Something You Should Know

The Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life & What Does it Mean to Be Alive?

08 Jul 2021

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...

Why Businesses Charge Sneaky Fees & Where Slang Comes From

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve washed your hands a million times. Yet there is a pretty good chance you are probably doing it incorrectly. Over the last year and a half we ...

SYSK Choice: The Science Behind Aliens and UFOs & How to Deal With Gaslighting

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you neat or messy? You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. There is a general assumption that neat is...

Why Watching Sports Is Really Good for You & Simple Strategies to A Great Relationship

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Moms have been passing down health and beauty advice for generations and some of it is just plain wrong! Listen as we bust some myths about some of th...

The Impact of Keeping Secrets & Why Unreturned Messages Drive Us Crazy

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hard to imagine a hot summer day without a can of soda or beer. Before the mid-60s those cans were absolutely useless unless you had a can opener hand...

SYSK Choice: Why Great Ideas Fail First & Compulsion Investigated

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know what happens to your brain when you are sleeping? In a sense, a cleaning crew gets in there to clean out all the toxins so that your brain...

The Human Need to Own Things & The Origins of American Cuisine

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had déjà vu - that feeling that what you are experiencing now, you have experienced before? Most people have. This episode begins with...

How to Stay Safe in a Dangerous World & Expert Strategies For Managing Time

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How does music affect your feelings and emotions? This episode begins by looking at some interesting research that shows how just the right music can ...

SYSK Choice: Completely Control Your Time & Perfect Health for Your Pet

19 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It just happens that sometimes you have to ask a stranger for a favor. Perhaps you need to borrow their phone or help you carry something. And there i...

How to Have More Good Days (and Fewer Bad Ones) & Amazing Facts You Haven’t Heard

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dogs are fascinating. The things they do, the ways they behave are so interesting to watch. Plus, the fact that most dogs give their owners unconditio...

What Are You Afraid of and Why? & Communication Strategies To Make You Influential

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ask people what their favorite number is and you will get a lot of different answers. But if you ask thousands of people, one number emerges as the cl...

SYSK Choice: The Power of an Alter Ego & Fascinating Moon Facts

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have brothers or sisters, you probably know that sibling relationships change as we move from childhood to adulthood. Sometimes they change for...

Why You Deceive Yourself and How That’s a Good Thing & The Science of Flirting

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remember when we all started using reusable grocery bags and there was a big concern about germs and bacteria in those bags? You don’t hear so much ...

Desire: Why You Want What You Want & How Evolution Made You Who You Are

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hold a strand of spaghetti at each end and break it in 2. It cannot be done. And this puzzle has mystified great minds of science including Nobel priz...

SYSK Choice: Optimize Your Memory & How to Get the Love You Want

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard the advice that couples should have a date night. That’s common advice to help keep the romance alive in long term relationships. But...

How to Stop Worrying, Be Confident and Make Friends & The Power of Awe and Wonder

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Has it ever happened that your cellphone rang or buzzed but when you checked it had not? It was a phantom ring. This episode begins with an explanatio...

The Hidden Price of Bargain Shopping & How to Stop a Common Cause of Illness

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A kiss is so much more than just a kiss. It turns out kissing sends messages to the person you are kissing. This episode begins with some interesting ...

SYSK Choice: Being Wealthy vs Rich & Mastering Conversation

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever notice those people who shop at the grocery store and sometimes changes their mind and take items out of the shopping cart and stash them somewhe...

How To Reverse Engineer Your Way to Success & Why You Couldn’t Live Without Houseflies

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Skill, practice and hard work are often considered the cornerstones of success. Maybe. However, one often overlooked strategy to being great at someth...

How to Be Much More Interesting & A Fascinating Approach to Managing Your Money

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taking your cellphone or tablet to the beach or the pool is a risky proposition. If it drops into the water or gets sand in it -that could spell disas...

SYSK Choice: Stories Behind Our Favorite Tech & Health vs Healthcare

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had that experience of driving and all of a sudden seeing a motorcycle that “came out of nowhere.” How does that happen? There is ac...

How Amazon Got So Big, So Fast & The Epidemic of Workplace Anxiety

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At our house, we take our shoes off when we come in from outside and it turns out to be a good idea. This episode begins with an explanation of what i...

The Fascinating Science of Color & What You Need to Know About Your Tap Water?

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What could possibly be the difference between all the zillions of shampoos on the market? If you want clean hair, isn’t shampoo all the same? This e...

SYSK Choice: What Makes Us Human & Proven Natural Remedies

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’d probably all like to be more persuasive. And there is one little sentence to tack on to the end of any request that is more likely to get peopl...

Characteristics of Successful Relationships & The Power of Unlearning And Rethinking

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you have a smart phone, you can take a photo of anything, anytime, anywhere. So this episode starts with one very simple piece of advice that can...

Why You Think You Are Smarter Than You Are & Just How Healthy Are Restaurant Meals?

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Next time you are feeling stressed or need a little reassurance there is someone you need to call - immediately! It is a very close relative of yours....

SYSK Choice: Dumb Money Moves Smart People Make & Optimizing Your Attitude

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Often people who deal with the public as part of their job often begin to believe that people in general are not very bright. As an example, one quest...

How Digital Communication Messes Things Up & The Extraordinary Evolution of Our Food

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to medical advice, a doctor is supposed to know what is truth and what is myth. However, an amazing number of doctors are misinformed. T...

Why You Are Not the Person You Think You Are & How Beverages Affect You

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you don’t wear decent sunglasses outside, you are asking for trouble. Just ask any eye doctor. Ultraviolet light is bad for your eyes - and sungl...

SYSK Choice: How to Fix a Broken Heart & A Journey Through Numbers

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone is different but when I need to solve a problem or think of something creative, I often lie down, close my eyes and think. And it turns out t...

How to Achieve Any Goal According to Science & What Is Life? A Nobel Prize Winner Explains

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Noise levels are increasing, and all that noise can have a lot of negative effects on your health and happiness. This episode begins by explaining the...

Proven Ways to Be More Persuasive & The Surprising Truth About Recycling

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you saw someone walking down the street and they were not swinging their arms, you would think it looks a little weird. Yet, humans don’t have to...

SYSK Choice: The Hidden World Inside Your Home & How to Lower Your Set Point Weight

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you feel pain or some ache in your body, you likely reach for a Tylenol. And it turns out that you should also reach for one when you are feeling...

How to Push Past Your Limits to Achieve More & Why Rest is So Misunderstood

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You are more likely to be happy if your friends are happy- and even if your friend’s friends are happy. This episode begins with a discussion on why...

Do We Really Have Free Will? & How to Handle Rejection Better

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are only children at a social disadvantage? It has long been thought that children who grow up with no siblings don’t develop the social skills that...

SYSK Choice: Why More Is Never Enough & What You Never Knew About Spices

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn’t have a cellphone? It is hard to find someone who doesn’t have one with them all the time. However, there are some circumstances when y...

The 2 Ways Rich People Acquire Their Wealth & Why We Act Out of Spite

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Smile! Why? Because smiling offers a lot of benefits. This episode begins with a discussion on all the good things that happen when you smile more oft...

The Most Successful Ways to Find Love & What Makes the Human Voice So Amazing

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all know music has an effect on us. One effect it has that you may not be aware of is how it impacts your shopping behavior in a store. This episod...

SYSK Choice: Surprising Unconscious Influences on Our Behavior & The Power of Blitzscaling

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Conventional wisdom is that you should get a physical exam every year with your doctor. Should you really? This episode begins by exploring who should...

How Flaws in Your Brain Make You a Better Person & Is Personal Privacy Dead?

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With public restrooms, there is a definite YUCK factor. Still, when it comes to choosing which stall or urinal to use, there is a smart strategy to mi...

The Surprising Benefits of Cursing & How the World is Getting Better and Safer

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode begins with a look at some fascinating science of everyday life. For example, how the calorie count for food is determined, what does it ...

SYSK Choice: Why You Have Your Unique Personality & Proven Ways to Create A New Habit

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know the weather can affect your buying decisions? Apparently it can and that can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house...

What to Do When Things Go Wrong & Fascinatingly Gross Things in Everyday Life

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the fastest insect? How long does a common housefly live? How many kinds of insects are there in the world? Now that spring is here and the b...

How Metabolism Really Works & Why Humans Fight and Go to War

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is an often-quoted study about the importance of goal setting and success that happened at Yale University in 1953. This episode begins with an ...

SYSK Choice: FBI Body Language Secrets & The Best Company Slogans

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you play a musical instrument? If not, maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your personali...

How Your Memory Works (and Sometimes Doesn’t) & Why We Actually Need Viruses

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know when you get part of a song stuck in your head? It can be hard to get rid of. As with most things, this has been studied and I begin the epis...

The Power and Benefits of Humor & How to Fight Better with Your Partner

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Who started it? Listen as I begin this episode with a brief explanation of the origins of Mother's Day and how...

SYSK Choice: Pleasure vs Happiness & The Good News About Failure

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s become a cliché to say that great ideas come in the shower. But the fact is – they do! And there is actually a psychological explanation for...

How to Get People to Help You & Our Love/Hate Relationship with Email

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone know that you should say “I love you” to your mate because it fosters intimacy and connection. It turns out there are 3 other words you s...

If You Don’t Like Your Voice -This Will Fix It & Facts About Food You Never Knew

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We go through a lot of batteries in our house with all of our remotes and clocks and flashlights - and they aren’t cheap. I bet you have a lot of ba...

SYSK Choice: Why Things Catch On & The Art and Science of Logic

13 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever cooked pasta you’ve likely considered using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes l...

Secrets of the Universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Why Pain Hurts

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t you just hate it when you have to throw milk away when it goes bad? This episode begins with a little trick that will make milk last longer so...

How Heredity Really Works & The Father of The Cell Phone on the Future of Cellular

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Which word in the English language has the most meanings? This episode begins by revealing this simple, 3-letter word that has over 600 meanings accor...

SYSK Choice: How to Overcome Distractions & Why It Pays to Lighten Up at Work

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably heard It said that it Is illegal to kill a praying mantis. Is it? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or ...

How to Decide Which Risks Are Worth Taking & How to Stop Being too Nice

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One way to blow your credibility in any conversation or in anything you write is to misuse or mispronounce words or phrases. So this episodes starts w...

The Hidden Rules of Ownership & The Story of Money

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How much gold is on our planet? And have found most of it? This episode begins with some fascinating intel on gold including how much gold is actually...

SYSK Choice: The Mysteries of Revulsion & Inventions That Should Have Come Earlier

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever gone to the supermarket only to find everything had been moved around? Why do they move things around when you have gotten to know where...

What Makes You Afraid & The Amazing Way Dogs Predict Illness in People

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One thing cats do that annoys a lot of people is they hunt, kill and bring home birds and mice and other animals. However, there is something cat owne...

Invisible Forces that Influence Your Life & How The News of the Day Affects You

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Men - and teenage boys - sometimes act foolishly in front of beautiful women. They are also known to take more risks if they know a woman is watching....

SYSK Choice: Improving the Way You Think & Eating Without Worrying

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many men - and women too - wish they were taller. Unfortunately, there is no simple fix for that. But there are ways to LOOK taller and we start this...

How to Exude Self-Confidence & What it Means to Be a Better Person

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dust is everywhere. And as soon as you get rid of it, it comes right back again. This episode begins with an explanation of what the dust in your hous...

How to Prepare for a Big Event (From a Jeopardy Champion) & Making Sense of Statistics

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Where do potholes come from? Did you know there is a “pothole season” when they are more likely to happen? This episode begins with a discussion o...

SYSK Choice: How Your Home Impacts You & The Forgiveness Myth

13 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you ask someone on a date, is it better to call or send a text or email? There is a preferred method if the goal is to get a - yes. This episode ...

How Scents, Odors and Smells Affect You & Where the Internet Came From

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wearing a face mask has become part of everyday life. What type of mask is the best to protect you and others? While the mask itself is important, the...

From "Something You Should Know" - A Special Sneak Peek of The Washies Podcast

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the producers of "Something You Should Know" comes The Washies! As a SYSK subscriber you are getting a “first peek” of Episode 1 just in time...

The Science of Winning and Losing & Why So Many People Are So Rude

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get someone to say - YES? There is a simple phrase or two you can add to any request that will increase the chances that almost anyone will...

SYSK Choice: How to Master Memory & The Pitfalls of Performance Addiction

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever lost weight, you’ve probably asked yourself, “When I lose weight, where does the fat go?” It is an interesting question and the...

The Science Behind Why You Dream & Proven Negotiation Strategies We Can All Use

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all have regrets. And when you stop and think about it, having regrets doesn’t help you very much. This episode begins with some simple strategie...

How to Get Others to Do What You Want & Secrets to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How many times do you see food labels claim things like “All-Natural” or “Doctor Recommended” or “Made with Whole Grains”? What do these p...

SYSK Choice: The Power of Pictures to Communicate & The Science of Being Attractive

30 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you show you care? Sometimes simple is better. In fact there are a few simple things you can do that can have a huge impact on someone else. I ...

The Fascinating Science of Joy & Surprising Ways Technology Distracts You From Life

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know there is a day that is considered to be the most depressing day of the year? Yup. It happened just a few weeks ago. Why ls “Blue Monday...

Making Sense of That Voice Inside Your Head & How to Create Great Meetings

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I’m sure you’ve seen construction crews sandblasting. Next time you see that - run!. This episode begins with a discussion on the problem with bei...

SYSK Choice: Avoiding Self-Sabotage & Why All the World’s Sand Is Disappearing

23 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you have pain – you want it to go away. While taking a pill or two can help ease the pain, there are some other interesting and unconventional ...

Why Exercise is Hard and How to Make it Easier & Food Pairings that Taste Sensational

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the benefits of houseplants is that they clean the air in your home or office - right? Well, not exactly. Houseplants are great and they do off...

Why We Are Wired to Do Everything Wrong With Money & The Meaning of Time

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is it ever too late?” If you don’t set your social and professional course early in life, will you miss out? Pare...

SYSK Choice: How Long Term Love Works & A Different Approach to Depression

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I suspect you’ve been cheated or lied to at some point in your life and thought to yourself, “How in the world did I fall for that?” There is ac...

The High Cost of Being So Busy & What if You Get Hit By a Bus Tomorrow?

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Happiness can be elusive - especially now.. Being locked down with little to do and being away from friends can really take a toll. However, there are...

Why Friends Are So Important & The Pros and Cons of Drinking

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you ask most people if stress can lead to cancer, I think they would say yes. I imagine there are cancer patients who believe they got cancer becau...

SYSK Choice: How to Be a Top Performer & Great Writing Hacks

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever watched someone blow out the candles on a birthday cake and wondered, “Do I really want to eat cake after someone blew and spit all ov...

Strange Ways Friends Influence Your Life & Why It is So Hard to Ask for Help

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Identity theft is often not the result of some high-tech scam. It is frequently because someone digs through your trash and finds documents with perso...

The Science of Taste & How to Change a Habit for Good

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the search for love, you’ve probably heard claims that pheromones can make you more appealing. And some perfumes and colognes claim to have phero...

SYSK Choice: How Constructive Criticism Works & Algorithms for Everyday Life

02 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 I don’t know about you but I simply cannot walk and text at the same time. And that turns out to be a good thing. I begin this episode with some f...

What People Really Think Of You & How to Make Your Point So People Get It

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We have all had the experience of a fly landing on our food and then pondering whether to toss it out or eat it. This episode begins with some guideli...

How to Make Hard Choices Easier & How to Be Irresistible

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I am sure you have had to perform under pressure. So you know that it is difficult to do and often your performance suffers. But why? Well, a couple o...

SYSK Choice: Overcoming Shyness & How to Make 2021 Resolutions Stick

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can drinking hot cocoa from an orange mug taste different from drinking hot cocoa from a blue mug? I’ll explain some interesting research that s...

Why We Love the Same Old Christmas Songs & A Powerful Way to Achieve Any Goal

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It is called the “helper’s high.” It’s that feeling you get when you do something nice for someone else. It isn’t only a theory, there is so...

Why You Should Treat People Like Dogs & Interesting Ways Language Changes

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are taught that jealousy and envy are not productive emotions. Well, maybe. This episode begins with a look at how jealousy and envy can actually h...

SYSK Choice: Your Brain on Music & Awesome Decluttering Hacks

19 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Negotiating your own salary can be stressful and difficult. This episode begins with some proven ways to help you maneuver through the negotiation pro...

Why We Love Our Cars & What Happens if You Live to 100

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you planning to re-gift a gift this Christmas? People have been regifting forever - although it was a Seinfeld episode that made the concept popul...

Interesting Quirks of Being Human & The Weird Ways We Count Things

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

During the holidays, we use a lot of power strips to plug in lights and decorations. So this episode begins with a list of things to NEVER do with pow...

SYSK Choice: The Secret Life of Money & Hardwiring Happiness

12 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Confident people just have a way about them. The way they act and talk draws people to them. So how can you be (and appear) more confident? I begin th...

How to Follow Through On Your Good Intentions & What’s Going On Inside Your Brain

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas is a fun holiday with lots of stories and traditions. This episode begins with some interesting facts about Christmas you may not know. Ever...

Why Food Doesn’t Taste As Good As It Used To & Overcoming Awkwardness

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The corona virus vaccine comes as a shot -most likely two shots! And getting shots is no fun. So this episode begins by explaining what you should do ...

SYSK Choice: Good News About “Bad” Food & Productivity Made Easy

05 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why do people get angry over the little things? At least one leading expert believes it’s all about control. I begin this episode of the podcast dis...

Invisible Dangers in Your Home & Fascinating Stories That Are Strange But True

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had “one of those days”? You know those days when everything seems to go wrong and you can’t help but think about how wrong everyt...

How Your Daily Habits Impact Your Health & Are Humans Inherently Good or Evil?

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eating cereal for breakfast is a relatively new concept that really didn’t catch on until the 1940s and 50s. So where did it come from and how did i...

SYSK Choice: The Importance of Consequential Strangers & The Disruption of the Ad Biz

28 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Getting kids to eat their vegetables can be frustrating for parents. However there are some techniques that can help sway your kids to at least try to...

Glitches in Human Evolution & The Wham-O Toys Story

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all want people to like us and obviously a lot of things determine just how likable you are. However, there are a few simple techniques to make you...

How Having Friends and Being Kind Make You Healthy & The Story of the Hamburger

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Will you be traveling over the holidays? Obviously, the spike in Covid-19 cases is causing people to reconsider travel and family get-togethers. Liste...

SYSK Choice: How Language Shapes Our Thinking & How Emotions Work

21 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How much water do you drink in a day? Not drinking enough water is a big problem. And while being a little dehydrated won’t kill you, dehydration do...