Rachel Wu

Rachel Wu, a researcher at the University of California Riverside, discusses the importance of lifelong learning for cognitive health, how adults can learn like kids, the role of feedback and failure in learning, and the types of learning opportunities to seek out.

Want to get the mental sharpness of someone decades younger? Challenging your brain with something difficult, like learning a new language or taking up juggling, can trigger your brain to form new connections, increasing your brain’s white matter and making it more resilient against age-related decline. In this episode, Michael speaks to Dr Rachel Wu from the University of California Riverside who has discovered that learning three new skills at the same time can significantly boost the memory in older adults - so much so that they performed as well as someone 50 years younger in a series of cognitive tests. Superager Lord Richard Wilson shares his top tips for a sharper mind and the role of grit, determination, and insatiable curiosity. Producer: Catherine Wyler Assistant Producer: Gulnar Mimaroglu Executive Producer: Zoe Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

In this episode, Rachel Wu, a psychology professor focused on motivating older adults, and Cindy Lustig, a neuroscientist exploring brain changes with age, reveal surprising insights about the aging brain. They discuss how older individuals can enhance cognitive functions through lifelong learning and social activities. The duo also highlights the relationship between age and wisdom, addressing how older people often possess greater insights. Together, they challenge misconceptions about cognitive decline, advocating for a shift in perspective on aging and learning.