How does the brain know where we are -- and how do we find our way through the world? In this episode, we explore the cognitive neuroscience of spatial navigation with Dr. Steven Weisberg, a cognitive neuroscientist at The University of Texas at Arlington. We discuss how the brain supports navigation, why some people have a better sense of direction than others, how navigation abilities change with age, and how tools like GPS and virtual reality shape spatial cognition. Dr. Weisberg also shares insights into whether navigation skills can be trained and practical ways we can improve our ability to find our way.

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.