Something You Should Know
Episodes
The Story of Jeff Bezos and Amazon & How to Be More Interesting
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taking your shoes off before you enter a home is a thoughtful gesture and something many people have done for a long time. And it really is good idea...
Why You Need to Laugh More & Inside Multi-Level Marketing
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One huge important milestone in any relationship is when someone says, “I love you.” So how long does that take? Listen as I reveal how long it ta...
Is AI Eliminating Your Choice? & Tribology Explained (It’s Everywhere)
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every home has batteries sitting around in a drawer somewhere waiting to be used. This episode begins with some interesting advice about how to use an...
Make Your Dreams Work for You / How Food Affects Mood / Why We Need Stuff
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that we need to drink a lot of water. But have you ever wondered why? This episode begins with exactly how drinking lots of water helps an...
The Real Reason for Anxiety & The Science of the Paranormal
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably heard this old rock & roll legend… that when Van Halen performed in concert, they used to ask for M&Ms in their dressing room but ...
Dangers of Collective Illusions & The Inadequacy of Language - SYSK Choice
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You have likely noticed that in meetings, there are often 1, 2 or 3 people who tend to dominate the meeting and eat up a lot of time. In fact, did you...
How to Decide to Stay or Leave & Songs That Changed Rock & Roll
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that going to get a hair cut can make you look years younger? And it apparently has absolutely nothing to do with the haircut at all. Lis...
The World of Government Secrets & The Problem with Productivity
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most offices have a coffee area and some spare coffee cups sitting around for anyone who needs one. This episode begins with an explanation for why yo...
Weird Human Behaviors Explained & Be Kind to Your Mouth -SYSK Choice
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could drinking water make you smarter? Actually no one is really sure, but it does seem to be so. This episode begins by explaining how we know this i...
How to Better Deal with People & The Power of Profanity
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m sure you have been hit in the head. Maybe you fell and bumped it, or someone accidentally hit you or you got a baseball thrown at you – someth...
Embracing Optimism & How Algorithms Narrow Your Choices
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Distractions while driving can be dangerous. Good drivers know they need to minimize distractions. However, some things that are intended to deliberat...
How to Master Charisma & The Marvel of Modern Genetics - SYSK Choice
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A person’s first name can have a profound impact on their life. This episode begins as I describe how people instantly get preconceived ideas about ...
How to Keep Life Thrilling & How to Command A Conversation
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone loves getting flowers – but of course they don’t last very long. To make them last as long as possible, what works best, the flower food ...
What Colors Do To You & Recycling: Does It Really Help?
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are there so many different shampoos? Does it really matter which one if all you want is clean hair? This episode begins by explaining which shamp...
The Benefits of Being Delusional & Our Evolution Challenges-SYSK Choice
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With all the advances in automobile technology, it seems they still haven’t solved the problem of that terrible thumping noise that happens when you...
What Is Good Mental Health? & The Weird Thing About Memory
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are the things in your kitchen laid out efficiently? We often place kitchen items randomly – or wherever they fit. This episode begins with a quick ...
Everyday Health Hacks & A New Approach to Conflict
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you drink something and start choking, people often say, “Oh it must’ve gone down the wrong pipe.” This episode begins by explaining what ...
Your Incredible Sense of Smell & Overcoming Burn Out - SYSK Choice
17 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gotta big decision to make? Before you make it, you might want to wash your hands first. This episode begins with the explanation for why it is such a...
Why You Eat When You’re Not Hungry & Predictions and Coincidences
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The concept of body language is based on the idea that what you do with certain body parts sends a message to other people. This apparently holds tru...
Should You Work for Yourself? & The Science of Creativity
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kissing has a lot of benefits you likely never knew. And it appears that the more you kiss – the more the benefits. This episode begins with severa...
Your Mysterious Immune System & Effective Feedback Secrets - SYSK Choice
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is usually very difficult to talk your way out of getting a traffic ticket. Usually, the police are just doing their job and part of their job is t...
The Magic of Telling a Good Story & The Strange Rules of Copyrights
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you put a child in a car seat, you may be doing something wrong that could put your child in danger – particularly in the winter. And it has to...
The Mystery of Twins & What NOT to Do With Your Money
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Supposedly, women are attracted to men who can make them laugh. Is that really true? And if it is, why? This episode begins with an explanation. Sourc...
A Foolproof Way to Declutter & A History of Timekeeping - SYSK Choice
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard the advice to not allow your gas tank to get too low before refueling. Is that really necessary? What’s the harm if you let it go...
How Everything Affects Everything Else & Is Big Tech Out of Control?
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Human touch can certainly feel good, but does it actually have lasting biological effects? This episode begins with a look at how the body responds to...
Why Humans Love Robots & The Power of Confidence
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a job interview, there is one question you are likely to be asked that many people are not prepared to answer. I begin this episode by revealing wh...
How to Instantly Stop Arguments & The High Five Habit - SYSK Choice
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every mom knows, when a child (or an adult for that matter) gets a small cut, you put a little antibiotic ointment on to prevent infection. But maybe...
What Is Culture? & The Problem with Fitness
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is a newborn baby more likely to resemble mom or dad – or is it a toss-up? This episode begins by explaining why a baby is more likely to look like ...
How You Recognize Faces & The Way to Think More Clearly
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How your food tastes depends on a lot of things that have nothing to do with the food itself. I begin this episode by revealing how things such as the...
Why Suffering is Essential & What Free Speech Really Is: SYSK Choice
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As everyone who is a garlic lover or knows a garlic lover knows, garlic can make your breath stink. This episode begins with some easy and effective s...
Odd Differences Between The Sexes & How We Deal With Pests
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping track of passwords can be a real pain. If you use a simple one or use the same one for everything, that makes you easy to be hacked. If you us...
Why We Have a Moon & A Better and More Fun Way to Clean
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of people have different size feet. Sounds weird right but there is a good reason for it – and it usually the left foot that is bigger. This e...
How Lifestyle Can Reverse Disease & Making Sense of Numbers: SYSK Choice
13 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you don’t have one yet, one great New Year’s resolution is to tackle the clutter in your house. This episode begins by explaining how clutter ...
Spite: For Good and Evil & Why Memory Often Fails Us
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m sure you’ve gotten a song stuck in your head. It happens to all of us. And once it gets in your head, it is hard to get rid of. It turns out ...
Tightwads and Spendthrifts & Why We Love “Made in America”
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Choking under pressure. No one wants to do that yet when the stakes are high, it can be hard to rise to the occasion and easy to choke. This episode b...
3 Words for Effective Goals & The Generation Myth - SYSK Choice
06 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scientists have studied what is the perfect temperature in an office or work environment. And the magic number is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. What’s so m...
How to Make Work a Little More Fun & The Science of Staying Young
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Generally, women seem to have a better, more sensitive sense of touch than men do. Yet, it isn’t gender that really determines that. This episode be...
What Are You Afraid Of? & The Strange and Taboo Side of Nature
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what the life expectancy is for that house fly buzzing around your kitchen? Or what’s the fastest insect on earth? Do you know how many...
SYSK Choice: How Movement Improves Your Mind & Why Privacy is Not Dead
30 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When the sun hits it just right, you can sometimes see just how dirty your computer screen gets. And it can get pretty filthy. So, what’s the best w...
How to Rewire Your Personality & Navigating the Fast Pace of Life
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Getting a paper cut sucks. It looks like nothing but it sure hurts like crazy. This episode starts with a look at why paper cuts hurt so much and the ...
The Science of Asking for Help & How to Capitalize on Lucky Moments in Life
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You can never say, “I love you” enough to your partner. They are the 3 magic words of love. Yet, there are three other words you may also want to ...
SYSK Choice: Backstories of Our Favorite Christmas Movies & How to Use Sarcasm Effectively
23 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you have a bad cough, prescription cough syrup is often the remedy of choice – particularly the kind with codeine. But what if chocolate works ...
How Heredity Does and Doesn’t Work & How Your Cellphone Came To Be
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is one word in the English language that has more meanings than any other. A lot more! And the word is only 3 letters long. I begin this episod...
The Science of Staying Young & How to Stop Worrying About What Other People Think
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the most inspiring words can come from some unusual places - and people. This episode begins with some words of hope and inspiration that seem...
SYSK Choice: Why Adulting is Often So Scary & Understanding Traffic
16 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Sitting is the new smoking” has been a popular expression for the last few years. But seriously, what could be so horrible about sitting? This ep...
How to Shoot Perfect Holiday Videos & Why Species Go Extinct
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is one important question that actually determines how healthy you will be and how long you will live – depending on your answer. This episode...
How to Really Know a Person Deeply & Why People Love Their Dogs
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Winter is cold and flu season – and sometimes, when you start feeling sick, you wonder if it is the flu or just a cold. This episode begins by expla...
SYSK Choice: The Power of Fun & How to Have a Happy Inbox
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People frequently choke when they drink something because – “it went down the wrong pipe.” Is there really a wrong pipe? Why do people sometime...
Why Your Sense of Smell is So Amazing & Where Did the Internet Come From?
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the best parts of Christmas is the tree. There is so much lore, and history and fascinating facts about Christmas trees. Listen as this episode...
Quirks of Human and Artificial Intelligence & The Good and Bad Ways Sounds Affect You
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Seems like there isn’t much your smartphone CAN’T do. However, one weakness it has is the inability to stand up to cold weather. This episode begi...
SYSK Choice: How Machines Shape Our Destiny & How to Connect With Anyone
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m sure you’ve noticed those little silica gel packs in boxes of shoes or electronics. And if you look closely, you’ll see they typically have ...
The Psychology and Magic of Audiences & The Power of Uncertainty
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? It seems to be a smell everybody finds pleasing and it also turns out to have some benefits. This ep...
Nostalgia: Why We Long for The Past & Why Humans Love to Play Games
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People say where you fall in the birth order compared to your siblings determines (or strongly influences) certain traits and outcomes. This episode b...
SYSK Choice: How Your Instincts Can Get You in Trouble & Why There’s No Center of The Universe
25 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You have probably heard that poinsettia plants are poisonous to people and pets. Really? How poisonous? Can you die from eating them or what? Should y...
How You Can Win Friends and Influence People & Important Strategies for a Good Night’s Sleep
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Food labels are full of claims. They say things like “All-Natural” or “Doctor Recommended” or “Made with Whole Grains.” Should you be im...
Why Success Never Feels Like It Should & Are You Really Responsible for Your Actions?
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Texting and email seem to have replaced the telephone as a primary means of communication. Still, the telephone is sometimes a better option. When it ...
SYSK Choice: The Psychology of Luck & Weird Earth Conspiracies Debunked
18 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
During the holiday season, there are more occasions and opportunities to drink alcohol. So, it’s worth noting that not all drinks are created equal ...
The Proof That Simple is Always Better & The Amazing Story of Pockets
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night (and most people are), that can be a real problem. And the problem is more than just feeling a...
The Power of Things That Never Change & The Magic of the Doctor/Patient Bond
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A kiss can be very powerful. It can make you feel wonderful and connect you to a person – or it can really mess things up. This episode begins with ...
SYSK Choice: Uncovering the Mystery of Deja Vu & How Our Feelings Built Our World
11 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you have siblings, they have had an important impact on you, even if you don’t realize it. This episode starts with a discussion about how brothe...
Popular Myths About the Foods We Love & Tiny Inventions That Changed the World
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how restaurant kitchens have huge exhaust fans over the stove? They have to have them. It’s the law. You have an exhaust fan over your s...
When Personal Achievement Becomes Toxic & What You Never Knew About the Ocean
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why are the numbers 1, 2 and 3 across the top of a telephone keypad but across the bottom of a calculator? That’s one of three interesting questions...
SYSK Choice: How to Instantly Detect BS & The Secret to Conflict Resolution
04 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You often hear the terms antique, collectible and vintage used interchangeably. However, they do have different meanings that have to do with the age ...
Good News About The Imposter Syndrome & Simple Strategies to A Great Relationship
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It might sound odd but the weather can have a significant impact on your purchase decisions. Some things you are likely to buy on a warm sunny day you...
The Downside of Creativity & Why We Love Horror Films for Halloween
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your grandmother probably told you to sit up straight – and boy was she right! Good posture can do wonders for all kinds of things from your self-es...
SYSK Choice: Why Your Consciousness is Unique & How to Give Your Dog a Longer Life
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Becoming a homeowner is an important goal for a lot of people. After all, home ownership is part of the American dream. However, owning isn’t always...
Why People Don’t Read What You Write & How Could You Be a Better Person?
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While some people take pride in being a perfectionist, the fact is no one is perfect, so it is a somewhat pointless quest to try. Being a perfectionis...
Hidden Ways Movies and TV Influence You & Why You Need to Brush Your Tongue
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You can search online for information on just about any topic. Recently there was an interesting article posted on the Reader’s Digest website regar...
SYSK Choice: How Choice Architecture Works & The Benefits of Selfishness Done Correctly
21 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Seems like everyone hates passwords. If they are too random, you forget them. If they are too obvious, you could be hacked. This episode begins with a...
The Awesome Power of Pure Joy & Hidden Distractions That Suck Your Time
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wi-Fi being what it is, sometimes it slows down and things get glitchy – shows stop streaming, games glitch out and other weird things seem to happe...
How to Get Important Things Done & Ways to Tell If Someone Is in Denial
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every PC owner has probably wondered what the difference is between RESTART and SHUTDOWN – or if there really is a difference. Actually, there is. A...
SYSK Choice: Successful Dating Beyond Dating Apps & Why The 4-Day Work Week Works
14 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is taking a daily multivitamin a good idea? It seems to make a lot of sense – like an insurance policy. This episode begins with a discussion about...
How to Speak Well When You Are Put On The Spot & The Strange History of Breakfast Cereal
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you went to your backyard and took a pinch of dirt in your fingers, you would be holding a piece of a shocking underground world you never knew abo...
What If You Could Live a Lot Longer & Why We Believe Things That Just Aren’t True
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are buying candy for Trick or Treaters this year, what kind will it be? Well, if you want to hand out the candy that kids really want, listen a...
SYSK Choice: A Brief History of Motion & The Right Ways to Speak Up
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of the Pink Tax? It’s when the women’s version of a product (like razors) costs more than men’s even though they are the same –...
How to Build The Life You Want & Why Eggs Are More Amazing Than You Ever Knew
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you are faced with a tough decision, some common advice is to “sleep on it." By sleeping and waking up you may have a new and different perspec...
Understanding Fear and Bravery in Everyday Life & How Modern Chemicals Affect You
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How many married couples sleep in separate beds? A lot more than you may think. This episode begins with a discussion about why couples sleep separate...
SYSK Choice: What Happens In Our Brain When We Snap & Understanding Heartbreak
30 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why is the most popular pencil the #2 pencil? What happened to the #1 pencil? This episode begins with some interesting facts about pencils such as h...
The High Price of Being So Busy & The Trouble You’ll Cause If You Don’t Have a Will
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What makes happy people so happy? It is partly due to their attitude and behavior. This episode begins with some of the essential ingredients to creat...
How Emotions Control Your Thoughts and Actions & What You Never Knew About Elevators
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As people age, they may have trouble remembering recent events. If you know older people who seem to forget things, it is important to realize that me...
SYSK Choice: Why It’s Human to Seek Pain on Purpose & How Cooperation Shaped the World
23 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know when you call a customer service number and you hear, “Your call is very important to us…”? What that usually says to me is – “Get ...
Why You Should Embrace Your Most Embarrassing Moments & The Fascinating World of Seeds
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is conventional wisdom for people taking a test that if you are stuck – go with your first answer. Listen as I begin this episode by explaining w...
How To Better Maneuver Through Changes In Life & What You Need to Know About Slime
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do people get hiccups and what is the best way to get rid of them? This episode begins with an exploration into the causes and cures of hiccups - ...
SYSK Choice: Our Hidden Power to Persuade & How Your Brain Decides What’s Beautiful
16 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of prescription pill bottles come with a ball of cotton inside, on top of the pills. What’s it for and should you take it out or leave it in t...
What Lack of Human Connection Does to You & How Roads Impact the World
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you define love? What is it exactly? Listen to the beginning of this episode and you will hear one of the best definitions of love ever. Knowin...
How to Nail Those Important Goals & The Odd Words and Phrases We All Use
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is a perceived advantage to reading fast. However, reading slower may actually be more beneficial for a lot of reasons. This episode opens with ...
SYSK Choice: The Secrets to Better Conversation & A Better Way to Meet Deadlines
09 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every day, you make a countless number of decisions, from what to have for dinner to what detergent to buy. This episode begins by looking at how hum...
Why You Get Embarrassed and What To Do & How A Parrot Solved a Murder
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I am certain that many times in your life you have had “one of those days.” Those are the days when nothing seems to go right, everything seems t...
How To Get Better At Anything & Will You One Day Own Nothing?
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Walking is good exercise and the pace at which you walk can make it even better. This episode begins with a brief discussion on the rather remarkable ...
SYSK Choice: Life Hacks That REALLY Make a Difference & The Extraordinary History of Water
02 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Admit it, you have likely snooped or eavesdropped on someone at some point in your life. In fact everyone has done it. This episode begins by discussi...
Why Many Decisions You Make Don’t Really Matter & The Fascinating World of Weather
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Take a guess… how many times does the average American check their cellphone in 2023? I don’t know your guess, but I bet you are way off. This epi...
Dramatic Ways Your Thoughts Impact Your Health & Understanding Deadly Wildfires
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People who are confident and powerful tend to exhibit a few critical behaviors to create that impression of power and confidence. This episode begins ...
SYSK Choice: How DNA Predicts Our Psychological Traits & Why People’s Sense of Direction Varies
26 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s become trendy to fill your car tires with nitrogen instead of plain old compressed air. In fact, there are now green caps for the valve stems t...
What You Never Knew About Your Neighborhood & Understanding Intellectual Property Rights
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is this weird thing that happens to a lot of people (including me) and that is, we often wake up on our own just before the alarm goes off. Why ...
Lying – The Truth and Consequences & The Race to Make Money In Outer Space
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can doing something embarrassing in front of people be good for you? This episode begins by explaining how making a fool of yourself can actually ...
SYSK Choice: How to Gossip Well & The Importance of Taking A Pause
19 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As relationships mature, holding hands seem to become less of a priority. And that could be a big mistake. There are real benefits to holding hands an...
Why We Often Expect the Worst & The Science Behind the Fonts You Use
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How many times have you heard that exercise is good for you? But specifically, how? This episode starts with an explanation of precisely how exercise ...
Favorite Food Origins You Never Knew & Why The Internet Creates So Much Outrage In People
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone has loose batteries somewhere in the house. And if you keep those batteries in your junk drawer, that could be dangerous. Listen as I explain...
SYSK Choice: A Guide to Your Insides & How Salary Transparency Helps Our Performance
12 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Fragrance” is a common ingredient listed on perfumes, colognes, soaps, and lotions. Clearly, just the word "fragrance" doesn’t tell you very mu...
What You Never Knew About Your Grocery Store & Understanding Uncertainty
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just because you are a good driver doesn’t protect you from bad drivers. And there are a lot of those bad drivers on the road. So how do you protec...