Something You Should Know
Why You Really Should Talk to Strangers & What Could Actually End the World
If you have a goal you really want to accomplish, when you start may matter more than you think. January 1st gets all the attention, but there are other dates and occasions that can give you a surprisingly powerful motivational boost. https://behavioralscientist.org/new-years-resolutions-failed-be-prepared-to-leverage-other-fresh-starts How often do you strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know very well? Probably not as often as you could. It is usually easier to look at your phone, avoid eye contact and keep to yourself. Yet those little interactions you have with a cashier, a neighbor, a coworker or even a stranger in line can have a surprisingly big impact on your life. And chances are, you are seriously underestimating how much you and the other person will enjoy them. Nicholas Epley joins me to explain the fascinating research showing what happens when we become just a little more social and why the payoff can extend well beyond simply having a pleasant conversation. Nicholas is a professor of behavioral science and director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His new book is A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection (https://amzn.to/4g5vYHf). Spend enough time watching the news and it can seem as if the end of the world is always just around the corner. Nuclear war, artificial intelligence, asteroids, pandemics, climate change — there appears to be no shortage of things that could wipe us out. But which threats should genuinely worry us, which ones are wildly exaggerated. Ben Bradford has been investigating the things that supposedly threaten our existence and what he has discovered may change how you think about all those dire warnings. Ben is a journalist and host of the NPR podcast Are We Doomed? (https://doompod.com/), which examines the threats facing humanity — both real and imagined. Every time you fill your car with gas, you trust a surprisingly simple piece of technology to do something very important: stop the pump at exactly the right moment. So how does it know? Listen as I reveal the clever bit of engineering hiding inside every gas pump. https://www.southernliving.com/should-you-keep-pumping-gas-after-the-nozzle-clicks-off-12027088 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. 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! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You Might Also Like: Stateside with Kai and Carter
Introducing Lindsay Clancy killed her children. Here's why so many women still support her. from Stateside with Kai and Carter. Follow the show: Stateside with Kai and Carter The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former nurse accused of murdering her three children, is wrapping up its fifth week. On Friday morning, the defense rested, and the public attention to the case is at a fever-pitch — especially on social media. Clancy, 36, does not deny that she strangled her children, but has pleaded not guilty due to lack of criminal responsibility, also known as an insanity defense. She argues that she was in the throes of postpartum psychosis, a rare and devastating condition that can go unrecognized and untreated. Host Carter Sherman speaks with Jenna Amatulli, deputy head of news for Guardian US, about how the case has renewed attention on the fundamental shortcomings in America's maternal healthcare system, and about why Clancy's story has captivated—and polarized—so many people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.
SYSK TRENDING - How to Improve Your Focus
It seems like paying attention should be easy. Yet for many of us, it has become one of the hardest things to do. We start reading an article and suddenly we're checking email. We pick up our phone to do one thing and, twenty minutes later, we've forgotten why we picked it up in the first place. We often blame ourselves for lacking discipline, but what if that's only part of the story? Is our ability to focus actually being stolen—and if so, by whom? Journalist and bestselling author Johann Hari set out to answer those questions by traveling the world and interviewing many of the leading scientists and experts studying attention, distraction, and the brain. What he discovered challenges many of the assumptions we have about why it's become so difficult to concentrate and why simply trying harder isn't enough. In this fascinating conversation, Johann explains what's really happening to our attention, why deep focus matters so much for creativity, productivity, happiness, and relationships, and what all of us can do to reclaim it. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by distractions or wondered why staying focused seems harder than it used to, you'll find this discussion both eye-opening and surprisingly hopeful. Johann Hari is the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—And How to Think Deeply Again (https://amzn.to/3Mfsp12). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. 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! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside Amazon's Empire & How Social Media Is Rewriting Your Life
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "It smells like rain"? It turns out that distinctive scent is very real—and it's not your imagination. Scientists know exactly where it comes from, why some people notice it more than others, and why it can signal that rain is on the way. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-causes-the-smell-after-rain-180974692/ Love Amazon or hate it, there's no denying it has changed the way we shop—and perhaps the way business itself is done. But how did Amazon become so dominant? What really happened behind the scenes as Jeff Bezos built one of the world's most powerful companies? The story is far more complicated—and far more surprising—than most people realize. Joining me to pull back the curtain is Dana Mattioli, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has been reporting on Amazon for years. She is author of The Everything War: Amazon's Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power (https://amzn.to/4qdwEin). We like to think social media simply documents our lives. But what if it's quietly changing the way we experience them in the first place? Are vacations, birthdays, dinners, and even everyday moments becoming less about living them and more about making them look good on Instagram? Kathryn Jezer-Morton says social media isn't just influencing what we post—it is reshaping our memories, our identities, and the stories we tell about ourselves. Kathryn is a journalist, New York magazine columnist, and author of The Story of Your Life: How Social Media Shapes the Way We Experience Everything (https://amzn.to/3Skz16s). There's something about hotel towels that just feels better. They're softer, fluffier, and more luxurious than the ones hanging in most bathrooms at home. Is it the towels themselves, or is there a simple trick hotels know that most of us don't? The answer may surprise you—and it could make every shower a little more enjoyable. https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/laundry/how-to-make-your-towels-soft-and-fluffy-again/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. 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! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Your Brain Reacts in a Disaster & Exploring Healthy Solitude - SYSK Choice
Most people think dogs see the world only in black and white—but that's simply not true. Dogs do see color, just not the same colors you do. Understanding how your dog actually experiences the world explains everything from why certain toys are easier to find to why some colors practically disappear. It's a fascinating glimpse into life through your dog's eyes. Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200810/can-dogs-see-colors Disasters strike without warning, leaving people with only seconds to react. Yet those first few moments often determine who survives and who doesn't. Surprisingly, the biggest factor isn't always physical strength, experience, or even luck. It's how your brain responds under extreme stress. Amanda Ripley has spent years studying real-life disasters and the people who lived through them. She explains what happens inside your mind during an emergency, why so many people freeze or make dangerous decisions, and what you can do now to dramatically improve your chances when the unthinkable happens. Amanda is author of the book The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why (https://amzn.to/4fGJakN). Many people think spending lots of time alone is a sign that something is wrong—that you're lonely, antisocial, or missing out on life. But research tells a very different story. Solitude, when chosen rather than forced, can improve creativity, emotional resilience, relationships, and even your overall well-being. Psychologist Netta Weinstein explains why healthy solitude is one of the most misunderstood tools for living a happier, healthier life—and how to know whether you're getting too much, too little, or just the right amount. She is author of the book Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone (https://amzn.to/3X1XkWf). Your phone goes almost everywhere you do—into your hands, your pocket, your car, the kitchen, even the bathroom. Along the way, it quietly picks up far more than texts and emails. The surprising part isn't that your phone is covered with germs—it's how easily those germs can wind up on you. Listen as I explain why your phone deserves more attention than you probably give it and the simple habit that can keep it from becoming a health hazard. Source: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/quick-dose-is-your-cell-phone-making-you-sick PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Psychology of Infidelity & How to Improve Your Executive Function
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lose their hearing gradually while insisting they hear just fine? It turns out this isn't simply denial or stubbornness. The way hearing fades can fool the brain into believing everything is normal—often delaying treatment until significant hearing has already been lost. Listen as I explain what's really happening and why recognizing the signs isn't nearly as easy as you might think. Source: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss Few things are more painful—or more confusing—than discovering a partner has been unfaithful. Why do people risk everything for an affair? Is it simply a lack of self-control, or is something much deeper happening beneath the surface? And if infidelity comes to light, is the relationship automatically doomed, or can couples actually recover? Glenn Hutchinson, a clinical psychologist and behavioral researcher, joins me to separate myth from science and reveal what decades of research tells us about why people cheat, what their behavior really means, and what happens next. He is author of the new book Unfaithful Minds: The Science and Psychology of Infidelity (https://amzn.to/3UedjS8). Why do smart, capable people forget appointments, lose their train of thought, make impulsive decisions, or struggle to stay focused—even when they know better? The answer lies in something called executive function, the remarkable system in your brain that quietly manages attention, planning, memory, emotional control, and decision-making. When it works well, life feels easier. When it doesn't, the consequences can show up everywhere. Adrian Owen, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario, explains how executive function shapes nearly everything you do—and, more importantly, what you can do to strengthen it. He is author of the new book Think Before You Think: Understanding and Mastering Executive Function (https://amzn.to/4fGvlFd). Why do so many projects seem to fly along at first... only to crawl painfully toward the finish line? Whether you're remodeling a house, writing a report, or tackling a long to-do list, there's a surprising psychological reason the last stretch often feels endless. Once you understand what's happening, you'll have a much better chance of finishing on time instead of wondering where all the extra time disappeared. Source: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/planning-fallacy PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SYSK TRENDING - Understanding Physical Intelligence
Most of us think of intelligence as something that happens entirely in the brain. But there's another kind of intelligence that lives in your body. It's what allows you to ride a bicycle years after your last ride, catch a ball without calculating its path, type on a keyboard without looking, or instinctively keep your balance on uneven ground. Scientists call this physical intelligence, and it's far more important to your everyday life than you may realize. According to my guest Scott Grafton, your body and brain are constantly working together in ways you're barely aware of. In fact, many of the skills you rely on every day don't come from conscious thought at all—they come from this remarkable partnership between mind and body. Modern life, however, may be working against us. As technology makes more of our daily tasks easier and more automated, we may be losing opportunities to develop and maintain the very abilities that help us navigate the physical world. That has consequences that go well beyond athletic performance. Scott Grafton is a professor of neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the book Physical Intelligence: The Science of How the Body and the Mind Guide Each Other Through Life (https://amzn.to/3aiI4dm). Listen as he explains how physical intelligence shapes the way we learn, move, solve problems, and interact with the world—and why challenging your body may be one of the best things you can do for your brain. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why So Many People Feel Empty & The Truth About What Humans Should Eat
Heat can make people do some strange things. It can change your mood, cloud your judgment, and even affect the way you treat other people. Scientists have discovered that hot weather has a surprisingly powerful influence on the human mind—and the effects show up in places you would never expect. Listen as I explain what's really going on and why it's important to know. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/06/heat-affects-mental-health More people today say they feel their lives lack meaning and purpose than at any point in recent decades. Why? Has modern life quietly stripped away something essential—or are we simply searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places? And if purpose really is the key to a happier life, where does it actually come from? There is no better person to explore these questions with than my guest Arthur Brooks. He is a professor at Harvard Business School, one of the world's leading experts on happiness and human flourishing, a nationally syndicated columnist, CBS News contributor, and co-author with Oprah Winfrey of the bestselling book Build the Life You Want. His latest book is The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness (https://amzn.to/4yUyVTp). If you've ever wondered what truly gives life meaning—and why so many people struggle to find it—you'll find this conversation fascinating. Every few months it seems we're told to stop eating one food and start eating another. Fat is bad—until it isn't. Carbs are the problem—unless they're not. With so much conflicting advice, it's no wonder so many people have no idea what a healthy diet actually looks like. According to Daniel Lieberman, much of what we've been taught about food is based on myths, misconceptions, and oversimplified thinking. Lieberman is Chair of the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and author of Fed Up: A Hungry Person's Guide to the Story and Science of Food and Diets (https://amzn.to/4btal2d). He explains what the science really says, why nutrition has become so confusing, and how understanding our evolutionary past can help us make smarter decisions about what we eat. Have you ever worried that everyone could tell you were nervous? Maybe before giving a presentation, going on a date, or walking into an interview? Most of us assume our anxiety is obvious—but is it? The answer may surprise you. Listen as I reveal what researchers discovered about how well other people can actually read your emotions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9731312/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Waste Less Food and Save Money & Why Insects Rule the World -SYSK Choice
Ever wonder why you're always told to wait about 10 seconds before turning your phone, computer, router, or tablet back on after rebooting it? Is there really something magical about 10 seconds, or is it just one of those tech myths everyone repeats? The answer has to do with what happens inside your device after the power goes off—and why waiting just a little while can make all the difference. https://www.howtogeek.com/165110/do-i-really-have-to-unplug-my-cable-modem-for-at-least-10-seconds/ Americans throw away an astonishing amount of perfectly good food—about 40% of everything produced. That's money straight into the trash, and much of it is completely avoidable. The surprising part is that food waste often has less to do with leftovers and more to do with everyday habits, confusing expiration dates, oversized refrigerators, and the way we shop. Kathryn Kellogg explains simple, practical changes that can dramatically reduce waste, save you money, and make life a little easier. Kathryn is founder of Going Zero Waste and author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste (https://amzn.to/3yfHSMV) Kathryn's website GoingZeroWaste.com https://www.goingzerowaste.com Insects may be tiny, but they are among the most successful creatures ever to inhabit Earth. They pollinate crops, recycle dead plants and animals, feed countless other species, and have survived for hundreds of millions of years. Yet most of us know almost nothing about them. Why are there so many insects? What's the difference between a bug and an insect? Why do some live only a day while others survive for decades? And what would happen if they disappeared? Steve Nicholls answers these questions and reveals why the future of insects is closely tied to our own. Steve is an Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker and author of Alien Worlds: How Insects Conquered the Earth, and Why Their Fate Will Determine Our Future (https://amzn.to/4d1M1mP). An afternoon nap might seem like an indulgence, but research suggests it can be one of the easiest ways to improve alertness, memory, learning, and even problem-solving ability. The key isn't sleeping for hours—it's knowing how long to nap so you wake up refreshed instead of groggy. Listen as I explain why a short daytime snooze can actually make you smarter. https://www.prevention.com/health/sleep-energy/a69068628/are-naps-healthy/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Hidden Science of Imagination & What AI Still Doesn't Understand
Humans are remarkably bad at predicting how long something will take. Whether it's a home project, a work assignment, or even a quick trip across town, we almost always underestimate the time involved. Psychologists have studied this tendency for decades—and understanding why it happens can help you make better plans, meet more deadlines, and avoid unnecessary frustration. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/planning-fallacy We tend to think of imagination as something artists, inventors, and children rely on. But imagination is actually one of the most powerful—and overlooked—abilities we all possess. It shapes the decisions you make, the problems you solve, the goals you pursue, and even the life you create. There is fascinating science behind how imagination works, and once you understand it, you can use it far more effectively. My guest is Dr. Cassandra Vieten, clinical psychologist, Director of Research at the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at the University of California, San Diego, and author of the book Imagine That: Unlocking the Science of Imagination to Transform the Way You Think, Feel, and Live (https://amzn.to/4bqbZl7) Here is the link to discover your imagination profile: https://imagination.ucsd.edu/profile/ Artificial intelligence can write essays, diagnose diseases, generate stunning images, and defeat the world's best chess players. Yet ask it to perform certain tasks that are effortless for a human child, and it can stumble badly. Why? What exactly makes AI so powerful in some areas—and surprisingly weak in others? Beneath the headlines are some fascinating realities about how AI actually works and where it still falls short. Here to explain it is Toby Walsh, one of the world's leading AI researchers. He is Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales, Chief Scientist at its AI Institute, and author of The Shortest History of AI: The Six Essential Ideas That Animate It (https://amzn.to/4hCjycc) When a highway lane is closed ahead, should you merge immediately or wait until the very end? Most drivers have strong opinions, but traffic engineers have spent years studying what actually keeps traffic moving. The answer is NOT what many people expect—and understanding it may change the way you drive through every construction zone. https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/FHWA-HRT-23-070.pdf= PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SYSK- TRENDING - What Your Dog is Really Thinking
Anyone who has ever owned a dog has probably wondered what goes on inside that furry little head. Does your dog feel guilty after chewing up your favorite shoes? Does it know when you've had a bad day? Does it love you the way you love it? We often assume we know what our dogs are thinking, but many of our assumptions are completely wrong. Understanding how dogs actually perceive the world can transform the relationship you have with your pet. According to dog behavior expert Camilla Gray-Nelson, dogs don't think the way humans do, and many common training mistakes happen because people expect dogs to understand things they simply don't. Once you begin to see the world from your dog's perspective, communication becomes easier, unwanted behaviors are easier to change, and training becomes far less frustrating—for both of you. Camilla shares fascinating insights into how dogs interpret our actions, what motivates their behavior, and how to build a happier, more cooperative relationship with your four-legged companion. She is author of Lipstick & the Leash: Dog Training a Woman's Way (http://amzn.to/2mkKr5Z). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Find the Best Airfares Every Time & What Burnout Really Means
When you're hungry, you know you're more interested in food. But hunger also changes the way you think—and the effects can spill over into decisions that have nothing to do with eating. Researchers have discovered some surprising consequences of making important choices on an empty stomach. https://www.dundee.ac.uk/press-release/dont-make-major-decisions-empty-stomach-research-suggests Finding cheap airfare has become almost a game. People swear by booking on Tuesdays, searching in incognito mode, or buying tickets at a certain time of day. But how much of that actually works? The truth is that airline pricing is driven by a surprisingly complex system—and once you understand what really causes fares to rise and fall, you can dramatically improve your odds of paying less. Here with an insider's look at how airfare pricing really works is Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), which tracks airfare deals for more than two million travelers worldwide. Listening to this conversation will save you money. People say they're "burned out" all the time. But are they really? According to the official definition, true burnout is far less common than most people think. In fact, many people who believe they're burned out are actually dealing with something very different—and treating the wrong problem only makes things worse. Psychotherapist and mental strength expert Amy Morin explains how to tell the difference, what burnout really looks like, and the practical steps that can help you regain your energy. Amy hosts the award-winning Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin podcast (https://amymorinlcsw.com/podcasts/), her TEDx Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFbv757kup4) has been viewed more than 25 million times, and she is author of The Mental Strength Playbook. (https://amzn.to/4yG8yR5). Waiting in line, sitting on hold, or watching the spinning wheel on your computer can feel maddening. But here's the interesting part: it's often not the wait itself that frustrates us. What really gets under our skin is something else entirely. Once you understand why waiting feels so unpleasant, you'll discover a few surprisingly simple ways to make almost any wait seem much shorter and more tolerable. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/15/i-waited-45-minutes-to-buy-a-single-croissant-in-fitzroy-why-do-humans-queue PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor’s 30-day money back guarantee 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: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Science of Happier Spending & How to Set Healthy Boundaries - SYSK Choice
Does your signature reveal more about you than just your name? It turns out the way you sign your name may influence what people assume about your personality, confidence, and even your success—whether those assumptions are accurate or not. Listen as I explain what your signature may be saying every time you put pen to paper. https://graciousliving.typepad.com/the_write_event/2003/11/what_does_your_.html Why do so many purchases that seem exciting at first end up leaving us...underwhelmed? We chase the next gadget, car, vacation, or pair of shoes hoping it will make us happier, yet the feeling rarely lasts. Is there a better way to spend your money so it actually improves your life? According to Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton, there is—and it has surprisingly little to do with how much you spend. Michael is the author of the book Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending (https://amzn.to/3iFzDOq). Listen as he explains how a few simple changes in the way you spend can produce far more satisfaction than buying more stuff. Setting boundaries sounds simple—until you're the one who has to do it. Say yes too often and people take advantage of you. Say no too forcefully and you risk damaging relationships. So how do you establish boundaries that people actually respect without coming across as selfish, cold, or difficult? Joining me with practical, real-world advice is licensed therapist and relationship expert Terri Cole, author of Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free. (https://amzn.to/3AhKXwz) Most people only see what happens in the dining room of a restaurant. The real story unfolds behind the kitchen doors. Restaurant workers have revealed some surprising secrets about what goes on behind the scenes—from menu tricks to customer habits—that may change the way you order your next meal. Listen as I share some of the most fascinating insider revelations. (https://abcnews.go.com/Business/13-secrets-waiter-tips-menu/story?id=16948508) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Stop the Pain of Rejection & How Couples Can Fight Without Falling Apart
Walk through a crowded airport or packed stadium and something remarkable happens. Thousands of people weave around each other without collisions, almost as if everyone is reading everyone else's mind. Yet no one is directing traffic. So how does your brain constantly predict where complete strangers are about to move—and why does it work so well? (https://www.nature.com/articles/nature08260) Rejection stings. Whether it's being turned down for a job, ignored after asking someone out, or hearing "no" when you were hoping for "yes," most of us spend a lot of energy trying to avoid it. But what if that's exactly backward? What if deliberately seeking rejection could make you more confident, more successful, and surprisingly happier? Jia Jiang decided to test that idea by intentionally getting rejected 100 times in 100 days. What happened changed the course of his life—and it may change the way you think about rejection forever. Jia is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and bestselling author. His TED Talk has been viewed more than 11 million times, and he is author of the book Easy Discipline: An Unconventional Way to Achieve Ambitious Things (https://amzn.to/4feqHOq). Every couple argues. The real challenge is to understand what those fights are actually about. The disagreement over dirty dishes, money, or who's late again is often just the surface of something much deeper. Once you understand what's really driving those recurring arguments, everything changes. Relationship therapist Kim Polinder explains why couples keep having the same fights, how to stop damaging each other in the process, and what healthy conflict really looks like. Kim has helped hundreds of thousands of people through her work online (https://www.youtube.com/@engineeringlovepodcast) and is author of Why We Fight: A Transformative Road Map to Healing Conflict in Any Relationship. (https://amzn.to/45nZ1AF). Your signature probably wasn't always a scribble. When you first learned to sign your name, you likely wrote every letter carefully and neatly. So why do almost everyone's signature eventually become an indecipherable scrawl? It turns out there's an interesting psychological reason behind that evolution—and it says more about you than you might think. https://www.wired.com/story/is-your-wobbly-illegible-touchscreen-signature-still-you/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SYSK TRENDING - Mysteries That Science Can’t Explain
Some mysteries have been solved by science. Others remain surprisingly stubborn. Despite all our advances in technology and research, there are still questions that continue to puzzle some of the brightest minds on Earth. Do we really have free will? Why does the placebo effect work? Have extraterrestrials ever tried to contact us? Those are just a few of the scientific mysteries you are about to explore. Why do these mysteries persist? Is it because we simply don't have enough evidence yet, or are some answers beyond our ability to discover? Joining me to examine some of the most intriguing unanswered questions in science is Michael Brooks. Michael is an award-winning science writer and author of the book 13 Things That Don't Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time (https://amzn.to/2NvuAmO). Listen as he explains what scientists know, what they suspect, and where the biggest gaps in our understanding still remain. If history has taught us anything, it's that today's impossible mystery can become tomorrow's accepted fact. Along the way, though, scientists must separate evidence from speculation, challenge long-held assumptions, and sometimes admit they simply don't know. This conversation explores the fascinating space between certainty and mystery—and why that's often where the most exciting discoveries begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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