In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beatriz Luna, Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a pioneer in research on the adolescent brain. We discuss the science behind teenage impulsivity and risk taking and why these behaviors are not only normal. but essential for learning, exploration, and developing independence. Dr. Luna explains the neurobiological changes taking place during this critical stage of life and discusses their implications for mental health and addiction. We also explore how this research can inform public policies that better support adolescents. Finally, she offers practical guidance for supporting teens as they navigate this exciting yet challenging period.

In this special episode, recorded in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Center for Vital Longevity (CVL), we welcome Dr. Yaakov Stern—recipient of the inaugural Denise C. Park Research Excellence Award.

We discuss his influential theory of cognitive reserve and explore how our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease has evolved over the decades. Dr. Stern also shares insights from his longitudinal RANN study and discusses how lifestyle, education, and even early-life experiences shape our brain’s ability to adapt and thrive as we age.

In this episode, we meet with Dr. Jaime Castrellon, an Assistant Professor at UCLA. We discuss the science of decision-making and how emotions, moral judgments, and social context steer our choices. We also talk about dopamine’s role in choice, why we often go for immediate rewards, and how resisting social pressure may change with age. Our conversation also turns to the courtroom: Dr. Castrellon explains how biases can influence the decisions jurors make and how storytelling and narratives also play a role.