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Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
Something You Should Know
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1358 episodes

  • Something You Should Know

    SYSK TRENDING - Why Young People Dread Adulting

    2026/10/27 | 26 mins.
    There was a time when kids couldn't wait to grow up. Becoming an adult meant freedom, independence, making your own decisions, and finally being in charge of your own life. But something seems to have changed. Today, many young people aren't particularly excited about adulthood. In fact, some find the whole idea downright intimidating. Why? Has being an adult become less appealing, or have we somehow failed to prepare young people for the responsibilities that come with it? And what does it really take to become a capable, confident, independent adult?

    Joining me to explore this fascinating generational shift is Julie Lythcott-Haims, a writer, former college dean, former attorney, and author of the book Your Turn: How to Be an Adult (https://amzn.to/3q89LOB). She explains why so many young people feel overwhelmed by the prospect of growing up, how parenting and cultural expectations may have contributed to the problem, and what parents and young adults can do to make the transition to adulthood less frightening and more rewarding. Whether you're raising teenagers, have grown children still finding their way, or are navigating adulthood yourself, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what growing up really means—and why it doesn't have to be something to dread.

    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

    AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.

    TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

    VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

    QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

    PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

    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
  • Something You Should Know

    Why People Misunderstand You (Even When You're Clear) & The Secret Life of Leaves

    2026/10/26 | 48 mins.
    Ever send an email asking several questions, only to get a reply that answers just one of them? Or discover that someone completely missed your most important point? It turns out the way you write and organize an email can make a big difference in how people respond. Listen as I explain some simple techniques that can help you get better, more complete answers to your emails. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-users-read-on-the-web/

    You know exactly what you meant. So why did the other person hear something completely different? Misunderstandings happen constantly, even between people who know each other well. Innocent comments get interpreted as criticism, conversations turn into arguments, and people become convinced their version of events is the right one. Why does communication go wrong so easily? And what can you do to make sure people actually understand what you're trying to say? Dr. Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, joins me to explain the surprising science behind miscommunication. Drawing on decades of relationship research, she reveals why we so often misinterpret one another, why we stubbornly defend our own perceptions, and how to repair a conversation when things go wrong. She is author of Why Don’t You Understand Me?: The Surprising Science Behind Connecting in a World of Missed Signals. (https://link.amazon/B01SuP5Do).

    Leaves are everywhere. You've probably seen millions of them without giving them much thought. But those ordinary-looking leaves are actually performing some of the most extraordinary feats in nature. Powered by sunlight, they manufacture their own food, pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release the oxygen that makes life on Earth possible. And here's something remarkable: There was a time when trees didn't even have leaves! So why did leaves evolve? How do they accomplish so much? And what would happen to our world without them? Evolutionary biologist Jonathan Silverman joins me to reveal the fascinating hidden world of leaves and explain why these seemingly simple things are among nature's greatest inventions. He is author of nine books, including Nature's Magicians: How Leaves Conjure Up Our World (https://link.amazon/B06dPGc2Y).

    You might think the best way to impress people is to appear smart, capable, and completely on top of things. But being too perfect can actually make people like you less. Research suggests that a small, harmless mistake can sometimes make a competent person seem more appealing. So how does that work? And what's the surprisingly simple lesson you can use to make yourself more likable? Listen and find out. https://openmedia.yale.edu/projects/iphone/departments/psyc/psyc110/transcript09.html

    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

    AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.

    TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

    VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

    QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

    PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

    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
  • Something You Should Know

    When Pleasure Backfires & The Truth About Losing Weight - SYSK Choice

    2026/10/24 | 53 mins.
    You know getting enough sleep is important. But what if you could make a meaningful difference in your health and well-being by getting just 15 minutes more sleep each night? That doesn't sound like much, but research suggests even a small increase can have some surprising benefits. Listen as I explain why those extra few minutes may be more valuable than you think. https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/162769

    We have more ways to entertain ourselves, indulge our desires, and experience pleasure than any generation in history. Great food, endless entertainment, social media, shopping — whatever feels good is usually just a click away. So why aren't we happier? Could it be that all this pleasure is actually making us miserable? Psychiatrist Anna Lembke says our brains simply weren't designed for a world of nonstop gratification, and the consequences can be profound. Anna is medical director of Stanford Addiction Medicine and author of the bestselling book Dopamine Nation (https://amzn.to/3BahOhY). Listen as she explains the surprising connection between pleasure and pain, why getting more of what we want can leave us feeling worse, and what we can do to restore some balance.

    If losing weight were simply a matter of eating less and exercising more, wouldn't it be a whole lot easier? Yet millions of people struggle to lose weight and keep it off, despite following all kinds of advice about diets, calories, exercise, and metabolism. The problem is that much of what we've been told about weight loss is misleading, oversimplified, or just plain wrong. So what actually works? Joining me to separate scientific fact from popular fiction is Robert Davis, award-winning health journalist and author of Supersized Lies: How Myths About Weight Loss Are Keeping Us Fat (https://amzn.to/3ptX41Q). Listen as he challenges some widely held beliefs about weight loss and reveals what the science really says about shedding pounds and keeping them off.

    Your cellphone could be a lifesaver in an emergency — even if you're unconscious or unable to speak. But there's something important you need to do ahead of time to make that possible, and many people haven't done it. It only takes a few minutes, and it could make all the difference when every second counts. Listen as I explain how to set it up and why you'll be glad you did. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/android-iphone-emergency-contact-ice_l_5ce2e6aee4b075a35a2b9250

    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

    AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.

    TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

    KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

    VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

    QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

    PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Something You Should Know

    Should You Tip for Takeout? & The Weird Ways People Get into The Guinness Book of World Records

    2026/10/22 | 47 mins.
    Ever meet someone for the first time and then spend the next hour wondering what they thought of you? Did you say the right things? Were you interesting? Did you make a good impression? It turns out we're not particularly good at judging how these encounters go. Researchers have discovered something surprising about what happens when two strangers meet — and understanding it might change the way you think about your next conversation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30183512/

    Should you tip when you pick up takeout? Is it okay to let someone cut in line? And if everyone around you gives a standing ovation to a performance you thought was terrible, should you stand too? Life is full of these little dilemmas, and the answers aren't always as obvious as they seem. In fact, thinking them through can be surprisingly entertaining — and reveal a lot about how you make decisions and what really matters to you. Joining me to explore the hidden logic behind these everyday puzzles is Ward Farnsworth, professor at the University of Texas School of Law and author of Should You Tip for Takeout?: Solving the Puzzles of Everyday Life (https://link.amazon/B0d9xGyRN). You'll probably find yourself rethinking a few things you've always taken for granted.

    What possesses someone to spend years trying to set a world record? And who decides whether they've actually done it? For more than 70 years, Guinness World Records has celebrated extraordinary human achievements — along with some accomplishments that are just plain bizarre. But how does someone get into the record books? Are there records anyone can attempt? And what do you actually get if you succeed? Here to take us behind the scenes of this fascinating and sometimes wonderfully weird world is Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records since 2005. He oversees the enormously popular annual book series, including the latest edition, Guinness World Records 2027 (https://link.amazon/B09nnHdTx). Listen as Craig reveals what it takes to become a world record holder, why people are so obsessed with breaking records, and some of the stranger things people have done to earn a place in history.

    Taking pictures is supposed to help us remember life's important moments. But what if snapping that photo actually makes you remember less? Researchers have discovered a curious phenomenon called the photo-taking impairment effect, and it suggests that the simple act of taking a picture can change what your brain remembers about an experience. Listen as I explain what happens — and why you might want to think twice before reaching for your camera. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24311477/

    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

    AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.

    TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

    KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

    VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

    QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

    PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Something You Should Know

    SYSK TRENDING - Understanding Body Language

    2026/10/20 | 24 mins.
    You are constantly sending signals without saying a word—and so is everyone around you. The way someone sits, moves their hands, looks at you, or suddenly changes their posture can offer clues about what they’re thinking and feeling. But reading body language correctly is more complicated than simply assuming crossed arms mean someone is defensive.

    Scott Rouse is a behavior analyst and body language expert who holds multiple certificates in advanced interrogation training and has trained alongside the FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Military Intelligence, and Department of Defense. In this episode, he explains what body language and other forms of nonverbal communication can really tell you about another person—and what they can’t.

    Listen as Scott reveals the signals worth paying attention to, how to spot changes in someone’s behavior that may be significant, and why context is so important when interpreting gestures and expressions. He also explains how your own body language affects the way people perceive you—and how small changes can help you project greater confidence, credibility, and ease.

    Scott has a fascinating YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/ScottRouse3) where he analyzes body language and behavior. He is also the author of Understanding Body Language: How to Decode Nonverbal Communication in Life, Love, and Work (https://amzn.to/2XAXIid).

    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

    AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee.

    TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

    KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

    VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

    QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

    PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Something You Should Know
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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