Episode Ep 1126 April 13, 2026 57 min 37s

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

From 10% Happier with Dan Harris 10% Happier

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)

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