Something You Should Know
Episodes
Powerful Strategies to Be More Assertive & Expert Travel Advice You Will Definitely Use
29 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? For most of us, the scent of pine is wonderful. So much so that it is in all sorts of products from ...
The Surprising Link Between Money and Happiness & When Questions Are More Important Than Answers
26 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear ...
The Real Science of Aliens, UFOs and Life On Other Planets & How to Handle Manipulative People
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are ...
How to Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms and Family Treasures & The Story of Thanksgiving
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing ...
The Fascinating History of Blue Jeans & Incredible Science About You and Your World
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But whe...
How to Respond When People Say NO! & Why You Need More Friends & How to Find Them
12 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what hap...
What Really Influences How You Think & Something Fascinating Google, Amazon and Facebook Have in Common
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up an...
How Human Nature Screws Up Your Life (and How to Fix It) & The Trouble with Recycling
05 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In most places around the world, Siri comes with a female voice by default. Of course you can change it but most people don’t. This is true for mos...
What to STOP Doing if You Want to Succeed & How to Crush the Urge to Overeat
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is released a few days before most people in the U.S. change their clocks back to standard time. And each time we change the clocks, peop...
The Science of Personality: Why You Are Who You Are & How to Make Changes That Stick
29 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The weather can affect your buying decisions without you realizing it. That can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house or a car. ...
How Electronic Communication Gets You in Trouble & The History of Your Favorite Halloween Candy
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We all have those times when we are stressed and need to chill out. So I begin this episode with some proven simple and easy ways to reduce anxiety an...
Body Language Secrets the FBI Uses & The Lost Art of Corporate Slogans and Why They Matter
22 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you don’t play a musical instrument – maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your person...
The Real Dangers of Too Much Pleasure & Why You Should Celebrate Every Failure
18 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
So you get ready to make a salad and you rinse the lettuce and carrots and tomatoes under the faucet for a few seconds. Does that really get rid of th...
What You MUST Know if You Fly Commercial Airlines & The Amazing Benefits of Taking Time for Yourself
15 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Spending time with annoying and irritating people can be hazardous to your mental health! That’s according to some research from my alma mater, the ...
Why Some Things & People Become Popular & How to Use Logic Effectively
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Anyone who has ever cooked pasta has thought about using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes less ti...
Why You Have Trouble Sleeping and How to Fix It & How to Succeed When You Feel Like You Don’t Belong
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Even the best drivers get in serious accidents – usually because of bad drivers. So we start this episode with a look at why good drivers get into a...
Why You Are Drawn to Distractions and How to Stop It & Why You Need More Fun at Work
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or go to jail if you got caught? We begin this ...
The Amazing Reason You Get Disgusted & Inventions that Could’ve Happened Much Sooner
01 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Not long ago I went to the supermarket only to find everything had been moved around. Nothing was where it used to be. Why? I’ll explain why they do...
Where Conspiracy Theories Come From & Which Do Humans Prefer – Strict or Loose Rules?
27 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You probably just assume food grown organically is healthier – and maybe it is. But you also probably think that organic food tastes better. You may...
Fascinating Mysteries that Baffle Science & The Incredible Story of Human Spaceflight
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You tip the waiter at the end of a meal for a job well done. But when it comes to tipping the maid and other people at a hotel, it is actually better ...
How to Have a Good Day (Almost) Everyday & Extremely Fascinating Facts You Never Knew
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve lived with dogs most of my life (and one pretty cool cat) so I am fascinated by doggy behavior. And did you know that even though dogs will eat...
Fascinating Ways Your Brain Works & Amazing Advice for People Who Are “Too Sensitive”
17 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You may not have ever noticed this but hotels rarely offer milkshakes on their room service menu. And yet, if a hotel has a kitchen there is a good ch...
The Sneaky Fees Businesses Charge and What to Do About It & The Fascinating History of Slang
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What could be simpler than washing your hands? You’ve done it a zillion times. And yet you are probably not doing it correctly. With cold and flu se...
How to Actually Think Better & The Secret of Eating What You Enjoy Without Guilt
10 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many people wish they were taller. Unfortunately there is no simple fix for that. But there are ways to LOOK taller and we start this episode with som...
Discover How to Be Luckier in Everyday Life & A Proven Way to Make Better Decisions
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
People who travel a lot have to come up with their own travel hacks and secrets in order to stay sane! Several of the people who work for CNN and tra...
How to Find Hidden Collectibles in Your Home & Powerful Career Advice You Haven’t Heard Before
03 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Amazing Way Your House Influences Your Behavior & What To Do When You Can't Forgive
30 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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? W...
How to Remember Anything, Anytime , Anywhere & The Dark Side of Success
27 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 professi...
How Pictures Always Make You More Persuasive & Do Men Really Prefer Blondes?
23 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Are You Unknowingly Sabotaging Yourself? & The Amazing Story of the World’s Sand Shortage
20 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What Really Makes Love Work Long Term & The Really Good News About Depression
16 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
The Science of Being a Peak Performer & How to Improve Your Writing – Instantly
13 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ov...
How to Give and Get Criticism Well & How to Use Computer Algorithms to Solve Your Problems
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
What Really Controls Your Behavior & How Being Too Clean Can Make You Sick
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Benefits of Cursing & How the World is Getting Better - Even If It Doesn't Seem So
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What Music Does to Your Brain & The Amazing Benefits and Techniques of Decluttering
30 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Negotiating your own salary can be stressful and difficult. This episode begins with some proven ways to help you maneuver through the negotiation pro...
Why Eating Healthy Isn’t as Hard as You Think & How to Be More Productive Than Ever
26 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Powerful Ways to Instantly Be More Persuasive & How to Create and Present the Right Image
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Fascinating Ways Different Foods Affect You & Cool Life Hacks That Will Save You Time & Money
19 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. T...
The Flawed Psychology of Low Price Shopping & Why You Get Sick and How to Prevent It
16 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 messag...
Understanding the Flaws in Your Evolution & The Story Behind Some of the Coolest Toys Ever
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to Use the Element of Surprise to Be Successful & The Secret to Stopping Bad Breath Forever
09 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. B...
The Mysterious Impact Strangers Have On You & Why You Are Bombarded By So Many Ads
05 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Getting kids – or even some grownups – to eat their vegetables can be frustrating. However there are some simple techniques that researchers at C...
How Language Affects How You Think & The Fascinating Way Emotions Determine Your Success
02 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 negat...
Why You Are Not As Smart As You Think You Are & How Long Can You Reasonably Live?
28 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
Why You Ask for Help All Wrong and How to Do It Right & The Myth of “Expert” Financial Advice
25 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Scientific Mysteries that Make No Sense At All & How to Stop People From Manipulating You
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
How to Be Beautiful and Why it Matters & Small Inventions that Rocked Your World
18 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 epi...
What Really Motivates Humans & How to Talk to Anyone About Anything
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ac...
How to Unlock Your Creative Genius & The Fascinating Connection Between Health and Happiness
11 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Amazing Way Your Body Heals Itself & Why Your Reality is Different Than Mine
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel good about saving a spider because you took it out of your house and put it outside rather than killing it? It seems like a noble thing to d...
How to Easily Negotiate (Almost) Anything & Why You Need the Rat Race
04 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Mental health is complicated. But there are some things that can trigger depression in almost anyone. I begin this episode with a list of things that ...
Why People Cheat & The Best Advice for People Who Are Too Busy
31 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When you sit down to eat, several things affect how MUCH you eat and how much you enjoy the food. I begin this episode by revealing how the environmen...
What You Should (and Shouldn't) Do to Your Skin & How to Get Along Better with People at Work
28 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Does having more sex make a couple happier – or is it just that happier couples have more sex? We begin this episode by looking at which is the caus...
How Heredity Works in Your Family & How to Create and Deliver the Perfect Apology
24 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Years ago coffee was called “The Think Drink” in a marketing campaign. Those were the golden days of coffee. Later coffee was demonized as somethi...
The Fascinating Role Music Plays in Your Life & How to Harness the New Power of Online Communities
21 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
No one likes getting a shot at the doctor’s office. But there is something you can do to ease the pain. We begin this episode with a little strateg...
The Art and Benefits of Wasting Time & 45 Billionaires Share Their Secrets to Success
17 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You know what is one of the most common decorating mistakes people make? It is hanging art on the walls incorrectly – usually too high. I’ll expla...
Fascinating Science of Food and Cooking & What May Be Wrong with Your Mouth and Teeth
14 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When you have a meeting it is usually sitting down in an office at a table. That just may be one of the worst ways to conduct a meeting and maybe it i...
How to Stop Being Too Nice Without Being a Jerk & Your Relationship with Television
10 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What is the stronger motivator – reward or punishment? In other words, does hurt more to lose something than it feels good to gain something? We sta...
Should You Start Your Own Business? & The Dangers of Medical Myths & Health Misinformation
07 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What color lipstick makes a woman most attractive? Do women prefer a beard on a man or not? What can anyone do to make themselves more attractive? We ...
What Your Stuff Reveals About You & How Your Gut Affects Your Mood
03 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The more decisions you make during the day, the worse you get at it. It’s called “decision fatigue” and everyone gets it. Listen as we begin thi...
Why Time Seems to Fly & The Secrets of How Great Teams Work Together
30 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In my house, whenever we turn on the microwave oven in the kitchen – it screws up the Wi-Fi. Why is that? And is there anything you can do to preven...
How You Can Be More Powerful & Elastic Thinking: A Better Way to Solve Problems
26 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When you go grocery shopping it is hard to resist the urge to buy things you know you shouldn’t. Temptation is down every aisle! So what can you do?...
How to Be a Better Risk Taker & Mysteries of Science That Affect Your Life
23 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One way to blow your credibility in any conversation or in anything you write is to misuse or mispronounce words or phrases. So this episodes starts w...
How to Sleep Much Better & The Ways Virtual Reality Will Change Your Life
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Of course you know better than to talk on your phone while driving – but you should also tell other people in the car to stay off their phones as we...
How to Create Excellence & An Easier Way to Financial Independence
16 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Passengers get kicked off airline flights a lot more than they used to. Do airlines have the right to just give people the boot for any reason? This e...
How Things Do (and Don’t) Become Popular & How to Navigate Difficult Social Situations With Ease
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
“Eat your veggies – they’re good for you!” Every parent has said that to a child and yet, as a parent, you probably shouldn’t. I start this ...
How Your Money Actually Works & How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I recently appeared on a different podcast to talk about the evolution and success of Something You Should Know. To listen to my appearance on "On Mic...
The 5 People Who Will Ruin Your Life (If You Let Them) & How to Make Motivation Work For You
05 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Could some freaked-out passenger actually open the door on an airplane in the middle of the flight? There have been news reports of attempts to do so ...
Real Truth Vs Fake Truth: How to Tell the Difference & The Science of Failure: Why Things Go Wrong
02 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We have a lot of devices – cellphones, tablets, laptops – and they all need to be charged up constantly. How much does that cost? And how much doe...
5 Ways Your Phone Screws Up Your Life & What to Do When Your Whole World Falls Apart
29 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a big decision to make, wait until you have to go to the bathroom. I begin this episode by explaining why a full bladder helps make better...
Secrets of Peak Performance We Can All Use & Fascinating Math You've Always Wondered About
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Your homeowner’s insurance (and renter’s insurance if you have it) covers much more than you probably realize – and it is worth knowing. For exa...
Best of SYSK Volume 3
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A few times every year I like to shine a spotlight on some of the best moments from past episodes you may have missed. This time, it’s moments from ...
Why Life is Better Than You Think & Why We Swear
19 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone has a blood type right? Well, not really. Some people have no blood type – not to be confused with people who have a universal blood type. ...
How to Craft a Luckier Life & Why You Tell Yourself Stories That Aren’t True
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
People hate unsolicited advice – and they seldom follow it. Still, that doesn’t stop us from dishing it out to those we are trying to help. Well ...
The Secrets of Nonverbal Communication & The Fascinating Connection Between Food and Brain Performance
12 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you flip a coin and it comes up heads a couple of times in a row, chances are you would bet the next flip will come up tails. That is the perfect e...
The Real Reason You Buy What You Buy & How to Have That Difficult Conversation and Still Be Friends
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Handwriting analysis sounds like it might be scientific. After all some courts allow it during trials and it has helped to convict defendants. But how...
Why Are Great Innovators So Weird and Quirky? & What You Probably Never Knew About Cats
05 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
TV networks manipulate programs to make more time for commercials – a LOT more time. I’ll discuss that and you might want to watch this YouTube vi...
Why Complainers Complain and How to Stop Them & Using Games to Accomplish Your Goals
01 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Stephen Hawking still alive? Most people who are diagnosed with ALS die within 5 years. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed in his 20’s and today h...
The REAL Reason Why You Do the Things You Do & Important Etiquette in the 21st Century
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
So, what’s the deal with high fructose corn syrup? People talk about it a lot. Some say it is horrible for your health while others claim it is fine...
How to Design YOUR Perfect Life & Why Humans Make So Many Irrational Decisions
22 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Back in Grandma’s day, you had to spend an afternoon defrosting the freezer once in a while. Today we have frost-free freezers but unfortunately the...
How to Deal With Every Jerk You Meet & How to Take Stunning Photos with Your Cellphone
19 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Why do you sigh? Usually it is because you feel relief or you are sad or tired. But it turns out there is more to a sigh than you thought. In fact it ...
What it Really Takes To Be a Winner & What to Do About the New Culture of Rudeness
15 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Want to be more persuasive? There is a simple phrase or two you can add to any request that will increase the chances that almost anyone will do you t...
The Best Way to Find Someone to Love & How to Come Up With Better Ideas
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
So the dentist has you open your mouth wide and while he is poking around in there with sharp instruments, he asks you a question. Why? You can’t re...
Forgiveness or Revenge: Which is Better? & How You Spend Money and What it Says About You
08 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t sing or carry a tune? Kids are often told that and it can really embarrass them and leave a lasting impre...
How Your Friends Influence What You Think, Feel and Weigh & Why It’s So Hard to Ask for Help (But Ask Anyway)
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Identity theft is often NOT the result of some high-tech scam. It is frequently because someone digs through your trash and finds documents with perso...
How to Ooze Self-Confidence & The Magic of Doing What You’re Good At
01 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When you fly on an airplane – you think things. Like: “How good, is the air I’m breathing? Will I get drunker than normal if I drink at 35,000 ...
How to Be Truly Fascinating & What Are You Really Afraid Of?
29 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You have likely been the victim of the Doorway Effect. It’s when you walk into a room and forget why you walked in there. We start this episode with...
A Better Way to Make Your Choices in Life & How to Be Irresistible to the Opposite Sex
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I am sure you have had to perform under pressure. And so you know that it is difficult to do and often your performance suffers. But why? Well a coupl...
Why Timing REALLY is Everything & Ways to Save on Medication You Never Knew
22 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, it’s great to want more money but if you don’t have the time to enjoy it – what’s the point? We begin this episode with a look at why sp...
What People Really Think About You & Why a Little Dishonesty is Probably Okay
18 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I bet this has happened to you… you are all set to take a bite of something delicious when you notice a fly has landed on it - a filthy disgusting f...
How to Have a Voice You Love & Proven Money Strategies for Every Day
15 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you often find yourself in the slowest line at the supermarket? Me too. Is it bad luck or just your perception? I’ll explore what’s behind this...
Benefits of Being Messy & Household Hacks You WILL Use
11 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It sucks when you have a cold. I’m sure you’ve heard that you should drink a lot of fluids and get rest and eat chicken soup – but there are oth...
Why You Get Shy (and What to do About It) & A Better Way to Make New Years Resolutions Stick
08 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How can drinking hot cocoa from an orange mug taste different from drinking hot cocoa from a blue mug? I’ll explain some interesting research that s...
How Not to Die & How to Be More Courageous
04 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Even though we all know not to talk or text while driving – it can be so tempting. After all, what harm can it do to send a text while stopped at a ...
Great Ways to Save Money in 2018 & Why You Feel Embarrassment – and How Not To
01 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I love strawberries. But I hate how they go moldy so fast. Well, there is a way to make them last longer – and that is just one of the great life ha...
Best of Something You Should Know 2017 Vol-2
28 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Here is the second of our two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. I know you’ll enjoy t...
Best of Something You Should Know 2017 - Vol 1
25 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
As 2017 draws to a close, this is the first of two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. Be...
Amazing Ways Genes Affect Your Behavior & The Serious Consequences of Not Asking For What You Want
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Do you keep stuff? You know, things from your past that you have a hard time giving up even though you don’t use them anymore? This episode begins w...
How to Make or Break Any Habit Successfully & How to Calm Your Brain to Make You More Intelligent
18 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
You can manipulate your brain to change your mood. How? Biofeedback. For example, when you are happy you smile. But it also works in reverse - if you ...