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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SYSK TRENDING -The Intriguing Mysteries of the Universe
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • Duration 26:44
There are some questions about the universe that are almost too big to wrap your head around. Why are we here? How did everything begin? Are we alone — or is there intelligent life somewhere else? Could aliens already know about us? And if the universe had a beginning, how does this whole thing eventually end?
In this episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles some of the most fascinating mysteries of the cosmos and separates what scientists actually know from what remains speculation. He explains what we know about our place in the universe, the chances that life exists elsewhere, what an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence might look like, and what science predicts about the ultimate fate of the universe.
Along the way, Neil offers the kind of perspective that comes from thinking on a cosmic scale — where Earth is just one tiny place in an unimaginably enormous universe and some of our biggest questions still don't have definitive answers. It’s a fascinating conversation about what we know, what we don’t know, and what we may someday discover.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, host of the podcast StarTalk (https://www.startalkradio.net/), and author of the book Cosmic Queries (https://amzn.to/3bp2dkr).
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When to Speak Up and When to Stay Quiet & Why Smart Investors Do Crazy Things
Episode 1422
Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 50:08
What are spiders doing inside your home? You’ve probably spotted a few crawling around, especially in the fall. But contrary to what you might assume, many of those spiders didn’t just wander in from outdoors. And there’s a very specific reason you suddenly start seeing more of them this time of year — it has a lot to do with romance. https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/arachnology-and-entomology/spider-myths/myth-spiders-come-indoors
Should you say something — or just keep your mouth shut? It’s a dilemma we face all the time. Do you tell someone they have something stuck in their teeth? Should you ask a stranger who is crying if they’re okay? What about telling a friend what you really think about the person they’re dating? It turns out we’re surprisingly bad at predicting how people will react when we speak up — or how they’ll feel when we don’t. Vanessa Bohns joins me with fascinating research that can help you handle these awkward everyday moments much better. She is a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University and author of Should I Say Something?: The Science of What to Share—and What to Keep to Yourself (https://link.amazon/B03B4LfqD).
We like to think investing is about numbers, facts and rational decisions. Yet stock prices and investor behavior can be influenced by things that seemingly have nothing to do with money — including the weather, politics and even the outcome of a sporting event. Why do otherwise intelligent investors make such irrational decisions, and can understanding those quirks actually give you an advantage? Alex Edmans explains the fascinating psychology that drives financial markets and how recognizing it can help you make smarter decisions. Alex is a professor of finance at London Business School and a leading expert on behavioral finance. He is author of The Madness of Markets: Why Smart Investors Make Crazy Decisions—and How to Exploit Them (https://link.amazon/B0eq2D3g9).
Come autumn, pumpkins are everywhere. We carve them, decorate our homes with them and, of course, eat plenty of pumpkin-flavored foods. But the pumpkin you scoop out of a can looks nothing like the inside of that big orange pumpkin sitting on your porch. So what exactly is in canned pumpkin — and why is it so different? The answer may change the way you look at pumpkin pie. https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-canned-pumpkin-11747656
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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!
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The Tech of Tomorrow That Never Arrived & The Remarkable History of Teeth - SYSK Choice
Episode 1421
Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Duration 48:37
Groceries are expensive, but there is a surprisingly simple way to leave the supermarket with a smaller bill — and it has less to do with what you buy than how you shop. I begin this episode with a technique that could help you spend less every time you go to the grocery store. Source: Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko(https://link.amazon/B03ckVUuD)
For decades, we’ve been told the future would bring flying cars, human-like robots, smart cities, self-driving vehicles and all sorts of other technological wonders. So…where are they? Why do so many innovations that always seem to be “just around the corner” never quite arrive? Technology and science journalist Nicole Kobie reveals what really happens between a great futuristic idea and the day it becomes part of everyday life — and why predicting the future of technology is so difficult. Nicole is a contributing editor for Wired and author of The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow’s Technology Still Isn’t Here (https://link.amazon/B0h9cxllC).
You probably don’t give your teeth much thought until one of them hurts. Yet teeth have an extraordinary story. Some creatures have no teeth at all, while others continually replace theirs throughout their lives. So why do humans get only two sets? And how did teeth become so important to eating, speaking, survival and even our appearance? Zoologist Bill Schutt takes us through the strange and fascinating history of teeth and explains how they evolved into what is in your mouth today. Bill is the author of six books, including Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans (https://link.amazon/B08TCbaUy).
Paying off debt is obviously good for your finances. What’s surprising is what it may do for your body. Research has found a connection between carrying significant debt and some important measures of physical health. Listen as I explain why reducing what you owe could benefit more than just your bank account. https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2013/08/16/debt_and_health/
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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!
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How to Take Smarter Risks in Life & The Lies You Tell Yourself
Episode 1420
Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 48:23
You’ve probably seen the warning on your passenger-side car mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Which raises an obvious question: Why put a mirror on your car that deliberately distorts reality? Turns out there is a very good reason—and that distortion may actually help keep you safe. https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/why-objects-in-mirror-closer-than-they-appear.htm
We hear all the time that the world has become a riskier place and that the smart thing to do is play it safe. But is that really true? And what do you give up when avoiding risk becomes your default? Economist Allison Schrager explains why younger people appear more risk-averse than previous generations, why safety has a price, and how to tell the difference between a foolish gamble and a risk actually worth taking. Allison is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion. She is author of Worth the Risk: The Seven Myths That Keep Us from Taking the Chances We Need to Take (https://link.amazon/B0cRfL4UU).
Right now, there are things you believe about yourself that feel like undeniable facts. Maybe you believe you’re bad at something, that certain people don’t like you, or that you simply aren’t the kind of person who can do certain things. But what if some of those “facts” aren’t facts at all? They may be what social psychologist Owen Fitzpatrick calls inner propaganda—stories your mind has repeated so often that you’ve come to accept them as truth. Owen explains why this inner propaganda can be so convincing and, most importantly, how to recognize it and challenge it. He has studied propaganda around the world, including in North Korea, and his TEDx talk on mind control has been viewed more than 1.4 million times. His latest book is Inner Propaganda: Leading Hearts and Minds Through Turbulent Times (https://link.amazon/B0aZRzMzg).
Cats are missing the ability to taste something humans often find irresistible. Oddly enough, cats can also taste something that we can't. Neither is an accident. The explanation goes back to what cats evolved to eat—and offers a fascinating little glimpse into just how differently your cat experiences its dinner. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-cats-taste-no-sweets/
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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!
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SYSK TRENDING - Why Gossip Is Actually Good for You
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 24:16
Who doesn’t like a bit of juicy gossip? We tend to think gossip is petty, mean or something we probably shouldn’t be doing. Yet practically everyone gossips—and it turns out there are some very good reasons why.
Gossip actually serves several useful purposes in our personal and professional lives. It can help us figure out whom to trust, learn what’s going on within a group and warn us about people we might want to steer clear of. So why does gossip have such a bad reputation? When does it turn nasty? And is there a right way to gossip?
Frank McAndrew is one of the leading researchers on the psychology of gossip. He joins me to explain why we gossip, why most gossip isn’t nearly as bad as we think, and how to gossip well. Frank is Professor of Psychology at Knox College in Illinois. You can learn more about him at https://www.frankmcandrew.com/.
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How to Read a Room Like a Pro & The Surprising Truth About Self-Esteem
Episode 1419
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 48:42
If you’ve ever tried to look at your phone while wearing sunglasses and found the screen strangely dark—or even completely black—there’s a fascinating reason why. And you don’t necessarily have to take off your sunglasses to fix it. Listen and discover a very simple trick. https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyewear/sunglasses/lenses/polarized-lenses-and-lcd-screens/
Imagine walking into a meeting, party or conference and quickly figuring out who has influence, who knows whom, who feels uncomfortable and what is really going on beneath the surface. That’s the skill of “reading the room.” Some people seem naturally good at it, but it turns out the rest of us can learn it too. Pamela Meyer explains what to watch and listen for—and how becoming a better social observer can give you a real advantage at work and in everyday life. Pamela is an expert in deception and human behavior, a Certified Fraud Examiner and founder and CEO of Calibrate. She is author of How to Read the Room: The Art and Science of Social Observation(https://link.amazon/B07AOq218).
Most of us assume that good self-esteem comes from feeling positive about ourselves. But trying to convince yourself that you’re wonderful may not work—and can sometimes make you feel worse. So where does genuine self-worth actually come from? Psychologist Dr. Marisa Franco explains the surprising science of self-esteem, why compliments and positive self-talk don’t always have the effect we expect, and what actually helps us feel more secure in ourselves and our relationships. Marisa is a professor at the University of Maryland and author of Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment (https://link.amazon/B01yeoZk0).
There is an unmistakable smell when you walk into an old bookstore or open a book that has been sitting on a shelf for decades. Where does that “old book smell” actually come from? Even more interesting is why so many people find it so pleasant. It turns out there’s some intriguing chemistry—and psychology—behind it. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/why-do-old-books-smell-so-good
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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.
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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!
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Why Pets Behave So Strangely & The Surprising Rhythm of Your Brain - SYSK Choice
Episode 1418
Saturday, September 26, 2026 • Duration 49:34
How is your posture right now? If your shoulders are slouched, you may be sending a message to other people that you never intended to send. Your shoulders can communicate confidence, uncertainty, stress and more. Listen as I explain what your posture may be saying about you. https://www.jnforensics.com/post/what-the-shoulders-say-about-us
Why are dogs so picky about where they poop? Can cats tell how you’re feeling? And does a goldfish really have a three-second memory? We love our pets, but some of the things they do can be baffling. Eleanor Spicer Rice is an entomologist and author of Your Pet’s Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors (https://amzn.to/3BblxB3). Listen as she reveals what’s really behind some of the strangest things our pets do.
Your brain doesn’t work the same way all day long. Certain kinds of thinking are easier at particular times, which means when you tackle a task may be almost as important as how you tackle it. Dr. Mithu Storoni is a physician, neuroscience researcher and author of Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work (https://amzn.to/3TAAOSd). Listen as she explains how to work with your brain’s natural rhythm instead of fighting against it.
You might assume that someone with a bigger head has a bigger brain — and therefore must be smarter. Sounds logical, but is it true? Scientists have actually looked at the relationship between brain size and intelligence, and the answer is more interesting than you might expect. Listen and find out what really matters. https://odditiesbizarre.com/people-with-big-heads/
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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.
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DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
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!
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How Optimism Works in Tough Times & The Curious Story of Breakfast Cereal
Episode 1417
Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 48:44
When someone gets a nosebleed, what are you supposed to do? Many of us learned that you should tilt your head back. That’s not a good idea. There are a couple of key actions to take when your nose bleeds that many people don’t know or don’t do. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683
It’s easy to dismiss optimism as hoping for the best or always looking for the bright side. Yet, true optimism is so much more than that once you understand it. And adopting an optimistic mindset has been proven to make people happier, improve health and longevity and a host of other benefits. True optimism is a belief about yourself as you are about to hear from Michelle Gielan. She is a positive psychology researcher, former anchor of the CBS Morning News and author of the book Resilient Optimism (https://amzn.to/4xNeyqi).
For decades, the go to food for breakfast for many people is cereal. Is it a good choice? Well, that’s going to depend on which of the many cereals you choose. Where did cereals come from and how did they become synonymous with breakfast? What’s in them? And should you really start your day with a bowl of it. Here to discuss that is Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at NYU a leading expert on food politics. She is the author of many books, and her latest is Sugar Coated: Unboxing the Hidden Forces Shaping America's Favorite Breakfast Food. (https://amzn.to/46NqQTL).
Everyone knows walking is good for you. But there is a particular time when a walk or even a leisurely stroll can pay big dividends. And the right time to take that stroll depends on when you eat. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/walking-after-eating
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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.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
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!
DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
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!
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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SYSK TRENDING - How the Negativity Effect Rules Us
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 25:02
Someone says nine wonderful things about you and one negative thing. Which one are you still thinking about hours later? Probably the negative one. Bad experiences, criticism and unpleasant news seem to have more power over us than equally good things. And it turns out there is a reason for that.
Psychologists call it the negativity effect — our tendency to give more weight and attention to what goes wrong than to what goes right. It influences what we remember, the risks we take, the decisions we make and even how we judge other people. We will often work harder to avoid something bad than we will to gain something equally good.
John Tierney has researched this phenomenon and explains why negativity has such a powerful hold on us — and, more importantly, what we can do about it. John is a journalist and co-author of The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It (https://amzn.to/30Gn3EQ). Listen as he reveals how the negativity effect shows up in relationships, work, parenting and everyday decisions — and how understanding it can keep the bad from overpowering all the good.
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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.
WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.
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!
DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you!
PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!
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!
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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Stop Trying So Hard to Sleep & Why New Things Are So Hard to Resist
Episode 1416
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 49:05
Why do your fingers and toes sometimes feel freezing cold when the rest of you feels perfectly comfortable? It’s actually your body doing something very deliberate to protect you. Listen and discover what’s going on — and why warming those fingers and toes back up can be so difficult. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-are-my-hands-and-feet-always-cold-and-should-i-worry
Are you getting enough sleep? Is it good-quality sleep? Why did you wake up at 3 a.m.? For a lot of people, sleep has become something to measure, manage and worry about. But all that effort may actually be making sleep worse. Sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski says one of the best things you can do for your sleep may be to stop trying so hard. She has worked in sleep research at Harvard Medical School and is author of Think Less, Sleep More: From Panic & Perfectionism to Stress-Free Sleep (https://amzn.to/3SOGsmM). Listen as she explains why sleep is more resilient than you think — and how worrying about it can become the real problem.
There is something almost irresistible about “new.” A new phone, new car, new clothes, new gadgets — new things grab our attention and promise that life will somehow be a little better once we have them. And today, getting something new is easier than ever. But all that novelty comes at a price in money, time and attention. Eric Athas, an editor at The New York Times, explores why we are so attracted to new things, why the feeling wears off so quickly and what we may gain by resisting the urge to constantly upgrade. He is author of Saying No to New: Why New Things Are Stealing Your Time, Money, and Happiness―And How to Take Back Your Life(https://amzn.to/4iTUs9c).
Goosebumps are strange when you think about them. They appear when you’re cold, scared or even moved by music — yet they don’t seem to accomplish much. Turns out they once served a very useful purpose. Listen and discover why humans still get goosebumps even though we no longer have much use for them. https://humanorigins.si.edu/education/fun-facts/why-do-we-get-goose-bumps
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