What makes a man attractive to a woman? Obviously it depends on the people and a lot of other individual factors. However, evolution plays a role in this and I’ll explain why the color red and the size of one of a man’s fingers can actually make him more appealing to women. Then, we explore the problem many of us have – performing under pressur ...…

Itching. Just the mention of it probably makes you itch – and you REALLY want to scratch that itch, don't you? But why? Why do itch and why does it feel so good to scratch it? Find out in today’s episode. Then, you probably have been or will be on the Google website today, or use Google Docs or YouTube or some other Google product. Why is Googl ...…

If you have a newer car that doesn’t require a key, there’s a good chance you have – or almost have – forgotten to turn the engine off. Since you don’t have to turn the key off like in older cars, it is easy to forget. That’s creating some problems that you need to know about if you have – or plan to have a car with a keyless ignition. Then, if ...…

There are zippers all over your house - on your clothes, on your purses and backpacks. And if you look closely, some of those zippers probably have the initials YKK on them. I’ll explain how I know that and what says about that zipper. Then, people use numbers and statistics to support their argument all the time. The weird thing is we tend to ...…

Why are there no male waiters at Hooters? Why are there no male Rockettes? Isn’t that discrimination? Actually, the law allows it and I’ll explain how and why. Then, if you don’t want to do stupid things you need to hear what Adam Robinson has to say. Adam is one of the co-founders of the Princeton Review and is now a top financial adviser. I w ...…

Have you ever put your car in “Drive” while it is still rolling backwards a little bit? People do it all the time – yet it is terrible for your car. I’ll explore this and several other things drivers do that can ruin their car and hurt the value. Then, a look at how your own perceptions often deceive you. For example, would you notice something ...…

You probably assume that in almost any situation, a face-to-face meeting is always better than a phone call or email or text. And certainly if you are inviting someone on a date, you would think face-to-face is the way to go. But is it? Could technology improve your odds of success over old-fashioned face-to-face? I think you’ll find this inter ...…

From an early age you were told not to lie. Yet we all do it to some degree. And maybe that’s not all bad. When you look at kids who lie, the research reveals some very interesting things – and we will explore that in today’s episode. Also, how many times have you looked back on a conversation and wish you had said something different – somethi ...…

Do you swear? Sometimes – at least for some of us – it is hard NOT to. And it just may be appropriate when you are in pain. Some fascinating research offers some real benefits of profanity - when used sparingly. Also, there is an interesting phenomenon in sports – and that is, how some teams dominate a sport for several years. They become a dyn ...…

Penicillin is great for treating a lot of common medical complaints. But a lot of people avoid penicillin because they believe they are allergic to it. We begin this episode by revealing why most of those people are wrong. How can that be? I’ll explain. Then, Mark Manson, the author of the best-selling book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck ...…

When you go grocery shopping you are bombarded by health claims. Food labels claim things are all-natural, organic, multi-grain and 100% this or that. But what do these claims really mean to you? You may be surprised to discover how much of it is hype and doesn’t really mean much. Plus, do you eavesdrop? Yes, you do. Eavesdropping – that is obt ...…

People generally believe attractive people are smarter than unattractive people. Why? Good question. We’ll explore that and other things that influence how you think. Then, why is a conservative - conservative and a liberal – a liberal? Where do our core beliefs come from? And can people change our minds about them? Can we change theirs? Dr. Mi ...…

Many grocery stores now boast that they sell “locally grown” produce. Perhaps you’ve wondered just how local is it – where does that locally grown produce come from? We begin this episode with an explanation of just how far away produce can originate and still be called – locally grown. Then, let’s take a look at how you think. In particular, a ...…

Everyone knows that coffee can help you think and focus and can even improve your mood – especially that first cup in the morning. Years ago, coffee advertising contained the tagline… “Coffee, the THINK drink.” But it just may be that all the research showing how good coffee and caffeine are for mental function is flawed. If you are a coffee dr ...…

When you get pulled over by the police, it can be very hard to talk your way out of getting a ticket – but not impossible. This episode begins with some suggestions by a police officer of what NOT to say to a cop who pulls you over and you’ll learn why less is more when it comes to talking your way out of that ticket. Plus, the importance of fr ...…

This episodes starts with a discussion about the psychological tricks grocery stores use to get you to spend more time in the store. Because the more time you spend, the more money you spend. However, when you understand what some of these tricks are, you can prevent yourself from falling victim to them and as a result, save yourself some money ...…

Someday you will need a plumber – and there are some things you need to understand before you that emergency comes and in fact, there are a few things you should know that may prevent that emergency from coming or at least delay it. Most people think they are good drivers. But are they really? It depends on your definition of what a good driver ...…

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 ...…