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Something You Should Know summaries
Every long episode from Something You Should Know, read in minutes: the key takeaways, the chapters, and a digest of the whole conversation. Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information an…
The Tech of Tomorrow That Never Arrived & The Remarkable History of Teeth - SYSK Choice
Nicole Coby and Bill Schutt explore why some anticipated technologies like flying cars remain elusive and reveal the fascinating evolutionary history and social significance of human teeth.
How to Read a Room Like a Pro & The Surprising Truth About Self-Esteem
Pamela Meyer reveals how to master the art of reading social dynamics, while Dr. Marissa Franco uncovers the surprising science behind self-esteem and how to truly build it.
Why Pets Behave So Strangely & The Surprising Rhythm of Your Brain - SYSK Choice
Entomologist Eleanor Spicer Rice reveals surprising truths about pet behaviors, while Dr. Mitou Steroni explains how tuning your brain's natural rhythms can boost work performance.
How Optimism Works in Tough Times & The Curious Story of Breakfast Cereal
Michelle Geelan explores resilient optimism as a behavior that sustains positivity in tough times, while Marion Nestle reveals the fascinating history and marketing of breakfast cereal.
Stop Trying So Hard to Sleep & Why New Things Are So Hard to Resist
Sleep physiologist Stephanie Romaszewski explains why our obsession with optimizing sleep is counterproductive, and author Eric Athas discusses why new things are so hard to resist.
How Horses Shaped History & The Surprising Upside of Laziness – SYSK Choice
Historian Timothy Weingard discusses the profound impact of horses on human history, from ancient civilizations to modern society. Author Todd McElroy explores the surprising benefits of strategic laziness for increased productivity and well-being.
Secrets to Getting Great Customer Service & The Curious Story of Remote Controls
Consumer advocate Christopher Elliot shares his secrets to getting great customer service, and professor Caitlyn Benson Allot reveals the surprising history of the remote control.
SYSK TRENDING - Curious Quirks of the Human Brain
Psychologist Art Markman discusses the curious quirks of the human brain, explaining some of the strangest things our brains do and what those quirks reveal about us.
A Smarter Way to Make Big Life Changes & The Strange Rise of the House Cat
Angela Duckworth, author of "Situated," discusses how changing your environment and social circle can lead to significant personal transformations. Later, Professor Rod Phillips delves into the fascinating history of house cats and their unique relationship with humans.
The Secret Life of Gases & Why We Get Hooked - SYSK Choice
Mark Miodownik, Professor of Materials and Society at University College London, discusses the fascinating world of gases, from their role in our daily lives to their surprising history and impact on human civilization. Taletha Fouche, a psychotherapist, explores the nature of addiction, distinguishing between chemical and behavioral addictions and offering insights into breaking free from destructive patterns.
The Bizarre World of Product Testing & Understanding Highly Sensitive People
Alex Davies, author of "Cobook the Destroyer," reveals the bizarre and often hilarious world of product testing, from bear-resistant trash cans to jet engine bird ingestion tests. Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a psychiatrist specializing in emotional regulation, explains why some people feel things so deeply and how to manage heightened emotional sensitivity.
SYSK TRENDING - What Makes Someone Credible
Stephen Martin, a visiting professor of behavioral science at Columbia University, explains the science of influence and persuasion, revealing what makes someone credible and how to earn people's trust.
The Nocebo Effect: Placebo’s Evil Twin & Weird Facts You Never Knew
Helen Pilcher, a science writer with a PhD in neuroscience, joins Mike Carruthers to discuss the fascinating and unsettling phenomenon of the nocebo effect, the "evil twin" of the placebo effect. Jess Zafarris, an author and language expert, then shares surprising origins of everyday words and fascinating facts about inventions and popular culture.
Why Secrets Are So Hard to Keep & The Curious Quirks of Language - SYSK Choice
Andrew Gold, an investigative journalist and filmmaker, discusses the psychology of secrets and why they are so hard to keep. Paul Anthony Jones, a linguist, reveals fascinating quirks about the English language, including the origins of letters and numbers.
SYSK TRENDING - Are The Added Ingredients In Food All That Bad?
George Zaidan, an MIT-trained chemist and author, discusses the truth about food additives and whether they are as harmful as commonly believed.
How to Get Better Healthcare & The Strange Ways Weather Affects You
Dr. Lucy McBride explains how to take charge of your healthcare and achieve your health goals, while Trevor Harley reveals the surprising ways weather affects our mood and behavior.
How Music Can Actually Heal You & The Skills Technology Is Stealing - SYSK Choice
Neuroscientist Dan Levitin discusses how music can treat various illnesses and boost the immune system, while author Graham Lee explores the cognitive skills technology is eroding, such as navigation and conversation.
Why You Really Should Talk to Strangers & What Could Actually End the World
Social connections are more important than we think, and the world isn't ending as soon as we might fear. Nicholas Epley and Ben Bradford discuss the benefits of talking to strangers and the real threats to humanity.
SYSK TRENDING - How to Improve Your Focus
Best-selling author Johann Hari discusses why our attention is under attack and what we can do to reclaim it.
Inside Amazon's Empire & How Social Media Is Rewriting Your Life
Dana Mattioli, Pulitzer Prize-winning Amazon reporter for The Wall Street Journal, discusses Amazon's ruthless quest for global domination and how social media is changing the way we live our lives.
How Your Brain Reacts in a Disaster & Exploring Healthy Solitude - SYSK Choice
Amanda Ripley, author of "The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and Why," shares insights into how people react during emergencies, emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior in crisis. Neta Weinstein, a psychologist and author of "Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone," discusses the nuances of solitude, distinguishing it from loneliness and exploring its psychological benefits.
The Psychology of Infidelity & How to Improve Your Executive Function
Dr. Glenn Hutchinson discusses the psychology of infidelity, exploring why people cheat and how relationships can recover. Adrian Owen, a professor of cognitive neuroscience, explains executive function, its importance, and how to improve it.