Why being a beginner is good for you

Our brains are easily distracted or overwhelmed. And that can make getting stuff done harder than it needs to be. This week, we look at methods and strategies for avoiding unnecessary stress by managing your priorities, your focus, and your energy with organisational psychologist ...  Show more

Imagine getting a diagnosis in adulthood that suddenly made so much of your life make sense. It explains why you’ve always had trouble being on time, starting things you don’t finish, avoiding difficult projects. Producer Jennifer Leake explores the impact of an ADHD diagnosis in ...  Show more

Have you taken classes to learn a new sport or musical instrument or a language? It’s hard work! Why is it that as children we effortlessly absorb new skills and we don’t as adults? That’s what 50-something listener Gary Grief wondered about playing guitar. Do you need to pl ...

Tom Vanderbilt, author of Beginners, discusses with us how parents can inspire their teenagers to be more confident in trying new things by being lifelong learners themselves. Turns out, being an expert beginner has its advantages!Full show notes As parents, it's easy to get into ...  Show more

A growing field of scientific research supports the idea that it's NEVER too late to learn a new skill. An NYU professor explains how he finally learned to play the guitar as an adult and what he's learned about the brain's ability to keep growing. 

Tom Chi is one of the sharpest minds of our generation. He is the co-founder of Google X and the creator of Google Glass. In this episode, he shares techniques he uses to hack productivity and increase his efficiency in learning. Tom’s systems of living will help you be more effe ...  Show more