Horror movies are a lot like roller coasters. Some people love them, and other people don’t. The one thing we can all agree on, however, is that horror movie characters are just kind of dumb. Other than the films’ sole survivor, almost always a female, the rest of the characters make deadly errors we, the audience, are certain that we would not make. Except, if you were actually in a horror movie, you’re not going to be as smart as you think. In this episode, we combine science with our particular brand of snark to demonstrate exactly why that is true. And to get there we’re covering: •Wh ..read more

We’re all afraid of something. Fear is, after all, a core emotion in the human experience. Some of the things we fear are big, dangerous, or important. And some of the things that frighten us can be rather small and inconsequential . . . To others, at least. In this episode, in honor of the Halloween season, we examine fear and phobias. From the rational to the irrational, and from the terror of phobias, to the joyful exhilaration of scary fun. In fear and phobias, we discuss: * The biological and psychological source of fear * Why we enjoy some scary things but not others * How phobias dif ..read more

As natural as socializing is for humans, often interactions with strangers and new acquaintances isn’t the easiest thing to master. And, let’s face it, we live in a world where we have to be extra cautious not to offend. It’s helpful to have some social life, life hacks to help improve interactions, and create better and more positive communications. In this episode, we’re sharing some time-proven techniques to: •Improve likeability •Make a better connection with another •Know when someone is disinterested •Demonstrate greater positivity Plus, we’re throwing in a few of the darker Jedi mind ..read more

One in four Americans believes in astrology, which is a little more than half of the number who believe in UFOs. But even if we’re not true believer knowing the things written in the stars about you is fun, entertaining, and can often be alarmingly insightful. After all, what harm is there in recognizing the potentially best aspects of our personalities? In this episode, for believers, non-believers, and those who want to laugh at themselves, we’re making personality predictions based on your Zodiac signs. We’ve got a rundown for all the signs on: •Your ideal job •The one word that best de ..read more

Well, we put off the episode on procrastination for as long as we could. After all, of all the demons we face, the ugliest is the one who keeps records on everything we haven’t yet completed. If there is a person in the world who never procrastinates, they are probably an intolerable sort who silently judges the rest of us with their sanctimonious looks. Okay, that may be a little harsh. If you are the type of person who gets everything done, when it needs to be done, and well in advance of the deadline. Congratulations! This episode is not for you. For the rest of us, this episode dives dee ..read more

In this episode, we explore some of the most common and yet least usable advice that is out on the internet. Advice today is like opinions—everyone has some. It truly is a great thing to be able to read so much information on ways to improve everything from your productivity to your peace of mind, to your finances. And although the advice is well intended and may even be helpful, a lot of what you read just isn’t usable. So, we’re diving into some of the top categories and discussing why this stuff won’t work and providing some simple alternatives that may work better ..read more

Alcohol is that amazing substance that has been the source of the most memorable nights and those best forgotten. It’s incredible the feats we can perform with a little inhibition reducing poison. And whether you’re the occasional drinker or a black-out drunk partier, we’ve got some life-changing alcohol facts (that won’t actually change your life). Now, as you know, here at Wit Without Wisdom, we are all about the “show don’t tell” when it comes to facts. So, as a special treat, while the show is one sequential episode, we recorded it in five-minute intervals with twenty-five-minute recordin ..read more

In an age where we must be cautious as to what we say, for one group it is open season for criticism and attacks. That group is Men. The reason is that today’s narrative is the belief that the male species has enjoyed centuries of unfettered privilege and consequently deserve all the criticism they receive. But is that true? In this episode, we explore the topic of men and all their faults. But rather than settling on a blanket agreement that men are the source of all evil, or promoting the idea that all men are the same, we delve into the societal and biological reasons for why men behave th ..read more

The Medieval Age, those 1000 years of technological and intellectual darkness when superstition was the source of humankind’s explanation of the world. Looking back today, many of the insane things people believed in medieval times seem funny. But in that age of faith, evil spirits, demons, and crazy remedies were wholeheartedly embraced. In this episode, we take a tour of the fantastical medieval beliefs, including: * Burial practices * Common medical cures * The botanical value of virgins * How to summon the devil * The curse of Brussels sprouts Plus a whole bunch more of crazy beliefs a ..read more

Hey, if you’re living life correctly, you’re gonna feel a little dirty once in a while. But setting aside your inherent naughtiness, the idea of cleaning our insides has become a focus of better health advocates. And as the words suggest, diet processes promoting detox and cleanses have enjoyed great popularity over the past decade. The questions remain, however, as to whether these proposed solutions do what they say they do. In this episode, we purge ourselves of the temptations offered by dietary magic bullets and dive into the topic of cleansing and detoxifying. We discuss: • The differ ..read more