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.

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.

Dr. Michael Rugg, Distinguished Chair at the University of Texas at Dallas, Director of the Center for Vital Longevity, and a leading figure in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, joins us to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Eleanor Maguire, an award-winning Professor at the University College London. We discuss her groundbreaking research on memory and spatial navigation and how her innovative use of cutting-edge technology shaped our understanding of how the brain supports these processes. Her famous ‘London Taxi Driver’ study demonstrated the brain’s remarkable ability to continue to change throughout life, and her commitment to studying human brain function in naturalistic settings continues to inspire researchers worldwide. Sadly, Dr. Maguire passed away earlier this year. We hope you enjoy this discussion about her profound impact on the field of cognitive neuroscience. Thank you so much for tuning in!

Dr. Louis Renoult, a cognitive neuroscientist and lecturer at the University of East Anglia in the UK, explores how different types of memory, like episodic and semantic memory, are represented in the brain and how they interact. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Renoult about the distinctions between these memory systems, the key brain networks that support them, and how our memories evolve over time. We also discuss how time and context shape what we remember - and what we forget. As always, thank you for tuning in - and we hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Audrey Duarte, a cognitive neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology at UT Austin. Dr. Duarte leads the Memory and Aging Lab, where she studies how memory changes with age - and why some people maintain better memory and brain health than others. Her research also examines how factors like sleep, mood, and social stress influence memory across the adult lifespan, with a particular focus on racial and ethnically diverse populations. We talk about the importance of sleep in cognitive aging, how consistent rest supports memory, and how environmental and psychosocial factors, like discrimination and depression, can impact memory and brain health. Join us as we explore the neural and social factors that shape our memory.

In this episode we meet with Dr. Charan Ranganath, a Professor at UC Davis, director of the Dynamic Memory Lab, and author of the New York Times’ best-seller “Why We Remember”. His research focuses on how memory is affected by emotion, stress, aging and neurological disorders. Dr. Ranganath explains why our brains are designed to forget and shares strategies to improve memory retention. Join us as we uncover the science behind memory and learn practical tips to enhance our cognitive health.