Podcasts · Science · Education
Something You Should Know
Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
300 episodes
Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel" you can use to make your life better - today. Right now.
Episodes page 1 of 6
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SYSK TRENDING - Why Young People Dread Adulting
There was a time when kids couldn't wait to grow up. Becoming an adult meant freedom, independence, making your own decisions, and finally being in charge of your own life. But something seems to have changed. Today,…
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Why People Misunderstand You (Even When You're Clear) & The Secret Life of Leaves
Ever send an email asking several questions, only to get a reply that answers just one of them? Or discover that someone completely missed your most important point? It turns out the way you write and organize an email…
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When Pleasure Backfires & The Truth About Losing Weight - SYSK Choice
You know getting enough sleep is important. But what if you could make a meaningful difference in your health and well-being by getting just 15 minutes more sleep each night? That doesn't sound like much, but research…
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Should You Tip for Takeout? & The Weird Ways People Get into The Guinness Book of World Records
Ever meet someone for the first time and then spend the next hour wondering what they thought of you? Did you say the right things? Were you interesting? Did you make a good impression? It turns out we're not…
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SYSK TRENDING - Understanding Body Language
You are constantly sending signals without saying a word—and so is everyone around you. The way someone sits, moves their hands, looks at you, or suddenly changes their posture can offer clues about what they’re…
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The Technology That Gets You to Pay More & The Good News About Envy
When you delete a spam text, your phone often gives you the option to “Delete and Report.” But have you ever wondered what actually happens when you report it? Who gets the report? Does anyone do anything with it?…
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Why Crowds Change Who You Are & The Mystery of How Life First Began- SYSK Choice
Most of us know that driving faster burns more gas. But just how much does slowing down actually save you? The difference is bigger than you might think. And if you drive around with a bike rack attached to your car,…
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The Surprising Science of Enjoying Food & Why We Need to Know Why
We all have vivid memories of major events from our past — moments we can picture so clearly that we’re certain we remember exactly what happened. They’re known as “flashbulb memories.” But here’s the strange thing:…
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SYSK TRENDING -Taking a Tour of the Human Body
The human body is full of strange, ingenious, and often overlooked features that keep us alive every second of every day. And some of the most fascinating parts are the ones we rarely think about — until something goes…
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Why Young Men and Women Don’t Trust Each Other & What Makes Love Last
You know that stretch you instinctively do when you first wake up — arms out, back arched, often accompanied by a yawn or a strange noise? Dogs and cats do it too. There is actually a name for it, and a reason it feels…
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How to Make Your Clothes Last Longer & Why It Pays to Be Quiet - SYSK Choice
You have seen a dollar bill hundreds of times, but have you ever really studied it? It’s fascinating. And the number 13 plays a prominent role. This episode begins with a short tour of a U.S. $1 bill.…
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How to Have Great Conversations & The Surprising Truth About Optimism
Ever get a song stuck in your head that simply will not leave? That’s an earworm, and while it will eventually fade away on its own, there are some things you can do to help get rid of it sooner. Listen and discover…
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SYSK TRENDING -The Intriguing Mysteries of the Universe
There are some questions about the universe that are almost too big to wrap your head around. Why are we here? How did everything begin? Are we alone — or is there intelligent life somewhere else? Could aliens already…
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When to Speak Up and When to Stay Quiet & Why Smart Investors Do Crazy Things
What are spiders doing inside your home? You’ve probably spotted a few crawling around, especially in the fall. But contrary to what you might assume, many of those spiders didn’t just wander in from outdoors. And…
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The Tech of Tomorrow That Never Arrived & The Remarkable History of Teeth - SYSK Choice
Groceries are expensive, but there is a surprisingly simple way to leave the supermarket with a smaller bill — and it has less to do with what you buy than how you shop. I begin this episode with a technique that could…
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How to Take Smarter Risks in Life & The Lies You Tell Yourself
You’ve probably seen the warning on your passenger-side car mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Which raises an obvious question: Why put a mirror on your car that deliberately distorts reality?…
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SYSK TRENDING - Why Gossip Is Actually Good for You
Who doesn’t like a bit of juicy gossip? We tend to think gossip is petty, mean or something we probably shouldn’t be doing. Yet practically everyone gossips—and it turns out there are some very good reasons why.…
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How to Read a Room Like a Pro & The Surprising Truth About Self-Esteem
If you’ve ever tried to look at your phone while wearing sunglasses and found the screen strangely dark—or even completely black—there’s a fascinating reason why. And you don’t necessarily have to take off your…
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Why Pets Behave So Strangely & The Surprising Rhythm of Your Brain - SYSK Choice
How is your posture right now? If your shoulders are slouched, you may be sending a message to other people that you never intended to send. Your shoulders can communicate confidence, uncertainty, stress and more.…
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How Optimism Works in Tough Times & The Curious Story of Breakfast Cereal
When someone gets a nosebleed, what are you supposed to do? Many of us learned that you should tilt your head back. That’s not a good idea. There are a couple of key actions to take when your nose bleeds that many…
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SYSK TRENDING - How the Negativity Effect Rules Us
Someone says nine wonderful things about you and one negative thing. Which one are you still thinking about hours later? Probably the negative one. Bad experiences, criticism and unpleasant news seem to have more power…
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Stop Trying So Hard to Sleep & Why New Things Are So Hard to Resist
Why do your fingers and toes sometimes feel freezing cold when the rest of you feels perfectly comfortable? It’s actually your body doing something very deliberate to protect you. Listen and discover what’s going on —…
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How Horses Shaped History & The Surprising Upside of Laziness – SYSK Choice
We have become much more of a cashless society in the last few years. That turns out to be a good thing because cash is really disgusting. Listen as I explain just how disgusting and you are not going to like it!…
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Secrets to Getting Great Customer Service & The Curious Story of Remote Controls
Certain smells can instantly transport you back to another time and place — sometimes more vividly than a photograph ever could. Why is your sense of smell so closely tied to memory, and why are those memories often so…
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SYSK TRENDING - Curious Quirks of the Human Brain
Why does time seem to move faster and faster the older you get? Summers that once felt endless suddenly seem to disappear in a flash. There are some intriguing theories about why our perception of time changes — and…
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A Smarter Way to Make Big Life Changes & The Strange Rise of the House Cat
Why do leaves turn such spectacular colors every fall? It seems as if the green simply changes to red, orange or yellow — but that isn’t quite what happens. There is a lot more going on inside those leaves than you…
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The Secret Life of Gases & Why We Get Hooked - SYSK Choice
Some very popular drinks can do a surprising amount of damage to your teeth. Which ones are the worst offenders? This episode begins with what certain drinks do to your tooth enamel and some simple ways to minimize the…
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The Bizarre World of Product Testing & Understanding Highly Sensitive People
When the power goes out, how long will food in your refrigerator and freezer stay safe? And how bad is it to open the door and check? Consumer Reports has some useful answers that could save you from throwing out…
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SYSK TRENDING - What Makes Someone Credible
Why do you believe some people almost immediately, while others make you skeptical? You might assume credibility comes down to expertise, experience and having the facts on your side. But there is much more going on.…
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The Nocebo Effect: Placebo’s Evil Twin & Weird Facts You Never Knew
Have you ever been completely stuck trying to solve a problem or come up with a new idea? There is a remarkably simple thing you can do that research shows can get your creative juices flowing. And it works…
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Why Secrets Are So Hard to Keep & The Curious Quirks of Language - SYSK Choice
Eye contact can be tricky. Too little can make you seem bored or distracted. Too much can get uncomfortable fast. So what is the right amount? This episode begins with some fascinating research on eye contact and the…
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The Surprising Power of Swearing & How to Build Confidence Fast
Want to significantly improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep? There is one surprisingly simple thing you can do during the day that may actually help you sleep better that night. And no, it doesn’t…
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SYSK TRENDING - Are The Added Ingredients In Food All That Bad?
Processed food has gotten a pretty terrible reputation. We’re warned to avoid foods with long ingredient lists, mysterious additives and chemical names we can’t pronounce. “Ultra-processed” has practically become…
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How to Get Better Healthcare & The Strange Ways Weather Affects You
Ever notice that the trip home often seems shorter than the trip there—even when the distance and travel time are exactly the same? It happens so often that researchers have given it a name: the “return trip effect.”…
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How Music Can Actually Heal You & The Skills Technology Is Stealing - SYSK Choice
You probably know that light, noise, temperature and stress can all interfere with your sleep. But what about the moon? Strange as it sounds, some research suggests people really do sleep differently around the time of…
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Why You Really Should Talk to Strangers & What Could Actually End the World
If you have a goal you really want to accomplish, when you start may matter more than you think. January 1st gets all the attention, but there are other dates and occasions that can give you a surprisingly powerful…
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SYSK TRENDING - How to Improve Your Focus
It seems like paying attention should be easy. Yet for many of us, it has become one of the hardest things to do. We start reading an article and suddenly we're checking email. We pick up our phone to do one thing and,…
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Inside Amazon's Empire & How Social Media Is Rewriting Your Life
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "It smells like rain"? It turns out that distinctive scent is very real—and it's not your imagination. Scientists know exactly where it comes from, why some people notice it more…
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How Your Brain Reacts in a Disaster & Exploring Healthy Solitude - SYSK Choice
Most people think dogs see the world only in black and white—but that's simply not true. Dogs do see color, just not the same colors you do. Understanding how your dog actually experiences the world explains everything…
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The Psychology of Infidelity & How to Improve Your Executive Function
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lose their hearing gradually while insisting they hear just fine? It turns out this isn't simply denial or stubbornness. The way hearing fades can fool the brain into…
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SYSK TRENDING - Understanding Physical Intelligence
Most of us think of intelligence as something that happens entirely in the brain. But there's another kind of intelligence that lives in your body. It's what allows you to ride a bicycle years after your last ride,…
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Why So Many People Feel Empty & The Truth About What Humans Should Eat
Heat can make people do some strange things. It can change your mood, cloud your judgment, and even affect the way you treat other people. Scientists have discovered that hot weather has a surprisingly powerful…
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How to Waste Less Food and Save Money & Why Insects Rule the World -SYSK Choice
Ever wonder why you're always told to wait about 10 seconds before turning your phone, computer, router, or tablet back on after rebooting it? Is there really something magical about 10 seconds, or is it just one of…
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The Hidden Science of Imagination & What AI Still Doesn't Understand
Humans are remarkably bad at predicting how long something will take. Whether it's a home project, a work assignment, or even a quick trip across town, we almost always underestimate the time involved. Psychologists…
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SYSK- TRENDING - What Your Dog is Really Thinking
Anyone who has ever owned a dog has probably wondered what goes on inside that furry little head. Does your dog feel guilty after chewing up your favorite shoes? Does it know when you've had a bad day? Does it love you…
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How to Find the Best Airfares Every Time & What Burnout Really Means
When you're hungry, you know you're more interested in food. But hunger also changes the way you think—and the effects can spill over into decisions that have nothing to do with eating. Researchers have discovered some…
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The Science of Happier Spending & How to Set Healthy Boundaries - SYSK Choice
Does your signature reveal more about you than just your name? It turns out the way you sign your name may influence what people assume about your personality, confidence, and even your success—whether those…
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How to Stop the Pain of Rejection & How Couples Can Fight Without Falling Apart
Walk through a crowded airport or packed stadium and something remarkable happens. Thousands of people weave around each other without collisions, almost as if everyone is reading everyone else's mind. Yet no one is…
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SYSK TRENDING - Mysteries That Science Can’t Explain
Some mysteries have been solved by science. Others remain surprisingly stubborn. Despite all our advances in technology and research, there are still questions that continue to puzzle some of the brightest minds on…
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How Slowing Down Makes Life Better & Why Every Brain Needs Music
Ever notice how your face turns bright red when you're embarrassed—and makes the whole situation even worse? As awkward as blushing feels, it isn't a design flaw. It's actually serving a purpose that's far more useful…
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