The Science of Talking: Boost Your Mood, Sharpen Your Mind, and Protect Against Dementia | Maryellen MacDonald

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">The way you talk to other people (and yourself) can reduce dysregulation and distraction--and lead to better decisions.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href= "https://www.maryellenmacdonald.com/">Maryellen MacDonald</a> is the Donald P. Hayes Professor (emerit) of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin−Madison. She is a cognitive scientist with a focus on psycholinguistics, the study of how we comprehend, produce, and learn languages. Her latest book is <a href= "https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724046/more-than-words-by-maryellen-macdonald-phd/"> More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World</a>.</p> <p>In this episode we talk about:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The hidden benefits of talking, including self-talk and writing</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How talking helps focus attention and clarify your thinking</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why talking can help regulate emotions and improve decision-making</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why talking is actually harder than listening</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why we shouldn't rush to finish other people's sentences</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How deliberate talking can help protect against dementia</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why understanding something doesn't necessarily mean you've learned it</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How talking about new information helps your brain remember it</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why explaining things to other people deepens your own learning</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why kids need chances to talk and not just watch screens</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why you shouldn't judge people by how they talk</li> </ul> <p>Related Episodes:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span style= "font-size: 12pt;"><a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-science-of-journaling-how-writing/id1087147821?i=1000677296672"> The Science Of Journaling: How Writing Reduces Overthinking, Rumination, And Anxiety | Dr. James Pennebaker (Co-Interviewed By Dr. Bianca Harris)</a></span><span style= "font-size: 12pt;"><strong><br /> <br /></strong></span></li> </ul> <p>Get the 10% with Dan Harris app <a href= "https://app.danharris.com/membership">here</a></p> <p>Sign up for Dan's free newsletter <a href= "http://www.danharris.com/">here</a></p> <p>Follow Dan on social: <a href= "https://bit.ly/3tGigG5">Instagram</a>, <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FOA84J">TikTok</a></p> <p>Subscribe to our <a href="https://bit.ly/3FybRzD">YouTube Channel</a></p> <p>Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. <a href= "https://www.92ny.org/event/dan-harris-with-allison-gilbert">Register here.</a></p> <p>Join Dan, Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18, 2026. <a href= "https://www.eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party#9851">Register here.</a> </p> <p>To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris">https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris</a></p> <p> </p>