Has Therapy Gone Too Far? & The Hidden Genius of Birds

Has Therapy Gone Too Far? & The Hidden Genius of Birds

Author: Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media July 13, 2026 Duration: 50:56
Need a favor? The way you ask may matter as much as what you're asking for. Researchers have found that a few simple changes in how you make a request can dramatically increase the chances someone will say yes—and most people overlook them completely. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/francis-flynn-if-you-want-something-ask-it Going to therapy has become more common—and more socially accepted—than ever before. For many people, it has been life-changing. At the same time, anxiety, depression, and loneliness continue to rise, prompting an important question: Are we asking therapy to solve problems it was never designed to solve? Should everyone have a therapist, even if nothing is seriously wrong? Where is the line between normal struggles and issues that truly require professional treatment? In this thoughtful conversation, therapist Jonathan Alpert explores who benefits most from therapy, where it can fall short, and why resilience, personal responsibility, and strong relationships still play an essential role in emotional wellbeing. Jonathan has spent more than two decades treating patients and is author of Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why It's Left Us More Anxious and Divided (https://amzn.to/4xMXS2I). Birds are so common that it's easy to stop noticing them. Yet they are among the most extraordinary creatures on Earth. Every feather is a masterpiece of engineering. Their bones are optimized for flight. Some navigate across continents with astonishing accuracy, others build intricate nests without blueprints, and many possess abilities that scientists are still trying to understand. Even more remarkable, every bird alive today is a living descendant of the dinosaurs. Lorna Gibson, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and lifelong bird enthusiast, reveals the hidden science behind feathers, flight, migration, and the incredible adaptations that make birds some of nature's greatest engineering achievements. She is author of Birds Up Close: An Engineer Explores Their Hidden Wonders (https://amzn.to/4eOiE9C). The next time you open a bag of potato chips, pay attention to the sound it makes. That loud crinkling isn't an accident. Food manufacturers carefully engineer snack bags to produce a particular sound because what you hear can actually influence what you think about the freshness and quality of what's inside. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/food/noisy-chip-bags PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to ⁠https://Wayfair.com⁠ right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.  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! 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 INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curiosity is a powerful engine, and Something You Should Know is built on the idea that a single conversation can shift your perspective in a meaningful way. Host Mike Carruthers, through OmniCast Media, sits down with researchers, authors, and practitioners across a surprisingly wide spectrum-from neuroscience and health to social dynamics and personal finance. The aim isn't just to accumulate facts, but to uncover practical wisdom you can apply directly. You might hear a psychologist explain the simple habit that strengthens relationships, followed by an economist demystifying how to build lasting wealth, and then a physiologist breaking down the real science behind effective fitness. This podcast operates on the belief that improvement is multifaceted; a tip for saving time can be as valuable as understanding a new scientific discovery. Each episode is a self-contained dive into a topic that could very well change your approach to your career, your health, or your daily routine. The tone is conversational and grounded, focusing on actionable takeaways rather than abstract theory. By weaving together insights from the fields of science, education, and self-improvement, the show provides a toolkit for navigating life's complexities. It’s the kind of listening that leaves you with something concrete-a strategy, a new understanding, or a piece of advice that resonates long after the episode ends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Something You Should Know
Podcast Episodes
The Hidden Science of Imagination & What AI Still Doesn't Understand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:11
Humans are remarkably bad at predicting how long something will take. Whether it's a home project, a work assignment, or even a quick trip across town, we almost always underestimate the time involved. Psychologists have…
SYSK- TRENDING - What Your Dog is Really Thinking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
Anyone who has ever owned a dog has probably wondered what goes on inside that furry little head. Does your dog feel guilty after chewing up your favorite shoes? Does it know when you've had a bad day? Does it love you t…
How to Find the Best Airfares Every Time & What Burnout Really Means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:06
When you're hungry, you know you're more interested in food. But hunger also changes the way you think—and the effects can spill over into decisions that have nothing to do with eating. Researchers have discovered some s…
SYSK TRENDING - Mysteries That Science Can’t Explain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Some mysteries have been solved by science. Others remain surprisingly stubborn. Despite all our advances in technology and research, there are still questions that continue to puzzle some of the brightest minds on Earth…
How Slowing Down Makes Life Better & Why Every Brain Needs Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:30
Ever notice how your face turns bright red when you're embarrassed—and makes the whole situation even worse? As awkward as blushing feels, it isn't a design flaw. It's actually serving a purpose that's far more useful th…
How to Read People & The Most Extreme Things on Earth – SYSK Choice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Have you ever met someone named Lucy and thought, "She really looks like a Lucy"? As strange as it sounds, scientists have discovered there may be more truth to that feeling than you realize. Your name may actually influ…