Why We Have Tip-of-the-Tongue Moments & How to Make Better Conversation

27 snips

Jul 28, 2025

Guest

Anne Cleary

Guest

Jefferson Fisher

Anne Cleary, a psychology professor at Colorado State University, dives into the intriguing phenomenon of 'tip-of-the-tongue' moments, unpacking the cognitive mysteries behind our inability to recall certain words. Alongside her, Jefferson Fisher, a lawyer and expert in verbal communication, shares practical strategies to enhance conversation skills. They discuss age’s impact on memory retrieval, the importance of context, and tips for effective dialogue, revealing how empathy and understanding can improve our everyday interactions.

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INSIGHT

Nuts Increase Longevity

Eating just 15 grams of nuts daily reduces mortality from major diseases significantly.
Peanut butter does not provide these mortality benefits unlike whole nuts and peanuts.

INSIGHT

Understanding Tip-of-the-Tongue

Tip-of-the-tongue moments are when you know a word but can’t recall it immediately.
This phenomenon feels different from simply forgetting or not knowing something.

INSIGHT

Names Trigger Tip-of-the-Tongue

Tip-of-the-tongue states occur mostly with low-frequency words and proper names.
Proper names are the most common words people struggle to retrieve during these moments.

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If you enjoy eating nuts – good for you! Nuts are healthy. But you might be surprised to hear just how healthy they are - and you don’t have to eat very many to get the benefits. This episode begins with a look at a fascinating study on nuts that has been going on for decades. https://www.herbazest.com/news/nut-consumption-may-prolong-life

“It’s right on the tip of my tongue!” We have all had that experience of not being able to recall a word but feel like it is just out of reach. It’s different than simply not being able to recall something because you have forgotten it. This phenomenon is something people actually study and since it is something that has happened to you, I am sure you will find this fascinating. My guest is Anne Cleary, a professor of psychology at Colorado State University. Her research examines odd memory phenomena like déjà vu and these tip of the tongue experiences. She is author of a book called Tip of the Tongue States: Retrieval, Metacognition, and Experience (https://amzn.to/4eLbuST)

Are you good at making conversation? Do you know how to assert yourself without being argumentative? Do you tend to talk too much when less would be better? Do you really listen to the other person or just wait for your chance to talk? Being good at conversation is a critical skill and one of the real experts at it is here to help. Jefferson Fisher is a lawyer and sought after speaker on the topic of verbal communication – and he is author of the bestselling book The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More (https://amzn.to/3IpnddR).

There is a pretty good chance that you are watering your lawn too much and doing it incorrectly. At least that is according to Consumer Reports. Listen as I reveal their expert advice that will save you time and money and still give you a beautiful green lawn. https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/lawn-care/lawn-care-tips-to-get-yard-ready-for-summer-a2730228925/

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