Something You Should Know

Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t sing or carry a tune? Kids are often told that and it can really embarrass them and leave a lasting impression. The truth is just about anyone can sing and sing well. So forget what you were told and listen to my explanation. The ability to forgive is wonderful. But while people can forgive we also have the ability (and often the desire) to seek revenge when someone has harmed us. Psychologist Michael McCullough author of the book Beyond Revenge (http://amzn.to/2BgFwNI) talks with me about how to best deal with someone who has hurt you and he explores whether or not you can make a case for revenge in some circumstances. There is a good chance you have a favorite coffee mug. Lots of people do. And I think you will find it either odd or comforting just how attached people get to their coffee mug and what they feel if someone else uses it or – God forbid – it breaks! All your life you deal with money. And how well you deal with it and understand it will have a huge impact on you. Jeff Kreisler author of the book Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter (http://amzn.to/2nMsCiQ) uncovers some of the mysteries of money like why you enjoy spending money on some things but hate spending money on others; how you decide what the value of things are; why you will spend more on vacation than you will at home for the very same things and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Identity theft is often NOT the result of some high-tech scam. It is frequently because someone digs through your trash and finds documents with personal information. I start this episode explaining ways you haven't heard before to protect yourself from low-tech but highly effective dumpster divers who want to steal your identity. It is amazing how people you know influence you in ways you don’t realize. The things you do, the decisions you make and the thoughts you think can all be heavily but unknowingly influenced by the people around you. Dr. Nicholas Christakis is a physician, sociologist and author of the book, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives (http://amzn.to/2BVJAQ3) and he explains how this phenomenon works and why it is so important. A lot of people have gotten very sick this winter from colds and flu. Often it is the result of touching things with germs on them then transferring those germs from your hands to your face. I’ll reveal all the things at work you want to make sure NOT to touch or at least clean before you do so you don't get sick. Ever struggle to do something, like carry too many grocery bags – and someone offers to help and you say, “No thanks, I got it.”? Why? You need help, someone offers – why in the world would you decline? But we do it all the time. It seems that people just don’t like asking for help. Nora Klaver, author of the book, Mayday! Asking for Help in Time of Need (http://amzn.to/2EDT0Tq) explains why it is that we are so reluctant to ask for help and why accepting help is often a much better decision for so many reasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you fly on an airplane – you think things. Like: “How good, is the air I’m breathing? Will I get drunker than normal if I drink at 35,000 feet? What if some lunatic tries to open the airplane door during the flight?” I’ll reveal the answers to these and other common questions about air travel. Some people seem to be born with a lot of self-confidence. But most of us are not. So how do we increase our confidence and project it to the world? Psychotherapist Sheenah Hankin, author of the book, Complete Confidence (http://amzn.to/2El5bV0) has some excellent strategies to increase your confidence that you can put into practice immediately. The U.S. Postal Service is a part of everyone’s life. And sometimes it seems that they can make your life difficult. So, I have some tips from actual postal employees to help you navigate the postal service with more efficiency and do it in less time. Are you doing what you are really good at? Or do you work in a job that leaves your true skills idle and untouched? Sir Kenneth Robinson, author the book, Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life (http://amzn.to/2GAxyPP) explores ways to discover what you do well and then find ways to incorporate those things into your life. It’s important because when you do what you are good at and it is something you find satisfying, it can transform your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have likely been the victim of the Doorway Effect. It’s when you walk into a room and forget why you walked in there. We start this episode with an explanation of what this is and why it happens. Wouldn’t it be great if people regarded you as particularly fascinating? Well it turns out there are specific ways to do that according to Sally Hogshead, speaker and author of the book Fascinate: The 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation (http://amzn.to/2BBZT4I). Sally reveals what you can do so that others find you interesting and how to use your personal fascination to great benefit. If you love guacamole, there is a secret ingredient I want you to try the next time you make it. It’s just a tablespoons worth but it is going to make all the difference in the world, according to Esquire magazine. What are you afraid of? If you watch the news you would think that crime, terrorism and natural disasters are the real threats. But they are not – at least not statistically. The things that harm and kill more people are much more mundane according to Dan Gardner, author of the book, The Science of Fear (http://amzn.to/2DTW8ws). Listen and understand what is really likely to do you harm and what isn’t. It’s going to help you live longer, healthier and happier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am sure you have had to perform under pressure. And so you know that it is difficult to do and often your performance suffers. But why? Well a couple of interesting things happen in that situation and when you understand them you can make the experience of performing under pressure a lot easier. Listen as I begin this episode with this fascinating intel. Then, we are going to explore the process of making choices. Today, we have so many choices for everything – breakfast cereal, cars, food, careers – everywhere choices abound! And that can be great except that too many choices can actually be paralyzing. Anyone who has spent more time choosing what show to watch on Netflix than actually watching a show knows what I mean. Barry Schwartz, author of the book, The Paradox of Choice (http://amzn.to/2n9IpHD) joins me to explain why trying to make the “best” choice may be a waste of time and he offers a better way to make choices that will leave you more satisfied. Have you heard that we only use about 10% of our brain? Well, that turns out to be nonsense and it is just one of several myths about the brain we will clear up in this episode. What attracts men to women and women to men? Allan Pease has some very interesting answers. Allan has been studying how people communicate and he is author of the book, Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love (http://amzn.to/2Fcp7IW). Listen as he explains how to make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex based on evolutionary drives and urges that still rule our feelings and actions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, it’s great to want more money but if you don’t have the time to enjoy it – what’s the point? We begin this episode with a look at why spending more of your money on things that actually create more free time for you can make your life much more enjoyable. While the phrase “timing is everything” is tossed around a lot, it turns out there is a lot of wisdom in it. In short, it is not just WHAT you do in your life that is important it – it is also WHEN you decide to do it. Daniel Pink, author of the book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing (http://amzn.to/2Dne4Ml) reveals why timing is so important and how to time events in your life to be more successful. Who hasn’t reheated pizza in the microwave? Everyone does with predictably disappointing results. Listen and you'll discover a better way that doesn’t take much more time but delivers much better results. And wouldn’t it be great to save money on prescription drugs? It turns out there are a lot of ways to save beyond the simple advice of getting generic drugs rather than name brands. Edward Jardini, M.D is author of the book How to Save On Prescription Drugs: 20 Cost Savings Methods (http://amzn.to/2mY1bBH) and he has some very clever ways to keep more money in your pocket and not waste it on medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I bet this has happened to you… you are all set to take a bite of something delicious when you notice a fly has landed on it - a filthy disgusting fly! So is that food still safe to eat? Find out what the science says as we begin this episode of the program. Then, your success in life is due in large part with how you deal with people and how people perceive you. Wouldn’t it be great to know how to make yourself more approachable and interesting to others? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to size up and read people when you meet them? Vanessa Van Edwards has been studying people and their behavior for a long time. She is author of the book Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People (http://amzn.to/2rfyB3T) and she joins me to discuss some effective strategies to improve your people skills like you won’t believe. Then, there is a fascinating limitation of the human brain you must know about. IT seems you cannot keep track of more than 3 things at once unless condition is met. What is it? Listen and find out. Since you were a child you’ve heard that honesty is the best policy. However, dig as little deeper and you’ll find that most of us think a little dishonesty is probably okay. The fact is we do think dishonesty is acceptable as long as it is not too much and as long as it is not too overt. Dan Ariely, author of the book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves (http://amzn.to/2Dg1FtE) explains the little ways we are all a bit dishonest and why we think it is perfectly fine - so maybe it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you often find yourself in the slowest line at the supermarket? Me too. Is it bad luck or just your perception? I’ll explore what’s behind this universal annoyance and suggest a better way to handle this. It seems everyone hates the sound of their voice when they hear it played back. But what if you LOVED the sound of your voice? Vocal coach Roger Love explains how anyone can have a beautiful voice – you are not stuck with the one you have now. Listen to this episode and you will instantly have the tools to improve the sound of your voice. Then if you want to learn more, check out Roger’s program, The Perfect Voice at www.ThePerfectVoice.com. Have you heard that it is a good idea to let your cellphone battery run all the way down to zero? Supposedly that is to help it last longer and keep a better charge. Is it true? We’ll find out. All of us have asked some basic financial questions at some point such as: Is it better to own or rent a home; buy or lease a car; pay off debt of save money? Jack Otter, editor at Barrons.com and author of the book, Worth…Not Worth It? (http://amzn.to/2D5U68I) has examined these questions, done the math and come up with the answers. Listen as Jack may surprise you with what he has to say about what you should do with your money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It sucks when you have a cold. I’m sure you’ve heard that you should drink a lot of fluids and get rest and eat chicken soup – but there are other things you may not have heard before that can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold while you wait for it to go away. And since this is cold season, we begin this episode with great ways to ease the misery of having a cold. Everyone knows being neat and tidy is preferable to being messy. But wait! Not so fast. Says who? There is a case for being messy. Because it turns out that life is messy and often life doesn’t fit neatly into categories, files and folders. Tim Harford, journalist, economist and author of the book Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives (http://amzn.to/2Die1Cw) explains why being neat isn’t always the solution and suggests ways to embrace the messiness of life and use it to your advantage. Also, I’m sure you’ve noticed that whenever you cry, you get a runny nose. Why? Listen and find out. Then, sooner or later – and probably sooner, you will need to clean something. And no one knows better how to keep your life clean and sparkly bright than Jolie Kerr. Jolie is an advice columnist and host of the podcast, “Ask a Clean Person.” She is also author of the book, My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag (http://amzn.to/2Df2BPL). NO ONE loves to clean like Jolie and you will love her cleaning hacks that I know you will use within hours if not minutes after hearing them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can drinking hot cocoa from an orange mug taste different from drinking hot cocoa from a blue mug? I’ll explain some interesting research that shows how color affects our perception of taste. Plus, a large percentage of the population report that they are shy. In fact, almost all of us feel shy in certain situations. But why are some people more shy than others – are they born that way or is it something they learn? Most importantly, what can shy people do so that their shyness doesn’t interfere in their life or success? Bernardo Carducci, Director of the Shyness Research Institute (https://www.ius.edu/shyness/) at Indiana University Southeast and author of The Pocket Guide to Making Successful Small Talk offers some incredible insight into becoming what he calls a successful shy person. Also, how you sign your name reveals a lot about you. Listen as I discuss a fascinating study that looked at signatures of big bosses (like Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Richard Branson, to name a few) and what their signature revealed about their personality. By now a lot of people who made New Year’s resolutions are struggling. The fact is most resolutions fail. So maybe there is a better way. Caroline Arnold, author of the book, Small Move, Change: Using Microresolutions to Transform Your Life Permanently (http://amzn.to/2m5jOTz) reveals a simple, easy and virtually foolproof way to set and achieve a resolution - or any goal for that matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though we all know not to talk or text while driving – it can be so tempting. After all, what harm can it do to send a text while stopped at a traffic light? Well, you might be surprised. Research by AAA found there is a residual effect even after you are done texting or talking that can impair your driving. This episode begins with this interesting intel. Heart disease is the #1 killer in the U.S. And yet it is almost completely preventable. That’s according to Michael, Greger, M.D. and author of the book, How Not to Die (http://amzn.to/2ClpQq2). Dr Greger explains how lifestyle changes not only will eliminate and reverse heart disease but also help with other life threatening conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and more. Here are the websites mentioned by Dr Greger: · http://www.truehealthinitiative.org/ · http://www.pcrm.org/kickstartHome/mealplan/week-1 Then, some very simple yet powerful advice to improve your love relationship from John Gottman, one of the best known experts in the field of relationship psychology, He says 2 little things will make all the difference in the world. Listen to discover what they are. Plus, do you ever wish you were more courageous? Are there things you haven’t done because you lacked the courage to do them? Speaker and consultant Bill Treasurer author of the book Courage Goes to Work (http://amzn.to/2Aj4Nms) will help you realize you probably have more courage than you think and how to become more courageous in spite of the fear you face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love strawberries. But I hate how they go moldy so fast. Well, there is a way to make them last longer – and that is just one of the great life hacks I have for you to begin this episode. Then, if you want to save money, the people at Consumer Reports are experts. Senior Editor Tobie Stanger joins me with some simple but powerful ways to keep more of your own money in your own pocket. Also, if you have trouble sleeping and counting sheep doesn’t work, there are other, far more effective ways to lull yourself to sleep. I’ll reveal some easy, proven ways. Then, why do we feel embarrassment? In those moments when you think you’ve made a huge embarrassing blunder – what do other people actually think? Probably not what you think they think. Embarrassment expert David Allyn, author of the book, I Can’t Believe I Just Did That (http://amzn.to/2zMSoqD) offers some valuable insight into embarrassment and how NOT to feel so bad when you screw up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is the second of our two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. I know you’ll enjoy these excerpts and below are the links to the original episodes from which these segments are taken so you can listen to the complete interviews if you wish. I’ll be back next week with all new episodes to usher in 2018. Thank you for your support this past year. Happy New Year! Topics and Links in this Episode The Two Ways People Get Rich with Matthew Schiff Podcast Episode 79. http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/079-the-2-ways-people-get-rich-how-to-read-people-instantly/ Exactly What to Say to Get What You Want with Phil Jones. Episode 100 http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/100-exactly-what-to-say-to-get-what-you-want-how-to-stop-being-distracted-by-technology/ Simple Strategies for a Fabulous Relationship with Arielle Ford. Episode 112 http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/112-simple-strategies-for-a-fabulous-relationship-how-to-develop-mental-toughness-to-handle-hard-times/ What Your Dog is Really Thinking with Camilla Gray-Nelson. Podcast Episode 51. http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/051-what-your-dog-is-really-thinking-why-superstitions-actually-work/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2017 draws to a close, this is the first of two, year-end episodes that look back at some of the most fascinating people and topics of the year. Below are the links to the original episodes from which these excerpts are taken so you can listen to the complete interviews if you wish. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Topics and Links in this Episode How to Think Smarter with Dr. Art Markman. Podcast Episode 46. http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/046-how-to-think-smarter-and-better-documents-you-should-shred-you-never-knew/ The Power of Magical Thinking with Matthew Hutson Podcast Episode 51. http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/051-what-your-dog-is-really-thinking-why-superstitions-actually-work/ How Social Media Does & Doesn’t Work with Ed Keller. Podcast Episode 65. http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/065-how-social-media-marketing-works-and-doesnt-work-the-story-behind-the-3-digit-security-code-on-credit-cards/ How to Daydream, Distract and Doodle Your Way to Success with Srini Pollay, M.D. Podcast Episode 66 http://www.somethingyoushouldknow.net/066-how-to-daydream-distract-and-doodle-your-way-to-success-a-world-of-video-games-you-never-knew/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you keep stuff? You know, things from your past that you have a hard time giving up even though you don’t use them anymore? This episode begins with some interesting advice on what to keep and what to toss or give away. You probably know that your genes influence things your eye color or hair color. But did you know that your genes also influence your behavior? Jay Phelan, an evolutionary biologist at UCLA and author of the book, Mean Genes: From Sex to Money to Food, Taming Our Primal Instincts, http://amzn.to/2CJZgXF explains how your genes make you want to do things that are often not good for you (like overeat or drink too much). However, there are strategies you can use to help prevent your genes from leading you astray. Have you ever avoided asking someone for something – like for a raise or for a date? Asking can be hard but in many cases, if you don’t ask you don’t get. Linda Babcock, Walton Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon and author of the book, Women Don’t Ask (http://amzn.to/2BGui3e) offers advice on ways to ask that make it easier – so you don’t feel so uncomfortable. Because the more you ask, the more you get. You probably never knew this but there is a simple trick that makes anything taste better. Whether it is a meal you cook or candy bar you get at the store, this one little trick improves the taste and it amazingly simple. I’ll explain what it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can manipulate your brain to change your mood. How? Biofeedback. For example, when you are happy you smile. But it also works in reverse - if you smile, that makes you happy. And there are other ways I’ll discuss that you can improve your mood by doing very simple things. It’s fascinating. Then, have you ever wanted to create a new habit or break an old one? Charles Duhigg author of the book The Power of Habit (http://amzn.to/2yKznVb) joins me to discuss the science of habits. He offers some great techniques to start new habits and explains why you should never really try to “break” a habit. There is something else you should do instead. Did you know you have more than five senses? For example, when you move your foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal when you drive, you are using another sense that allows you to find those pedals without looking or using any other of your five senses. I’ll explain what it is and what it is called. There is real power in calming down. That’s according to Gyatri Devi, M.D., author of the book, A Calm Brain: How to Relax Into a Stress-Free, High-Powered Life (http://amzn.to/2on2EoX). Because our brains are always active – checking texts and emails and rushing around, we don’t have the d"own time" we need that allows the brain to perform at its best. Dr Devi has some ways to do that and she reveals the amazing benefits of a calm brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is called the “helper’s high.” It’s that feeling you get when you do something nice for someone else. It isn’t only a theory, there is solid evidence that doing the smallest thing for someone else is good for you. I’ll explore that as we begin this episode of the podcast. Achieving any goal can be tough, whether it is a New Year’s resolution or some other important goal you want to accomplish. But there is a little secret that makes achieving any goal more likely. Matthew Ferry, a top executive coach for 20+ years and author of the forthcoming book, Quiet Mind, Epic Life (due in 2018) explains how he gets people to achieve their wildest dreams. And it turns out to be pretty simple. Is there a laser pointer in your house? Sure it is fun to watch your cat chase the light – and there are even toy lasers for kids. But are they safe? Could it damage someone’s eyesight if you point it at them? Interestingly there has been a case of that happening – but only one. And there are millions of laser pointers. So what’s the deal? The answer is in this episode. Have you ever wondered why there are hardly any new Christmas songs? Why do we listen to the same old songs every year? Ronald Lankford, scholar and author of the book, Sleigh Rides, Jingle Bells & Silent Nights (http://amzn.to/2ACcGIu ) reveals why some Christmas songs are popular for decades and why we love those songs so much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does love at first sight exist? Many experts say no but many people claim to have experienced it. So what’s the truth? We begin this episode by looking at this intriguing phenomenon. Then, whenever you speak, you should have a point. And not only should you have a point but you must make sure the person listening gets your point. Communications trainer Joel Schwartzberg, author of the book, Get to The Point: Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter (http://amzn.to/2A5k8aL) explains that too often people don’t know what their point is. And even when they do, they don’t make it clear to the listener. In this discussion Joel reveals how to make your point crystal clear. Then, the Navy Seals have something called the “40% Rule.” It has to do with human potential. When I first read it a while ago, I cut out the article and always remembered it during those teams when I needed to get more out of myself. I think you’ll find it useful in your life as well. Are today’s kids and young adults too entitled? Do they think the world owes them something? Well, certainly not all of them think that but there does seem to be a growing entitlement mentality in our culture. So where did it come from? According to psychologist Michael Wetter, it is primarily a parenting problem. Parents want to protect their children and keep them happy but the unintended consequence is that kids are not prepared for the real world. Dr. Wetter is author of the book Earn It!: What to Do When Your Kid Needs an Entitlement Intervention (http://amzn.to/2BZL1hO) and he offers some great advice and insight to deal with this problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How’s your driving? Sure you know you are a good driver but what do other drivers think? This episode starts with a slightly unusual driver’s test. Then, you know those people who are always so happy? Is it hard work to be that happy or does it just come naturally? David Niven author of several books on happiness including 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People (http://amzn.to/2kqKd17), explores the science of happiness and offers amazingly simple strategies to make you and those around you a lot happier. Also, there are four questions you should ask on a first date to see if you should bother with a second date. I’ll tell you what those questions are. Plus, you are about to learn things about Christmas you never knew. Why do we celebrate this holiday the way we do, where did it really come from who is responsible for the way we view all things that are Christmas? Bruce Forbes is a professor of religious studies at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and author of the book Christmas: A Candid History (http://amzn.to/2B7pWEN) explains some of the fascinating facts behind Christmas and why he believes there are actually 2 Christmases – the religious one and the cultural one. And his explanation is fascinating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I bet you have Googled medical symptoms you are experiencing. Everyone does. But the information you get can be contradictory and often times inaccurate. However, there is a place to go online that has accurate information and you’ve probably never heard of it before. We start this episode with that. Then, conventional wisdom is that having experience is always better than being a beginner. Well, not so fast. It turns out that starting at something as a newbie gives you a real advantage if you do it right according to Liz Wiseman, who is a researcher, adviser and teacher and has been ranked as one of the top 10 leadership thinkers in the world. Liz is also author of the book, Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work (http://amzn.to/2jcNLR2). For anyone fearful of having to start a new job or career or a new anything, you need to hear what Liz has to say. Also, is there really a “Fountain of Youth?” There's something pretty close according to cardiologist Dr. John Day, author of the book, The Longevity Plan (http://amzn.to/2Aslo9a). There is a village in a remote part of China where the people who live there live a very long time and never suffer from heart disease, diabetes or obesity. What is it these people know and do that allows them such a long life? We unravel the mystery with Dr Day. Plus, how often have you apologized for something unnecessarily? We all do it: Someone steps on your foot and you say, “I’m sorry.” Why? It wasn’t your fault. Interestingly, successful people apologize less because over-apologizing weakens your message and tends to make you less competent. We explore that in this episode of the program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a brief hello from Mike Carruthers, host of Something You Should Know. Mike explains the background and history of how the podcast started and what this new podcast is all about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices