Harvard Thinking

Harvard University

A podcast where the life of the mind meets everyday life. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas, produced by Harvard University. Visit harvard.edu/thinking.

  1. 18 MAR

    The things we carry

    Different forms of adversity – like abuse, violence, and neglect – not only damage our physical and mental health but also change our cells. Scientific advances in the biology of adversity are showing us that in some cases, the harms of negative experiences run dangerously deep in our bodies and minds. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with children’s psychologist Kate McLaughlin, psychiatric epidemiologist Karestan Koenen, and cellular biologist Jason Buenrostro about what the future holds for protecting people from their worst experiences.

    33 min

  2. 4 MAR

    Is marriage worth saving?

    Marriage has evolved a lot through the years – and so have the problems and rewards that come with it. Research suggests it benefits our physical and mental health, but it might not seem like it when conflict arises and couples struggle to co-manage a household. With greater social acceptance of a variety of lifestyle choices, many people – especially young women – are thinking twice before tying the knot. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with business professor Debora Spar, psychiatrist and family counselor Richard Schwartz, and bestselling author Eve Rodsky about the role of marriage in modern society.

    31 min

  3. 18 FEB

    Preserving learning in the age of AI shortcuts

    Generative AI tools are here to stay. There’s a debate around whether or not they should be embraced in spaces of learning. Recent reports suggest that the risks of using these tools might outweigh the benefits, threatening cognitive development by doing the thinking for their users. This is forcing educators into a dilemma: how do they make the most of AI’s potential, while also protecting students’ ability to think for themselves? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with cognitive scientist Tina Grotzer, applied mathematics professor Michael Brenner, and educator Ying Xu about how to use AI tools to enhance learning, rather than replace it.

    28 min

  4. 17/12/2025

    The perils of perfectionism

    Many people hold themselves to extremely high standards, but when the scales tip to the pursuit of perfection, it can result in anxiety, depression, and other serious mental health issues. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace, psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, and public health expert Michaela Kerrissey about when we’ve gone too far in trying to achieve our best.

    29 min

  5. 03/12/2025

    How memory works (and doesn’t)

    We rely on our memories for so much. Memory is the foundation of our sense of self, ability to learn new information, and stay safe. But our memories are also highly suggestible, and we often misremember events or fabricate memories entirely. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with science researcher Dan Schacter, Alzheimer’s expert Margaret O’Connor, and neuroscientist Venki Murthy about the science of memory – and how we can remember better.

    29 min

  6. 19/11/2025

    Why you should give the Mediterranean diet a try

    Many diets claim to be good for you. But the Mediterranean diet rises to the top with its research-proven benefits: it’s been shown to increase life expectancy; decrease risk for dementia; improve mental health and cognitive function; and lower the risk of heart disease for nearly every demographic. What is it that makes the diet so great? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas discuss the Mediterranean diet with nutritional psychiatrist Uma Naidoo and Mediterranean diet expert Miguel Ángel Martínez-González about how people can make nutritional changes that work for them day to day.

    25 min

  7. 05/11/2025

    Are you getting enough sleep? Probably not.

    Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, yet we are depriving ourselves of quality sleep more than ever. Six out of 10 adults in the U.S. aren’t getting enough sleep, which leads to negative mood, low energy, poor cognitive function, and can even take years off your life. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins, psychiatrist Tony Cunningham, and epidemiologist Matthew Weaver about why we should – and how to – get better sleep.

    31 min

  8. 22/10/2025

    How to tell a story

    Episode Summary:  Storytelling is a huge part of the human experience. But how do you tell a good story? There are elements of craft to consider for sure, but for many authors, creativity comes from a place deep within themselves and looks different from writer to writer. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with literary critic James Wood, award-winning novelist Lauren Groff, short story writer Nick White, and playwright Sam Marks about their writing process.

    33 min
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A podcast where the life of the mind meets everyday life. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas, produced by Harvard University. Visit harvard.edu/thinking.

Información

  • Creador
    Harvard University
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    25
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Harvard Thinking

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