Something You Should Know
Episodes
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...
Legendary Actor John Cleese on Creativity & How Random Chance Got Us to Where We Are
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just as you judge others based on their appearance, other people judge you. This episode begins with what exactly people decide about you when they fi...
Interesting Answers to Baffling Questions & What to Do When You Get Embarrassed
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been mesmerized by the flicker of a flame in a fire or on a candle? What is it about fire that draws us near to it? This episode begins ...
SYSK Choice: Why We Are Not So Smart & How Longevity Works
14 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you taken your temperature lately? Most of us think a normal temperature is 98.6 degrees. However, if you were to take your temperature now – i...
How to Handle Difficult Moments and Emotions & Could an Asteroid Destroy the Earth?
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever worry that an elevator you are in will somehow come loose and drop? Or that a big spider will come after you and bite you? This episode begins wi...
The Science and Myths of Living Healthy & Negotiation Advice from a Legend
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What happens if you work hard to build up your FICO credit score but then you make a mistake and miss a payment? This episode begins by explaining wha...
SYSK Choice: Why Complainers Complain and How to Stop Them & How Gaslighting Works
07 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you would like to feel really good, then watch this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiKxytbCWk. It’s a dull and boring video abou...
How to Bounce Back from Tough Times & How to Get A Handle on All Your Stuff
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know how to get the most juice out of a lemon or lime? Or how to get the smell of garlic off your hands? This episode begins as I reveal a few ...
How Intellectual Property Laws Can Get You in Trouble & How Noise Harms Your Health
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While you are probably more careful about the surfaces you touch and keeping things sanitized, you may have overlooked all the surfaces in your car. T...
SYSK Choice: The Biology of Beauty & Life Changing Inventions
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you search for something in Google does it matter what order you put the words in? What about punctuation – does that matter? We start this epi...
Why The World is Doing Better Than You Think & What Your Musical Taste Says About You
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know the can opener was invented 50 years AFTER the tin can? So how did they open cans before that? That’s one of the interesting stories ab...
Money Hacks to Build Wealth & How Buildings Affect Your Health and Happiness
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
First impressions count. One big reason why is that once a person makes judgements about you, they can be difficult to change even if they are not tru...
SYSK Choice: The Secrets of Motivation & How Effortless Conversation Works
24 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it true that nice guys finish last? Sure, there are a lot of successful nice guys but there are a lot of successful jerks too. So which is it? The ...
The Power of Using the Right Words & How to Stop Avoiding Important Tasks
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone likes to feel appreciation, and everyone knows just how powerful appreciation can be. However, there is one huge problem with appreciation....
Engineering Marvels Right in Your Neighborhood & What It Takes to Be an Expert
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I bet you’ve had that experience of waking up just before the alarm goes off. It turns out it isn’t coincidence. Listen as this episode begins wit...
SYSK Choice: The Science of Creativity & How Happiness & Health Work Together
17 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We humans are programmed to flirt. It’s the beginning of the process that keeps the species going forward. And while some people are clearly better ...
Why You See the World Differently Than Me & What Cellphones Do to Relationships
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you get angry, it seems normal to also get upset and maybe start yelling at whoever made you mad. Bad idea. This episode begins with a discussion...
The Big Difference Between Being Kind and Being Nice & How Science Really Works
12 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People will be more attracted to you if you appear confident. So this episode begins with short list of things you can do easily that will make you fe...
SYSK Choice: Why People Cheat & Get More Done by Being Less Busy
10 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every time you sit down to eat, several things affect how MUCH you eat and how much you enjoy the food. I begin this episode by revealing how the envi...
A Fascinating Look At Why You Are Here & Why We Run Toward People We Love
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sandwich has been around for thousands of years in some form or another. Do you know how many sandwiches the average person eats in a year? Or why...
The Myth of American Innovation & The Fascinating Physics of Life
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The power of the human mind is amazing. This episode begins with a fascinating example of that. It turns out that how people feel about the medication...
SYSK Choice: How Music Effects You & Understanding “New Power”
03 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
No one enjoys getting a shot at the doctor’s office. But there is something you can do to ease the pain. We begin this episode with a little strateg...
Individuality: Why You Are Different & What Exercise Really Does to Your Body and Mind
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People generically call the dates on food packages, “expiration dates.” However, there are different kinds of expiration dates and they mean diffe...
Behind the Scenes at Your Grocery Store & The Difference Between Risk and Uncertainty
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may be a good driver but there are a lot of bad ones out there. So how do you protect yourself from those people? This episode begins with some in...
SYSK Choice: The Sleep Solution & How Virtual Reality Is Changing Our Lives
26 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You obviously know better than to talk on your phone while driving – but you should also tell other people in the car to stay off their phones as we...
What Makes You Who You Are & Could You Be A Genius?
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone knows what “riding shotgun” means. And most people think they know where it came from, which is from the days of stagecoaches. But that i...
Why Coincidences Happen & Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why pumpkins are associated with Halloween? After all, they aren’t particularly scary and have nothing to do with ghosts. Thi...
SYSK Choice:The Secrets Behind Going Viral & Overcoming Social Anxiety
19 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every kid on the planet is told to, “Eat your veggies – they’re good for you!” Yet, as a parent, you probably shouldn’t say that to your kid...
The Psychology of Money & Why Attractive People Get Better Treatment
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With all we know about how medicine works, we still don’t understand the placebo effect very well. Yet, by all accounts it is very powerful. This ep...
How Winning Streaks Work & Focused Success in a Distracted World
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who doesn’t like ketchup? It is one of the most universally loved American foods. Why? This episode begins with some interesting facts and history a...
SYSK Choice: How to Be a Top Performer & The Beauty of Numbers
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers much more than you probably realize – and it is worth knowing. For example, if you receive counter...
What to Say to Get What You Want & How We Judge People Based on How They Talk
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Blue jeans have been in fashion for a very long time. How did that happen? After all, they started out as work clothes. This episode begins by explori...
What Really Influences Your Food Choices & How Technology Puts Stress On Your Body
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Watching a scary movie can be terrifying and unpleasant. So why do people do it? This episode begins with a discussion on the appeal of scary movies a...
SYSK Choice: What Is The Truth? & How Systems Fail
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have a lot of devices – cellphones, tablets, laptops – and they all need to be charged up constantly. How much does that cost? And how much doe...
How, Why and When Doctors Make Mistakes & How Creatures and People Actually Evolve
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When someone is sick or in the hospital, it is customary to send them flowers. Who doesn’t love flowers? But do flowers actually help sick people he...
Your Fascinating Sense of Smell & How to Time The Important Experiences in Your Life
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How many things are taking up space in your house that you will never, ever, ever use again? This episode begins with some simple advice that will hel...
SYSK Choice: How Luck Happens & Questioning What We Tell Ourselves
29 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People hate unsolicited advice – and they seldom follow it. Still, that doesn’t stop us from dishing it out to those we are trying to help. Well m...
Optimizing Nonverbal Communication & Eating For Cognitive Power
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you flip a coin and it comes up heads a couple of times in a row, chances are you would bet the next flip will come up tails. That is the perfect e...
Amazing Ways Insects Improve Your Life & How Too Much Success Can Be a Problem
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever taken over-the-counter cough and cold medicine, you may have noticed that it isn’t always that effective in relieving the symptoms....