

Something You Should Know
Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
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
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2019 • 50min
Why You Get Angry & The Problems Faced by Dual Career Couples
Timing is everything. And when you have a big decision to make, the time of day you choose to make it is more important than you might realize. This episode begins with explanation of why it matters and what is the best time of day to decide anything. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-better-decisions-2016-11Have you ever stopped to think what things make you most angry? When you do get angry, how do you react? What do you do with your anger? Listen as I explore these questions and more with Ryan Martin. He is a professor of psychology and associate dean at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and has studied anger extensively. He even has a TED talk about it called The Upside of Anger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfcQaXG_Qhs). After you hear this, you’ll get a better understanding of why you get angry and how to handle it.You can’t cure the common cold or flu but there is a technique that can help you not catch them in the first place. In fact, according to research, you can reduce your chances by 40% by doing it. Listen to hear what this simple technique is that was reported in the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/health/28real.html?_r=0When you are in a relationship and both of you have your own careers, there are bound to be conflicts and problems. Professor Jennifer Petriglieri has studied and examined these problems and has some great advice to help couples find ways to pursue their professional goals and dreams while being in a rewarding and satisfying relationship. Jennifer is author of a book on the topic called Couples That Work (https://amzn.to/37GxWd2).This Week’s Sponsors-The Undercovers podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-undercovers/id1479344440 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 25, 2019 • 43min
Discover How Suggestible You Really Are & 4 Questions You Must Ask Your Doctor
Lots of people listen to music when they are working because they believe it helps them concentrate and be more productive? Does it? This episode begins by exploring which, if any kind of music really helps your concentration and productivity. https://www.businessinsider.com/10-minute-trick-to-boost-your-productivity-2016-1How suggestible are you? Could you be hypnotized into believing something that isn’t true? What about placebos? If I tell you a sugar pill will cure your headache, will your headache go away? It’s fascinating to think that the human brain can be fooled into thinking and doing things. Science writer Erik Vance is a science writer who has explored why it seems your brain is so suggestible - even if you think it isn't. He is the author of the National Geographic book, Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal (https://amzn.to/2L5ptqn) and he joins me to shed light on this interesting quirk of the human brain and what it means. You know when you go to drug store and right next to the name brand lotion or shampoo or pain reliever is the store brand in a bottle that looks kind of like the name brand but a lot cheaper? So is it the same as the name brand? Listen to discover the answer. (Shopsmart magazine Dec 2014 issue)When you are sick and go to the doctor, you expect the doctor will treat you. And the doctor knows you expect him or her to do something – and so you walk out with a prescription. But there is often a flaw in that process that is leading to a lot of patient overtreatment. Norway neurosurgeon Christer Mjåset has explored this problem and has come up with 4 questions you should ask your doctor went he prescribes a medication or medical test. Hear what they are and discover why this is such an important subject. Dr. Mjåset did a TED talk on this which you can see here: https://www.ted.com/talks/christer_mjaset_4_questions_you_should_always_ask_your_doctor?language=enThis Week’s Sponsors-Fetch Rewards. Download the Fetch Rewards app and use promo code SYSK to receive 4000 points when you scan your first receipt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 23, 2019 • 45min
SYSK Choice: How to Age Better & Successful Leadership for You and Others
You are wasting too much time on email. It’s estimated that you waste 30 seconds each time you stop and check it. So how can you cut down on the amount of time you waste? In this episode, you’ll discover some great techniques that can cut your time in half. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/09/brevity-in-email/501986/Also, if you are concerned about aging and you want to age well, there is some great news. Washington Post reporter Margaret Pressler, author of the book Cheat the Clock http://amzn.to/2k6Ctyx did an amazing amount of research – looking at all we know about the aging process. What she found is that staying young is a lot easier than you ever imagined. Listen and hear her explanation.Leadership skills - they aren’t just for CEO’s, corporate big shots or managers. We all need to lead others at times – and developing leadership skills is important for everyone. Courtney Lynch, co-author of the bestselling book Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success http://amzn.to/2kV668g is here to tell her story and offer some excellent leadership advice you probably haven’t heard before.Why you should salt your cookies, cook your eggs slow and cook bacon in the oven… those are just some of the expert tips you’ll discover that will transform your cooking, whether you are a gourmet chef or can barely boil water. http://www.popsugar.com/food/Right-Way-Cook-Things-42682898#photo-42682898This Week's Sponsors–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 21, 2019 • 46min
The Amazing Science Behind Your Smile & How to Be Direct and Honest and Not Be a Jerk
Do you leave your garage opener in the car? Do you know where your main water shutoff valve is? No matter where you live, there are a few questions you should ask yourself about your home. This episode begins with some of those questions – and the answers. https://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/things-every-homeowner-must-know/You smile at people all day long and most of your smiles are fake ones. That’s just one of the fascinating things I discuss with Marianne LaFrance, professor of psychology at Yale University and author of the book Why Smile? The Science Behind Facial Expressions (https://amzn.to/35ij7vp). Listen as she reveals why we smile, what smiling can do for you and how your smile communicates to other people. More people put up artificial Christmas trees than real ones. Artificial trees look a lot more realistic than they used to but are they a better choice? Actually there are pros and cons to both. Listen and decide which you should choose this year. http://www.rd.com/culture/real-vs-fake-christmas-tree/ “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” That wisdom is flawed according to Kim Scott, CEO of Candor Inc and author of the book Radical Candor (https://amzn.to/2rcq6XI). This is particularly true in the workplace where we need to be honest and direct. Listen as Kim reveals how important it is to say what needs to be said and how to do it without coming off like a jerk.This Week’s Sponsors-Fetch Rewards. Get 4000 points when you scan your first receipt. Download the app and use the promo code SYSK when you sign up to get your rewards.–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host-The Undercovers podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-undercovers/id1479344440 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 2019 • 44min
How Simply Eating Dinner Killed A Lot of People & The Real Reason You Have Your Job
Where do you go when you have to come up with a creative idea? The shower is a favorite spot. And a lot of people like to sit in silence for inspiration. However, there is another place you might want to try that seems to be even better in helping people generate creative ideas. This episode begins by revealing this surprising location which is probably just down the street from you. https://www.fastcompany.com/3013437/dialed/the-strange-scientific-connectionbetween-coffee-shops-and-creativity When you ask people why they go to work every day, many of them will likely say it is for the money. While that is true for some, it is not true for most people according to Barry Schwartz, a professor at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and author of the book Why We Work (https://amzn.to/2D37VXv). Listen as he explains why it is that people find a lot more value in work than a paycheck – even if they don’t realize it. And how organizing your work in certain ways can make it far more rewarding.If it feels natural to stay up late – you are probably a genuine night owl. Scientists have proven there are difference in the brain between night owls and those who are not. Those difference are both good news and bad news for night owls and I will explain exactly why. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201311/how-will-you-sleep-tonight-its-in-your-genesIt is hard to imagine that simply sitting down to dinner could be a life-threatening experience. But in the late 1800s it really was in many parts of the U.S. Listen as I speak with Pulitzer prize winning author Deborah Blum who reveals how eating store bought food back then made a lot of people sick and many died. What is so fascinating is there was noting illegal about it. There was no crime. Deborah reveals how this happened and how one man made a huge difference in changing the rules of food safety – and as a result may be one reason you are alive today! Deborah is author of the book The Poison Squad (https://amzn.to/32WGTeA).This Week’s Sponsors-Native Deodorant. For 20% of your first purchase go to www.nativedeodorant.com and use promo code SYSK-LinkedIn. For $50 off you first job post, go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host-Upstart. See how low your interest rate is at www.Upstart.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 2019 • 37min
SYSK Choice: Bring Your Dreams to Life & Fixing Loneliness in Your Relationship
You develop driving habits over time and some of those habits may not be so great for your car or the engine. Listen to some advice from Popular Mechanics about how to change some of your driving habits to prolong the life of your vehicle. http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g2846/10-bad-habits-car/Do you have unfulfilled dreams? Many of us do. While a lot of gurus tell you that you should pursue your passion, follow your dreams and go for the gusto, they are often a bit short on the details of how to do it. That’s why I am anxious for you to hear Jeremy Cage. His dream was to sail around the world. He did it. And that experience was the basis for his book, All Dreams on Deck (http://amzn.to/2jtk6nM). I am hoping – and I am confident – his words will inspire you to go after your dreams.The home field advantage. It is a proven thing in the sports world – and it turns out you can use it too. Listen and find out how. https://www.influenceatwork.com/inside-influence-report/will-having-the-home-field-advantage-help-you-hit-an-influence-home-run/Odd as it sounds, there are a lot of people who feel lonely even though they are in a relationship. Maybe even you. Dr. Holly Parker, clinical psychologist and teacher of psychology at Harvard has a new book out called, If We’re Together, Why Do I Feel So Alone? (https://amzn.to/2CNOxNU). She is here to discuss this very common problem and what to do about it – even if your partner is unwilling.This Week’s Sponsors–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 2019 • 49min
Why We Are Wrong About So Much & How to Reduce Your Anxiety in an Anxious World
Why is it that your stomach growls at exactly the wrong time? When you are taking a test in school or during a meeting when the room is quiet and all of a sudden your stomach starts making all those weird little noises. This episode begins with an explanation as to why that happens and how to prevent it. https://www.outsideonline.com/1784166/why-does-my-stomach-growlWe all like to think we know what we are talking about – and yet so often we don’t. Human beings have a tendency to believe things that are not true – particularly if what we believe supports our view of the world. And what is so fascinating is we tend to believe things are actually worse than what the truth suggests. When you understand why and how this happens, you can protect yourself from other people’s deception. Joining me to discuss this strange human quirk is Bobby Duffy, a professor of public policy at King’s College in London and author of the book Why We’re Wrong About Nearly Everything (https://amzn.to/2qdz9aK).The afternoon slump hits most of us around 3 pm. And while a cup of coffee might lift you up a bit – there is actually a way to prevent yourself from getting it – or at least minimize that late day slump. Listen and I’ll explain a simple yet effective technique. https://www.thorne.com/take-5-daily/article/avoiding-the-afternoon-energy-slumpIt seems like people are more anxious than they used to be. Tempers are shorter, patience wears thin quicker and people just seem worried about a lot of things. So how do you turn down the dial on anxiety and worry? That’s what Olivia Remes is here to discuss. Olivia is an anxiety researcher at the University of Cambridge in London. Her writing has appeared in several major publications and she posts a lot of information on the topic on Twitter. (@OliviaRoxann). She offers some simple ways to ease your anxiety and find more joy in life. This Weeks’s Sponsors-Proven Skin Care. Go to www.PROVENSKINCARE.COM/SOMETHING and use promo code SOMETHING to get your exclusive 10%.- Feals. Go to www.FEALS.COM/SYSK to get 50% off your order plus free shipping.–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 2019 • 50min
How to Get People to Tell You the Truth & How Noise Affect Your Health and Happiness
How accurate is Wikipedia? If you go to one of their articles, how likely is it to be accurate and objective. This episode begins with some surprising facts about Wikipedia and its accuracy. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/wikipedia-explained-what-is-it-trustworthy-how-work-wikimedia-2030-a8213446.htmlPeople lie. In fact everyone lies. Many times those lies are small and inconsequential – other times they are a very big deal. Pamela Myers is one of the leading experts on lies and deception and she joins me to take us on a journey into how deception works, how to identify it and how to get people to tell the truth. Pamela Myers is author of the book Liespotting (https://amzn.to/2K8Bj2b) and you can her her TED talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6vDLq64gE.If a store posts a sign that says “You Break It You Buy It” can they actually enforce that? Accidents happen – so how can you be forced to pay for something just because it slipped or because you happened to walk by it when it fell and broke? Listen and find out what the law says. https://blogs.findlaw.com/common_law/2012/01/if-you-break-it-must-you-buy-it.htmlThe world is getting a lot louder. And all that noise is taking a toll on you – even if you don’t really notice it. Listen to some fascinating insight on what noise does to you physically and psychologically from Mathias Basner. He is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on how noise affects sleep and health. This Week’s Sponsors-Bitsbox. Get $25 off any Bitsbox subscription of $50 or more by going to https://campaign.bitsbox.com/something enter promo code SOMETHING at checkout.-Simplisafe. For free shipping and a 60-day free trial go to www.Simplisafe.com/something-Article Furniture. For $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more go to https://www.article.com/sysk-Capterra. To find the best software for your business for free go to www.Capterra.com/something–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 2019 • 38min
SYSK Choice: Stop Being So Busy & The Real Fountain of Youth
If you cook, I’m sure you’ve heard that when you cook with alcohol, the heat burns off the alcohol quickly. Well, according to science that is impossible. We’ll explore that and why it is important for every cook to know. http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/AlcoholCooking.htmPeople talk about how busy & overwhelmed they are like it is a badge of honor. However, being busy doesn’t mean you get more done. And it often means tasks don’t get done as well as they could. My first guess in this episode is Christine Carter, a happiness expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and author of the book The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and at Work (http://amzn.to/2iFBDJi). She is here to discuss the negative effects of too much busyness – and a better way to structure your day so you actually get more done – and done well.You probably know creepy people but what makes people creepy? Most of us know a creepy person when we see one – but what is it about some people that creeps us out? And how do you make sure you aren’t sending out any creepy vibes? Find out in today’s episode. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/how-to-tell-if-hes-a-creepDo you get an annual physical? It is a common practice because people believe it helps keep them healthy. But does it really? Family physician Davis Liu, M.D., author of The Thrifty Patient (http://amzn.to/2j1UP0m) reveals what is and what is NOT important when it comes to staying healthy and living a long and active life. By the way, he has also discovered the “Fountain of Youth.” He’ll tell you what it is – but you may not like it.This Week’s Sponsors–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host-Simplisafe. For free shipping and a 60-day free trial go to www.Simplisafe.com/something-How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcast. https://awesomeatyourjob.com/podcast/-The Undercovers podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-undercovers/id1479344440 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2019 • 51min
“Dirty Jobs” Host Mike Rowe Offers a Different View of Success & The Awesome Power of Empathy
People cry when they are sad – so why do they also cry when they are happy? This episode begins with the explanation for why two opposite emotions can have the same symptom. And what happy occasion actually causes people to cry the most "tears of joy.” (And it’s not weddings). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141111124047.htmYou probably know who Mike Rowe is. For years he hosted the TV show Dirty Jobs on the Discover Channel. He has become a champion for the blue collar workers in America and has his foundation that supports that cause called mikeroweWORKS. (www.mikeroweworks.com) . He is also the host of a podcast (https://mikerowe.com/podcast/) and author of a book – both called The Way I Heard It (https://amzn.to/34Dikog). Mike joins me with his interesting and often contrarian view on a lot of what we have come to believe about success including education, persistence efficiency and more. Kids skip. You probably skipped when you were a kid. So why don’t adults skip? Listen as I explain that it actually might do us all a world of good to do a little more skipping – even if you look foolish. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3895968/Why-adults-stop-skipping-s-hard-Activity-uses-quarter-energy-running-speed.htmlAs a culture we are becoming less empathetic towards our fellow humans. Yet empathy is one of those things that is good for everyone concerned. When you show empathy towards others it can ease their pain and it is beneficial to you as well. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and author of the book The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World (https://amzn.to/2qtq4dX). He joins me to explain exactly what empathy is, how it works and why having it is so good for you.This Week’s Sponsors-Proven Skincare. Go to www.PROVENSKINCARE.COM/SOMETHING and use promo code SOMETHING to get your exclusive 10%.–Airbnb. To learn more about being an Airbnb host visit www.Airbnb.com/host-Simplisafe. For free shipping and a 60-day free trial go to www.Simplisafe.com/something-How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcast. https://awesomeatyourjob.com/podcast/-The Undercovers podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-undercovers/id1479344440 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


