Something You Should Know
Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something You Should Know." In each episode, host Mike Carruthers interviews top experts in their field to bring you fascinating information and advice to help you save time and money, advance in your career, become wealthy, improve your relationships and help you simply get more out of life. In addition, Mike uncovers and shares short, engaging pieces of "intel" you can use to make your life better - today. Right now.
Episodes
December 27, 2025 • 47 mins
There is a three-letter word in the English language that holds more meanings than any other word. You’ve probably said it several times today without realizing how complex it really is. This episode begins with the surprising story behind that word. https://www.rd.com/article/most-complicated-word-in-english/
How much of who you are comes from your genes — and how much comes from the home you grew up in? Heredity is powerful, but...
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December 25, 2025 • 47 mins
Why do we say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas? The phrase has a surprisingly rich past, shaped by culture, language, and holiday tradition. This episode begins with where “merry” came from and why it stuck. https://time.com/6240140/why-we-say-merry-christmas-traditions/
Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. In fact, choosing solitude can offer profound psychological and emotional benefits. Robert J. Coplan joins m...
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December 23, 2025 • 30 mins
Every December, millions of people around the world track Santa’s journey in real time using the NORAD Santa Tracker. But why is a military defense organization keeping tabs on Santa Claus in the first place? This bonus holiday episode begins with the surprisingly charming and accidental origin of that tradition. https://www.noradsanta.org/en/about/
Why do people kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we decorate Christmas trees with or...
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December 22, 2025 • 47 mins
If you fall short on sleep, can you really “catch up” the next night? Many people think so — but our bodies don’t quite work that way. This episode begins with what science says about recovering from poor sleep and how to optimize deep sleep when your schedule gets disrupted. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a40511210/deep-sleep/
What makes a song a hit? Trends, personal taste, timing, and luck all play a role — but today, t...
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December 20, 2025 • 49 mins
Sometimes the perfect words show up when you need them most. We start with a surprisingly powerful bit of holiday inspiration from Mr. Rogers — a reminder of kindness and humanity that still resonates today. Source: The World According to Mr. Rogers (https://amzn.to/3RKWfzC)
Science is completely rethinking what it means to grow old. It’s not just about adding years — it’s about adding healthy years. And while diet and exercise pl...
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December 18, 2025 • 49 mins
Christmas tree fires are frightening, but they’re not the leading cause of house fires in the U.S. What’s surprising is how many fires start from everyday habits and household choices most people never think twice about. This episode begins with a look at several common yet overlooked causes of home fires. Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/fire-safety/#.Viz3ILerTIU
We alter our own memories far more than we realize. We forg...
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December 16, 2025 • 32 mins
Christmas decorations are meant to be cheerful — but some have been anything but. Over the years, certain holiday decorations have turned out to be creepy, hazardous, and even deadly. This episode begins with some of the strangest and most dangerous examples. https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radioactivity-antiques?utm
Many classic Christmas songs have surprising backstories. Brenda Lee was only 13 when she recorded Rockin’ Around the C...
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December 15, 2025 • 45 mins
Some people crave sweets, while others reach for salty snacks — and it’s not just habit. Your flavor preference is shaped by biology and brain chemistry. We begin with a look at what determines whether you’re wired for sugar or salt. Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19931521/why-some-people-have-a-sweet-tooth/
The holidays promise joy but often deliver stress. We push for perfection, try to meet expectations, and fo...
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December 13, 2025 • 51 mins
Winter brings cold and flu season—and when symptoms first appear, it can be hard to tell which one you’ve got. Fortunately, early signs can offer helpful clues, so you can take the right steps quickly. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/is-it-cold-flu
During the holidays especially, people feel a heightened need for connection. Yet many of us struggle with the social skills that make connection possible—skills like how to be a gre...
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December 11, 2025 • 46 mins
If you’re having a rough day, there’s one oddly specific body part you can wash that appears to boost your mood—even though the science behind it makes little sense. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21707206/
When it comes to communicating, influencing, or connecting with others, some words are far more powerful than others. Jonah Berger, marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of Magi...
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December 9, 2025 • 30 mins
Eggnog is one of the strangest holiday traditions we have — a creamy mix of eggs, milk, spices, and often a splash of rum. Yet people look forward to it every December. Where did this unusual drink come from, and how did it become tied so closely to Christmas? We start with the surprising history behind this centuries-old holiday concoction. Source: https://time.com/3957265/history-of-eggnog/
Chances are you have a favorite Christ...
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December 8, 2025 • 49 mins
A yawn spreads quickly. You see someone yawn, you think about yawning, or you even read the word “yawn”—and suddenly you’re doing it too. This episode begins by looking at why yawning is so contagious, what theories actually hold up, and what science still can’t explain. https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/why-is-yawning-contagious
A Christmas tree seems like such a natural part of the holiday season, but the tradition behi...
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December 6, 2025 • 47 mins
Who doesn’t love the smell of a fresh Christmas tree? That unmistakable pine scent isn’t just nostalgic — it may actually have measurable benefits. We start this episode with a look at why the aroma of pine can lift your mood, help you relax, and enhance your holiday season. Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/the-healing-power-of-pine
Audiences are remarkable. Whether it’s a play, a movie, or a concert, something special happe...
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December 4, 2025 • 49 mins
When you’re asked to “sign in blue or black ink,” is that actually the law — or just an outdated rule we all obey? We begin with the surprising truth about which ink colors really matter when you’re signing checks, contracts, or legal documents. Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/061314/dont-sign-legal-pitfalls-signatures.asp
Why are humans endlessly fascinated by aliens? For thousands of years, every ...
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December 2, 2025 • 29 mins
There was a time when the office Christmas party was the highlight of the corporate year — big budgets, elaborate celebrations, and stories that still get whispered decades later. But how did this tradition start? Who decided employers should host a holiday bash in the first place? This special holiday bonus episode looks at the surprising origins of the office Christmas party and why it evolved into the event it is today - usually...
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December 1, 2025 • 49 mins
Ever wonder why some people seem naturally gifted at music? It turns out your personality may have more to do with musical ability than you think. This episode begins with research identifying which personality traits actually predict innate musical potential — and which ones don’t. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151013135831.htm
Are we too worried about getting scammed? Most of us would rather lose money through an...
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November 29, 2025 • 50 mins
Does your place in the family — firstborn, middle child, or youngest — really shape who you are? Birth-order theory has been debated for decades. This episode begins by exploring what science actually says about how sibling order affects personality, achievement, and relationships. https://psychcentral.com/blog/birth-order-and-personality#birth-order-and-personality
Around the holiday season, many of us feel a wave of nostalgia —...
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November 27, 2025 • 49 mins
When you’re congested with a cold or flu, getting a good night’s sleep can feel impossible. This episode begins with smart, science-backed ways to clear your sinuses so you can breathe easier and finally get some much needed rest. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/sleep-better-cold-flu
Few emotions are as powerful — or as good for you — as awe. That feeling of wonder you get when gazing at the stars, hearing incredible music, or ...
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November 25, 2025 • 27 mins
Ever wonder what was actually served at the very first Thanksgiving? Much of what we learned in school doesn’t hold up. In this special bonus holiday episode, we unpack some of the most surprising — and misunderstood — moments in Thanksgiving history.
We start with a beloved modern ritual: the presidential turkey pardon. It’s a quirky White House tradition with roots that go all the way back to the 1800s. I reveal how this annual ...
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November 24, 2025 • 50 mins
When you look up information online, you may find that it’s harder to remember later. It’s a frequent phenomenon called digital amnesia. This episode begins by explaining why it happens so often — and what you can do about it. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1332030/full
Oz Pearlman is probably the world’s greatest mentalist. He doesn’t claim to read minds — he reads people. Recently...
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