How We're Wired
The Bertarelli Foundation
Love. Touch. Speech. Movement. Consciousness.
What do they all have in common?
From before birth to after death, our brains underpin our experiences and feelings. They make us who we are. But how?
In How We’re Wired, evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin goes behind the scenes of cutting-edge neuroscience research to uncover the fascinating stories of how our brains grow, change, and ultimately die.
Together, we’ll meet the scientists exploding our understanding of how the brain works and head into labs developing life-changing technologies. From hormones to heartbreak, we’re exploring true, personal stories of people’s lives – and brains - from birth to death, taking a deep look at the science that explains us all.
This is How We’re Wired from The Bertarelli Foundation. Subscribe or follow now for free, wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode.
What do they all have in common?
From before birth to after death, our brains underpin our experiences and feelings. They make us who we are. But how?
In How We’re Wired, evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin goes behind the scenes of cutting-edge neuroscience research to uncover the fascinating stories of how our brains grow, change, and ultimately die.
Together, we’ll meet the scientists exploding our understanding of how the brain works and head into labs developing life-changing technologies. From hormones to heartbreak, we’re exploring true, personal stories of people’s lives – and brains - from birth to death, taking a deep look at the science that explains us all.
This is How We’re Wired from The Bertarelli Foundation. Subscribe or follow now for free, wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 2, 2022 • 36min
How We Move
How do we move? What parts of the brain control how we use our muscles? And what implanted technology is allowing people with spinal cord injuries to walk again? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin as she picks apart the neuroscience of movement, from how the brain orchestrates complex tasks like playing an instrument, to a visit with the first person with a complete spinal cord injury to walk. With special thanks to Michel Roccati, Mackenzie Mathis, and Tomislav Milekovic. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 19, 2022 • 29min
Focus - How We Cope
How common are mental health conditions in teenagers? How can depression look different in a child compared to an adult? And how are scientists using brain imaging studies to better understand conditions like schizophrenia? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she looks at mental health in children and young adults, from important risk factors to mechanisms of anxiety. With special thanks to Ben Jacobs and Daniel Dickstein. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode. If you feel you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. UK https://www.mind.org.uk https://www.samaritans.org/ USA https://988lifeline.org/ Switzerland https://www.parspas.ch/l-association See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 5, 2022 • 28min
When We Change
What’s going on in the brains of teenagers? How does puberty affect the brain? And why might changing the way we talk about teens lead to changes in their brain structure? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin as she picks apart the neuroscience of puberty and adolescence, from the brain regions responsible for bodily changes to the importance of teens taking risks. With special thanks to resident pre-teen Kitty, Russell Romeo, and Eva Telzer. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 snips
Sep 21, 2022 • 27min
Focus – How We Taste
How do we taste? What evolutionary benefit is there to tasting bitter and sour? And why should you think about wearing noise-cancelling headphones on planes if you want to enjoy your food? In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she uncovers the neuroscience underpinning taste, from how you can optimise dishes using synergistic umami to a test to discover if you’re a supertaster. With special thanks to Robert Parks and Barry Smith. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 snips
Sep 7, 2022 • 34min
How We Smell
How do we smell? What role does our sense of smell play in our closest relationships? And how are brands creating scents to keep us coming back for more? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin as she unpicks the science of smell, from how your sense of smell changes over your lifetime to a visit to a perfumer creating olfactory memories. With special thanks to Duncan Boak, Carl Philpott, and Dawn Goldworm. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode. https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 snips
Aug 24, 2022 • 33min
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 memories; from whether a brain scan can identify whether a memory is true or false to the potential for memory-numbing drugs as a treatment for PTSD. With special thanks to Daniel Schacter. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Follow now so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 snips
Aug 10, 2022 • 31min
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 remember. We’ll unpick the structures of the brain that are involved in making memories, and attend an MRI scan of a London cabbie to understand what makes London drivers’ brains so fascinating to neuroscientists. With special thanks to Mark, Stephanie, Amy Milton, and Hugo Spiers. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Subscribe or follow now so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
16 snips
Jul 27, 2022 • 19min
Focus - Hearing Loss
In this engaging discussion, Tina Stankovic, the Bertarelli Foundation Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology at Stanford University, explores the complexities of hearing loss. She shares personal stories illustrating the emotional toll of losing one’s ability to hear. The conversation dives into genetic factors influencing hearing impairment and highlights alarming trends, especially among youth. Tina also discusses the innovative technologies on the horizon, such as gene therapy and specialized probes, offering hope for new treatments and a better understanding of hearing loss.
9 snips
Jul 13, 2022 • 34min
How We Hear
David Corey, Britta Rillet Professor of Translational Science at Harvard Medical School, dives into the fascinating world of auditory neuroscience. He discusses how our brains break down sound and the incredible journey of those with hearing impairments, emphasizing the life-changing impact of hearing aids. The conversation explores innovative technologies, such as vibrating beds, that bridge sound and touch, enhancing musical experiences for all. Discover how our sense of hearing intricately connects to our emotions and social lives.
11 snips
Jun 29, 2022 • 20min
Focus – Learning Language
How do we learn to talk? When do babies first understand language? And how do scientists study language learning in the lab? In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she visits the Oxford Brookes Babylab to understand how babies make sense of what we say, including watching real-life language experiments with infants and trying to interview a 9-month-old. With special thanks to Alice, her son, and Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez. How We’re Wired is a Fresh Air Production for The Bertarelli Foundation. Subscribe or follow now so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
