When was the last time you cleaned your credit or debit cards? Or the remote for the TV? There are a lot of things around the house you never think to clean – but you will after you hear this. Then, how spiritual are you? Psychiatrist Dr. Anna Yusim, author of the book Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More ...…

Emails are tricky. They aren’t supposed to be too formal like a letter – or too casual like a text. How you sign off your emails has a lot to do with the overall tone. Some experts looked at the most common ways people sign off on their emails and I’ll tell you which are the preferred – and which are may be sending the wrong message. Then, woul ...…

You’ve probably wondered whether it is more efficient to turn off a light or your computer when you are not using it – or just leave it on. Well, I will have the “electrical efficiency answer” for that question in this episode. Then, as a father of boys, I am concerned about how views have changed when it comes to boys. Today much of what has a ...…

Commercials will often tell you, for example, that a shampoo will make your hair 5 times “silkier.” Okay let’s think about that. How in the world do you measure how “silky” your hair is – let alone how it is now 5 times silkier than it was before? Yet it is amazing how people fall for it. Also, how good are you at separating the truth from fict ...…

Are you more likely to rate a meal better if it has a mediocre appetizer, a decent main course and a spectacular dessert or the opposite - a meal that has a spectacular appetizer, decent main course and mediocre dessert? I’ll tell you the answer and why it is important. Then, are you doing everything you can to take care of your brain? You’ve p ...…

People in western countries smile a lot. For example, we smile at people on the street for no real reason. In many other countries, all this smiling could get you in trouble. I’ll explain. Then, we explore the benefits of just being out in nature. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods (http://amzn.to/2tY1LF4) and Vitamin N (http://amz ...…

When you have a big decision to make, all kinds of things can influence that decision. But one thing I bet you never thought of was the lighting in the room. Yet, it turns out that lighting can have a significant impact on a decision you make. I’ll explain how and what is optimal “decision making lighting.” Then, my discussion with theoretical ...…

Of course you know that if your hand is in water long enough, your fingertips get shriveled up and wrinkly. But wait, everything else in the world SWELLS up when it gets wet, so why do fingers do the opposite? I think you’ll find the answer quite interesting. Also, what is the Internet – and where is the Internet? We think of the Internet as be ...…

Okay, if you were to stand in downtown Detroit and start walking south for as long as it took, what is the first foreign country you would encounter? This is one of the fascinating questions/facts that I know you will find interesting – and might even win you a drink in a bar bet. Then, it is so weird what things influence your opinion and enjo ...…

Everyone knows that as you age, your mental function declines. But when does that begin? Age 40? 50? I’ll tell you what the science says. Then, we look at the history of your home. Every room in your home has a story to tell. The bedroom is particularly fascinating and wait until you hear about your bathroom! Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Hist ...…

This episode starts with 3 great tips that will help you save time and get more done from one of the world’s top productivity experts. Then, there are 5 communities in the world – called “Blue Zones” – where the people live substantially longer and with a lot less illness than the rest of us. So what goes on in these places that drastically imp ...…

Ever have that feeling that you’re being watched? Or stared at? Do humans really have the ability to know if someone is watching them? We’ll explore that.Also, there are two ways to get rich - assuming you don’t inherit the money. Lewis Schiff, Executive Director of The Business Owners Council and author of the book Business Brilliant: Surprisi ...…

Some people love rollercoasters and scary movies – but why? What is the appeal of being scared half to death? Today, you'll find out why.Then, we’ve all been in the situation where we HAVE to perform well and because of that we lose our confidence, get nervous and catastrophize all the horrible things that could happen if we fail. Why on earth ...…

Do people have to take off their shoes before coming into your house? In Asian cultures this is a pretty common custom – and I’ll explore all the reasons why this is a really good idea for everyone, everywhere else too.Then we’ll look at pros and cons of popularity. In high school, being popular is great – but it turns out that there are 2 type ...…

The number of parents of who spank their kids as a means of discipline has dropped significantly over the past several decades – but some parents still do it. And in other countries, spanking is much more commonplace. But for those parents who still spank, there is a new reason to stop – and it has nothing to do with the kid – and all to do wit ...…

You know that strawberries, garlic, tomatoes and broccoli are good for you but interestingly, how you cook them can make them more – or less - healthy. I’ll explore that in this episode. Then, how well do you take care of your health and well-being? In order to really take good care of your health, you need to understand what good health looks ...…

If you use a wire brush to clean your outdoor grill – you should stop because someone could get hurt. I’ll start this episode by explaining why.Also, we don’t hesitate to treat physical wounds – but emotional wounds are things we tend to shrug off and assume time will heal – except sometimes it doesn’t. Psychologist Guy Winch author of the book ...…

One of the joys of summer is being able to go barefoot – as long as you are careful. But of course many business establishments won’t allow you inside because, they say, it is against the law or it violates health regulations if they let you in without shoes. . And that is completely false. Going barefoot is illegal NOWHERE in the U.S.Also, we ...…

It’s the weirdest thing – but when you make typos in your emails it does a couple of unusual things that can really influence what the reader thinks of what you wrote – and what they think of you as a person. Then, if you have a complainer in your life – run, don’t walk. Complaining makes you stupid and ruins your chances for success. Trevor Bl ...…

Every credit card bill comes with a due date. And if you pay the balance every month by the due date – you don’t pay any interest. But if you carry a balance month-to-month, the rules are different. You pay interest every day on the unpaid balance. So, the question is, if you make your payment earlier than the due date, do you save money? We st ...…

Are your legs crossed right now? You’ve probably heard that crossing your legs can lead to varicose veins, high blood pressure and other health problems. Are these concerns real or are they myths? Find out as we begin this episode of the podcast. Also, can you make yourself smarter or is your intelligence level set? Well, in recent years it has ...…

Everyone feels safer when a lifeguard is on duty. But you may be relying more on the lifeguard than you should, especially if you have kids. In this episode we start by discussing what you may not know about swimming safety – with or without a lifeguard. And this information could save your life one day.Then the weird paradox of the human brain ...…

What’s the best way to NOT get a ticket from the cops? In this episode, we start off with some advice from actual police officers that will help you walk away with maybe just a warning.Also, how much clutter is in your life? Is it a problem for you? Professional organizer Dorothy Breininger from the A&E TV show “Hoarders” and author of the book ...…

New clothes are not necessarily CLEAN clothes. In fact, there is a good chance other people have worn your new clothes before you. We start this episode discussing why and how to wash new clothes before you wear them. Also, how self-aware are you? Do you really understand who you really are and do you understand how other people really see you? ...…

People who overeat tend to do so at the same time on the same days. You’ll discover when those times are so you can defend yourself against temptation.Plus, solving problems and developing new ideas doesn’t come from focus and concentration as much as it does from “unfocusing” and letting your mind wander. Psychiatrist Dr. Srini Pollay author o ...…

The 3-digit security code on your credit card is for, well – security. But does it really do anything to keep you secure? We’ll explore that on today’s episode.Plus, social media marketing is supposed to be the way to go for brands who want to reach those desirable consumers. But does social media marketing work better than other forms of marke ...…

When you negotiate your salary, you can feel very insecure and unsure of yourself. How much are you worth? How much should you ask for? Who should throw out the first number? In this episode, you will get some proven tactics that will make you feel powerful - and help you get more money.Then, what is the one thing you should be doing right now? ...…

Want to keep your fresh cut flowers, fresher? My grandmother always said put aspirin in the water and I’ve also heard you should put a penny in the water or some sugar. Well someone actually tested all these things out – and you’ll hear the results and discover what works best, just in time for Mother’s Day.Also, you constantly receive criticis ...…

Just like food, medications have expiration dates. But just how accurate are they? Is it better to take an expired medication or no medication at all? We’ll explore that in this episode of the podcast.Then, when you cook on the grill, there are a lot of theories on how you should do it. But a lot of those theories are wrong. To help you underst ...…

What’s your favorite sleep position? It turns out that one sleep position is better than the others for eliminating “brain waste” and preventing Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s and other brain problems. In this episode, you’ll discover the best way to sleep.Also, how do you spot a liar? It’s not just one or two things – you have to understand ...…

Spring brings potholes. And while you try to avoid them, sometimes you cannot. So what is the best way to navigate one? I’ll explain what automotive experts say.Also in this episode, some companies give their workers time off to work on their own projects in hopes it will pay dividends for the company. Is it a good idea? Would it work where you ...…

Some people can’t imagine exercise without having their cellphone. You can listen to music, text and chat and it helps the time fly by. Well, there is also a problem with exercising with your cellphone and we will discuss what this is in this episode of the podcast.Have you heard of oxytocin? It’s sometimes called the "moral molecule." Oxytocin ...…

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” You’ve heard that a million times because it isn’t fair to judge someone by their looks alone. Okay, fair enough. But maybe those initial snap judgments serve a purpose. We’ll explore that on today’s episode of the podcast.Almost everyone has had a garage sale or sold something on eBay or Craigslist. It’s fun ...…

Have you ever stayed out too late and then had to show up at work the next morning looking and sounding bright and chipper like everything is fine? According to science, there are a few tactics that will help you look and feel better in that situation – and help get you through the day.Then, what’s the best way to deal with a bad boss? Here to ...…

When you cook with alcohol we all know that it burns off pretty quickly – right? Wrong. You will be amazed how long it takes for alcohol to disappear. And this is a big deal if you are cooking for kids or people who, for whatever reason, don’t want to have alcohol. Also, the topic of “intellectual property” confuses a lot of people. And for goo ...…

You probably think identity thieves are looking on the Internet to steal your identity. And while that is partly true – that is not the way most identities are stolen. In this episode, I am going tell you how you put yourself at risk and how to protect your identity from prying eyes. Plus, I bet you have heard the advice “Follow your passion…” ...…

Did you know you can use your travel mug as a safe to store valuables? Or that you should email yourself a photo of your passport & ID before you go on a trip? These are just a few of the interesting travel tips we’ll discuss in this episode.Plus, think about how you got to where you are today and chances are that luck or chance encounters you ...…

Do you really have a year to send a wedding gift? That turns out to be one of several etiquette myths we’ll explore on today’s episode. Also, we’ve all heard the stories of terrible, deadly disease outbreaks in other countries that take a devastating toll on the people who live there. Unfortunately, with modern air travel, those diseases could ...…

Next time you do something really embarrassing in front of other people – you will remember what I am going to tell you in this episode – and it will make you feel a lot better about whatever embarrassing thing you did.Then, we are going to look at the problems created by parents today who give too much and do too much for their kids. Richard W ...…

What’s the best way to deal with a jerk? Well, according to psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston, there is one word that will shut them up – and it is kind of fun to watch. That’s first up today on this episode of the podcast.Plus, what does your dog really think about? Probably not what you think. Camilla Gray-Nelson, author of Lipstick & the Leash: ...…

Did you know emergency room doctors hate Ramen Noodle Soup? It’s one of several things many ER doctors say they never have in their home. I’ll tell you what those things are and why they are dangerous. Also, someone somewhere came up the contemporary rules for sleep – that kids sleep in their room, mom and dad sleep together in another room etc ...…

Next time you are stressed, there is one particular song you need to listen to – it’s Weightless by Macaroni Union. In this episode, I’ll explain what is so magical about this song and where to find it. Also, are you using your mind correctly? The demands of the world require your mind to adapt but it doesn’t always adapt very well. For example ...…

That motorcycle just came out of nowhere! How often have you had that experience? There is actually a fascinating reason why drivers in cars have such a hard time seeing and avoiding motorcycles. I’ll explain what it is and what you can do about it.Plus, taking care of your brain. You may have thought your brain pretty much takes care of itself ...…

Some things you swear are true – just aren’t. For example, you’ve heard that sugar causes hyperactivity in children, right? Or that you should never touch a baby bird or put it back in its nest because the mother will smell your scent and abandon the baby –yes? Both not true. And just two of the several myths I will explode right at the top of ...…

Do you act trustworthy because people perceive you that way – or do people perceive you as trustworthy because you act that way? Confusing, huh? But it’s also fascinating how people judge us based on how we look – and we in turn behave how people expect. We’ll explore this so it all makes sense.Also, you can actually train yourself to think sma ...…

What is your favorite fast food hot dog? 5 Guys? Shake Shack? Burger King? A self-proclaimed hot dog connoisseur did the research – and see if you agree when you hear the results of her investigation - which is first up in this episode of the podcast. Also, being an introvert is often considered to be a negative trait. But is it really? Susan C ...…

You are wasting too much time on email. It’s estimated that you waste 30 seconds each time you stop and check it. So how can you cut down on the amount of time you waste? In this episode, you’ll discover some great techniques that can cut your time in half.Also, if you are concerned about aging and you want to age well, there is some great news ...…

“Maybe you should sleep on it before you decide.” That’s pretty common advice – but is it good advice? We’ll explore the science of sleeping on a decision before you make it.Also, brand loyalty isn’t what it used to be. In the past, brand loyalty meant a lot because there wasn’t much other information to go on in order to make a good buying dec ...…

What motivates you? Money is probably high on the list. But it is important to realize that there IS a list. Money isn’t the only thing. In fact money can sometimes be a de-motivator. So you see it’s complicated. Here to explain it is Dan Ariely,he is a professor at Duke University, and author of the book Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Ou ...…

Ever feel hopeless? Humans are born to be hopeful. Interact with any 2-year old and you will see and hear nothing but hope in what they say and do. Yet sometimes, as adults, we lose hope. Then what? On today’s podcast I want to share with you an interview I did a while back with Dr. Shane Lopez, author of the book Making Hope Happen. Dr. Lopez ...…