Podcast Summary: Something You Should Know
Episode: Why Human Touch is So Important & Space Facts That Will Shock You
Release Date: April 5, 2025
Host: Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of "Something You Should Know," host Mike Carruthers delves into two captivating topics: the profound impact of human touch on our well-being and a series of astonishing facts about outer space. Through insightful interviews with experts Michael Banasi and Dr. Gillian Scudder, listeners gain a deeper understanding of both interpersonal connections and the mysteries of the cosmos.

The Power of Human Touch

Guest: Michael Banasi, Award-Winning Professor and Author of Touch: Handshakes, Hugs, and the New Science of How Touch Can Enhance Your Well-Being
Timestamp: 04:09 – 26:59

Benefits of Physical Contact

Michael Banasi begins by elucidating the tangible benefits of touch beyond mere comfort. He emphasizes that tactile experiences like hugging and handshakes have significant stress-buffering effects, reducing pain, and even boosting the immune system.

“Touch feels nice, but how is it actually good for you? Is more touch better and are you getting enough of it? That's what Michael Banasi is here to talk about.”
— Mike Carruthers [00:42]

Understanding Touch Hunger

Banasi introduces the concept of "touch hunger," a state where individuals do not receive the amount or type of touch they desire. This deficiency can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and decreased life satisfaction. Research cited indicates that a substantial majority of people feel they aren’t getting enough touch.

“People who are more touch hungry can be more lonely. It can exert negative effects on things like their stress and their well-being and have a range of impacts just in terms of general life satisfaction.”
— Michael Banasi [05:02]

Cultural Importance of Handshakes

The discussion advances to the societal role of handshakes. Banasi highlights studies showing that handshakes can foster trust and cooperation, especially in settings like negotiations and job interviews.

“Handshakes have been around for a long time... they can have these quite powerful effects on how we interact with one another.”
— Michael Banasi [09:49]

Balancing Touch: Quality Over Quantity

Banasi underscores that the quality of touch is more crucial than the quantity. It's essential to align the amount of touch with individual preferences, advocating for open communication about touch needs within relationships.

“It's really about the quality of the touch rather than the quantity. It's not necessarily a case that more is always better.”
— Michael Banasi [06:43]

Physiological Mechanisms

Delving into the science, Banasi explains how positive touch releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes calmness and builds trust, thereby modulating the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress.

“When we perceive kind of pleasant touch... we see a release of a hormone called oxytocin... it helps to modulate our parasympathetic nervous system.”
— Michael Banasi [21:58]

Impact on Team Performance

An intriguing study discussed reveals that professional sports teams exhibiting more positive tactile interactions, such as fist bumps and high-fives, tend to perform better throughout the season.

“The teams that shared more of these positive touches in early season, they tended on to go on to win more games as the season progressed.”
— Michael Banasi [16:44]

Current Trends and Research

Banasi shares recent findings indicating that approximately 80% of people report not receiving enough touch in their lives, a concern that has persisted and even intensified post-pandemic.

“In that particular study, they didn't get to the exact details... people generally don't feel they have enough touch in their life compared to what they want.”
— Michael Banasi [18:15]

Astonishing Space Facts

Guest: Dr. Gillian Scudder, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Oberlin College, Author of The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries and Other Amazing Cosmic Facts
Timestamp: 30:56 – 50:18

Unusual Characteristics of the Milky Way

Dr. Scudder begins by addressing intriguing properties of our galaxy, such as its flatness. She explains that while the Milky Way is vast, its proportion is much thinner compared to objects like a credit card when scaled proportionally.

“Proportionally, it is flatter than a credit card... it's very, very thin.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [32:53]

Chemical Oddities: Smells from Space

One of the episode's highlights is the discovery that parts of the Milky Way emit molecules responsible for smells like rum and raspberries. However, Dr. Scudder warns that these regions contain hazardous substances, making them impossible to smell firsthand.

“One of the molecules that was found in that cloud of gas is responsible on Earth... for the smell of rum and the flavor of raspberries.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [01:07]

Changing Brightness of the Universe

Dr. Scudder discusses how the universe is getting dimmer over time due to the depletion of gas necessary for star formation. Fainter, longer-living red stars are becoming more prevalent as brighter stars exhaust their fuel quickly.

“The light in the universe comes from stars... the galaxy and the universe generally gets a little bit fainter over time.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [33:47]

Volcanic Activity on the Moon

A surprising revelation is the existence of volcanoes on the Moon, which erupted violently, sending molten material into space. This has resulted in glass pellets scattered across the lunar surface.

“The way the volcanoes worked on the moon is that they exploded into space... raining down tiny glass pellets all over the place.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [37:41]

Saturn’s Rings in Decline

Dr. Scudder reveals that Saturn's rings are currently falling apart, a process indicating that the rings were once brighter and larger. These ice particles are gradually descending into Saturn’s atmosphere.

“They seem to be falling into Saturn at the moment... it implies that Saturn's rings would have been brighter and bigger in the past.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [45:17]

Black Holes Can “Sing”

Exploring the enigmatic nature of black holes, Dr. Scudder explains that they can produce pressure waves that resemble musical notes, although these are typically at frequencies below human hearing.

"This particular supermassive black hole seems to be creating a pressure wave... it's a note."
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [46:32]

Diamonds Raining on Neptune

One of the most fascinating theories discussed is that Neptune experiences diamond rain. High pressure and abundant methane in Neptune's atmosphere may create diamonds that precipitate downward.

“If you crush things that have lots of carbon in it, you might make diamonds and it might fall as rain.”
— Dr. Gillian Scudder [01:07]

Additional Surprising Facts

• Young Surface of Pluto: Pluto’s surface is surprisingly young, indicating recent geological activity that resurface the dwarf planet, erasing older craters.

  “When we went to see Pluto with New Horizons... this patch has to be really, really fresh and really, really renewed.”
  — Dr. Gillian Scudder [42:05]

• Moon’s Waters in Shadows: Contrary to its arid reputation, the Moon possesses water in permanently shadowed craters, where ice remains trapped and doesn’t evaporate.

  “There's more water than you would expect for it being the Moon... hiding in all the shadows.”
  — Dr. Gillian Scudder [40:35]

Conclusion

This episode of "Something You Should Know" masterfully bridges the gap between human psychology and the vastness of space. Mike Carruthers, through engaging conversations, highlights the essential role of touch in our lives and presents mind-boggling facts about the universe. Whether it’s understanding the biochemical effects of a handshake or contemplating diamond rains on Neptune, listeners are left with a richer appreciation of both personal connections and cosmic phenomena.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Banasi [05:02]: “People who are more touch hungry can be more lonely. It can exert negative effects on things like their stress and their well-being and have a range of impacts just in terms of general life satisfaction.”

• Dr. Gillian Scudder [32:53]: “Proportionally, it is flatter than a credit card... it's very, very thin.”

• Dr. Gillian Scudder [37:41]: “The way the volcanoes worked on the moon is that they exploded into space... raining down tiny glass pellets all over the place.”

Further Reading:

• Touch: Handshakes, Hugs, and the New Science of How Touch Can Enhance Your Well-Being by Michael Banasi
• The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries and Other Amazing Cosmic Facts by Dr. Gillian Scudder

For more insightful episodes and fascinating knowledge, subscribe to "Something You Should Know" on your preferred podcast platform.