Something You Should Know

How to Optimize Your Brain Chemistry & What Would You Do With More Money?

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Traffic accidents are an inevitable part of life. However, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your chances of NOT getting in an accid...

Eleven Inventions That Changed the World & The Right Way to Make Love and Money Decisions - SYSK Choice

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The origins of the names for popular food products often make interesting stories. For instance, why are they called marshmallows? Why is Spam called ...

Why We Like Cute Things & How to Have a Great Conversation

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you use sarcasm in an email or text message, you are skating on thin ice. This episode begins by revealing the dangers of sarcasm in electronic ...

How the Human Body Works & Stories Your Doctor Won’t Tell You

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know your IQ? Can you raise the number up or – are stuck with whatever that number is? This episode begins with some insight into your IQ inc...

Why We Are Obsessed With Butts & The Best and Worst Way to Apologize - SYSK Choice

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever notice when you are nervous or stressed, the pitch of your voice goes up? Yet a lower pitch would likely be more useful in most cases because we ...

How You Are Being Psychologically Targeted & The Extraordinary Power of Curiosity

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How many calories do you burn up just eating and digesting the food you eat? It’s an interesting question and the answer depends on what kind of foo...

Why Couples Hate to Talk About Money & How Scents and Smells Affect You

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the online shopping world, there is something called “cart abandonment discounts.” Listen as I explain what they are and how you can save mone...

Why You Should Take Fun Seriously & Electricity’s Amazing Story - SYSK Choice

11 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes your willpower seems pretty good but other times - especially right when you need it – it disappears. What if there was a way to boost you...

How and Why Optimism Works & Why a Little Defiance is a Good Thing

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are dalmatians often associated with firefighters and fire trucks? Is it just a mascot thing or is there more to the story? Of course, there is mo...

How Your Body Affects Your Happiness & Good News for Self-Critics and Perfectionists

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At airports all over the world, luggage gets lost – sometimes forever. So, what happens to it? It can’t sit there in baggage claim forever. Well, ...

The Science Behind Why We Buy & How to Make Bold Choices - SYSK Choice

04 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a public bathroom, which is better – drying your hands with a paper towel or using an air blower? If the goal is to walk out of the bathroom with...

How to Change What’s Not Working & Why Time Seems to Speed Up and Slow Down

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One fear many air travelers have is catching a cold or some other bug when they fly on an airplane. Why is it that a lot of people seem to get sick o...

The New Science of Effective Weight & What Makes an Idea Scalable

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all heard the advice that when you buy new clothes you should wash them first before you wear them. But what’s the reason? Is it more of a ...

Why Rituals Exist Everywhere & The Exercise Paradox - SYSK Choice

28 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We know that smiling is a universal human expression of happiness. Everyone smiles - in fact, even babies born blind smile. What is the purpose of smi...

Scams You Might Easily Fall For & Mastering The Art of Deal-Making

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You might think that a good way to get closer to someone is to do them a favor. Yes, that might work – but there is another technique that is even m...

A Fascinating Tour of Our Solar System & The Amazing Story of the Sandwich

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What would happen if you were walking by the Empire State Building right at the time someone dropped a penny, and it hit you on top of your head? List...

Fascinating Stories of Christmas Customs & The Art of Talking with Children - SYSK Choice

21 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurants are crawling with germs. It’s not all the restaurant’s fault – where there are people, there are going to be germs. This episode beg...

How You CAN Change Other People & Some Interesting Science Explained

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listening to music with air pods or headphones can damage your hearing. To prevent this, you need to understand the common causes of hearing loss. Thi...

The Surprising Toll of Life’s Daily Hassles & What Exactly is American Cuisine?

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you clean your cellphone? Chances are you don’t do it often unless the screen starts to get a little gross. This episode begins with so...

How to Get the Best Sleep of Your Life & How to be Gracefully Assertive - SYSK Choice

14 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For years, mattresses and pillows carried a warning tag that said “Warning: Do Not Remove This Tag Under Penalty of Law”. Although they have soft...

True Stories Behind the Greatest Christmas Songs & The Downside of Renewable Energy

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How good are you at predicting how things will turn out in your life? How often have you said, “If only I get this thing, I’ll be happy...” or “...

Seth Godin on Creating Your Best Strategy & How Beer Changed the World

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is the most popular pencil the # 2 pencil? What’s wrong with #1? And why are most pencils yellow? If you took an average pencil and drew one con...

Scientific Benefits of Practicing Any Religion & What It’s Like to Live in Space - SYSK Choice

07 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could get more done in less time? That would sure come in handy around the holidays – or any time. This episode begins with a simple str...

The Origins of Christmas Traditions & A Simple Way to Achieve Important Goals

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You know what stops a lot of people from asking their boss for a raise? It’s worrying about what the boss will think of them – just because they a...

The New Science of Sleeping, Breathing and Drinking & Where Did Dinosaurs Go?

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard of the word – shadenfreude. It’s when you are amused by or laugh at someone else’s failure or misfortune. We’ve all done ...

The Transformative Power of Play & How Habits Stick - SYSK Choice

30 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most brands and businesses have a logo. Designing and creating logos is both art and science it seems. And the FedEx logo is considered one of the mos...

Proven Ways to Extend Your Life & Here’s The Cure for Loneliness

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

People need physical touch and too many of us are not getting enough of it. The result is something called “touch starvation.” This episode begins...

The Unexpected Value of Regret & The Evolution of Creative Thought

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most refrigerators come with a light inside. It goes on when you open the door. It’s very helpful. So why doesn’t the freezer have a light too? Th...

The Skincare Hoax & How Measurement Shaped Our World - SYSK Choice

23 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a culture that has a definite bias towards neatness. But it makes you wonder – is being neat objectively better than being messy? This ep...

The Real and False Promises of AI & What They Really Ate at the First Thanksgiving

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How many photographs have been taken worldwide in the history of photography? And how many just this year? These are a few of the fascinating facts th...

Stunningly Simple Secrets for Success & What Really Goes On at the CIA

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you’ve noticed that simply having friends has gotten expensive. Meeting for lunch, drinks after work, dinner at a restaurant can cost a lot! I...

The Car’s History and Future & Inside Your Unconscious Mind – SYSK Choice

16 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Sit up straight!” You’ve probably heard it since you were very young, and it turns out to be good advice. Your posture can affect your physical...

The Objective Science of Marijuana & Understanding the Certainty Trap

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Women apologize more than men. Why is that? This episode looks at the likely reason and it may surprise you. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

What the Internet Has Made Obsolete & Cool Health Care Hacks

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you are on the phone in a noisy environment, you probably cover your other ear to hear the phone better. Bad idea. This episode reveals a better ...

How to Happily Overcome Clutter & Why Pop Culture is so Valuable - SYSK Choice

09 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you shop for big ticket items like a house or car, it matters what day you choose to go – and probably for reasons you hadn’t thought of. Thi...

A Serious Look at UFOs & The Power of Grace in Today’s World

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you decide when to throw food out? If you go by the date printed on the package, you could be wasting a lot of money. Listen as this episode be...

How Notebooks Changed Your Life & Are Video Screens Really So Bad?

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you know someone’s musical tastes, it can affect what you think of that person. It can even impact how attractive you find someone. I begin thi...

A Smart Guide to Friendships & English Tips From A Master Grammarian - SYSK Choice

02 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I can’t imagine anyone who wants to receive MORE emails. Most of us would prefer to get far fewer. That’s why this episode begins with some quick ...

How Pleasure Makes People Miserable & How Weight Loss Really Works

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone understands that getting enough sleep is important. But how important? This episode begins by revealing the benefits of getting just a mere 1...

How Regular People Become Millionaires & How The Power of Suggestion Works

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is handwriting analysis a real thing? Can an “expert” really tell if handwriting is forged or real or is it just their opinion? And can you tell a...

The Keys to a Long Term Relationship & How Our Minds Are Quirky - SYSK Choice

26 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From a very early age you were likely told not to lie. Lying is bad. And it seems that one of the things it is bad for is your health! This episode b...

The Psychology of Crowds & Where Did Life Come From?

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have heard that the speed at which you drive can impact your gas mileage but by how much? My guess is you probably believe it isn’t a lot...

Are You Treating Your Clothes All Wrong? & The Power of Being Quiet

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You have seen a dollar bill hundreds of times, but have you ever really studied it? It’s fascinating. And the number 13 plays a prominent role. This...

How to Master the Skill of Quitting & Deconstructing Conspiracy Theories - SYSK Choice

19 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you suffer from any of these symptoms: Tiredness, stomach issues, dizziness, headaches, joint problems, dry skin or depression? What’s interesti...

What You Never Knew About Your Childhood & Go Inside the U.S. Capitol

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Something interesting seems to happen when couples are together for a long time. Without even trying, they are able to tune into their partner’s voi...

What Makes You Uniquely Human & How Words Affect Your Thoughts

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Major storms all get names: Milton, Katrina, Ian, Sandy etc. Why do we name storms? Do the names of storms ever get used again for other storms? Find ...

Understanding Our Phobias & How Your Dog Thinks – SYSK Choice

12 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all tend to want to impress others with our accomplishments or skills or whatever else that makes us exceptional. Yet there is a real problem with ...

What Makes You an Introvert or Extrovert? & Why Things Smell

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you are focused on a task, interruptions can be annoying and maddening. Yet, there may be a positive side to interruptions that balance out the ...

How to Know What Someone is Thinking & The Amazing Success Story of LEGO

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Watch a couple hold hands as they stroll own the road. It often seems cute and quaint. But it is more than that. Holding hands has some real benefits....

Setting Effective Boundaries & How to Make Important Decisions Confidently - SYSK Choice

05 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When someone first sees you, what impression do they get? What image do you project? It’s important to think about this if you want to be persuasive...

How to Sync with Your Circadian Rhythms & A Fascinating History of Cars

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day!” Well, wait a second. That advice is about 80 years old and frankly doesn’t really “hol...

Why We Still Don’t Have Flying Cars & Your Amazing Teeth

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Groceries are expensive. So, if you would like a simple yet effective technique to cut your grocery bill down, listen to the start of this episode to ...

How to Get it All Done and Be Happy & Why Most Food Advice is Wrong - SYSK Choice

28 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

iPhone users have likely noticed that some texts show up in blue and some show up in green. What’s the difference? This episode begins by explainin...

Why Pets Act in Weird Ways & When Your Brain Does Its Best Work

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How is your posture right now? If your shoulders are slouched, you are sending a message to others that you probably don’t want to send. I start thi...

When Doctors Get It Wrong & The Science of Kindness

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever fake a smile? We all do. What harm can it do? Well, it could do you some harm if you are the one doing the faking. Listen as I reveal the downsid...

The Solution to Overthinking & Why You’re Smarter Than AI - SYSK Choice

21 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could reduce your risk of heart disease by 30% without a lot of effort? After all, it is the number 1 killer in the U.S. This episode begi...

Remarkable Ways Horses Changed Your Life & The Real Benefits of Being Lazy

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have become much more of a cashless society in the last few years. That turns out to be a good thing because cash is really disgusting. Listen as I...

The Fascinating Gases that Surround You & Is Everyone Addicted to Something?

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some very popular drinks turn out to be really bad for your teeth. This episode begins with that list of drinks, what they do to your teeth and some s...

What Your Favorite Music Says About You & How to Ditch Negative Self-Talk - SYSK Choice

14 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My mother was a teacher, and I remember her saying that when you take a test and you don’t know the answer, go with the first answer that comes to y...

The Untold Dangers of Prescription Drugs & Fresh Look at Dealing with Anger

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At work, do you go out to lunch or eat at your desk? It makes a difference in the quality of your work after lunch is over. Listen and I’ll explain ...

Why Status is Critical to Your Success & Why Is There So Much Anxiety?

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the average lifespan, there are 2 separate years (and they are decades apart) where people report being the happiest. Can you guess what they are?...

Clues That Reveal a Person’s Thoughts & Our Shipwreck Fascination - SYSK Choice

07 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that opposites attract. After all you sometimes see couples that seem to prove the point. So just how common or rare is it for opposites t...

Why Most People Can’t Keep Secrets & Interesting Oddities of Language

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eye contact can be tricky. Too little and you look disinterested – too much and you look creepy. This episode begins with a few of the finer points ...

What Makes a Family Happy & What We Can Learn from the Dead

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While celebrities can sometimes pull it off, it can be almost impossible for regular folks to get a table at a busy restaurant without a reservation. ...

The Fascinating Story of Batteries & How Status Changes Culture - SYSK Choice

31 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hot dogs come in packages of ten. Hot dog buns come in packages of eight. Why? Is this some sort of marketing ploy or plot? What could possibly be the...

The Trouble With Cynics & How to Handle The Pressure to Perform

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Be careful what you say when someone pays you a compliment. This episode begins with some great advice on the importance of taking a compliment gracio...

Can Music Be Medicine? & Human Skills We Are Losing to Technology

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You may never have noticed it, but for many people – maybe you – a full moon can mess with your sleep and cause you to lose sleep. How does that h...

The Secret to Getting Things Done & The Brain Fog Fix - SYSK Choice

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone orders pizza at some point. So, everyone should that there is one size pizza that is a lousy deal almost every time. I begin this episode by ...

What Your Brain Does in an Emergency & Solitude Vs Loneliness

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are dogs color blind? Many people believe so, but they are not. They do see color but not the way we do. This episode begins with a look at what color...

The Good News About Feeling Sad & What You Never Knew About Reality TV?

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So many things can affect the way food and drinks taste. This episode begins with a look at how just one element of the ambience in a room can alter p...

Don’t Eat Less, Eat Better & The Magic of Mystery - SYSK Choice

17 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Look around and you will likely see someone doing something on their cellphone. For many of us, cellphones are a necessity and a constant companion. ...

Buying Things That Really Make You Happy & Setting Clear Boundaries

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does your signature reveal anything about you? Does it send a message to those who see it? I start this episode by sharing some insight into how other...

How to Read A Person's Behavior & The Science of Extremes

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s weird sometimes how you meet someone and hear their name is Lucy, for example and think – “Yeah, she kinda looks like a Lucy.” Is that re...

Why Humility is a Superpower & Celestial Wonders Explained - SYSK Choice

10 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a really vivid or even disturbing dream? This episode begins with a look at what often causes very strange and vivid dreams. https:/...

Easy Ways to Stop Wasting Food & Why Are There So Many Insects?

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When your phone or tablet or computer starts acting weird or gets glitchy, the conventional wisdom is to reboot. In other words, turn it off and on ag...

How Animals Really Communicate & Proven Ways to Make Meaningful Connections

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Should you get a second opinion? A lot of people faced with a medical diagnosis often wonder about that. Will they offend the original doctor if they ...

The Neuroscience of You & Making Sense of the Weather - SYSK Choice

03 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t you hate it when you hear or think of a familiar song but can’t recall the title? This episode begins with a clever trick that will help ide...

How Light Seriously Impacts Your Health & What If You Had a Different Profession?

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are men more rational shoppers than women? Most definitely not. This episode begins by revealing how men are easily duped into thinking something is a...

The Interesting Science of Eating & The Amazing World of Rats

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it that mosquitoes seem to go after and bite some people more than others? This episode begins with an explanation of what does and doesn’t m...

The Downside of Positivity & Turn Back the Clock on Aging - SYSK Choice

27 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of common summertime advice. For example, don’t go swimming for a half hour after you eat. Don’t scratch a bug bite. Don’t touch ...

Why Politeness is a Super Power & How to Ace Any Job Interview

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Will a medication work better if you believe and expect it to? This episode begins with some compelling evidence that having faith in a medical treatm...

Why Building Muscles Matters - The Latest Dream Research & Mental Health First-Aid

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people don’t bother taking a summer vacation. What’s maybe more surprising is that many who do take a vacation spend some of the time doi...

“The Bystander Effect” & Modern Idioms Explained - SYSK Choice

20 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The consensus seems to be that drinking coffee has several excellent health benefits – and now there is another one you probably haven’t heard bef...

The Brighter Side of Dying & Words We Use Interchangeably – But Shouldn’t

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How much you like and enjoy a certain food is influenced by many things besides the food itself. The utensils, the color of the plate, etc. This episo...

Why You Might Need More Friends & How Your Imagination Works

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While “digital dementia” is not a real medical diagnosis, you still see it everywhere. People are so reliant on (and overloaded by) technology tha...

Why We Love Things & Your Guide to Deadly Risk - SYSK Choice

13 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it safe to let your dog lick your face or eat off your plate? It pretty much depends on how clean your dog’s mouth is. This episode begins with a...

Great Stories of Extraordinary Success & Why You Should Care About Black Holes

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your chances of winning the lottery are horrible. Still, a lot of people play. This episode starts by revealing a few things worth knowing about playi...

Why You Remember and Why You Forget & Unusual Origins of Great Inventions

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you go out to eat, the restaurant wants you to spend money. Nothing wrong with that. That’s how they stay in business. Still, you should be awa...

How Our Brains Experience Taste & The Upside of Anger - SYSK Choice

06 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It makes sense that people cry when they are sad – but why do some of us cry when we are happy? This episode starts by examining how two opposite em...

Where Would We Be Without Alcohol & Good Reasons to Go Outside Right Now

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s nothing better than a really good laugh. What’s even better is, laughing offers some excellent health benefits too. I begin this episode b...

Why We Love to Push Buttons & Why We All Need to Play Games

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all have a sense of what romantic music is. But can that type of music really make you feel and act romantic? This episode begins with some interes...

US: Getting Past the You and Me Relationship & How Fragrance Works - SYSK Choice

29 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Getting car sick can really ruin a trip – for EVERYONE in the car! But maybe you’ve heard – there are now motion sickness glasses. Do they work...

How to Live Your Life with No Regrets & What Bad Words Do

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s more to making a great burger than meets the eye. This summertime episode begins with expert advice on preparing the perfect burger on the g...

How Your Refrigerator Changed Your Life & Why Are There Volcanoes?

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In an argument there are usually two things going on that make it so difficult. Listen as I begin this episode by explaining what those two important ...

How to Bounce Back From Tough Times & How to Beat the Surveillance Economy – SYSK Choice

22 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When dogs meet they often sniff each other. It appears we humans do the same thing (to other humans, not dogs). This episode begins with an explanatio...

Why Leadership is So Overrated & How Supply Chains Work or Don’t

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sunscreen has been around for a long time. Has it changed much? Are there advancements in “sunscreen technology”? As summer begins, I explore the ...

The Science of Sexual Attraction & What Does Your Job Mean to You?

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Of course, you know what a tank top is – but do you know why it is called a tank top? A tee-shirt looks like the letter T. But a tank top doesn’t ...

Why Compassion is a Wonder Drug & Essential Survival Advice - SYSK Choice

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all know sunscreen is important – but only if you cover all the places you need to cover. Interestingly, there are several spots people often mis...

How Safe Are You in Today’s World? & What Would You Change About Yourself?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whenever you see the equal sign, you know what it means. So how did these two little parallel lines come to mean - Is equal to? This episode begins wi...

A Brilliant Way to Be More Productive & Why We Have Skyscrapers

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

10% of the human population is left-handed but what about other animals? Do they have a preference for which paw, foot, fin or wing to use? And what a...