Being a perfectionist sounds like a good thing. You have high standards, pay attention to details, and want to do things right. What's wrong with that? As it turns out, quite a lot. Perfectionism can actually work against you, causing you to procrastinate, obsess over mistakes, avoid taking risks, and feel dissatisfied even when you've accomplished something worthwhile. And ironically, the harder you try to make everything perfect, the less you may actually accomplish.

So why are some people perfectionists? Where does that need to get everything just right come from? And how do you know when having high standards has crossed the line into something that's holding you back? Clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love (https://amzn.to/32tNfDb), joins me to explain the psychology of perfectionism, why "good enough" is often more than enough, and how to let go of impossible expectations without lowering your standards. What she has to say could take a surprising amount of pressure off your life.

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KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Give the gift of quality this holiday season at Quince! Download the Quince App for exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

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Have you ever noticed that when two people walk together, they often fall into step without even trying? Or that people in conversation sometimes begin to mirror each other's movements? Humans have a curious tendency to synchronize with one another, often without realizing it. Why does this happen, and what does it reveal about how we connect? https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/social-synchronicity-37695

You've heard all your life that reading is good for you. It expands your vocabulary, sharpens your mind, and makes you more knowledgeable. But reading fiction may do something remarkable that other kinds of reading don't. There is something about the way fiction is written and the way our brains respond to it that produces some surprising benefits. Even the simple words "Once upon a time" can trigger something special. Andrew Piper, professor at McGill University and author of Why You Should Read More Fiction: What Data and AI Tell Us About the Value of Storytelling (https://link.amazon/B01VixDmx), joins me to explain what fascinating new research reveals about the power of fiction — and why picking up a novel may be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

We've all heard the warning about "groupthink" — that putting people together to solve a problem can sometimes produce worse results than letting them work alone. But what if the problem isn't collaboration itself, but how we collaborate? Research into collective intelligence reveals that under the right conditions, groups can become remarkably good at solving problems, generating ideas, and making decisions. The trick is knowing how to bring people together so their combined intelligence actually works. Damon Centola, professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, studies how this happens. He is also the author of Goodthink: The New Science of Collective Intelligence (https://link.amazon/B05J8lAqo). Listen as he explains what makes some groups smarter than others and how we can use this science to work better together.

Why does time seem to speed up as we get older? You look back and wonder where the summer went, or how five years could have passed so quickly. Interestingly, research suggests that time doesn't necessarily feel faster while we're living it. It's when we look back that things seem to have flown by. So what's going on in our brains that creates this illusion? And is there a way to make life feel like it's moving a little more slowly? https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13423-025-02833-z

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NATIVEPATH: NativePath Bone Health Collagen is a simple addition to other important bone-supporting nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Go to https://GetBetterBones.com/SYSK to save up to 48% and get a frother, shaker, free shipping and a 365 day money back guarantee!

AQUATRU: 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!

BEAM DREAM: Beam’s Dream Powder is made with clean, natural ingredients formulated to fall asleep and wake up refreshed! Go to https://ShopBeam.com/SYSK and get 50% off during Beam's Cyber Sale!

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Give the gift of quality this holiday season at Quince! Download the Quince App for exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

DELL: Shop at https://Dell.com/deals for Black Friday and find great PCs like the Dell XPS 13 laptop with a long battery life, beautiful design and powerful performance with Intel® Core™ processors. Upgrade your whole setup for less!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

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Can someone's taste in music make them more attractive to you? Apparently, it can. The music people listen to can influence how we perceive their personalities, how compatible we think we might be, and even how romantically interested we are in them. So what does your playlist say about you? And why do musical preferences matter when it comes to attraction? We begin with the surprising connection between music and relationships. https://www.medindia.net/news/Music-Predicts-Sexual-Attraction-80223-1.htm

Think about how many times you've written something down in a notebook. A shopping list, a brilliant idea, a diary entry, notes from a meeting, or just something you didn't want to forget. It seems like such an ordinary thing to do. But the simple act of putting thoughts on paper has helped change the course of human history. Notebooks have shaped scientific discoveries, inspired great works of art, helped build businesses, and transformed the way people think. So how did something as basic as a blank book become such a powerful tool? Roland Allen joins me to reveal the fascinating history of notebooks, the remarkable things people have done with them, and why writing things down still matters in our digital world. Roland is the author of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper (https://amzn.to/3NGd2B8).

We all know we probably spend too much time looking at screens. But what exactly is all that scrolling, swiping, and staring doing to our brains? Is it really changing the way we think, concentrate, remember, and experience the world? And why is it so difficult to look away, even when we know we've had enough? Our brains evolved in a world very different from the one we live in today, and the constant flood of digital information may be more than they're equipped to handle. Dr. Richard Cytowic joins me to explain what's happening inside our heads when we spend so much time on our devices, why digital distraction is so powerful, and what we can do to regain control of our attention. He is a professor of neurology at George Washington University and author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload (https://amzn.to/4hsyVBp).

Advertisers love to use impressive-sounding claims that don't actually tell you very much. A shampoo promises to make your hair "five times silkier." Five times silkier than what? And how exactly do you measure silkiness? These claims can sound scientific and convincing, even when they're practically meaningless. And they work surprisingly well. Listen as I explain how advertisers use numbers and clever language to make products seem better than they may actually be—and why it's worth paying attention. Source: Charles Seife, author of Proofiness (https://amzn.to/3NL55KY).

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

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INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Where do you leave your car keys at night? On the kitchen counter? By the front door? It turns out that where you keep your key fob when you're not driving could actually affect your car's battery. And the reason why is something most drivers probably never consider. https://www.northway.aaa.com/magazine/news/not-so-fob-ulous

Can you really fall in love with a chatbot? Apparently, some people do. Millions of people are turning to AI for companionship, emotional support, intimate conversations, and even romance. And why not? A chatbot is always available, never gets impatient, and seems genuinely interested in everything you have to say. But there's a troubling catch: It can sound like it cares about you without actually caring at all. So what happens when we begin forming deep emotional attachments to machines? Sherry Turkle joins me to explore the fascinating and sometimes disturbing world of artificial intimacy. She is a professor at MIT, founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, and one of the world's leading experts on our relationship with technology. She is the author of Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines (https://link.amazon/B00VbMErE).

There is something remarkably powerful about family. We feel an almost instinctive connection to the people we call family, even when those relationships are difficult, complicated, or downright dysfunctional. We say "blood is thicker than water," yet some of our strongest family bonds aren't based on blood at all. So what actually makes a family? Why do we need one? Meredith Small joins me to explore the surprising science and anthropology of family, how family relationships have evolved, and why our need to belong is such a fundamental part of being human. Meredith is a professor of anthropology at Cornell University and author of several books, including Family: How the Human Need for Belonging Shapes Our Lives (https://link.amazon/B0cjvakMw).

When you're struggling with a difficult decision or a problem you just can't solve, someone will inevitably suggest you "sleep on it." And there's good science behind that advice. But what if you could get some of the same benefits without actually going to sleep? Research suggests there may be a surprisingly simple way to help your brain find answers when you're stuck. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30388441/

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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There was a time when kids couldn't wait to grow up. Becoming an adult meant freedom, independence, making your own decisions, and finally being in charge of your own life. But something seems to have changed. Today, many young people aren't particularly excited about adulthood. In fact, some find the whole idea downright intimidating. Why? Has being an adult become less appealing, or have we somehow failed to prepare young people for the responsibilities that come with it? And what does it really take to become a capable, confident, independent adult?

Joining me to explore this fascinating generational shift is Julie Lythcott-Haims, a writer, former college dean, former attorney, and author of the book Your Turn: How to Be an Adult (https://amzn.to/3q89LOB). She explains why so many young people feel overwhelmed by the prospect of growing up, how parenting and cultural expectations may have contributed to the problem, and what parents and young adults can do to make the transition to adulthood less frightening and more rewarding. Whether you're raising teenagers, have grown children still finding their way, or are navigating adulthood yourself, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what growing up really means—and why it doesn't have to be something to dread.

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Ever send an email asking several questions, only to get a reply that answers just one of them? Or discover that someone completely missed your most important point? It turns out the way you write and organize an email can make a big difference in how people respond. Listen as I explain some simple techniques that can help you get better, more complete answers to your emails. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-users-read-on-the-web/

You know exactly what you meant. So why did the other person hear something completely different? Misunderstandings happen constantly, even between people who know each other well. Innocent comments get interpreted as criticism, conversations turn into arguments, and people become convinced their version of events is the right one. Why does communication go wrong so easily? And what can you do to make sure people actually understand what you're trying to say? Dr. Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, joins me to explain the surprising science behind miscommunication. Drawing on decades of relationship research, she reveals why we so often misinterpret one another, why we stubbornly defend our own perceptions, and how to repair a conversation when things go wrong. She is author of Why Don’t You Understand Me?: The Surprising Science Behind Connecting in a World of Missed Signals. (https://link.amazon/B01SuP5Do).

Leaves are everywhere. You've probably seen millions of them without giving them much thought. But those ordinary-looking leaves are actually performing some of the most extraordinary feats in nature. Powered by sunlight, they manufacture their own food, pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release the oxygen that makes life on Earth possible. And here's something remarkable: There was a time when trees didn't even have leaves! So why did leaves evolve? How do they accomplish so much? And what would happen to our world without them? Evolutionary biologist Jonathan Silverman joins me to reveal the fascinating hidden world of leaves and explain why these seemingly simple things are among nature's greatest inventions. He is author of nine books, including Nature's Magicians: How Leaves Conjure Up Our World (https://link.amazon/B06dPGc2Y).

You might think the best way to impress people is to appear smart, capable, and completely on top of things. But being too perfect can actually make people like you less. Research suggests that a small, harmless mistake can sometimes make a competent person seem more appealing. So how does that work? And what's the surprisingly simple lesson you can use to make yourself more likable? Listen and find out. https://openmedia.yale.edu/projects/iphone/departments/psyc/psyc110/transcript09.html

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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You know getting enough sleep is important. But what if you could make a meaningful difference in your health and well-being by getting just 15 minutes more sleep each night? That doesn't sound like much, but research suggests even a small increase can have some surprising benefits. Listen as I explain why those extra few minutes may be more valuable than you think. https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/162769

We have more ways to entertain ourselves, indulge our desires, and experience pleasure than any generation in history. Great food, endless entertainment, social media, shopping — whatever feels good is usually just a click away. So why aren't we happier? Could it be that all this pleasure is actually making us miserable? Psychiatrist Anna Lembke says our brains simply weren't designed for a world of nonstop gratification, and the consequences can be profound. Anna is medical director of Stanford Addiction Medicine and author of the bestselling book Dopamine Nation (https://amzn.to/3BahOhY). Listen as she explains the surprising connection between pleasure and pain, why getting more of what we want can leave us feeling worse, and what we can do to restore some balance.

If losing weight were simply a matter of eating less and exercising more, wouldn't it be a whole lot easier? Yet millions of people struggle to lose weight and keep it off, despite following all kinds of advice about diets, calories, exercise, and metabolism. The problem is that much of what we've been told about weight loss is misleading, oversimplified, or just plain wrong. So what actually works? Joining me to separate scientific fact from popular fiction is Robert Davis, award-winning health journalist and author of Supersized Lies: How Myths About Weight Loss Are Keeping Us Fat (https://amzn.to/3ptX41Q). Listen as he challenges some widely held beliefs about weight loss and reveals what the science really says about shedding pounds and keeping them off.

Your cellphone could be a lifesaver in an emergency — even if you're unconscious or unable to speak. But there's something important you need to do ahead of time to make that possible, and many people haven't done it. It only takes a few minutes, and it could make all the difference when every second counts. Listen as I explain how to set it up and why you'll be glad you did. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/android-iphone-emergency-contact-ice_l_5ce2e6aee4b075a35a2b9250

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever meet someone for the first time and then spend the next hour wondering what they thought of you? Did you say the right things? Were you interesting? Did you make a good impression? It turns out we're not particularly good at judging how these encounters go. Researchers have discovered something surprising about what happens when two strangers meet — and understanding it might change the way you think about your next conversation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30183512/

Should you tip when you pick up takeout? Is it okay to let someone cut in line? And if everyone around you gives a standing ovation to a performance you thought was terrible, should you stand too? Life is full of these little dilemmas, and the answers aren't always as obvious as they seem. In fact, thinking them through can be surprisingly entertaining — and reveal a lot about how you make decisions and what really matters to you. Joining me to explore the hidden logic behind these everyday puzzles is Ward Farnsworth, professor at the University of Texas School of Law and author of Should You Tip for Takeout?: Solving the Puzzles of Everyday Life (https://link.amazon/B0d9xGyRN). You'll probably find yourself rethinking a few things you've always taken for granted.

What possesses someone to spend years trying to set a world record? And who decides whether they've actually done it? For more than 70 years, Guinness World Records has celebrated extraordinary human achievements — along with some accomplishments that are just plain bizarre. But how does someone get into the record books? Are there records anyone can attempt? And what do you actually get if you succeed? Here to take us behind the scenes of this fascinating and sometimes wonderfully weird world is Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records since 2005. He oversees the enormously popular annual book series, including the latest edition, Guinness World Records 2027 (https://link.amazon/B09nnHdTx). Listen as Craig reveals what it takes to become a world record holder, why people are so obsessed with breaking records, and some of the stranger things people have done to earn a place in history.

Taking pictures is supposed to help us remember life's important moments. But what if snapping that photo actually makes you remember less? Researchers have discovered a curious phenomenon called the photo-taking impairment effect, and it suggests that the simple act of taking a picture can change what your brain remembers about an experience. Listen as I explain what happens — and why you might want to think twice before reaching for your camera. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24311477/

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MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

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You are constantly sending signals without saying a word—and so is everyone around you. The way someone sits, moves their hands, looks at you, or suddenly changes their posture can offer clues about what they’re thinking and feeling. But reading body language correctly is more complicated than simply assuming crossed arms mean someone is defensive.

Scott Rouse is a behavior analyst and body language expert who holds multiple certificates in advanced interrogation training and has trained alongside the FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Military Intelligence, and Department of Defense. In this episode, he explains what body language and other forms of nonverbal communication can really tell you about another person—and what they can’t.

Listen as Scott reveals the signals worth paying attention to, how to spot changes in someone’s behavior that may be significant, and why context is so important when interpreting gestures and expressions. He also explains how your own body language affects the way people perceive you—and how small changes can help you project greater confidence, credibility, and ease.

Scott has a fascinating YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/ScottRouse3) where he analyzes body language and behavior. He is also the author of Understanding Body Language: How to Decode Nonverbal Communication in Life, Love, and Work (https://amzn.to/2XAXIid).

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you delete a spam text, your phone often gives you the option to “Delete and Report.” But have you ever wondered what actually happens when you report it? Who gets the report? Does anyone do anything with it? Turns out, hitting that button isn’t as pointless as it may seem. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages

Imagine two people shopping for the exact same thing — but being offered different prices based on what a company knows about each of them. That’s the unsettling idea behind “surveillance pricing” and it happens all the time. Companies can use data, algorithms, hidden fees and other techniques to determine how much they think you are willing to pay — and then charge accordingly. So how does it work and what can consumers do about it? My guest is Lindsay Owens is president and CEO of the Groundwork Collaborative, an economic think tank and corporate watchdog in Washington, D.C. She has testified before Congress and advised lawmakers on consumer and economic issues. She is author of Gouged: The End of a Fair Price—and What That Means for Your Wallet (https://link.amazon/B0f69O9qK).

Envy has a terrible reputation. We’re told not to compare ourselves to others, to be grateful for what we have and certainly not to covet what someone else has. But what if envy isn’t a character flaw at all? What if that uncomfortable feeling is actually giving you useful information about what you want from your own life? Social scientist Stacy Kim explains why envy may be worth paying attention to and how to use it without letting it consume you. She has spent more than 15 years helping people understand and use envy more productively and is author of Envy: Why Wanting What They Have Is the Key to Getting What You Want (https://link.amazon/B01U7KWW1).

Why do certain foods — lasagna, chili, stews and other leftovers — often taste even better the next day? What could possibly happen sitting in the refrigerator overnight that improves the flavor? There is actually some interesting science behind it. And in some cases, cooling and reheating food may even change it nutritionally. Listen and discover what your leftovers are doing while you sleep. https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-does-food-taste-better-the-next-day

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us know that driving faster burns more gas. But just how much does slowing down actually save you? The difference is bigger than you might think. And if you drive around with a bike rack attached to your car, even when there’s no bike on it, you’ll definitely want to hear this. https://abc7.com/archive/9151803/

There is something powerful about being part of a crowd. At a concert or sporting event, thousands of strangers can suddenly feel connected, sharing an energy and sense of belonging that is hard to create anywhere else. But crowds can also have a darker side. How does a peaceful gathering turn into an angry or even violent mob? And does being in a crowd really cause people to behave in ways they never would on their own? Dan Hancox has studied the fascinating science and history of crowds and explains what really happens to us when we become part of one. He is author of Multitudes: How Crowds Made the Modern World (https://amzn.to/40axzVW).

Every living thing comes from something else that was alive. Plants come from other plants, animals from other animals, and you came from your parents. So where did the very first life come from? And if life managed to emerge here on Earth, why haven't we found evidence of it anywhere else? Astrophysicist Mario Livio explores what scientists know about the origin of life, what conditions made Earth so hospitable, and whether we really might be alone in the universe. Mario worked with the Hubble Space Telescope and is the author of seven books. His latest, co-authored with Jack Szostak, is Is Earth Exceptional?: The Quest for Cosmic Life (https://amzn.to/4dSpSGY).

If you use Venmo, you may be sharing more information about your transactions than you realize. Depending on your privacy settings, other people may be able to see details about who you are paying. Consumer Reports says there are good reasons you might not want that information publicly visible. Listen as I explain the potential problem and how to change your Venmo settings to make your transactions more private. https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-make-your-venmo-information-private-a6507250342/

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50

AIRDOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠and use promo code SYSK to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

TREES.COM: Right now, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Trees.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠have great deals on planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to our show get 20% OFF their purchase when using the promo code SYSK at checkout.

KA'CHAVA: Ka’Chava’s new Salted Caramel is the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavor and benefits. Embrace your salty side. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get 15% off your first order!

VINTED: Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money?Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn and for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.

QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

PLANET VISIONARIES: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices