The World's Most Popular Teacher Reveals The Secret to Learning ANYTHING.
The Programming Podcast
How She Retrained Her Brain for Engineering
Barbara describes her motivation, incremental learning steps, and teaching statics and dynamics despite anxiety.
Are you studying for hours but still not retaining anything? 🧠 It's probably not your fault, you've likely been taught to learn all wrong.
In this landmark episode, we sit down with the legendary Dr. Barbara Oakley, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University, a globally recognized expert on the science of learning, and the creator of the world's most popular online course, "Learning How to Learn," which has reached millions worldwide. Dr. Oakley shares her incredible journey from flunking math and hating school to becoming a world-renowned expert on the neuroscience of learning.
Get ready to have your mind blown as Dr. Oakley debunks the biggest myths about studying, reveals the simple, science-backed secrets to mastering any subject, and explains how to beat procrastination for good. You'll walk away with actionable techniques to unlock your brain's true potential.
She is best known for making complex concepts from neuroscience and cognitive psychology accessible to a mass audience, empowering millions to learn more effectively. Her own life story is a testament to her core message: anyone can learn anything.
Dr. Oakley is most famous as the co-creator of "Learning How to Learn: Powerful Mental Tools to Help You Master Tough Subjects," one of the most popular massive open online courses (MOOCs) in the world. Hosted on Coursera, the course has enrolled millions of learners from every country, teaching them practical, science-backed strategies for learning.
Her work has been featured in major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She is also the author of several books, including the bestseller "A Mind for Numbers," which serves as a companion to her course.
Places you can follow Dr. Barbara Oakley
📚 Dr. Oakley's Book | A Mind for Numbers: https://barbaraoakley.com/books/a-mind-for-numbers/
🎓 The "Learning How to Learn" Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn
Stay in Touch:
📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?
Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!
Danny Thompson
https://x.com/DThompsonDev
https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev
www.DThompsonDev.com
Leon Noel
https://x.com/leonnoel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/
https://100devs.org/
📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?
Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!
Chapters
0:00 - A Teacher's Powerful Introduction to Dr. Barb Oakley
4:05 - From "I Will Never Learn Mathematics" to Distinguished Professor
5:42 - The Single Most Critical Skill in the Age of AI
8:12 - How Learning a Language Unlocks Your Brain for Math & Science
9:58 - The #1 Mistake We All Make When Learning a Difficult Subject
14:30 - The Unconventional Path to Becoming a Professor
23:11 - The 2 Brain Modes You MUST Understand (Focused vs. Diffuse) 🤯
29:22 - A Modern, Scientific Twist on the Pomodoro Technique
32:38 - WARNING: This Popular Study Method is a Waste of Your Time
34:18 - The Surprising Problem with "Student-Centered" Classrooms
40:12 - Proof That Your Phone is Destroying Your Ability to Focus
45:35 - The Neuroscience of Dyslexia & Autism: Your Brain's Secret Superpower
51:11 - The Emotional Side of Learning: Dealing with Fear, Shame & Procrastination
56:33 - Why Impostor Syndrome is Actually a GOOD Thing
1:07:28 - How to Use Sleep to Supercharge Your Memory 😴
1:15:17 - The Future of Learning: How AI Will Change Everything
1:23:36 - How to Use AI to Learn (Without Cheating Yourself)
1:32:32 - Q&A: The Best Way to Create a Daily Structure for Learning
1:44:52 - Dr. Oakley's Final Inspiring Message
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