Something You Should Know

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...

Where Your Trash and Recycling Really Goes & A Fun and Effective Approach to Housework

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More and more people are opting to remove their shoes before they come into the house and asking guests to do it as well. Is it really necessary? Does...

SYSK Choice: Your Brain On the Internet & Embracing Your Weirdness

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Doodling – it is just something people do, particularly when listening to a boring speaker. While people often think of it as a distraction, doodlin...

Good News If You Are a Sensitive Person & The Fascinating History of Recorded Sound

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An amazing number of dogs get stolen every year. And it’s all about the money. This episode begins with a look at this growing crime and why you sho...

The New Science of How We Learn & How To Prevent Arguments From Happening

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On a hot summer day, lots of things can get dangerously hot. Your street, the dashboard and steering wheel inside your car, even your patio furniture ...

SYSK Choice: Understanding the Dimensions of Love & The Power of Strangers

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isn’t salt – salt? I’ve always thought so. Sure there is kosher salt and sea salt and regular salt but now there are all these different colored...

Weird Things That Really Affect Your Health & Do You Work to Live or Live to Work?

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People claim to get great ideas in the shower. But is that a real thing? Is there something about taking a shower that can actually generate ideas and...

Scams You Might Easily Fall For & Smalls Ways to Significantly Improve Your Health

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that a bee will die after it stings you? Or that YOU can die after a black widow spider bites you? This episode begins with a look at some ...

SYSK Choice: How Material Science Has Changed Your Life & The Joy of Sweat

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever noticed that aluminum foil has a shiny side and a dull side? Why do you suppose that is? Maybe it is significant – after all some recipes call ...

What Causes Coincidences & Where Did the Molecules In Your Body Come From?

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow blue jeans, which are basically just work clothes, became this worldwide fashion staple, and have remained so for decades. How did that happen...

The Awesome Life and Contributions of Albert Einstein & How Ambitious Are You

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the best (or worst) seat on a commercial airliner? That kind of depends on whether you mean safest, healthiest, or most comfortable seat. This...

SYSK Choice: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything & Why Scientists Can’t Define Life

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you order something online, do you then track the package to see where it is and when it is coming? This episode begins with the results of a sur...

Strange Stories About Amazing People & Extraordinary Lessons from Great Athletes

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people still send checks in the mail. Increasingly that is becoming a bad idea. Listen as I reveal why postal authorities and banks are recom...

How Your Brain Predicts Your Reality & How To Be Calm and Why Should Be

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it bad to charge your phone overnight? Is it okay to use your phone while it is charging? We start this episode with some of the facts and myths ab...

SYSK Choice: Why Hidden Fees are “Gotcha” Capitalism & The Origins of Slang

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have probably all gotten a little more conscientious at washing our hands more frequently. Still, a lot of us are not washing correctly or with pro...

Why We Often Misunderstand Each Other & Why Are Toxic Chemicals In Your Clothes?

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People often complain they get sick when they fly on an airplane. And they claim the problem is the recirculated air passengers breathe. That’s actu...

The Science of Innovation & When Doctors Make Mistakes

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that all people with blue eyes are related to each other? That is just one of the fascinating things we explore as I begin this episode w...

SYSK Choice: What Watching Sports Does to You & What Happy Couples Do

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of health and beauty advice has been passed down over many generations. And a lot of it is just plain wrong! Listen as this episode begins with ...

Why Do People Swear So Much? & How to Quickly Build Your Confidence

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Want to significantly improve your chances of a getting a good night’s sleep? This episode begins with a simple technique you can do today that can ...

What Makes Things Funny & Really Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Water

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder how spiders get into your house? This episode begins with an explanation and some ideas on how to make your home less appealing to spiders...

SYSK Choice: The Psychology of Secrets & How to Get Quicker Answers to Emails and Texts

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before the mid 60s, a can of beer on a hot summer day was worthless without a can opener. Then along came the pop-top can. This episode begins with th...

Strange Origins of Common Words and Phrases & Meet Your Future Self

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A common recommendation for people trying to control their weight is to get enough sleep. Why? What could sleep have to do with losing weight? This ep...

Why You’re Always In Such a Hurry & What Listening to Music Does to You

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People who blush know it can be embarrassing. That begs the question – why do people blush in the first place? This episode begins with a brief disc...

SYSK Choice: Our Preoccupation With Ownership & The Backstories of America’s Favorite Dishes

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have had déjà vu – that feeling that what you are experiencing now, you have somehow experienced before. This episode begins with some ...

A Better Way to Create New Ideas & How to Take Control Of Difficult Conversations

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you think how much your smartphone costs to buy and maintain, it’s a smart idea to try to make it last as long as possible. This episode begins...

Get Things Done Without Feeling Overwhelmed & How To Master Self Confidence

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are all pretty clear on the dangers of driving while intoxicated. But there also appears to be some danger in driving while dehydrated. Who knew? T...

SYSK Choice: How to Decode Greatness to Achieve Success & The World’s Most Valuable Insect

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are a lot of good reasons to be more optimistic. Interestingly, it also seems simply pretending to be an optimist has many of the same benefits....

How to Say No and Feel Good About It & The One Thing That’s Better Than Happiness

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to take a nap, it might be a good idea to find a hammock. This episode begins with an explanation for why hammocks can help just about any...

How To Ask For Anything and Everything & The Unusual History of Ice

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever turn your phone off? I mean ALL the way off. This episode begins by explaining why it is a good idea to do it and how often you should. ht...

SYSK Choice: Why Your Self-Delusions Are Valuable & How to Flirt Successfully

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back when grocery stores started charging for new plastic bags, there was a concern that using reusable grocery bags could be dangerous because of the...

The Extraordinary Ways The Workplace is Changing & Why You Have Allergies

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has secrets. And that can be a problem. The burden of keeping a secret has a ripple effect in your life you likely don’t realize. This epis...