Something You Should Know

Salt makes food taste good – maybe too good. We begin this episode by discussing research that shows how salty foods may make you eat more food than you planned and more than you should. http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/nutrition/a54074/salty-food-leadsto-overeating/ We are all concerned about toxins in our environment. However, it isn’t always clear which toxins are most worrisome and where they are. Dr. Gary Ginsberg knows. He is the director of The Center for Environmental Health for the New York State Department of Health, a clinical professor at the Yale School of Public Health and author of the book What’s Toxic What’s Not (https://amzn.to/2T64tAI) . Dr. Ginsberg explains what things you should really be concerned about and what to do to reduce your exposure to dangerous toxins. On television you’ll sometimes see a character get really angry and then clutch his chest and have a heart attack. Or you might see someone in a movie get some bad news and then have a heart attack. Does that ever happen in real life? Listen as I explore that. http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=141134 The world of employment is constantly changing. In order to get ahead and advance in your career you need to understand and adapt to those changes. No one has their finger on the pulse of the job market than Alexandra Cavoulacos, co-founder of The Muse.com and author of the book The New Rules of Work (https://amzn.to/2XULHQu). Alex joins me to share the latest trends and offers rock solid advice that can really help you. This Week's Sponsors -Fab Fit Fun. For $10 off your first box, go to www.FabFitFun.com and use the promo code: something -Trip Actions. Go towww.TripActions.com/something to complete a 30 minute demo and receive a $100Amazon gift card. -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Select Quote. Get your free insurance quote at www.SelectQuote.com/something -Indeed. Post a sponsored job for free at www.Indeed.com/podcast -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance -Capital One. What's in your wallet? www.CapitalOne.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of course you want high self-esteem and you sure want your kids to have it. But there is actually only one way to get it and it is not the way a lot of people think. We begin this episode by discussing the one and only way to acquire high self-esteem. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110301091342.htm No one likes to fail. Failure is painful. However, failure may not be as bad as you think when you take a different view of it. That’s according to psychologist Becca North, a visiting assistant professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and author of the book Your Hidden Super Powers: How the Whole Truth of Failure Can Change Our Lives (https://amzn.to/2W0chGg). She joins me to discuss a very practical and optimistic take on failure that can help you deal with failing and come out better on the other side. Do you eat lunch at your desk at work? It is such a horrible idea. Listen and hear the reasons why you should NOT eat at your desk and why you should go out for lunch. Then, please, go out for lunch today! http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/lunch-break In this age of fad diets and extreme eating plans, is there a more moderate way to approach diet and weight loss? Yes there is, according to registered dietician Jaclyn London who is the director of nutrition at Good Housekeeping magazine. Jaclyn, who is also the author of the book Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) (https://amzn.to/2XYVjJT) joins me to discuss how to eat more and stress less over food and stop worrying so much about body weight. This Week’s Sponsors -Capterra. Find the best software for your business by going to www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance -Joybird Furniture. Go to www.joybird.com/something and get 25% your first order using promo code: something -Indeed. New users can try Indeed for free by going to www.Indeed.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isn’t it great when you have an “A-Ha Moment”? It’s when an idea or the answer to a problem just pops in your head. But is it actually a GOOD idea? We begin this episode by exploring whether those thoughts are worth paying attention to. http://drexel.edu/now/archive/2016/March/Insight_Correctness/ You hear so many things about success such as, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know” or “Nice guys finish last.” The fact is that so much of what people believe about success has been studied scientifically and it turns out some of what we believe is true and other things are not. Eric Barker who writes the blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree and is also author of the book Barking Up the Wrong Tree. (https://amzn.to/2NTGkfT) joins me to explore the science of success and how to apply it to your life. You’ve probably heard that we are all connected by no more than 6 degrees of separation. It is the basis of the game, “6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” But is it true? Are we all that connected? And where did this whole idea come from? Listen and I will explain. http://www.vox.com/2016/2/4/10918942/facebook-friends-study-degrees-of-separation You don’t think about them much but your bones are pretty important and as it turns out, they are really fascinating as well. Writer Brian Switek author of the book Skeleton Keys: The Secret Life of Bone (https://amzn.to/2UyUhT6) reveals the fascinating things going on inside the 206 bones in your body (more or less). This Week’s Sponsors -Capterra. Find the best software for your business by going to www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance -Joybird Furniture. Go to www.joybird.com/something and get 25% your first order using promo code: something -Indeed. New users can try Indeed for free by going to www.Indeed.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has heard about antioxidants. In fact, a lot of people take antioxidant supplements. But is more better? We begin this episode with a look at antioxidants, what they do and when too much of them could be a bad thing. https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/03/09/do-you-really-need-antioxidants Just how smart are you? Well, actually it depends. It is clear that your brain works better when you do certain lifestyle things and avoid other things. For example, how much you sleep you get and much alcohol you drink can have a real impact on how you think. David Bardsley, author of the book Smarter Next Year: The Revolutionary Science for a Smarter, Happier You (https://amzn.to/2tUXcK8) joins me to reveal simple lifestyle changes that can make you smarter and improve the way your brain functions at any age. What makes a woman beautiful? That may seem like a complicated question but in one significant way, the answer is quite simple. Listen as I explain. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3477150/Bland-really-beautifulResearchers-simple-faces-likely-seen-attractive-easier-brain-process.html Efficiency is good but too much efficiency may not be. In fact, trying to be too efficient can actually make you less efficient. That’s according to Edward Tenner, a distinguished scholar at the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation and author of the book The Efficiency Paradox (https://amzn.to/2CaWgpk). Listen as he discusses how doing things efficiently isn’t necessarily always better - and how we have to balance efficiency with quality and intuition. This Week’s Sponsors -LinkedIn Jobs. For $50 off your first job posting, go to www.Linkedin.com/podcast -Calming Comfort Blanket. For $15 off the posted price, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code: something. -Care/OF Vitamins. For 50% off your first month of Care/Of Vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something50 -Geico. To save money on car home or renters’ insurance go to www.Geico.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decision making is easy when you have to choose one of two options. However, when you add that third option (or more), it is amazing how the decision making process can fall apart – even for really smart people. This episode begins with an explanation as to why that is. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3469751/Why-clever-people-make-baddecisions-Having-options-creates-noise-brain-leads-irrational-choices.html Even though many people say they don’t like to negotiate, the fact is we all do it every single day. We are constantly negotiating with co-workers, the boss, kids, friends, customer service and even the occasional car salesman. Since we all have to do it, you might as well discover how to do it better. Listen to hear some great advice and insight from G. Richard Shell, professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, academic director of Wharton’s executive training programs on negotiation influence and persuasion and author of the book Bargaining for Advantage : Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People (https://amzn.to/2ERQcno) Taking photos at a funeral seems like a bad idea. Hardly anyone does it. But maybe we should. Listen and I’ll explain why those photos may one day become quite significant if someone would take them. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-reasons-you-should-ask-someone-to-take-photos-at-a-funeral_n_5b9f3a6fe4b03a1dcca76e67 Every day we have to do things we don’t like to do. Those are the things you hate and wish would go away - and they often get put off until later. Eventually though, they have to be done. So here with some help for getting those things accomplished is Lara Honos-Webb, PhD and author of the book Brain Hacks: Life-Changing Strategies to Improve Executive Functioning (https://amzn.to/2IYWGoC). This Week’s Sponsors -LinkedIn Jobs. For $50 off your first job posting, go to www.Linkedin.com/podcast -Calming Comfort Blanket. For $15 off the posted price, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code: something. -Care/OF Vitamins. For 50% off your first month of Care/Of Vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something50 -Geico. To save money on car home or renters’ insurance go to www.Geico.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every driver has likely had the experience of encountering a motorcycle that “came out of nowhere.” How does that happen? There is actually an explanation for why this is such a common occurrence and we begin today's episode with the explanation. http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/motorcycles/a19641/why-you-dont-seemotorcycles-on-the-road/ Every piece of technology you use has a story of how it came to be. Some of those stories are fascinating. For example, did you know YouTube was originally a dating website? It’s one of the many stories told by Dagogo Altraide, creator of the Cold Fusion YouTube channel and author of the book, New Thinking: From Einstein to Artificial Intelligence, the Science and Technology that Transformed Our World (https://amzn.to/2T8RmUu).Listen as Dagogo explains fascinating backstories from the original telephone to the iPhone, Netflix and even the movie, Toy Story. Here is the link to Dagogo's YouTube channel, "Cold Fusion": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4QZ_LsYcvcq7qOsOhpAX4A Some photos just don’t belong on social media – not because they are offensive but mostly because they are boring to look at and nobody cares. Listen as I offer some suggestions on the types of photos most people would rather NOT see you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or anywhere else. https://www.purewow.com/tech/Things-to-Never-Post-on-Social-Media There is an assumption in the U.S. that if you get sick, you go to the doctor and he or she will fix it. The problem with that assumption is that it isn’t true for a lot of medical problems. Relying on the healthcare system to live a long and healthy life is a risky proposition according to Robert Kaplan, a behavioral scientist at Stanford University and author of the book More Than Medicine: The Broken Promise of American Health (https://amzn.to/2IISfy9). Robert explains why healthcare can’t fix a lot of problems and what you can do to stay healthy and live a long time. This Week's Sponsors -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Select Quote. Get your free insurance quote at www.SelectQuote.com/something -Trip Actions. Go towww.TripActions.com/something to complete a 30 minute demo and receive a $100Amazon gift card. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever have the feeling someone is watching you? Almost everyone has had the experience but do humans actually have the ability to sense that? I begin this episode by explaining the science behind the sense of being watched. http://www.popsci.com/why-do-i-feel-like-someones-watching-me People influence you and you influence other people. It happens all the time all day long. What is so interesting is that it often happens in ways you are unaware of. Matthew Jackson is a professor of Economics at Stanford University and author of a new book called The Human Network: How Your Social Position Determines Your Power, Beliefs and Behaviors https://amzn.to/2EvVfJY joins me to offer some fascinating insight into how you influence others and they – you. If you have been told anything about emotions in the workplace it was probably that you shouldn’t have any or don’t cry at work. “Check your emotions at the door” is common company policy in many organizations. Liz Fosslien, author of the book No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work https://amzn.to/2BY8zFn says the problem is that emotions are in the workplace and they can cause big problems. Listen as she offers solutions to deal with your emotions and those of the people you work with. Why do we still have the U.S. penny? Other countries have eliminated their smallest value coin - but not here. Why? Listen and I’ll explain why we still mint millions of pennies every year. https://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T043-C000-S001-why-the-humble-penny-refuses-to-die.html This Week's Sponsors -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Select Quote. Get your free insurance quote at www.SelectQuote.com/something -Trip Actions. Go towww.TripActions.com/somethingto complete a 30 minute demo and receive a $100Amazon gift card. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever go out knowing your hair looks horrible or there is something wrong with your clothes? Everyone probably has but the more important question is – does anyone actually notice. This episodes begins with some fascinating research about how much people actually pay attention to you and your physical appearance. http://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/psychology-of-hair/ So many factors influence what you eat and how much you eat – and you are totally unaware of many of them. Dr. Brian Wansink, Director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University and author of the book Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/2XlCS1M) returns for a closer look at how you are influenced and how to protect yourself from eating too much of the wrong food. Every office has a set of coffee mugs in the kitchen that people use. Have you ever stopped to consider just how clean those coffee mugs are? A scientist has tested mugs in several offices and wait until you hear what he found. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/02/23/Expert-Coffee-mug-on-desk-agerm-machine/UPI-72401361679514/?spt=hs&or=hn Bad things happen. They are part of life. Often when catastrophe strikes, people freak out and don’t cope well with the situation. That’s why Sarah Knight is here. Sarah was one of those people who worried about problems rather than actually deal with them. Then she found a better way. Sarah is the author of the book Calm the F* Down: How to Control What You Can, Accept What You Can’t So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life )https://amzn.to/2VnXNzn). Listen as Sarah offers some great advice to help deal with those inevitable disasters that life brings and come out better as a result. This Week's Sponsors -Purple Mattress. Text "Something" to 84888 to get a free pillow when you buy a mattress. -Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you tell just by looking if someone is honest and trustworthy? Actually you can but the reason will surprise you. Listen as I begin this episode of the podcast by explaining why you usually can trust in your instincts in this case. http://www.columbia.edu/~ms4992/Publications/2016_Slepian-Ames_PychSci.pdf After you listen to this segment, you will never look at success quite the same. Laszlo Barabasi, is a professor at Northeastern University and author of the book The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success (https://amzn.to/2EtKW9t). He explains how to objectively measure success and reveals some interesting factors that influence your success that you would have never imagined. There is a lot of conventional wisdom you likely believe. Things like, “Don’t just a book by its cover” or “Everyone deserves a second chance” or “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” However all of these things are not necessarily true all the time - or maybe ever. Attorney David Libman author of the book 100 Reality Checks (https://amzn.to/2E7JGqW) takes a critical look at some common wisdom and offers another take that may just make a lot more sense. It’s spelled phlegm. It’s pronounced FLEM. It’s that gross goo you get in throat and nose when you get sick. What is it and why do we get it? Listen as I explain the purpose of the seemingly disgusting substance. And really, how many podcasts are going to tell you this? http://www.menshealth.com/health/get-rid-of-phlegm This Week's Sponsors -Purple Mattress. Text "Something" to 84888 to get a free pillow when you buy a mattress. Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are a lot of things you likely believe that are not true. For example, sugar causes hyperactivity in children. That’s just one of several commonly held beliefs that are not true as I begin this episode of the podcast. http://www.rd.com/culture/false-facts-everyone-believes/ You are constantly talking to yourself. And when you actually paid attention to what you are saying to yourself – you will be amazed. Shad Helmstetter author of the book What to Say When You Talk to Yourself (https://amzn.to/2NfCg9e) and his new book The Power of Neuroplasticity (https://amzn.to/2TWPyKo) joins me with a fascinating look at how what we say to ourselves actually shapes who we are. He also offers ways to stop telling yourself all the terrible things like, “I’m so stupid…” or “I’m such an idiot…” because it can make a huge difference in your life. Shad's website is www.shadhelmstetter.com Some people try to squeeze the very last piece of toothpaste out of the tube or the last drop of shampoo out of the bottle. Is it worth the effort? How much can you save? I’ll explain the math then you can decide. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/the-last-bit-in-the-container/ In every country in the developed world, boys are falling behind girls academically and socially. Why? What has happened that seems to have marginalized boys today? It seems there are a lot of factors according to Warren Farrell, former board member of the NYC branch of the National Organization for Women and author of the book The Boy Crisis (https://amzn.to/2El9TDW). Warren joins me with a look at how this has happened and how we can all help boys get back on track. This Week's Sponsors -Joybird Furniture. Go to www.joybird.com/something and get 25% your first order using promo code: something -Capterra. Find the best software for your business by going to www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.geico.com for your free quote. -Care/Of Vitamins. For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter promo code: something50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you grocery shop, are you one of those people who sometimes changes their mind and takes items out of your shopping cart and stashes them somewhere in the checkout line so you don’t have to buy them? Well, stores are making it harder to do that and that is just ones of the ways grocery stores try to get you to spend more money. I start this episode with a list of several other strategies grocery stores use because knowing could help you save money. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/supermarket-tricks/ There is an interesting distinction between being rich and being wealthy according to writer Paul Sullivan. Paul writes the “Wealth Matters” column for The New York Times and he is author of the book, The Thin Green Line: The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy (https://amzn.to/2GKrqae) and he joins me to explain the difference and why being wealthy is far better than being rich. More importantly he explains how anyone can be wealthy. When it comes to what women find attractive in a man – sure, looks are important. But there is something else any man can easily do to make himself more attractive and appealing to a woman. It may not work every single time but research says it is pretty powerful. Listen to hear what it is. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-women-are-attracted-to-altruistic-men-2016-2 Wouldn’t it be great if you could control any conversation so it went the way you wanted it to? MaryAnn Karinch, author of the book Control the Conversation: How to Charm, Deflect and Defend Your Position (https://amzn.to/2EgqOr6), joins me to explore the ways you can master the art of conversation, be thoroughly charming and get the outcome you desire from any conversation with anyone. This Week's Sponsors -Joybird Furniture. Go to www.joybird.com/something and get 25% your first order using promo code: something -Capterra. Find the best software for your business by going to www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.geico.com for your free quote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Couples should have a date night. That’s common advice to help keep the romance alive in long term relationships. But interestingly, “couple time” is not the highest quality time couples can have. In fact it doesn’t even come in second. Listen as I explain another way couples can spend their time that is much more rewarding. https://www.businessinsider.com/double-dates-improve-relationship-2018-2 Do you know how to make your memory work to your advantage? If you have ever had your memory fail at exactly the wrong time, listen to my guest Michael Tipper, author of the book Instant Recall (https://amzn.to/2X00YPv). Michael won the silver medal in the World Memory Championship by remembering 9 decks of playing cards in order! He joins me to offer some excellent techniques to help you understand and use your memory to your best advantage. You know that little front pocket that sits inside the big front pocket on blue jeans? Do you know why it is there and what it is for? The idea for that pocket came from Levi Strauss and when you listen you will hear what the original intended use was – which by the way is pretty much obsolete today. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/what-that-little-pocket-in-your-jeansis-really-for-a6828141.html There are a lot of people in relationships who are not getting what they want from their partner. Why is that? What happens in relationships that results in that seemingly inevitable path of negativity, criticism and conflict – and how do you fix it? Harville Hendrix has been working with couples for a long time to help them break free from the negativity that so often takes over in long term relationships. Harville is a practicing therapist and author of several books including the newly revised version of Getting the Love You Want (https://amzn.to/2IbSbXq) which was a huge bestseller when it first came out several years ago. He joins me to reveal what causes relationships to go off-track and how to instantly change how couples interact so the negativity stops. This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn. Go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast to get $50 off your first job post -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Select Quote. Go to www.SelectQuote.com/something for your free quote today. -Calming Comfort. Go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use promo code : something - to get $15 off at checkout. -Care/Of Vitamins. For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter promo code: something50. -Trip Actions. Go to www.TripActions.com/something to complete a 30 minute demo and receive a $100Amazon gift card. -Geico. Go to www.geico.com for your free quote. -Postmates. For $100 free delivery credit, download the app and use the code: something. -Purple Get a free Purple pillow with the purchase of a mattress. Just text "Something" to 79-79-79. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to be more persuasive, there is one little sentence to tack on to the end of any request that is more likely to get people to do what you want. Listen as I begin this episode by revealing that one simple sentence. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10510974.2012.727941?journalCode=rcst20 What makes you human? What is it about us that separates us from other earthly creatures? It’s a fascinating question that has been tackled by Michael Tomasello, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and author of a new book called Becoming Human (https://amzn.to/2I0HHdn). What is so interesting is how we wouldn’t be so human without our interaction with other humans. While we may like to think of ourselves as superior to other animals – it may be more about how we different rather than how we are better. Do you use mouthwash on a regular basis? Did you know the American Dental Association doesn’t recommend that? I’ll explain why killing those bad breath germs in your mouth could have some serious negative consequences. http://www.medicaldaily.com/antiseptic-mouthwash-raises-heart-attack-risk-bloodpressure-chlorhexidine-kills-good-bacteria-helps A lot of people swear by herbal remedies. A lot of other people prefer conventional medicine. Do herbal remedies actually work? And if so, which ones? Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. is a proponent of natural and herbal remedies and she wrote the forward to the new book, Nature's Best Remedies (https://amzn.to/2tguq66) from National Geographic. She joins me to discuss the science behind some popular herbal remedies and offers help sorting out what works and what does not. This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn. Go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast to get $50 off your first job post -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Select Quote. Go to www.SelectQuote.com/something for your free quote today. -Calming Comfort. Go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use promo code : something - to get $15 off at checkout. -Care/Of Vitamins. For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter promo code: something50. -Trip Actions. Go to www.TripActions.com/something to complete a 30 minute demo and receive a $100Amazon gift card. -Geico. Go to www.geico.com for your free quote. -Postmates. For $100 free delivery credit, download the app and use the code: something. -Purple Get a free Purple pillow with the purchase of a mattress. Just text "Something" to 79-79-79. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People who deal with the public as part of their job often begin to believe that people in general are not very bright. For example, one question workers at Disney theme parks are often asked is “What time is the 3 o’clock parade?” Which is, of course, a pretty stupid question on its surface. But it’s how the employees answer the question that makes Disney customer service so legendary – and any organization can do the same thing. https://www.disneyinstitute.com/blog/how-would-you-respond-if-asked-what-time-is-the-3-oclock-parade/ Making money mistakes can be devastating. Yet, a lot of very smart people do some amazingly dumb things with their money according to Jill Schlesinger, business analyst for CBS News, host of the podcast Jill on Money and author of the book, The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money https://amzn.to/2MRHlV5. Listen as Jill explains what to do now to avoid the consequences of stupid money mistakes. We’ve all been told that our attitude is important. I’m sure your parents or a teacher told you something along the lines of: “You can accomplish anything with the right attitude.” But wait a minute. Can the right attitude overcome a lack of skill or talent? John Maxwell, author of dozens of books including The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset https://amzn.to/2TzvrSs joins me to explain what a good attitude can and cannot do and how to use your attitude to make you better at everything you do. The first wrinkles people usually get are around the eyes – crow’s feet is what people call them. If you have them you should rejoice! Listen as I explain why getting these wrinkles can do wonders for how people see and perceive you. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2272240/Smile-Crows-feet-make-look-cleverattractive.html#axzz2JwHRI3EL This Week's Sponsors -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Go to www.GetQuip.com/something to order a Quip toothbrush and get your first refill pack free. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. -Sleep Number. To find your nearest store go to www.SleepNumber.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 that is good advice for everyone. I start this episode with some interesting research that reveals why lying down is a good position to think in. https://lifehacker.com/need-a-creative-boost-try-lying-down-5982463 Just about everyone has had their heart broken even you, I bet. Psychologist Guy Winch, author of the book How to Fix a Broken Heart (https://amzn.to/2UD20it) joins me to explain why a broken heart feels so horrible, how it is different than other forms of grief and why we need to take it more seriously. A broken heart can have negative long-lasting effects and Guy explains how to minimize those effects so you can move on with your life. Imagine life without zero. In the world of numbers, zero is a relatively new addition. And it is the only number that hasn’t changed over time. It is and always has been a circle. Alex Bellos, author of the book Alex’s Adventures in Numberland (https://amzn.to/2MT3G4V) explains some of the fascination facts about numbers like: Why a minute has 60 seconds and an hour has 60 minutes; why a number for nothing (zero) was so revolutionary; why elevator buttons never use negative numbers to indicate floors below ground – and so much more. (Alex is also author of Puzzle Ninja and Soccer School . How can it be that 40% of food in the United States is wasted and thrown away? Many people use coupons and search for bargains at the supermarket and yet so much of that food never gets eaten. Listen as we explore the problem and what we can do. http://www.aol.com/article/2016/02/01/save-money-with-fish-heads-and-potato-scraps /21305862/ This Week's Sponsors -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Go to www.GetQuip.com/something to order a Quip toothbrush and get your first refill pack free. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. -Sleep Number. To find your nearest store go to www.SleepNumber.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people like their chocolate chip cookies crispy right out of the often while others like them soft and chewy and some people like them somewhere in between. This episode begins with an explanation of how to get them just the way you like them every single time. http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/baking/chocolatechip-cookie-types Ever find it hard to get off Facebook or Instagram? Ever find yourself checking social media more often than you know you should? That turns out to be all by design according to Cal Newport. Cal is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and author of the book Digital Minimalism. https://amzn.to/2GcOvCf. Listen as Cal explains how social media sites manipulate your behavior and what you can do about it. There is new science that reveals that the chemicals around your house can really mess with your hormones and your health. Fire retardants in furniture, fragrances in cosmetics, BPA in aluminum cans and credit card receipts – all these things are having serious consequences on you and your family. Pediatrician Dr. Leonardo Trasande is vice-chair for research for the department of pediatrics at New York University and author of the book Sicker, Fatter, Poorer https://amzn.to/2S9GN2b. He joins me to explain the latest research that is sounding the alarm about the effects of these household chemicals. As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may be thinking about buying roses for someone special. Listen as I explain how not all roses are created equal and which ones are best to buy and where best to buy them. http://www.howdini.com/howdini-video-6637626.html This Week’s Sponsors -Capterra. Visit www.Capterra.com/something to find the best software solutions for your business -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have all heard how some people become sad or depressed during the winter months? Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight or the social isolation of winter – or maybe it’s all a myth. I begin this episode with a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and reveal how real it really is. http://medicalresearch.com/mental-health-research/depression/sad-no-relationshipbetween-sunlight-and-depression/20863/ Have you heard of “surveillance capitalism”? It’s the business of collecting data on you and me and then selling that data to others. Google Facebook and a lot of other companies do it. It’s legal – but should it be? Shoshana Zuboff, a professor at Harvard and author of the book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (https://amzn.to/2UlNag5) joins me to explore this highly lucrative business and explains we should all be concerned about it and why it could mean the end of privacy as we know it. As winter storms approach, it is common for people to rush to the grocery and stock up on staples like bread and milk. Often to the point of leaving store shelves bare. But why? Storms only last a day or two. Why are we hoarding supplies as if we will be stranded for weeks? I’ll explain the psychology of all that. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-trails/201601/panic-shopping-the-psychology-the-bread-milk-eggs-rush As a customer you interact with a lot of professional people – waiters, store clerks, doctors, hair dressers teachers and a lot of others. Sometimes those interactions go horribly wrong. So what can you do to make sure things go right? Lynette Padwa author of the book, Say the Magic Words:How to Get What You Want from the People Who Have What You Need (https://amzn.to/2MyhX6A) talked with those professionals and discovered the secrets to making your encounters go well so that you get exactly what you want and everyone is happy. Listen to discover how. This Week’s Sponsors -Capterra. Visit www.Capterra.com/something to find the best software solutions for your business -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I write and post this, much of the U.S. and other parts of the world have been hit by extreme cold in the last several days. So I begin today’s episode with a look at the science of how to stay warm when you are out in the cold. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6620391/How-brace-cold-Science-backed-ways-stay-warm.html “Boy I wish we had more meetings and I wish they lasted longer,” said no one ever in the history of mankind. At best, meetings are a necessary evil in business, organizations and even families. But meetings don’t have to be long, boring and pointless. Steven Rogelberg, Professor of Psychology, Management, and Organizational Science at the University of North Carolina Charlotte is the author of the book The Surprising Science of Meetings https://amzn.to/2WdwBVi and he joins me to reveal how you can make meetings more interesting, meaningful and relevant while making them shorter and maybe even less frequent. And if you like what he has to say, you can visit him at his website: http://stevenrogelberg.com Did you know your cellphone can give you a bad complexion? It turns out a lot of people are having trouble with the skin on their face and it is all because of their cellphone. Listen as I explain why it happens and how to fix it. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a11048/is-your-smartphonecausing-acne/ You don’t have to look far to find podcasts, seminars, books and articles full of people telling you what they think will make you truly happy. However, in this episode we look at the SCIENCE of happiness with Catherine Sanderson. She is the Manwell Family Professor of Life Sciences at Amherst College and author of the book The Positive Shift. https://amzn.to/2S5cYQ2. Listen as Catherine not only explains how to make yourself happier, she also reveals the incredible dividends you receive when you do. This Week's Sponsors -Joybird. To receive an exclusive offer for 25% off your first order go to www.joybird.com/something and use promo code: something -Select Quote. Get your free quote for life insurance today at www.SelectQuote.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a good chance that your partner is not a lot taller or shorter than you are. People seem to be attracted to people who are of a similar height but it is not for the reasons you might think. This episode begins with a fascinating explanation of how height is involved in mate selection. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3408829/Size-DOES-matter-Choosingpartners-similar-height-genes-researchers-say.html) Despite the emphasis on eating natural, healthy and organic foods, we still eat a lot of processed foods. In fact, some of the bestselling foods are things like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Cool Whip, frozen dinners and Twinkies. Food writer Carolyn Wyman, author of Better than Homemade: Amazing Foods that Changed the Way We Eat (https://amzn.to/2FNzyGv) joins me to explains some of the really interesting stories behind some of the most popular food products today. Ever had trouble getting a refund from a retailer even though you know you were entitled to it? There is something you can tell that retailer that may very well get them to reconsider? (https://www.wisebread.com/6-awesome-credit-card-tricks-that-will-save-you-money) What does it take to be the best in whatever you want to do? Perhaps it would help to look at elite athletes and see what it is they do to get to the top of their game. Alan Stein, author of the book Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best (https://amzn.to/2AWJiL9) has worked with the very best basketball players and explains how anyone can transfer what those athletes do to improve their performance in any field. This Week's Sponsors -Joybird. To receive an exclusive offer for 25% off your first order go to www.joybird.com/something and use promo code: something -Select Quote. Get your free quote for life insurance today at www.SelectQuote.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you really get an annual check-up or go to the dentist twice a year? What about wearing sunscreen everyday? Are all these things really necessary? We begin this episode with a look what the experts say about common health advice you’ve heard all your life.(http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/slideshows/do-you-reallyneed-to-cover-the-toilet-seat-with-paper) If you got a bad grade in school, then that was the subject you were told to work on. Fix your weaknesses – get that grade higher. Is that really good advice? Maybe you are better served by focusing on what you are good at rather than trying to improve your abilities for things you don’t like and are not particularly skilled at. Tom Rath, senior scientist and adviser to the Gallup organization and author of the book Strengths Finder 2.0 (https://amzn.to/2TUQ2jI) explains why focusing on your strengths rather than trying to fix your weaknesses is a much better life strategy. Want your kid to eat healthier? It’s all in the packaging and presentation. Listen as I explain some fascinating research from Yale University that explains how cartoon stickers can help you get your kids to eat right. https://www.chicagotribune.com/living/ct-xpm-2012-08-22-sns-rt-us-stickersbre87l0li-20120822-story.html Ana amazing amount of your day is devoted to the little details of life. Everything from errands to filling out forms, writing emails, taking the car in service – you know what I mean. Elizabeth Emens, a law professor at Columbia Law School has identified all these tasks as – Life Admin. And she has some great ways to deal with all those tasks effectively and efficiently so you can get on to the bigger things in life. Elizabeth is author of the book, Life Admin (https://amzn.to/2syggwZ) and she joins me to discuss and offer some great advice. This Week’s Sponsors -LinkedIn. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.LinkedIn.com/Podcast -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Care/of Vitamins. For $25 off your first month of personalized vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many times have you been told you should be thankful for what you have? Well, there may be some profound wisdom in that. I begin this podcast with some great research that shows how simple acts of gratitude can bring you benefits for a long time. http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/01/how-expressing-gratitude-changeyour-brain.html While you might think memory loss and cognitive decline are problems only for older people – you would be mistaken. Many younger people are walking around with sluggish, underperforming brains. Why? Listen as I talk with Steven Masley, M.D., an affiliate clinical associate professor at the University of South Florida, a fellow of the American Heart Association and author of the book, The Better Brain Solution (https://amzn.to/2VLIgdO). Dr. Masley explains the 5 things that are causing so many people of all ages to have brain fog and underutilize their mental power. Then he reveals how to reverse it so you are using all your cognitive function and memory. Do you know people who never seem to get sick? While some of it may be luck, a lot of it has to do with certain habits they perform that keep them from becoming ill. Listen as I describe several ways you can better arm yourself against winter colds and other bugs. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/10-secrets-from-people-who-never-get-sick/ss-BBROEI0#interstitial=2 Holding a grudge does nobody any good – right? Well maybe. It really depends on how you define a grudge. Writer Sophie Hannah has a way to use grudges to your advantage. Sophie is the author of the book How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment―The Power of Grudges to Transform Your Life (https://amzn.to/2AD8Rkd). She joins me to explain how grudge holding – when done correctly – can lead to a happier life and better relationships. This Week’s Sponsors -LinkedIn. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.LinkedIn.com/Podcast -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something -Care/of Vitamins. For $25 off your first month of personalized vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you feel and ache or pain in your body, you likely reach for a Tylenol. And it turns out that you should also reach for one when you are feeling emotional pain as well; such as loneliness or distress. Why? I begin this episode with that explanation. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091222154742.htm No matter how clean you think your home is, you are sharing your house with millions of creatures – both visible and invisible. From the tiniest germs to your dog or cat – all of these creatures have an impact on you. In fact, if you own a cat, there is an excellent chance of getting infected with a parasite that will change your behavior! I know it sounds crazy but you have got to hear this. Rob Dunn, biologist and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University joins me to discuss the fascinating world inside your home you never knew was there. Rob is author of the book Never Home Alone: From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live (https://amzn.to/2VE0j5K) One of the big pitfalls of writing texts or emails is that people can misinterpret your intent – particularly if you are being sarcastic. But I have a solution that will make sure people will understand what you are really trying to say in your written communication. http://mentalfloss.com/article/73392/winky-faces-make-your-texts-sarcastic-scientists-say Do you know what your set point weight is? Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows there is a point where you get stuck and it is really hard to drop more weight. Jonathan Bailor, author of the bestselling book The Calorie Myth has researched this for his new book The Setpoint Diet (https://amzn.to/2SK4V8r). He joins me to explain why people get stuck on their set point weight and how to outsmart your body so you can lose more weight. This Week's Sponsors -Capterra. To find the right software for your business visit www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone seems to have a cellphone – ALL the time. But there are some circumstances when you really should put your phone away so others don’t see it. I begin this episode by discussing when that is and why it is important. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9589232/Putting-a-mobile-phoneon-the-restaurant-table-will-ruin-your-meal.html It appears to be human nature to always want more. Then when we get what we want it is never enough. Why is that? It turns out there is a chemical in your brain that drives this behavior. To explain, I am joined by Daniel Lieberman, MD, who is a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University and author of the book The More Molecule, How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race (https://amzn.to/2RBclxi). Of course you know the results of reheating pizza in the microwave are horrible and heating it in the oven takes too long. But there is another way that is very fast and won’t leave your pizza all soggy and mushy. https://sciencenotes.org/why-microwave-pizza-with-a-glass-of-water/ What do you know about spices? One thing for sure is that your food would be pretty bland without them. But there is so much more to the world of spices and how to use them. Food science writer Stuart Farrimond, author of the book Spice (https://amzn.to/2GWVm4K) explains the science and lore of spices and offers suggestions to help you use them to cook tastier, more interesting food. This Week's Sponsors -Capterra. To find the right software for your business visit www.capterra.com/something -ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. -Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You think you understand the concept of distracted driving – yes? You know it is NOT a good idea to text and drive. But it turns out to be more complicated than that. I begin this episode with some fascinating research that shows that there is a residual effect when you get distracted that affects your driving for much longer than you think. You really need to hear this. http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/about/community-and-safety/hands-free-distractionstudy.html Ever make a really stupid mistake? Wouldn’t it be great if you could make far fewer of them and make a lot more good decisions instead? Listen to Charlie Seraphin author of the book, (One Stupid Mistake: Smart Decision-Making in a Crazy World https://amzn.to/2s3Qq3A.) He walks you through the process that will help you avoid mistakes, especially the big ones. Plus, he explains the importance of owning and learning from the mistakes you will inevitably make. People love to watch reruns of old TV shows and re-watch old movies – but why? You know how it is going to end so why watch it again. Well there is a reason for that and it is the same reason people like hearing the same songs over and over. http://www.livescience.com/23148-tv-reruns-may-replenish-tired-minds.html People have been making New Year’s resolutions for a long time and scientists have studied the idea and the process a lot over the years. What has become clear is that there are some strategies that can dramatically improve your chances of success. Keith McArthur has looked at the science and joins me to help you achieve your New Year's resolution or any other goal for that matter. Keith has a podcast and blog called My Instruction Manual (https://myinstructionmanual.com/) and he is author of a book called (Winning Resolutions https://amzn.to/2BYi7zi.) This Week's Sponsors ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you. Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We end 2018 with the second of our two-part look back at the best moments of the past year. With so much fascinating information from the last twelve months, it is fun to hit some highlight moments and relive them. I know you will hear things in this episode that you either missed or forgot – so listen and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably associate yawning with being tired or maybe being bored. However, according to some interesting research, yawning has nothing to do with either one of those things. I begin this episode of the podcast at a look at why we yawn and why yawning is contagious. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3425960&page=1 Why is change so hard? Anyone who has made a New Year’s resolution knows that sticking with a major change is difficult. One of the big reasons is what executive coach Marshall Goldsmith calls “triggers.” Triggers are the things that can in the way of achieving your goals. In fact, his book is called Triggers (http://amzn.to/2dWTWog). Listen as Marshall offers really solid, concrete advice for making lasting positive changes in your life and achieving your goals. If you have never heard Marshall speak, you will love this interview and you will come away inspired. Have you ever wondered why you like the things you like? It is interesting that one person can hate something another person loves. It applies to food, colors, fashion, cars – almost anything. Why is that? What influences our tastes and preferences? Listen as I speak with Tom Vanderbilt author of the book You May Also Like http://amzn.to/2h8YecT and discover why you prefer some things over others and why your favorite color is your favorite color. What really matters when it comes to health and long life? It may have less to do with diet and exercise (although they are important) and more to do with the kind of person you are. To find out if you are that kind of person, you need to answer an important question. Listen and I will tell you what that question is. (Dr. Paul Persall author of Write Your Own Pleasure Prescription https://amzn.to/2RdFqyU) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With over 100 episodes a year, it is entirely possible you may have missed some of the best, most interesting moments of the past year. Or perhaps you may have forgotten some interesting intel you learned. So here are some highlights from 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does being unhappy make you more likely to get sick or even shorten your life span? A lot of people believe that. So, in this episode we look at the science behind that belief. How could unhappiness cause illness? The answer is complicated and not what you probably think. http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-12-08-happiness-and-unhappiness-have-no-direct-effect-mortality Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people would notice and appreciate just how great you are at doing what you do? Yes it would be but it seldom happens. If you want to really get noticed – if you want people to really see how competent you are, you have to project an image of competence. Jack Nasher, a consultant and negotiation trainer is author of the book Convinced: How to Prove Your Competence and Win People Over (https://amzn.to/2BqWojk) Jack joins me to explain what it takes to really get people (including your boss) to see just how great you are and how well you do your job. What time is it at the North Pole? Why does a whip crack? Why do people stick out their tongue when they are concentrating on a task? These are just some of the interesting questions I tackle with science writer Ivan Semeniuk. Ivan along with New Scientist magazine, published a book called Why Don’t Penguins Feet Freeze? (https://amzn.to/2R6JMHV) (yes we answer that one too.) which explores some of these fascinating questions you’ve always wondered about. What makes a food a “comfort” food? It turns out your favorite comfort food has more to do with who cooked it and where you ate it than it does with the food itself. Listen as I explain. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/appetite/media-coverage/we-love-comfort-food-because-we-love-the-cook This Week's Sponsors -Quip. Get your first refill pack free when you buy an electric toothbrush at www.GetQuip.com/something -Robinhood. Get a free stock when you sign up at something.robinhood.com -Stitch Fix. Get an extra 25% off when you keep all the items in your box at www.StitchFix.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are a lot of theories and myths about alcohol and how not to fall victim to its effects. For example, mixing caffeine with alcohol will make you feel less sleepy or that light beers are healthier than regular beers. I begin this episode with an examination of which of these and other common held beliefs about alcohol are true or false. http://www.purewow.com/wellness/Alcohol-Myths Why do you dream at night? Do those dream serve a purpose or are they random thoughts the brain has as your body rests? Journalist Alice Robb, author of the book Why We Dream (https://amzn.to/2LmMMuy) explores the science of dreaming and reveals some proven ways that you can use your dreams to help you in your waking life. What is the best tasting ketchup? Is it some fancy organic gourmet ketchup or is it Heinz or Hunts or maybe Del Monte? Blind taste tests reveal a very clear winner. Listen and discover which ketchup reigns supreme. (The New Best Recipe cookbook by America's Test Kitchen - (https://amzn.to/2LmL9gd) You probably have a lot more electronic friends on social media, texts and email than you have real friends. And while electronic friends are fine, having traditional friends and connections is probably more important than ever before. Susan RoAne author of the book How to Work a Room (https://amzn.to/2ElLcrk) explores the importance of friendships and offers practical ways to find and make new friends. This Week's Sponsors -Quip. Get your first refill pack free when you buy an electric toothbrush at www.GetQuip.com/something -Robinhood. Get a free stock when you sign up at something.robinhood.com -Stitch Fix. Get an extra 25% off when you keep all the items in your box at www.StitchFix.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do attractive people really get the best tables at a restaurant? Did you know menus are designed to steer you to particular dishes? These are just a few of the things I cover as we kick-off this episode. It turns out there are a lot of fascinating things going on behind-the-scenes at restaurants that are helpful for you to know. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2363861/The-restaurant-secrets-diners-know-Huge-mark-upswine-dishes-containing-chefs-saliva-blacklist-rude-customers.html My father used to tell me, “You have to ask for what you want.” While that is good advice, it is hard for many people to ask for what they want and even harder to negotiate to get it. With some very practical advice is Dr. Meg Myers Morgan, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma and author of the book, Everything is Negotiable The 5 Tactics to Get What You Want in Life, Love, and Work (https://amzn.to/2SFdnW3). Meg joins me with some unique and actionable steps that will help you get what you want. If you want to appreciate how great medical care and knowledge is today, all you have to do is look back 100 years ago or so to see what medicine was like back then. Medical historian Thomas Morris author of the book The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and Other Curiosities from the History of Medicine (https://amzn.to/2Lbjqiy) joins me to explore some of the curious oddities, treatments and miracles from 100 years ago that seem so strange today – just 100 year later. It makes you wonder what people will think of our medical practices 100 years from now! Choosing the right hospital is always important – but it also turns out that choosing the right day to check-in to the hospital also matters. Studies of hospitals all over the world conclude there are some days you might want to avoid. Listen and I’ll tell you which days those are. http://www.today.com/health/why-hospital-weekend-effect-dangerous-t30581 This Week's Sponsors -SimpliSafe. To save hundreds of dollars on home protection go to www.SimpliSafe.com/something -Quip. Get your first refill pack free when you get an electric toothbrush from www.GetQuip.com/something -Care/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is easy and tempting to overspend on holiday gifts. Plus retailers do everything they can to encourage you to spend more. So this episode begins with some strategies to help you spend a bit less and avoid those impulse purchases that you often wish you hadn’t made once you get home. http://www.womansday.com/life/work-money/g1877/how-to-stop-impulse-buying/ Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we bring fir trees into our homes and decorate them? Why is Jingle Bells so popular at Christmas when it is really a Thanksgiving song? Ace Collins author of Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (https://amzn.to/2QfN1NA) and Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas (https://amzn.to/2Up4wtg) joins me to reveal the fascinating backstories of some your favorite holiday traditions and songs. Do you have the “It” factor? It’s the thing that makes people want to get to know you and perhaps become part of your life and help you succeed. Mark Wiskup is a top communications expert and coach and he is author of the book The It Factor (https://amzn.to/2EbHMXX). He joins me to explain how anyone can acquire the It factor even if you consider yourself shy or introverted. Doing household chores may not be the most exciting thing you do but it turns out there are some great health benefits. Things like making your bed or doing the dishes can actually be good for you. I conclude this episode by discussing some great reasons to tackle those chores you have been putting off. http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/health-benefits-chores/ This Week's Sponsors -SimpliSafe. To save hundreds of dollars on home protection go to www.SimpliSafe.com/something -Quip. Get your first refill pack free when you get an electric toothbrush from www.GetQuip.com/something -Care/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you look at old holiday photos, you will notice something is definitely missing – and it is something you really wish was there. I begin this episode of the podcast with that missing ingredient and advice on how to put it back in to your photos for this Christmas and in the future. (Cheryl Lightle author of “The Creative Memories Way ) How often have you started something but never finished? How often have you said you wanted to accomplish something but never actually got around to starting it? It turns out these are very common experiences. Jon Acuff, author of the book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done (https://amzn.to/2EgKYmi) researched the science of setting and achieving goals. He joins me to explain where people go wrong and how to set and reach goals that are truly important to you. Is the 5-Second Rule true? Is double dipping really so bad? How gross is it to eat birthday cake after someone blows out the candles? I explore all of these questions about food and germs and illness with scientist and Clemson University professor Paul Dawson, author of the book Did You Just Eat That? (https://amzn.to/2PqKLOw) You probably don’t use punctuation when you write a text to someone. But maybe you should – sometimes. Listen as I explain why certain punctuation can make you sound more sincere and other punctuation makes you sound less sincere. And what’s interesting is it only applies to texts, not to any other type of written communication. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215302181 This Week's Sponsors –BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING –Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes you may find yourself in a bad mood for no real reason. So how do you snap out of it? We begin this episode with some very easy, practical and proven ways to get you out of your funk and back to being happy when you are feeling grumpy. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/10-science-backed-ways-to-beat-a-bad-mood-fast/ar-BBlfz4d#page=5 Is eavesdropping nothing more than an impolite indiscretion – or is eavesdropping something humans must do? John Locke, Professor of Linguistics at Lehman College, City University of New York and author of the book Eavesdropping: An Intimate History (https://amzn.to/2zzH4kp) joins me for a fascinating exploration into what drives us to want to uncover other people’s secrets and what purpose it serves. Why do some people like spicy food while others don’t? And what is that hot and spicy sensation you get in your mouth anyway – it is not a flavor or taste, so what is it? And perhaps the most important questions is, what is the best way to turn off the heat in your mouth when you eat something that is too hot and spicy? We will explore all of that in this episode. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3342526/So-S-chilli-peppers-tingle-tongue-Capsaicin-compoundbinds-pain-receptors-milk-really-does-help.html While the workplace has become more informal, how you dress and behave still matters. In fact it probably matters more than ever. For example, is it okay for colleagues to kiss at work anymore? How do you politely extract yourself from a conversation you don’t want to be in? What about opening doors for others? Who picks up the check – when? What’s the best way to introduce yourself? Should you give your boss a Christmas gift? Barbara Pachter author of The Essentials of Business Etiquette: How to Greet, Eat, and Tweet Yourself to Success (https://amzn.to/2SqSG09) joins me to discuss all of that and more including social media etiquette. This Week's Sponsors –BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING –Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? For most of us, the scent of pine is wonderful. So much so that it is in all sorts of products from car air fresheners to kitchen cleaners. As it turns out smelling pine is also good for you and we begin this episode of the podcast exploring the benefits of that most enjoyable scent. (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/04/healing-power-pine/#ixzz2E8XgB7J4) A large percentage of people classify themselves as passive. Many of those passive people wish they weren’t because they feel that other people walk all over them. So what’s the alternative? Dennis Adams, therapist, former minister and former passive person spent a long time developing a different approach for passive people that he calls - Honest Direct and Respectful. In fact that is the name of his book, Honest, Direct Respectful: 3 Simple Words That Will Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/2Q0tMrs). Dennis joins me to explain how and why it is such a powerful technique for passive people. The holiday season is a time to give thanks for all the things you have. And it turns out that feeling thankful is a good idea the rest of the year too. There are many mental and physical benefits when people feel gratitude. Listen and I will tell you what they are. (http://my.happify.com/hd/what-is-the-science-of-happiness/) If you travel, you don’t need me to tell you how stressful and challenging it can be – particularly around the holidays. Charles McPherson author of The Pocket Butler’s Guide to Travel (https://amzn.to/2KEAsp3) is here to share his advice to make traveling easier and more enjoyable and he has suggestions to help you get the most out of your travel dollars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear this surprising list of things people notice when they come through your front door. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-guests-really-notice-in-your-home/ss-BBnq4Uw#image=8 Money matters. It determines your lifestyle, how long you must work and forces you to make decisions on how to spend it. So it would seem that having more money would make you happier. But not always. Joining me to discuss the role of money and its relationship with happiness is Laura Rowley who has been a personal finance columnist for Self magazine and The Huffington Post and is author of the book Money & Happiness: A Guide to Living the Good Life (https://amzn.to/2SdFXgT). We spend a good deal of our life looking for answers to questions and problems. Interestingly, there are times where it may be more important to find a better question. That’s according to Hal Gregersen, Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of the book Questions Are The Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life (https://amzn.to/2DXAWWT). Hal joins me to explain the process of coming up with better questions which can lead to greater insight into any problem. We all have to wash our hands in public bathrooms. So what is the best way to dry them afterwards? Some people prefer paper towels, some hot air dryers. But what does the best job of leaving you with clean germ-free hands? We’ll explore that in this episode. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x/abstract This Week's Sponsors -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are doing. Those two types of environments have an impact on you that affect your thinking. We begin this episode by exploring that. https://www.medicaldaily.com/clean-environment-leads-healthier-behavior-messy-desk-inspires-creativity-249383 What are the chances that there is life on other planets? Have aliens visited earth? There is no shortage of speculation on the topic and a lot of anecdotal stories about encounters but what does the science say? Michael Wall, senior writer at Science.com and author of the book Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious) (https://amzn.to/2S9oJl7) joins me to examine the possibilities and the evidence of other life in our galaxy. Have you ever seen someone talking to themselves on the street or in a store? Your immediate reaction is probably to think it is really weird. But in fact you most likely talk to yourself out loud all the time. We all do. In fact there are several common behaviors we all do that we somehow think are strange when we see other people do them. We’ll explore what they are and why we think this way. http://mentalfloss.com/article/54126/6-embarrassing-things-you-do-and-why The world is full of manipulative people who try to control other people’s thoughts and/or actions. You most likely have come across some of them at work or in your personal life. These people have a name – Gaslighters. And since we all have to deal with them at some point, Stephanie Sarkis, licensed mental health counselor and author of the book Gaslighting (https://amzn.to/2S0NMXa) offers a fascinating explanation of who these people are, what they do, why they act this way and what you can do to identify and avoid them. This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast -Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING -Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing waves – certain sounds can have a very positive effect. We begin this episode with an explanation of which sounds do what. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/harp-music-blood-pressure-icu-patients-pain_n_1734615.html Somewhere in your home are some valuable family treasures or heirlooms that mean something special to you. Maybe it’s your mother’s wedding dress, your old record collection or a prized piece of old furniture. The enemy of all these things is time. All these valuables will deteriorate over time if you don’t care for them properly. Joining me with some real help is Don Williams. Don was the senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and he is author of the book Saving Stuff… How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions (https://amzn.to/2RWnW6L). No one knows better how to keep your stuff in excellent shape as it marches through time. While Thanksgiving is an important American holiday, much of the story we've been told is made up myth. Peter Mancall, professor of history and anthropology at the University of Southern California is an expert on early America. He joins me to explain the real origins of Thanksgiving, what the first Thanksgiving was really like and how it came to be a national holiday that ended up being celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. While some people seem to like to be touched more than others, physical human touch does seem to have real benefits for everyone. Listen as we explore some of the remarkable, positive effects touching has for children and adults. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/201309/why-we-all-need-touch-and-be-touched This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast -Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING -Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But when is the best time to take a break? I begin this episode by telling you EXACTLY when to take a break for optimum performance. http://www.menshealth.com/best-time-for-break There’s a pretty good chance you have at least one or two pairs of blue jeans – and maybe many more in lots of other colors! Jeans are the iconic American garment and have been for decades. Even as fashions and trends have come and gone there has always been a place for jeans. So where did they come? Why have they lasted? And what exactly is denim anyway – how is it different from other fabrics? Journalist James Sullivan, author of the book, Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2DGD45j) joins me to take you on an historical journey from Italy to the American west to a John Wayne movie set to explain the story of blue jeans. I bet there is someone famous or rich or super successful you would love to meet and maybe even get their advice –right? But you probably never tried because you figured they would never respond and it would be a complete waste of time. And maybe it would be. And then again, maybe not. Listen as I tell a story of a regular guy with no connections who got a lot of very important people to talk to him and exactly how he did it. https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-schedule-a-phone-call-with-a-billionaire/answer/Daniel-L-Jacobs You have got to hear science writer Marcus Chown explain why over 99% of your DNA isn’t yours or how you could squeeze the entire human race into a space the size of a sugar cube or why the moon is actually hurtling towards earth – constantly! Marcus is author of the new book, Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand – 50 Wonders That Reveal an Extraordinary Universe (https://amzn.to/2OKnczM) and he joins me to explain some scientific facts that will absolutely amaze you. This Week's Sponsors Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. -SimpliSafe Home Security. For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something -LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say is what makes them so happy. John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA) Probably the one word you hear more than any other throughout your life is –NO! For some people no means no but for others it means something else entirely. BJ Gallagher, author of the book Yes Lives in the Land of No (https://amzn.to/2JXlPNh) offers some great advice for handling the word no when people tell you that you can’t have or do something. Since you will hear NO a lot for the rest of your life – this is worth listening to. Who doesn’t love going to a live concert? And yet when you really dissect the experience, it is probably not as good as we tell ourselves it is. I’ll reveal what one writer has to say about the concert-going experience that you may not have thought about before. (http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a39525/live-music-overrated/) We humans need people. We are social creatures. We thrive with others. Yet many of us are alone and isolated with few, if any friends. Someone who is very concerned about this is Radha Agrawal, who is an entrepreneur, investor, inventor, speaker, and community builder. She founded Daybreaker a grassroots, early-morning dance phenomenon that is now in over 25 countries. She is also author of the book Belong: Find Your People Create Community and Live a More Connected Life https://amzn.to/2DfaczU. Radha explains not only why friends are important but how and where to go and find them. This Week's Sponsors -SimpliSafe Home Security. For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. -LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up and why. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/theres-no-evidence-you-need-annual-physical-exam-say-doctors Your unconscious mind affects your thoughts and behaviors in ways you can’t imagine. That is the message from John Bargh, Yale professor of psychology and author of the book Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do (https://amzn.to/2JLKN2b). For example, feeling physically warm actually makes you more socially warm; feeling fear makes you think more politically conservative – it’s just amazing. Listen as professor Bargh takes you on a tour of your unconscious mind. A lot of things can get messy in your kitchen – from lingering cooking smells to fruit flies and a million other things. Listen as I reveal some great ways to solve common kitchen problems you probably haven’t heard before. http://food52.com/blog/14173-7-kitchen-cleaning-tricks-that-really-work How did Facebook, Amazon, Google and other big companies get so big so fast? The answer is “blitzscaling.” It is a recent phenomenon in business that was named and identified by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Chris Yeh in their new book Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies (https://amzn.to/2D4HW33). Chris Yeh joins me to explain how blitzscaling works and others in business can use the same principles. This Week's Sponsors Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In most places around the world, Siri comes with a female voice by default. Of course you can change it but most people don’t. This is true for most other voiced-based computer programs. Why? We begin this episode with the fascinating reasons why most people prefer their devices sound female. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/a18018/why-is-siri-a-female-voice/ Human nature – it is a collection of things we humans tend to do by default. Robert Greene, author of the bestseller The Laws of Human Nature (https://amzn.to/2yQtqZy) takes you on a fascinating journey into why we do the things we do and why these tendencies we have often get in the way of our happiness and success. There are 18 laws of human nature and Robert will explain how to use them to your advantage and how to counter them when they work against you. What could be simpler and more satisfying than a grilled cheese sandwich? Most of us have been eating them since we were kids. Actually though, there is some science and technique to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich and a lot of it has to do with the cheese you select. Which is best? Listen and find out. http://www.businessinsider.com/science-making-grilled-cheese-2015-11 Household recycling has become habit for many people. We just do it because – well that’s what good citizens do. What you may not know is that there are a lot of problems with recycling. In fact a lot of what you recycle probably NEVER gets recycled. Instead it ends up in a landfill with all the other garbage. Beth Porter is an expert on the subject and she is author of the book Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Sorting Out the Recycling System (https://amzn.to/2JCkknD) . Beth joins me to reveal what’s wrong with recycling and what everyone can do to make the whole system work better and more efficiently. This Week's Sponsors Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is released a few days before most people in the U.S. change their clocks back to standard time. And each time we change the clocks, people complain about all the bad things that result from that. Well, there are some good things as well. So I begin with some of those and the reasons behind daylight savings time that you may not know or understand. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a18011/in-defense-of-daylight-saving-time/ When you get a bad grade on your report card in school, you know that is a subject you really need to work on. But is that a good strategy in real life? Will you be more successful if you try to get better at the things you don’t like or do very well with or are you better served by focusing on those things that you are already good at and enjoy? Business consultant Marcus Buckingham, author of the book The One Thing You Need to Know (https://amzn.to/2SAJiHS) reveals why it is so important to identify your strengths and weaknesses and offers advice that will lead you to success. Got a bunch of Halloween candy in your house? Well, you could eat it or take it to work or you could do something to help our troops. Listen and I’ll explain how – and it’s very easy. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-eat-3500-calories-candy. The website mentioned is www.operationgratitude.com It’s a bit of a mystery why so many more people today struggle with body weight than in previous generations. With some interesting answers and strategies is Stephan Guyenet, a neuroscientist and author of the book The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts That Makes Us Overeat (https://amzn.to/2JvirZW). Stephan explains exactly what it is that makes it so hard to resist some foods and the amazingly simple solutions to stop overeating in the first place. The instinct to eat is strong. However, you can overcome the instinct to OVER eat by following his advice. This Week's Sponsors Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The weather can affect your buying decisions without you realizing it. That can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house or a car. This episode begins with an explanation of why and how the weather impacts such important decisions and why you are more likely to buy a convertible on a sunny day even though it may be a terrible idea. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-effect-of-weather-on-purchasing-decisions-2012-11 You have a personality – right? Well actually, more than one. Science writer Rita Carter author of the book The People You Are: The New Science of Personality (https://amzn.to/2D6RHON) reveals how we all have multiple personalities which all come out in different situations. While it may seem like you simply have different facets of your core personality, Rita explains why it is more complicated than that. Everyone reading this has tried to make a significant change in their life – and failed! Change is hard however there are some ways to make the process easier and more effortless according to James Clear author of the book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones https://amzn.to/2ELIcq0. James’s work on the subject of personal change and habits has appeared in the New York Times, CBS This Morning among others. He joins me to explain how anyone can make big changes that stick. James website is www.JamesClear.com “Out of the box” and “move the needle” are examples of common business jargon that we can probably do without. This episode concludes with a list of words and phrases people use in business that are unnecessary, vague and often pointless. There are usually better ways to say the same thing. https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/20-corporate-phrases-that-make-you-sound-really-boring.html This Week's Sponsors Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have those times when we are stressed and need to chill out. So I begin this episode with some proven simple and easy ways to reduce anxiety and stress instantly – and one way is so easy all you have to do is listen a hit song from 1972. https://us.ditchthelabel.org/101-ultimate-ways-chill-reduce-stress/ Most of your communication is probably virtual – email, text, telephone, etc. And as you and probably everyone else has learned, virtual communication can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings which in turn can lead to real trouble. Communication expert Nick Morgan, author of the book, Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World (https://amzn.to/2D2RPyL) joins me to discuss the pitfalls of virtual communication and how to avoid them so you stay out of trouble. With Halloween approaching I thought it would be fun to uncover the stories behind some of the classic Halloween candy. I am partial to Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and I am sure you have your favorites as well. Candy expert Darlene Lacey, author of the book, Classic Candy (https://amzn.to/2EImfs3) explains the fascinating stories of how many of these iconic candies came to be, where their names came from and why we tend to like the same candy as our parents and grandparents did. Speaking of sweets, why is it that some people prefer sweet snacks while others like salty? And still others like both? We wrap up this episode with the science of sweet and salty and why they are so satisfying. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/why-some-people-have-a-sweet-tooth This Week’s Sponsors Robinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don’t play a musical instrument – maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your personality can predict with great accuracy, how much musical skill and talent you have. We begin this episode by exploring that. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoc-hyg101315.php While you are probably aware of how some body language clues work, you are about to get a much better and deeper understanding of it and how you can use it to improve your communication skills. Joe Navarro was a special agent for the FBI for 25 years and he is author of the book What Every Body is Saying https://amzn.to/2CWKSiR Listen and be amazed at how nonverbal communication really works. There was a golden age of corporate slogans. It was the 60s and 70s. That’s when you flew “the friendly skies” of United or “you deserved a break today” at McDonalds or when you used Fed Ex because it “absolutely, positively had to be there overnight.” Those and many other corporate taglines were an important part of their brand. Now do you know the United Airlines, McDonalds or FedEx taglines are today? Marketing executive Steve Cone joins me to make the case that taglines – or slogans – are important and he explains why. Steve is author of the book Powerlines: Words that Sell Brands, Grip Fans and Sometimes Change History https://amzn.to/2Cs38zJ Next time you are in your kitchen, stand there are look around to see just how much food you see. Is it in the fridge and cabinets or is there a lot of food out on the counter? I’m going to explain why it matters especially if you are concerned about your body weight. http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/OP/Kitchen_Counters This Week’s Sponsors Robinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So you get ready to make a salad and you rinse the lettuce and carrots and tomatoes under the faucet for a few seconds. Does that really get rid of the pesticides and bacteria? We explore that very important question and you really need to hear the answer. http://www.menshealth.com/how-to-wash-produce Do you understand the difference between pleasure and happiness? It’s an important distinction because the more pleasure you seek, the less happy you become. That’s the contention of Dr Robert Lustig, author of The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains https://amzn.to/2yp2xMf. Dr. Lustig sees some troubling developments in our quest for pleasure and I think you’ll be interested in what he has to say. 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 why that is. We begin this episode with a look at the reason for this common experience. http://mentalfloss.com/article/52586/why-do-our-best-ideas-come-us-shower Nobody likes failure – but maybe we should all rethink that. Failure turns out to have a silver lining – and not just in the way that “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Chris Gethard is a pretty successful stand-up comedian who has written a book about failure called Lose Well https://amzn.to/2CpJcgz. Although Chris has had some clearly successful moments (his own HBO special and his own sitcom on Comedy Central for example) he has also had some colossal failures. He joins me to discuss why failure is inevitable and really something to be celebrated on your journey to success. This Week's Sponsors LinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/something Simplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/something Glip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.com Hotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spending time with annoying and irritating people can be hazardous to your mental health! That’s according to some research from my alma mater, the University of Southern California. I begin this episode with that and how to bulletproof yourself from the negative effects of those most irritating people. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Annoying-people-can-slow-down-your-brain-Study/articleshow/16765621.cms When you fly on a commercial airplane, I know you have questions about how commercial aviation works – or sometimes DOESN’T work very well. Patrick Smith is a commercial airline pilot and blogger at www.askthepilot.com and author of the book, Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel https://amzn.to/2CfqIPY. He joins me to answer some of the questions you think about when you are sitting and wondering in your airline seat. Sometimes in winter, you have to stay warm. And as the weather cools off, it is a good time to discuss what’s really important to staying warm in cold weather and how the body reacts to preserve itself when temperatures drop. http://theweek.com/article/index/254754/how-to-keep-warm-outside-5-science-based-tips We live in a time when productivity is essential. There is always more to do - but wait! Is striving to do more actually an effective strategy? What if I told you that taking time to unwind, relax and nurture yourself actually makes you MORE productive? You need to hear some important research from Jamie Gruman, professor of Organizational Behavior and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Jamie is author of the book Boost: The Science of Recharging Yourself in an Age of Unrelenting Depends https://amzn.to/2pSD8G0. He joins me to challenge everything you’ve ever thought about productivity and getting more done. And you are really going to like what he has to say. This Week's Sponsors LinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/something Simplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/something Glip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.com Hotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who has ever cooked pasta has thought about using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes less time to boil. But is it really a good idea to cook with hot tap water? We begin this episode with a discussion on why it is such a bad idea. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/health/29real.html It may seem as if it's luck or chance that causes some things catch on and become popular or go viral. But it isn’t luck really. If you’ve ever wondered why some restaurants succeed while others fail or why some books, TV shows or movies do great but others go nowhere, you will want to listen to this segment. Jonah Berger, is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On https://amzn.to/2IQAn0s. Jonah joins me to explains the science of popularity – and it really is a science. Conventional wisdom is that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. And it is a great example of just how wrong conventional wisdom is. Now it used to be accurate but not with cars today. Listen as I reveal how often you should REALLY change your oil. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html?mktcat=maintenance-article&kw=stop+changing+your+oil&mktid=ob61762858&msite=w Logic is sometimes misunderstood. For example, can you be logical AND emotional? (That was always an issue for Mr. Spock on Star Trek). Is there only one logical way to get to a conclusion? How does logic really work? We all need logic and to help you understand it is Eugenia Cheng. She is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and author of the book The Art of Logic in an Illogical World https://amzn.to/2QHth15. She joins me to explain logic and how you can use logic more effectively in your life. This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even the best drivers get in serious accidents – usually because of bad drivers. So we start this episode with a look at why good drivers get into accidents and how to steer clear of them http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/how-good-drivers-get-killed.html A lot of us don’t’ sleep very well. Often the problem is so chronic that we convince ourselves that it is normal but it is not according to Dr. Barry Krakow. Dr. Krakow is a board certified internist and sleep disorders specialist and author of the book Sound Sleep Sound Mind: 7 Steps to Sleeping Through the Night (https://amzn.to/2RvmGbf). He joins me with effective strategies to improve your sleep. By the way his website is www.sleeptreatment.com Ever been in a situation where you really need to feel powerful and confident but were feeling exactly the opposite? Well, there is a very effective tactic that can really boost your power and confidence and it only takes a moment. http://www.businessinsider.com/a-simple-exercise-to-make-you-powerful-2015-10 Just about everyone has felt a bit out of place at work or other professional setting. But maybe that’s a good thing. Jennifer Romolini felt like an outcast all her professional life yet managed to use that to her advantage and succeed anyway. In fact she took what she discovered along the way and put it in a book called Weird in a World That's Not (https://amzn.to/2NlWGvO). If you have ever felt like a nerd or that you didn’t belong in an organization, listen as Jennifer explains how to use your uniqueness to reach your goals. This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or go to jail if you got caught? We begin this episode of the podcast with a look at what the law really says and why you would never want to kill one anyway. https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-illegal-to-kill-praying-mantis-1968526 Funny thing about distractions… it seems that more you need to stay focused on your work, the more irresistible those distractions become. So how do you make those distractions less appealing so you can focus on what needs to be done? That’s what I discuss with productivity expert Chris Bailey. He is the author of the book HYPERFOCUS: how to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction (https://amzn.to/2Nl6ohY) and he has some very practical suggestions for keeping you on task when you need to be. If you’ve ever lost your wallet – even for just a little while - you know what a terrible feeling that can be. If you did leave it somewhere, there is something you can do to help substantially increase the odds of getting it back. I’ll reveal a little trick that will make whoever finds your wallet want to give it back. https://thebark.com/content/lost-wallets Work is serious business – but should it be? Could a little more humor and fun actually be good for the workplace and the people who work there? Scott Christopher thinks so. He is the co-author of the book The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up https://amzn.to/2IzFCS8 . Scott joins me to explain why fun and work really do mix and why the results of doing so are amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices