Something You Should Know
Episodes
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...
The Strange Factors That Influence What You Buy & The Fascinating Story of Data
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why mosquitoes are attracted to some people more than others? I begin this episode by discussing 5 factors that make you so irresistible ...
SYSK Choice: The Science of Fear & How to Be A Great Communicator
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ask people what their favorite or lucky number is, and you will get a lot of different answers. But if you ask enough people and you start to notice t...
What Every Traveler Must Know Today & Is There Intelligent Alien Life Out There?
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s some good advice: SLOW DOWN! This episode begins with a list of things you do every day that you would actually do better if you did them slo...
The Very Excellent Reasons We Have a 7-Day Week & How Cats Became Pets
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As you know, you can’t tickle yourself. But if you are ticklish, anyone else can tickle you. So why is that? Even if you know someone is about to ti...
SYSK Choice: The Science of Happily Ever After & How To Rethink Anything
20 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you have a smart phone, you can take pictures of anything, anytime, anywhere. This episode starts with one very simple piece of advice that can m...
The Benefits of Finding Wonder In The World & What Is Money and How Does It Work?
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where and when did someone come up with the idea for sunglasses? This episode begins with a brief history that goes way back in time to the very first...
Why We All Get Stuck In Life and How To Get Unstuck & The New Science of Longevity
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know that if you don’t drink enough water you get dehydrated. Still, there are other factors that can accelerate dehydration you may not be awar...
SYSK Choice: Your Illusion of Knowledge & Has Restaurant Nutrition Really Improved?
13 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Timing is important, especially when it comes to the big life decisions you make. In fact, the time of day you make a big decision matters a lot. This...
How The “User Experience” Became A Thing & How To Change Someone’s Mind
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Don’t spoil the ending!” It seems no one wants to know how a story or movie ends until they see it end in real time. But maybe knowing the endi...
Why Parking Your Car Is Such a Pain & How Invisible Microbes Shape Your World
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Drinking coffee in the morning is a pleasant habit for many of us. However, this episode begins by explaining why you might want to smell your coffee ...
SYSK Choice: Improving Your Digital Body Language & How Food Affected Human Evolution
06 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Doctors are supposed to know medical truth from myth. Yet a lot of doctors are misinformed – at least on some things. This episode begins with some ...
What You Never Knew About Your Blood But Should & How To Conquer Burnout?
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most cars today are “connected cars.” That means that automakers and vendors can send and receive information directly with your car. Sounds like ...
Why Quitting Can Be The Best Option & Why Humans Are Attracted to Bodies of Water
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is beginner’s luck a real thing or just some weird occurrence that happens occasionally? This episode starts with a brief explanation of beginner’...
SYSK Choice: How Your Brain Changes Who You Are & The Science Behind Beverages
29 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Decent sunglasses are a must. Otherwise, you are asking for trouble. If you doubt that, just ask any eye doctor. We know that ultraviolet light is bad...
The Important Reason We Label Generations & The Strange Stories of Medical Breakthroughs
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is spring fever a real thing? This episode begins with a brief discussion on what spring fever is, what the symptoms are and if there is a cure. https...
The Fast Track To Self-Confidence & How To Stop Procrastinating and Get It Done
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People with names that are difficult to pronounce are often discriminated against. It is not intentional necessarily, but it happens. The result can b...
SYSK Choice: How to Change to Reach Your Goals & What It Means to be Alive
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can too much noise make you less generous? As we have discussed here in the past, noise levels are increasing, and all that noise can have negativ...
Instantly Optimize Your Powers of Persuasion & Are We Way Too Cautious?
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Never cry at work!” has been common, long-standing advice for employees. Still, people DO cry at work sometimes – so what do other people think...
Why And How To Awaken Your 5 Senses & What Happens When Someone Breaks Your Heart
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is hard to get through life without writing things down on a yellow legal pad. You probably have some of those writing pads in your home right now....
SYSK Choice: Secrets to Increase Your Endurance & The Complexities of Rest
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to be happy, it helps that you have happy friends. And it helps even more if your friends’ friends are happy too. I begin this episode d...
How to Be An Extraordinary Individual & What Would You Change About Your Personality?
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is likely something you are worried about right now. After all, humans worry. This episode begins with some good news for you regarding whatever...
The Power of Human Touch & Why Outer Space Smells Like Rum and Raspberries
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You would have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t like the smell of freshly cut grass. In fact, some people love that scent. Why? What’s so s...
SYSK Choice: How To Find REAL Love & How Our Ability to Speak Defines Us
08 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Music can affect us in lots of ways. You may not know that the music playing in a store can impact your spending behavior. This episode begins by look...
The Lure of Cheap Crap & Will Artificial Intelligence Take Over Your Job?
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is an art and science to flattery This episode starts with a look at how powerful it can be if you know how to give and take a compliment and of...
One Proven Thing That Will Help You Live Longer & How Everyday Things Get Made
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a doodler like me? I often doodle when I listen to a talk or a presentation – even when I interview people for the podcast. And it seems the...
SYSK Choice: How Your Brain’s Mistakes Make You Successful & Life After Privacy
01 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Using a public bathroom is usually not the highlight of your day. However, when it comes to choosing which stall or urinal to use, there is a way to ...
What You Never Knew About the Music You Love & How Much Money Is Enough
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can the clothes you wear influence your personality? You will be surprised to discover how different clothes and different colors change the way y...
You Are Mentally Tougher Than You Think & Why We Mispronounce Words
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to make the food you cook taste better – switch the plates, bowls and glasses. This episode begins by discussing how and why that works....
SYSK Choice: The New Science of Human Metabolism & The Real Reasons Wars Exist
25 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are into stories of success and what it takes to be the best, you will sometimes here someone quote a study about the importance of goal settin...
Shhh! The Amazing Benefits of Being Quiet & Why You Get Cravings
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is going to sound weird but a good time to make a decision is when you have the urge to go to the bathroom. You are probably wondering; how can t...
What The Voice Inside Your Head is Really Saying & What is Normal?
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is common for your mind to wander. That’s what people do, especially if they are not doing anything that requires deep thought or concentration. ...
SYSK Choice: The Universe’s Biggest Questions Answered & A Fascinating Study of Pain
18 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
No one likes to throw away milk because it went bad. What you may not know is that there is a little trick that can help your milk last longer and I b...
The Magic Words To Get What You Want & Why You Get Headaches
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Groceries are expensive. So this episode begins with a very effective and uncomplicated strategy that can save you a ton of money at the supermarket w...
What Marketers Can Tell From The Sound of Your Voice & What It Means to Be Healthy
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are having a bad day, you might want to try washing a particular body part. It appears it helps even though it makes no sense. Listen and I wil...
SYSK Choice: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon & Healthier Relationship Fighting
11 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not too early to think about Mother’s Day. It’s not that far away. So, who started it? How did it all begin. Listen as I begin this episode...
Crypto, Blockchain and NFTs Made Simple & The Story of The Oscars
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At the start of a relationship, how important is that first kiss? This episode begins with some interesting statistics that show the significance and ...
Science Myths A Lot of People Still Believe & The Strange Story of the Polygraph
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can trees fight crime? Apparently so - at least some types of crime. Although no one is exactly sure how. Listen and I’ll explain. https://www.moth...
SYSK Choice: Why You Should Listen to Your Fears & How Dogs Can Detect Disease
04 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cat owners are well aware that cats like to hunt, kill and bring home birds and mice as a trophy. There is something cat owners can do to help reduce ...