It is easy and tempting to overspend on holiday gifts. Plus retailers do everything they can to encourage you to spend more. So this episode begins with some strategies to help you spend a bit less and avoid those impulse purchases that you often wish you hadn’t made once you get home. http://www.womansday.com/life/work-money/g1877/how-to-stop-impulse-buying/ Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we bring fir trees into our homes and decorate them? Why is Jingle Bells so popular at Christmas when it is really a Thanksgiving song? Ace Collins 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) joins me to reveal the fascinating backstories of some your favorite holiday traditions and songs.  Do you have the “It” factor? It’s the thing that makes people want to get to know you and perhaps become part of your life and help you succeed. Mark Wiskup is a top communications expert and coach and he is author of the book The It Factor (https://amzn.to/2EbHMXX). He joins me to explain how anyone can acquire the It factor even if you consider yourself shy or introverted.   Doing household chores may not be the most exciting thing you do but it turns out there are some great health benefits. Things like making your bed or doing the dishes can actually be good for you. I conclude this episode by discussing some great reasons to tackle those chores you have been putting off. http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/health-benefits-chores/ This Week's Sponsors -SimpliSafe. To save hundreds of dollars on home protection go to www.SimpliSafe.com/something -Quip. Get your first refill pack free when you get an electric toothbrush from www.GetQuip.com/something -Care/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you look at old holiday photos, you will notice something is definitely missing – and it is something you really wish was there. I begin this episode of the podcast with that missing ingredient and advice on how to put it back in to your photos for this Christmas and in the future. (Cheryl Lightle author of “The Creative Memories Way ) How often have you started something but never finished? How often have you said you wanted to accomplish something but never actually got around to starting it? It turns out these are very common experiences. Jon Acuff, author of the book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done (https://amzn.to/2EgKYmi) researched the science of setting and achieving goals. He joins me to explain where people go wrong and how to set and reach goals that are truly important to you. Is the 5-Second Rule true? Is double dipping really so bad? How gross is it to eat birthday cake after someone blows out the candles? I explore all of these questions about food and germs and illness with scientist and Clemson University professor Paul Dawson, author of the book Did You Just Eat That? (https://amzn.to/2PqKLOw) You probably don’t use punctuation when you write a text to someone. But maybe you should – sometimes. Listen as I explain why certain punctuation can make you sound more sincere and other punctuation makes you sound less sincere. And what’s interesting is it only applies to texts, not to any other type of written communication. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215302181 This Week's Sponsors –BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING –Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes you may find yourself in a bad mood for no real reason. So how do you snap out of it? We begin this episode with some very easy, practical and proven ways to get you out of your funk and back to being happy when you are feeling grumpy. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/10-science-backed-ways-to-beat-a-bad-mood-fast/ar-BBlfz4d#page=5 Is eavesdropping nothing more than an impolite indiscretion – or is eavesdropping something humans must do? John Locke, Professor of Linguistics at Lehman College, City University of New York and author of the book Eavesdropping: An Intimate History (https://amzn.to/2zzH4kp) joins me for a fascinating exploration into what drives us to want to uncover other people’s secrets and what purpose it serves.  Why do some people like spicy food while others don’t? And what is that hot and spicy sensation you get in your mouth anyway – it is not a flavor or taste, so what is it? And perhaps the most important questions is, what is the best way to turn off the heat in your mouth when you eat something that is too hot and spicy? We will explore all of that in this episode. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3342526/So-S-chilli-peppers-tingle-tongue-Capsaicin-compoundbinds-pain-receptors-milk-really-does-help.html While the workplace has become more informal, how you dress and behave still matters. In fact it probably matters more than ever. For example, is it okay for colleagues to kiss at work anymore? How do you politely extract yourself from a conversation you don’t want to be in? What about opening doors for others? Who picks up the check – when? What’s the best way to introduce yourself? Should you give your boss a Christmas gift? Barbara Pachter author of The Essentials of Business Etiquette: How to Greet, Eat, and Tweet Yourself to Success (https://amzn.to/2SqSG09) joins me to discuss all of that and more including social media etiquette. This Week's Sponsors –BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING –Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn’t love the smell of a Christmas tree? For most of us, the scent of pine is wonderful. So much so that it is in all sorts of products from car air fresheners to kitchen cleaners. As it turns out smelling pine is also good for you and we begin this episode of the podcast exploring the benefits of that most enjoyable scent. (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/04/healing-power-pine/#ixzz2E8XgB7J4) A large percentage of people classify themselves as passive. Many of those passive people wish they weren’t because they feel that other people walk all over them. So what’s the alternative? Dennis Adams, therapist, former minister and former passive person spent a long time developing a different approach for passive people that he calls - Honest Direct and Respectful. In fact that is the name of his book, Honest, Direct Respectful: 3 Simple Words That Will Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/2Q0tMrs). Dennis joins me to explain how and why it is such a powerful technique for passive people. The holiday season is a time to give thanks for all the things you have. And it turns out that feeling thankful is a good idea the rest of the year too. There are many mental and physical benefits when people feel gratitude. Listen and I will tell you what they are. (http://my.happify.com/hd/what-is-the-science-of-happiness/) If you travel, you don’t need me to tell you how stressful and challenging it can be – particularly around the holidays. Charles McPherson author of The Pocket Butler’s Guide to Travel (https://amzn.to/2KEAsp3) is here to share his advice to make traveling easier and more enjoyable and he has suggestions to help you get the most out of your travel dollars.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear this surprising list of things people notice when they come through your front door. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-guests-really-notice-in-your-home/ss-BBnq4Uw#image=8 Money matters. It determines your lifestyle, how long you must work and forces you to make decisions on how to spend it. So it would seem that having more money would make you happier. But not always. Joining me to discuss the role of money and its relationship with happiness is Laura Rowley who has been a personal finance columnist for Self magazine and The Huffington Post and is author of the book Money & Happiness: A Guide to Living the Good Life (https://amzn.to/2SdFXgT). We spend a good deal of our life looking for answers to questions and problems. Interestingly, there are times where it may be more important to find a better question. That’s according to Hal Gregersen, Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of the book Questions Are The Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life (https://amzn.to/2DXAWWT). Hal joins me to explain the process of coming up with better questions which can lead to greater insight into any problem.  We all have to wash our hands in public bathrooms. So what is the best way to dry them afterwards? Some people prefer paper towels, some hot air dryers. But what does the best job of leaving you with clean germ-free hands? We’ll explore that in this episode. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x/abstract This Week's Sponsors -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are doing. Those two types of environments have an impact on you that affect your thinking. We begin this episode by exploring that. https://www.medicaldaily.com/clean-environment-leads-healthier-behavior-messy-desk-inspires-creativity-249383 What are the chances that there is life on other planets? Have aliens visited earth? There is no shortage of speculation on the topic and a lot of anecdotal stories about encounters but what does the science say? Michael Wall, senior writer at Science.com and author of the book Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious) (https://amzn.to/2S9oJl7) joins me to examine the possibilities and the evidence of other life in our galaxy. Have you ever seen someone talking to themselves on the street or in a store? Your immediate reaction is probably to think it is really weird. But in fact you most likely talk to yourself out loud all the time. We all do. In fact there are several common behaviors we all do that we somehow think are strange when we see other people do them. We’ll explore what they are and why we think this way. http://mentalfloss.com/article/54126/6-embarrassing-things-you-do-and-why The world is full of manipulative people who try to control other people’s thoughts and/or actions. You most likely have come across some of them at work or in your personal life. These people have a name – Gaslighters. And since we all have to deal with them at some point, Stephanie Sarkis, licensed mental health counselor and author of the book Gaslighting (https://amzn.to/2S0NMXa) offers a fascinating explanation of who these people are, what they do, why they act this way and what you can do to identify and avoid them.  This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast -Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING -Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing waves – certain sounds can have a very positive effect. We begin this episode with an explanation of which sounds do what. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/harp-music-blood-pressure-icu-patients-pain_n_1734615.html Somewhere in your home are some valuable family treasures or heirlooms that mean something special to you. Maybe it’s your mother’s wedding dress, your old record collection or a prized piece of old furniture. The enemy of all these things is time. All these valuables will deteriorate over time if you don’t care for them properly. Joining me with some real help is Don Williams. Don was the senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and he is author of the book Saving Stuff… How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions (https://amzn.to/2RWnW6L). No one knows better how to keep your stuff in excellent shape as it marches through time. While Thanksgiving is an important American holiday, much of the story we've been told is made up myth. Peter Mancall, professor of history and anthropology at the University of Southern California is an expert on early America. He joins me to explain the real origins of Thanksgiving, what the first Thanksgiving was really like and how it came to be a national holiday that ended up being celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. While some people seem to like to be touched more than others, physical human touch does seem to have real benefits for everyone. Listen as we explore some of the remarkable, positive effects touching has for children and adults. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/201309/why-we-all-need-touch-and-be-touched This Week's Sponsors -LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast -Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! -BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING -Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something -Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But when is the best time to take a break? I begin this episode by telling you EXACTLY when to take a break for optimum performance. http://www.menshealth.com/best-time-for-break There’s a pretty good chance you have at least one or two pairs of blue jeans – and maybe many more in lots of other colors! Jeans are the iconic American garment and have been for decades. Even as fashions and trends have come and gone there has always been a place for jeans. So where did they come? Why have they lasted? And what exactly is denim anyway – how is it different from other fabrics? Journalist James Sullivan, author of the book, Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2DGD45j) joins me to take you on an historical journey from Italy to the American west to a John Wayne movie set to explain the story of blue jeans.  I bet there is someone famous or rich or super successful you would love to meet and maybe even get their advice –right? But you probably never tried because you figured they would never respond and it would be a complete waste of time. And maybe it would be. And then again, maybe not. Listen as I tell a story of a regular guy with no connections who got a lot of very important people to talk to him and exactly how he did it. https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-schedule-a-phone-call-with-a-billionaire/answer/Daniel-L-Jacobs You have got to hear science writer Marcus Chown explain why over 99% of your DNA isn’t yours or how you could squeeze the entire human race into a space the size of a sugar cube or why the moon is actually hurtling towards earth – constantly! Marcus is author of the new book, Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand – 50 Wonders That Reveal an Extraordinary Universe (https://amzn.to/2OKnczM) and he joins me to explain some scientific facts that will absolutely amaze you.  This Week's Sponsors Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. -SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something -LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say is what makes them so happy. John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA) Probably the one word you hear more than any other throughout your life is –NO! For some people no means no but for others it means something else entirely. BJ Gallagher, author of the book Yes Lives in the Land of No (https://amzn.to/2JXlPNh) offers some great advice for handling the word no when people tell you that you can’t have or do something. Since you will hear NO a lot for the rest of your life – this is worth listening to. Who doesn’t love going to a live concert? And yet when you really dissect the experience, it is probably not as good as we tell ourselves it is. I’ll reveal what one writer has to say about the concert-going experience that you may not have thought about before. (http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a39525/live-music-overrated/) We humans need people. We are social creatures. We thrive with others. Yet many of us are alone and isolated with few, if any friends. Someone who is very concerned about this is Radha Agrawal, who is an entrepreneur, investor, inventor, speaker, and community builder. She founded Daybreaker a grassroots, early-morning dance phenomenon that is now in over 25 countries. She is also author of the book Belong: Find Your People Create Community and Live a More Connected Life https://amzn.to/2DfaczU. Radha explains not only why friends are important but how and where to go and find them.  This Week's Sponsors -SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something Calming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING. -LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up and why. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/theres-no-evidence-you-need-annual-physical-exam-say-doctors Your unconscious mind affects your thoughts and behaviors in ways you can’t imagine. That is the message from John Bargh, Yale professor of psychology and author of the book Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do (https://amzn.to/2JLKN2b). For example, feeling physically warm actually makes you more socially warm; feeling fear makes you think more politically conservative – it’s just amazing. Listen as professor Bargh takes you on a tour of your unconscious mind.   A lot of things can get messy in your kitchen – from lingering cooking smells to fruit flies and a million other things. Listen as I reveal some great ways to solve common kitchen problems you probably haven’t heard before. http://food52.com/blog/14173-7-kitchen-cleaning-tricks-that-really-work How did Facebook, Amazon, Google and other big companies get so big so fast? The answer is “blitzscaling.” It is a recent phenomenon in business that was named and identified by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Chris Yeh in their new book Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies (https://amzn.to/2D4HW33). Chris Yeh joins me to explain how blitzscaling works and others in business can use the same principles.  This Week's Sponsors Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING   Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order.  Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In most places around the world, Siri comes with a female voice by default. Of course you can change it but most people don’t. This is true for most other voiced-based computer programs. Why? We begin this episode with the fascinating reasons why most people prefer their devices sound female. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/a18018/why-is-siri-a-female-voice/ Human nature – it is a collection of things we humans tend to do by default. Robert Greene, author of the bestseller The Laws of Human Nature (https://amzn.to/2yQtqZy) takes you on a fascinating journey into why we do the things we do and why these tendencies we have often get in the way of our happiness and success. There are 18 laws of human nature and Robert will explain how to use them to your advantage and how to counter them when they work against you.  What could be simpler and more satisfying than a grilled cheese sandwich? Most of us have been eating them since we were kids. Actually though, there is some science and technique to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich and a lot of it has to do with the cheese you select. Which is best? Listen and find out. http://www.businessinsider.com/science-making-grilled-cheese-2015-11 Household recycling has become habit for many people. We just do it because – well that’s what good citizens do. What you may not know is that there are a lot of problems with recycling. In fact a lot of what you recycle probably NEVER gets recycled. Instead it ends up in a landfill with all the other garbage. Beth Porter is an expert on the subject and she is author of the book Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Sorting Out the Recycling System (https://amzn.to/2JCkknD) . Beth joins me to reveal what’s wrong with recycling and what everyone can do to make the whole system work better and more efficiently. This Week's Sponsors Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING   Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order.  Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is released a few days before most people in the U.S. change their clocks back to standard time. And each time we change the clocks, people complain about all the bad things that result from that. Well, there are some good things as well. So I begin with some of those and the reasons behind daylight savings time that you may not know or understand. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a18011/in-defense-of-daylight-saving-time/ When you get a bad grade on your report card in school, you know that is a subject you really need to work on. But is that a good strategy in real life? Will you be more successful if you try to get better at the things you don’t like or do very well with or are you better served by focusing on those things that you are already good at and enjoy? Business consultant Marcus Buckingham, author of the book The One Thing You Need to Know (https://amzn.to/2SAJiHS) reveals why it is so important to identify your strengths and weaknesses and offers advice that will lead you to success.   Got a bunch of Halloween candy in your house? Well, you could eat it or take it to work or you could do something to help our troops. Listen and I’ll explain how – and it’s very easy. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-eat-3500-calories-candy. The website mentioned is www.operationgratitude.com It’s a bit of a mystery why so many more people today struggle with body weight than in previous generations. With some interesting answers and strategies is Stephan Guyenet, a neuroscientist and author of the book The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts That Makes Us Overeat (https://amzn.to/2JvirZW). Stephan explains exactly what it is that makes it so hard to resist some foods and the amazingly simple solutions to stop overeating in the first place. The instinct to eat is strong. However, you can overcome the instinct to OVER eat by following his advice.  This Week's Sponsors Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The weather can affect your buying decisions without you realizing it. That can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house or a car. This episode begins with an explanation of why and how the weather impacts such important decisions and why you are more likely to buy a convertible on a sunny day even though it may be a terrible idea. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-effect-of-weather-on-purchasing-decisions-2012-11 You have a personality – right? Well actually, more than one. Science writer Rita Carter author of the book The People You Are: The New Science of Personality (https://amzn.to/2D6RHON) reveals how we all have multiple personalities which all come out in different situations. While it may seem like you simply have different facets of your core personality, Rita explains why it is more complicated than that.  Everyone reading this has tried to make a significant change in their life – and failed! Change is hard however there are some ways to make the process easier and more effortless according to James Clear author of the book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones https://amzn.to/2ELIcq0. James’s work on the subject of personal change and habits has appeared in the New York Times, CBS This Morning among others. He joins me to explain how anyone can make big changes that stick. James website is www.JamesClear.com “Out of the box” and “move the needle” are examples of common business jargon that we can probably do without. This episode concludes with a list of words and phrases people use in business that are unnecessary, vague and often pointless. There are usually better ways to say the same thing. https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/20-corporate-phrases-that-make-you-sound-really-boring.html This Week's Sponsors Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have those times when we are stressed and need to chill out. So I begin this episode with some proven simple and easy ways to reduce anxiety and stress instantly – and one way is so easy all you have to do is listen a hit song from 1972. https://us.ditchthelabel.org/101-ultimate-ways-chill-reduce-stress/ Most of your communication is probably virtual – email, text, telephone, etc. And as you and probably everyone else has learned, virtual communication can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings which in turn can lead to real trouble. Communication expert Nick Morgan, author of the book, Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World (https://amzn.to/2D2RPyL) joins me to discuss the pitfalls of virtual communication and how to avoid them so you stay out of trouble. With Halloween approaching I thought it would be fun to uncover the stories behind some of the classic Halloween candy. I am partial to Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and I am sure you have your favorites as well. Candy expert Darlene Lacey, author of the book, Classic Candy (https://amzn.to/2EImfs3) explains the fascinating stories of how many of these iconic candies came to be, where their names came from and why we tend to like the same candy as our parents and grandparents did. Speaking of sweets, why is it that some people prefer sweet snacks while others like salty? And still others like both? We wrap up this episode with the science of sweet and salty and why they are so satisfying. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/why-some-people-have-a-sweet-tooth This Week’s Sponsors Robinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order.  Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don’t play a musical instrument – maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your personality can predict with great accuracy, how much musical skill and talent you have. We begin this episode by exploring that. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoc-hyg101315.php While you are probably aware of how some body language clues work, you are about to get a much better and deeper understanding of it and how you can use it to improve your communication skills. Joe Navarro was a special agent for the FBI for 25 years and he is author of the book What Every Body is Saying https://amzn.to/2CWKSiR Listen and be amazed at how nonverbal communication really works. There was a golden age of corporate slogans. It was the 60s and 70s. That’s when you flew “the friendly skies” of United or “you deserved a break today” at McDonalds or when you used Fed Ex because it “absolutely, positively had to be there overnight.” Those and many other corporate taglines were an important part of their brand. Now do you know the United Airlines, McDonalds or FedEx taglines are today? Marketing executive Steve Cone joins me to make the case that taglines – or slogans – are important and he explains why. Steve is author of the book Powerlines: Words that Sell Brands, Grip Fans and Sometimes Change History https://amzn.to/2Cs38zJ Next time you are in your kitchen, stand there are look around to see just how much food you see. Is it in the fridge and cabinets or is there a lot of food out on the counter? I’m going to explain why it matters especially if you are concerned about your body weight. http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/OP/Kitchen_Counters This Week’s Sponsors Robinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock! Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order.  Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations. Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com  Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So you get ready to make a salad and you rinse the lettuce and carrots and tomatoes under the faucet for a few seconds. Does that really get rid of the pesticides and bacteria? We explore that very important question and you really need to hear the answer. http://www.menshealth.com/how-to-wash-produce Do you understand the difference between pleasure and happiness? It’s an important distinction because the more pleasure you seek, the less happy you become. That’s the contention of Dr Robert Lustig, author of The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains https://amzn.to/2yp2xMf. Dr. Lustig sees some troubling developments in our quest for pleasure and I think you’ll be interested in what he has to say. It’s become a cliché to say that great ideas come in the shower. But the fact is – they do! And there is actually a psychological explanation for why that is. We begin this episode with a look at the reason for this common experience. http://mentalfloss.com/article/52586/why-do-our-best-ideas-come-us-shower Nobody likes failure – but maybe we should all rethink that. Failure turns out to have a silver lining – and not just in the way that “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Chris Gethard is a pretty successful stand-up comedian who has written a book about failure called Lose Well https://amzn.to/2CpJcgz. Although Chris has had some clearly successful moments (his own HBO special and his own sitcom on Comedy Central for example) he has also had some colossal failures. He joins me to discuss why failure is inevitable and really something to be celebrated on your journey to success. This Week's Sponsors LinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/something Simplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/something Glip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.com Hotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spending time with annoying and irritating people can be hazardous to your mental health! That’s according to some research from my alma mater, the University of Southern California. I begin this episode with that and how to bulletproof yourself from the negative effects of those most irritating people. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Annoying-people-can-slow-down-your-brain-Study/articleshow/16765621.cms When you fly on a commercial airplane, I know you have questions about how commercial aviation works – or sometimes DOESN’T work very well. Patrick Smith is a commercial airline pilot and blogger at www.askthepilot.com and author of the book, Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel https://amzn.to/2CfqIPY. He joins me to answer some of the questions you think about when you are sitting and wondering in your airline seat.  Sometimes in winter, you have to stay warm. And as the weather cools off, it is a good time to discuss what’s really important to staying warm in cold weather and how the body reacts to preserve itself when temperatures drop. http://theweek.com/article/index/254754/how-to-keep-warm-outside-5-science-based-tips We live in a time when productivity is essential. There is always more to do - but wait! Is striving to do more actually an effective strategy? What if I told you that taking time to unwind, relax and nurture yourself actually makes you MORE productive? You need to hear some important research from Jamie Gruman, professor of Organizational Behavior and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Jamie is author of the book Boost: The Science of Recharging Yourself in an Age of Unrelenting Depends https://amzn.to/2pSD8G0. He joins me to challenge everything you’ve ever thought about productivity and getting more done. And you are really going to like what he has to say. This Week's Sponsors LinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/something Simplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/something Glip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.com Hotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who has ever cooked pasta has thought about using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes less time to boil. But is it really a good idea to cook with hot tap water? We begin this episode with a discussion on why it is such a bad idea. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/health/29real.html It may seem as if it's luck or chance that causes some things catch on and become popular or go viral. But it isn’t luck really. If you’ve ever wondered why some restaurants succeed while others fail or why some books, TV shows or movies do great but others go nowhere, you will want to listen to this segment. Jonah Berger, is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On https://amzn.to/2IQAn0s. Jonah joins me to explains the science of popularity – and it really is a science.  Conventional wisdom is that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. And it is a great example of just how wrong conventional wisdom is. Now it used to be accurate but not with cars today. Listen as I reveal how often you should REALLY change your oil. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html?mktcat=maintenance-article&kw=stop+changing+your+oil&mktid=ob61762858&msite=w Logic is sometimes misunderstood. For example, can you be logical AND emotional? (That was always an issue for Mr. Spock on Star Trek). Is there only one logical way to get to a conclusion? How does logic really work? We all need logic and to help you understand it is Eugenia Cheng. She is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and author of the book The Art of Logic in an Illogical World https://amzn.to/2QHth15. She joins me to explain logic and how you can use logic more effectively in your life. This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING   Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even the best drivers get in serious accidents – usually because of bad drivers. So we start this episode with a look at why good drivers get into accidents and how to steer clear of them http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/how-good-drivers-get-killed.html A lot of us don’t’ sleep very well. Often the problem is so chronic that we convince ourselves that it is normal but it is not according to Dr. Barry Krakow. Dr. Krakow is a board certified internist and sleep disorders specialist and author of the book Sound Sleep Sound Mind: 7 Steps to Sleeping Through the Night (https://amzn.to/2RvmGbf). He joins me with effective strategies to improve your sleep. By the way his website is www.sleeptreatment.com  Ever been in a situation where you really need to feel powerful and confident but were feeling exactly the opposite? Well, there is a very effective tactic that can really boost your power and confidence and it only takes a moment. http://www.businessinsider.com/a-simple-exercise-to-make-you-powerful-2015-10 Just about everyone has felt a bit out of place at work or other professional setting. But maybe that’s a good thing. Jennifer Romolini felt like an outcast all her professional life yet managed to use that to her advantage and succeed anyway. In fact she took what she discovered along the way and put it in a book called Weird in a World That's Not (https://amzn.to/2NlWGvO). If you have ever felt like a nerd or that you didn’t belong in an organization, listen as Jennifer explains how to use your uniqueness to reach your goals.   This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING   Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or go to jail if you got caught? We begin this episode of the podcast with a look at what the law really says and why you would never want to kill one anyway. https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-illegal-to-kill-praying-mantis-1968526 Funny thing about distractions… it seems that more you need to stay focused on your work, the more irresistible those distractions become. So how do you make those distractions less appealing so you can focus on what needs to be done? That’s what I discuss with productivity expert Chris Bailey. He is the author of the book HYPERFOCUS: how to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction (https://amzn.to/2Nl6ohY) and he has some very practical suggestions for keeping you on task when you need to be. If you’ve ever lost your wallet – even for just a little while - you know what a terrible feeling that can be. If you did leave it somewhere, there is something you can do to help substantially increase the odds of getting it back. I’ll reveal a little trick that will make whoever finds your wallet want to give it back. https://thebark.com/content/lost-wallets Work is serious business – but should it be? Could a little more humor and fun actually be good for the workplace and the people who work there? Scott Christopher thinks so. He is the co-author of the book The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up https://amzn.to/2IzFCS8 . Scott joins me to explain why fun and work really do mix and why the results of doing so are amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not long ago I went to the supermarket only to find everything had been moved around. Nothing was where it used to be. Why? I’ll explain why they do that and other little tricks supermarkets play on you. http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Supermarket-Psychology-Tricks-18344600?stream_view=1#photo- Ever wonder why certain things disgust you? The things you find disgusting may be perfectly acceptable – even pleasing to someone else. Disgust turns out to be a fascinating human emotion. No other animals get disgusted by the things we do. And this emotion has served us well. Rachel Herz, a teacher at Brown University is also author of the book, That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion (https://amzn.to/2xTcjVG) joins me to discuss why we get disgusted. Very few people think they look great in photographs. So I have some advice from top photographers on what to do so you look great in every photograph you are in – no matter who is taking the picture. https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/nation/how-to-look-better-in-photos-best-ways-to-pose-for-pictures It is amazing to think that so many inventions that changed how we live could’ve been invented a lot sooner. The stethoscope, the compass, human flight and other inventions took way too long to materialize since the technology for them was around a long time ago. It's just that no one figured out how to put it all together. Ryan North, author of the book How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler (https://amzn.to/2DFFLoy) takes us on a journey back in time and explains what went wrong.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably just assume food grown organically is healthier – and maybe it is. But you also probably think that organic food tastes better. You may not think you think that – but you do. We start this episode with an explanation as to why. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2302835/Organic-food-labels-trick-thinking-food-healthier-tastier.html Conspiracy theories abound! I’m sure you’ve heard that some people believe the U.S. government was behind the 9/11 attacks or the Holocaust never happened or that the mafia really killed President Kennedy – or was it Castro? Where do these theories come from? Why do people believe them? And how do you have a conversation with someone if you think what they believe is crazy? Mick West, author of the book, Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories using Facts, Logic, and Respect (https://amzn.to/2R1HyXI) has researched conspiracy theories and the people who believe them and he has some great insight and advice for the next time you find yourself talking to someone who believes the world is really flat! Over half the population has foot problems that hamper their daily lives. So I reveal some proven strategies to help alleviate and/or prevent those problems so your feet stay happy. http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-footpain-ess.html Every culture is governed by rules – whether it is a nation, an organization, group or a family. Some cultures have very tight and strict rules while others take a more laid back approach. But which is better? Do you humans excel under strict regulations or is loose and easy a better way? Well, it all depends, according to cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand author of the book, Rule Makers Rule Breakers : How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World (https://amzn.to/2xRrRcE). She joins me to explain the fascinating reasons why different cultures adopt tight or loose controls and how those rules impact the lives of people they affect. This Week's Sponsors Robinhood. To open your free account and get your FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help build your portfolio! Sign up at something.robinhood.com Ancestry. To get 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. To open your free, full-featured GLIP account go to www.glip.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You tip the waiter at the end of a meal for a job well done. But when it comes to tipping the maid and other people at a hotel, it is actually better to tip them at the beginning of your stay so you get better service in the days to come. That’s just one of the very savvy travel tips with which we begin this episode of the podcast. http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/travel-mistakes-to-avoid-20131217/packing-for-the-long-haul Do we really have free will? Does the placebo effect actually work? Have aliens tried to contact us? These are some of the fascinating mysteries that still baffle scientists. Science writer Michael Brooks, author of the book 13 Things That Don't Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time (https://amzn.to/2NvuAmO) joins me to explore some of these mysteries and explains what we do know and what we don’t know about them.  Chewing gum may not be proper etiquette in many social situations but chewing gum does have some real benefits – particularly when you are stressed out. I’ll explain why have some gum in your pocket is almost always a good idea. https://greatist.com/happiness/does-chewing-gum-reduce-anxiety 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of NASA. And while space launches aren’t quite the big deal they once were, NASA is still doing a lot of impressive work. John Logsdon has been keeping his eye on NASA for a long time. John is the founder of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, former member of the NASA Advisory Council and he served on the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident Investigation Board in 2003. He is the editor of a new book that just came out celebrating 60 years of NASA called The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration (https://amzn.to/2DoYWmm) and joins me to discuss some really interesting stories about the US space program you probably never knew. This Week's Sponsors Robinhood. To open your free account and get your FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help build your portfolio! Sign up at something.robinhood.com Ancestry. To get 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/something Glip. To open your free, full-featured GLIP account go to www.glip.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve lived with dogs most of my life (and one pretty cool cat) so I am fascinated by doggy behavior. And did you know that even though dogs will eat almost anything – they actually prefer two distinct flavors. We begin this episode of the podcast with that and some other interesting facts about what your dog is really thinking. (Paulette Cooper author of 27 Secrets Your Dog Wants You To Know) https://amzn.to/2xoCi83 You have good days and you have bad days. So what if you could control that so that you had far more good days than bad ones? Caroline Webb, author of the book How to Have a Good Day (https://amzn.to/2pnE0Ct) reveals the psychology, neuroscience and behavioral science that can help you greatly improve the odds that today and tomorrow will be fabulous! If you have to present something at a meeting or make a proposal – do your best to NOT go first. I’ll discuss why and when in the meeting is a more optimal time to speak up. (Sarah McGinty author of the book Power Talk https://amzn.to/2plWwej0 What do 46% of people in Japan do when the doorbell rings? Why do astronauts have to sleep near a fan so they don’t die? This is just two of a bunch of facts you’ll hear from John Lloyd, creator of the Q.I television program in the UK and contributor to the book, 1,342 Quite Interesting Facts To Leave You Flabbergasted (https://amzn.to/2NREHll). If you like interesting facts to dazzle people at a cocktail party – this will be fun! This Week's Sponsors Daily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box! Apple Music. Go to www.AppleMusic.com/something to sign up and get 3 months free! No obligation, cancel at any time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may not have ever noticed this but hotels rarely offer milkshakes on their room service menu. And yet, if a hotel has a kitchen there is a good chance they have ice cream milk and a blender. But if you try to order a milkshake you probably won’t get it. Why not? The answer is simple, ridiculous and points out a big problem in American business today. (Steve Little author of The Milkshake Moment) Why does time seem to go by faster as we get older? Why do people love kitten videos? How can you spot a liar? These and other fascinating psychology questions are what we tackle in my discussion with Art Markman, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, co-host of the podcast Two Guys on Your Head and author of the book Brain Briefs https://amzn.to/2xcxdyJ. It’s an interesting discussion that will help you better understand how your brain works. Art Markman's website is http://www.smartthinkingbook.com/ A lot of new cars have a keyless ignition. And while that is convenient, it also makes it easier to forget to turn the car off and leave it running. That has caused some real problems. I’ll explain why and what to do to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/hidden-dangers-of-push-button-start Do you know what an empath is? It is a person who prefers solitude and is extremely sensitive to noises, smells, crowds and social stimulation. It turns out there are a lot of people who fall into the category of “extremely sensitive” and being this way makes it a bit harder to navigate the world. Psychologist Judith Orloff, author of the book The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People https://amzn.to/2OvEiBV is in fact one of these extremely sensitive types and she has some insight and advice for other empaths and the people who must deal with them every day. This Week's Sponsors Daily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box! Apple Music. Go to www.AppleMusic.com/something to sign up and get 3 months free! No obligation, cancel at any time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What could be simpler than washing your hands? You’ve done it a zillion times. And yet you are probably not doing it correctly. With cold and flu season nearly here, it’s important to get this right so we begin this episode with some expert hand washing advice. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/hand-washing-mistakes/#slideshow=slide5 I am sick of paying fees, Are you? There are fees for everything and the result is that nothing really costs what the price tag says – it’s the price PLUS all the fees. Bob Sullivan has been spreading the word about the stupidity and unfairness of fees for a long time. He is author of the book Gotcha Capitalism https://amzn.to/2x9R2aR and he joins me to explain why there are so many fees and how you can fight back!  By the way, Bob is also the host of podcast Breach which you can access from his website (https://bobsullivan.net/topics/breach/) or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Are overweight people discriminated against in the workplace? We like to think we judge people by their character but this research proves that is not always true. And in most cases this discrimination is perfectly legal. http://www.businessinsider.com/science-overweight-people-less-successful-2015-9 Slang is fascinating. How is it that some slang words work their way into the language while others fade quickly? Who starts these words? Could you create a slang word and have it catch on? Tom Dalzell has been studying slang for a long time and has written several books about it including The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English https://amzn.to/2p2ksDi. He joins me in a fascinating discussion about the slang in our language and why it is important.  This Week's Sponsors Warby Parker. For your free home try-on of 5 pairs of glasses go to www.warbyparker.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.linkedin.com/something Ancestry  For 20% off your Ancestry DNA kit got to www.ancestry.com/something and use the promo code: something Hoka One One Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people wish they were taller. Unfortunately there is no simple fix for that. But there are ways to LOOK taller and we start this episode with some effective techniques. http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a37254/7-style-tips-that-will-make-you-look-taller/ No one likely taught you how to think. So when you have a problem to solve or need to come up with a solution - you just think the way you think. But what if you could think better? Tim Hurson author of the book Think Better https://amzn.to/2CzMTCn joins me to discuss a way to improve your thinking that can result in better thoughts, better ideas and better solutions.   So what’s the deal with seedless watermelons? Where did they come from and why are there no seeds? And how do they grow new ones if there are no seeds to plant? I’ll unravel the mystery of seedless watermelons for you. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31211/where-do-seedless-watermelons-come Today, meal planning isn’t so much about foods we enjoy but rather foods that are supposed to be “good for you.” The problem is, that is a very strange way to eat. Barry Glassner, a sociology professor at the University of Southern California is author of a book The Gospel of Food: Why We Should Stop Worrying and enjoy What We Eat https://amzn.to/2wStk2R. He joins me to explain why our obsession with eating food with less salt, less sugar and fewer calories is flawed and why eating foods you enjoy has a lot of real benefits. This Week's Sponsors Warby Parker. For your free home try-on of 5 pairs of glasses go to www.warbyparker.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.linkedin.com/something Ancestry For 20% off your Ancestry DNA kit got to www.ancestry.com/something and use the promo code: something Hoka One One Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People who travel a lot have to come up with their own travel hacks and secrets in order to stay sane! Several of the people who work for CNN and travel as part of their job, put together a bunch of really great tips and tricks they have learned from years and years of traveling – often by learning things the hard way. We begin this episode by sharing these great travel secrets so you can put them to use on your next trip.  http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/20-biggest-travel-mistakes Can you learn to be lucky? The idea sounds weird – right? Because luck is just a matter of random chance. Or is it? Karla Starr, author of the book, Can You Learn to Be Lucky? https://amzn.to/2Q8Eb0j as looked at the science of luck (yes there is such a thing) and joins me to explain why some people just seem to be extremely lucky and what you can do to improve your luck.  Could it be true that overweight people live longer? Since like forever, we’ve all been told that being thin is what helps you live longer. But there does seem to be a loophole in the theory. While it’s not a reason to let yourself go and gain a lot of weight, having a few extra pounds can be beneficial and I will explain why. http://healthland.time.com/2013/01/02/being-overweight-is-linked-to-lower-risk-of-mortality/ You make a lot of important - even life-altering - decisions in your life. But I bet you were never taught HOW to make a decision. Well, it turns out how you make those important decisions really matters. And there is a way to improve your chances of making the right decision if you have a better understanding of the decision making process. Steven Johnson, author of the book Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most https://amzn.to/2NlgWl9 explains how you can make the RIGHT decision. This Week's Sponsors Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something care/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whenever you get a new credit card in the mail, you are encouraged to sign the back of it. In fact many say, “Not valid until signed.” But should you sign the back of your credit cards? For security reasons, maybe not. But there is something you might want to write in that little box instead. We start the episode by discussing that. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1444/should-you-sign-the-back-of-your-credit-cards Supposedly the average American home has about $2600 worth of stuff collecting dust that could be turned into cash on eBay or a garage sale. But how do you know what stuff? Brian Kathenes is a managing partner at National Appraisal Consultants in New York and author of the book, Betcha Didn’t Know That! https://amzn.to/2NzLb4G. Brian joins me to offer some advice on what to look for in your attic or your parents’ attic that could be worth a lot of money – as well as things that aren’t worth wasting time on.  So what’s the difference between green tea and plain old black tea? Green tea has certainly gotten a lot of great publicity for all its health benefits but could regular tea be just as good for you? You just might be surprised to hear this. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-in-green-and-black-tea How do you get ahead in your career? If you care, you have probably already checked out various experts who talk about the importance of networking, a good resume and a firm handshake. But there are some lesser known strategies that are equally – if not more – powerful. Employment expert Vicky Oliver author of the book, 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions https://amzn.to/2Pv8Bsv joins me to offer some lesser known but powerful suggestions to move up the career ladder. This Week's Sponsors Glip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/something care/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to ask someone on a date, you could call them up and ask or you could send a text or email. So which of those methods is most effective? We begin this episode with the interesting answer. http://news.indiana.edu/releases/iu/2015/09/email-versus-voicemail-romantics.shtml When someone walks into your home, they immediately make assumptions about you. So what do people assume about you? What does your home say? According to Winifred Gallagher author of the book, House Thinking: A Room by Room Look at How We Live https://amzn.to/2LzmTWX , it says a lot. What’s also interesting is that your house and its contents have impact and influence on you – in terms of how you think and behave. Join me as Winifred explains the fascinating and often undetected relationship you have with your home. Whether or not you are happy depends on a lot of factors. But there is one BIG factor in your life that can make or break your happiness. Listen as I tell you what it is. http://www.techinsider.io/how-to-know-you-are-happy-psychology-2015-9 Being able to forgive someone for something they have done is considered virtuous. Many religions teach the importance of forgiveness. But what if you can’t or won’t forgive? What if what was done to you is unforgivable – then what? Is forgiveness the only way to unburden yourself? No, according to Gary Egeberg, author of the book, The Forgiveness Myth https://amzn.to/2Pg6xEM. Sometimes forgiveness is NOT the answer and Gary explains what the alternatives are. This Week's Sponsors Daily Harvest. Get 3 cups free in your first order of amazing smoothies and savory harvest bowls. Go to www.daily-harvest.com and use promo code: something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Brilliant Earth. For the 12 month financing offer and to shop all of Brilliant Earth’s selections - Just go to www.BrilliantEarth.com/something Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought to yourself, “When I lose weight, where does the fat go?” It is an interesting question and the fact is most health professionals cannot answer it. But I can – and will as we begin this episode. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/health/lose-weight-where-does-it-go-partner/index.html If the “lose-it-or-use-it” theory applies to anything – it applies to memory. U.S. Memory Champion Chester Santos, author of the book, Mastering Memory https://amzn.to/2P4LTay joins me to offer some techniques to help you improve your ability to remember names and just about everything else. In fact he takes us all on an exercise to remember a list of 15 random words and commit it to memory.  There is probably a jar of Vaseline around your house somewhere. And it turns out that Vaseline has a lot of uses and applications that you have probably never heard of. I’ll share several of the best ones in this episode. http://www.aol.com/article/2015/04/15/19-unusual-uses-vaseline/21172577/ While it is always great to strive for success, some people strive for nothing else. They judge everything by how much they achieve, how they look, how much money they have or how big their house is. Psychologist Dr. Arthur Ciarimicoli identified this problem and gave it a name – “Performance Addiction.” It refers to people who think achievement and success will bring them happiness. When it doesn’t, that’s when the trouble begins. Arthur not only coined the term, he is also the author of a book called Performance Addiction https://amzn.to/2P97r66. He joins me to explain and explore this growing problem in our culture – and what can be done about it.  This Week's Sponsors Daily Harvest. Get 3 cups free in your first order of amazing smoothies and savory harvest bowls. Go to www.daily-harvest.com and use promo code: something Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Brilliant Earth. For the 12 month financing offer and to shop all of Brilliant Earth’s selections - Just go to www.BrilliantEarth.com/something Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want someone to know you really care for them and that they are special to you, there are a few simple things you can do that can have a huge impact. I begin this episode with those things which I am sure will come in handy at some point in your life. http://www.caring.com/articles/5-surprising-actions-that-show-love When you want to make a point or sell your idea or convince someone of something – nothing can do it like a picture. But what if you suck as an artist? Well, according to Dan Roam, that doesn’t matter. Any picture is better than no picture. Dan is the author of the book, Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures https://amzn.to/2PwDRsc. He joins me to explain the science of why visual representations (pictures) can be so much more powerful than words. As the saying goes – a picture is worth a thousand words. When you hear Dan you will understand just how true that is. Even if your artistic skills are less than impressive. So here is something I am sure has happened to you… you take your clothes or towels out of the dryer and you find a bleach stain. But you didn’t use bleach in the laundry, so how could you have a bleach stain? Well, it happens all the time. I’ll explain why and how to prevent it. http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/bleach-stains-towels Do gentlemen prefer blondes? Do high heels really make women more attractive? Can the scent you give off actually repel some people while attracting others? Jena Pincott has the answers to these and other questions about human attraction. Jena tells the story of how she had to break up with a guy just because of his scent. He didn’t smell bad – it was just his natural scent she couldn’t stand. You have to hear the story. Jena is author of the book, Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?: Bodies, Behavior, and Brains--The Science Behind Sex, Love, & Attraction https://amzn.to/2ByZpS2. I think you’ll enjoy what she has to say. This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Brilliant Earth. For the 12 month financing offer and to shop all of Brilliant Earth’s selections - Just go to www.BrilliantEarth.com/something Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you have pain – you want it to go away. While taking a pill or two can help ease the pain, there are some other interesting and unconventional ways to ease pain that have been proven to work. This episode begins with those and at least most of them will likely be new to you. http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/12-weird-pain-remedies/ss-AAcuOQ#image=1 Self-sabotage is when you set a goal, attempt to achieve it and in the process screw the whole thing up all by yourself. Seems rather pointless, yet everyone does it according to Pat Pearson author of the book, Stop Self-Sabotage https://amzn.to/2vV6Eyx. Listen as Pat explains why people do it and how to stop – and it all has to do with what she calls your “deserve level.” Her website is www.PatPearson.com. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!” No doubt you have heard that before but what does the science say? Just how important is breakfast in terms of health and weight loss? Listen to hear these surprising findings. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/06/04/ajcn.114.089573.abstract I know it sounds crazy but we have a serious sand shortage on this planet. When you hear that you may think – “Wait a minute, what about all the sand at the beach and in the desert?” Well it turns out to be more complicated than you ever imagined and this sand shortage is impacting your life in ways you didn’t realize. Vince Besier has explored the sand shortage and written a book called The World In A Grain https://amzn.to/2OJZxje. What he has to say will fascinate you.  This Week's Sponsors care/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Brilliant Earth. For the 12 month financing offer and to shop all of Brilliant Earth’s selections - Just go to www.BrilliantEarth.com/something Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I suspect you’ve been cheated or lied to at some point in your life and thought to yourself, “How in the world did I fall for that?” There is actually a good reason why it happened to you and to every other human on the planet. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201109/the-5-reasons-we-get-suckered-and-ripped While there is no shortage of advice for people in relationships – I think I have someone who will make you think differently about love and how it really works in the long-term. Dr. Thomas Habib is a clinical psychologist and author of the book If These Walls Could Talk https://amzn.to/2BgCM4w. He will have you thinking differently about love – and he also explains why guys hate chick flicks!  Whatever fragrance you wear, you owe it all – or at least in part to Coco Chanel. I’ll explain why and tell you why the most popular fragrance in the world – Chanel No. 5 – has such an unusual name. (Sleeping with The Enemy by Hal Vaughan) https://amzn.to/2MPrfur Imagine a discussion about depression that is actually uplifting! With depression affecting so many people (including people in your life, most likely) I think you will enjoy listening to psychiatrist Dr. Kelly Brogran author of the book A Mind of Your Own. She takes a fascinating look at the research around depression and what causes it and what helps it. https://amzn.to/2MvyJ8Q This Week's Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Daily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box! Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Bombas Socks.Get 20% off your first order by going towww.Bombas.com/something and use the promo code SOMETHING LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever watched someone blow out the candles on a birthday cake and wondered, “Do I really want to eat cake after someone blew and spit all over it?” I have. So I start this episode with a look at the risks of eating that cake once the candles are out. http://foodnetwork.wikia.com/wiki/Food_Detectives A lot has been written about peak performance. There are books, articles, podcasts, seminars, speeches and many gurus all claiming to know the magical steps to achieving high performance in your career. So, who’s right? What are you supposed to believe? Marc Effron, author of the book 8 Steps to High Performance https://amzn.to/2OsZqso has taken a look at a lot of the material and separated the fluff from the science. Listen as he explains what really works if you want to really excel in your career.   Ever wondered whether or not you should buy a new car if your old car works just fine? Since cars last much longer than a generation or two ago, a lot of drivers struggle with the decision to buy a new car. If you are one of them, you should listen as I discuss this topic. http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/the-average-american-car-is-a-record-115-years-old/ar-AAdGzIG When you think about it, you write a lot. You likely write emails, text messages, memos, reports and more. So HOW you write really matters if you want people to understand what you are trying to say. Josh Bernoff author of the book, Writing Without BS is on a mission to help people improve communication through better writing. Listen to what he has to say and you will instantly become a better writer. https://amzn.to/2KP08xF This Week's Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Daily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box! Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Bombas Socks.Get 20% off your first order by going towww.Bombas.com/something and use the promo code SOMETHING LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somehow I simply cannot walk and text at the same time. And that turns out to be a good thing. I begin this episode with some fascinating research about texting and walking – and how the people around you hate you when you do it. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/people-who-text-while-walking-are-annoying-as-hell-study-confirms_us_55b8f3e7e4b0a13f9d1b0b13?ir=Healthy%2BLiving%C2%A7ion%3Dhealthy-living&utm_hp_ref=healthy-living Criticism can be tricky. It is often hard to give it effectively and it is even harder to hear it when it is aimed at you. That may be because we are not doing it correctly, according to Deb Bright, author of the book The Truth Doesn't Have to Hurt : How to Use Criticism to Strengthen Relationships, Improve Performance, and Promote Change. https://amzn.to/2ATMnyh . Listen as Deb reframes the topic and shows how criticism can be a very valuable tool in shaping behavior and getting things done. And it doesn’t necessarily have to sting. ** BTW, if you wish to be part of Deb's research on criticism, send an email to [email protected] Anyone who has made the effort to eat healthy knows how hard it is to resist a sudden craving for junk food. You know nothing else will do and you know the craving isn’t going to pass any time soon. So what do you do? Well, it turns out there is a way to stop that craving dead in its tracks and I’ll reveal it in this episode. http://www.medicaldaily.com/eliminating-food-cravings-may-be-easy-looking-images-bugs-vomit-344656 What if you could use computer algorithms to solve everyday problems in your human life, such as where to eat dinner or how to choose a home? Well, you can! In fact you should, according to Brian Christian, author of the book Algorithms to Live By. https://amzn.to/2OQGO6m Brian explains how many of our personal problems can actually be better solved by using algorithms if you understand what they are and how to use them.  This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK FIXD. Buy 2 FIXD devices and get a third one free plus get 10% off your already discounted price at www.ListenToMyCar.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Simplisafe.com. Check out this incredible security system and if you order one through this special link, Simplisafe will donate a security system to a family in need. Go to www.Simplisafe.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to successful online dating, the two things that seem to matter most are your screen name and your profile picture. I begin this episode by explaining what works best as determined by researchers who reviewed thousands of online profiles of people who were successful online daters and people who failed miserably. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150212212100.htm What determines your behavior? Is everything you do the result of your free will or is your behavior determined by something else? Could it be you are not responsible for your own actions? Robert Sapolsky, a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University joins me to make the case that we are not responsible for what we do – that it is determined by all sorts of biological influences. What he says will either make you a believer – or make you crazy. Robert is the author of several books including the bestseller, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. https://amzn.to/2LWQRZR Do you know what you look like – really? You’d think so but actually other people are probably better than you at identifying photos of you that REALLY resemble what you like you. Sounds odd, right? We shall explore why that is and why your self-image may be somewhat distorted. http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=154010&CultureCode=en Are we too obsessed with being clean? Are we over-sanitizing our world? It looks like it. Marie-Claire Arrieta, assistant professor at the University of Calgary in Canada is co-author of the book Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child from an Oversanitized World https://amzn.to/2vj6r7S . She joins me to explain the unintended consequences of keeping our homes, our children and everything else in our lives TOO clean. Those consequences include an increase in asthma, allergies, resistance to antibiotics and much more. Her website is www.LetThemEatDirt.com This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK FIXD. Buy 2 FIXD devices and get a third one free plus get 10% off your already discounted price at www.ListenToMyCar.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Simplisafe.com. Check out this incredible security system and if you order one through this special link, Simplisafe will donate a security system to a family in need. Go to www.Simplisafe.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode begins with a look at some fascinating science of everyday life. For example, how the calorie count for food is determined, what does it take to actually crush a Lego brick, why water of the same temperature feels colder than air of the same temperature – and more. http://mentalfloss.com/article/66086/11-scientific-explanations-everyday-life Do you swear? If so, why? Are there any benefits to swearing? And how has swearing changed over the years? These are a couple of the questions tackled by Emma Byrne author of the book Swearing is Good For You. https://amzn.to/2vq8R3P. Listen to Emma and you may just come away with a whole new view of the power and usefulness of bad words.  You’ve heard the phrase – “Sex sells.” Right? Well actually sex doesn't sell. Violence doesn’t sell either. You’ll hear about some fascinating research that shows that in terms of advertising effectiveness, sex and violence really get in the way. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3169550/Sex-DOESN-T-sell-Consumers-distracted-raunchy-violent-ads-forget-product-study-reveals.html#ixzz3gdzJRKwe If you watch the news or look at social media a lot, you might think the world is becoming a harsh and terrible place. But could it just be perception? Could it really be that the world and the people in it are getting better and have been for a long time? That is the contention of Gregg Easterbrook author of It’s Better Than It Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear. https://amzn.to/2MddPYH . Gregg explains that when you objectively measure the things that determine how our lives are trending – there are a lot of reasons to celebrate. This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Bombas Socks.Get 20% off your first order by going towww.Bombas.com/something and use the promo code SOMETHING Madison Reed. Get 10% off your first hair color kit plus free shipping by going to www.madison-reed.com and use the promo code SOMETHING InterContinental Hotel Group. Listen to the podcast called “Stories of the InterContinental Life” at Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay or wherever you listen to podcasts.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Negotiating your own salary can be stressful and difficult. This episode begins with some proven ways to help you maneuver through the negotiation process effectively so you get the best deal and the most money possible. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary Just about everyone enjoys music. But it is more than mere entertainment. Researcher and writer Dan Levitin author of the book, This is Your Brain on Music discusses how people have used music throughout history and how we use it today to help wake us up, make us think, enhance our mood and help us sleep. https://amzn.to/2zRC39i Houseplants can make any home look better but houseplants also have real health benefits. I’ll reveal why it is worth the fuss and effort for you and your family to fill your home with houseplants. http://www.bayeradvanced.com/articles/5-benefits-of-houseplants So many of us struggle with clutter – whether it’s our workspace, a room or our entire home. It’s not just getting rid of clutter that’s hard, it’s making sure more clutter doesn’t come in and take its place. Decluttering expert Dana White of www.ASlobComesClean.com is author of the book Declutter at the Speed of Life. She joins me to share some very simple, practical strategies for getting rid of clutter and also talks about the amazing benefits that come when the clutter is gone. https://amzn.to/2uKoHpy This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK Hotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking. Bombas Socks.Get 20% off your first order by going towww.Bombas.com/something and use the promo code SOMETHING Madison Reed. Get 10% off your first hair color kit plus free shipping by going to www.madison-reed.com and use the promo code SOMETHING InterContinental Hotel Group. Listen to the podcast called “Stories of the InterContinental Life” at Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the real reason people get angry over the little things? At least one leading expert believes it’s all about control. I begin this episode of the podcast discussing the high cost your pay by getting so upset over nothing and how to let go of life’s little aggravations. (The Anger Trap by Les Carter https://amzn.to/2NYGHpd) So much of the advice on eating healthy is about what to avoid – meat, dairy, gluten, sugar, oil etc. But pediatrician Dr. Aaron Carroll, professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine and author of the book The Bad Food Bible (https://amzn.to/2uuXeJk) says there isn’t much science to support these kind of restrictive diets in terms of them being healthier. He joins me to explain what it really means to eat healthy and talks about how many of the foods people think are bad – really are not. If your relationship has lost some of the magic or passion – how can you steam things up a bit? I have a couple of very simple techniques that are proven to help you feel the romance and excitement once again. http://www.womansday.com/relationships/sex-tips/g654/spice-up-your-relationship/ Why does it seem some people are incredibly productive and others of us never seem to have enough time to get all the things done we need to? Charles Duhigg has the fascinating answer to that. Charles is one of the leading authorities on productivity and is author of the books Smarter Faster Better (https://amzn.to/2NYMw5J) and The Power of Habit (https://amzn.to/2NUsadT). Charles joins me with some very practical advice that will help you get everything done and still have time left over.   This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Hunt A Killer. Order now and get 10% of your first box. Go to www.HuntAKiller.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Sworkit. Get your 30 day free trial and then 10% off your subscription by going to www.Sworkit.com/something and use the offer code SOMETHING Helix Sleep. Get up to $125 off your mattress order by going to www.Helixsleep.com/something Udemy. Go to www.Ude.my/something for up to 90% off when you sign up for classes. InterContinental Hotel Group. Listen to the podcast called “Stories of the InterContinental Life” at Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay or wherever you listen to podcasts Madison Reed. Get 10% off your first hair color kit plus free shipping by going to www.madison-reed.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you really not go swimming until a half hour after eating? Can you really get poison ivy by touching someone who already has it? These are just some of the common pieces of summertime advice you often hear. We’ll take a look at the science behind these and several others and reveal whether or not they are true. http://www.silive.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2012/07/summer_myths_debunked.html If you want to be persuasive, it is not only what you say but how you prepare the person in advance to hear your message. That’s according to Robert Cialdini author of the book PREsuasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade https://amzn.to/2NScEiP. Several years ago Robert wrote the landmark book on the topic of persuasion titled Influence https://amzn.to/2Jr8jj5. This new research can easily be applied to your life with amazing results making you much more persuasive. Your mother or grandmother likely rinsed or pre-washed dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. With today’s dishwashers it is not a good idea. I’ll reveal the interesting reasons why your dishwasher works best when the dishes are really dirty. http://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/a51170/stop-prerinsing-dishes/ What is your "personal presence"? In other words, what is the image that you give off about who you are and what you stand for? It’s a tough question. It is easy to determine the personal presence of others but not so easy to figure out how the world perceives us. Kristi Hedges author of the book The Power of Presence https://amzn.to/2L08kA0 joins me to explain how to the world sees you and how you can improve the image you present to others to help create stronger connections. Kristi also is the author of another book called The Inspiration Code https://amzn.to/2NjbDPE  This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK Hunt A Killer. Order now and get 10% of your first box. Go to www.HuntAKiller.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Sworkit. Get your 30 day free trial and then 10% off your subscription by going to www.Sworkit.com/something and use the offer code SOMETHING Helix Sleep. Get up to $125 off your mattress order by going to www.Helixsleep.com/something Udemy. Go to www.Ude.my/something for up to 90% off when you sign up for classes. InterContinental Hotel Group. Listen to the podcast called “Stories of the InterContinental Life” at Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay or wherever you listen to podcasts Madison Reed. Get 10% off your first hair color kit plus free shipping by going to www.madison-reed.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Care/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and enter promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you want something from someone else – like in a negotiation – it usually doesn’t pay to get mad. But it might be a good idea to get sad. This episode begins with some interesting research that can help you get better at getting what you want. http://www.thestar.com/business/careers/2015/07/02/wanta-raise-try-crying-it-8217-s-science-.html Does eating sweets put you in a sweeter mood? Does thinking a food is high in fat rev your body up to burn the calories better? These are just a few questions I discuss with neuroscientist Rachel Herz, who teaches at Brown University and Boston College. Rachel is the author of the book Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food https://amzn.to/2L5HAxj. What she has to say about you and your food will startle you. Why do mosquito bites always itch? Why can’t they take your blood and be done with it? I’ll reveal the anatomy of a mosquito bite and why it is so annoying. http://mentalfloss.com/article/64950/why-do-mosquito-bites-itch-so-much Who doesn’t love life hacks? And there is no better expert on the topic than David Pogue, author of Pogue’s Basics: Life https://amzn.to/2NPyhAo. David joins me to discuss simple hacks that can save you time and money: like how to get the last of ketchup out of the bottle, how to read when you don’t have your glasses, how to get a better price on hotels and more. You’ll like and remember what he has to say.  This Week’s Sponsors Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK InterContinental Hotel Group. Listen to the podcast called “Stories of the InterContinental Life” at Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay or wherever you listen to podcasts Quip Toothbrush. Order your Quip toothbrush and get your first refill pack free by going to www.GetQuip.com/something Bombas Socks. Get 20% off your first order by going to www.Bombas.com/something and using the promo code SOMETHING Hunt A Killer. Order now and get 10% of your first box. Go to www.HuntAKiller.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Sworkit. Get your 30 day free trial and then 10% off your subscription by going to www.Sworkit.com/something and use the offer code SOMETHING FIXD. Get 10% off your purchase by going to www.ListenToMyCar.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A kiss is just a kiss. Or is it? It turns out kissing does a lot. I begin this episode with some interesting facts about what kissing does, the messages it sends and why men and women tend to prefer different kinds of kisses. https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/relationships/20-things-you-never-knew-about-kissing/ss-AA3gtBD Why would you ever want to pay more when you can pay less? Well, that turns out to be a complicated question. There is a cost to chasing the lowest prices according to Ellen Ruppel Shell, a writer for the Atlantic magazine, professor at Boston University and author of the book Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture https://amzn.to/2NKHeLe. Anyone who bought something on sale but then never wore it or used it needs to hear this. Why do kids get the entire summer off? The myth has been that it started back when kids lived mostly on farms and took the summer off to help bring in the crops. But the crop harvest in the fall when kids are back in school – so that can’t be it. I’ll explain the real reason. http://mentalfloss.com/article/56901/why-do-students-get-summers Have you heard that gum disease can lead to heart attacks? How can that be – what’s the connection? The answer is inflammation. Dr. Duke Johnson, Medical Director of the Nutrilite Health Institute Center for Optimal Health in Southern California and author of the book Optimal Health https://amzn.to/2ugDngD explains how inflammation in the body is linked to chronic diseases – and more importantly what you can do about it.  Advertisers in this episode: Quip Toothbrush. Get a Quip toothbrush and get your first refill pack free when you go to: www.getquip.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of things about you determine how likable you are but there are a few simple techniques to make you appear more likable instantly. I start this episode with three ways, according to Psychology Today, that will make you more likable to others when you meet them. And they aren’t what you probably think. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201107/get-anyone-you-instantly-guaranteed-1 Evolution is what got us to where we are today. But the evolutionary road we have traveled to get here is a bumpy one. Biology professor Nathan Lents author of the book, Human Error: A Panorama of our Glitches from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes https://amzn.to/2zo2u67 takes us on a journey of the human evolution timeline and points out what went right and what went wrong. Ever wonder why so many people have back and knee trouble? Could it be a flaw in our evolution? Why do humans get so many colds? Another flaw? You will find the answers in this episode. As you go through life, you collect stuff. Then, over time that stuff collects in your home and you forget about it – even if that stuff serves no purpose, is outdated or useless. We start with a list of things you may not even notice that are most likely cluttering up your home that you really ought to throw out – NOW! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/08/things-in-your-home-to-get-rid-of_n_4748455.html Frisbee, Hula-Hoop, Slip & Slide – they are all toys you and just about everyone else have played with for over 60 years. And they are all made by the Wham-O Toy Company. Had did one small company create such iconic toys? Tim Walsh, author of The Whamo Superbook: Celebrating 60 Years Inside the Fun Factory https://amzn.to/2NE8LxX takes you inside the workings of Wham-O, which has specialized and excelled by making outdoor toys while other toy companies have gone high tech.  Advertisers in this episode: Helix Sleep. Get up to $125 off your mattress order by going to www.helixsleep.com/something SimpliSafe. Protect your home with the best home security system. Go to www.simplisafe.com/something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you blush? Most people who do blush wish they didn’t because it is embarrassing and – as blushers know – it is impossible to stop doing it. But blushing has a purpose and I begin this episode by discussing who blushes, why they blush and what it means to others when you do. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-we-blush-social-embarrassment I’m sure you know that feeling of delight when someone surprises you on your birthday or anniversary or surprised you for no particular reason at all. When you understand how you can create that feeling of delight in others, those people will go out of their way to help you in all sorts of ways. Andy Nulman author of the book Pow! Right between the Eyes! Profiting from the Element of Surprise (https://amzn.to/2J5IwN5) joins me to discuss the power of surprise.  Finding true love isn’t always easy – especially the second or third time around. One of the tricks is knowing where to look. So I will tell you the top 3 ways people find the next love of their life. Not just where people meet to find someone to date – but where they find real love. https://amzn.to/2uenFBW Everyone worries about their breath sometimes. Bad breath is sometimes hard to get rid of – and that is partly because people don’t understand where it comes. Dr. Harold Katz, DDS, is the founder of the California Breath Clinics and author of the book The Bad Breath Bible https://www.therabreath.com/ebook/ and he joins me to clear up some myths about bad breath and how to conquer it once and for all.  Advertisers in this episode: Bombas Socks. Get 20% off your first sock order from Bombas! Go to www.bombas.com/something and enter the word – something – in the promo code space. Hims. If you are concerned about hair loss get a trial month of prescription treatment for just $5. Go to www.ForHims.com/something.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting kids – or even some grownups – to eat their vegetables can be frustrating. However there are some simple techniques that researchers at Cornell University have studied that appear to be quite effective Listen and I’ll tell you how and you’ll discover the fascinating side effects of improving your reputation as a cook and a human being amongst your family members. And who wouldn’t want to do that? http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/OP/Loving_Cook You likely don’t give a lot of thought to how important strangers are to you because, well, they are strangers. However, certain strangers can play a far more important and seemingly mysterious role in your personal and professional success. Melinda Blau, author of the book Consequential Strangers (https://amzn.to/2NdVWKv) joins me to discuss this. Do you or someone in your circle get motion sickness? Ever wonder why that is and the best cure for it? I’ll discuss some interesting findings from a leading researcher on motion sickness that can offer some real relief. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/how-to-beat-motion-sickness?page=2 How many ad messages do you think you are exposed to every day? The number will astound you. Journalist Ken Auletta, author of the book Frenemies: The Epic Disruption of the Ad Business (and Everything Else) https://amzn.to/2tL09x8 joins me to explain why the advertising business is in turmoil and the rather serious consequences it can have on you as a consumer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not drinking enough water is a big problem. And while being a little dehydrated won’t kill you, dehydration does have a lot of significant and negative effects on your physical and mental wellness. This episode starts with a look at some surprising findings. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/5-signs-dehydration-besides-color-your-pee Language controls what you think and how you think it. Imagine how differently you would think if you didn’t have words like “left” or “right”? Or what if your language had no specific numbers? Well it turns out there are languages like that. And the differences in languages, including English, frame the way you think according to Lera Boroditsky who is a professor of cognitive science at the University of California San Diego. She has a fascinating TED talk on this subject which led me to her. Here is the link: https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think You’ve surely been told the importance of maintaining good eye contact with people when you speak with them. But sometimes you shouldn’t. In fact sometimes you can’t maintain eye contact – it’s virtually impossible. Listen to hear the reason why. http://www.livescience.com/7155-helps-concentration.html While you may not spend a lot of time thinking about it, your emotions play a huge role in your personal and professional success. Psychiatrist Dr. Norman Rosenthal, author of the book The Emotional Revolution https://amzn.to/2KxxlSd joins me to reveal things about how your emotions work, how you can control them and the purpose they serve.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is rare to see a UPS truck turning left. Sure, sometimes they have to but they try not to. And there is a really good reason why that we can all learn from. I begin this episode with a discussion on that. (http://mentalfloss.com/article/60556/19-secrets-ups-drivers) Could it be you are not as smart as you think you are? Apparently so according to David McRaney author of the book and host of the podcast called You Are Not So Smart (https://amzn.to/2tGvPTq). David explains some of the interesting quirks and flaws of the human brain that make us think the way we do – that also makes our perception quite inaccurate a lot of the time. I bet you’ve wondered if it helps to pay your credit card bill early. Well, if you carry a balance it does. I will explain a simplified version of the math to show you how. You may not get rich from doing it but it certainly worth knowing and can save a fair amount of money over time. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/pay-credit-card-bill-early-and-save-1.aspx How long will you live? It’s important to grasp this because there are ramifications to the question for you, your parents and your children. Longevity continues to rise and with that comes the good and the bad. Dr. Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology and public policy at Stanford University is founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and author of the book, A Long Bright Future (https://amzn.to/2KqrvPe) offers up so fascinating insight into how wonderful it is to be living so much longer than our ancestors – and why perhaps the best is yet to come.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices