Unlocking The Secrets Of ‘SuperAgers’, with Emily Rogalski

Big Brains

#Science #Society #Bigbrains #Discovery #Ideas #Research #Storytelling #Universityofchicago #University of Chicago Podcast Network #Podcasting Education #Paul Rand #Academic #Matt Hodapp

17:27

Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Become a TED Member today at https://ted.com/join Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

about a year ago 22:33

MP3•Episode home

https://haarc.center.uchicago.edu/We used to think aging inevitably led to memory loss, but a small group of people—known as SuperAgers—are defying the odds. These individuals, all over 80, have the memory performance of someone in the 50s. The question is: how?

One of the leading experts studying SuperAgers is University of Chicago neurologist Emily Rogalski. She explores the fascinating science behind SuperAgers—uncovering what makes their physical brains different and how their lifestyle choices could be the key to a having a sharper, healthier brain well into old age.

195 episodes

Unlocking The Secrets Of ‘SuperAgers’, with Emily Rogalski

Big Brains

29 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

195 episodes

#Science #Society #Bigbrains #Discovery #Ideas #Research #Storytelling #Universityofchicago #University of Chicago Podcast Network #Podcasting Education #Paul Rand #Academic #Matt Hodapp

All episodes

Big Brains

1
Are We Making AI Too Human?, with James Evans 31:18

2 days ago31:18

31:18

Prof. James Evans, a University of Chicago sociologist and data scientist, believes we’re training AI to think too much like humans—and it’s holding science back. In this episode, Evans shares how our current models risk narrowing scientific exploration rather than expanding it, and explains why he’s pushing for AIs that think differently from us—what he calls “cognitive aliens.” Could these “alien minds” help us unlock hidden breakthroughs? And what would it take to build them?…

Big Brains

1
Inside The Disease That Changes Your Personality, with Bruce Miller 26:26

16 days ago26:26

26:26

When someone we know or love starts to develop psychological issues, we don't often associate it with a form of dementia. However, this trait is one of the most common signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) — the most common neurodegenerative disease in people under the age of 65. In his new book, Mysteries of the Social Brain: Understanding Human Behavior Through Science, Dr. Bruce Miller highlights his experiences observing people with FTD and what they have taught him about what he calls the "social brain." Dr. Bruce Miller has been observing people with FTD for decades in the Memory and Aging Center at the University of San Francisco, where he is also Professor of Neurology and the Founding Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. He shares key insights on how to keep our "social brain" healthy and how it can even unlock our creative potential.…

Big Brains

1
Meet The ‘Planet Hunter’ Searching For Alien Life, with Jacob Bean 34:33

30 days ago34:33

34:33

The search for life beyond Earth is no longer science fiction—it takes a lot of data, powerful telescopes and a bit of cosmic detective work. And at the center of this search is University of Chicago astrophysicist Jacob Bean. Bean was part of the team that made history by detecting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a distant planet using the James Webb Space Telescope—a major step forward in our ability to study exoplanets. Bean uses cutting-edge tools and discoveries that are reshaping how we think about planet habitability, biosignatures and our place in the universe. From potentially habitable exoplanets like K2-18b to false hopes like Gliese 486b, Bean shares why the atmospheres of these faraway worlds might hold the key to one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone in the universe?…

Big Brains

1
How To Stop Gun Violence Before It Starts, with Jens Ludwig 30:26

6 weeks ago30:26

30:26

Despite decades of policy ideas, pouring millions of dollars into the problem, and a slow pace of gun control measures, the United States hasn’t made much progress on curbing the epidemic of gun violence in our country. For the past 25 years, Prof. Jens Ludwig of the University of Chicago has examined the questions of: Why does gun violence happen, and is there anything we can do about it? In his new book, Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, Ludwig—who is director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab—discusses why we've been thinking about the gun violence problem in the wrong ways. Drawing upon behavioral economics, he explains that most shootings are not premediated; rather, the result of arguments that escalate into violence. Using data-backed interventions, Ludwig introduces new ideas beyond policy and policing to get at the real root causes of gun violence today.…

Big Brains

1
Can Your DNA Predict Your Future?, with Dalton Conley 34:26

8 weeks ago34:26

34:26

What if a single number, derived from your DNA, could predict your income, education level or even who you're likely to marry? In his new book “The Social Genome,” Princeton University sociologist Dalton Conley explores the science behind how our genes are shaping our society in ways that are both profound and unsettling. Conley explains how our genes, and the genes of those around us, are influencing our lives in ways we barely understand—from fertility clinics selecting embryos based on genetic traits to the rise of “genetic sorting” in everything from dating to zip codes. He also debunks the idea of nature versus nurture, revealing how deeply intertwined they truly are. Are we heading toward a future of genetically coded inequality? And what policies and conversations are urgently needed to ensure we don’t cross the line from science into dystopia?…

Big Brains

1
Can You Really Die of a Broken Heart? The Hidden Dangers of Grief, with Mary Frances O'Connor 31:40

10 weeks ago31:40

31:40

When we lose someone, we love, we often say we have a broken heart—but what if that’s not just a metaphor? In her new book “The Grieving Body: How The Stress of Loss Can Be An Opportunity For Healing” University of Arizona Professor of Psychology Mary Frances O’Connor shares groundbreaking insights into the biological and physiological impacts grief has on our bodies. O’Connor reveals how profound loss can lead to serious medical conditions, from heart attacks to immune system breakdowns, and explains why grieving can make us more vulnerable to diseases like cancer, pneumonia, and even autoimmune disorders. Drawing on her personal experiences and extensive research, O’Connor outlines why our medical system—and society at large—needs to rethink how we support grieving individuals. She makes a powerful case for viewing grief not only as an emotional experience but as a medical event deserving careful monitoring and intervention, similar to pregnancy or chronic illness.…

Big Brains

1
The Science Behind Raising Successful Kids, with Ariel Kalil 31:19

12 weeks ago31:19

31:19

New federal data paints a stark picture: American children are falling behind in reading and test scores, with the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged kids growing wider. But is this really just a problem of money? University of Chicago Developmental psychologist Ariel Kalil has spent her career studying how parents influence childhood development—not just through resources, but through daily habits and interactions. On this episode, we explore the surprising science behind parental engagement, the behavioral biases that shape parenting decisions, and why simple interventions—like 15 minutes of reading a day—can have an outsized impact. Plus, we discuss how AI and behavioral economics might provide new solutions for supporting parents in an era of rising inequality.…

Big Brains

1
Do Animals Understand Death?, with Susana Monsó 32:05

14 weeks ago32:05

32:05

What does it mean to understand death? For centuries, philosophers have argued that only humans can truly comprehend mortality. But what if they’re wrong? In this episode, we speak with philosopher Susana Monsó, author of Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death, to explore whether animals can grasp their own mortality. From grieving elephants to corpse-removing ants and possums that play dead, we investigate what animal behavior reveals about their concept of death. Do dogs understand when their owners pass away? Do predators recognize a corpse as different from prey? And what does this mean for how we treat animals?…

Big Brains

1
Why Measles Is Resurging—And The Rise Of Vaccine Hesitancy, with Adam Ratner 35:06

16 weeks ago35:06

35:06

In 2000, the United States declared that measles had been eliminated. But just 15 years later, the disease made a comeback—and it hasn’t gone away since. In this episode, Dr. Adam Ratner, director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at NYU and author of Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health, explains why measles outbreaks are occurring again—as vaccine hesitancy and the antivax movement is on the rise—and what this means for the future of children’s health. Ratner describes why measles is the most contagious disease we know of, and why it can be particularly harmful to children. As vaccination rates for children and adults continue to decrease in the U.S., are we at risk of undoing decades of medical progress? And what can we do to stop it?…

Big Brains

1
The Little-Known Secrets To A Good Life, with Shigehiro Oishi 33:27

18 weeks ago33:27

33:27

What makes a good life? For decades, psychologists have debated whether true fulfillment comes from happiness—a life of comfort and joy—or meaning—a life of purpose and impact. But what if there's a third way? University of Chicago psychology professor Shigehiro Oishi has spent his career studying happiness, meaning, and what truly brings people deep satisfaction. His new research suggests that some of the most fulfilled people don’t prioritize either—they live psychologically rich lives, full of novelty, challenges, and transformative experiences. In this episode, Oishi explains why psychological richness might be the missing piece in our search for fulfillment.…

Big Brains

1
How Bioelectronics Could Heal Our Bodies And Minds, with Bozhi Tian 29:48

20 weeks ago29:48

29:48

Imagine a future in which Band-Aids talk to your cells, pacemakers are powered by light and your gut microbiome gets a tune-up—all thanks to tiny bioelectric devices. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Think again. Prof. Bozhi Tian of the University of Chicago is on the frontier of bioelectronics, building living machines that can heal, enhance and maybe even transform what it means to be human. In this episode, he explains his research lab’s work and explores the thrilling, strange and sometimes unsettling world in which biology meets technology.…

Big Brains

1
Could A Fungal Pandemic Be “The Last of Us?", with Arturo Casadevall 27:13

22 weeks ago27:13

27:13

Five years after COVID became a global pandemic, could another health crisis be on our horizon? According to scientists who study diseases, the possibility of a fungal pandemic—the subject of science fiction TV shows like “The Last of Us,” could be more of a reality, thanks to climate change and our warming planet. As fungi are adapting to warmer climates, they are becoming increasingly stronger and more resistant against the drugs we have to fight them. Arturo Casadevall is one of the scientists who is warning against fungi's powerful potential. He's a professor of microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health and the author of the new book, What If Fungi Win? He explains why fungi are becoming a growing public health threat, and what tools we have to protect ourselves from a future fungal outbreak.…

Big Brains

1
The "Magic Words" That Turn Resolutions Into Reality 32:20

23 weeks ago32:20

32:20

As we step into 2025, many of us are thinking about how to turn our New Year's resolutions into lasting changes. But what if the secret to success lies not in willpower but in the words we use every day? To kick off the year, we’re sharing our past episode with Jonah Berger, a professor at The Wharton School and author of Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way. In this episode, Berger uncovers the science behind the language we use and how it shapes our habits, decisions, and relationships. From simple word swaps that can help you stay on track with your goals to strategies for using language to connect with others more effectively, this conversation is packed with insights to help you make 2025 a year of transformation.…

Big Brains

1
What’s The Truth About Alcohol’s Benefits And Risks? with Tim Stockwell 33:18

25 weeks ago33:18

33:18

We have long heard the claims that a glass of red wine is good for your heart, but it turns out that the research that fueled this wisdom was actually skewed. Some studies made it appear like moderate drinkers were healthier than people who didn't drink at all, leading the public to believe that alcohol was healthier than it is. While drinking alcohol occasionally might not have catastrophic effects on your health, the data shows that even moderate drinking will reduce your life expectancy. In this episode, we speak with Tim Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and a professor of psychology at the University of Victoria. Stockwell has reviewed hundreds of studies that he claims embellished alcohol's effects, and he explains how the new science of drinking is changing the public perception of alcohol. Today, trends like sober-curiosity and “Dry January” are on the rise, and some countries around the world are even implementing new policies around alcohol regulation.…

Big Brains

1
What Happens When We Die? with Sam Parnia 30:29

27 weeks ago30:29