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People don’t drown the way you think they do. Someone could drown right in front of you, and you might not notice. It happens all the time. This episode begins by revealing what to look for to spot a drowning person. https://www.thehealthy.com/first-aid/silent-signs-of-drowning/#ixzz3dGUMjhU8
In the United States, we have an expectation of privacy. We are entitled to a private life. But it wasn’t always that way. The idea of privacy is a fairly recent innovation. For a long time, the feeling was you don’t need a private life – unless of course, you have something to hide. Are you entitled to a private life? Is your privacy being eroded by government and technology? Listen as I discuss the history of and future of personal privacy with Tiffany Jenkins. She is a cultural historian and author of the book Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life (https://amzn.to/4f2wxAs).
Do you feel in control of your time? Do you get the things done that are important? Managing time is tricky and complicated. Things change, priorities get shuffled and there is always more to do. How do you get a handle on it all? Here with some great help is Risa Williams, a psychotherapist, speaker, and wellness coach who specializes in time management and goal setting. Risa is author of the book Get Stuff Done Without the Stress (https://amzn.to/4m5Iw2A)
Do pick-up lines ever work on women? What’s the best thing to say if you meet someone you are interested in? What should you not say? As you might imagine, there is research on this which I share in this episode. https://www.businessinsider.com/9-facts-about-flirting-2015-6?
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Aug 7
52 min

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As people age, changes in the eyes require that some to get reading glasses to see things clearly close-up. What’s odd is that women seem to require reading glasses at an earlier age than men. Why? Listen as I reveal the interesting answer. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120623144946.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
We all want to get along and be liked but some people take it to the extreme. These are people pleasers. They worry about what other people think of them. If someone doesn’t return a phone call right away they fear that person is mad at them. If the boss offers criticism they worry they are going to be fired. You may be a people pleaser or know others who are. People pleasing is exhausting. Here with some insight and advice is Meg Josephson. She is a psychotherapist with a particular interest in this topic and she is the author of the book Are You Mad at Me?: How to Stop Focusing on What Others Think and Start Living for You (https://amzn.to/46dZjvR)
Here is the link to Meg’s videos on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megjosephson
Social media and algorithms are impacting language in some ways you can’t imagine. While it is not unlike how other media (television, movies, books etc.) have altered language in the past, this is coming from a very different place for very different reasons. And the momentum seems to ramp up in middle schools. Here to explain this is Adam Aleksic, a linguist and content creator whose work has been mentioned in the New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. Adam is author a book called Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language (https://amzn.to/40Oc9gX)
There are two theories on how to hang a roll of toilet paper. Some say the end should roll down the front while others say the end should roll down the back. Who is correct? Well, it depends. But I can tell you what the inventor of toilet paper had in mind. Listen and find out. https://www.digitaljournal.com/life/yes-there-is-a-correct-way-to-hang-toilet-paper/article/435790
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Aug 4
49 min

It might seem odd, but a lot of dogs get stolen in the United States. Like most other things, it’s all about money. This episode begins with an explanation and a warning about your pet. https://petkeen.com/dognapping-dog-theft-statistics/
Being sensitive is a good thing. Being told you are TOO sensitive is more of an insult. It is perceived as a weakness, as if there is something wrong and the way to fix it is to toughen up. That isn’t going to work according to Jenn Granneman. Yes, being sensitive can be difficult at times but it is also a superpower. Listen as Jenn champions those who are labeled “too sensitive” with research to support her beliefs. She also has some insight for those people who are not highly sensitive but have sensitive people in their lives. Jenn is author of the book Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World (https://amzn.to/456D3Qu).
You probably don’t think about it but recorded sound plays a major role in your life. Music, podcasts, radio, movie and TV sound –it is all very important to us. From Thomas Edison’s first cylindrical recordings to today’s digital downloads and streaming, the history of recorded sound is a story worth hearing. And here to tell it is Jonathan Scott author of the book Into the Groove :The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl (https://amzn.to/3Kh1d2Q).
Even if it is only occasionally, there are still plenty of people who use paper checks to pay for things. If you are one of those people there is something you need to consider the next time you order new checks. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/
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Aug 2
48 min

Your body temperature is about 98 degrees. So why does it feel so hot when you walk outside in 98-degree heat? Shouldn’t you feel just right? I’ll explain all this as I begin this episode. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50080/why-do-we-feel-hot-temperatures-lower-our-body-temp
We all know that stores and online retailers use strategies to influence how we shop and how much we buy. There are the obvious ways they do it and some subtle ways you may miss. Yet, when you understand these strategies, it can make you a better shopper and make you immune to their manipulation. Here to take us behind the scenes of the retail world is Kate Hardcastle. She has worked with iconic brands such as Disney and American Express and she is the author of the book The Science of Shopping: How Psychology and Innovation Create a Winning Retail Strategy (https://amzn.to/3TLXgrr).
Life is full of setbacks. You get fired, you break up with the love of your life, you get sick… there are always setbacks. Yet, you often hear people say in hindsight, “It was the best thing to ever happen to me!” As horrible as setbacks feel when they happen, they can set you up for great success. Here to explain how is Amy Shoenthal She is a journalist, marketing executive and author of the book The Setback Cycle: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward (https://amzn.to/44SQAgo).
Here is the link to Amy’s website: http://www.thesetbackcycle.com
Every summer you hear stories of people being attacked by an alligator or a shark or a bear. Those stories are scary but how common are animal attacks on humans? How vigilant should we be? Listen as I reveal some interesting statistics on animal attacks that may just ease your mind. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/06/16/chart-the-animals-that-are-most-likely-to-kill-you-this-summer
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Jul 31
50 min

If you enjoy eating nuts – good for you! Nuts are healthy. But you might be surprised to hear just how healthy they are - and you don’t have to eat very many to get the benefits. This episode begins with a look at a fascinating study on nuts that has been going on for decades. https://www.herbazest.com/news/nut-consumption-may-prolong-life
“It’s right on the tip of my tongue!” We have all had that experience of not being able to recall a word but feel like it is just out of reach. It’s different than simply not being able to recall something because you have forgotten it. This phenomenon is something people actually study and since it is something that has happened to you, I am sure you will find this fascinating. My guest is Anne Cleary, a professor of psychology at Colorado State University. Her research examines odd memory phenomena like déjà vu and these tip of the tongue experiences. She is author of a book called Tip of the Tongue States: Retrieval, Metacognition, and Experience (https://amzn.to/4eLbuST)
Are you good at making conversation? Do you know how to assert yourself without being argumentative? Do you tend to talk too much when less would be better? Do you really listen to the other person or just wait for your chance to talk? Being good at conversation is a critical skill and one of the real experts at it is here to help. Jefferson Fisher is a lawyer and sought after speaker on the topic of verbal communication – and he is author of the bestselling book The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More (https://amzn.to/3IpnddR).
There is a pretty good chance that you are watering your lawn too much and doing it incorrectly. At least that is according to Consumer Reports. Listen as I reveal their expert advice that will save you time and money and still give you a beautiful green lawn. https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/lawn-care/lawn-care-tips-to-get-yard-ready-for-summer-a2730228925/
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Jul 28
49 min

Things can get dangerously hot in the summer. The interior of your car, the sidewalk, even your patio furniture can heat up in the summer sun and burn you. Listen as I reveal just how hot these things can get. https://www.rd.com/article/things-that-get-dangerously-hot/
You’ve likely noticed that some things are harder to learn than others and that some people learn faster than others. Are there ways to make learning easier and quicker for those of us who aren't rocket scientists? Yes, according to my guest Daniel Willingham. He is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and author of several books including Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy (https://amzn.to/43Lkb8N). Listen as he explores the fascinating process of how we learn.
People argue a lot. And it makes you wonder if it ever does any good. Does arguing actually accomplish something or does it leave people more upset and polarized than before? Perhaps there a better way to resolve problems without arguing. That is what my guest Linda Bloom specializes in. She and her husband Charlie are veteran marriage counselors and seminar leaders who have authored several books including An End to Arguing: 101 Valuable Lessons for All Relationships (https://amzn.to/3Y5J5yR).
It's common advice that when you are mad, you should count to 10 before you say anything. That way, you give yourself a chance to calm down and not say something you later regret. Is that really a good strategy? Listen to hear some interesting research on the topic. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2168645/Angry-Counting-worst-thing–makes-furious.html
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Jul 26
48 min

Like a supermarket, major airports are laid out and configured to try to get you to spend money while you are there. Listen and discover how they do it and when you are most likely to open your wallet at an airport. https://www.neatorama.com/2015/06/11/12-Behind-the-Scenes-Secrets-of-Airports/
How many times have you used "therapy-speak" to descibe someone - words like toxic or narcissist or psychopath? It’s a handy and very descriptive way to talk about someone – but there are potential problems with doing it. Those words are often used by psychologists to describe serious conditions that most of us are not equipped to diagnose. And there are other bigger concerns which you will hear about from my guest, Isabelle Morley. She is a clinical psychologist, couples therapist and a contributing author to Psychology Today. She is also author of the book called They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship (https://amzn.to/40xjTUr)
Fun and work are a bit like oil and water – at least in many workplaces. But maybe if work was more fun, people would do better work, stay at their jobs longer and improve the quality of their lives. So says my guest, Bree Groff. She is a leading expert in company culture and a senior advisor at the global consultancy SYPartners. Her clients have included leaders at Target, Pfizer, Microsoft, Calvin Klein, NBCUniversal, and Alphabet. Bree is author of the book Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously) (https://amzn.to/4kwSklg) Listen as she explores ways to incorporate more fun at work and why it is such a great idea.
UPS drivers drive a lot. And you just might find that some of the strategies and hacks they use to navigate around town could be useful to you. Listen as I reveal some driving tips from UPS. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60556/18-secrets-ups-drivers
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Jul 24
51 min

“Let me sleep on it.” That always seems like a good idea when a big decision has to be made. But is there true wisdom in that advice? This episode starts with the answer. https://www.newswise.com/articles/sleep-on-it-is-sound-science-based-advice#
Ever feel like you are being watched? Ever walk into a room for something and forget why you did? Ever felt “in the zone” – like you could do no wrong? We all have these weird mental experiences but why? Do they serve a purpose? Here to reveal the explanation behind these and other similar things is Dr. Jen Martin. She is an award-winning educator from the University of Melbourne and author of the book Why Am I Like This?: The Science Behind Your Weirdest Thoughts and Habits (https://amzn.to/3C5wgdb)
According to research, the average person will influence 80,000 people in their lifetime. That’s a lot of potential to do good. With simple acts and kind words you can do more for people than you can imagine - if you do it right. That’s according to my guest Tommy Spaulding. He is an author, speaker and former CEO of Up With People. He is also author of the book The Gift Of Influence: Creating Life-Changing and Lasting Impact in Your Everyday Interactions (https://amzn.to/3e0FXSl). Listen as Tommy tells inspiring personal stories that will motivate you to make a difference in someone’s life.
What’s one phrase that a good negotiator will never use? Listen and as I reveal that phrase you want to avoid because it could come back to bite you. Source: Jim Thomas author of Negotiate To Win (https://amzn.to/3V0G4h4).
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Jul 21
47 min

Why is it that people seem to come up with good ideas in the shower? Could there really be something special about the shower experience that generates great thoughts and simple solutions? This episode begins with some interesting research about the magic of the shower. https://www.headspace.com/articles/shower-epiphanies
The strangest things can affect your health. For example, your birthday or if there is a parade or a 10K in your town. Even if there is EZ Pass on a highway somewhere near you can affect your health. It sounds odd and you may ask: How can that be? To answer that and explain all of this is my guest Anupam B. Jena. Bapu, as he is called, is a medical doctor, economist, Harvard professor and author of the book Random Acts of Medicine: The Hidden Forces That Sway Doctors, Impact Patients, and Shape Our Health (https://amzn.to/3Y54hF4).
In our culture people take great pride in their work and career. A job can become part of our self-worth and identity. Is that a good thing? For some it is – but it is not true for everyone according to Simone Stolzoff. He is a journalist who has written for The Atlantic, WIRED and numerous other publications. He is also author of the book The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work (https://amzn.to/44MYZjI). Simone explains why seeking out the perfect job at the expense of other aspects of life can be trouble.
Could brushing your teeth help you lose weight? Maybe. It’s apparently all about WHEN you brush them. Listen as I explain how good dental hygiene can reduce the size of your waistline. https://www.popsci.com/does-brushing-your-teeth-affect-your-appetite/
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Jul 19
49 min

Shampoo, lotions, guns, knives and a lot of other things are confiscated at airport security checkpoints every day. What happens to all those things? Can you ever get them back? This episode starts by taking a look. https://www.rd.com/article/return-confiscated-items-tsa/
Even if you don’t believe in them, you probably participate in some superstitions. Maybe you knock on wood or avoid walking under a ladder or steer clear of black cats. Where do these superstitions come from? Why do they still exist since we know they don’t really do anything? Here to explain this is Arie Kaplan, who has written numerous books and graphic novels and is also a television writer. Arie is author of a book called The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions: Ancient and Remarkable Traditions That Will Captivate Your Mind (https://amzn.to/44xpZ8m).
It is the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride through Boston. While you likely learned something about it in school, there is much more to the story you probably don’t know. Not only was Paul Revere a skilled horseman, he was also a “self-taught” dentist, bell maker and an excellent silversmith and engraver. And there is much more to his legacy as you will hear from my guest Kostya Kennedy. He is a former senior writer and editor at Sports Illustrated and has written books about Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio and Pete Rose. He is also author of the book, The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America (https://amzn.to/4klhtyY).
What is the best way to construct a fire? There is one right answer whether you are building a campfire, a bonfire or stacking charcoal in your grill. What’s strange is – you instinctively know how to do it. Listen as I explain. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/461717
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Jul 17
46 min
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