Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media

Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel" you can use to make your life better - today. Right now.

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

How to Read People & The Most Extreme Things on Earth – SYSK Choice
Read people's hidden signals, discover nature's wildest extremes, and learn why rituals can make food taste better.
Yesterday · 47 min
Why You Don't See What's Right in Front of You & The Surprising Truth About Sidewalks
Your brain hides more than you realize—and sidewalks have secrets that affect you every day. Listen and be surprised.
Thursday · 50 min
SYSK TRENDING-The Bright Side of Sadness
Why sadness is essential, when crying helps or hurts, and why we sometimes cry tears of happiness.
Tuesday · 26 min
Invest Like Warren Buffett & How To Disagree Better
Warren Buffett's investing secrets plus the science of disagreeing without ruining relationships.
Monday · 49 min
Eat Almost Anything & Still Be Healthy & The Amazing World of Rats- SYSK Choice
How to eat healthier without restrictive diets—and the surprising truth about why rats are so successful.
July 25 · 49 min
The Science of Charisma & Why Midlife Is Better Than Everyone Thinks
If your porch light seems to attract every moth and flying insect in the neighborhood, you're not imagining it. Scientists have finally figured out why artificial lights are so irresistible to many insects—and knowing what they've discovered can help you keep more bugs away this summer. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44785-3 Some people seem to light up a room the moment they walk in. Others naturally draw people in, inspire confidence, and make lasting impressions. We call it charisma, and many assume you're either born with it or you're not. Olivia Fox Cabane says that's simply not true. In this conversation, she explains what charisma really is, why it's often misunderstood, and the surprisingly practical skills anyone can learn to become more influential and engaging. Olivia has advised leaders at Google, Deloitte, UBS, MGM, and TikTok, and is author of The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism (https://amzn.to/44kpuyI). For decades, we've talked about "the midlife crisis" as though it's inevitable. But what if we've gotten midlife completely wrong? Research suggests that your middle years can be one of the most productive, satisfying, and influential periods of your life. So why does this stage have such a negative reputation? And what are people in midlife uniquely positioned to do that younger and older adults often can't? Margie Lachman, Professor of Psychology at Brandeis University and director of the Lifespan Lab, shares a fresh, evidence-based perspective on why midlife deserves a lot more celebration than sympathy. She is author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife (https://amzn.to/4bpLbRJ). Have you ever searched everywhere for your keys or your glasses, only to discover they were sitting in plain sight the whole time? It's a surprisingly common experience, and it reveals something fascinating about how your brain decides what you do—and don't—see. https://dictionary.apa.org/inattentional-blindness PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Wayfair.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 23 · 49 min
SYSK TRENDING - Where Did the Hamburger Come From?
The surprising true story of the hamburger—how it was really invented and became America's favorite sandwich.
July 21 · 23 min
Have We Been Wrong About Posture? & How Memory Champions Think
Questioning the science of posture, learning memory techniques from a champion, and why tennis balls turned yellow.
July 20 · 49 min
The Surprising Power of Being Polite & Job Interview Secrets That Really Work-SYSK Choice
Can simply believing a treatment will work actually help it work better? Surprisingly, yes. Researchers have found that your expectations can have a powerful effect on how your body responds to medication—even when the treatment itself hasn't changed. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/placebo-effect Most of us think of politeness as little more than saying "please" and "thank you." But good manners do much more than make social interactions pleasant. They help build trust, strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and even influence how people judge our competence and character. So why are some people naturally more polite than others? Do the rules of politeness change depending on where you are or who you're talking to? And can you be blunt—or even rude—and still earn people's respect? Louise Mullany has spent more than 25 years studying the science of politeness. She is Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Nottingham and author of Polite: The Art of Communication at Home, at Work and in Public (https://amzn.to/3xVN9Jo). You can outsource your résumé, polish your LinkedIn profile, and even use AI to help write a cover letter. But when it's time for the interview, it's all on you. Too many candidates hope they'll "just answer the questions," only to discover they weren't nearly as prepared as they thought. Sam Owens explains what hiring managers are really looking for, the mistakes that immediately hurt your chances, and how a little preparation can dramatically improve your performance—whether you're interviewing in person or over Zoom. Sam is founder of Sam's Career Talk (https://www.samscareertalk.com/) and author of I Hate Job Interviews: Stop Stressing. Start Performing. Get the Job You Want (https://amzn.to/4f7xJSX). MSG has had a bad reputation for decades. Many people avoid it because they believe it's unhealthy or causes unpleasant reactions. But where did that belief come from? And does today's science actually support it? The answer is much more surprising than most people realize. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-msg-really-harmful PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to ⁠⁠https://Wayfair.com⁠⁠ right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 18 · 51 min
The Mystery of Accents and the Dangerous Habit of Rumination
The surprising science of accents, why we overthink, and why more sex doesn't necessarily mean more happiness.
July 16 · 49 min
SYSK TRENDING - A Different View of Success
Mike Rowe challenges conventional wisdom about success, work, education, and what really leads to a fulfilling life.
July 14 · 25 min
Has Therapy Gone Too Far? & The Hidden Genius of Birds
Is therapy always the answer? Plus the astonishing engineering, intelligence, and beauty of birds.
July 13 · 50 min
The Human Need We're Neglecting & The Mystery of Great Ideas - SYSK Choice
Why strong relationships may be your best health investment—and how imagination really works.
July 11 · 51 min
The Proven Magic of Being Outdoors & The Curious History of A, B, C
The surprising benefits of being outdoors, the strange history of our alphabet, and what women find attractive.
July 9 · 49 min
SYSK TRENDING-How Your Circadian Rhythm Runs Your Life
Can you change your body clock? Discover how your circadian rhythm shapes your sleep, health, energy, and longevity.
July 7 · 25 min
Why Pain Isn't What You Think It Is & The Disappearing Joys of Everyday Life
The surprising science of pain, the hidden cost of convenience, and the truth about airfare searches.
July 6 · 48 min
Why Some Ideas Change the World & Black Holes: Science’s Greatest Enigma - SYSK Choice
How world-changing ideas take off, why black holes matter, and surprising facts about lottery odds.
July 4 · 51 min
How Your Beliefs Control Your Future & Why Climate Solutions Need a Rethink
How beliefs shape outcomes, a happier approach to helping the planet, and why slurping improves flavor.
July 2 · 49 min
SYSK TRENDING - The Extraordinary Benefits of Watching Sports
With all of the recent excitement surrounding the NBA & Stanley Cup finals and the World Cup you might wonder why do millions of people spend hours every week watching sports? Most people think of it as entertainment, a way to relax or pass the time. But what if watching sports is actually doing something good for your mind, your emotions, and even your health? That’s why today’s SYSK Trending topic is A lot of people look at sports fans and wonder what all the fuss is about. Why invest so much time and emotion in a team you don't play for and have no control over? Why let a win make your day or a loss ruin your mood? It turns out there may be a lot more going on than simple entertainment. Researchers have discovered that being a sports fan can provide surprising benefits for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and social life. Following a team can create a sense of belonging, strengthen social connections, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even help people cope with stress and adversity. In some cases, the benefits are remarkably similar to those that come from being part of a close-knit community. Sports fandom also gives people something increasingly rare in modern life: a shared experience. In a world where entertainment, news, and social media are highly personalized, millions of people still gather around the same games, celebrate the same victories, and suffer through the same defeats together. Larry Olmsted joins me to explain why sports fans may be happier, healthier, and more connected than non-fans. We discuss the science behind fandom, why rooting for a team can be good for your emotional health, how sports help build relationships, and why being a fan is about much more than the final score. Larry is a journalist and author of Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Understanding (https://amzn.to/2T6YUs1). Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual observer, or someone who has never understood sports at all, this conversation may change the way you think about what it means to be a fan. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty! RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 30 · 26 min
How GPS Quietly Runs the World & When Illness Has No Obvious Cause
GPS changed the world in ways you never realized. Plus, why real symptoms can exist without a clear medical cause.
June 29 · 47 min

Something You Should Know

How to Read People & The Most Extreme Things on Earth – SYSK Choice

Why You Don't See What's Right in Front of You & The Surprising Truth About Sidewalks

SYSK TRENDING-The Bright Side of Sadness

Invest Like Warren Buffett & How To Disagree Better

Eat Almost Anything & Still Be Healthy & The Amazing World of Rats- SYSK Choice

The Science of Charisma & Why Midlife Is Better Than Everyone Thinks

SYSK TRENDING - Where Did the Hamburger Come From?

Have We Been Wrong About Posture? & How Memory Champions Think

The Surprising Power of Being Polite & Job Interview Secrets That Really Work-SYSK Choice

The Mystery of Accents and the Dangerous Habit of Rumination

SYSK TRENDING - A Different View of Success

Has Therapy Gone Too Far? & The Hidden Genius of Birds

The Human Need We're Neglecting & The Mystery of Great Ideas - SYSK Choice

The Proven Magic of Being Outdoors & The Curious History of A, B, C

SYSK TRENDING-How Your Circadian Rhythm Runs Your Life

Why Pain Isn't What You Think It Is & The Disappearing Joys of Everyday Life

Why Some Ideas Change the World & Black Holes: Science’s Greatest Enigma - SYSK Choice

How Your Beliefs Control Your Future & Why Climate Solutions Need a Rethink

SYSK TRENDING - The Extraordinary Benefits of Watching Sports

How GPS Quietly Runs the World & When Illness Has No Obvious Cause