When guests come in to your home, what do they notice most of all? If you are having guests into your house this holiday season you will want to hear this surprising list of things people notice when they come through your front door. http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-guests-really-notice-in-your-home/ss-BBnq4Uw#image=8Money matters. It determines your lifestyle, how long you must work and forces you to make decisions on how to spend it. So it would seem that having more money would make you happier. But not always. Joining me to discuss the role of money and its relationship with happiness is Laura Rowley who has been a personal finance columnist for Self magazine and The Huffington Post and is author of the book Money & Happiness: A Guide to Living the Good Life (https://amzn.to/2SdFXgT).We spend a good deal of our life looking for answers to questions and problems. Interestingly, there are times where it may be more important to find a better question. That’s according to Hal Gregersen, Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of the book Questions Are The Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life (https://amzn.to/2DXAWWT). Hal joins me to explain the process of coming up with better questions which can lead to greater insight into any problem. We all have to wash our hands in public bathrooms. So what is the best way to dry them afterwards? Some people prefer paper towels, some hot air dryers. But what does the best job of leaving you with clean germ-free hands? We’ll explore that in this episode. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x/abstractThis Week's Sponsors-BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING

You most likely have a preference for either a neat or a cluttered work environment. So which is better? Well it depends on what type of work you are doing. Those two types of environments have an impact on you that affect your thinking. We begin this episode by exploring that. https://www.medicaldaily.com/clean-environment-leads-healthier-behavior-messy-desk-inspires-creativity-249383What are the chances that there is life on other planets? Have aliens visited earth? There is no shortage of speculation on the topic and a lot of anecdotal stories about encounters but what does the science say? Michael Wall, senior writer at Science.com and author of the book Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious) (https://amzn.to/2S9oJl7) joins me to examine the possibilities and the evidence of other life in our galaxy.Have you ever seen someone talking to themselves on the street or in a store? Your immediate reaction is probably to think it is really weird. But in fact you most likely talk to yourself out loud all the time. We all do. In fact there are several common behaviors we all do that we somehow think are strange when we see other people do them. We’ll explore what they are and why we think this way. http://mentalfloss.com/article/54126/6-embarrassing-things-you-do-and-whyThe world is full of manipulative people who try to control other people’s thoughts and/or actions. You most likely have come across some of them at work or in your personal life. These people have a name – Gaslighters. And since we all have to deal with them at some point, Stephanie Sarkis, licensed mental health counselor and author of the book Gaslighting (https://amzn.to/2S0NMXa) offers a fascinating explanation of who these people are, what they do, why they act this way and what you can do to identify and avoid them. This Week's Sponsors-LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast-Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock!-BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING-Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something-Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Can certain sounds actually be good for your health? Yes, according to some important research. From a purring cat to the sound of a harp to crashing waves – certain sounds can have a very positive effect. We begin this episode with an explanation of which sounds do what. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/harp-music-blood-pressure-icu-patients-pain_n_1734615.htmlSomewhere in your home are some valuable family treasures or heirlooms that mean something special to you. Maybe it’s your mother’s wedding dress, your old record collection or a prized piece of old furniture. The enemy of all these things is time. All these valuables will deteriorate over time if you don’t care for them properly. Joining me with some real help is Don Williams. Don was the senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and he is author of the book Saving Stuff… How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions (https://amzn.to/2RWnW6L). No one knows better how to keep your stuff in excellent shape as it marches through time.While Thanksgiving is an important American holiday, much of the story we've been told is made up myth. Peter Mancall, professor of history and anthropology at the University of Southern California is an expert on early America. He joins me to explain the real origins of Thanksgiving, what the first Thanksgiving was really like and how it came to be a national holiday that ended up being celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.While some people seem to like to be touched more than others, physical human touch does seem to have real benefits for everyone. Listen as we explore some of the remarkable, positive effects touching has for children and adults. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-body-connection/201309/why-we-all-need-touch-and-be-touchedThis Week's Sponsors-LinkedIn Talent For $50 off your first job posting go to www.LinkedIn.com/podcast-Robinhood Go to http:something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock!-BetterHelp For 10% off your first month of counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/something, promo code SOMETHING-Stitch Fix For an additional 25% off when you keep all the items in your box go to www.StitchFix.com/something-Madison Reed For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

The evidence is pretty clear that in order to be productive and to do excellent work, you need to take breaks. You can’t just work non-stop. But when is the best time to take a break? I begin this episode by telling you EXACTLY when to take a break for optimum performance. http://www.menshealth.com/best-time-for-breakThere’s a pretty good chance you have at least one or two pairs of blue jeans – and maybe many more in lots of other colors! Jeans are the iconic American garment and have been for decades. Even as fashions and trends have come and gone there has always been a place for jeans. So where did they come? Why have they lasted? And what exactly is denim anyway – how is it different from other fabrics? Journalist James Sullivan, author of the book, Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2DGD45j) joins me to take you on an historical journey from Italy to the American west to a John Wayne movie set to explain the story of blue jeans. I bet there is someone famous or rich or super successful you would love to meet and maybe even get their advice –right? But you probably never tried because you figured they would never respond and it would be a complete waste of time. And maybe it would be. And then again, maybe not. Listen as I tell a story of a regular guy with no connections who got a lot of very important people to talk to him and exactly how he did it. https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-schedule-a-phone-call-with-a-billionaire/answer/Daniel-L-JacobsYou have got to hear science writer Marcus Chown explain why over 99% of your DNA isn’t yours or how you could squeeze the entire human race into a space the size of a sugar cube or why the moon is actually hurtling towards earth – constantly! Marcus is author of the new book, Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand – 50 Wonders That Reveal an Extraordinary Universe (https://amzn.to/2OKnczM) and he joins me to explain some scientific facts that will absolutely amaze you. This Week's SponsorsCalming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.-SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/something-LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHINGMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery

What’s the secret to a happy life? Probably the best people to ask are people who say they are happy. So we begin this episode by revealing what happy people say is what makes them so happy. John Izzo, author of The 5 Secrets You Must Know Before You Die (https://amzn.to/2DdJDLA)Probably the one word you hear more than any other throughout your life is –NO! For some people no means no but for others it means something else entirely. BJ Gallagher, author of the book Yes Lives in the Land of No (https://amzn.to/2JXlPNh) offers some great advice for handling the word no when people tell you that you can’t have or do something. Since you will hear NO a lot for the rest of your life – this is worth listening to.Who doesn’t love going to a live concert? And yet when you really dissect the experience, it is probably not as good as we tell ourselves it is. I’ll reveal what one writer has to say about the concert-going experience that you may not have thought about before. (http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a39525/live-music-overrated/)We humans need people. We are social creatures. We thrive with others. Yet many of us are alone and isolated with few, if any friends. Someone who is very concerned about this is Radha Agrawal, who is an entrepreneur, investor, inventor, speaker, and community builder. She founded Daybreaker a grassroots, early-morning dance phenomenon that is now in over 25 countries. She is also author of the book Belong: Find Your People Create Community and Live a More Connected Life https://amzn.to/2DfaczU. Radha explains not only why friends are important but how and where to go and find them. This Week's Sponsors-SimpliSafe Home Security.  For great home security with no contracts or hidden fees go to www.Simplisafe.com/somethingCalming Comfort Blanket. For 15% off the posted price of this incredible blanket to help you sleep better, go to www.CalmingComfortBlanket.com and use the promo code SOMETHING.-LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.LinkedIn.com/SOMETHINGMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Lincoln. To learn more about the Lincoln MKC go to www.Lincoln.com/wondery

Do you really need to get a physical exam every year? We begin this episode by exploring who should and maybe who should not get an annual check-up and why. http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/theres-no-evidence-you-need-annual-physical-exam-say-doctorsYour unconscious mind affects your thoughts and behaviors in ways you can’t imagine. That is the message from John Bargh, Yale professor of psychology and author of the book Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do (https://amzn.to/2JLKN2b). For example, feeling physically warm actually makes you more socially warm; feeling fear makes you think more politically conservative – it’s just amazing. Listen as professor Bargh takes you on a tour of your unconscious mind.  A lot of things can get messy in your kitchen – from lingering cooking smells to fruit flies and a million other things. Listen as I reveal some great ways to solve common kitchen problems you probably haven’t heard before. http://food52.com/blog/14173-7-kitchen-cleaning-tricks-that-really-workHow did Facebook, Amazon, Google and other big companies get so big so fast? The answer is “blitzscaling.” It is a recent phenomenon in business that was named and identified by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Chris Yeh in their new book Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies (https://amzn.to/2D4HW33). Chris Yeh joins me to explain how blitzscaling works and others in business can use the same principles. This Week's SponsorsCare/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.

In most places around the world, Siri comes with a female voice by default. Of course you can change it but most people don’t. This is true for most other voiced-based computer programs. Why? We begin this episode with the fascinating reasons why most people prefer their devices sound female. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/a18018/why-is-siri-a-female-voice/Human nature – it is a collection of things we humans tend to do by default. Robert Greene, author of the bestseller The Laws of Human Nature (https://amzn.to/2yQtqZy) takes you on a fascinating journey into why we do the things we do and why these tendencies we have often get in the way of our happiness and success. There are 18 laws of human nature and Robert will explain how to use them to your advantage and how to counter them when they work against you. What could be simpler and more satisfying than a grilled cheese sandwich? Most of us have been eating them since we were kids. Actually though, there is some science and technique to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich and a lot of it has to do with the cheese you select. Which is best? Listen and find out. http://www.businessinsider.com/science-making-grilled-cheese-2015-11Household recycling has become habit for many people. We just do it because – well that’s what good citizens do. What you may not know is that there are a lot of problems with recycling. In fact a lot of what you recycle probably NEVER gets recycled. Instead it ends up in a landfill with all the other garbage. Beth Porter is an expert on the subject and she is author of the book Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Sorting Out the Recycling System (https://amzn.to/2JCkknD) . Beth joins me to reveal what’s wrong with recycling and what everyone can do to make the whole system work better and more efficiently.This Week's SponsorsCare/Of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.

This episode is released a few days before most people in the U.S. change their clocks back to standard time. And each time we change the clocks, people complain about all the bad things that result from that. Well, there are some good things as well. So I begin with some of those and the reasons behind daylight savings time that you may not know or understand. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a18011/in-defense-of-daylight-saving-time/When you get a bad grade on your report card in school, you know that is a subject you really need to work on. But is that a good strategy in real life? Will you be more successful if you try to get better at the things you don’t like or do very well with or are you better served by focusing on those things that you are already good at and enjoy? Business consultant Marcus Buckingham, author of the book The One Thing You Need to Know (https://amzn.to/2SAJiHS) reveals why it is so important to identify your strengths and weaknesses and offers advice that will lead you to success.  Got a bunch of Halloween candy in your house? Well, you could eat it or take it to work or you could do something to help our troops. Listen and I’ll explain how – and it’s very easy. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-eat-3500-calories-candy. The website mentioned is www.operationgratitude.comIt’s a bit of a mystery why so many more people today struggle with body weight than in previous generations. With some interesting answers and strategies is Stephan Guyenet, a neuroscientist and author of the book The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts That Makes Us Overeat (https://amzn.to/2JvirZW). Stephan explains exactly what it is that makes it so hard to resist some foods and the amazingly simple solutions to stop overeating in the first place. The instinct to eat is strong. However, you can overcome the instinct to OVER eat by following his advice. This Week's SponsorsHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.

The weather can affect your buying decisions without you realizing it. That can be a big factor when you buy a big ticket item like a house or a car. This episode begins with an explanation of why and how the weather impacts such important decisions and why you are more likely to buy a convertible on a sunny day even though it may be a terrible idea. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-effect-of-weather-on-purchasing-decisions-2012-11You have a personality – right? Well actually, more than one. Science writer Rita Carter author of the book The People You Are: The New Science of Personality (https://amzn.to/2D6RHON) reveals how we all have multiple personalities which all come out in different situations. While it may seem like you simply have different facets of your core personality, Rita explains why it is more complicated than that. Everyone reading this has tried to make a significant change in their life – and failed! Change is hard however there are some ways to make the process easier and more effortless according to James Clear author of the book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones https://amzn.to/2ELIcq0. James’s work on the subject of personal change and habits has appeared in the New York Times, CBS This Morning among others. He joins me to explain how anyone can make big changes that stick. James website is www.JamesClear.com“Out of the box” and “move the needle” are examples of common business jargon that we can probably do without. This episode concludes with a list of words and phrases people use in business that are unnecessary, vague and often pointless. There are usually better ways to say the same thing. https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/20-corporate-phrases-that-make-you-sound-really-boring.htmlThis Week's SponsorsHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.Jet.com For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.

We all have those times when we are stressed and need to chill out. So I begin this episode with some proven simple and easy ways to reduce anxiety and stress instantly – and one way is so easy all you have to do is listen a hit song from 1972. https://us.ditchthelabel.org/101-ultimate-ways-chill-reduce-stress/Most of your communication is probably virtual – email, text, telephone, etc. And as you and probably everyone else has learned, virtual communication can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings which in turn can lead to real trouble. Communication expert Nick Morgan, author of the book, Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World (https://amzn.to/2D2RPyL) joins me to discuss the pitfalls of virtual communication and how to avoid them so you stay out of trouble.With Halloween approaching I thought it would be fun to uncover the stories behind some of the classic Halloween candy. I am partial to Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and I am sure you have your favorites as well. Candy expert Darlene Lacey, author of the book, Classic Candy (https://amzn.to/2EImfs3) explains the fascinating stories of how many of these iconic candies came to be, where their names came from and why we tend to like the same candy as our parents and grandparents did.Speaking of sweets, why is it that some people prefer sweet snacks while others like salty? And still others like both? We wrap up this episode with the science of sweet and salty and why they are so satisfying. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/why-some-people-have-a-sweet-toothThis Week’s SponsorsRobinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock!Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG

If you don’t play a musical instrument – maybe you should. This is especially true if you are outgoing and an extrovert. It seems that your personality can predict with great accuracy, how much musical skill and talent you have. We begin this episode by exploring that. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoc-hyg101315.phpWhile you are probably aware of how some body language clues work, you are about to get a much better and deeper understanding of it and how you can use it to improve your communication skills. Joe Navarro was a special agent for the FBI for 25 years and he is author of the book What Every Body is Saying https://amzn.to/2CWKSiR Listen and be amazed at how nonverbal communication really works.There was a golden age of corporate slogans. It was the 60s and 70s. That’s when you flew “the friendly skies” of United or “you deserved a break today” at McDonalds or when you used Fed Ex because it “absolutely, positively had to be there overnight.” Those and many other corporate taglines were an important part of their brand. Now do you know the United Airlines, McDonalds or FedEx taglines are today? Marketing executive Steve Cone joins me to make the case that taglines – or slogans – are important and he explains why. Steve is author of the book Powerlines: Words that Sell Brands, Grip Fans and Sometimes Change History https://amzn.to/2Cs38zJNext time you are in your kitchen, stand there are look around to see just how much food you see. Is it in the fridge and cabinets or is there a lot of food out on the counter? I’m going to explain why it matters especially if you are concerned about your body weight. http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/OP/Kitchen_CountersThis Week’s SponsorsRobinhood. Go to something.robinhood.com to get your free account and receive a share of stock!Home Chef. Go to www.HomeChef.com/something to get $30 off your first order. Madison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.The Lodge at Woodloch. $50 resort credit off any 2-night stay at The Lodge at Woodloch when mentioning promo code SOMETHING by calling 800-966-3562, Option 2, then Option 1 for reservations.Jet.com. For a great online shopping experience go to www.Jet.com Stroke of Genius podcast. Listen at Apple podcast or at IPOEF.ORG

So you get ready to make a salad and you rinse the lettuce and carrots and tomatoes under the faucet for a few seconds. Does that really get rid of the pesticides and bacteria? We explore that very important question and you really need to hear the answer. http://www.menshealth.com/how-to-wash-produceDo you understand the difference between pleasure and happiness? It’s an important distinction because the more pleasure you seek, the less happy you become. That’s the contention of Dr Robert Lustig, author of The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains https://amzn.to/2yp2xMf. Dr. Lustig sees some troubling developments in our quest for pleasure and I think you’ll be interested in what he has to say. It’s become a cliché to say that great ideas come in the shower. But the fact is – they do! And there is actually a psychological explanation for why that is. We begin this episode with a look at the reason for this common experience. http://mentalfloss.com/article/52586/why-do-our-best-ideas-come-us-showerNobody likes failure – but maybe we should all rethink that. Failure turns out to have a silver lining – and not just in the way that “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Chris Gethard is a pretty successful stand-up comedian who has written a book about failure called Lose Well https://amzn.to/2CpJcgz. Although Chris has had some clearly successful moments (his own HBO special and his own sitcom on Comedy Central for example) he has also had some colossal failures. He joins me to discuss why failure is inevitable and really something to be celebrated on your journey to success.This Week's SponsorsLinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/somethingSimplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/somethingGlip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/somethingLinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/somethingMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.comHotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something.

Spending time with annoying and irritating people can be hazardous to your mental health! That’s according to some research from my alma mater, the University of Southern California. I begin this episode with that and how to bulletproof yourself from the negative effects of those most irritating people. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Annoying-people-can-slow-down-your-brain-Study/articleshow/16765621.cmsWhen you fly on a commercial airplane, I know you have questions about how commercial aviation works – or sometimes DOESN’T work very well. Patrick Smith is a commercial airline pilot and blogger at www.askthepilot.com and author of the book, Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel https://amzn.to/2CfqIPY. He joins me to answer some of the questions you think about when you are sitting and wondering in your airline seat. Sometimes in winter, you have to stay warm. And as the weather cools off, it is a good time to discuss what’s really important to staying warm in cold weather and how the body reacts to preserve itself when temperatures drop. http://theweek.com/article/index/254754/how-to-keep-warm-outside-5-science-based-tipsWe live in a time when productivity is essential. There is always more to do - but wait! Is striving to do more actually an effective strategy? What if I told you that taking time to unwind, relax and nurture yourself actually makes you MORE productive? You need to hear some important research from Jamie Gruman, professor of Organizational Behavior and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Jamie is author of the book Boost: The Science of Recharging Yourself in an Age of Unrelenting Depends https://amzn.to/2pSD8G0. He joins me to challenge everything you’ve ever thought about productivity and getting more done. And you are really going to like what he has to say.This Week's SponsorsLinkedIn Talent. To find the right person for the job and get $50 off your first job post, go to www.Linkedin.com/somethingSimplisafe. For amazing home security at a great price go to www.simplisafe.com/somethingGlip. Sign up for your FREE GLip account now and support this podcast by going to www.Glip.com/something LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For your free $100 ad credit to launch your first campaign go to www.Linkedin.com/somethingMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/somethingJet.com. For a great online shopping experience like no other go to www.jet.com Hotel Tonight. To get $25 off your first eligible booking download the Hotel Tonight app and use the promo code something.

Anyone who has ever cooked pasta has thought about using HOT tap water instead of cold to speed up the process. After all, hot tap water takes less time to boil. But is it really a good idea to cook with hot tap water? We begin this episode with a discussion on why it is such a bad idea. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/health/29real.htmlIt may seem as if it's luck or chance that causes some things catch on and become popular or go viral. But it isn’t luck really. If you’ve ever wondered why some restaurants succeed while others fail or why some books, TV shows or movies do great but others go nowhere, you will want to listen to this segment. Jonah Berger, is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On https://amzn.to/2IQAn0s. Jonah joins me to explains the science of popularity – and it really is a science. Conventional wisdom is that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. And it is a great example of just how wrong conventional wisdom is. Now it used to be accurate but not with cars today. Listen as I reveal how often you should REALLY change your oil. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html?mktcat=maintenance-article&kw=stop+changing+your+oil&mktid=ob61762858&msite=wLogic is sometimes misunderstood. For example, can you be logical AND emotional? (That was always an issue for Mr. Spock on Star Trek). Is there only one logical way to get to a conclusion? How does logic really work? We all need logic and to help you understand it is Eugenia Cheng. She is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and author of the book The Art of Logic in an Illogical World https://amzn.to/2QHth15. She joins me to explain logic and how you can use logic more effectively in your life.This Week's Sponsorscare/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/somethingGlip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/somethingMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Even the best drivers get in serious accidents – usually because of bad drivers. So we start this episode with a look at why good drivers get into accidents and how to steer clear of them http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/how-good-drivers-get-killed.htmlA lot of us don’t’ sleep very well. Often the problem is so chronic that we convince ourselves that it is normal but it is not according to Dr. Barry Krakow. Dr. Krakow is a board certified internist and sleep disorders specialist and author of the book Sound Sleep Sound Mind: 7 Steps to Sleeping Through the Night (https://amzn.to/2RvmGbf). He joins me with effective strategies to improve your sleep. By the way his website is www.sleeptreatment.com Ever been in a situation where you really need to feel powerful and confident but were feeling exactly the opposite? Well, there is a very effective tactic that can really boost your power and confidence and it only takes a moment. http://www.businessinsider.com/a-simple-exercise-to-make-you-powerful-2015-10Just about everyone has felt a bit out of place at work or other professional setting. But maybe that’s a good thing. Jennifer Romolini felt like an outcast all her professional life yet managed to use that to her advantage and succeed anyway. In fact she took what she discovered along the way and put it in a book called Weird in a World That's Not (https://amzn.to/2NlWGvO). If you have ever felt like a nerd or that you didn’t belong in an organization, listen as Jennifer explains how to use your uniqueness to reach your goals.  This Week's Sponsorscare/of. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING  Ancestry DNA. For 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/somethingGlip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/somethingMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis? Not that you would want to – but could you actually be fined or go to jail if you got caught? We begin this episode of the podcast with a look at what the law really says and why you would never want to kill one anyway. https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-illegal-to-kill-praying-mantis-1968526Funny thing about distractions… it seems that more you need to stay focused on your work, the more irresistible those distractions become. So how do you make those distractions less appealing so you can focus on what needs to be done? That’s what I discuss with productivity expert Chris Bailey. He is the author of the book HYPERFOCUS: how to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction (https://amzn.to/2Nl6ohY) and he has some very practical suggestions for keeping you on task when you need to be.If you’ve ever lost your wallet – even for just a little while - you know what a terrible feeling that can be. If you did leave it somewhere, there is something you can do to help substantially increase the odds of getting it back. I’ll reveal a little trick that will make whoever finds your wallet want to give it back. https://thebark.com/content/lost-walletsWork is serious business – but should it be? Could a little more humor and fun actually be good for the workplace and the people who work there? Scott Christopher thinks so. He is the co-author of the book The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up https://amzn.to/2IzFCS8 . Scott joins me to explain why fun and work really do mix and why the results of doing so are amazing.This Week's SponsorsBrilliant Earth. For the 12 month financing offer and to shop all of Brilliant Earth’s selections - Just go to www.BrilliantEarth.com/somethingMadison Reed. For 10% off plus free shipping on your first order go to www.Madison-Reed.com/something

Not long ago I went to the supermarket only to find everything had been moved around. Nothing was where it used to be. Why? I’ll explain why they do that and other little tricks supermarkets play on you.  http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Supermarket-Psychology-Tricks-18344600?stream_view=1#photo-Ever wonder why certain things disgust you? The things you find disgusting may be perfectly acceptable – even pleasing to someone else. Disgust turns out to be a fascinating human emotion. No other animals get disgusted by the things we do. And this emotion has served us well. Rachel Herz, a teacher at Brown University is also author of the book, That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion (https://amzn.to/2xTcjVG) joins me to discuss why we get disgusted.Very few people think they look great in photographs. So I have some advice from top photographers on what to do so you look great in every photograph you are in – no matter who is taking the picture. https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/nation/how-to-look-better-in-photos-best-ways-to-pose-for-picturesIt is amazing to think that so many inventions that changed how we live could’ve been invented a lot sooner. The stethoscope, the compass, human flight and other inventions took way too long to materialize since the technology for them was around a long time ago. It's just that no one figured out how to put it all together. Ryan North, author of the book How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler (https://amzn.to/2DFFLoy) takes us on a journey back in time and explains what went wrong. 

You probably just assume food grown organically is healthier – and maybe it is. But you also probably think that organic food tastes better. You may not think you think that – but you do. We start this episode with an explanation as to why. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2302835/Organic-food-labels-trick-thinking-food-healthier-tastier.htmlConspiracy theories abound! I’m sure you’ve heard that some people believe the U.S. government was behind the 9/11 attacks or the Holocaust never happened or that the mafia really killed President Kennedy – or was it Castro? Where do these theories come from? Why do people believe them? And how do you have a conversation with someone if you think what they believe is crazy? Mick West, author of the book, Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories using Facts, Logic, and Respect (https://amzn.to/2R1HyXI) has researched conspiracy theories and the people who believe them and he has some great insight and advice for the next time you find yourself talking to someone who believes the world is really flat!Over half the population has foot problems that hamper their daily lives. So I reveal some proven strategies to help alleviate and/or prevent those problems so your feet stay happy. http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-footpain-ess.htmlEvery culture is governed by rules – whether it is a nation, an organization, group or a family. Some cultures have very tight and strict rules while others take a more laid back approach. But which is better? Do you humans excel under strict regulations or is loose and easy a better way? Well, it all depends, according to cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand author of the book, Rule Makers Rule Breakers : How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World (https://amzn.to/2xRrRcE). She joins me to explain the fascinating reasons why different cultures adopt tight or loose controls and how those rules impact the lives of people they affect.This Week's SponsorsRobinhood. To open your free account and get your FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help build your portfolio! Sign up at something.robinhood.comAncestry. To get 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/somethingGlip. To open your free, full-featured GLIP account go to www.glip.com/something

You tip the waiter at the end of a meal for a job well done. But when it comes to tipping the maid and other people at a hotel, it is actually better to tip them at the beginning of your stay so you get better service in the days to come. That’s just one of the very savvy travel tips with which we begin this episode of the podcast. http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/travel-mistakes-to-avoid-20131217/packing-for-the-long-haulDo we really have free will? Does the placebo effect actually work? Have aliens tried to contact us? These are some of the fascinating mysteries that still baffle scientists. Science writer Michael Brooks, author of the book 13 Things That Don't Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time (https://amzn.to/2NvuAmO) joins me to explore some of these mysteries and explains what we do know and what we don’t know about them. Chewing gum may not be proper etiquette in many social situations but chewing gum does have some real benefits – particularly when you are stressed out. I’ll explain why have some gum in your pocket is almost always a good idea. https://greatist.com/happiness/does-chewing-gum-reduce-anxiety2018 marks the 60th anniversary of NASA. And while space launches aren’t quite the big deal they once were, NASA is still doing a lot of impressive work. John Logsdon has been keeping his eye on NASA for a long time. John is the founder of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, former member of the NASA Advisory Council and he served on the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident Investigation Board in 2003. He is the editor of a new book that just came out celebrating 60 years of NASA called The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration (https://amzn.to/2DoYWmm) and joins me to discuss some really interesting stories about the US space program you probably never knew.This Week's SponsorsRobinhood. To open your free account and get your FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help build your portfolio! Sign up at something.robinhood.comAncestry. To get 20% off your Ancestry DNA Kit go to www.ancestry.com/somethingGlip. To open your free, full-featured GLIP account go to www.glip.com/something

I’ve lived with dogs most of my life (and one pretty cool cat) so I am fascinated by doggy behavior. And did you know that even though dogs will eat almost anything – they actually prefer two distinct flavors. We begin this episode of the podcast with that and some other interesting facts about what your dog is really thinking. (Paulette Cooper author of 27 Secrets Your Dog Wants You To Know) https://amzn.to/2xoCi83You have good days and you have bad days. So what if you could control that so that you had far more good days than bad ones? Caroline Webb, author of the book How to Have a Good Day (https://amzn.to/2pnE0Ct) reveals the psychology, neuroscience and behavioral science that can help you greatly improve the odds that today and tomorrow will be fabulous! If you have to present something at a meeting or make a proposal – do your best to NOT go first. I’ll discuss why and when in the meeting is a more optimal time to speak up. (Sarah McGinty author of the book Power Talk https://amzn.to/2plWwej0What do 46% of people in Japan do when the doorbell rings? Why do astronauts have to sleep near a fan so they don’t die? This is just two of a bunch of facts you’ll hear from John Lloyd, creator of the Q.I television program in the UK and contributor to the book, 1,342 Quite Interesting Facts To Leave You Flabbergasted (https://amzn.to/2NREHll). If you like interesting facts to dazzle people at a cocktail party – this will be fun! This Week's SponsorsDaily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box!Apple Music. Go to www.AppleMusic.com/something to sign up and get 3 months free! No obligation, cancel at any time.

You may not have ever noticed this but hotels rarely offer milkshakes on their room service menu. And yet, if a hotel has a kitchen there is a good chance they have ice cream milk and a blender. But if you try to order a milkshake you probably won’t get it. Why not? The answer is simple, ridiculous and points out a big problem in American business today. (Steve Little author of The Milkshake Moment)Why does time seem to go by faster as we get older? Why do people love kitten videos? How can you spot a liar? These and other fascinating psychology questions are what we tackle in my discussion with Art Markman, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, co-host of the podcast Two Guys on Your Head and author of the book Brain Briefs https://amzn.to/2xcxdyJ. It’s an interesting discussion that will help you better understand how your brain works.Art Markman's website is http://www.smartthinkingbook.com/A lot of new cars have a keyless ignition. And while that is convenient, it also makes it easier to forget to turn the car off and leave it running. That has caused some real problems. I’ll explain why and what to do to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/hidden-dangers-of-push-button-startDo you know what an empath is? It is a person who prefers solitude and is extremely sensitive to noises, smells, crowds and social stimulation. It turns out there are a lot of people who fall into the category of “extremely sensitive” and being this way makes it a bit harder to navigate the world. Psychologist Judith Orloff, author of the book The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People https://amzn.to/2OvEiBV is in fact one of these extremely sensitive types and she has some insight and advice for other empaths and the people who must deal with them every day.This Week's SponsorsDaily Harvest. Go to www.Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code SOMETHING to get three cups FREE in your first box! Apple Music. Go to www.AppleMusic.com/something to sign up and get 3 months free! No obligation, cancel at any time.

What could be simpler than washing your hands? You’ve done it a zillion times. And yet you are probably not doing it correctly. With cold and flu season nearly here, it’s important to get this right so we begin this episode with some expert hand washing advice. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/hand-washing-mistakes/#slideshow=slide5I am sick of paying fees, Are you? There are fees for everything and the result is that nothing really costs what the price tag says – it’s the price PLUS all the fees. Bob Sullivan has been spreading the word about the stupidity and unfairness of fees for a long time. He is author of the book Gotcha Capitalism https://amzn.to/2x9R2aR and he joins me to explain why there are so many fees and how you can fight back! By the way, Bob is also the host of podcast Breach which you can access from his website (https://bobsullivan.net/topics/breach/) or wherever you listen to podcasts. Are overweight people discriminated against in the workplace? We like to think we judge people by their character but this research proves that is not always true. And in most cases this discrimination is perfectly legal. http://www.businessinsider.com/science-overweight-people-less-successful-2015-9Slang is fascinating. How is it that some slang words work their way into the language while others fade quickly? Who starts these words? Could you create a slang word and have it catch on? Tom Dalzell has been studying slang for a long time and has written several books about it including The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English https://amzn.to/2p2ksDi. He joins me in a fascinating discussion about the slang in our language and why it is important. This Week's SponsorsWarby Parker. For your free home try-on of 5 pairs of glasses go to www.warbyparker.com/somethingLinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.linkedin.com/somethingAncestry  For 20% off your Ancestry DNA kit got to www.ancestry.com/something and use the promo code: somethingHoka One One Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSKand use the promo code SYSK

Many people wish they were taller. Unfortunately there is no simple fix for that. But there are ways to LOOK taller and we start this episode with some effective techniques. http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a37254/7-style-tips-that-will-make-you-look-taller/No one likely taught you how to think. So when you have a problem to solve or need to come up with a solution - you just think the way you think. But what if you could think better? Tim Hurson author of the book Think Better https://amzn.to/2CzMTCn joins me to discuss a way to improve your thinking that can result in better thoughts, better ideas and better solutions.  So what’s the deal with seedless watermelons? Where did they come from and why are there no seeds? And how do they grow new ones if there are no seeds to plant? I’ll unravel the mystery of seedless watermelons for you. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31211/where-do-seedless-watermelons-comeToday, meal planning isn’t so much about foods we enjoy but rather foods that are supposed to be “good for you.” The problem is, that is a very strange way to eat. Barry Glassner, a sociology professor at the University of Southern California is author of a book The Gospel of Food: Why We Should Stop Worrying and enjoy What We Eat https://amzn.to/2wStk2R. He joins me to explain why our obsession with eating food with less salt, less sugar and fewer calories is flawed and why eating foods you enjoy has a lot of real benefits. This Week's SponsorsWarby Parker. For your free home try-on of 5 pairs of glasses go to www.warbyparker.com/somethingLinkedIn Marketing Solutions. To redeem a free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to www.linkedin.com/somethingAncestry  For 20% off your Ancestry DNA kit got to www.ancestry.com/something and use the promo code: somethingHoka One One Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSK

People who travel a lot have to come up with their own travel hacks and secrets in order to stay sane! Several of the people who work for CNN and travel as part of their job, put together a bunch of really great tips and tricks they have learned from years and years of traveling – often by learning things the hard way. We begin this episode by sharing these great travel secrets so you can put them to use on your next trip.  http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/20-biggest-travel-mistakesCan you learn to be lucky? The idea sounds weird – right? Because luck is just a matter of random chance. Or is it? Karla Starr, author of the book, Can You Learn to Be Lucky? https://amzn.to/2Q8Eb0j as looked at the science of luck (yes there is such a thing) and joins me to explain why some people just seem to be extremely lucky and what you can do to improve your luck.  Could it be true that overweight people live longer? Since like forever, we’ve all been told that being thin is what helps you live longer. But there does seem to be a loophole in the theory. While it’s not a reason to let yourself go and gain a lot of weight, having a few extra pounds can be beneficial and I will explain why. http://healthland.time.com/2013/01/02/being-overweight-is-linked-to-lower-risk-of-mortality/You make a lot of important - even life-altering - decisions in your life. But I bet you were never taught HOW to make a decision. Well, it turns out how you make those important decisions really matters. And there is a way to improve your chances of making the right decision if you have a better understanding of the decision making process. Steven Johnson, author of the book Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most https://amzn.to/2NlgWl9 explains how you can make the RIGHT decision.This Week's SponsorsGlip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/somethingcare/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSKHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com

Whenever you get a new credit card in the mail, you are encouraged to sign the back of it. In fact many say, “Not valid until signed.” But should you sign the back of your credit cards? For security reasons, maybe not. But there is something you might want to write in that little box instead. We start the episode by discussing that. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1444/should-you-sign-the-back-of-your-credit-cardsSupposedly the average American home has about $2600 worth of stuff collecting dust that could be turned into cash on eBay or a garage sale. But how do you know what stuff? Brian Kathenes is a managing partner at National Appraisal Consultants in New York and author of the book, Betcha Didn’t Know That! https://amzn.to/2NzLb4G. Brian joins me to offer some advice on what to look for in your attic or your parents’ attic that could be worth a lot of money – as well as things that aren’t worth wasting time on. So what’s the difference between green tea and plain old black tea? Green tea has certainly gotten a lot of great publicity for all its health benefits but could regular tea be just as good for you? You just might be surprised to hear this. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-in-green-and-black-teaHow do you get ahead in your career? If you care, you have probably already checked out various experts who talk about the importance of networking, a good resume and a firm handshake. But there are some lesser known strategies that are equally – if not more – powerful. Employment expert Vicky Oliver author of the book, 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions https://amzn.to/2Pv8Bsv joins me to offer some lesser known but powerful suggestions to move up the career ladder.This Week's SponsorsGlip. Get a free Glip account at www.glip.com/somethingcare/of Vitamins. For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins go to www.TakeCareOf.com and use the promo code SOMETHING Hoka One One. Get free expedited shipping on your first pair of shoes by going to www.hokaoneone.com/SYSK and use the promo code SYSKHotel Tonight. Download the app Hotel Tonight to your phone and get $25 off your first eligible booking.Realtor.com. Start your next home search at www.Realtor.com