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Why is small talk such a big deal? (11/14/09)

Sat, Nov 14 Listen

So... how are you? Nice weather we're having, huh? Yep... everyone hates "small talk." But what if we told you small talk could SAVE YOUR LIFE? And what if we proved it? Sounds like a good idea for a podcast, doesn't it? Download to discover the wonders of talking small.

Are you listening to me? (11/07/09)

Sat, Nov 7 Listen

Is listening a lost art? Listen carefully this week for professional listeners, the secret to "cocktail party listening," and more.

You are so Scary! (10/31/09)

Sat, Oct 31 Listen

When did you scare the bejeebers out of someone else? This week, we're looking at what happens when you become the frightener.

We quit! (10/24/09)

Sat, Oct 24 Listen

Quitters never win... except when they do. So this week, we're looking at the transformative power of quitting... for better or for worse.

Repeats, reruns, repitions and repeats (10/17/09)

Sat, Oct 17 Listen

Why do we love repetition? And why do we need it? This week (in an all-new episode), we look at the joys and trials of repeating things.

Food Fight! (10/10/09)

Sat, Oct 10 Listen

From family blow-outs at the dinner table to office fights over lunches stolen from the fridge, there are lots of ways we fight over food. So just in time for Thanksgiving, we're looking into "food fights."

Minding our P's and Q's (10/03/09)

Sat, Oct 3 Listen

Have we become less polite, more polite, or just different in our manners? And how can manners save your life? We'll find out this week, as we look at "etiquette." Tune in to hear from the man who good-mannered his way through a mugging, the ranting waiter, and more.

What gets lost (and found) in translation? (09/26/09)

Sat, Sep 26 Listen

This week, we're looking into the perilous pitfalls of language, as well as the joys of linguistic diversity. Tune in to find out why Hidden Cameras frontman Joel Gibb loves the challenge of conversing in German, and to hear a new tune, live in studio. Plus, author Robert J. Sawyer on the translation from book to TV, and Nick Purdon looks at why parents and kids always seem to speak a different language.

Can You Really Change Who You Are? (09/19/09)

Sat, Sep 19 Listen

Okay, so one of the goals in life is to try to accept yourself warts and all, right? But the the truth is, everyone has something they want to change about themselves. So what happens when you attempt to radically alter who you are? Coming up on the DNTO podcast, New York Times writer Peggy Orenstein on why it's harder for 20-somethings to reinvent themselves these days. Former hick-hopper now country crooner Ridley Bent performs a brand-new song.

What didn't you learn in school today? (09/12/09)

Sat, Sep 12 Listen

You probably learned lots of great stuff in school. But there are also a lot of big, important things you didn't learn there. This week, we're looking at those life lessons - and how, for better or for worse, we learned them.

What do you believe in? (09/05/09)

Sat, Sep 5 Listen

This week, we're looking into what we can't prove, but still believe - and why. Rachel Sanders will look into the fact and fiction of mother's intuition. And... would you put on a serial killer's sweater? Neuroscientist Bruce Hood explains why we have faith in strange things - like cursed cardigans. And we'll find out what super-skeptic Michael Shermer believes in.

A second look at first impressions (08/29/08)

Sat, Aug 29 Listen

This week on DNTO we're asking the question, "Are first impressions all that matter?" Science guy Jay Ingram will argue that first impressions are all based on a simple biological imperative... reproduction. Joff Schmidt will explain why first impressions shouldn't be trusted. And Diana Frances prepares for the biggest first impression of her life: meeting her birth mother for the first time.

The Department of Complaints (08/22/09)

Sat, Aug 22 Listen

What are we actually saying to each other when we complain? This week, we explore the art of the complaint. We'll get the lowdown on the very first instance of kvetching (and why we do it) from Michael Wex, author of Born to Kvetch. Kaj Hasselriis looks into whether complaining makes or breaks a romantic relationship. And we'll find out what a world without complaining would sound like when we talk with Pastor Will Bowen about his "complaint-free world" campaign.

Liar, liar... (08/15/09)

Sat, Aug 15 Listen

Why are we all such liars? C'mon, admit it... you've told a little white lie now and then,right? We'll talk with evolutionary biologist David Livingstone Smith to find out why we lie; we'll hear from master pranksters the Yes Men about their fabulous fabrications; Rachel Sanders will tell us why sometimes, a lie is a very good thing; and Romi Mayes will tell us how she lied her way into a meeting with the Beastie Boys (and play us a tune live in studio).

Playing the name game (08/08/09)

Sat, Aug 8 Listen

Does your name determine who you are? We'll hear from a man with a name a bit TOO common; and a woman who decided to reclaim her name will tell us why it mattered so much to her. Plus, we'll find the secret to remembering names; track down the source of an urban legend of a name; and find out why being named Bob or Betty makes you more likely to move to Blubber Bay, B.C.

Stuff about stuff (08/01/09)

Sat, Aug 1 Listen

Why does our stuff matter? You might say you don't need it, or even want it... but you'll fight tooth and nail to keep it. We'll find out about the natural lifecycle of stuff with Will Straw; Sook-Yin rides along with a couple of junk collectors; and we'll get the lowdown on how to merge your stuff when you shack up. Plus, Veda Hille live in studio!

Brotherly (and sisterly) love (07/25/09)

Sat, Jul 25 Listen

Siblings. Even if you don't have them, they're running your life - whether or not you know it (or like it). So this week, guest host Jonathan Torrens and crew explore our complicated relationships with our brothers and sisters.

A close look at flaws (07/18/09)

Sat, Jul 18 Listen

What's your flaw - and how have you learned to deal with it? This week, we're all about looking at our imperfections, and how we embrace them. We'll talk with a photographer about taking pics of celebs in their natural, flawed glory; learn how to deal with your significant other's lil' faults; and find out how to answer the classic job interview question: "What's your biggest fault?"

Go with the crowd (07/11/09)

Sat, Jul 11 Listen

Have you ever done something that you wouldn't normally do? When we're young we blame it on peer pressure but as we grow we blame it on the crowd! Sook-Yin Lee experiments with the power of a crowd and finds out what happens when you try to control a crowd and lose. She also will talk with musical guest Matt Mays about what it's like to play to a crowd of one!

Take a jog with DNTO (07/04/09)

Sat, Jul 4 Listen

Why do we run? What are we running to... or from? Sook-Yin takes a jog with Olympic sprinter Anson Henry, and runs in inappropriate places with the ladies from the Movement Movement. And running coach Gilbert Tuhabonye tells us his remarkable story of running to survive. Plus, comedian Alix Sobler looks into getting the runner's high; and Rachel Sanders explains why we have so many dreams about running.

What are you waiting for?!?!

Sat, Jun 27 Listen

They say life is what happens while you wait. So this week, we're looking at what we're waiting for... and why we wait. Nick Purdon looks into the lost art of waiting. Maggie Estey tells us why after waiting backstage to meet a hip-hop superstar, she decided she never needed to meet another celebrity again. Why are we still waiting for flying cars and vacations to the moon? We'll find out why the future we're living isn't the one we imagined with Daniel Wilson, author of "Where's My Jet

Happy day, fathers! (06/20/09)

Sat, Jun 20 Listen

We're celebrating fathers, and our relationships with them. As well as we know them, our dads are in many ways often a mystery to us. So Sook-Yin asks you what you'd like to ask your dad. We'll hear from Joel Plaskett and his recent tourmate - his dad. Natalie Karneef explains how her trip to Beirut made her re-think who her dad really was. And an extended interview with comic book creator/screenwriter Neil Gaiman, on how his children have inspired his twisted work.

An inside look at outsiders (06/13/09)

Sat, Jun 13 Listen

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Of course you have... at one point or another, just about all of us do. So this week, we're looking at what it's like to be different - for better or for worse.

Focusing on distractions (06/06/09)

Sat, Jun 6 Listen

Facebook, YouTube, and the good ol' TV - we have a variety of ways to distract ourselves. So is anyone getting anything done any more, or are we victims of our own distractions? Nick Purdon tries out "uni-tasking" to see if he actually gets more done when he narrows his focus. We'll find out how distractions may not have made Lisa Schwartzman a liar, liar... but they did set her pants on fire. And author Winifred Gallagher explains why attention is vital to leading a happy life.

The Upside of Anger (05/30/09)

Sat, May 30 Listen

This week the peeps at DNTO are mad as hell and asking the question: is there an upside to anger? You'll find out why angry people are so darn funny. And if you've ever wanted to hurl a plate against a wall, you'll want to meet the woman behind Sarah's Smash Shack. Plus, Sook-Yin gets anger advice from none other than Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk.

A second look at first impressions (05/23/09)

Sat, May 23 Listen

This week on DNTO we're asking the question, "Are first impressions all that matter?" Science guy Jay Ingram will argue that first impressions are all based on a simple biological imperative... reproduction. Joff Schmidt will explain why first impressions shouldn't be trusted. And Diana Frances prepares for the biggest first impression of her life: meeting her birth mother for the first time.

Looking back at nostalgia (05/16/09)

Sat, May 16 Listen

This week, we'll find out what we're nostalgic for - and how far we're willing to go to recapture the past. Can you plan nostalgia? Nick Purdon finds out. Sook-Yin will chat with Canadian hip hop star K-OS about how he's mined the past to make modern music. And what's it like when your job is defined by other people's nostalgia? We'll talk with Mike Reno, lead singer of Loverboy, about living up to fans' expectations of the hard rockin' band.

The sing-song show (05/09/09)

Sat, May 9 Listen

This week on DNTO delves into the world of singing. If you're a secret shower singer, it might be time to pull back the curtain! Nick Purdon uncovers what's really going on in the world of secret singers. We'll hear why it's never a good idea to sing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" when you're a hormonal 14 year old boy. And we'll talk to an anthropologist who believes our early ability to belt out a tune was essential for our SURVIVAL.

Makin' mistakes (05/02/09)

Sat, May 2 Listen

Where would we be without mistakes? This week, we're looking at the ups and downs of messing up. Diane Flacks tells us about the time she accidentally did a "reply all" and made some rather unfortunate comments about her parents... to her parents. We'll find out how someone else's big mistake landed Precious Chong on a film set where she got to fly a fake plane and ogle Richard Gere. And we'll hear from movie geek Jon Sandys, who ferrets out those awesome mistakes in films.

Conquer your world with eye contact! (04/25/09)

Sat, Apr 25 Listen

This week on DNTO we explore eye contact. The surprising things that occur when one human being stares at another. How would you feel if you walked into an art gallery and noticed 800 sets of eyeballs staring at you. We'll meet the artist behind the provocative installation all about eye contact. Clare Lawlor uncovers the interesting connections between our eyes and our hearts... And Nick Purdon will head outside for a little social experiment where he stares down complete strangers.

Definitely Not the Opera (Culture)