917 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
    • 4.7 • 6K 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.

    How to Improve Your Luck & A Much Better Way to Die

    How to Improve Your Luck & A Much Better Way to Die

    Just how much pesticides residue is on the produce you buy? Should you be concerned? Should you buy organic? Consumer Reports recently did an investigation into pesticides on fruits and vegetables and I begin this episode with some of the surprising results. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/produce-without-pesticides-a5260230325/
    Luck is just around the corner. It may be good luck or it may be bad luck but chance and luck have a huge impact on how things turn out for you. When you understand how luck and chance work in your life, you can do things to improve your good luck and minimize the bad. Joining me to explain how all this works is Mark Robert Rank, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and author of the book The Random Factor: How Chance and Luck Profoundly Shape Our Lives and the World around Us (https://amzn.to/3W1mDb4).
    Every living thing will die one day. What’s interesting is that some living things - for instance a butterfly - may live only a few days before it dies while a tortoise or whale might live hundreds of years. Why do something age quickly and others slowly. Can we somehow slow down human aging so we live longer than we do now? A lot is going on to understand the aging process and slow it down according to my guest Venki Ramakrishnan. He is a Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist and author of the book Why We Die (https://amzn.to/49KII0z) Listen as he offers some fascinating insight into how aging works and we can slow down the inevitable.
    You’ve probably heard the advice to, “Stop and smell the roses.” While that’s certainly a good idea, you may also want to stop and listen to the birds sing and chirp. Listen and I will explain how bird songs are good for your soul. https://www.treehugger.com/why-do-birds-sing-5179422
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    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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
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    • 49 min
    Improving Your Powers of Perception & How Pain Works

    Improving Your Powers of Perception & How Pain Works

    Everyone knows it is dangerous to talk on the phone while driving – but it seems like it shouldn’t be. After all you talk to people in the car while you drive and that seems to be okay. This episode explains the reasons why driving and talking on the phone don’t mix – at all. https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/centers/trauma-center/resources/distracted-driving
    Do you know what visual intelligence is? It is how you look at all you see. What do you notice? What don’t you notice? It is how you look at the world. You can sharpen your visual intelligence if you know how and there are some real benefits to doing so. Here to explain it is Amy Herman, who has provided training to the FBI, Navy SEALs, NATO, the Peace Corps, Georgetown University Hospital, and executives at Microsoft and Google. She is author of the bestselling book Visual Intelligence (https://amzn.to/49LRD1U) There is also a new adaptation of that book for children called smART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain (https://amzn.to/49IX9T5)
    Pain is something we are all intimately familiar with. Consequently, it is important to understand how pain works, what it is telling you and how to control it. That is precisely what Dr. Aneesh Singla is here to discuss. He is a physician who specializes in treating pain and a leading expert on the topic of pain. Aneesh serves on the physician faculty at Harvard Medical School, and he is author of the book, Why It Hurts: A Physician's Insights on The Purpose of Pain (https://amzn.to/3W26jHc).
    People smile when they are happy. It’s natural. However, it may also be a good idea to smile even when you are not happy. It turns out there are some real benefits to simply smiling that you may not be aware of. Listen and I will tell you what they are. https://www.verywellmind.com/top-reasons-to-smile-every-day-2223755
    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
    We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast
    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
    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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

    • 54 min
    How to Break Free of Being Stuck & Alternative Therapies That Work - SYSK Choice

    How to Break Free of Being Stuck & Alternative Therapies That Work - SYSK Choice

    It matters who your friends are. This episode starts with some interesting Gallup research that shows how the people you hang out with affect who you are in both good and bad ways. Source: Tom Rath author of Well Being (https://amzn.to/3EekZb7)
    Ever feel stuck? Most of us have, whether it’s stuck in a job or a love relationship – or just a general feeling of being stuck in life. So how do you get unstuck? That’s the important question I explore with Britt Frank. She is a therapist and author of the book, The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward (https://amzn.to/3Efv33v).
    Many alternative therapies are looked down upon – and sometimes, rightfully so. After all, there isn’t a lot of proof they work. Still, some things that have been labeled “woo-woo” or mystical do seem to have benefits even though no one is exactly sure how they work. These include things such as visualization, massage, aroma therapy, nature, kindness and so on. Sometimes the promises made regarding the power of these therapies are overstated. Still, there may still be something to them. Here to talk about this is Dr. David Hamilton. He is a writer and speaker and author of several books including Why Woo Woo Works (https://amzn.to/3JLtBXI).
    It is pretty clear that people who eat fast tend to eat more. Seldom is that a good thing. There is a simple technique to help fast eaters slow down and eat less and maybe end up losing weight. Listen and I will tell you what it is. https://arstechnica.com/science/2010/12/imagine-eating-an-mm-taking/
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    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
    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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
    We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 50 min
    The Changing Threat of Cyber Crime & The Search for Life in the Cosmos

    The Changing Threat of Cyber Crime & The Search for Life in the Cosmos

    A lot of people have autographs from someone famous. Could the one you have be worth anything? What makes an autograph valuable? How much do rare autographs sell for? This episode begins with a brief overview of autographs and some examples that sold for a lot of money. https://www.investopedia.com/most-valuable-autographs-5218552
    We have all been told to be careful when we are online. We need secure passwords, we need to be careful what links we click on – that kind of thing. But have you ever wondered who is behind all the cyber crime that is requiring us to be so careful? How has cyber crime changed? Is there any progress in the fight against it? Joining me to help understand the bigger picture of this huge global threat to all of us who go online is Jessica Barker. She is one of the world’s leading experts on cyber crime and is often seen in the media talking on the topic. She recently received an award (MBE) from Prince William for her service to cyber security. Jessica is author of the book, Hacked: The Secrets Behind Cyber Attacks (https://amzn.to/4cO868z).
    It may sound like science fiction but there are actually scientists exploring outer space (via very advanced telescopes) looking for life on other planets. This search has actually been going on for several years and while they have yet to discover actual evidence of life, what they have discovered is quite amazing. Joining me is one of the people involved in this search for life, Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger Director of the Carl Sagan Institute to Search for Life in the Cosmos at Cornell University where she is also an associate professor of astronomy. In addition, she is author of the book Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos (https://amzn.to/3vMH9S1)
    The next time you are having trouble writing something, try changing the font or ink color to one specific hue. Listen and I’ll tell you which one and why it seems to help. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/green-colors-creative_n_1386190
    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
    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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
    We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min
    How Rituals Enrich Your Life & The Simple Science of Being Healthy

    How Rituals Enrich Your Life & The Simple Science of Being Healthy

    Where do you do your best work and think your best thoughts? Probably not at your workplace. This episode begins with some expert advice on how to optimize your thinking and performance, so you think and work at your very best. Source: Edward Hallowell author of Driven to Distraction (https://amzn.to/3PQgv1u).
    You likely perform rituals every day of your life – even if you aren't aware of it. From shaking hands when you meet someone, to the rituals of religion to things you do to try and bring luck. Rituals are something humans seem to love and need to have. Why? What do they do for us? A lot, according to Michael Norton, a professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School. and author of The book The Ritual Effect (https://amzn.to/3U65Zpn). Listen as Michael explores the importance of rituals and what they do for us.
    Much of the science about health is confusing and often contradictory. But if you would like some really good, scientifically proven, straight forward and simple advice on how to get and stay healthy, listen as I speak with Jacob Sager Weinstein. He is a writer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, and on HBO, and the BBC . Jacob is author of the book, Be Healthier Now: 100 Simple Ways to Become Instantly Healthier (https://amzn.to/4cZedXV). No medical jargon – just great ideas to be healthy that are surprisingly easy to do.  
    You have heard the saying, revenge is sweet. What is so sweet about it? Listen as I explain why just the thought of getting revenge on someone feels good, even if actually doing it may not be so wise. https://theconversation.com/revenge-isnt-always-sweet-but-it-can-be-beautiful-73653
    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
    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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
    We love the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast! https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 48 min
    The Secrets to Being Influential & What We Learn From Grief - SYSK Choice

    The Secrets to Being Influential & What We Learn From Grief - SYSK Choice

    If your freezer has an ice maker then your freezer has a heater. This episode begins with an explanation of why your ice maker needs a heater in the first place, how it is costing you a lot of money and what you can do about it. https://lifehacker.com/save-some-energy-and-money-by-turning-off-your-ice-ma-5792410
    We would probably all like to be more influential. That is, to have people listen to us and take our ideas more seriously. So how do you do that? Give a listen to my guest Zoe Chance. She is teacher and researcher who teaches the most popular course at the Yale School of Management called “Mastering Influence and Persuasion “and she is author of the book Influence is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen (https://amzn.to/3jhWIas). Listen if you want to have more clout and be influential. 
    It is impossible to get too far in life with feeling grief at the death or a friend or loved one. Since it is inevitable, you might want to listen to this segment with my guest Mary Frances O’Connor. She is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, and she has some valuable insight into grief and what we can all learn from it. It’s a topic people don’t like to talk about much but this is really worth a listen. Mary is author of the book The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss (https://amzn.to/3NV3wc9). 
    There is a HUGE difference between a good restaurant and a great one. I have an article from a long time ago (not sure where it was published) that offers up some great insight that determines what an excellent restaurant does that a lesser one does not. Listen as I share what this insightful article says. 
    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
    Dell Technologies and Intel are pushing what technology can do, so great ideas can happen! Find out how to bring your ideas to life at https://Dell.com/WelcomeToNow
    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
    Listen to TED Talks Daily https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks/ted-talks-daily Wherever you get your podcasts.
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    • 52 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
6K Ratings

6K Ratings

Saphron Phronsaye ,

My favorite podcast show is Something You Should Know!

I absolutely love listening to this show! I anticipate & listen to every new episode & when there isn’t a new one I catch up on the previous episodes. Sometimes I enjoy replaying an episode because I know there will always be something to be had that I’ve missed. I love the fact that I know I’ll learn something interesting every single episode no matter what the topics are & there truly is something for everyone. The topics are relevant to the current times & I find myself referring to this show a lot in day to day conversation. I’ve truly gained knowledge from this show & can’t wait to gain even more! I’m 33 years old, from Maine United States, thank you so much!

P.S Mike, I love your voice!!! I love your challenging questions to the guests. The blunt but respectful “why does this matter” gets what really matters laid out on the table & in a less complicated view. (To me anyway) More people should ask those types of questions when interviewing. Thank you for existing!! Love, Meredith G.

Madame Lexy ,

Treat yourself to this podcast!

Just discovered this and so happy I did. Filled with insightful, down to earth conversations between knowledgeable people on a broad range of subjects. Each episode contains several different topics, each one offering new perspectives on the human experience. And did I mention that it’s beautifully done?

Iancoopermannnnnn ,

Superstitions

This episode was packed with irrational beliefs by definition. Kind of like politics these days!

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