Episodes
-
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, conversations change dramatically. Defensiveness drops. Trust grows. Relationships strengthen.
According to Michael Sorensen, many of the conflicts and frustrations we experience with spouses, children, coworkers, friends, and even strangers stem from a simple problem: people don't feel understood. In this conversation, he explains why validation is such a powerful interpersonal tool, how to use it in everyday conversations, and why a few simple changes in how you respond to others can dramatically improve your relationships.
Michael Sorensen is a coach, podcaster, and author of I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships (https://amzn.to/2Kao7JL). He also hosts the I Hear You Podcast, where he explores communication, connection, and relationship skills. https://michaelssorensen.com/i-hear-you-podcast/
If you've ever struggled to get through to someone, calm an argument, strengthen a relationship, or simply make people feel more comfortable talking to you, this conversation offers a remarkably practical skill you can start using immediately.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
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!
RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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_pail
People 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 someone holds eye contact… body language can reveal confidence, discomfort, attraction, deception, status, and emotion in ways most people completely miss. But many popular beliefs about body language are also wrong or overly simplistic. Joe Navarro, former FBI counterintelligence and counterterrorism agent and one of the world’s leading experts on nonverbal communication, explains how body language really works, how to better read the people around you, and how understanding nonverbal behavior can dramatically improve your relationships and communication. He is author of Mastering Connections: Build Stronger Relationships with the Science of Body Language (https://amzn.to/4uB0PBo).
Some people always seem rushed, overwhelmed, and behind—while others somehow manage to get an incredible amount done without appearing frantic. The difference may have less to do with time itself and more to do with how people think about time. Laura Vanderkam has spent years studying highly productive people and says many of us approach time completely backward. In our conversation, she explains why feeling “time poor” has become so common, how small changes in priorities can radically change your sense of control, and why having more time may actually begin with changing the story you tell yourself about it. Laura is author of Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance (https://amzn.to/4x0cawK).
Birdsong does more than create a pleasant soundtrack outdoors. Researchers have discovered that simply listening to birds sing can measurably reduce stress, anxiety, and even feelings associated with paranoia. Discover how listening to birds sing is truly music for your brain. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20841-0
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
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!
RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Missing episodes?
-
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 push buttons all day long—and often repeatedly, even when pushing again does absolutely nothing. There’s something deeply satisfying and psychologically powerful about pressing a button and getting an immediate response. But buttons are a surprisingly recent invention, and they fundamentally changed how humans interact with machines, technology, and even each other. Rachel Plotnick, associate professor of Cinema and Media Studies at Indiana University, explores the strange history and psychology of buttons, why people are so drawn to them, and how “push-button culture” transformed modern life. She is author of Power Button: A History of Pleasure, Panic, and the Politics of Pushing (https://amzn.to/3xvIj5j).
Humans don’t just enjoy games—we seem to need them. From sports and gambling to video games, puzzles, and board games, people everywhere devote enormous amounts of time and energy to play. But games may be doing far more than entertaining us. Neuroscientist and physicist Kelly Clancy explains how games shape human behavior, influence culture, teach strategy, reward risk-taking, and even help societies evolve. In our conversation, she reveals why games are woven so deeply into human nature and why understanding games may help explain the way humans learn, compete, cooperate, and make decisions. Kelly is author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World (https://amzn.to/3W02BNR).
Online product reviews have become incredibly influential. A surprisingly large number of people now trust reviews from strangers almost as much as recommendations from friends. We discuss how those reviews can dramatically affect what consumers buy, avoid, or return. https://www.cardrates.com/news/consumers-rely-on-online-reviews-study/
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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-decisionmaking
Most people dismiss the idea of “love at first sight.” How can you fall deeply for someone you barely know? Yet for some people, intense romantic attachment happens incredibly fast—and repeatedly. Researchers call this tendency “emophilia,” and it can dramatically affect relationships, judgment, and emotional wellbeing. Daniel Jones, who studies romantic attraction, personality, and deception at the University of Nevada Reno, explains why some people are wired to fall in love quickly, why those relationships can feel so powerful, and why understanding emophilia may help explain a lot of modern dating behavior. He is author of Falling Fast: The Perils and Possibilities of Emophilia (https://amzn.to/49gvbk9).
Recently, the U.S. government has released videos and images showing unidentified aerial phenomena—objects moving in ways that appear difficult to explain with known technology. Some people see proof of extraterrestrial visitors. Others think there must be more conventional explanations. But what do the videos actually tell us? And what don’t they tell us? Robert Powell, founding board member of the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies and an engineer with decades of experience in advanced technology development, joins me to separate speculation from science and explain what experts really know about these strange sightings and what is known about alien visitors. He is author of UFOs: A Scientist Explains What We Know (And Don’t Know) (https://amzn.to/3RtNwEe).
While it is pretty common to bring leftovers home from a restaurant, there is a danger associated with doing that. If you don’t handle that food and reheat it the right way, there could be some real problems. And they are problems you can easily avoid. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/fried-rice-syndrome
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 we live our lives. In some cases, fear becomes less of a protector and more of a prison.
Dr. Arash Javanbakht, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University School of Medicine, studies how fear and anxiety work inside the brain. In our conversation, he explains why humans evolved to be fearful, why modern life can trigger anxiety so easily, and how understanding fear may help you gain more control over it rather than letting it control you.
If you’ve ever wondered why your mind sometimes reacts so strongly—or why anxiety can feel impossible to shut off—this discussion offers a fascinating look at what fear is actually trying to do for you and how to keep it from getting in the way of living a full life. Dr. Javanbakht is author of Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety (https://amzn.to/3LDJ93K).
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 people aren’t all “speaking” the same way. According to psychotherapist Jason VanRuler, there are five distinct communication types, and each hears the world differently. Which means the problem may not be what you said—but how the other person processes it. Jason explains how understanding these communication styles can dramatically improve relationships, reduce conflict, and help people finally feel understood. He is author of Discovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships (https://amzn.to/43iBcJB).
A lot of people were taught that if you work hard, stay humble, and keep your head down, success will eventually find you. That sounds nice. It’s also often terrible career advice. Promotions and opportunities frequently go to the people who know how to make themselves visible, memorable, and impossible to overlook. Courtney Johnson, creator of the viral “Problematic Career Cheat Codes” series on TikTok, explains the unspoken rules that actually drive career success—and why many talented people unknowingly sabotage themselves by following outdated advice. She is author of Career Cheat Codes: The Unspoken, Unconventional, and Unfiltered Rules of Career Success (https://amzn.to/4tIk7DD).
Nearsightedness has exploded around the world, especially among children and young adults. Most people blame screens. But researchers say the bigger issue may actually be something we’ve stopped doing—and the consequences could affect eyesight for life. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830598
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 why do dreams sometimes feel more emotionally real than waking life? Neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Dr. Rahul Jandial explains what modern science is discovering about the dreaming brain, including how dreams may help process emotion, simulate danger, strengthen memory, and shape mental health in ways we are only beginning to understand. He is author of This Is Why You Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life (https://amzn.to/3KmOE5N).
Modern life sends a clear message: if you spend too much time alone, something must be wrong. But researchers studying solitude say that idea may be completely backward. Time alone—when chosen intentionally—can improve creativity, emotional resilience, self-awareness, and even relationships with other people. Psychologist Netta Weinstein joins me to explain why humans actually need periods of disconnection from others and why learning to be comfortably alone may be one of the healthiest skills modern people can develop. Netta directs the European Research Council’s “Solitude: Alone but Resilient (SOAR)” project and is author of Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone (https://amzn.to/3wVA7eb).
“Organic seafood” sounds healthy and environmentally friendly. But what does that label even mean when applied to fish and shellfish? The answer reveals a surprisingly murky world behind a term many consumers assume is carefully regulated. https://www.foodrepublic.com/1413904/why-organic-seafood-myth/
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
“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.l42
Whether 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 personal and professional life. Attia Qureshi has spent decades teaching negotiation and persuasion strategies to leaders and organizations. In our conversation, she explains the subtle skills that make people more influential, why persuasion is often misunderstood, and how small changes in communication can help you get better outcomes without being manipulative or aggressive. Attia is founder of AQ Consulting, former MIT faculty member, adjunct professor at the University of Michigan, and co-author of Never Settle: Persuasion & Negotiation Skills to Get What You Want (https://amzn.to/4ugR3US).
Attia's exclusive link for SYSK listeners: https://www.attiaqureshi.com/something
Most people embrace emotions like joy and happiness while trying to avoid emotions such as anger, jealousy, shame, envy, and regret. But those darker emotions may actually contain important information about who you are, what you value, and what’s happening beneath the surface of your life. Daniel Smith, psychotherapist and author of Hard Feelings: Finding the Wisdom in Our Darkest Emotions (https://amzn.to/4dPzBkw), explains why these uncomfortable emotions exist, what purpose they serve, and why understanding them may be essential for emotional growth and self-awareness.
Human attraction is far more complicated than simply “good looks.” In fact, repeated exposure, familiarity, attention, and several other subtle factors can quietly make someone seem more attractive over time—even when nothing about their appearance changes. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/evolutionary-human-sciences/article/visual-attention-to-faces-during-attractiveness-and-dominance-judgements/38F4497B251EFE2D8ED9F4D37F82D9C5
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 “collective illusion”—a situation where many people privately disagree with something while publicly going along with it because they mistakenly believe most others support it.
And in today’s world of social media, that problem may be getting worse. Loud, confident voices online can create the impression that an opinion is widely accepted—even when it isn’t. Yet humans are wired to interpret visibility and volume as popularity and truth.
Dr. Todd Rose, Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions (https://amzn.to/3CZz6AF), joins me to explain how conformity shapes behavior, why groups sometimes make terrible decisions, and how easily people can be influenced by what they think everyone else believes.
This conversation may change the way you look at public opinion, social pressure, and even your own willingness to speak up.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 belonging. Yet many traditional rituals are fading as fewer people marry, attend religious services, or follow long-standing customs. At the same time, entirely new rituals are emerging all over the world to fill that void. Bruce Feiler joins me to explain why rituals matter so deeply to humans, why we continue creating them even when old traditions disappear, and how rituals may be more important to our emotional wellbeing than most people realize. Bruce is author of A Time to Gather: How Ritual Created the World—and How It Can Save Us (https://amzn.to/4nrtvtP)
Have you ever heard a song that instantly transported you somewhere else? Suddenly you’re reliving a memory, imagining a scene, or feeling emotions that seem almost cinematic. Those experiences are called musical daydreams—and they happen far more often than most people realize. What’s fascinating is that people from completely different backgrounds often report remarkably similar experiences when listening to the same music. Elizabeth Margulis, professor of music at Princeton University and director of the Music Cognition Lab, explains why music has this unusual power over the mind, how musical daydreams work, and what they reveal about the way humans experience emotion and imagination. She is author of Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams (https://amzn.to/4tDmqrL).
Closing your eyes while kissing feels natural and romantic. But why does it actually feel strange to keep your eyes open during a passionate kiss? Neuroscience suggests there may be a very specific reason your brain prefers eyes you NOT watch what you are doing. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-we-kiss-with-eyes-closed-psychologists-research-a6943731.html
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 be nearly as complicated as many people think. Anna Goldfarb, friendship journalist and author of Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections (https://amzn.to/3K9Fqdb), explains why friendship often feels harder in adulthood, what gets in the way of meaningful connection, and the surprisingly simple things people can do to build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Housecleaning sounds boring—until you realize a lot of what people believe about cleaning is outdated, ineffective, or just plain wrong. Some common cleaning habits waste time, waste money, and don’t even work particularly well. Melissa Pateras, whose wildly popular TikTok videos have attracted millions of viewers (https://www.tiktok.com/@melissadilkespateras?lang=en), joins me to share smarter, simpler ways to clean your home, do laundry, and tackle everyday messes more effectively. She is author of A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home: Housekeeping Hacks You Can’t Live Without (https://amzn.to/3VbJ0ts).
Getting kids outside to play has all kinds of benefits—but one of the most important has to do with protecting their eyesight. Researchers are discovering a fascinating connection between outdoor time and children’s vision health. https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/outdoor-activity-and-myopia-in-children%E2%81%A0
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
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 more. And when hormones fall out of balance, the effects can ripple throughout the entire body. Dr. Saira Hameed, endocrinologist and author of Signals: The Hidden Power and Secret Language of Hormones (https://amzn.to/4eO37IB), explains how hormones work, why they matter so much, and what happens when this intricate signaling system goes wrong.
Everyone makes mistakes—but some mistakes hit differently. A bad decision involving work, relationships, money, or reputation can feel overwhelming and difficult to move past. Michael Lynton understands this firsthand. As former CEO of Sony Entertainment, he approved a film that unexpectedly triggered an international crisis involving North Korea, cyberattacks, leaked emails, and worldwide controversy. In our conversation, he explains what he learned from that experience, why major mistakes can shake your identity so deeply, and how people can recover, grow, and even find meaning after things go terribly wrong. He is co-author of From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn't Own You (https://amzn.to/4toBGZj).
Coffee may be doing more for your health than simply waking you up. Large-scale research suggests it appears to protect one important organ in the body—and interestingly, the protective effect may increase the more coffee you drink. https://www.coffeeandhealth.org/health/liver-function/overview
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most of us can point to someone who truly inspired us—a teacher, boss, coach, friend, or public figure who made us think differently, push harder, or believe more in ourselves. But what exactly makes someone inspiring? Why do certain people energize and motivate us while others, even highly successful people, don’t have the same effect?
It turns out inspiration is not just charisma or confidence. Research suggests there are specific qualities and behaviors that consistently make people more inspiring to those around them. And perhaps most importantly, these traits can be developed.
Adam Galinsky, social psychologist, Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School, and author of Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others (https://amzn.to/3EeUYN6), joins me to explain what inspiring people do differently. In our conversation, he breaks down the habits, attitudes, and communication styles that make others want to listen, follow, and do their best work.
Whether you want to become a better leader, parent, friend, or simply have a more positive influence on the people around you, this discussion offers a fascinating look at what truly inspires human beings—and how you can become more inspiring yourself.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most recipes tell you to preheat the oven before cooking. But why? Wouldn’t it save time to just let the food cook while the oven heats up? There’s actually a very good reason recipes insist on preheating—and it has everything to do with chemistry, texture, and how food cooks. https://food52.com/story/16152-why-you-must-preheat-the-oven-even-if-you-re-in-a-rush
Walking may be the most underrated thing you do for your health. It seems so ordinary that most people never think much about it—but how you walk, how often you walk, the shoes you wear, and even when you walk can have a profound impact on your body, your longevity, your energy, and your risk for disease. Dr. Courtney Conley, internationally recognized expert on foot mechanics and gait dynamics, explains why walking is far more sophisticated and important than most people realize. She works with elite athletes and professional sports teams including the Phoenix Suns, New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings, and in our conversation she reveals how improving the way you walk could dramatically improve the way you feel. She is author of Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity—One Step at a Time (https://amzn.to/48SHDq1).
Most people choose careers from a surprisingly small slice of what’s actually available to them. Often, we follow paths we happened to be exposed to—through parents, friends, school, or circumstance—while countless other possibilities never even enter our awareness. Which raises an interesting question: could there be another kind of work you’d be better at, happier doing, or naturally gifted for? Tom Rath, who has spent decades researching work, behavior, and human wellbeing, explores how people discover meaningful work and why purpose has such a powerful effect on everyday life. He is author of What’s the Point? Turning Purpose Into Your Daily Superpower (https://amzn.to/3R0gATB).
Most people know salty foods make you thirsty. What many don’t realize is that salt may also make you eat significantly more food—and not by accident. Researchers are discovering that salty, ultra-processed foods can alter the way your brain responds to hunger and satisfaction in ways that make overeating much more likely. https://keck.usc.edu/news/why-ultra-processed-foods-upfs-make-us-overeat-and-what-it-means-for-your-brain/
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
DELL: With the Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with vPro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won’t be one of them. With battery that’s optimized for the way you work, and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you’re trying to focus, your tech won’t slow you down. Find out more at https://Dell.com/Dell-Pro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
“Your call is very important to us.” Companies say things like this all the time in an effort to sound customer-focused and trustworthy. But do phrases like that actually reassure people—or do they quietly create the opposite reaction? Source: Michael Maslansky author of The Language of Trust (https://amzn.to/3Wz2IQP).
You already know certain places make you feel different—you just may not realize how powerful the effect really is. Walking into a church, a courtroom, a stadium, or even a grocery store can subtly change your mood, your behavior, and even the way you think. Kevin Ervin Kelley, award-winning architect and author of Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places that Bring People Together (https://amzn.to/3UALlwE), explains how spaces are intentionally designed to influence human behavior and why the environments around you shape far more of your experience than you probably realize.
History class usually focuses on wars, presidents, and major events. But some of the most fascinating stories are the ones you rarely hear about. Stories like the chaotic and nearly disastrous opening day of Disneyland, the multiple assassination plots unfolding the night Abraham Lincoln was killed, and the bizarre corporate marriage between AOL and Time Warner. Michael Farquhar, former writer and editor at The Washington Post and author of Bad Days in History (https://amzn.to/3wjKCrF) and More Bad Days in History (https://amzn.to/3QE5q3V), shares some of history’s strangest, most surprising, and often unbelievable true stories.
“You have the right to remain silent…” Those famous words are instantly recognizable. But who exactly was “Miranda”? And how did one man’s legal troubles end up permanently changing the American justice system? https://www.thoughtco.com/miranda-v-arizona-104966
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most credit cards have that little 3- or 4-digit security code you constantly get asked for when shopping online. It can feel like a nuisance—but that tiny number plays a surprisingly important role in reducing fraud in a very simple and effective way. https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/why-do-some-sites-not-require-cvv
We tend to think of financial advice as timeless: buy a house, invest for the long term, diversify your portfolio, put your money in index funds. But history tells a much messier story. There were periods when stocks performed terribly, when home ownership was a bad investment, and when other “sensible” advice turned out to be disastrously wrong. Joseph Moore, historian, investor, and author of How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked (& Didn’t) (https://amzn.to/4uDCdrv), explains how financial “wisdom” changes over time, why so much money advice is shaped by the era we happen to live in, and what history can teach us about building wealth today.
We’ve all heard the warnings about sitting too much and spending too much time staring at screens. But modern life practically demands it. Hours at a desk, then more hours scrolling, streaming, emailing, and checking notifications. The problem is, researchers are beginning to discover that this screen-heavy lifestyle may quietly affect far more than we realize—from energy and sleep to mood, focus, and long-term health. Manoush Zomorodi, award-winning journalist, host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour, and author of Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being (https://amzn.to/3PraStx), shares what science is uncovering about the physical and mental toll of modern digital life—and why small, surprisingly simple changes may make a meaningful difference.
Revenge can feel incredibly satisfying—at least in your imagination. But what happens after you actually get even with someone? Does revenge deliver the relief and closure people expect, or does it create something else entirely? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/if-love-could-kill/202506/revenge-from-grievance-to-grief
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What if your experience of reality isn’t real—but something your brain is creating? And what does it really mean to be you?
It sounds abstract, even a little out there. But scientists are actively studying these questions, and what they’re discovering is both fascinating and a bit unsettling. The way you perceive reality—what you see, hear, and feel—may not be a direct reflection of the world at all. Instead, it could be something your brain is actively constructing in real time.
Anil Seth, professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex, has spent years exploring how consciousness works. In our conversation, he explains how your brain creates your sense of self, why your experience of reality is unique to you, and how two people can live in the same world yet experience it very differently. He is author of Being You: A New Science of Consciousness (https://amzn.to/3DvkibU).
If you’ve ever wondered why you see the world the way you do—or what’s really behind that experience—this discussion will likely change how you think about your own mind.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Have you ever struggled with a problem—only to have the answer suddenly appear when you stopped trying? It feels almost like magic, but it’s actually your brain working in a very specific way when you step back. https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2016/March/Insight_Correctness/
We all want to know what’s going to happen next. But life doesn’t work that way. In fact, the real challenge may not be uncertainty itself—but our growing discomfort with it. Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers (https://amzn.to/428rpWb), explains why we crave certainty, why that craving can make life harder, and how learning to tolerate—and even embrace—uncertainty can change the way you experience the world.
You’ve probably heard that your health is shaped by both your genes and your lifestyle. But how much control do you really have? Are some outcomes unavoidable—or can your daily choices actually override genetic risk? Dr. Florence Comite, endocrinologist and expert in longevity and precision medicine, has spent decades studying how to optimize health at the individual level. In our conversation, she explains how genes influence your future, where they don’t, and how understanding your personal biology can help you make smarter decisions to improve health and extend lifespan. She is author of Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer (https://amzn.to/3Pir404).
In the middle of a tense conversation, it’s easy for things to escalate quickly. But there’s a simple three-word phrase that can instantly shift the tone—turning conflict into something more productive and less combative. Source: Bill Jensen author of The Simplicity Survival Handbook (https://amzn.to/4thwWEX)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
When buying a car, color might seem like a purely personal choice. But it turns out that picking a less popular color could actually pay off later in a surprising way—especially when it’s time to sell. Source: Westways Magazine Summer 2024 / “Color Considerations”
What does it really take to get better at something? Is it just practice—or is there a smarter way to improve? Why do some people seem to make rapid progress while others plateau? Scott Young, writer, podcast host (https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/podcast/), and author of Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery (https://amzn.to/3JOQ60k), breaks down what actually works when it comes to learning and skill-building. In our conversation, he explains the principles that separate effective practice from wasted effort—and how small adjustments can lead to much faster improvement.
Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, yet their popularity today seems higher than ever. What draws people to permanently mark their bodies? Do they regret it later—or does the meaning deepen over time? Matt Lodder, senior lecturer in art history at the University of Essex and one of the world’s leading experts on tattoo history, takes us inside this fascinating world. He is author of Painted People: 5,000 Years of Tattooed History from Sailors and Socialites to Mummies and Kings (https://amzn.to/4bdVJlb), and in our discussion he explores the cultural, psychological, and historical reasons tattoos continue to hold such strong appeal.
Humming might seem like a small, almost unconscious habit—but it can have a surprisingly positive effect on how you feel. And there’s more going on behind it than you might think. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/humming-for-self-care-tool-for-leaders-toolboxes-1234956725/
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
PLANET VISIONARIES : We love the Planet Visionaries podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you are listening to this podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
We often hear that we’re all connected by six degrees of separation—that you can link yourself to anyone on the planet through just a handful of people. But with billions of people in the world, how could that possibly be true? And in a world of social media and constant connectivity, is that number shrinking or growing? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98072-2
Some people just seem to have all the luck. Opportunities appear, things fall into place, and they end up in the right place at the right time. Is that just chance—or is there something more going on? Tina Seelig, who has spent more than 25 years teaching entrepreneurship and innovation at Stanford University, says luck isn’t nearly as random as it seems. In our conversation, she explains how certain behaviors and ways of thinking can actually increase your chances of getting lucky—and how small, everyday actions can open doors you didn’t even know were there. She is author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck: A Crash Course on Turning Aspirations into Achievements (https://amzn.to/3RaPQ2F).
Here is the link to her TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/tina_seelig_the_little_risks_you_can_take_to_increase_your_luck
You know what you search for on Google—but what about everyone else? When people have anonymity, they often reveal what they’re really curious about, worried about, or struggling with. The patterns in those searches can be surprising—and sometimes unexpectedly hopeful. Simon Rogers, Data Editor at Google and author of What We Ask Google: A Surprisingly Hopeful History of Humankind (https://amzn.to/4w0fvLr), shares what these billions of searches reveal about human nature, what people are really thinking about, and what we can learn when we look at all that data together.
It’s often said that “nice guys finish last.” But is there actually some truth to that? Research suggests there may be a relationship between how agreeable you are and how much you earn. But the story isn’t as simple as “nice equals less money.” It raises a deeper question: are agreeable people undervalued—or are more difficult personalities rewarded in ways we don’t fully recognize? The answer may challenge what you think about success, personality, and what it really takes to get ahead. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167487022000812
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back.
POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000
RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started.
QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! 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/sysk
PLANET VISIONARIES : We love the Planet Visionaries podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you are listening to this podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Show more
