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PODCAST

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media

Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That"s the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel"

science social sciences

All Episodes

24:45

SYSK TRENDING - The Power of Scarcity

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/23

Have you ever bought something because it was "almost sold out" or because a sale was ending at midnight? If so, you're not alone. Scarcity is one of the most powerful forces influencing human behavior. When something becomes difficult to get, we often value it more—even if we weren't interested in it before. Marketers know this. That's why you'll see messages like "Only 3 left in stock," "Limited-time offer," or "Sale ends tonight." Sometimes those claims reflect genuine scarcity. Other times,

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46:46

Is Marriage Dying? & How Top Performers Build Confidence

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/22

Most people have heard of the "dark web," but what exactly is it? Is it really a hidden corner of the internet where criminals and bad actors operate beyond the reach of law enforcement? And what about the "deep web"—is that the same thing? These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Understanding the difference offers a fascinating glimpse into how the internet really works. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/what-dark-web You often hear that fewer people

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47:10

How Your Refrigerator Changed Human History & The...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/20

Most arguments seem to be about just one thing: money, chores, politics, parenting, work, or whatever sparked the disagreement. But according to experts in conflict resolution, there is often something deeper happening beneath the surface. In fact, many arguments become difficult to resolve because two separate problems are being confused as one. Understanding the difference can completely change the conversation. Source: Jim Ferrell author of The Anatomy of Peace (https://amzn.to/4erYLUP).Imagine

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50:49

The Magical Appeal of Bacon & How Your Emotions Cost...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/18

When you visit a doctor, you assume the diagnosis and treatment will be based entirely on your symptoms and medical history. But there is another factor that can quietly influence what happens in the exam room and the quality of the care you receive. And it has nothing to do with your health. https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/26/1/13Bacon may be one of the most beloved foods in America. People wrap it around other foods, crumble it onto salads, put it in desserts, and even flavor cocktails

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21:28

SYSK TRENDING – How to Make Yourself Smarter

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/16

What if becoming smarter had less to do with intelligence and more to do with a handful of everyday habits? Researchers are discovering that many of the things that most influence brain performance are surprisingly simple—and often completely within your control.Research continues to show that the brain is far more adaptable than scientists once believed. It’s become clear that the choices you make every day can have a significant impact on memory, focus, creativity, learning, and

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49:38

Should You Fear the Sun? & Is There Anything to...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/15

Most parents think the key to getting kids to eat healthy food is explaining why it's healthy. Unfortunately, research suggests that strategy can backfire spectacularly. In fact, telling children a food is "good for you" may be one of the fastest ways to make them reject it. Fortunately, there is a much better approach. https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/kids-can-have-their-cake-and-their-broccoli-too For years we've been told that sunlight is something to avoid. Stay indoors. Cover up. Wear

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48:00

Your Phone May Not Be the Problem & The Puzzles That...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/13

Have you ever held a pet up to a mirror and wondered why they don't seem to recognize themselves? Humans usually figure it out very young, but most animals never do. Yet a surprising handful of species appear capable of recognizing their own reflection—a clue that scientists use to explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology: self-awareness. https://www.livescience.com/4272-elephant-awareness-mirrors-humans.html Smartphones have become the villains of modern life. We blame them for

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47:33

Why You Put Things Off & The Myth of Criminal Profiling

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/11

Every medication has an expiration date—but what exactly happens when that date passes? Does the medicine suddenly stop working? Does it become dangerous? The answer is more complicated than most people realize and depends greatly on the medication itself. https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/expiration-dating-extensionEveryone procrastinates. We put off phone calls, projects, conversations, paperwork, workouts, and sometimes the very

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26:59

SYSK TRENDING - The Power of Validation

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/09

Most people think they're good listeners. After all, they stay quiet, make eye contact, and let the other person finish speaking. But truly connecting with someone requires more than simply hearing their words.One of the most powerful—and overlooked—communication skills is validation. Validation doesn't mean agreeing with someone. It doesn't mean approving of their behavior or telling them they're right. It means helping people feel heard, understood, and acknowledged. And when that happens,

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48:18

What Body Language Really Reveals & How to Get More...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/08

That little white folded box Chinese takeout comes in may be one of the cleverest pieces of food packaging ever invented. What’s funny is—it isn’t Chinese at all. It was never originally designed to hold noodles or fried rice, and its origin story is far stranger and more American than most people realize. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_pailPeople are constantly communicating—even when they never say a word. A glance, a shift in posture, crossed arms, the position of the feet, how long

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50:09

Our Fascination With Pushing Buttons & How Games Have...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/06

Most people think of romantic music as background noise for dates, movies, or weddings. But researchers have found that music can actually influence romantic behavior and attraction in measurable ways. Listen to discover how love songs may be doing more than simply setting the mood. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618112139.htm Take a look around you and notice how many buttons surround you. Elevator buttons. Crosswalk buttons. Remote controls. Keyboards. Car dashboards. Humans

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46:46

The Truth About Love at First Sight & What the UFO...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/04

People will go to ridiculous lengths to avoid paying fees. Adding extra items to an online order just to get “free” shipping. Avoiding ATM fees like they’re a personal insult. Or driving across town to save a few cents on gas. There’s actually a fascinating psychology behind why humans hate fees so much—and why “free” has such unusual power over our decisions. https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/apr/psychology-of-free-how-price-of-zero-influences-decisionmakingMost

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25:03

SYSK TRENDING - Understanding and Controlling Our Fear

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/02

Fear can save your life—or quietly ruin it.. Fear keeps you alert, helps you avoid danger, and in many situations can literally save your life. Without fear, humans probably wouldn’t survive very long. But fear also has another side.Sometimes the fear response kicks in when there is no real danger at all—or at least not enough danger to justify the level of anxiety we feel. Worry about money, health, relationships, social situations, or the future can become overwhelming and begin to shape the way

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51:37

When What You Said Isn’t What They Heard & The Real...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/06/01

Dog owners tend to live longer and be healthier than people without dogs. But why would owning a dog have such a powerful effect on your health? The answer turns out to be surprisingly fascinating—especially when it comes to what dogs may be doing for children. https://hi.umn.edu/news/health-perks-pet-ownership You know that frustrating moment when someone completely misunderstands what you meant—even though you thought you were being perfectly clear? Communication problems often happen because

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49:23

This Is Why You Dream & The Benefits of Solitude –...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/30

Most people assume being rich would solve almost every problem in life. More freedom. Less stress. More happiness. But psychologists who work with wealthy families say money—especially when people grow up with a lot of it—can create a surprising set of emotional and psychological problems that few outsiders ever see. Source: Dr. Stephen Berglas author of Reclaiming the Fire (https://amzn.to/3VjeRIS). Why do humans dream at all? Why does the brain create these intense experiences while we sleep? And

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50:21

How to Get People to Say Yes & What Your Darkest...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/28

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” We’ve all heard it countless times. But where did that idea come from—and is it actually true? Researchers have taken a much closer look at breakfast and the findings may surprise you. Source: https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l42Whether you realize it or not, you negotiate all day long—with your spouse, kids, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. The ability to persuade people and navigate difficult conversations can dramatically improve your

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28:21

SYSK TRENDING - The Dangers of Collective Illusions

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/26

Humans are social creatures, and one of our strongest instincts is to fit in with the group. We want to belong. We want approval. And often, we assume that if enough people appear to believe something, it must be true.But what if a lot of people are only pretending to agree? According to Dr. Todd Rose, this happens far more often than we realize. People routinely stay quiet about what they truly think because they fear being judged, criticized, or isolated. The result is something he calls a

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49:27

Why Humans Crave Rituals & How Music Transports Your...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/25

A lot of people treat melatonin like a harmless sleeping pill. But that’s not really what it is. Researchers are increasingly concerned that melatonin is misunderstood, overused, and often taken in ways that may not help sleep much at all. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9892750/ Humans have always relied on rituals to mark important moments in life—weddings, funerals, graduations, religious ceremonies, even small personal traditions. Rituals help create meaning, connection, and a sense of

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50:03

How to Make Better Friends & Cleaning Myths That...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/23

The sound of crickets on a warm summer night is instantly recognizable. But the tiny creatures making all that noise are far more fascinating than most people realize. Crickets have some remarkable abilities and behaviors that may change the way you think about them entirely. Source: Hugh Raffles author of Insectopedia (https://amzn.to/4bOcK51)People today have fewer close friendships than in the past, and loneliness is becoming increasingly common. Yet making and maintaining friendships may not

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51:18

Your Hormones Control More Than You Think & How Big...

Something You Should Know ·

2026/05/21

People love giving advice—but most of the time, it doesn’t actually change anyone’s behavior. In fact, there’s a much more effective way to influence people that works far better than telling them what they should do. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4675534/Hormones influence nearly every aspect of your life, yet most people only have a vague understanding of what they actually do. These powerful chemical signals affect mood, stress, sleep, energy, appetite, weight, sex drive, and much

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