Something You Should Know

Trent Preszler, a professor and author, explores the rich history of Christmas trees, revealing their origins in ancient solstice traditions and the nuances of tree selection for Rockefeller Center. He discusses cultivation techniques and the differences between real and artificial trees. Meanwhile, food writer Adam Reiner tackles the changing dynamics of dining out, sharing insights on rising costs, evolving customer expectations, and tips for enhancing your restaurant experience in today’s post-pandemic landscape.

The podcast features Robert Viagas, a theatre historian and long-time Playbill veteran, who discusses the evolution of audience dynamics from ancient theater to modern performances. He shares how audiences amplify emotions and react collectively, revealing the historical roots of notable behaviors like applause and booing. Maggie Jackson, an award-winning journalist, explores the benefits of embracing uncertainty, showing how it can enhance decision-making and curiosity. Both guests reveal fascinating insights into human behavior that resonate in everyday life.

In this intriguing discussion, science journalist Becky Ferreira delves into humanity's enduring fascination with aliens, tracing its cultural roots from ancient myths to modern pop culture. She explores why we are drawn to the idea of extraterrestrial life and how conspiracy theories, fueled by government secrecy around UAPs, shape public belief. Longevity expert Ken Stern highlights the critical link between social connections and health, offering advice on how to combat loneliness and strengthen relationships, especially in today's digital age.

In this festive bonus, video director and author Steve Stockman shares insights on the evolution of the office Christmas party, tracing its roots from Victorian factory dinners to modern-day celebrations. He highlights common pitfalls in holiday video-making, offering tips on shooting engaging clips with smartphones. Stockman encourages short, deliberate shots and emphasizes the importance of clear audio. Plus, he suggests quick pre-planning to capture authentic moments during holiday gatherings, ensuring your videos won't end up dull and shaky.

Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, a law professor and psychologist, sheds light on how our fear of being scammed often backfires, making us more vulnerable. She explores the cultural roots of this fear and how it shapes our decisions. Meanwhile, Joe Schwarcz, a science communicator, debunks common food myths, explaining the real risks of burnt toast and the truth about supplements. He emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet over fad claims. Together, they navigate the tricky landscape of psychology and food science.

Clay Routledge, a psychologist and nostalgia expert, discusses how nostalgic memories can enhance mood, motivation, and life meaning. He reveals insights on what triggers nostalgia and its psychological benefits during stressful times. Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy explores the deeper significance of games, highlighting their role in human creativity and problem-solving. He also critiques Monopoly’s design while tracing the evolution of board games and strategies in classics like chess and Scrabble. Together, they unravel the ties between nostalgia and play.

Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at UC Berkeley, dives into the transformative power of awe, discussing its ability to enhance well-being and social connections. He shares practical ways to cultivate awe in daily life and explains its remarkable benefits on mental and physical health. Meanwhile, Gloria Mark, an informatics professor at UC Irvine, reveals alarming trends of shrinking attention spans, outlining the disruptive factors and their impacts. She offers actionable tips to reclaim focus in a distraction-filled world.

Leslie Landrigan, a writer and historian specializing in New England history, reveals intriguing insights into Thanksgiving traditions. Discover what was truly served at the first Thanksgiving feast, which included deer and shellfish rather than turkey. Leslie also explores the origins of the quirky presidential turkey pardon and explains the surprising backstory of 'Jingle Bells' as a Thanksgiving song. Dive into the forgotten foods and cultural significance of early celebrations that shaped today's holiday.

Oz Pearlman, a world-renowned mentalist and author of 'Read Your Mind', shares his secrets on reading people and making powerful first impressions. He discusses techniques like misdirection and observation to enhance interactions and overcome the fear of rejection. Science broadcaster Jay Ingram dives into the fascinating history of human-pet relationships, exploring the origins of pet ownership and the psychology behind attachment, including surprising behaviors of our furry friends. Expect insights that will change how you see both mentalism and pets!

Laura Gassner Otting, an author and career expert, discusses her concept of 'Wonder Hell'—the unsettling feeling that follows achievement as new ambitions arise. She shares strategies for coping with these emotions and emphasizes that failure is a learning opportunity. Meanwhile, Kevin Mitchell, a genetics and neuroscience professor, delves into the debate on free will, arguing that while biology influences choices, it doesn't eliminate personal agency. He explores how our evolutionary past shapes our decision-making and its implications for morality.