Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Beware of Narcissists
Critically Speaking
In this episode, Therese Markow and psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Scott discuss narcissism, its clinical definition, and the characteristics of “malignant narcissism”. Dr. Scott explains that narcissism involves patterns of grandiosity, a need for constant admiration, a lack of empathy, high levels of manipulation, and the narcissist’s “kryptonite” - criticism. They view themselves as the victim, never at fault. Despite their arrogance, they are very insecure. Dr. Scott also discusses why treatment is challenging and why therapy often focuses on managing symptoms rather than the deeper...
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Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Frontiers in Aging Research
Critically Speaking
What if the biggest risk factor for cancer, heart disease, and dementia isn’t your genes, diet, or blood pressure but aging itself? Listen in as biogerontologist Dr. Matt Kaeberlein reveals how understanding the biology of aging could add not just years to our lives, but healthy decades, and why your dog might hold some of the most important clues. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Matt Kaeberlein discuss aging research. He explains that aging is characterized by damage accumulation and loss of resilience, leading to functional decline. Matt highlights the hallmarks of aging,...
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Dr. Carrie McDonough: PFAS Contamination Everywhere
Critically Speaking
Hidden in your water, food, and even your blood, forever chemicals (PFAS) are nearly impossible to destroy - and now U.S. regulations are being rolled back. Listen in to how PFAS became unavoidable, what they’re doing to our health, and whether we can ever truly get rid of them. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Carrie McDonough discuss perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. PFAS, which include PFOA and PFOS, are persistent organic pollutants used in various products, such as Teflon for your cooking pans and Scotchgard. While there are natural...
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Dr. Leigh Baxt: The Peptide Craze
Critically Speaking
Peptides are being sold online as miracle fixes for energy, healing, and longevity—but what if the science behind them is shaky, or even dangerous? In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Leigh Baxt pull back the curtain on the peptide craze, revealing what we really know (and don’t know) about these heavily marketed “biohacks.” They discuss the complexities and risks of unapproved peptides, which are often marketed for health enhancement. Dr. Baxt explains what peptides are and speaks to those drugs that are FDA-approved, like GLP-1 agonists and insulin, but also...
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Dr. Kate Mangino: Unequal Partnerships
Critically Speaking
Dr. Kate Mangino exposes the hidden burden of cognitive and emotional labor at home and explains how “benevolent sexism” and unequal household roles quietly push women to the breaking point. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kate Mangino discuss gender inequality in household responsibilities. Kate differentiates between structural and social inequalities, noting that societal norms perpetuate these “male” and “female” roles. She also emphasizes the importance of cognitive labor, which often falls on women, and addresses the emotional impact of household tasks on...
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Dr. Dan Werb: Animals in the City
Critically Speaking
Our cities are anything but concrete jungles. Listen in as Therese Markow and Dr. Dan Werb reveal the hidden world of synanthropes - the wild animals that not only live alongside us, but thrive because of us. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Dan Werb discuss Dan’s new book “Our Wild Familiars”, which explores how animals (and plants) adapt to urban environments. They dive into the history and impact of synanthropes, such as raccoons, coyotes, and rats. He also highlights the adaptability of these animals and why they have expanded into cities. Dr. Werb emphasizes the importance of...
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Dr. Boris Konrad: Increase Your Memory
Critically Speaking
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Boris Konrad discuss the striking impact of memorization on functional changes and connectivity in the brain. Dr. Konrad is a neuroscientist as well as an international Memory Champion. He not only studies brain connectivity, but also trains other memory athletes, as well as those who simply wish to improve their memories. They discuss more specific aspects of memorization and its benefits across a range of other activities and problem-solving, independent of the particular memorization training utilized. Dr. Konrad summarizes his recent study, published...
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Dr. Stephanie Grach: Long COVID
Critically Speaking
Long COVID isn’t just lingering fatigue. It’s a complex, often life-altering condition that can follow even mild or unnoticed infections. Listen in as Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Stephanie Grach breaks down what we really know about Long COVID, who’s at risk, and why believing and individualizing care for patients is absolutely critical. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Stephanie Grach discuss the emergence and impact of Long COVID. Dr. Grach explains that Long COVID affects an estimated 18 million Americans with a wide variety of symptoms that can manifest differently from patient...
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Natalie Wexler: ChatGPT Can Rot Your Brain
Critically Speaking
How does ChatGPT affect your ability to learn, recall, and share information? In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the impact of generative AI (like ChatGPT) on education. They discuss the change in writing skills, how AI can undermine the learning process that comes with writing, and the incorrect information often provided by generative AI. Natalie explains how AI can function as cognitive outsourcing, which can reduce the cognitive benefits of learning and memory retention. She emphasizes the importance of explicit writing instruction in education and background...
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Ru Marshall: American Trickster - Carlos Castaneda
Critically Speaking
Ru Marshall pulls back the curtain on the man behind the myth of Carlos Castaneda, exposing the real lives, lies, and losses buried beneath his legendary books. In this episode, Therese Markow and Ru Marshall discuss the life and legacy of Carlos Castaneda, who claimed to have been trained as a shaman by Don Juan. Castaneda's books, which sold over 8 million copies, were initially believed but later dismissed as fiction. Marshall’s book, "American Trickster," explores Castaneda's origins in Peru and his life in the U.S. Castaneda, born Cesar Arana, was a charismatic storyteller who seduced...
info_outlineHow does ChatGPT affect your ability to learn, recall, and share information?
In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the impact of generative AI (like ChatGPT) on education. They discuss the change in writing skills, how AI can undermine the learning process that comes with writing, and the incorrect information often provided by generative AI. Natalie explains how AI can function as cognitive outsourcing, which can reduce the cognitive benefits of learning and memory retention. She emphasizes the importance of explicit writing instruction in education and background fundamental knowledge stored in long-term memory for critical thinking and effective learning - including the importance of memorization (even if you don’t use that word). Finally, Natalie warns of a potential downward spiral where AI dependence weakens cognitive abilities and advocates for systematic changes to combat this trend.
Key Takeaways:
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Generally speaking, reading and writing are connected. But writing is harder, so you can be a good reader and still not be a good writer. However, if you learn to write well, you're almost certainly going to be a good reader as well.
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The problem is over-reliance on AI, and when students use it as a crutch, they don't develop the understanding or the cognitive abilities that they would develop if they did the cognitive work themselves.
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Writing helps with the cognitive processes of long-term memory, retrieval, elaboration, and more. When we offload that cognitive work, it can hamper our ability to retrieve the information from our long-term memory bank.
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Unconsciously, we use background knowledge to understand pretty much anything that we try to read.
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Democracy depends on a citizenry that is educated enough to understand the issues and to be able to distinguish misleading information from reliable information.
"Writing is, itself, a way of thinking, of deepening understanding, maybe of realizing that you didn't understand something as well as you thought you did, and you need to go and do some more research. If we skip that step of doing the writing, then we're missing out on developing those cognitive abilities, retaining knowledge, and deepening our understanding of things." — Natalie Wexler
Connect with Natalie Wexler:
Professional Bio: https://nataliewexler.com/about/
Show: https://nataliewexler.com/podcast/
Substack: https://nataliewexler.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-wexler-0b89979/
Books:
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Beyond the Science of Reading: https://nataliewexler.com/beyond-the-science-of-reading/
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The Knowledge Gap: https://nataliewexler.com/the-knowledge-gap/
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The Writing Revolution: https://nataliewexler.com/the-writing-revolution/twr-2-0-cover-amazon/
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social
Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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