logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
53m 32s

You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we'd ace. In this week's installment of our You 2.0 series, we talk to cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham about the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick. 

For more of our You 2.0 series, listen to our episode on how to say no.

Up next
Jul 7
You 2.0: The Passion Pill
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea is that pursuing your passion will feel invigorating — almost magical. But passions can easily wane over time. This week, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to ... Show More
49m 25s
Jun 30
You 2.0: What Is Your Life For?
What should you do with your life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. But there are scientifically-tested methods that can help you to feel more in harmony with yourself and the world. This week, and in a companion conversation for Hidden Brain+, researcher Vic ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 23
Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and "Covering"
There’s a saying that’s attributed to the Dalai Lama: in the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. It’s a nice idea. But when people don’t share our values, it’s hard for us to tolerate theirs. This week, we bring you a favorite episode with sociologist Robb Wil ... Show More
1h 25m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Special Episode: Dr. Charan Ranganath & Why We Remember
How is it that we can’t remember where we put our keys or the name of the person we just met, but we can recall in excruciating detail the embarrassing interaction we had at the grocery store ten years ago? Sometimes it seems like our memory works against us more than it does for ... Show More
57m 27s
Jul 2024
The Science Of Memory: How To Get Better At Remembering And Be Okay With Forgetting | Charan Ranganath
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- A neuroscientist’s strategies to help you remember what really matters, and how mood, multitasking and other people can impact our memories Charan Ranganath ... Show More
1h 16m
Apr 7
One simple trick to improve your memory
There is one straightforward trick to help you remember more. Today, Dr. Ranganath reveals why testing yourself (even when you fail) can supercharge your memory. You’ll learn: Why re-reading notes doesn’t work, but testing yourself does. How a study with dental students proved th ... Show More
22m 40s
Apr 2024
The Science Behind Memory - Dr. Charan Ranganath : 1152
In today’s episode you’ll explore the complexities of memory with Dr. Charan Ranganath, a top expert in cognitive neuroscience. This episode takes you through the fascinating ways our brains record, process, and utilize memories to navigate daily life and shape our futures. You’l ... Show More
1h 21m
Aug 2022
Focus - Why We Forget
Why does our memory sometimes fail us? Would you recognise an implanted memory? And what implications do the risks of false memories have for society? In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she explores the murky depths of our imperfect mem ... Show More
33m 21s
Dec 2024
Mnemonology (MEMORY) Part 1 with Michael Yassa
How are memories made? Where are they stored? Where do they go? What was I just talking about? Neurobiologist, professor, researcher, and Director of UC Irvine’s Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Dr. Michael Yassa, joins us for a two-parter deep diving into our ... Show More
1h 15m
May 10
#939 - Dr Charan Ranganath - The Neuroscience Of How To Improve Your Memory & Focus
Dr. Charan Ranganath is a cognitive neuroscientist, professor, and an author. What are memories? Our brains are shaped by countless experiences, but how exactly do we store these stories? Learn what makes some memories stick, why others fade, and how our minds handle the ones we' ... Show More
1h 15m
Aug 2022
How We Remember
What is a memory made of? Which parts of the brain help us remember? And what can taxi drivers’ brains tell us about how memories are made? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin as she dives into the science of memory, and how we reme ... Show More
30m 50s
Jan 2025
1025: Boosting Your Learning and Presenting with the Science of Memory with Dr. Charan Ranganath
Dr. Charan Ranganath discusses the science behind our brain’s capacity to remember (and forget) and how it can help you make better decisions and impressions.  — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How emotions shape memory2) How to hack your brain for enhanced retention 3) The 4 C's of memorable ... Show More
43m 27s
Feb 2025
#334: The Memory Doc on The DISTURBING Truth About Why your Memories are a lie
Is your memory a reliable record of the past? Or a story your brain keeps rewriting?   Leading neuroscientist Dr Charan Ranganath, aka The Memory Doc, joins us on Unscripted With Spencer Lodge, to reveal how our brains store, distort, and reshape our memories.   From false memori ... Show More
1h 8m