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the time of year when people give to people less fortunate – and that is great. However, if you are going to give, there are things that mos...

Why Nothing Has an Instruction Manual Anymore & How People Really Change Their Mind

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People seem to get sadder in winter. Is it the weather? Is it just because it’s colder? Or is it the sunlight? This episode begins with the explanat...

SYSK Choice: What Really Influences Your Buying Decisions & The Odds of Bad Things Happening

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can your pet really get sick eating poinsettia leaves or drinking Christmas tree water? We begin this episode looking at some of the real holiday pet...

Why You Get Angry & The Problems Faced by Dual Career Couples

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Timing is everything. And when you have a big decision to make, the time of day you choose to make it is more important than you might realize. This e...

Discover How Suggestible You Really Are & 4 Questions You Must Ask Your Doctor

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of people listen to music when they are working because they believe it helps them concentrate and be more productive? Does it? This episode begi...

SYSK Choice: How to Age Better & Successful Leadership for You and Others

23 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You are wasting too much time on email. It’s estimated that you waste 30 seconds each time you stop and check it. So how can you cut down on the amo...

The Amazing Science Behind Your Smile & How to Be Direct and Honest and Not Be a Jerk

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you leave your garage opener in the car? Do you know where your main water shutoff valve is? No matter where you live, there are a few questions yo...

How Simply Eating Dinner Killed A Lot of People & The Real Reason You Have Your Job

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Where do you go when you have to come up with a creative idea? The shower is a favorite spot. And a lot of people like to sit in silence for inspirati...

SYSK Choice: Bring Your Dreams to Life & Fixing Loneliness in Your Relationship

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You develop driving habits over time and some of those habits may not be so great for your car or the engine. Listen to some advice from Popular Mecha...

Why We Are Wrong About So Much & How to Reduce Your Anxiety in an Anxious World

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it that your stomach growls at exactly the wrong time? When you are taking a test in school or during a meeting when the room is quiet and all...

How to Get People to Tell You the Truth & How Noise Affect Your Health and Happiness

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How accurate is Wikipedia? If you go to one of their articles, how likely is it to be accurate and objective. This episode begins with some surprising...

SYSK Choice: Stop Being So Busy & The Real Fountain of Youth

09 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you cook, I’m sure you’ve heard that when you cook with alcohol, the heat burns off the alcohol quickly. Well, according to science that is imp...

“Dirty Jobs” Host Mike Rowe Offers a Different View of Success & The Awesome Power of Empathy

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

The Power of Being Brief and to the Point & Why Your Reality May Not Be Real at All

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you let your dog sleep on the bed? Some experts claim it is bad for your health. But I am going to start this episode by explaining why it may be j...

SYSK Choice: Finding True Happiness & Controlling Your Money

02 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You need to know about the “27 Second Effect.” This is a critical part of the whole “distracted driving” problem that most people don’t real...

The Founder of Netflix Reveals His Secret of Success & The Problems of Working From Home

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When someone meets you, the first thing they likely notice are your eyes. But do you know what they notice second? Or third? Or fourth? This episode b...

The Surprising Benefits of Taking the Blame When Things Go Wrong & The Origins of Trick-or-Treat

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you go to the movies, is there really a “best seat in the house?” Actually, yes. Although people have their own preferences, theaters are cal...

SYSK Choice: The Dangers of Going to the Doctor & The Best Ways to Get Organized

26 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know about The 40% Rule. It’s what Navy Seals use to be mentally tough – and you can use it as well. It just takes a simple change in think...

The Powerful Influence Strangers Have On You & How to Speed Up Your Metabolism

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You probably know the many ways supermarkets use psychology to get you to spend more money. Well it turns out that airports do the same thing. This ep...

Why It’s So Easy to Get Food Poisoning & Academy Award Winner Brian Grazer on Human Connection

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We all sometimes struggle to remember important things – like names or passwords or what to get at the grocery store. This episode begins with some ...

SYSK Choice: Great Advice on How to Succeed from a Self-Made Billionaire

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How do you cure a cough? Well, there is one idea that has been floating around that some people swear works – even though it appears to be impossibl...

How to Harness the Power of Your Brain & Where Halloween Monsters Come From

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most people agree that if you know how a book, movie or TV show ends that will ruin the experience of reading or watching it. Really? Maybe knowing th...

Why You Believe Some People but Not Others & How to Finish What’s Really Important to You

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Smile! Smiling turns out to be really good for you in a lot of ways. This episode begins with an explanation of all the benefits of smiling more often...

SYSK Choice: Is "Gut Instinct" A Real Thing? & The Fascinating Ways Sound Affects You

12 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can people actually become addicted to cheese? This episode begins with some surprising information how why people love cheese so much. I’m sure you...

The Powerful Advantages of Telling a Good Story & Why You Need To Change Jobs

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know people who claim they can focus and work just fine in a messy and disorganized office? Well researchers at Princeton did some research to ...

How to Get People to Say Yes to You & Have We Become Overly Cautious?

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“Never cry at work!” has been some long standing advice for employees. So if you DO cry at work, what will people think of you? This episode begin...

SYSK Choice: Become a Brilliant Negotiator & Finding Your Purpose in Life

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Almost all voice guided apps – like Siri and Alexa – have a female voice. Ever wonder why? This episode begins with the explanation as to why the ...

A Better Way to Look at Success and Failure & How to Buy and Wear Clothes That Look Great

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most people never read the “Terms of Service” when they download an app. However, when you click OK you enter into a contract that says you will a...

Why You Have Trouble Sleeping & How to Fix It & How to Get the World’s Attention

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

80% of infectious disease are spread by touch. This is why it is so important to wash your hands. Still, most people don’t wash their hands correctl...

SYSK Choice: How to Be More Powerful & Fascinating Facts from the “Google Earth” of Health

28 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is there such a thing as the best seat in the house at a movie theater? Yes according to the people who design them. Listen to discover where to sit t...

How Word-of-Mouth Marketing Really Works & Why Your Dog Loves You So Much

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Your taste in music can have a big impact on who you are attracted to and who is attracted to you. Whether you like jazz, country or classical music, ...

How You Can Access Better Health Care Now & Subtle Factors That Influence Your Decisions

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you ever lose something at an airport – where do you go to find it? The Lost & Found of course. But do you know how many Lost & Founds there are ...

SYSK Choice: Getting Your Dream Project Done & Food Science for Better Cooking

21 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know bacon is really a low-fat food? That is just one of the many fascinating food science facts you’ll discover when you listen to food wr...

How to Figure Out Any and Every Problem & How to Use Statistics to Make Your Case

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 psychology of requests an...

How to Beat Distractions That Eat Up Your Time & A Positive Way to Fix Problems

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people claim to be allergic to penicillin. In fact 1 out of 10 do. Most of those people are wrong and this episode begins with the explanatio...

SYSK Choice: Great Life Hacks & The Nasty Political Discussion Fix

14 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s something interesting – as sunscreen use has increased over the last several years, so has the rate of skin cancer. So what is going on? I’...

How Regular People Get Rich & What You Never Knew About the Clothes You Wear

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever eavesdrop? Be honest now. The fact is we almost all do – it is human nature and once served an important purpose. This episode begins wi...

How Your Social Life Affects Your Health & Can You Be Selfish in a Relationship?

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to be more successful and make more money there is one very simple and seemingly unrelated thing you can do that has been proven by lookin...

SYSK Choice: The Simple Solution to Beating Stress For Good

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do dogs do what they do? They seem obsessed with smelling everything and everybody and they universally love the snow. Why? This classic episode b...

How Probability and Chance Rule Your Life & Understanding How Motivation Really Works

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ever have someone offer to help you and you say – “No, I got it.”? Why? Why we are so reluctant to ask other people for help when we really coul...

How Anyone Can Learn Anything & The Fascinating Science of Human Attachment

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s quite common and convenient to take medication or vitamin pills with a gulp of coffee or juice in the morning. But should you? The episode begi...

SYSK Choice: You Are Eating Fake Food & Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know

31 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Men and women approach online dating very differently and consequently get different results. This classic episode begins with a discussion on who doe...

How Just a Little Rest Can Change Your Life & Fascinating Stories You Never Knew

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You know what customer service people really like? They like when you are nice to them. This episode begins with a magical phrase the next time you ne...

How to Be More Creative Than You Ever Imagined & A Simpler Way to Change Any Behavior

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People who have high credit scores are often quite proud of them. And there is no doubt that a high credit score is better than a low credit score. Bu...

How to Drastically Improve Your Intuition & How Planet Earth Has Shaped Who You Are

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Your shoulders speak volumes. It turns out how you hold your shoulders telegraphs a message to the world as to what kind of person you are. This episo...

Why Feedback Often Fails & A More Effective Way to Have a Conversation

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How physically strong are you? Interestingly, men today are not as strong as they once were. I begin this episode with the explanation of why that is ...

How a Little Surprise Will Change Your Life & How Introverts Can Thrive in the Workplace

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever noticed that when you are working on a problem or trying to come up with an idea there comes a point of diminishing returns? The harder ...

How to Effectively Grow Your Self-Confidence & Why Intelligent People Do Dumb Things

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can your boss spy on you? You bet! This episode explains just how far an employer can go to keep tables on you and what you are up to. http://workrigh...

How to Kill a Good Idea (and Why You Shouldn’t) & Fighting Humans’ Deadliest Predator

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do people have nightmares? Do they serve a purpose? This episode begins with some fascinating facts about nightmares and the people who have them....

The Best Way to Learn Anything New & How to Deal With People You Can’t Stand

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you wear a certain fragrance, people will perceive you as 12 pounds thinner. That’s just one of many fascinating things I discuss about you amazi...

Our 300th Episode! - How to Stop Sabotaging Yourself & A Fascinating Explanation of the Universe

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Kardashian and her sisters speak with something called “vocal fry.” In fact a lot of women do and it is a real problem. This episode begins wi...

The Secret to Getting Everything Done & How to Optimize Your Brain for Peak Performance

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pizza math. It’s worth knowing because when you understand it, you’ll realize why a small pizza is usually a lousy deal. This episode begins with ...

How YOUR Driving Affects Traffic & How You Can Make Yourself More Likable

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you take your own bags to the grocery store, there may be an unintended health consequence – and it’s not good. This episode begins by revealin...

Why Smart People Do Stupid Things (and How to Stop It) & The Remarkable Power of Appreciation

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ever flush the toilet with your foot to avoid the germs on the handle? It’s one of many well-intentioned but flawed techniques to steer clear of ger...

How to Create More Special Moments in Life & The Problem with Trying to Be Being Perfect

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I suspect every parent wonders how they will be remembered in their child’s mind. What kind of parents do your kids think you were? This episode beg...

Skin Care Myths You Need to Know & How to Find Time for What Matters Most

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Low-fat milk and dairy products are better than whole fat versions of the same thing – right? That is the prevailing wisdom. Yet this episode begins...

How to Accelerate and Bulletproof Your Career & How Advertising Affects You

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a fender bender with another driver, should you just work it out between the two of you or should you report it to the insurance company? ...

How to Dramatically Increase Your Willpower & The Fascinating Ways Time Affects Food

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People are not getting sick and dying like they used to. The number of cases of some very common diseases have dropped dramatically over the last few ...

How to Make Smarter Choices in Every Day Life & Why You Must Have More Fun at Work

04 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hot summer days are often called the “dog days of summer.” Why? This episode begins with an explanation of that. http://www.popularmechanics.com/s...

How to Be More Influential & A Top Veterinarian Answers Important Pet Questions

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You sometimes see products labeled refurbished – particularly electronics. Are they a good deal? This episode begins by looking at what refurbished ...

How to Tell What’s Real From What’s Fake & Why It Is Good to Suck at Something

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When was the last time you washed your watch? Not recently I bet. So this episode begins with just how gross and disgusting the surface of your watch ...

How Spaces and Places Affect Your Behavior & Why Johnny Can't Build or Fix Anything

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is it okay to talk with people on a speakerphone with their permission? What about bringing a gift to a party when the invitation says: No Gifts? This...

Why Relationships Go Bad and How to Fix Yours & A Better Way to Manage Email

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Driving while texting, talking, eating or drinking can all distract you from paying attention to the road. So what about listening to the radio while ...

How to Start a Successful Side Hustle & How Weather Predictions Really Work

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you appear confident, people find that attractive. Sometimes though, when you wish you could appear confident you feel just the opposite. So I be...

Instantly Improve Your Decision Making & Vices that Are Really Good for You

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every airport runway has a number and it is always between 1and 36. This episode begins with how airport runways get their numbers (it is not random) ...

The HUGE Problem With Generic Drugs & The Science of Choosing the Right Career For You

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

My mother used to tell me when I was a kid that coffee would stunt my growth. But seriously, can coffee do that? Can coffee sober you up if you are dr...

How to Create Lasting Personal Change & The Best Way to Learn New Things

06 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When I smell the scent of fresh cut grass it transports me back to my childhood. It is a great smell. It also turns out to be beneficial to most peop...

Why Being a Specialist is Overrated & The Extreme Creatures that Roam Our Planet

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Automobile traffic, like the weather, is hard to predict. The slightest thing can cause a traffic jam and sometimes it seems that traffic jams just ha...

How To Innovate Like The Great Innovators & How to Clean Faster and Better Than Ever

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ever had to wait forever to get a prescription filled? Why does it take so long to take pills out of a big bottle and put them in a little bottle? I s...

The Fascinating Way Ordinary Things Affect You & The Best Plan to Eliminate Debt

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

While you are likely very good at noticing when you fail in life, keeping track of all the little victories is a much better activity. I begin this ep...

Why Hackers Hack and Ways to Protect Yourself & How AI Will Improve Healthcare

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you turn your headlights on when you drive during the day? You should - and that is just one of several things I discuss that can instantly make yo...

The Power of Asking the Right Questions & How to Escape the Baggage of Your Past

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Texting and driving is dangerous. Everyone know that. But why is it so much more dangerous than driving and drinking coffee or driving and talking or ...

Why So Many People Are Unhappy at Work & A Better Way to Make Financial Decisions

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get top dollar when you sell on eBay? Well of course you need good photos and a great description but it turns out some of the specific wor...

Solving the Mystery of the Hamburger & Understanding the Risks in Your Life

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to learn something better and faster, there is a little trick that seems to work. We begin this episode by revealing some research from Jo...

The Voice Computing (Siri and Alexa) Revolution & Why So Many Bosses are Incompetent

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Does cooking food on the grill increase your risk of getting cancer? The answer is – maybe. But it isn’t that simple. This episode begins with a d...

How Your Mind Really Works & Why People Are Insecure and How to Fix It

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you travel, there is a good chance you don’t sleep all that well the first night you are at your destination. It is so common it has a name –...

How the Internet Makes You a Better Consumer & Why the Experts Are So Often Wrong

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurants want you to spend more money. And the menu can be a powerful tool to accomplish that. This episode begins with exactly how restaurant menu...

The Amazing Benefits of Creating Order in Your Life & the Math that Changed Your World

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to feel good, grab some money! I begin this episode by explaining how the simple act of handling money can make you feel a lot better if y...

How to Use Failure To Make Your Good Ideas Better & Why You Check Your Phone 86 x a Day

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine that while you are sleeping, a cleaning crew gets into your brain to clean out all the toxins so that your brain works better the next day. I ...

How to Get People to Really Like You & Why Humans Can Be So Kind & So Cruel

22 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You probably don’t write much with a pen and paper anymore. Most of us type. However, there are a lot of benefits to writing the old-fashion way. I ...

How to Stop Postponing the Important Things in Your Life & How Food Fights Disease

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The scent of lavender is supposed to be calming. It may also be the scent of trust. I begin this episode by explaining how lavender can make you appea...

How to Embrace Conflict and Fight Well & Why We Love to Live in Cities

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Grocery stores have a lot of germs. For one thing there is a lot of raw meat and fish moving around in the store. Some of those germs can cause you an...

How to Use a Secret Identity to Get What You Want & Why We Have a Moon

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sibling relationships change as we move from childhood to adulthood. Sometimes they change for the better – sometimes not. We begin this episode by ...

The Science of Sin: Why We Do Bad Things & How to Lead When You Are Not in Charge

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why does traffic just seem to stop for no reason then magically clear up? You are sure there must be an accident or construction but there isn’t. So...

Time Cleansing: How to Make Time Work For You & The Ultimate RX For Your Pet's Health and Happiness

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you have to ask a stranger for a favor. Perhaps you need to borrow their phone or help you carry something. And there is one proven way that...

The Surprising Ways Algorithms Steer Your Life & How to Make Your Ideas Stick

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever long for the good old days? Nostalgia can be such a wonderful thing. We begin this episode with a look at why the past can seem so idyllic...

Are We Killing English or is It Just Evolving? & How to Make Big Changes Easier

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Springtime means the return of annoying allergy symptoms for a lot of us. I begin this episode with some simple but very effective techniques that can...

Toxins in Your Home You Really Need to Worry About & Cutting Edge Career Advice You Must Hear

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Salt makes food taste good – maybe too good. We begin this episode by discussing research that shows how salty foods may make you eat more food than...