Something You Should Know

Some people love rollercoasters and scary movies – but why? What is the appeal of being scared half to death? Today, you'll find out why. Then, we’ve all been in the situation where we HAVE to perform well and because of that we lose our confidence, get nervous and catastrophize all the horrible things that could happen if we fail. Why on earth do we do that when it does nothing but makes us perform even worse? The trick is to “psych yourself up.” Daniel McGinn, senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of the book, Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can help You Succeed (http://amzn.to/2sv4p4Q) offers some suggestions, based on research, that can help you perform better when there is a lot on the line. How many times did you hear a teacher say to never to end a sentence with a preposition? Is it really such a sin? A grammar expert explains the truth about where that rule came from and whether or not it is important to follow it. And we also look at the trouble with families. Why does it seem that when families get together, it always leads to trouble? Family therapist Eric Maisel, author of the book Overcoming Your Difficult Family (http://amzn.to/2rjwPui) explains why when families gather they have trouble getting along and what you can do to rise above it all and save your sanity.

Do people have to take off their shoes before coming into your house? In Asian cultures this is a pretty common custom – and I’ll explore all the reasons why this is a really good idea for everyone, everywhere else too. Then we’ll look at pros and cons of popularity. In high school, being popular is great – but it turns out that there are 2 types of popularity – and the one most of us think of - actually does more harm than good in the long run. Mitch Prinstein, professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina and author of the book Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World (http://amzn.to/2scajGW) explores both kinds of popularity and reveals whether or not it is true that popular kids “peak” in high school and have a tough time after that. Also, there is a strange connection between owning a cat and your increased risk of suicide. If you have a cat, this is worth listening to. And when scientists investigate new cures and new drugs, you probably think it is a pretty strict and efficient procedure. But it really isn’t. In fact there are all kinds of problems with the way science works to find cures and treat illness. Richard Harris, a journalist for NPR and author of the book Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hopes and Wastes Billions (http://amzn.to/2srTd8J) takes a peak behind the curtain at the inefficiencies of science that affects us all.

The number of parents of who spank their kids as a means of discipline has dropped significantly over the past several decades – but some parents still do it. And in other countries, spanking is much more commonplace. But for those parents who still spank, there is a new reason to stop – and it has nothing to do with the kid – and all to do with the parent’s wellbeing. Also in this episode, just how does modern technology affect you? It’s a fascinating discussion you’ll hear when I speak with Clive Thompson, a longtime contributor to the New York Times magazine, a columnist for Wired and author of a book called, Smarter Than You Think : How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better (http://amzn.to/2s5W9Ir). Clive makes the case that despite some negative effects of technology – it is mostly a positive influence on us. But it’s complicated. Plus, I’ll have some fascinating ways to save money you probably haven’t heard before. Here’s one: Even non-members can use the pharmacy at Sam’s Club and Costco and save a lot of money. And there are several more… And what you don’t know about your health can really hurt you. Dr. Richard Besser, former chief health and medical editor for ABC News and author of the book, Tell Me the Truth Doctor (http://amzn.to/2s5uuqW) explodes some myths and offers some important health facts you need to know to stay healthy and live a long time.

You know that strawberries, garlic, tomatoes and broccoli are good for you but interestingly, how you cook them can make them more – or less - healthy. I’ll explore that in this episode. Then, how well do you take care of your health and well-being? In order to really take good care of your health, you need to understand what good health looks like. Matthew Edlund, M.D. and author of the book Healthy Without Health Insurance (http://amzn.to/2qZCdBT) offers an interesting and insightful view of your health and how to nurture it. Also, how does anyone NOT like the “Every Day Low Prices” policy at a store? It’s interesting because it seems to make all the sense in the world and yet a lot of shoppers don’t like it – and prefer a different policy instead. Plus, how do you grab and people’s attention in a world where attention spans are shrinking – drastically? Paul Hellman, author of the book, You’ve Got 8 Seconds (http://amzn.to/2saKfMF) explains how you can capture people’s attention and keep it by using the right techniques and strategies in today’s distracted world.

If you use a wire brush to clean your outdoor grill – you should stop because someone could get hurt. I’ll start this episode by explaining why. Also, we don’t hesitate to treat physical wounds – but emotional wounds are things we tend to shrug off and assume time will heal – except sometimes it doesn’t. Psychologist Guy Winch author of the book Emotional First-Aid (http://amzn.to/2qH30nb) explores these wounds caused by failure, guilt and rejection and how to treat them. Then, your personal and professional success depends a lot on how well people can trust you. Consultant and speaker David Horsager, author of the book The Trust Edge (http://amzn.to/2rLg1QH ) explains how important trust is and how to be more trustworthy. Plus, look around and you will see a lot of fashion mistakes committed by men. We’ll discuss the big ones – according to Esquire magazine.

One of the joys of summer is being able to go barefoot – as long as you are careful. But of course many business establishments won’t allow you inside because, they say, it is against the law or it violates health regulations if they let you in without shoes. . And that is completely false. Going barefoot is illegal NOWHERE in the U.S. Also, we hear a lot about the “dumbing down” of society. Are people today more interested in the Kardashians than they are in the real important events of the day? Attorney Lisa Bloom, author of the book THINK! Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World (http://amzn.to/2qAmqZU ) is sure of it. She offers some startling facts about what people DON’T know that they really should know. And she has some advice – especially for parents – on how to reverse this dumbing down trend. Then, no one wants to talk about cancer. But what if I told you there is some really good news in the war on cancer? Robin Hesketh is a research scientist and lecturer from the University of Oxford and author of the book, Betrayed by Nature: The War on Cancer (http://amzn.to/2rh65x9). Listen to my discussion with Robin and discover the promising science and the advancements made that is making a cancer diagnosis a little less frightening. Finally, we live in a noisy world. And the problem is that all that noise isn’t just annoying it is also making you fatter, less productive, and more forgetful. Why and what to do about it in today's episode.

It’s the weirdest thing – but when you make typos in your emails it does a couple of unusual things that can really influence what the reader thinks of what you wrote – and what they think of you as a person. Then, if you have a complainer in your life – run, don’t walk. Complaining makes you stupid and ruins your chances for success. Trevor Blake author of Three Simple Steps (http://amzn.to/2rmLFUw) explains some of the science behind complaining and why being around a complainer can suck the life right out of you. Also, you probably know people who dress and act younger than their years in hopes that people will think they are younger. In fact the research shows people think just the opposite – and worse! Then, the problem with sugar. We eat a lot of sugar and it is causing health problems and contributing to the obesity epidemic. Journalist Gary Taubes author of the best-selling book The Case Against Sugar (http://amzn.to/2r1yW6x) explains some of the science behind obesity and why maybe the problem isn’t fat in the diet – it is sugar.

Every credit card bill comes with a due date. And if you pay the balance every month by the due date – you don’t pay any interest. But if you carry a balance month-to-month, the rules are different. You pay interest every day on the unpaid balance. So, the question is, if you make your payment earlier than the due date, do you save money? We start this episode by doing that math. Then, starting your own business is a romantic idea. But is it practical? Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup (http://amzn.to/2rc9dv4) shares the results of his fascinating research on people who started a successful business with very little money – and explains how anyone can do it. Also, there is one particular app that is sucking your smartphone dry. And by that I mean it is sucking a lot of battery power and storage space. Which app is it? I’ll reveal which one and explain how you can easily live without it. And if you are one of those people (or you know one of those people) who works all the time and never takes a vacation or takes weekends off, you need to hear award-winning journalist Katrina Onstad, author of The Weekend Effect (http://amzn.to/2qPxRRl). She explores the harm this “all work – no fun” approach to life does to a person’s mental and physical health as well as to the quality of work they do.

Are your legs crossed right now? You’ve probably heard that crossing your legs can lead to varicose veins, high blood pressure and other health problems. Are these concerns real or are they myths? Find out as we begin this episode of the podcast. Also, can you make yourself smarter or is your intelligence level set? Well, in recent years it has become clear that there are things you can do – simple things really – that can seriously improve your intelligence in a dramatic and measurable way. Dan Hurley is author of the book Smarter: The New Science of Building Brain Power (http://amzn.to/2riQBcq). He has researched this topic thoroughly and I think you’ll find what he has to say pretty amazing. Then, legendary physician Dr. Andrew Weil has been writing and speaking for many years about “integrative medicine” and the mind/body connection. Dr Weil, (whose new book is Mind Over Meds http://amzn.to/2qWgy1Y), joins me in this episode to discuss how we can take control of our healthcare and not just run to the doctor for a pill every time we get sick. He reveals some interesting and effective alternatives to getting and staying healthy. Plus, a few episodes ago I talked about the importance of washing new clothes before you wear them because other people may have tried them on before you – and that’s kind of gross when you think about it. But a listener who heard that sent me an article from the Wall Street Journal that says it a lot worse than just being gross. You’ll want to hear that.

Everyone feels safer when a lifeguard is on duty. But you may be relying more on the lifeguard than you should, especially if you have kids. In this episode we start by discussing what you may not know about swimming safety – with or without a lifeguard. And this information could save your life one day. Then the weird paradox of the human brain that what we want may not be what we need and what we need may not be what we want – or so your brain thinks. Science writer David DiSalvo, who has written for Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today and many other publications is also author of the book What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite (http://amzn.to/2pPqDJO ). He talks with me about this interesting paradox and why this is important to how you live your life. Plus, if you’ve ever been stuck in a traffic jam that appears to have no cause, you’ll be fascinated by what you’ll learn about how we drive and how we could drive better. And there is something called “physical intelligence.” It refers to how your 5 senses can affect your attitude and behavior –and it is going to sound strange. For example, feeling something soft can “soften” your personality. Feeling something warm can create warm feelings for another person. I know it sounds nuts but Dr. Thalma Lobel author of the book Sensation: The New Science of Physical Intelligence (http://amzn.to/2raTg7Y) explains the science behind this. More importantly, she reveals how to use this knowledge to your advantage.

What’s the best way to NOT get a ticket from the cops? In this episode, we start off with some advice from actual police officers that will help you walk away with maybe just a warning. Also, how much clutter is in your life? Is it a problem for you? Professional organizer Dorothy Breininger from the A&E TV show “Hoarders” and author of the book, Stuff Your Face or Face Your Stuff (http://amzn.to/2pH5bGA) offers some practical advice to help get control of your stuff and the fascinating connection between clutter and body weight. You’ve heard that, “What you give, you get back.” But what is the truth about the benefits and rewards of giving? Stephen Post author of the book, Why good Things Happen to Good People (http://amzn.to/2r9jTqa) has study the science of giving and what he has found is amazing. When you help someone else, the benefits to the giver are rather amazing – and science proves it. Plus, if you sell items on eBay, the descriptions you write are critical. Using the right or wrong words can have a huge impact on the final price you get.

New clothes are not necessarily CLEAN clothes. In fact, there is a good chance other people have worn your new clothes before you. We start this episode discussing why and how to wash new clothes before you wear them. Also, how self-aware are you? Do you really understand who you really are and do you understand how other people really see you? Surprisingly, few of us know - even though we like to think we do. Organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich author of the book Insight: Why We’re Not as Self-Aware as We Think (http://amzn.to/2psRFGC) explains how to become more self-aware and why it is important to your success at work and in life. Plus, if you want to be wealthy, it is important to understand the difference between rich people and those who do not have money. Tom Corley has been studying this for years and he is author of the book, Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals explains some of these fundamental differences and how anyone can adopt rich habits – and become wealthy. In his discussion Tom offers some free downloads on his website which is http://www.richhabits.net. Click on “Resources” at the top of the site. Finally, we tackle the earth shattering problem of slurping! In many cultures it is fine if you slurp your food when you eat. But, here we find it terribly annoying. So why do people slurp? Well, it turns out to be have a real benefit – and I’ll explain what it is.

People who overeat tend to do so at the same time on the same days. You’ll discover when those times are so you can defend yourself against temptation. Plus, solving problems and developing new ideas doesn’t come from focus and concentration as much as it does from “unfocusing” and letting your mind wander. Psychiatrist Dr. Srini Pollay author of Tinker, Dabble, Doodle, Try: Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind (http://amzn.to/2pMIVy3) explains the science behind how the creative brain works better when it is distracted. Then, the issue of “double standard parenting.” In other words, when you accidentally break a lamp – well it’s just an accident. But what happens when your kid accidentally breaks a lamp? Does he or she get punished and shamed for doing it? We’ll explore some sage advice on why you shouldn’t hold your kids to higher standard than you hold yourself. Then, the world of video games isn’t all about war, aliens, shooting people and blowing things up. Andrew Ervin, author of Bit by Bit: How Video Games Transformed Our World (http://amzn.to/2q5g2hE) reveals an entirely different world of video games and also discusses the importance of video games as a true art form.

The 3-digit security code on your credit card is for, well – security. But does it really do anything to keep you secure? We’ll explore that on today’s episode. Plus, social media marketing is supposed to be the way to go for brands who want to reach those desirable consumers. But does social media marketing work better than other forms of marketing? Marketing consultant Ed Keller, author of The Face-To-Face Book: Why Real Relationships Rule in a Digital Marketplace (http://amzn.to/2pBNaMP) explains why social media marketing doesn’t live up to the hype – AND what works better. Also, there is an interesting and somewhat strange relationship between your sense of direction and the likelihood that you will develop Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s worth knowing this if you have a bad sense of direction or have trouble visualizing a mental map.

When you negotiate your salary, you can feel very insecure and unsure of yourself. How much are you worth? How much should you ask for? Who should throw out the first number? In this episode, you will get some proven tactics that will make you feel powerful - and help you get more money. Then, what is the one thing you should be doing right now? When you stop and think about it, there is likely something you know you should be doing because it is important. What IS that one thing and how do you get to it so you can then do the next thing and then the next? Jay Papasan, co-author of the book The One Thing (http://amzn.to/2pnktBf) explains how to get to what is essential and the benefit of doing it. Plus, wearing the color red can have a big impact on the people around you. That color in particular sends a message that may be appropriate in some cases – and not so appropriate in others. You need to know what red is saying and in this episode, you'll find out. And just how creative are you? Meta Wagner author of the book What’s Your Creative Type? (http://amzn.to/2oReqnr) offers some great insight into what makes ALL of us creative to some degree and what makes a few of us –super creative. She also discusses the benefits of expressing your creativity in whatever way suits you best.