The Science of Talking: Boost Your Mood, Sharpen Your Mind, and Protect Against Dementia Maryellen MacDonald

The way you talk to other people (and yourself) can reduce dysregulation and distraction--and lead to better decisions. Maryellen MacDonald is the Donald P. Hayes Professor (emerit) of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin−Madison. She is a cognitive scientist with a focus on psycholinguistics, the study of how we comprehend, produce, and learn languages. Her latest book is More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World . In this episode we talk about: The hidden benefits of talking, including self-talk and writing How talking helps focus attention and clarify your thinking Why talking can help regulate emotions and improve decision-making Why talking is actually harder than listening Why we shouldn't rush to finish other people's sentences How deliberate talking can help protect against dementia Why understanding something doesn't necessarily mean you've learned it How talking about new information helps your brain remember it Why explaining things to other people deepens your own learning Why kids need chances to talk and not just watch screens Why you shouldn't judge people by how they talk Related Episodes: The Science Of Journaling: How Writing Reduces Overthinking, Rumination, And Anxiety | Dr. James Pennebaker (Co-Interviewed By Dr. Bianca Harris) Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram , TikTok

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The Science of Talking: Boost Your Mood, Sharpen Your Mind, and Protect Against Dementia Maryellen MacDonald is an episode from Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Media, LLC.

This episode is 57:37 long.

This episode was published on Apr 13, 2026.

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