266 How Smell Impacts Memory: The Science of Olfactory Training with Jonathan Askholm
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Release Date: 05/04/2026
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if the path to healthy longevity lies not in choosing between ancient healing traditions and modern science, but in learning how to integrate both? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Mao Shing Ni—38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine, co-founder of Tao of Wellness, and author of Secrets of Longevity—about how Traditional Chinese Medicine can complement modern approaches to healthspan optimization. Dr. Mao explains the foundational principles of Chinese medicine, including balance, the five elemental systems, and the links between organ function,...
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How does our immune system change as we age, and what role can vaccines play in supporting healthy longevity? In this informative episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes physician, healthcare executive, and medical writer Dr. Michael Myers for a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion about immunosenescence—the age-related decline of immune function—and its implications for healthy aging. Together they explore how vaccines work, why vaccine recommendations evolve throughout life, and the importance of understanding both the science and the uncertainties...
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What role does muscle strength play in healthy aging, longevity, and independence? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Jeanne Phares about why maintaining and building muscle becomes increasingly important for women during and after menopause. Drawing on her personal experience as a leukemia survivor and decades of strength training, Jeanne explains the connections between muscle mass, metabolism, bone health, resilience, and recovery. Listeners will learn practical strategies for strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle habits that support vitality...
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THIS FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on the impact of low carbohydrate and ketogenic nutrition on health and aging well. Today’s Featured Expert is Anne Mullens, an award winning Canadian journalist and author specializing in Health and Science Writing, At a time when the twin hazards of diabetes and obesity are so prevalent in our society that we say that there is a diabesity epidemic, we are bombarded with discordant messages about what, when, and how to eat, to stay healthy and age gracefully. A goal of this podcast is to cut through the noise and provide...
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Is chronic pain really an inevitable part of aging—or could it be a warning sign that deeper imbalances are affecting your healthspan, mobility, and quality of life? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with physical therapist, registered nurse, educator, and functional wellness expert,Stacey Roberts, about the root causes of chronic pain and why conventional treatments often focus on symptom relief instead of true healing. Stacey explains how chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, hormone imbalance, gut health issues, biomechanics, and lifestyle...
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“You got to just move. It doesn’t matter how efficient your movements are, what matters is that you are moving.” - Susan Bock Smith
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Grief is not a problem to be solved or something we simply “get over.” In this profound conversation, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with philosopher and grief expert Thomas Attig about mourning as a lifelong process of relearning how to live in a world forever changed by loss. Drawing on decades of scholarship and personal insight, Thomas explains how grief can deepen our love, strengthen resilience, and help us find wisdom and meaning in life’s most difficult transitions. This episode offers compassionate guidance for anyone grieving a loved one or supporting someone through loss. Thomas...
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I talk with Brian Morgan. President of Think Deeply, Write Clearly about bridging the many divides that are polarizing our society, through creative thought and communication.
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What if fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and declining strength after 50 are not inevitable signs of aging, but signals of underlying metabolic dysfunction that can be corrected? In episode 275, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with metabolic restoration practitioner, Lori Balue, about how women can restore energy, reduce inflammation, preserve muscle, and regain metabolic resilience through personalized nutrition and functional testing. Lori shares her remarkable journey of losing 100 pounds, reversing prediabetes and chronic inflammation, and transforming her health in midlife. Listeners will...
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THIS FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on the effect of aging on brain functions, affecting many attributes of cognition, like memory and processing speed; and on the importance of recognizing the early warning signs of dementia for early treatment. Today’s guest is neuropsychiatrist and creator of the SAGE test, Dr. Douglas Scharre. Dr. Scharre is board certified in neurology, behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry with special interests in cognitive assessment, degenerative dementias and dementia-related behaviors. He joined The Ohio...
info_outlineWhat if one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brain health has been right under your nose all along? In this fascinating episode, Jonathan Askholm explores the science of olfaction and its direct connection to memory, emotion, and cognitive function. Drawing on emerging research and personal experience, he explains how intentional smell training may improve memory, mood, and even support healthy aging. This conversation opens a new and highly accessible pathway to brain health, reinforcing that a simple daily practice can have profound effects on how we age.
Jonathan Askholm is a brain health educator and co-founder of Memorease, a company focused on olfactory training for cognitive wellness. He has a background in psychology and a passion for teaching practical strategies that support mental and emotional well-being. His work is deeply influenced by his personal experience of losing his father to dementia, which inspired his mission to help others take proactive steps toward brain health. Jonathan collaborates with experts in scent creation to develop structured olfactory training tools grounded in scientific research. He regularly delivers workshops and presentations to older adults and community groups across Canada. His current focus is on making this brain health practice, simple, accessible, and empowering for everyday use.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome and introduction
02:30 – The surprising link between smell, memory, and brain health
04:00 – Jonathan’s personal journey and his father’s experience with dementia
07:00 – Why the sense of smell is often overlooked in modern health conversations
10:00 – The neuroscience of olfaction: direct pathways to memory and emotion
14:30 – Smell as a survival sense and its decline with age
18:00 – What is olfactory training and how it works
21:30 – The four scent categories used in research and training
24:00 – Evidence from studies: cognition, mood, and brain structure changes
27:00 – Practical applications and how to begin smell training at home
29:30 – The role of mindfulness and attention in olfactory training
32:00 – Olfactory training for anosmia and post-viral smell loss
34:00 – COVID-related smell loss and implications for brain health
36:00 – Who benefits most from olfactory training
37:00 – Wrap-up and key takeaway
Connect with Jonathan Askholm
Website: https://memorease.care
Olfactory training kits and resources available through the website
Workshops and presentations available through direct contact
Call to Action
Order Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America)
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Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com