Something You Should Know

Can someone's taste in music make them more attractive to you? Apparently, it can. The music people listen to can influence how we perceive their personalities, how compatible we think we might be, and even how romantically interested we are in them. So what does your playlist say about you? And why do musical preferences matter when it comes to attraction? We begin with the surprising connection between music and relationships. https://www.medindia.net/news/Music-Predicts-Sexual-Attraction-80223-1.htm

Think about how many times you've written something down in a notebook. A shopping list, a brilliant idea, a diary entry, notes from a meeting, or just something you didn't want to forget. It seems like such an ordinary thing to do. But the simple act of putting thoughts on paper has helped change the course of human history. Notebooks have shaped scientific discoveries, inspired great works of art, helped build businesses, and transformed the way people think. So how did something as basic as a blank book become such a powerful tool? Roland Allen joins me to reveal the fascinating history of notebooks, the remarkable things people have done with them, and why writing things down still matters in our digital world. Roland is the author of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper (https://amzn.to/3NGd2B8).

We all know we probably spend too much time looking at screens. But what exactly is all that scrolling, swiping, and staring doing to our brains? Is it really changing the way we think, concentrate, remember, and experience the world? And why is it so difficult to look away, even when we know we've had enough? Our brains evolved in a world very different from the one we live in today, and the constant flood of digital information may be more than they're equipped to handle. Dr. Richard Cytowic joins me to explain what's happening inside our heads when we spend so much time on our devices, why digital distraction is so powerful, and what we can do to regain control of our attention. He is a professor of neurology at George Washington University and author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload (https://amzn.to/4hsyVBp).

Advertisers love to use impressive-sounding claims that don't actually tell you very much. A shampoo promises to make your hair "five times silkier." Five times silkier than what? And how exactly do you measure silkiness? These claims can sound scientific and convincing, even when they're practically meaningless. And they work surprisingly well. Listen as I explain how advertisers use numbers and clever language to make products seem better than they may actually be—and why it's worth paying attention. Source: Charles Seife, author of Proofiness (https://amzn.to/3NL55KY).

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Where do you leave your car keys at night? On the kitchen counter? By the front door? It turns out that where you keep your key fob when you're not driving could actually affect your car's battery. And the reason why is something most drivers probably never consider. https://www.northway.aaa.com/magazine/news/not-so-fob-ulous

Can you really fall in love with a chatbot? Apparently, some people do. Millions of people are turning to AI for companionship, emotional support, intimate conversations, and even romance. And why not? A chatbot is always available, never gets impatient, and seems genuinely interested in everything you have to say. But there's a troubling catch: It can sound like it cares about you without actually caring at all. So what happens when we begin forming deep emotional attachments to machines? Sherry Turkle joins me to explore the fascinating and sometimes disturbing world of artificial intimacy. She is a professor at MIT, founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, and one of the world's leading experts on our relationship with technology. She is the author of Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines (https://link.amazon/B00VbMErE).

There is something remarkably powerful about family. We feel an almost instinctive connection to the people we call family, even when those relationships are difficult, complicated, or downright dysfunctional. We say "blood is thicker than water," yet some of our strongest family bonds aren't based on blood at all. So what actually makes a family? Why do we need one? Meredith Small joins me to explore the surprising science and anthropology of family, how family relationships have evolved, and why our need to belong is such a fundamental part of being human. Meredith is a professor of anthropology at Cornell University and author of several books, including Family: How the Human Need for Belonging Shapes Our Lives (https://link.amazon/B0cjvakMw).

When you're struggling with a difficult decision or a problem you just can't solve, someone will inevitably suggest you "sleep on it." And there's good science behind that advice. But what if you could get some of the same benefits without actually going to sleep? Research suggests there may be a surprisingly simple way to help your brain find answers when you're stuck. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30388441/

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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!

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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.

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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
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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
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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.

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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