
Advertise on podcast: Something You Should Know
Rating
4.4from
This podcast has
1350 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Mike Carruthers | OmniCast MediaExplicit
No
Date created
2016/09/01
Latest episode
2026/10/13
Average duration
43 min.
Release period
2 days
Description
Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel" you can use to make your life better - today. Right now.
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SYSK TRENDING -Taking a Tour of the Human Body
2026/10/13
The human body is full of strange, ingenious, and often overlooked features that keep us alive every second of every day. And some of the most fascinating parts are the ones we rarely think about — until something goes wrong.
Dr. Jonathan Reisman takes us on an unusual tour inside the human body to reveal what our organs, tissues, and bodily fluids can teach us about how we work. He explains why certain parts of the body are far more remarkable than they appear, what doctors can learn from the substances our bodies produce, and why understanding anatomy can change the way you think about your own body. And yes, you’ll also hear why, of all the bodily fluids to choose from, urine is his favorite.
Jonathan Reisman is a physician specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics and author of The Unseen Body: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy (https://amzn.to/37vUz8u).
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Why Young Men and Women Don’t Trust Each Other & What Makes Love Last
2026/10/12
You know that stretch you instinctively do when you first wake up — arms out, back arched, often accompanied by a yawn or a strange noise? Dogs and cats do it too. There is actually a name for it, and a reason it feels so incredibly good. Listen and discover what your body is accomplishing when you do it. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-does-pandiculation-feel-so-good
Something startling is happening between young men and women. They are dating less, marrying less, and increasingly seem to distrust and disengage from each other. What is driving this divide — and what happens if it continues? Daniel Cox joins me with some eye-opening research on this consequential social change. Daniel is founder and director of the Survey Center on American Life and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He is author of Generation Uncoupled: America's New Gender Divide and the Crisis of Human Connection (https://link.amazon/B0bAUzOoI).
The excitement at the beginning of a romantic relationship doesn’t last forever. So what do successful couples do next? Anna Elton says there are specific, surprisingly simple things couples can do to keep desire, intimacy and connection alive — and some can actually be fun. Anna is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and clinical sexologist who writes for Psychology Today. She is author of The Formula of Desire: What Brings Us Together and Drives Us Apart, and the Science of Connection (https://link.amazon/B02Uzxa9n). To take the assessment she discusses go to: https://theformulaofdesire.com/assessments/
Ever pour yourself a glass of ice water only to discover it tastes or smells vaguely like garlic, onions or last night’s dinner? The water probably isn’t the culprit. It’s your ice. Listen as I explain how those strange flavors get into ice cubes — and the simple thing you can do to stop it. https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/refrigerators/refrigerator-is-making-smelly-ice-cubes-a1166770149/
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Laundry mistakes that shorten the life of your clothes, plus what happens when you put some much-needed quiet back into your day.
2026/10/10
You have seen a dollar bill hundreds of times, but have you ever really studied it? It’s fascinating. And the number 13 plays a prominent role. This episode begins with a short tour of a U.S. $1 bill. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/kids/games/riddles/jokes/dollar-bill-trivia
You spend a lot of time with clothes – wearing them, buying them, and washing them. How you care for your clothes is important. If you care for them the right way, they will last a lot longer and look a lot better. You will also probably save yourself a lot of time and money. Joining me to explain the right and wrong ways to care for clothes is Zach Pozniak. He is a fourth-generation fabric-care expert and dry cleaner. He is all over social media offering popular advice on this topic at https://www.instagram.com/jeeves_ny/ and he is the author of the bestselling book, The Laundry Book: The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens (https://amzn.to/3Nu3I2Z).
When was the last time you carved out some quiet time in your day to just sit alone with your thoughts? Today, people are constantly seeking distraction and stimulation from other people or their smartphone with zero quiet time. Yet, that quiet time can deliver huge benefits to you. For one thing, it allows you to be better prepared and more deliberate about what you do rather than just race through your day reacting to whatever comes along. And there is so much more to this as you will hear from my guest Joe McCormack. He is an entrepreneur and writer who in 2022 launched the Quiet Works program to help people manage the noise in their lives. He is author of the book Quiet Works: Making Silence the Secret Ingredient of the Workday (https://amzn.to/3NwuKa9).
There is some controversy around those baby “cocktail” carrots sold in the store. Some people claim they are unsafe to eat and that they don’t taste as good as regular carrots. Listen as I reveal where these carrots come from and whether you should eat them or not. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8068373/baby-carrots-vs-regular-carrots/
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KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
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How to Have Great Conversations & The Surprising Truth About Optimism
2026/10/08
Ever get a song stuck in your head that simply will not leave? That’s an earworm, and while it will eventually fade away on its own, there are some things you can do to help get rid of it sooner. Listen and discover what works. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/songs-get-stuck-head
Being a good conversationalist can make an enormous difference in your personal and professional life. Yet most of us were never actually taught how to have a great conversation. How do you comfortably talk to someone you don’t know? What do you do when the conversation stalls? How do you change the subject without making it awkward? Behavioral researcher Vanessa Van Edwards joins me with practical strategies for making conversations easier, more natural and more memorable. She is an instructor at Harvard University and author of Conversation: How to Connect with Anyone and Make Every Interaction Count (https://link.amazon/B027NJjiF).
Martin Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology, so you might assume he has always been an extraordinarily optimistic person. Not even close. Martin has struggled with pessimism and negative thoughts throughout his life. He joins me to explain what optimism really is, why it matters, and how something called agency can change the way you approach your life and your future—even if optimism doesn’t come naturally to you. Martin is the author of more than 30 books. His latest is Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress (https://link.amazon/B08KM3n8m).
There are sounds all around you right now that your brain has decided you don’t need to hear—the refrigerator humming, a clock ticking, traffic in the distance. So how does your brain decide what gets your attention and what disappears into the background? Listen and find out. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3715733
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AIRDOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SYSK TRENDING -The Intriguing Mysteries of the Universe
2026/10/06
There are some questions about the universe that are almost too big to wrap your head around. Why are we here? How did everything begin? Are we alone — or is there intelligent life somewhere else? Could aliens already know about us? And if the universe had a beginning, how does this whole thing eventually end?
In this episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles some of the most fascinating mysteries of the cosmos and separates what scientists actually know from what remains speculation. He explains what we know about our place in the universe, the chances that life exists elsewhere, what an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence might look like, and what science predicts about the ultimate fate of the universe.
Along the way, Neil offers the kind of perspective that comes from thinking on a cosmic scale — where Earth is just one tiny place in an unimaginably enormous universe and some of our biggest questions still don't have definitive answers. It’s a fascinating conversation about what we know, what we don’t know, and what we may someday discover.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, host of the podcast StarTalk (https://www.startalkradio.net/), and author of the book Cosmic Queries (https://amzn.to/3bp2dkr).
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AIRDOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When to Speak Up and When to Stay Quiet & Why Smart Investors Do Crazy Things
2026/10/05
What are spiders doing inside your home? You’ve probably spotted a few crawling around, especially in the fall. But contrary to what you might assume, many of those spiders didn’t just wander in from outdoors. And there’s a very specific reason you suddenly start seeing more of them this time of year — it has a lot to do with romance. https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/arachnology-and-entomology/spider-myths/myth-spiders-come-indoors
Should you say something — or just keep your mouth shut? It’s a dilemma we face all the time. Do you tell someone they have something stuck in their teeth? Should you ask a stranger who is crying if they’re okay? What about telling a friend what you really think about the person they’re dating? It turns out we’re surprisingly bad at predicting how people will react when we speak up — or how they’ll feel when we don’t. Vanessa Bohns joins me with fascinating research that can help you handle these awkward everyday moments much better. She is a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University and author of Should I Say Something?: The Science of What to Share—and What to Keep to Yourself (https://link.amazon/B03B4LfqD).
We like to think investing is about numbers, facts and rational decisions. Yet stock prices and investor behavior can be influenced by things that seemingly have nothing to do with money — including the weather, politics and even the outcome of a sporting event. Why do otherwise intelligent investors make such irrational decisions, and can understanding those quirks actually give you an advantage? Alex Edmans explains the fascinating psychology that drives financial markets and how recognizing it can help you make smarter decisions. Alex is a professor of finance at London Business School and a leading expert on behavioral finance. He is author of The Madness of Markets: Why Smart Investors Make Crazy Decisions—and How to Exploit Them (https://link.amazon/B0eq2D3g9).
Come autumn, pumpkins are everywhere. We carve them, decorate our homes with them and, of course, eat plenty of pumpkin-flavored foods. But the pumpkin you scoop out of a can looks nothing like the inside of that big orange pumpkin sitting on your porch. So what exactly is in canned pumpkin — and why is it so different? The answer may change the way you look at pumpkin pie. https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-canned-pumpkin-11747656
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AIRDOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Tech of Tomorrow That Never Arrived & The Remarkable History of Teeth - SYSK Choice
2026/10/03
Groceries are expensive, but there is a surprisingly simple way to leave the supermarket with a smaller bill — and it has less to do with what you buy than how you shop. I begin this episode with a technique that could help you spend less every time you go to the grocery store. Source: Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko(https://link.amazon/B03ckVUuD)
For decades, we’ve been told the future would bring flying cars, human-like robots, smart cities, self-driving vehicles and all sorts of other technological wonders. So…where are they? Why do so many innovations that always seem to be “just around the corner” never quite arrive? Technology and science journalist Nicole Kobie reveals what really happens between a great futuristic idea and the day it becomes part of everyday life — and why predicting the future of technology is so difficult. Nicole is a contributing editor for Wired and author of The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow’s Technology Still Isn’t Here (https://link.amazon/B0h9cxllC).
You probably don’t give your teeth much thought until one of them hurts. Yet teeth have an extraordinary story. Some creatures have no teeth at all, while others continually replace theirs throughout their lives. So why do humans get only two sets? And how did teeth become so important to eating, speaking, survival and even our appearance? Zoologist Bill Schutt takes us through the strange and fascinating history of teeth and explains how they evolved into what is in your mouth today. Bill is the author of six books, including Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans (https://link.amazon/B08TCbaUy).
Paying off debt is obviously good for your finances. What’s surprising is what it may do for your body. Research has found a connection between carrying significant debt and some important measures of physical health. Listen as I explain why reducing what you owe could benefit more than just your bank account. https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2013/08/16/debt_and_health/
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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
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TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST
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How to Take Smarter Risks in Life & The Lies You Tell Yourself
2026/10/01
You’ve probably seen the warning on your passenger-side car mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Which raises an obvious question: Why put a mirror on your car that deliberately distorts reality? Turns out there is a very good reason—and that distortion may actually help keep you safe. https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/why-objects-in-mirror-closer-than-they-appear.htm
We hear all the time that the world has become a riskier place and that the smart thing to do is play it safe. But is that really true? And what do you give up when avoiding risk becomes your default? Economist Allison Schrager explains why younger people appear more risk-averse than previous generations, why safety has a price, and how to tell the difference between a foolish gamble and a risk actually worth taking. Allison is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion. She is author of Worth the Risk: The Seven Myths That Keep Us from Taking the Chances We Need to Take (https://link.amazon/B0cRfL4UU).
Right now, there are things you believe about yourself that feel like undeniable facts. Maybe you believe you’re bad at something, that certain people don’t like you, or that you simply aren’t the kind of person who can do certain things. But what if some of those “facts” aren’t facts at all? They may be what social psychologist Owen Fitzpatrick calls inner propaganda—stories your mind has repeated so often that you’ve come to accept them as truth. Owen explains why this inner propaganda can be so convincing and, most importantly, how to recognize it and challenge it. He has studied propaganda around the world, including in North Korea, and his TEDx talk on mind control has been viewed more than 1.4 million times. His latest book is Inner Propaganda: Leading Hearts and Minds Through Turbulent Times (https://link.amazon/B0aZRzMzg).
Cats are missing the ability to taste something humans often find irresistible. Oddly enough, cats can also taste something that we can't. Neither is an accident. The explanation goes back to what cats evolved to eat—and offers a fascinating little glimpse into just how differently your cat experiences its dinner. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-cats-taste-no-sweets/
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AQUATRU: Head to https:AquaTru.com and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK, with a 30 day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back!
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST
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SYSK TRENDING - Why Gossip Is Actually Good for You
2026/09/29
Who doesn’t like a bit of juicy gossip? We tend to think gossip is petty, mean or something we probably shouldn’t be doing. Yet practically everyone gossips—and it turns out there are some very good reasons why.
Gossip actually serves several useful purposes in our personal and professional lives. It can help us figure out whom to trust, learn what’s going on within a group and warn us about people we might want to steer clear of. So why does gossip have such a bad reputation? When does it turn nasty? And is there a right way to gossip?
Frank McAndrew is one of the leading researchers on the psychology of gossip. He joins me to explain why we gossip, why most gossip isn’t nearly as bad as we think, and how to gossip well. Frank is Professor of Psychology at Knox College in Illinois. You can learn more about him at https://www.frankmcandrew.com/.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AQUATRU: Head to https:AquaTru.com and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK, with a 30 day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back!
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Read a Room Like a Pro & The Surprising Truth About Self-Esteem
2026/09/28
If you’ve ever tried to look at your phone while wearing sunglasses and found the screen strangely dark—or even completely black—there’s a fascinating reason why. And you don’t necessarily have to take off your sunglasses to fix it. Listen and discover a very simple trick. https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyewear/sunglasses/lenses/polarized-lenses-and-lcd-screens/
Imagine walking into a meeting, party or conference and quickly figuring out who has influence, who knows whom, who feels uncomfortable and what is really going on beneath the surface. That’s the skill of “reading the room.” Some people seem naturally good at it, but it turns out the rest of us can learn it too. Pamela Meyer explains what to watch and listen for—and how becoming a better social observer can give you a real advantage at work and in everyday life. Pamela is an expert in deception and human behavior, a Certified Fraud Examiner and founder and CEO of Calibrate. She is author of How to Read the Room: The Art and Science of Social Observation(https://link.amazon/B07AOq218).
Most of us assume that good self-esteem comes from feeling positive about ourselves. But trying to convince yourself that you’re wonderful may not work—and can sometimes make you feel worse. So where does genuine self-worth actually come from? Psychologist Dr. Marisa Franco explains the surprising science of self-esteem, why compliments and positive self-talk don’t always have the effect we expect, and what actually helps us feel more secure in ourselves and our relationships. Marisa is a professor at the University of Maryland and author of Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment (https://link.amazon/B01yeoZk0).
There is an unmistakable smell when you walk into an old bookstore or open a book that has been sitting on a shelf for decades. Where does that “old book smell” actually come from? Even more interesting is why so many people find it so pleasant. It turns out there’s some intriguing chemistry—and psychology—behind it. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/why-do-old-books-smell-so-good
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
AQUATRU: Head to https:AquaTru.com and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK, with a 30 day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back!
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Pets Behave So Strangely & The Surprising Rhythm of Your Brain - SYSK Choice
2026/09/26
How is your posture right now? If your shoulders are slouched, you may be sending a message to other people that you never intended to send. Your shoulders can communicate confidence, uncertainty, stress and more. Listen as I explain what your posture may be saying about you. https://www.jnforensics.com/post/what-the-shoulders-say-about-us
Why are dogs so picky about where they poop? Can cats tell how you’re feeling? And does a goldfish really have a three-second memory? We love our pets, but some of the things they do can be baffling. Eleanor Spicer Rice is an entomologist and author of Your Pet’s Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors (https://amzn.to/3BblxB3). Listen as she reveals what’s really behind some of the strangest things our pets do.
Your brain doesn’t work the same way all day long. Certain kinds of thinking are easier at particular times, which means when you tackle a task may be almost as important as how you tackle it. Dr. Mithu Storoni is a physician, neuroscience researcher and author of Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work (https://amzn.to/3TAAOSd). Listen as she explains how to work with your brain’s natural rhythm instead of fighting against it.
You might assume that someone with a bigger head has a bigger brain — and therefore must be smarter. Sounds logical, but is it true? Scientists have actually looked at the relationship between brain size and intelligence, and the answer is more interesting than you might expect. Listen and find out what really matters. https://odditiesbizarre.com/people-with-big-heads/
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How Optimism Works in Tough Times & The Curious Story of Breakfast Cereal
2026/09/24
When someone gets a nosebleed, what are you supposed to do? Many of us learned that you should tilt your head back. That’s not a good idea. There are a couple of key actions to take when your nose bleeds that many people don’t know or don’t do. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683
It’s easy to dismiss optimism as hoping for the best or always looking for the bright side. Yet, true optimism is so much more than that once you understand it. And adopting an optimistic mindset has been proven to make people happier, improve health and longevity and a host of other benefits. True optimism is a belief about yourself as you are about to hear from Michelle Gielan. She is a positive psychology researcher, former anchor of the CBS Morning News and author of the book Resilient Optimism (https://amzn.to/4xNeyqi).
For decades, the go to food for breakfast for many people is cereal. Is it a good choice? Well, that’s going to depend on which of the many cereals you choose. Where did cereals come from and how did they become synonymous with breakfast? What’s in them? And should you really start your day with a bowl of it. Here to discuss that is Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at NYU a leading expert on food politics. She is the author of many books, and her latest is Sugar Coated: Unboxing the Hidden Forces Shaping America's Favorite Breakfast Food. (https://amzn.to/46NqQTL).
Everyone knows walking is good for you. But there is a particular time when a walk or even a leisurely stroll can pay big dividends. And the right time to take that stroll depends on when you eat. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/walking-after-eating
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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
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VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
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SYSK TRENDING - How the Negativity Effect Rules Us
2026/09/22
Someone says nine wonderful things about you and one negative thing. Which one are you still thinking about hours later? Probably the negative one. Bad experiences, criticism and unpleasant news seem to have more power over us than equally good things. And it turns out there is a reason for that.
Psychologists call it the negativity effect — our tendency to give more weight and attention to what goes wrong than to what goes right. It influences what we remember, the risks we take, the decisions we make and even how we judge other people. We will often work harder to avoid something bad than we will to gain something equally good.
John Tierney has researched this phenomenon and explains why negativity has such a powerful hold on us — and, more importantly, what we can do about it. John is a journalist and co-author of The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It (https://amzn.to/30Gn3EQ). Listen as he reveals how the negativity effect shows up in relationships, work, parenting and everyday decisions — and how understanding it can keep the bad from overpowering all the good.
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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
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DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
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Stop Trying So Hard to Sleep & Why New Things Are So Hard to Resist
2026/09/21
Why do your fingers and toes sometimes feel freezing cold when the rest of you feels perfectly comfortable? It’s actually your body doing something very deliberate to protect you. Listen and discover what’s going on — and why warming those fingers and toes back up can be so difficult. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-are-my-hands-and-feet-always-cold-and-should-i-worry
Are you getting enough sleep? Is it good-quality sleep? Why did you wake up at 3 a.m.? For a lot of people, sleep has become something to measure, manage and worry about. But all that effort may actually be making sleep worse. Sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski says one of the best things you can do for your sleep may be to stop trying so hard. She has worked in sleep research at Harvard Medical School and is author of Think Less, Sleep More: From Panic & Perfectionism to Stress-Free Sleep (https://amzn.to/3SOGsmM). Listen as she explains why sleep is more resilient than you think — and how worrying about it can become the real problem.
There is something almost irresistible about “new.” A new phone, new car, new clothes, new gadgets — new things grab our attention and promise that life will somehow be a little better once we have them. And today, getting something new is easier than ever. But all that novelty comes at a price in money, time and attention. Eric Athas, an editor at The New York Times, explores why we are so attracted to new things, why the feeling wears off so quickly and what we may gain by resisting the urge to constantly upgrade. He is author of Saying No to New: Why New Things Are Stealing Your Time, Money, and Happiness―And How to Take Back Your Life(https://amzn.to/4iTUs9c).
Goosebumps are strange when you think about them. They appear when you’re cold, scared or even moved by music — yet they don’t seem to accomplish much. Turns out they once served a very useful purpose. Listen and discover why humans still get goosebumps even though we no longer have much use for them. https://humanorigins.si.edu/education/fun-facts/why-do-we-get-goose-bumps
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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
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VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
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How Horses Shaped History & The Surprising Upside of Laziness – SYSK Choice
2026/09/19
We have become much more of a cashless society in the last few years. That turns out to be a good thing because cash is really disgusting. Listen as I explain just how disgusting and you are not going to like it! Source: Elizabeth Scott, author of How to Prevent Food Poisoning (https://amzn.to/3XKAvHf).
Horses are the “Swiss army knife of animals.” They can do so much. Consequently, over the last 5,000 years they have done more to shape our lives and alter human history than any other animal. If it weren’t for horses, your life today would be considerably different. That’s according to my guest, Timothy Winegard who has researched the remarkable impact horses have had on us. He is author of the book, The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity (https://amzn.to/4grRHZa). Listen as Timothy takes you on a fascinating journey through equine history.
Being lazy isn’t considered a good thing by most people. But maybe it is. If you want to achieve your goals and be successful, there is a great case to be made for being lazy some of the time That’s according to Todd McElroy. He is a researcher, educator, and author of the book The Science of Laziness (Achieving More by Doing Less) (https://amzn.to/4e1R5rw). Listen as Todd explains the power of strategic laziness and revels exactly how to do it.
In the heat of summer, air conditioning can be wonderful. Still, it can also be the source of concern, particularly when it comes to weight gain and obesity. Listen as I explain the connection and why we need to be concerned. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gravity-weight/201606/body-weight-in-the-time-climate-control
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to https://kachava.com and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!
TREES.COM: Right now, https://Trees.com have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.
MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50
VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Podcast reviews
Read Something You Should Know podcast reviews
FWTfaazy74 2026/10/07
Great Way to Learn
I love books but struggle to stay motivated to read. A lot of podcasts are great but get so in depth that my mind wanders. The way this podcast is set...
Matt p ohio 2026/10/02
Long Time Listener just stopped following
I really liked this podcast but the the publisher continues to fill the show feeds with other podcasts which I am not interested in. I have decided th...
Shell127 2026/10/01
Love Learning something New
I’ve been listening to your Podcast for years. Ive even used some of your facts with my patient consults and they always find the facts interesting :)
MacX.Dmg 2026/09/29
I’m debating if it’s 1 star
The production quality is high enough, and quality of the guests that I think it deserves as 2 star. I’m not sure where I found this, I know it’s not ...
763948 2026/09/11
LOVE THIS PODCAST
I absolutely love this podcast! It’s fun, informative, doesn’t go so deep that it gets boring but gives you plenty of insight if you want to do a deep...
McGooberGuyThatIsAMime 2026/08/22
Great subject, clear narration
I love lots of podcasts, but some of them drive me crazy, because the host/narrator tends to drop in volume toward the end of a sentence, or uses a lo...
Long Time Listener Gone 2026/08/20
Just lost all credibility
The fact that this podcast recommended Ben Shapiro just validates where the direction of this podcast is going as well as the loss of its credibility....
Noble Casserole 2026/08/20
Ableist slur
Having the Ben Shapiro show pop up in my feed with an ableist slur in the title was a huge disappointment.
Juggehybergdcbjkkorwacvnmkigec 2026/08/18
Ben Shapiro?
Thought the quality of some of the episodes was questionable but kept it in my feed and then finally saw this recommendation that made unfollowing rea...
Ali Schuback 2026/08/17
Mike, Thank you again
Mike,
I love Arthur Brooks. He is just fabulous. (good get- as I think they say in some industries)!
Ali Schuback
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