Harvard Thinking

Harvard University
  • 4.9 (22)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 12/17/2025

    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

  2. 12/03/2025

    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

  3. 11/19/2025

    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

  4. 11/05/2025

    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

  5. 10/22/2025

    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

  6. 10/08/2025

    Young people are facing increased cancer risk. Why?

    People under 50 are experiencing higher risk of some cancers. While overall cancer rates are declining, the incidence of 14 cancer types have increased in younger people. Why? It could be related to lifestyle choices, environmental factors, or an individual’s genetics. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with global cancer trend expert Tim Rebbeck, oncologist Kimmie Ng, and epidemiologist Tomotaka Ugai about how people under 50 can best mitigate their cancer risk.

    31 min

  7. 09/24/2025

    Why are U.S. literacy rates declining?

    Literacy rates in the U.S. have been in decline for a while now. Experts are combing the data for answers. Researchers are examining the role of curricula, teacher training, and classroom best practices to figure out: How do we help our kids read better? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with policy expert Martin West, teacher educator Pamela Mason, and reading researcher Phil Capin about how to best support our students.

    26 min

  8. 12/11/2024

    Changing how we deal with change

    Is it true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Absolutely not; Research shows that people can and do make dramatic shifts at nearly every life stage. Sometimes that change is intentional and other times it happens without our awareness. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with psychiatrist Bob Waldinger, educator Rick Weissbourd, and experimental psychologist Mahzarin Banaji about how embracing change can lead to a better life.

    29 min
See All (22)

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4.9
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Harvard University
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Harvard Thinking

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