932 episodes

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.

Something You Should Know Cumulus Podcast Network

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 5.3K Ratings

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.

    An Easy Way to Make Good Friends & Housekeeping Hacks You Will Love

    An Easy Way to Make Good Friends & Housekeeping Hacks You Will Love

    The sound of crickets on a summer night can be quite pleasing. And the little critters making that sound have some interesting characteristics and abilities I bet you never knew. Listen to my explanation and you’ll have renewed respect for the crickets of summer. Source: Hugh Raffels author of Insectopedia (https://amzn.to/4bOcK51)
    Friendships are at an all-time low. People have fewer friends than ever before and the number of people who feel lonely is at record high levels. Why is friendship so hard? Well, it’s not really, according to Anna Goldfarb. She makes friends quite easily and she says you can too if you are willing to try. Want to know how? Then you need to listen to Anna. She is a friendship journalist who has reported for The New York Times, Time magazine, and the Washington Post and she is author of the book, Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections (https://amzn.to/3K9Fqdb).
    If any podcast can make the topic of housework exciting – it is this podcast. What’s so interesting is a lot of what we learned about how to do housework is ineffective, outdated and sometimes just plain wrong. The result is that you may be wasting time and money and not doing a particularly great job at keeping your house and clothes clean. To rescue is Melissa Pateras. She creates very popular TikTok videos about house cleaning tips and tricks (https://www.tiktok.com/@melissadilkespateras?lang=en) and she is author of the book, A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home: Housekeeping Hacks You Can't Live Without (https://amzn.to/3VbJ0ts)
    There are a lot of reasons to get your kids to play outside in the sunshine. One of the important reasons has to do with their eye health. Listen as I explain the connection between playing outside and vision in children. https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/outdoor-activity-and-myopia-in-children
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 50 min
    Where Your Deep Desires Comes From & How Evolution Shaped You

    Where Your Deep Desires Comes From & How Evolution Shaped You

    Here is a problem about spaghetti that has stumped some of the brightest minds in science, including Nobel prize winning physicist Richard Feynman: Hold one strand of spaghetti at each end and try to break it into two pieces. You will find that it is impossible. There now appears to be an explanation thanks to some very high-speed cameras. Listen and I will tell you what it is. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/get-naked/experiments/snapping-spaghetti
    You want things. I want things. We all want things. That is what human desire is all about. Have you ever stopped to wonder why you desire those particular things? For an explanation of human desire, we turn to Luke Burgis. He is an entrepreneur and a philosopher and he has written a book about desire titled, Wanting (https://amzn.to/3fPJyR9). Listen as he offers insight into what triggers all of our desires – big and small.
    If we evolved from apes, why are there still apes? That’s one of many questions people ponder about evolution. Perhaps you’ve also wondered if humans are still evolving, or have we stopped? Can we predict how evolution will change the world? These are just some of the questions I tackle with Marlene Zuk. She is an evolutionary biologist and author of the book Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us about Sex, Diet, and How We Live (https://amzn.to/3uUyd6H). Listen and you will have a better understanding of how we evolved to be who we are.
    When a child gets hurt, what you do and say in response is critical. And it isn’t only because the correct response can soothe the child and alleviate their stress, it can also affect the way the child recovers from an injury. Listen to hear the science of this important phenomenon. Source: Judith Acosta author of Verbal First Aid (https://amzn.to/3fScUhV)
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 50 min
    The Psychology of Personality & Why Argument Matters - SYSK Choice

    The Psychology of Personality & Why Argument Matters - SYSK Choice

    Even though we have celebrated Memorial Day for a long time, it wasn’t made an official national Holiday until 1971. And it wasn’t always called Memorial Day either. We start this episode with a few fascinating facts about this interesting American holiday and day of remembrance. https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/memorial-day-2022-facts-american-holiday
    Why is your personality the way it is? Why are you the way you are? Why is it that you are different than everybody else? There is some fascinating new research about how personalities come to be. And here to discuss it is Brian Little one of the leading researchers in the subject of human personality. Brian is the author of the book, Me, Myself and Us: The Science of Personality and the Art of Well-Being. (https://amzn.to/3LN32mi).
    Doesn’t it seem that people argue more now than they used to – and often about the most ridiculous things? People argue about politics and social issues and just about everything else. It makes you wonder if arguments actually accomplish anything or are they more destructive than constructive. Joining me to discuss why we seem to like to argue is Lee Siegel. Lee is the author of seven books as well as a writer and cultural critic who has written for Harper’s, The New Republic, The Nation, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, The New York Times. His latest book is Why Argument Matters. (https://amzn.to/3ao7Zox).
    If you or someone around you gets stung by a bee, do you know what to do? You should because it can be serious or even life-threatening for some people. Listen as I explain what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends you do and NOT do. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/bites/treat-bee-sting
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 45 min
    Ozempic: Weight Loss Risks and Benefits and What We Miss About Analog

    Ozempic: Weight Loss Risks and Benefits and What We Miss About Analog

    Look at any can of cooking spray and it will say on the label that it has zero calories. How can that be? It can’t be. Listen as I explain how they get away with saying that when it isn’t really true and I’ll reveal how many calories there actually are. https://cheatdaydesign.com/how-many-calories-does-cooking-spray-really-have/
    No doubt you have heard of Ozempic. It is a drug that allows a lot of people to lose weight. While it is extremely effective, there are risks and concerns. But what is the bigger risk – the risks of taking the drug or the risks of remaining overweight? That’s the question I explore with Johann Hari. He is a writer and journalist who has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, and other newspapers. His TED Talks have been viewed over 70 million times, he is the author of some bestselling books and he has taken Ozempic and lost weight. He has also thoroughly researched all sides of the debate on these drugs and the results of his work are in his book Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs (https://amzn.to/3WMpdC7).
    All the conveniences of living in a digital world are hard to argue with. Still, all these digital gadgets have made many cherished analog things obsolete. Think about how your smartphone has replaced the need for a watch, or camera or a bookstore or record store – even a map. Everything is digital now. This segment isn’t about longing for “the good old days” of analog but rather looking at how important our analog world was a few decades ago and how some analog things still persist because they are still the better way (think of a pencil and a piece of paper). Joining me to talk about all things analog is Deyan Sudjic, Director Emeritus of the Design Museum in London, professor of Design Studies at the University of Lancaster in the UK and author of the book, The World of Analog: A Visual Guide (https://amzn.to/4dMnXEW).
    No matter what language people speak, when they get hurt they say “OUCH!” or something very close to it. Listen as I explain the reason and purpose of OWWW or OUCH! Source: Jonathan Goldman author of The 7 Secrets to Sound Healing (https://amzn.to/3V6vVR9).
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 49 min
    Why People Waste So Much & How Creative People-Create

    Why People Waste So Much & How Creative People-Create

    Whenever I fly, I see people on the plane who look like they are doing important work on their laptops. That may actually be a really bad idea because it is hard to do high quality work at 30,000 feet. Listen as I explain why. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22357419
    We have become a pretty wasteful world. We waste a lot of food, we create a lot of packaging that goes to waste and despite our best efforts we only recycle a fraction of all the things we could. There is likely no one big solution to any of this but there are some interesting things being done you should hear about that are making a difference. Here to explain these solutions and reveal the magnitude of the waste problem is Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Edward Humes. He is author of over two dozen books. His latest is Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World (https://amzn.to/3K3tXvx).
    Creativity sounds so magical – like it is some mystical gift some people were given that allows them to create the most wonderful things. However, creativity has been studied and the science of it is less magical and more practical. Being more creative and accomplished at anything is a skill we can all develop. We may not become the greatest or most creative at a chosen skill, but we can all become better at anything we put our mind to if we understand how. Here to explain is Anna Abraham. She is a professor and the Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at the University of Georgia and author of the book, The Creative Brain: Myths and Truths (https://amzn.to/3QReQcn)
    When it comes to family dinner, many parents serve different food to their children – like mac and cheese or chicken nuggets because kids seem to prefer it. Is that a good idea? Listen as I reveal the dangers of dumbing down your kids’ meals. https://www.npr.org/2006/11/02/6418289/break-your-childs-mac-n-cheese-diet
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 48 min
    The Fascinating Evolution of Surgery & Asking Questions That Connect-SYSK Choice

    The Fascinating Evolution of Surgery & Asking Questions That Connect-SYSK Choice

    Why do you suppose it is that dogs love to hang their heads out of a moving car window? What’s the thrill? More importantly, should you let your dog do it? This episode begins with an explanation of why dogs love it so much and if it is really safe. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-behavior/should-my-dog-hang-their-head-out-of-a-car-window/
     Modern medical surgery is nothing short of amazing. It is hard to imagine but many of us wouldn’t be here if it were not for the miracle of surgery. Yet, the history of surgery is remarkably short. In fact, there couldn’t have been surgery until four major problems were solved first. Ira Rutkow, MD is a general surgeon and historian of American medicine. Listen as he tells the story of modern surgery – including many of the problems encountered along the way and the amazing resistance to some important advances. Ira is author of the book, Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery (https://amzn.to/3Lz8lWo). Once you hear it, you’ll be glad you didn’t need an operation 160 years ago.
     Do you ask a lot of questions of other people? The truth is most people don’t ask very many questions during the day and the questions we do ask tend to be mundane things like “How’s it going?” or “What kind of work do you do?” However, by asking the right kinds of questions you can learn and understand so much more. Plus, asking questions can be a great way to connect with other people if you do it right. What kinds of questions should you ask? Here with some great advice is Chad Littlefield. He is co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me, Inc., an organization whose mission is to create conversations that matter. He is also coauthor of the book Ask Powerful Questions (https://amzn.to/380YdI8).
     A nap can be wonderful. It can also leave you feeling groggy and feeling more tired. Listen as I explain the keys to taking a nap that research says will leave you feeling more rested and satisfied. https://www.livescience.com/14680-hammock-rocking-improves-sleep.html
    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
    Indeed is offering SYSK listeners a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING
    NerdWallet lets you compare top travel credit cards side-by-side to maximize your spending! Compare & find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, & more https://NerdWallet.com
    TurboTax Experts make all your moves count — filing with 100% accuracy and getting your max refund, guaranteed! See guarantee details at https://TurboTax.com/Guarantees
    Luckily for those of us who live with the symptoms of allergies, we can Live Claritin Clear with Claritin-D!
    eBay Motors has 122 million parts for your #1 ride-or-die, to make sure it stays running smoothly. Keep your ride alive at https://eBayMotors.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
5.3K Ratings

5.3K Ratings

ElizaCost ,

Great show.

This podcast is always fun and has useful information. Thanks!
Elizabeth

A fan of your masterpieces ,

Best podcast I’ve ever seen

I really enjoy listening to your releases. I live in Tehran, Iran. This is what a curious mind needs to pursue on a daily basis.

kprice1957 ,

A variety of interesting topics

This has got to be the best podcast out there. So many interesting topics and a variety of subjects. There is something here for everyone.

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