The Ever-Changing Brain: Adapting, Aging, and Cognitive Health

Donating money can induce anxiety if you’re not sure how to afford it or feel pressured into doing so by the people around you. Host Cristina Quinn talks to Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about how to give back, whether it’s through money or time. Singletary reminds us that there’s always a way to give. She explains how to think through where you want to give, how to afford it and how to commit to giving year-round. Michelle Singletary also shares her personal experiences and passion for why she gives, how to make sure you’re giving to a legitimate charity, and what you will experience when you give back. For more of her work, sign up for her Color of Money newsletter and follow her on Instagram. Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

What’s really going on inside the brain of an altruist? Why do altruists care so much more for a stranger who needs help? Why are they so willing to give away a kidney?In this episode, host Cristina Quinn explores what it means to be an altruist with Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University. Together, they break down how altruists view their own actions and how others can become more altruistic too.Marsh offers insight into what scientists know about altruists and shares surprising findings from her own research. She also tells us how you can build the muscle of giving more in simple steps that fit your lifestyle.Read more about Marsh’s work on altruism here. Also, read Washington Post Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima’s story on how doing good is good for you.Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

Now that we’ve learned that chronic stress ages the brain, let’s put what we learned into practice. Join “Try This” host Cristina Quinn as she leads a 5-minute box breathing exercise.For more on ways to reduce your risk of dementia, check out some of The Post’s reporting:How to calm your mind with breathing, according to scienceHow to use your voice to reduce your stress and feel calmer5-minute breathing exercises can improve your mood and reduce anxietySubscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

When we’re in constant stress, our brains become less resilient. Chronic stress can lead to inflammation of the brain — increasing our risk of cognitive decline. Breathing exercises hold a lot of power for calming the body and brain. Host Cristina Quinn talks to Washington Post Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima, as well as neuroscientist and psychiatrist Helen Lavretsky from UCLA, about steps we can take to reduce stress and improve our brain health. Sima unpacks what inflammation does to our brains and why this can lead to more cognitive decline in the future. Lavrestsky walks us through her research on breathwork, yoga and other practices that have shown positive impacts on brain aging and cognitive health.  For more on ways to reduce your risk of dementia, check out some of The Post’s reporting:How to calm your mind with breathing, according to scienceHow to use your voice to reduce your stress and feel calmerTeen brains aged faster than normal from pandemic stress, study says5-minute breathing exercises can improve your mood and reduce anxietySubscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

As we age, we can develop a higher risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It may even run in our families for some of us. But hope is not lost: About half of dementia cases are potentially preventable. Host Cristina Quinn walks us through the U.S. POINTER study led by Laura Baker, professor of gerontology and geriatrics at Wake Forest School of Medicine. This study is considered the largest clinical trial examining how simple lifestyle changes like eating healthier, staying socially engaged and moving more can slow down cognitive decline. Cristina also speaks with neurologist Monica Parker from Emory University School of Medicine. Read more about Baker’s work with the U.S. POINTER study here. For more on Parker’s work, visit the Emory Healthy Brain Study. For more on ways to reduce your risk of dementia, check out some of The Post’s reporting:Want to keep your brain sharp as you age? Science may have a recipe,4 vaccines linked to a lower risk of dementiaWant to lower your risk of dementia? Here’s what the science saysNo amount of alcohol is safe, at least for dementia risk, study findsSubscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

Your brain does a lot of work. It’s processing and adapting to changing environments and routines throughout our lives.In this episode, host Cristina Quinn talks with The Washington Post’s “Brain Matters” columnist, Richard Sima, about our aging brains, what a healthy one looks like, and why we don’t necessarily have to worry about forgetting where we put our keys. For more on brain health and aging, check out some of The Post’s reporting: How does the brain age across the lifespan? New studies offer clues.How does alcohol affect your risk of dementia? Your brain health questions, answered.Is this dementia or normal brain aging? Here’s how to tell the difference.Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

Just the thought of going to the gym or lifting a dumbbell can feel intimidating. Good news — you don’t need either of these to strength-train! In this episode of “Try This,” host Cristina Quinn chats with Washington Post health columnist Gretchen Reynolds about what strength training is and how to do it anywhere – and no matter your fitness level. Gretchen shares why building and maintaining muscle is so important as we age, and how just one hour of strength training per week can go a long way. Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

If you look at social media these days, there’s any number of fashion influencers and brands telling you what clothes to buy and how to wear them. In this episode of “Try This,” host Cristina Quinn gets real with The Washington Post’s fashion critic, Rachel Tashjian, and Style Memo newsletter writer Shane O’Neill about moving beyond trends and finding the outfits that match your identity – inside and out. You’ll sashay away with tips on how to think about your clothes, how to experiment with different styles, and a new mindset on wearing what makes you feel good.Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

From unpredictable flight prices to record-breaking heat waves and ever-changing rules about passports and Real IDs, travel today is more complicated than ever.This week on “Try This,” host Cristina Quinn sits down with Washington Post travel reporter Natalie Compton, who shares her best tips for navigating it all without losing your patience (or your luggage).Natalie breaks down exactly when and how to book flights for the best deals and why compression bags and eye masks might be your secret weapons. Plus, smart advice about visas, passport renewals, travel safety and how to get through customs quickly — no Global Entry required.Whether you're planning an international getaway or a local beach vacation, this episode will help you travel better, spend smarter and stay cool (literally and figuratively) this summer.Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

The “Try This” podcast has a new companion – the “Try This: Gut Check" newsletter. It’s a five-part newsletter series that breaks down what science actually says about how to support gut health without stress, supplements, or confusing trends.In the newsletter, host Cristina Quinn explores questions like: What’s the deal with probiotics? Do fermented foods really help? How do you actually eat more fiber without overhauling your life?Each edition is practical, easy to digest (pun intended), and focused on what works.Sign up for the newsletter here.Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.