Something You Should Know

We have all heard how some people become sad or depressed during the winter months? Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight or the social isolation of winter – or maybe it’s all a myth. I begin this episode with a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and reveal how real it really is. http://medicalresearch.com/mental-health-research/depression/sad-no-relationshipbetween-sunlight-and-depression/20863/Have you heard of “surveillance capitalism”? It’s the business of collecting data on you and me and then selling that data to others. Google Facebook and a lot of other companies do it. It’s legal – but should it be? Shoshana Zuboff, a professor at Harvard and author of the book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (https://amzn.to/2UlNag5) joins me to explore this highly lucrative business and explains we should all be concerned about it and why it could mean the end of privacy as we know it.As winter storms approach, it is common for people to rush to the grocery and stock up on staples like bread and milk. Often to the point of leaving store shelves bare. But why? Storms only last a day or two. Why are we hoarding supplies as if we will be stranded for weeks? I’ll explain the psychology of all that. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-trails/201601/panic-shopping-the-psychology-the-bread-milk-eggs-rushAs a customer you interact with a lot of professional people – waiters, store clerks, doctors, hair dressers teachers and a lot of others. Sometimes those interactions go horribly wrong. So what can you do to make sure things go right? Lynette Padwa author of the book, Say the Magic Words:How to Get What You Want from the People Who Have What You Need (https://amzn.to/2MyhX6A) talked with those professionals and discovered the secrets to making your encounters go well so that you get exactly what you want and everyone is happy. Listen to discover how.  This Week’s Sponsors-Capterra. Visit www.Capterra.com/something to find the best software solutions for your business-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I write and post this, much of the U.S. and other parts of the world have been hit by extreme cold in the last several days. So I begin today’s episode with a look at the science of how to stay warm when you are out in the cold. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6620391/How-brace-cold-Science-backed-ways-stay-warm.html“Boy I wish we had more meetings and I wish they lasted longer,” said no one ever in the history of mankind. At best, meetings are a necessary evil in business, organizations and even families. But meetings don’t have to be long, boring and pointless. Steven Rogelberg, Professor of Psychology, Management, and Organizational Science at the University of North Carolina Charlotte is the author of the book The Surprising Science of Meetings https://amzn.to/2WdwBVi and he joins me to reveal how you can make meetings more interesting, meaningful and relevant while making them shorter and maybe even less frequent. And if you like what he has to say, you can visit him at his website: http://stevenrogelberg.comDid you know your cellphone can give you a bad complexion? It turns out a lot of people are having trouble with the skin on their face and it is all because of their cellphone. Listen as I explain why it happens and how to fix it. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a11048/is-your-smartphonecausing-acne/You don’t have to look far to find podcasts, seminars, books and articles full of people telling you what they think will make you truly happy. However, in this episode we look at the SCIENCE of happiness with Catherine Sanderson. She is the Manwell Family Professor of Life Sciences at Amherst College and author of the book The Positive Shift. https://amzn.to/2S5cYQ2. Listen as Catherine not only explains how to make yourself happier, she also reveals the incredible dividends you receive when you do.This Week's Sponsors-Joybird. To receive an exclusive offer for 25% off your first order go to www.joybird.com/something and use promo code: something-Select Quote. Get your free quote for life insurance today at www.SelectQuote.com/something-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a good chance that your partner is not a lot taller or shorter than you are. People seem to be attracted to people who are of a similar height but it is not for the reasons you might think. This episode begins with a fascinating explanation of how height is involved in mate selection. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3408829/Size-DOES-matter-Choosingpartners-similar-height-genes-researchers-say.html)Despite the emphasis on eating natural, healthy and organic foods, we still eat a lot of processed foods. In fact, some of the bestselling foods are things like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Cool Whip, frozen dinners and Twinkies. Food writer Carolyn Wyman, author of Better than Homemade: Amazing Foods that Changed the Way We Eat (https://amzn.to/2FNzyGv) joins me to explains some of the really interesting stories behind some of the most popular food products today.Ever had trouble getting a refund from a retailer even though you know you were entitled to it? There is something you can tell that retailer that may very well get them to reconsider? (https://www.wisebread.com/6-awesome-credit-card-tricks-that-will-save-you-money)What does it take to be the best in whatever you want to do? Perhaps it would help to look at elite athletes and see what it is they do to get to the top of their game. Alan Stein, author of the book Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best (https://amzn.to/2AWJiL9) has worked with the very best basketball players and explains how anyone can transfer what those athletes do to improve their performance in any field. This Week's Sponsors-Joybird. To receive an exclusive offer for 25% off your first order go to www.joybird.com/something and use promo code: something-Select Quote. Get your free quote for life insurance today at www.SelectQuote.com/something-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you really get an annual check-up or go to the dentist twice a year? What about wearing sunscreen everyday? Are all these things really necessary? We begin this episode with a look what the experts say about common health advice you’ve heard all your life.(http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/slideshows/do-you-reallyneed-to-cover-the-toilet-seat-with-paper)If you got a bad grade in school, then that was the subject you were told to work on. Fix your weaknesses – get that grade higher. Is that really good advice? Maybe you are better served by focusing on what you are good at rather than trying to improve your abilities for things you don’t like and are not particularly skilled at. Tom Rath, senior scientist and adviser to the Gallup organization and author of the book Strengths Finder 2.0 (https://amzn.to/2TUQ2jI) explains why focusing on your strengths rather than trying to fix your weaknesses is a much better life strategy. Want your kid to eat healthier? It’s all in the packaging and presentation. Listen as I explain some fascinating research from Yale University that explains how cartoon stickers can help you get your kids to eat right. https://www.chicagotribune.com/living/ct-xpm-2012-08-22-sns-rt-us-stickersbre87l0li-20120822-story.htmlAna amazing amount of your day is devoted to the little details of life. Everything from errands to filling out forms, writing emails, taking the car in service – you know what I mean. Elizabeth Emens, a law professor at Columbia Law School has identified all these tasks as – Life Admin. And she has some great ways to deal with all those tasks effectively and efficiently so you can get on to the bigger things in life. Elizabeth is author of the book, Life Admin (https://amzn.to/2syggwZ) and she joins me to discuss and offer some great advice.  This Week’s Sponsors-LinkedIn. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.LinkedIn.com/Podcast-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something-Care/of Vitamins. For $25 off your first month of personalized vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many times have you been told you should be thankful for what you have? Well, there may be some profound wisdom in that. I begin this podcast with some great research that shows how simple acts of gratitude can bring you benefits for a long time. http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/01/how-expressing-gratitude-changeyour-brain.htmlWhile you might think memory loss and cognitive decline are problems only for older people – you would be mistaken. Many younger people are walking around with sluggish, underperforming brains. Why? Listen as I talk with Steven Masley, M.D., an affiliate clinical associate professor at the University of South Florida, a fellow of the American Heart Association and author of the book, The Better Brain Solution (https://amzn.to/2VLIgdO). Dr. Masley explains the 5 things that are causing so many people of all ages to have brain fog and underutilize their mental power. Then he reveals how to reverse it so you are using all your cognitive function and memory.Do you know people who never seem to get sick? While some of it may be luck, a lot of it has to do with certain habits they perform that keep them from becoming ill. Listen as I describe several ways you can better arm yourself against winter colds and other bugs.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/10-secrets-from-people-who-never-get-sick/ss-BBROEI0#interstitial=2Holding a grudge does nobody any good – right? Well maybe. It really depends on how you define a grudge. Writer Sophie Hannah has a way to use grudges to your advantage. Sophie is the author of the book How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment―The Power of Grudges to Transform Your Life (https://amzn.to/2AD8Rkd). She joins me to explain how grudge holding – when done correctly – can lead to a happier life and better relationships.This Week’s Sponsors-LinkedIn. For $50 off your first job post, go to www.LinkedIn.com/Podcast-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Quip. Get your first refill free when you buy a quip toothbrush at www.Get Quip.com/something-Care/of Vitamins. For $25 off your first month of personalized vitamins, go to www.TakeCareOf.com and us the promo code: something-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you feel and ache or pain in your body, you likely reach for a Tylenol. And it turns out that you should also reach for one when you are feeling emotional pain as well; such as loneliness or distress. Why? I begin this episode with that explanation. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091222154742.htmNo matter how clean you think your home is, you are sharing your house with millions of creatures – both visible and invisible. From the tiniest germs to your dog or cat – all of these creatures have an impact on you. In fact, if you own a cat, there is an excellent chance of getting infected with a parasite that will change your behavior! I know it sounds crazy but you have got to hear this. Rob Dunn, biologist and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University joins me to discuss the fascinating world inside your home you never knew was there. Rob is author of the book Never Home Alone: From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live (https://amzn.to/2VE0j5K)One of the big pitfalls of writing texts or emails is that people can misinterpret your intent – particularly if you are being sarcastic. But I have a solution that will make sure people will understand what you are really trying to say in your written communication. http://mentalfloss.com/article/73392/winky-faces-make-your-texts-sarcastic-scientists-sayDo you know what your set point weight is? Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows there is a point where you get stuck and it is really hard to drop more weight. Jonathan Bailor, author of the bestselling book The Calorie Myth has researched this for his new book The Setpoint Diet (https://amzn.to/2SK4V8r). He joins me to explain why people get stuck on their set point weight and how to outsmart your body so you can lose more weight.  This Week's Sponsors-Capterra. To find the right software for your business visit www.capterra.com/something-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone seems to have a cellphone – ALL the time. But there are some circumstances when you really should put your phone away so others don’t see it. I begin this episode by discussing when that is and why it is important. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9589232/Putting-a-mobile-phoneon-the-restaurant-table-will-ruin-your-meal.htmlIt appears to be human nature to always want more. Then when we get what we want it is never enough. Why is that? It turns out there is a chemical in your brain that drives this behavior. To explain, I am joined by Daniel Lieberman, MD, who is a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University and author of the book The More Molecule, How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race (https://amzn.to/2RBclxi).Of course you know the results of reheating pizza in the microwave are horrible and heating it in the oven takes too long. But there is another way that is very fast and won’t leave your pizza all soggy and mushy. https://sciencenotes.org/why-microwave-pizza-with-a-glass-of-water/ What do you know about spices? One thing for sure is that your food would be pretty bland without them. But there is so much more to the world of spices and how to use them. Food science writer Stuart Farrimond, author of the book Spice (https://amzn.to/2GWVm4K) explains the science and lore of spices and offers suggestions to help you use them to cook tastier, more interesting food.  This Week's Sponsors-Capterra. To find the right software for your business visit www.capterra.com/something-ADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.-Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You think you understand the concept of distracted driving – yes? You know it is NOT a good idea to text and drive. But it turns out to be more complicated than that. I begin this episode with some fascinating research that shows that there is a residual effect when you get distracted that affects your driving for much longer than you think. You really need to hear this. http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/about/community-and-safety/hands-free-distractionstudy.htmlEver make a really stupid mistake? Wouldn’t it be great if you could make far fewer of them and make a lot more good decisions instead? Listen to Charlie Seraphin author of the book, (One Stupid Mistake: Smart Decision-Making in a Crazy World https://amzn.to/2s3Qq3A.) He walks you through the process that will help you avoid mistakes, especially the big ones. Plus, he explains the importance of owning and learning from the mistakes you will inevitably make. People love to watch reruns of old TV shows and re-watch old movies – but why? You know how it is going to end so why watch it again. Well there is a reason for that and it is the same reason people like hearing the same songs over and over. http://www.livescience.com/23148-tv-reruns-may-replenish-tired-minds.htmlPeople have been making New Year’s resolutions for a long time and scientists have studied the idea and the process a lot over the years. What has become clear is that there are some strategies that can dramatically improve your chances of success. Keith McArthur has looked at the science and joins me to help you achieve your New Year's resolution or any other goal for that matter. Keith has a podcast and blog called My Instruction Manual (https://myinstructionmanual.com/) and he is author of a book called (Winning Resolutions https://amzn.to/2BYi7zi.)This Week's SponsorsADT. Go to www.ADT.com/smart to learn how ADT can design and install a smart home system for you.Geico. Go to www.Geico.com to see how Geico can save you money on your car insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We end 2018 with the second of our two-part look back at the best moments of the past year. With so much fascinating information from the last twelve months, it is fun to hit some highlight moments and relive them. I know you will hear things in this episode that you either missed or forgot – so listen and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably associate yawning with being tired or maybe being bored. However, according to some interesting research, yawning has nothing to do with either one of those things. I begin this episode of the podcast at a look at why we yawn and why yawning is contagious. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3425960&page=1Why is change so hard? Anyone who has made a New Year’s resolution knows that sticking with a major change is difficult. One of the big reasons is what executive coach Marshall Goldsmith calls “triggers.” Triggers are the things that can in the way of achieving your goals. In fact, his book is called Triggers (http://amzn.to/2dWTWog). Listen as Marshall offers really solid, concrete advice for making lasting positive changes in your life and achieving your goals. If you have never heard Marshall speak, you will love this interview and you will come away inspired. Have you ever wondered why you like the things you like? It is interesting that one person can hate something another person loves. It applies to food, colors, fashion, cars – almost anything. Why is that? What influences our tastes and preferences? Listen as I speak with Tom Vanderbilt author of the book You May Also Like http://amzn.to/2h8YecT and discover why you prefer some things over others and why your favorite color is your favorite color.What really matters when it comes to health and long life? It may have less to do with diet and exercise (although they are important) and more to do with the kind of person you are. To find out if you are that kind of person, you need to answer an important question. Listen and I will tell you what that question is. (Dr. Paul Persall author of Write Your Own Pleasure Prescription https://amzn.to/2RdFqyU)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices