Something You Should Know

Anxiety has become incredibly common. Many people feel constantly on edge—worried about work, relationships, money, the future, or simply the pace of modern life. The usual advice focuses on calming down, reducing stress, or trying to eliminate anxiety altogether. But Dr. John Delony believes that approach misses the point. Anxiety itself is not the real problem—it's a signal. Like a smoke alarm going off in your house, the goal shouldn't be to silence the alarm but to figure out what's causing it. Dr. Delony argues that anxiety often points to deeper issues such as unresolved conflict, unhealthy relationships, lack of boundaries, or living out of alignment with what really matters to you. When you address those underlying issues, anxiety often begins to ease naturally. Dr. John Delony is a mental health and wellness expert, host of The John Delony Show podcast (https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-dr-john-delony-show), and author of Building a Non-Anxious Life (https://amzn.to/4aabU1G). In our conversation he explains why anxiety may actually be trying to help you—and how listening to that signal can lead to a calmer, more intentional life. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you meet someone for the first time, you form an opinion about them almost instantly. Before they've said more than a few words, you may already feel they are trustworthy—or not. How do we make those snap judgments so quickly, and what exactly are we picking up on? https://www.princeton.edu/news/2006/08/22/snap-judgments-decide-faces-character-psychologist-finds Are we really in control of our behavior, or do our genes quietly influence the choices we make? Scientists are discovering that genetics can shape traits such as impulsivity, aggression, and self-control—traits that can affect everything from everyday decisions to criminal behavior. That raises some profound questions: if biology predisposes someone toward certain actions, how should society think about responsibility and punishment? Psychologist Kathryn Paige Harden, professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness (https://amzn.to/3NlisF6), explores what modern genetics reveals about human behavior and what it could mean for the way we understand blame, morality, and forgiveness. Most people would love to live a life that could truly be described as flourishing—one filled with meaning, joy, purpose, and growth. But is that kind of life reserved for a fortunate few, or can anyone learn to build it? Daniel Coyle, bestselling author and advisor to high-performing organizations including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, and Google, believes flourishing is something that can be intentionally developed. Daniel is author of the book Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment (https://amzn.to/3Nnk0hH), and he joins me to explain the habits, mindsets, and environments that help people move beyond simply getting by to actually – flourish! If you own a pair of Levi's jeans, you've probably noticed the tiny pocket tucked inside the front pocket. Many people assume it's meant for coins—but that wasn't its original purpose at all. In fact, the reason it was created has largely disappeared from everyday life, yet the pocket remains a small reminder of an earlier era. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-jeans-have-that-tiny-pocket PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you visit Disneyland or Disney World, something subtle happens in the parking lot both when you arrive and when you leave. Most people never notice it, yet it reflects a simple insight Walt Disney understood about human behavior — one that can make everyday experiences feel better and more memorable if you apply it in your own life. Source: Tom Peters author of The Little Big Things (https://amzn.to/4cmUMaZ). We often talk about the “chemistry of love,” but the reality goes much deeper. Our attraction to others, the way relationships form, and even why love sometimes falls apart are strongly shaped by biology. Dr. Liat Yakir, a biologist specializing in genetics and science communication, explains how hormones, brain chemistry, and evolutionary forces influence who we fall for and how relationships unfold. She is the author of A Brief History of Love: What Attracts Us, How We Fall in Love and Why Biology Screws it All Up (https://amzn.to/3vkyiqn), and she shares fascinating insights into what's really happening inside our brains and bodies when we experience love — along with a surprisingly practical prescription for building stronger relationships. Many of us pay fees, higher prices, and miss opportunities simply because we never ask for something better. Yet asking for a waiver, a discount, or a different option can often save real money. Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree and author of Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life (https://amzn.to/4a1xIgt), explains why so many people hesitate to ask, when asking works best, and how small conversations can lead to surprisingly big financial wins. For some people, walking barefoot feels freeing and natural. For others, the idea seems unhealthy or even dangerous. Humans have been wearing shoes for tens of thousands of years, which raises an interesting question: are shoes protecting us — or weakening our feet? https://time.com/6284245/walking-barefoot-health-risks/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Junk mail seems like a relic of another era. Physical ads showing up in your mailbox feel easy to ignore in a world dominated by digital marketing. Yet companies still spend billions sending those mailers every year. Why? Because for certain groups of people, those pieces of mail are surprisingly effective — far more than you might expect. https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2023-01/RISC-WP-20-009.pdf Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere — writing emails, answering questions, summarizing documents, and even helping people make decisions. But should we trust it? Linguist Emily Bender, a professor at the University of Washington and one of the world's leading voices urging caution about AI hype, argues that we may be misunderstanding what these systems actually do. Named to the inaugural TIME 100 list of the most influential people in AI, she explains why tools like ChatGPT can appear intelligent while operating very differently from human thinking. She is co-author of The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want (https://amzn.to/3P1v6tn) and she offers an important perspective on how we should — and shouldn't — rely on AI. Humans have been drinking alcohol for thousands of years, and despite the well-known risks, it remains deeply embedded in cultures around the world. Why do people drink in the first place? Is alcohol simply a dangerous toxin, or does it serve psychological or social purposes that help explain its enduring appeal? Dr. Charles Knowles, Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London and Chief Academic Officer at Cleveland Clinic London, brings both scientific expertise and personal experience to the discussion. Having struggled with alcohol dependency himself, he explores what alcohol does inside the body and brain, why some people develop problems while others do not, and how our culture shapes the way we think about drinking. He is the author of Why We Drink Too Much: The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Culture (https://amzn.to/4b8HHCd). Razor blades are small, simple pieces of metal — yet they often cost far more than people expect. You may even notice they're locked behind glass at many stores. Why are they so expensive, and why haven't competitors driven prices down? Several companies have tried to disrupt the razor business but it hasn't gone as well as many consumers hoped. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2018/01/24/pgs-gillette-woes-have-translated-to-this-good-news-for-consumers/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Memory feels dependable — we rely on it to tell the story of our lives. But the truth is, memory behaves in some surprisingly strange ways. For one thing, your brain forgets far more than it remembers, and that's not a flaw — it's actually part of how memory is designed to work. At the same time, certain moments stick with remarkable clarity while others fade almost instantly. Think about how vividly many people remember events from their late teens and early adulthood compared with other periods of life. So why do some experiences become unforgettable while others disappear? And if our memories are so selective and imperfect, can we do anything to improve them? Cognitive psychologist and memory expert Megan Sumeracki says yes. She explains how memory actually forms, why we often misunderstand how it works, and what science reveals about the best ways to strengthen it. Megan is an associate professor of psychology at Rhode Island College and author of The Psychology of Memory (https://amzn.to/4cCOAuK). In our conversation, she shares fascinating insights about why our brains forget so much, why certain years of life seem packed with memories, and simple techniques anyone can use to remember more of what truly matters. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When was the last time you sighed? Probably not that long ago. We tend to think of sighing as something we do when we're frustrated, tired, or relieved. But scientists have discovered that sighing plays a much deeper role in keeping your body functioning properly — and your brain actually has a built-in mechanism that triggers it. https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-and-stanford-researchers-pinpoint-origin-of-sighing-reflex-in-the-brain Some people naturally seem to expect things to work out, while others brace for disappointment. Is optimism simply a personality trait, or is it something you can learn? Psychologist Deepika Chopra — often called “The Optimism Doctor” and author of The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life Is Hard (https://amzn.to/4b9EG4S) — explains that real optimism isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's a mindset grounded in science that can improve resilience, decision making, health, and even longevity. Butter seems simple. It's just butter… right? Not even close. The butter you buy at the grocery store hides a surprising amount of history, science, and culinary nuance — from why it's shaped into sticks to why some butter is salted and some isn't. Anna Stockwell, New York–based recipe developer, food stylist, and author of The Butter Book ( https://amzn.to/47gj6u8), explains what actually makes butter different from one brand to another, when premium butter is worth it, and how understanding butter can dramatically improve the way you cook. Many people use mouthwash every day as part of their routine. It seems like a healthy habit. But there's growing evidence that regular use of some mouthwashes may come with an unexpected downside — one that most people never consider. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7125030 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A simple trip to get your hair cut can instantly make you look years younger — and it may have little to do with the haircut itself. There's a subtle psychological shift that happens in that moment that changes how people see you… and how you see yourself. https://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/psychology-of-hair/ At some point, everyone faces the question: Do I stay, or do I go? A job that feels off. A relationship that's complicated. A place that no longer fits. But discomfort doesn't always mean it's time to leave — and comfort doesn't always mean you should stay. Emily P. Freeman, host of The Next Right Thing (https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/) and author of How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away (https://amzn.to/43a6d1p), shares a thoughtful, practical framework for making life's hardest decisions with clarity instead of panic. Some songs don't just climb the charts — they change music. Tracks like “Good Vibrations,” “Rocket Man,” and “What a Fool Believes” didn't just become hits; they shifted the sound, the production, and even the business of rock and pop. Marc Myers, longtime Wall Street Journal contributor and author of Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul (https://amzn.to/3TrynC4), takes us inside the stories behind these landmark recordings and explains what made them transformative. When you walk into a store, you think you're making rational choices. But before you touch a product or read a price tag, your senses are already at work — especially your sense of smell. Retailers carefully design scents to influence how long you linger, how you feel, and how much you spend. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214143732.htm PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How you think about getting older might be more powerful than you realize. Scientists have uncovered an unexpected connection between people's beliefs about aging and what happens to them as the years go by. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/ We're often warned not to reveal too much about ourselves. Oversharing can make people uncomfortable, right? Maybe. But Harvard Business School professor Leslie John argues the bigger problem may actually be the opposite — sharing too little. In her book Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing (https://amzn.to/3ME0EVt), she explains how thoughtfully sharing personal thoughts, experiences, and vulnerabilities can strengthen relationships, build trust, and even improve professional success. Humans have a strange relationship with technology. Some innovations instantly become essential while others quietly disappear. New technology can spark excitement, fear, resistance, and creativity all at once. Vanessa Chang, Director of Programs at Leonardo, the International Society for the Arts, Sciences, and Technology and author of The Body Digital: A Brief History of Humans and Machines from Cuckoo Clocks to ChatGPT (https://amzn.to/4cqHjBE), explores how people historically absorb new technologies — and how those tools reshape the way we interact with each other and the world. When you buy new clothes, it feels natural to wear them right away. After all, they're brand new. But “new” doesn't necessarily mean clean. In fact, clothing can go through quite a journey before it reaches your closet — one that may make you think twice before wearing it straight off the rack. https://www.southernliving.com/should-you-wash-new-clothes-before-wearing-11885557 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We spend a surprising amount of mental energy agonizing over decisions that ultimately don't matter very much — what to order at a restaurant, which email to answer first, or which option might be “slightly better.” Meanwhile, the truly important decisions in life often don't get the thoughtful attention they deserve. Annie Duke says that's because most people misunderstand how good decision making actually works. Annie is a former professional poker champion who now advises organizations and leaders on how to make smarter choices under uncertainty. She is also the author of How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices (https://amzn.to/3OQgGIF). In our conversation, she explains why we get stuck overthinking small decisions, why big decisions are often harder than they should be, and how adopting a more strategic way of thinking about choices can dramatically improve the outcomes we experience in life and work. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average American unknowingly throws away up to $1,500 a year — and it's happening right in your own kitchen. It's not obvious. It doesn't feel wasteful in the moment. But small, everyday habits quietly drain real money from your grocery budget. There are a few surprisingly simple shifts that can stop the leak. https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste/consumers Your beliefs about yourself — your abilities, your limits, your future — quietly shape your behavior every day. “I'm too old.” “I'm bad with money.” “I'll never succeed.” The problem is not that these statements are true — it's that you believe them to be true. Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results (https://amzn.to/3OLvImC), explains how limiting beliefs form, why they feel so real, and how deliberately reshaping them can dramatically alter your trajectory in work, relationships, and life. Is memory loss inevitable as you age? Are we destined for cognitive decline? Dr. Majid Fotuhi, world-renowned neurologist and author of The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life (https://amzn.to/4l5s1nZ), says no. He explains that brain health is deeply influenced by lifestyle — including 14 factors you can control — and that protecting your mind requires the same intentional care as protecting your heart or body. When you need someone to say yes to a request, one short phrase can significantly increase your chances. It doesn't manipulate. It doesn't pressure. It simply taps into a powerful psychological principle that makes people more open to helping. https://brainblogger.com/2015/06/25/top-5-persuasion-techniques-of-2015/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us have taken a hit to the head at some point — a fall, a collision, a stray ball — and brushed it off as no big deal. But what if those “minor” impacts aren't so minor? Even seemingly harmless head injuries may have longer-term effects that we rarely consider. Source: Dr. Daniel Amen author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life https://amzn.to/3P3Dtld Every day you negotiate — at work, at home, with friends, with strangers. Most of us think conflict is something to avoid or win. But according to William Ury, one of the world's leading authorities on negotiation who has advised the White House, the Pentagon, and major corporations, there is a far more powerful approach. Listen as he reveals how to turn confrontation into collaboration and why the way you frame a dispute often determines its outcome. William is author of the book Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict (https://amzn.to/3T7issl), Swearing is supposed to be rude, shocking, even offensive. Yet it's everywhere — in conversations, on television, online. So why does profanity still pack a punch? And could it actually serve a purpose? Rebecca Roache, senior lecturer in philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London and author of For F*ck's Sake: Why Swearing is Shocking, Rude, and Fun (https://amzn.to/48DxH0t), explains why taboo words are so powerful, how they've evolved, and what they reveal about emotion, culture, and connection. If you want to dramatically lower your child's risk of serious trouble later in life, you might look closely at how much time they spend doing one very common, everyday activity. It seems harmless. It's easy. And it's everywhere. But the long-term consequences may surprise you. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2280397/Can-letting-children-watch-TV-turn-criminals.html PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walk into a meeting room, classroom, or even your own living room, and chances are you'll sit in the same spot you've chosen before. And if someone else is sitting there, it feels all wrong. But why? It's a small behavior that reveals something surprisingly deep about how humans think. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_attachment Every night your brain builds an alternate reality — sometimes magical, sometimes terrifying, often completely illogical. So what are dreams actually for? Are they random noise, emotional therapy, memory maintenance, or something else entirely? Award-winning health and science journalist Karen van Kampen, author of The Brain Never Sleeps: Why We Dream and What It Means for Our Health (https://amzn.to/3ZJwbIs) explains what researchers now understand about dreaming — and why your sleeping brain may be working harder than you realize. Taking care of your health can feel overwhelming — conflicting advice, complicated routines, endless “must-do” lists. But according to Dr. Zeke Emanuel, oncologist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life (https://amzn.to/4cyrNU8), most of what truly matters can be distilled into a handful of simple, high-impact behaviors. No extreme biohacks. No punishing regimens. Just practical strategies that deliver outsized benefits. There's only a one-cent difference between $59.99 and $60 — but your brain doesn't process them the same way. Retailers know this. The “left digit effect” tricks your perception. It's a tiny psychological quirk that quietly influences billions of purchasing decisions — including yours. https://academic.oup.com/jcr/article/32/1/54/1797197 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to be happy? Even the happiest people aren't happy all the time. Maybe happiness isn't a constant emotion at all — maybe it's a philosophy. A way of living. A sense of meaning shaped by what you do and who you do it for. Stephanie Harrison has spent years studying what truly makes people happy — and she believes many of us have been chasing the wrong version. She is the creator of the “New Happy” philosophy, a powerful rethinking of happiness that has reached millions through art, a newsletter, a podcast, and programs around the world. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. You can learn more at https://www.thenewhappy.com. She is also author of New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong (https://amzn.to/3WxgOlR). This conversation will challenge how you define happiness — and offer a refreshing, practical way to pursue a deeper, more lasting kind of joy. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes a great idea doesn't come from thinking harder — but from shifting your body. Research suggests that posture can influence how creatively and flexibly you think, meaning the position you're in during a brainstorming session could actually affect whether you have that “Eureka!” moment. Listen to how that works as we open this episode. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27992759 It feels like everyone has allergies these days. But do they really? And what exactly qualifies as an allergy in the first place? Dr. Zachary Rubin, a double board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist in the Chicago area and author of All About Allergies: Everything You Need to Know About Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever, and More (https://amzn.to/401KdW5) explains why allergies appear to be on the rise, why many people think they have allergies but don't, and what's really happening inside your immune system when a true allergic reaction occurs. Have you ever agreed to something you didn't want to do, apologized when it wasn't your fault, or stayed silent when you knew you should speak up? These patterns can feel automatic — almost out of your control. Kati Morton, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of Why Do I Keep Doing This?: Unlearn the Habits Keeping You Stuck and Unhappy (https://amzn.to/3ZDmcV3) explains why these self-sabotaging behaviors form, why they repeat, and how to finally interrupt them. One of the main reasons people exercise is to lose weight. It seems logical: burn more calories, lose more fat. But the science tells a more complicated story. Exercise is incredibly important for health — but when it comes to shedding pounds, its impact may be far smaller than most people believe. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3925973/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh flowers brighten any room — but they fade fast. You've probably heard all kinds of tricks to keep them alive longer: flower food packets, aspirin, sugar, even pennies in the vase. But there is one surprisingly simple additive that appears to work better than most, and it's probably already in your kitchen. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12981249/ No matter how thrilling something feels at first — a new relationship, a promotion, a new gadget — the excitement fades. It has to. The brain is wired for habituation, meaning we quickly get used to what once thrilled us. But that doesn't mean the spark is gone for good. Tali Sharot, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London and MIT, founder of the Affective Brain Lab and co-author of Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There (https://amzn.to/49F5vLD), explains how you can “resparkle” your life and reclaim appreciation for what you've started to take for granted. We all know someone who is simply magnetic in conversation. They make you feel heard. They make you feel interesting. They ask the right questions and seem to instinctively connect. Charles Duhigg calls these people “super communicators.” He is the bestselling author of Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection (https://amzn.to/3wmhwHv), and he explains that this isn't charisma — it's a skill set anyone can learn, and mastering it can transform your personal and professional relationships. The next time you're stuck on a problem, try changing your body position. Research suggests that something as simple as whether you're lying down or sitting upright can influence how creatively you think and how easily ideas flow. https://phys.org/news/2005-05-creative-lying.html PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When men get sick with a cold or the flu, do they actually suffer more than women — or just complain louder? Some fascinating research suggests there may be real biological differences in immune response between the sexes, which could explain the infamous “man cold.” I break down what scientists have discovered and what it really means. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29229663/ Picky eating feels normal today — separate meals for kids at the dinner table is often the norm. But it wasn't always this way. For most of history, children ate what adults ate or they didn't eat at all. Helen Zoe Veit, award-winning historian, associate professor at Michigan State University, and author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History (https://amzn.to/3OolXKY) explains how and why picky eating became so common, the serious problems it creates — and why it doesn't have to be that way. Will artificial intelligence make us intellectually lazy — or is it about to unleash a new wave of human potential? Zack Kass, one of OpenAI's first 100 employees and author of The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential (https://amzn.to/3MoYM2I) argues that tools like ChatGPT are only scratching the surface. He explains why AI may not replace human thinking but amplify it — if we use it wisely. People form powerful judgments about you within seconds of seeing your online profile photo. Are you trustworthy? Competent? Approachable? Research shows the ideal expression isn't a huge grin or a stone-cold stare but something more nuanced — and getting it right can influence how others perceive you professionally and socially. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/2025/04/02/should-you-smile-in-your-profile-photo-heres-what-research-shows/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thirty-six percent of Americans — including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children — say they experience “serious loneliness.” Nearly everyone has felt that ache at some point: the quiet sense of isolation, of being unseen or disconnected, even when surrounded by people. Humans are not wired for isolation. We are built for connection. Yet modern life — with its screens, busyness, and fragmented communities — often pulls us further apart. Psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell joins me to explain why loneliness is far more than a bad feeling. It impacts physical health, mental health, motivation, even lifespan. He shares why connection is essential to thriving — and practical ways to rebuild it in a world that makes isolation easy. Dr. Hallowell is the author of ⁠Connect (https://amzn.to/3GxgwQw),⁠ and he also has a bestselling book on ADHD called ⁠ADHD 2.0 (https://amzn.to/3AVKgVI). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a freezing morning, it feels smart to let your car idle and warm up before driving off. But is it? Modern engines aren't built the way they used to be. In fact, letting your car sit and idle too long may not be doing what you think it is. This episode begins with what actually happens under the hood — and how long you really should wait before you hit the gas and go. https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/stop-idling-like-its-1985-warm-up-your-car-right There are few communication situations more intense than when a Secret Service agent speaks with someone who has threatened the President of the United States. In those moments, connection, trust, and careful listening aren't just helpful — they're critical. Brad Beeler developed his communication skills in those exact circumstances and shares how anyone can apply those same techniques to everyday conversations. Brad served in many roles at the Secret Service including on the protection detail for President George H.W. Bush. He is author of Tell Me Everything: A Secret Service Agent's Proven Strategies for Earning Trust, Revealing the Truth, and Communicating with Anyone (https://amzn.to/3M5YlKy). Designing a meaningful life may not be about discovering your one true calling or waiting for passion to strike. What if finding meaning is something you build through experimentation — by testing ideas, adjusting course, and learning from experience? Bill Burnett explains how “design thinking” can be applied to life itself. He is executive director of the Stanford Life Design Lab, founder of the Designing Your Life Institute, and co-author of How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Design Thinking to Unlock Purpose, Joy, and Flow Every Day. (https://amzn.to/4ataW2i) And finally, when a company doesn't honor its promise, most people either complain or give up. But there's another tool that can quickly get a retailer's attention: the chargeback. We wrap up with how chargebacks actually work — and why businesses take them very seriously. https://www.mastercard.com/us/en/news-and-trends/Insights/2025/what-s-the-true-cost-of-a-chargeback-in-2025.html PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Body language sends signals we're often unaware of — and apparently, that includes your belly button. Where it points can subtly communicate interest, attention, and even attraction. This episode begins with the surprising message your belly button may be sending — and what you might be picking up from others without realizing it. Source: Janine Driver author of You Say More Than You Think (https://amzn.to/3SPYVwt). Have you ever eaten when you weren't hungry… or kept eating even though you were already full — and then wondered why you did that? Most people assume it's about willpower. It isn't. Dr. Jud Brewer explains what's really driving those urges and how to break the cycle without dieting, restriction, or guilt. He's a professor at Brown University's School of Public Health and author of The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We're Not Hungry and How to Stop. His work reveals how to stop fighting food — and actually enjoy it more (https://amzn.to/49sbiEw). The App is called "Eat Right Now" and is available wherever you get your apps. We like to believe we're good at predicting the future — our careers, relationships, finances, and even how we'll feel. But humans are notoriously bad at understanding randomness, coincidence, and probability. Why do coincidences seem so meaningful? Why does randomness never look random? And how does this distort the predictions we make about our own lives? Kit Yates joins me to unpack the science behind prediction — and when it's smarter not to predict at all. He's author of How to Expect the Unexpected: The Science of Making Predictions—and the Art of Knowing When Not To (https://amzn.to/3Ur3PRM). In 2008, Oxford University compiled a list of the most overused and despised words and phrases in the English language. We wrap up by revealing what made the list — and how painfully familiar many of them still sound today. https://www.wired.com/2008/11/oxford-research/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're a coffee drinker, you've probably wondered at some point whether you're drinking too much. Coffee gets blamed for everything from poor sleep to heart trouble — but a major long-term study tells a very different story. This episode begins with findings that may surprise (and reassure) coffee lovers. https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5024 Eyeglasses are so common today that it's easy to forget how revolutionary they are. Before glasses, millions of people were cut off from reading, learning, working, and fully participating in society. The invention of eyeglasses didn't just improve vision — it reshaped education, labor, science, and culture. David King Dunaway joins me to tell this surprisingly underappreciated story. He's a professor of English at the University of New Mexico and the University of São Paulo, and author of A Four-Eyed World: How Glasses Changed the Way We See (https://amzn.to/46nqL9y). David's website is here: https://afoureyedworld.com/ Most people avoid complaining — it feels awkward, time-consuming, or not worth the effort. But when you don't complain, you often end up paying for mistakes that aren't yours. When done the right way, complaining can be effective, respectful, and surprisingly rewarding. Eric Zse explains when to speak up, what to say, and how to get results without being rude or angry. He's author of The Art of the Constructive Complaint: How to Speak Up, Get Heard, and Turn Everyday Frustrations into Fair Outcomes (https://amzn.to/45Sdi9L). And finally — have you ever walked into another room and instantly forgotten why you went there? It happens to almost everyone, and it has a name: the doorway effect. We wrap up with the fascinating reason this happens — and why it has nothing to do with memory loss or aging. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21563019/) PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone seems more stressed than ever — and oddly, some people even wear it like a badge of honor. But chronic stress isn't something to brag about. It quietly alters the way you think. It amplifies worry, exaggerates threats, narrows your options, and makes worst-case scenarios feel not just possible, but probable. Over time, stress doesn't just affect your mood — it reshapes your perception, your judgment, and the decisions you make. And because the shift happens gradually, you often don't realize it's happening at all. Clinical psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli has spent decades studying stress and its impact on the brain and behavior. In this conversation, he explains what's actually happening neurologically when stress rises — how your brain shifts into a more reactive mode, why you become more negative and less flexible in your thinking, and how chronic stress can trap you in a self-reinforcing loop. We also explore why modern life seems perfectly designed to keep stress levels elevated and why simply “relaxing” isn't a realistic solution. Most importantly, Arthur shares practical, science-based strategies to interrupt the cycle — techniques you can use in the moment to calm your nervous system, widen your perspective, and prevent stress from distorting your thinking. If you've ever made a decision under pressure and later wondered, “What was I thinking?” — this episode will help you understand exactly what was happening and how to prevent it next time. Arthur is the author of The Stress Solution (https://amzn.to/3yQgt22). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a big storm is on the way, it happens like clockwork: empty shelves, frantic shoppers, and a sudden shortage of eggs, bread, and milk. Why do people panic-buy the same items every time? And how much do you actually need if you're stuck at home for a few days? This episode begins with the psychology behind panic shopping — and why otherwise rational people behave this way. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-trails/201601/panic-shopping-the-psychology-of-the-bread-milk-eggs-rush Most of us don't think of ourselves as vulnerable. We assume danger happens to other people — until it doesn't. In reality, small, everyday behaviors can quietly increase or reduce your personal safety. The way you speak, move, and pay attention sends signals you may not even realize you're broadcasting. Dannah Eve joins me to explain how street smarts really work and how to protect yourself using simple, practical awareness. She's a personal safety educator and author of Street Smarts: Trust Your Instincts, Outsmart Danger, and Stay Safe in a World That Isn't. (https://amzn.to/4roXfs8). Here is the link to her Instagram posts: https://www.instagram.com/dannah_eve/ We love the idea of the sudden “aha” moment — the brilliant flash of inspiration that changes everything. But that's rarely how great ideas actually happen. Most breakthroughs are the result of borrowing, refining, recombining, and sometimes stumbling onto something unexpected. George Newman explains what science reveals about where ideas come from and how you can increase your odds of having a great one. He's an associate professor at the Rotman School of Management and author of How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success. (https://amzn.to/4ab4L2J). And finally — kissing may not count as exercise, but it does more than you think. From emotional connection to physical benefits, we wrap up with what science says actually happens when you kiss someone. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-kissing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are women really attracted to men who can make them laugh? And if so, why does humor matter so much in attraction? This episode begins with what research and relationship experts say about laughter, mating, and why being funny can be a powerful social signal. https://amzn.to/496hAtL We've always been fascinated by twins. They seem mysterious, almost magical — as if they share a special connection the rest of us don't. But do twins really experience the world differently, or are we projecting myths onto them? Helena de Bres joins me to unpack the truths, misconceptions, and lived reality of being a twin. She's a professor of philosophy at Wellesley College and author of How to Be Multiple: The Philosophy of Twins (https://amzn.to/3HCmH8E). Most financial advice sounds the same: save more, spend less, invest wisely. But some of the most effective money guidance runs counter to what we usually hear. Vivian Tu shares a fresh, practical perspective on money, habits, and mindset — including mistakes people make without realizing it. Vivian made her first million by age 27, is CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF Media, and author of Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/42oltaH). And finally, one of life's small but frequent frustrations: you grab a pen, there's ink inside — and it won't write. Most of the time, the pen isn't dead; it's just stuck. We wrap up with a few simple, surprisingly effective tricks to get a ballpoint pen working again. https://www.penheaven.com/blog/revive-a-dead-ballpoint-pen PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask frequent flyers what bothers them most about air travel and you might be surprised by the answer. It's not turbulence, cramped seats, or bad food — it's the other passengers. This episode begins by revealing which behaviors irritate fellow travelers the most and what people wish would stop happening at 35,000 feet. https://pro.morningconsult.com/analysis/airplane-etiquette-annoying-behaviors What brings two people together romantically has always been a mystery — and today, it's more complicated than ever. Dating apps offer endless options, yet many people struggle to find meaningful connection. What actually predicts long-term attraction? What matters less than we think? And what do science and history tell us about love, choice, and compatibility? Paul Eastwick joins me to explain how attraction really works. He's a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, director of the Attraction and Relationships Research Laboratory, and author of Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection (https://amzn.to/49RrGS0) Most people pursue goals with a clear payoff — something they hope and expect to achieve. But some people dedicate their lives to goals they know will never happen. Why would anyone do that? What sustains them? And what do these impossible pursuits reveal about meaning, purpose, and fulfillment? Journalist Mark Medley shares remarkable stories of people chasing futures they'll never live to see. He's author of Live to See the Day: Impossible Goals, Unimaginable Futures, and the Pursuit of Things That May Never Be (https://amzn.to/46fV95J). And finally, think about all the surfaces your phone touches — tables, counters, public spaces. Then think about where that phone goes when it rings – your face. We wrap up with what science says about phones, germs, and what that means for your skin and health.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/how-smartphones-damage-your-skin-5-ways-to-protect-against-blue-light-and-bacteria/articleshow/124968775.cms PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would anyone need to be taught how to sleep, breathe, or drink water? Those are things you already do every day. And yet, it turns out most of us are doing them just wrong enough to undermine our health. In this SYSK Trending episode, I talk with Michael Breus, one of the world's leading sleep experts, about how small adjustments to when and how you sleep, breathe, and hydrate can produce outsized benefits for your energy, immunity, metabolism, and long-term health. Dr. Breus is a double-board-certified clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, and the author of Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health (https://amzn.to/3ZposzW). His research shows that better health doesn't always require doing more—it often comes from doing the basics correctly. This is simple advice, but it's powerful—and it may change how you think about your daily habits. You can also take the Chrono Quiz Dr. Breus discusses here: https://sleepdoctor.com/pages/sleep-quiz PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit ⁠https://Hims.com/SOMETHING⁠ for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit ⁠https://Dell.com/deals⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all heard the “rules” about sleep — you need exactly eight hours, falling asleep in front of the TV is bad, and you can make up for lost sleep on the weekend. But how much of that is actually true? This episode begins by separating sleep myths from sleep reality — and the answers may surprise you. https://www.thehealthy.com/sleep/sleep-facts-myths/ When it comes to building wealth, complexity is often the enemy. Many financial experts agree that the simplest strategy — saving automatically before you ever see the money — is also one of the most powerful. But how does it work in practice? How quickly does it add up? And why does automation matter so much? David Bach joins me to explain why this approach has helped millions of people grow wealth quietly and consistently. David is author of ten best-selling books, including The Automatic Millionaire (https://amzn.to/4rjqoow), recently expanded and updated. Self-doubt has a sneaky way of holding us back. It shows up right when opportunities appear, making us hesitate, second-guess, or play it safe — even when we know what we want. Where does that inner voice come from, and how do you turn it down without pretending it doesn't exist? Shadé Zahrai offers insight into how self-doubt forms and how to build real confidence that lasts. She's a behavioral researcher, award-winning peak-performance educator, and author of Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence (https://amzn.to/49VY9GV). And finally, no matter how bug-free you think your home is, you're not alone in it. A surprising number of tiny creatures live alongside us — and in many cases, that's actually a good thing. We wrap up with who these unseen roommates are and why they're part of a healthy home ecosystem. https://www.ipm.org/show/amomentofscience/2023-03-28/arthropods-in-your-house PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to https://Quince.dom/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/SOMETHING for your free online visit!  SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠ DELL: Dell Tech Days are here. Enjoy huge deals on PCs like the Dell 14 Plus with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Visit https://Dell.com/deals PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Human touch feels good — but it may also do far more than we realize. From a reassuring hand on the shoulder to a long hug or massage, deliberate touch can trigger measurable biological responses in the body. This episode begins with what science reveals about why touch matters and what happens when we don't get enough of it. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyone-top/202108/the-vital-importance-human-touch It's easy to assume that the big moments shape our lives — but what if tiny, seemingly meaningless choices matter just as much, or even more? A few minutes, a small decision, or a random event can quietly ripple outward in ways we never see. Brian Klaas joins me to explain how chance, chaos, and randomness shape our lives — and how understanding this can actually help you make better choices. Brian is an associate professor in global politics at University College London, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and author of Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (https://amzn.to/3SrRj31). “Big Tech” companies influence how we communicate, shop, work, and even think — yet they operate with surprisingly little oversight. Who should be setting the rules for companies with that much power? And what happens if no one does? Tom Wheeler explains why tech regulation matters, what's at stake, and who should be in charge. Tom served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama administration and is author of Techlash: Who Makes the Rules in the Digital Gilded Age? (https://amzn.to/47OunPU). And finally, could what kids eat affect their risk of asthma, eczema, or other allergic conditions? Research suggests a link between fast food consumption and respiratory allergies. We wrap up with what scientists have found and why it matters. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3005803 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's an art — and a surprising amount of psychology — behind giving a great compliment. When done well, flattery can strengthen relationships, build trust, and make people more receptive. When done poorly, it can feel awkward or manipulative. This episode begins with what research says about how to give and receive compliments the right way. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202109/the-psychology-compliments-nice-word-goes-long-way Americans buy an astonishing amount of cheap stuff — souvenirs, knick-knacks, novelty items, gadgets — most of which quickly lose their appeal and end up forgotten in drawers or closets. Why are we so drawn to these things in the first place? And why do they so often disappoint us? Wendy Woloson joins me to explain the deep cultural, emotional, and historical forces behind our love of “cheap crap.” She's an associate professor of history at Rutgers University–Camden and author of Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America (https://amzn.to/3M9M9WM). When it comes to health, many people may be thinking about exercise all wrong. Staying healthy isn't just about gym workouts or formal exercise — it's about how much you move throughout the entire day. Small movements, done consistently, can have a powerful impact on longevity and overall fitness. Juliet Starrett explains why everyday movement matters more than you think and how to easily build it into your routine. She's co-author of Built to Move (https://amzn.to/3ZwADHH) and host of The Ready State podcast.(https://thereadystate.com/podcasts/) And finally — if you're someone who doodles while listening, you may not be distracted at all. Research suggests doodling can actually improve focus and memory. We wrap up with why letting your pen wander may help your brain pay better attention. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-power-of-the-doodle-improve-your-focus-and-memory-1406675744 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SYSK TRENDING takes a look back at conversations from the Something You Should Know archive that connect directly to topics people are talking about right now. Motivation is one of them. We tend to think people are motivated by carrots and sticks — rewards if you do what's expected, punishment if you don't. And while that approach can work in some situations, research shows it's often not the most effective way to motivate yourself or others. Daniel Pink explains what actually drives human motivation and why autonomy, mastery, and purpose matter far more than we realize. Daniel is the author of Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us (https://amzn.to/4kn5DGs) , and in this conversation he shares practical insights you can use at work, at home, and in your own life — especially at a time when so many people are struggling to stay motivated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably been told to be grateful for what you have — but that advice isn't just feel-good wisdom. Research shows that intentionally expressing gratitude can actually change how your brain functions, influencing mood, focus, and emotional resilience. This episode begins with what gratitude really does inside your head — and why it's more powerful than it sounds. https://www.thecut.com/2016/01/how-expressing-gratitude-change-your-brain.html There's a basic human need we rarely talk about, yet it quietly shapes how people behave: the need to matter – to feel significant. When people feel seen and valued they tend to thrive. When they don't, the consequences can be serious — for individuals and for society. Jennifer Breheny Wallace joins me to explain why mattering is so essential and how it affects relationships, motivation, and well-being. She's an award-winning journalist and author of Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose (https://amzn.to/4r0ZX6W). Cats are the second most popular pets in the United States — yet many people don't understand the appeal at all. Cats can seem aloof, independent, and uninterested in pleasing us. So why have humans kept cats as companions for thousands of years? And what do cat lovers get from the relationship that others miss? Jerry Moore explains the long, surprising history of cats and why they continue to captivate us. He's a professor emeritus of anthropology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and author of Cat Tales: A History (https://amzn.to/4sUBPEU). And finally, when you're sick with a cold or the flu, some old-fashioned home remedies actually have science on their side. They may not cure you — but they can make being sick a little less miserable. We wrap up with which remedies help and why they work.https://www.consumerreports.org/health/flu/how-to-beat-a-bad-cold-or-the-flu-a9270666041/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In almost every job interview, there's one question that catches people off guard — not because it's rare, but because most candidates think they already know how to answer it. They don't. This episode begins by revealing that question and how to craft a response that instantly sets you apart. https://www.forbes.com/pictures/lml45mmjg/why-should-i-hire-you-2/?sh=4c5a502c53d8 Robots fascinate us — and that fascination may be leading us into trouble. Even when we know robots are just machines, we instinctively treat them like thinking, feeling beings. We trust them, empathize with them, and sometimes overestimate their intelligence. Eve Herold explains why this happens, the real risks it creates, and how humans can maintain control and clarity as social robots become part of everyday life. She's an award-winning science writer and author of Robots and the People Who Love Them: Holding on to Our Humanity in an Age of Social Robots. (https://amzn.to/3ObcBzb) Most people think confidence is something you either have or you don't — but that assumption may be the problem. According to Viv Groskop, you likely already have more confidence than you realize. The key is knowing how to access it and project it in the moments that matter most. Viv is a writer, comedian, executive coach, and author of Happy High Status: How to Effortlessly Be Confident. (https://amzn.to/3vQYj0h) And finally, an eye exam does far more than determine whether you need glasses or contacts. In many cases, it can reveal early warning signs of serious health conditions you might not otherwise detect. We wrap up with why regular eye exams are more important than most people realize. https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/cost-and-how-often/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFY: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want a conversation to feel more engaging and connected, there's a small, often overlooked detail that can quietly shape how the other person experiences you before either of you even says a word. And it all has to do with your phone. This episode begins with research revealing what that detail is and why it matters more than most people realize. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12110250/ You've likely experienced that rare moment when you just click with someone. Conversation flows. It seems effortless – it's feels magical. But what's actually happening in those moments — and why doesn't it happen with everyone? Journalist Kate Murphy joins me to explain the science behind interpersonal synchrony, the conditions that make clicking more likely, and why these moments feel so meaningful. Kate has written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and is author of Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony. https://amzn.to/4sM4a04 We hear the word excellence everywhere — but what does it really mean to pursue it? Do we need to strive for excellence in everything we do? Is it okay to be average at some things? And how do you avoid chasing what looks like excellence but actually leads to burnout or dissatisfaction? Brad Stulberg explains the difference between true excellence and what he calls “pseudo-excellence,” and how to pursue mastery in a way that leads to both high performance and deep satisfaction. Brad is a writer, researcher, performance coach, and author of The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. https://amzn.to/4qY237s When you spend discretionary money, you probably think you know what you're buying. But there's another way to think about those purchases — one that research suggests can have a big impact on how satisfied and balanced you feel about spending that money. We wrap up with a shift in perspective that may change how you decide what's worth spending money on. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/outsourcing-household-chores-happier-relationship/3871202/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFY: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Written communication strips away tone, facial expression, and nuance — which is why texts and emails are so easy to misinterpret. Sarcasm, humor, and intent can get lost, sometimes with awkward or costly consequences. This episode begins with how emojis can restore subtlety to digital communication — if you know which ones actually help and which ones make things worse. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563221002946?utm Some of the greatest ideas — and even entire careers — were never planned. Potato chips, penicillin, and Post-it Notes were all accidents. Success often comes not from careful design, but from noticing opportunities hidden inside unexpected events. Innovation expert Paul Sloane explains how breakthroughs really happen and how you can position yourself to recognize them when they appear. Paul is author of The Art of Unexpected Solutions (https://amzn.to/3ZeKEvw). People naturally gravitate toward others who think, act, and believe the same way they do. We form tribes — social, political, professional — and those bonds can feel deeply comforting. But this instinct also shapes how we see outsiders and influences cooperation, conflict, and culture itself. Cultural psychologist Michael Morris explores why humans evolved this instinct and whether it ultimately helps or harms us. He is author of Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together (https://amzn.to/4pJ6K4n). And finally, weight loss is one of the most common New Year's resolutions — and one of the quickest to be abandoned. Research suggests that a handful of surprisingly small habits can dramatically improve your chances of sticking with it. We wrap up with what actually works. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34259635/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFY: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/sysk PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a newborn baby more likely to resemble mom or dad – or is it a toss-up? This episode begins by explaining why a baby is more likely to look like one parent and not the other and why that is. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/22/health/the-claim-babies-tend-to-look-like-their-fathers.html When people talk about the “culture” – why do they mean? What is culture. You probably use the word in conversation and you have a sense of what it means but it is actually a difficult word to define. Here to define it and explain why it is so important to understand what culture is and how it changes is Marcus Collins. He is a clinical assistant professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business, at the University of Michigan and recipient of Advertising Age's 40 Under 40 award. He is also author of the book, For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be (https://amzn.to/3tOT4On). It is a little strange that there is such a fitness craze in America yet so many people are not physically fit at all. The medical evidence is pretty clear that being physically fit and keeping your weight under control is so important to a long and healthy life. So why are so many people not motivated to do it and how can you find the motivation to start if you are not feeling inclined? Joining me to talk about this is Natalia Petrzela. She is an historian of contemporary American politics and culture as well as a fitness instructor and she is author of the book Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession (https://amzn.to/48V5LGb) Is it ever too late to change your life or must you set your course early if you are ever to make something of yourself? Interestingly, researchers followed 350 students for decades – all the way into adulthood to see how they turned out. Listen as I explain how people tend to change and how those goof-offs you remember from high school are likely to end up doing pretty well. Source: Susan Krause Whitborne author of The Search for Fulfillment (https://amzn.to/3O9XuWP). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you get sick, your instinct is to withdraw — crawl into bed, cancel plans, and avoid people. As unpleasant as that feels, it turns out that instinct may be doing something surprisingly important for everyone else. This episode begins with why feeling miserable when you're sick is actually a good thing. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160107094128.htm If you really want to know what's most likely to seriously injure or kill you, talk to an ER doctor. They see patterns most of us never think about — and many of the dangers are far more ordinary than you'd expect. Ashley Alker joins me to share the risks she sees again and again — and how to avoid them. She's an emergency medicine physician, medical consultant for shows on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Disney, and author of 99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them (https://amzn.to/3NlW91w) Friction is everywhere. It slows you down, wears things out, and wastes energy — yet without it, you couldn't walk, drive, or even stand still. What would life actually be like if friction didn't exist? And why is understanding it so important? Jennifer R. Vail explains the invisible force that quietly shapes nearly everything you do. She founded DuPont's first tribology research lab, delivered the TED Talk The Science of Friction (viewed over two million times), and is author of Friction: A Biography (https://amzn.to/454i7wf) And finally, there's a simple way to make coffee or hot chocolate taste better — without changing the recipe. The color of your mug actually alters how your brain perceives flavor. We wrap up by revealing which colors work best for which drinks. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130103073238.htm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if one of the best-performing investments over the last few decades wasn't stocks, real estate, or gold — but LEGO? It sounds absurd, yet when researchers tracked the resale value of LEGO sets, they found returns that beat many traditional investments. We begin by looking at which sets gain value, why they do, and what makes some toys unexpectedly valuable. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0275531921001604 Life rarely goes according to plan. Careers shift, relationships change, health issues arise, and unexpected events force us to adapt — often before we feel ready. Since change is unavoidable, the real question becomes: how do you respond when life throws you off course? Maya Shankar joins me with powerful insights on navigating uncertainty and finding meaning when plans fall apart. Maya is a cognitive scientist, former senior advisor in the Obama White House, Senior Director of Behavioral Economics at Google, host of A Slight Change of Plans, and author of The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans (https://amzn.to/4qAad5U) Time is one of the few constants in life — yet our experience of it is anything but constant. Why does time seem to fly on vacation but crawl in traffic? Why do many people feel that time speeds up as they get older? And what is time, really? Sten Odenwald helps untangle these questions. He's a longtime astronomer, Director of NASA's STEM Resource Development Project, and author of The Essential Book of Time (https://amzn.to/3N6qNfm). And finally, legendary relationship researcher John Gottman says long-term relationships don't succeed because of romance, passion, or even communication skills alone. Instead, they hinge on just two essential qualities — and without them, relationships are likely doomed. Listen to find out what they are. https://www.businessinsider.com/lasting-relationships-rely-on-2-traits-2014-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How food tastes has surprisingly little to do with the food itself. The lighting in the room, the weight of your fork, and even the color of your plate can all change how much you enjoy a meal — without you realizing it. This episode begins with how easily your senses can be influenced. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/12/31/370397449/food-psychology-how-to-trick-your-palate-into-a-tastier-meal# When you recognize someone, it usually happens instantly — but what exactly are you recognizing? How much of a face do you need to see? Why are some people incredibly good at recognizing faces while others struggle or are completely face blind? And how does facial recognition software compare to the human brain? Sharrona Pearl joins me to explore why face recognition varies so dramatically between people. She is associate professor of medical ethics and history at Drexel University and author of Do I Know You?: From Face Blindness to Super Recognition (https://amzn.to/3TWc0VX). We like to believe we think clearly and rationally — but much of the time our brains are running on autopilot. That's when bad decisions, faulty reasoning, and unnecessary mistakes creep in. Shane Parrish explains how to slow down your thinking, avoid mental traps, and make better decisions in everyday moments. Shane is an entrepreneur whose work is used by Fortune 500 companies and professional sports teams, host of The Knowledge Project podcast, and author of Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results (https://amzn.to/3Hl0FHj). And finally, some people insist they can drink coffee right before bed and sleep just fine. Is that really possible — or are they fooling themselves? We wrap up with what sleep science actually says about caffeine and nighttime rest. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shift-worker-alert-curb-t_b_386058 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a reason hearing your mother's voice can feel different from hearing anyone else's — even when it's just a phone call. This episode opens with the surprising effects researchers have discovered. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psychology-of-relationships/202104/two-key-reasons-why-you-should-call-your-mom Guilt feels terrible — and that's exactly what makes it so effective. While we tend to see guilt as something to avoid, it may actually play an essential role in helping us learn, repair relationships, and behave more ethically. Christopher Moore explains why guilt exists, how it evolved, and why feeling guilty can sometimes be a very good thing. Christopher is a professor of psychology and former dean of science at Dalhousie University, whose work has been cited in Psychology Today, Today's Parent, and The New York Times. He is author of The Power of Guilt: Why We Feel It and Its Surprising Ability to Heal (https://amzn.to/3Nrt051). Plagiarism seems like a clear-cut wrongdoing — but the reality is far more complicated. People plagiarize more often than you might think, sometimes without even realizing it. And in some cases, you can be accused of plagiarism even if you've never seen the original work. With only so many ways to tell a story or write a song, where does coincidence end and plagiarism begin? Roger Kreuz joins me to explore this fascinating gray area. He is Associate Dean and professor of psychology at the University of Memphis, a columnist for Psychology Today, and author of Strikingly Similar: Plagiarism and Appropriation from Chaucer to Chatbots. (https://amzn.to/4soVFaS). And finally, there's a widespread belief that dark roast coffee has more caffeine than light roast — or that espresso packs far more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee. Both ideas sound logical, but they're not quite right. We wrap up by explaining what actually determines caffeine content and why these myths persist. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/light-vs-dark-roast-coffee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When children grow up and look back on their childhood, what do they remember most about their parents? It turns out it's not what many parents assume. This episode begins with research revealing which parenting behaviors leave the strongest, longest-lasting impressions — and how they shape adult relationships. https://time.com/4097995/parenting-kids-remember/ Some emotions can completely hijack your day. Anger, anxiety, frustration, and stress often feel automatic — as if you have no control once they show up. But that's not actually true. Dr. Ryan Martin explains science-backed ways to regulate emotions both before they spiral and in the moment. Ryan is Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, and author of several books on emotions, including Emotion Hacks: 50 Ways to Feel Better Fast (https://amzn.to/4qrv9fj). Laughter feels good — but why do we do it? And why do humans laugh so much more than other animals? Is laughter actually good for your health, or is it just enjoyable? And what makes something funny in the first place? Christopher Duffy joins me to unpack the science and psychology of laughter. He's a comedian, television writer, host of the TED podcast How to Be a Better Human, and author of Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy (https://amzn.to/3LjKOyi). And finally, you've probably heard you should never let your gas tank drop below a quarter full — but is that really true? We wrap up by separating myth from reality and explaining when low fuel actually matters and when it doesn't. https://www.carparts.com/blog/fact-or-myth-driving-with-less-than-a-quarter-of-a-tank-of-fuel-is-bad-for-your-car/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating strong passwords is a modern headache. Simple ones are easy to hack. Complex ones are hard to remember. And using the same password everywhere is just asking for trouble. This episode begins with a smarter, practical strategy for creating passwords that are both secure and memorable. Source: Sid Kirchheimer, author of Scam-Proof Your Life (https://amzn.to/3SeWhA5) Men and women differ in ways that go far beyond the obvious — and some of the most fascinating differences rarely get discussed. From how men and women hear sound differently, to why women tend to live longer, to how hormones influence behavior in surprisingly specific ways, these differences are deeply rooted in biology and evolution. Cat Bohannon joins me to explain what science really shows. She holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and is author of Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution (https://amzn.to/3SgBUlO). Rats, insects, bees, deer, spiders — the world is full of creatures we label as “pests.” But what actually makes an animal a pest? And why do humans respond to some species with fear, anger, or extermination, while others get sympathy or protection? Bethany Brookshire explains how humans often create pests through our own behavior, and what our reactions reveal about us. She's an award-winning science writer and author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains (https://amzn.to/3vzlpZt) And finally, most drivers never adjust their car's headrest — or even know how it should be positioned. In a crash, that small oversight can make a big difference. We wrap up with how to set your headrest properly to reduce the risk of whiplash and neck injury. https://www.adlergiersch.com/provider-blog/how-to-properly-adjust-your-headrest-to-prevent-whiplash/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Human touch feels good — but it may also do far more than we realize. From a reassuring hand on the shoulder to a long hug or massage, deliberate touch can trigger measurable biological responses in the body. This episode begins with what science reveals about why touch matters and what happens when we don't get enough of it. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyone-top/202108/the-vital-importance-human-touch It's easy to assume that the big moments shape our lives — but what if tiny, seemingly meaningless choices matter just as much, or even more? A few minutes, a small decision, or a random event can quietly ripple outward in ways we never see. Brian Klaas joins me to explain how chance, chaos, and randomness shape our lives — and how understanding this can actually help you make better choices. Brian is an associate professor in global politics at University College London, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and author of Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (https://amzn.to/3SrRj31). “Big Tech” companies influence how we communicate, shop, work, and even think — yet they operate with surprisingly little oversight. Who should be setting the rules for companies with that much power? And what happens if no one does? Tom Wheeler explains why tech regulation matters, what's at stake, and who should be in charge. Tom served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama administration and is author of Techlash: Who Makes the Rules in the Digital Gilded Age? (https://amzn.to/47OunPU). And finally, could what kids eat affect their risk of asthma, eczema, or other allergic conditions? Research suggests a link between fast food consumption and respiratory allergies. We wrap up with what scientists have found and why it matters. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3005803 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driving with a cold might seem harmless — but research suggests even mild illness can seriously impair reaction time, focus, and judgment. Could driving while sick actually be more dangerous than driving drunk? This episode begins with some surprising evidence about what happens when you get behind the wheel with a cold or flu. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2283323/Dont-sniffle-drive-Driving-cold-dangerous-drunk-driving.html Why do some people love foods that others can't stand? And why do foods you hated as a child sometimes become favorites later in life? Taste feels subjective, but it's driven by biology, psychology, memory, and expectation. Beth Kimmerle joins me to explain how taste and flavor really work — and how our preferences can change over time. Beth is a sensory science expert who literally tastes food for a living (yes, her tongue is insured). She's founder of Attribute Analytics and author of several books on sweets and flavor, including Chocolate: The Sweet History. (https://amzn.to/4s92MEB). Being a sports fan can feel deeply personal — victories feel like our wins, losses feel painful, and loyalty can last a lifetime. But why does sports fandom inspire such intense emotion? What psychological needs does it fulfill? And why do fans speak in terms of “we” instead of “they”? Aaron C.T. Smith explains what drives sports fandom and why being a fan can be so powerful. He is professor of management at Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, and author of The Psychology of Sports Fans.(https://amzn.to/49a5yRc) And finally — who wakes up grumpier in the morning, men or women? There actually is research on this, and it reveals some surprising insights into mood, sleep, and biology. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2292195/Its-official-Women-ARE-grumpier-men-mornings.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably been told to be grateful for what you have — but that advice isn't just feel-good wisdom. Research shows that intentionally expressing gratitude can actually change how your brain functions, influencing mood, focus, and emotional resilience. This episode begins with what gratitude really does inside your head — and why it's more powerful than it sounds. https://www.thecut.com/2016/01/how-expressing-gratitude-change-your-brain.html There's a basic human need we rarely talk about, yet it quietly shapes how people behave: the need to matter – to feel significant. When people feel seen and valued they tend to thrive. When they don't, the consequences can be serious — for individuals and for society. Jennifer Breheny Wallace joins me to explain why mattering is so essential and how it affects relationships, motivation, and well-being. She's an award-winning journalist and author of Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. (https://amzn.to/4r0ZX6W). Cats are the second most popular pets in the United States — yet many people don't understand the appeal at all. Cats can seem aloof, independent, and uninterested in pleasing us. So why have humans kept cats as companions for thousands of years? And what do cat lovers get from the relationship that others miss? Jerry Moore explains the long, surprising history of cats and why they continue to captivate us. He's a professor emeritus of anthropology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and author of Cat Tales: A History (https://amzn.to/4sUBPEU) And finally, when you're sick with a cold or the flu, some old-fashioned home remedies actually have science on their side. They may not cure you — but they can make being sick a little less miserable. We wrap up with which remedies help and why they work. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/truth-about-home-remedies-for-colds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can simply imagining yourself doing something actually make you better at it? Athletes, musicians, and performers have sworn by mental rehearsal for years — but does it really work? This episode begins by exploring when visualization helps, when it doesn't, and why. https://www.popsci.com/will-practicing-skill-your-head-make-you-better-it/ Weight loss is one of the most common New Year's resolutions — and today, any serious conversation about losing weight quickly turns to Ozempic and similar drugs. For many people, these medications have been remarkably effective. But how do they actually work? Are they safe long-term? What are the side effects? And what happens when you stop taking them? Aimee Donnellan joins me to break down the science, the risks, and the realities. She is a columnist at Reuters who covers the pharmaceutical industry and author of Off the Scales: The Inside Story of Ozempic and the Race to Cure Obesity (https://amzn.to/44tBoqE). Money is so embedded in our lives that we rarely stop to question it — yet nearly every culture on Earth has invented its own version. Money has shaped human behavior, powered civilizations, and driven innovation, for thousands of years. David McWilliams explains the extraordinary history of money and how it really works. He is a former central bank economist, host of The David McWilliams Podcast, and author of The History of Money: A Story of Humanity. (https://amzn.to/4anViHd). Cold weather can feel unbearable — but there are simple, science-backed ways to stay warmer (or at least feel warmer) when temperatures drop. This episode wraps up with practical strategies that actually work. https://www.thehealthy.com/home-remedies/make-body-feel-warmer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever noticed that one foot is often slightly bigger than the other? It sounds odd, but it's extremely common — and there's a clear biological reason for it. This episode begins with why it happens, which foot is usually larger, and what it means for comfort and health. https://www.feetbypody.com/blog/is-it-normal-for-one-foot-to-be-bigger-than-the-other/ The Moon has been hanging over our heads for billions of years — but why is it there at all? Where did it come from? Why doesn't it crash into Earth? And what would life be like if the Moon never existed? Rebecca Boyle joins me to explore how Earth's closest companion shaped our planet, influenced evolution, and made life as we know it possible. Rebecca is a columnist at Atlas Obscura, a contributor to Scientific American, The New York Times, Popular Science, and Smithsonian Air & Space, and author of Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are. (https://amzn.to/3O1xn4s). Most people don't enjoy cleaning — but some people absolutely love it. And when they do, they tend to discover remarkably effective (and sometimes surprising) ways to do it better. You're about to meet Patric Richardson, known as The Laundry Guy on HGTV and Discovery+. He shares smart, unconventional cleaning tips that will change how you do laundry — including why cheap vodka might become your new secret weapon. Patric is author of House Love: A Joyful Guide to Cleaning, Organizing, and Loving the Home You're In (https://amzn.to/3vidAao). Here are some of the products Patric mentions: Scrubbers that attach to a drill: https://amzn.to/47vgd6h Waste baskets: https://vipp.com/en-us/shop/bins Laundry soap (not detergent): https://laundryevangelist.com/products/laundry-evangelist-laundry-soap-flakes And finally, many people resolve to lose weight at the start of a new year — yet most don't stick with it. The problem isn't motivation; it's how goals are set. We wrap up with a smarter way to create resolutions that actually last, using proven strategies that make success far more likely. Source: Kent Sasse M.D. author of Doctor's Orders (https://amzn.to/48AhFFm) PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your mind wanders — that's normal. But letting it drift too much may come at a cost. Research shows that frequent mind-wandering can make you less happy, less focused, and more stressed than you realize. This episode begins with why an unfocused mind can quietly work against you. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101111141759.htm You talk to yourself constantly — and much of that inner dialogue is critical, harsh, and unhelpful. The good news is that voice can be changed. Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow explains how self-talk shapes how you think, feel, and act — and why learning to speak to yourself with more kindness can be life-changing. Rachel is a psychotherapist, research scientist, adjunct faculty member at Seattle University, and author of The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head. (https://amzn.to/3L6H5Sq) Rachel also mentions a free UCLA course on mindfulness from the Mindful Awareness Research Center, which you can find here: https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/marc Just because something is considered normal doesn't mean it's healthy — or even right. That's the core message from Dr. Gabor Maté, an acclaimed physician and author of The Myth of Normal (https://amzn.to/3lcqW3i). Many common practices in parenting, work, and society are accepted simply because they're familiar. Gabor challenges us to question those assumptions and rethink what “normal” really means. And finally, we've all encountered people who dominate conversations by talking endlessly about themselves. If you ever get the chance to speak, there's a surprisingly effective phrase you can use to steer the conversation — or end it altogether. https://www.uexpress.com/life/miss-manners/2014/09/02 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you watch a great dancer, what separates them from everyone else isn't strength, flexibility, or even rhythm — it's one specific part of the body most people never think about. This episode begins with what it is and why it matters so much. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep42435 Why do some people seem instantly likable while others struggle to connect? There's real science behind first impressions, and small behaviors can make a big difference — for better or worse. Nicholas Boothman joins me to explain what makes people warm up to you quickly and what quietly turns them off. He is author of How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less (https://amzn.to/3RVLybP). Asking for help sounds simple — but for many people, it's surprisingly difficult. We worry it makes us look weak or incapable. In reality, asking can make you stronger, more effective, and even more likable. Wayne Baker explains why people actually want to help — but only if you ask. Wayne is Professor of Business Administration and Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and author of All You Have to Do is Ask (https://amzn.to/2VMts12) Vitamin C doesn't do much to prevent or cure the common cold — but it does have a proven effect on another everyday problem many of us face. This episode wraps up with what vitamin C really helps and why it works. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/vitamin-c-stress-buster PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a three-letter word in the English language that holds more meanings than any other word. You've probably said it several times today without realizing how complex it really is. This episode begins with the surprising story behind that word. https://www.rd.com/article/most-complicated-word-in-english/ How much of who you are comes from your genes — and how much comes from the home you grew up in? Heredity is powerful, but also widely misunderstood. Some traits truly are inherited, while others only seem hereditary because families share environments, habits, and experiences. Carl Zimmer joins me to untangle the science. He writes for The New York Times and is author of She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions and Potential of Heredity (https://amzn.to/2IG8KKR) Do you know who made the very first cellphone call? You're about to hear directly from him. Martin Cooper — often called the father of the cellphone — helped pioneer the entire foundation of cellular technology during his time at Motorola. He shares the story behind that historic first call and offers insight into how mobile technology will continue to transform our lives. Martin is author of Cutting the Cord: The Cell Phone Has Transformed Humanity (https://amzn.to/38aXwIV). Sneakers are now everyday footwear, but they weren't always. They began as specialized athletic shoes and took decades to become the cultural staple we know today. This episode wraps up with a look at the surprising history of sneakers and how they finally crossed over into mainstream life. https://www.factmonster.com/culture-entertainment/fashion/history-sneakers PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative, this… is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do we say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas? The phrase has a surprisingly rich past, shaped by culture, language, and holiday tradition. This episode begins with where “merry” came from and why it stuck. https://time.com/6240140/why-we-say-merry-christmas-traditions/ Being alone isn't the same as being lonely. In fact, choosing solitude can offer profound psychological and emotional benefits. Robert J. Coplan joins me to explain why. He has spent more than three decades studying the upside of time alone. Robert is a psychologist, researcher, teacher, and author of The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World. (https://amzn.to/3KX25NE) Christmas traditions evolve far more than we realize — from how we celebrate to who we imagine Santa to be. The Santa Claus of today looks very different from his earlier counterparts, and the holiday itself has gone through dramatic shifts over time. Joe Biel, founder and CEO of Microcosm Publishing and author of A People's Guide to Santa Claus: The Secret History of Christmas, from Saint Nick to Krampus and Yule (https://amzn.to/48MTN2J) joins me to explore these surprising transformations. Owning a pet can actually make you more attractive — and not just because pets are cute. Research shows people form quick judgments about how you treat your dog or cat, and that can sway romantic interest. We look at who benefits most and what's really going on. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-23/single-men-owning-a-dog-attracts-women-study/7051024 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative, this… is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every December, millions of people around the world track Santa's journey in real time using the NORAD Santa Tracker. But why is a military defense organization keeping tabs on Santa Claus in the first place? This bonus holiday episode begins with the surprisingly charming and accidental origin of that tradition. https://www.noradsanta.org/en/about/ Why do people kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we decorate Christmas trees with ornaments? And how did Jingle Bells — a song originally written for Thanksgiving — become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time? Ace Collins joins me to share the fascinating stories behind many of our favorite Christmas traditions and songs. Ace is 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). And if you put up a real Christmas tree, there's a very good chance you're making a common mistake before it ever goes into the stand. We wrap up with some simple but important tips that will help keep your tree fresher, safer, and better-looking throughout the rest of holiday season. https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/2019/12/05/caring-for-your-christmas-tree Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you fall short on sleep, can you really “catch up” the next night? Many people think so — but our bodies don't quite work that way. This episode begins with what science says about recovering from poor sleep and how to optimize deep sleep when your schedule gets disrupted. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a40511210/deep-sleep/ What makes a song a hit? Trends, personal taste, timing, and luck all play a role — but today, technology shapes popular music more than ever. From how songs are created to how they spread, the path to a hit is constantly evolving. Chris Dalls Riva joins me to unpack it all. He's Senior Product Manager at Audiomack, a musician and writer, creator of the newsletter Can't Get Much Higher, and author of Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us About the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves. (https://amzn.to/4pODklu). All kinds of things can be explained by math – from the beauty of a rainbow to the incredible pattern of sunflower seeds to why we have some left-handed people but not too many. Joining me to drill into the numbers on all this is Eddie Woo. He is the head mathematics teacher at Cherrybrook Technology High School in Sydney, Australia. In 2012, he began recording his lessons and posting them on YouTube and created Wootube https://misterwootube.com/ which has more than 600,000 subscribers and over 33 million views. He's also author of It's a Numberful World: How Math Is Hiding Everywhere (https://amzn.to/3KOHPOb). There are 12 core workplace skills that shape how well we perform — and everyone has strengths and weaknesses across them. Understanding yours can make a big difference in how you work and how others work with you. Insights come from Chuck Martin, author of Smarts.(https://amzn.to/3KzlaWc) PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now! QUINCE: Give and get timeless holiday staples that last this season with Quince.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AG1: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://DrinkAG1.com/SYSK ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe!  NOTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one connected space that just works . It's seamless, flexible, powerful, and actually fun to use! Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/something⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative, this… is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. SHOPIFY:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠ https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices