Understanding the difference between ‘normal’ forgetfulness and actual memory loss, practical ways to stave off Alzheimer’s disease, and meditation’s role in brain health. Lisa Genova has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels including Still Alice—which was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore who won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland, Love Anthony, and Every Note Played. In this episode we talk about: - The difference between ‘normal’ forgetting and actual memory loss - The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease - Meditation’s role in brain health - What the Memory Paradox is - The best foods and types of exercise for staving off Alzheimer's - The three things happening in your brain while you sleep that are helpful for memory - Why brain games (like crossword puzzles and sudoku) don’t actually improve memory - The first necessary ingredient for creating a memory - How memories are formed - And the relationship between memories and music Her first work of nonfiction is Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Genova’s first TED talk, What You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's has been viewed over eight million times and her most recent TED talk, How Memory Works--and Why Forgetting is Totally OK was the sixth most watched TED talk of 2021.