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Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
Something You Should Know
Latest episode

1356 episodes

  • 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
  • Something You Should Know

    The Technology That Gets You to Pay More & The Good News About Envy

    2026/10/19 | 47 mins.
    When you delete a spam text, your phone often gives you the option to “Delete and Report.” But have you ever wondered what actually happens when you report it? Who gets the report? Does anyone do anything with it? Turns out, hitting that button isn’t as pointless as it may seem. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages

    Imagine two people shopping for the exact same thing — but being offered different prices based on what a company knows about each of them. That’s the unsettling idea behind “surveillance pricing” and it happens all the time. Companies can use data, algorithms, hidden fees and other techniques to determine how much they think you are willing to pay — and then charge accordingly. So how does it work and what can consumers do about it? My guest is Lindsay Owens is president and CEO of the Groundwork Collaborative, an economic think tank and corporate watchdog in Washington, D.C. She has testified before Congress and advised lawmakers on consumer and economic issues. She is author of Gouged: The End of a Fair Price—and What That Means for Your Wallet (https://link.amazon/B0f69O9qK).

    Envy has a terrible reputation. We’re told not to compare ourselves to others, to be grateful for what we have and certainly not to covet what someone else has. But what if envy isn’t a character flaw at all? What if that uncomfortable feeling is actually giving you useful information about what you want from your own life? Social scientist Stacy Kim explains why envy may be worth paying attention to and how to use it without letting it consume you. She has spent more than 15 years helping people understand and use envy more productively and is author of Envy: Why Wanting What They Have Is the Key to Getting What You Want (https://link.amazon/B01U7KWW1).

    Why do certain foods — lasagna, chili, stews and other leftovers — often taste even better the next day? What could possibly happen sitting in the refrigerator overnight that improves the flavor? There is actually some interesting science behind it. And in some cases, cooling and reheating food may even change it nutritionally. Listen and discover what your leftovers are doing while you sleep. https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-does-food-taste-better-the-next-day

    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

    Why Crowds Change Who You Are & The Mystery of How Life First Began- SYSK Choice

    2026/10/17 | 47 mins.
    Most of us know that driving faster burns more gas. But just how much does slowing down actually save you? The difference is bigger than you might think. And if you drive around with a bike rack attached to your car, even when there’s no bike on it, you’ll definitely want to hear this. https://abc7.com/archive/9151803/

    There is something powerful about being part of a crowd. At a concert or sporting event, thousands of strangers can suddenly feel connected, sharing an energy and sense of belonging that is hard to create anywhere else. But crowds can also have a darker side. How does a peaceful gathering turn into an angry or even violent mob? And does being in a crowd really cause people to behave in ways they never would on their own? Dan Hancox has studied the fascinating science and history of crowds and explains what really happens to us when we become part of one. He is author of Multitudes: How Crowds Made the Modern World (https://amzn.to/40axzVW).

    Every living thing comes from something else that was alive. Plants come from other plants, animals from other animals, and you came from your parents. So where did the very first life come from? And if life managed to emerge here on Earth, why haven't we found evidence of it anywhere else? Astrophysicist Mario Livio explores what scientists know about the origin of life, what conditions made Earth so hospitable, and whether we really might be alone in the universe. Mario worked with the Hubble Space Telescope and is the author of seven books. His latest, co-authored with Jack Szostak, is Is Earth Exceptional?: The Quest for Cosmic Life (https://amzn.to/4dSpSGY).

    If you use Venmo, you may be sharing more information about your transactions than you realize. Depending on your privacy settings, other people may be able to see details about who you are paying. Consumer Reports says there are good reasons you might not want that information publicly visible. Listen as I explain the potential problem and how to change your Venmo settings to make your transactions more private. https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-make-your-venmo-information-private-a6507250342/

    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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