Series 2 Language Learning Episode 2 Brain Training

In this episode, we continue our journey into the fascinating world of language and the brain. Not only do babies babble with a purpose (discussed in Episode 1!), but everyone can train their brain for life-long learning.  Episode 2 in this series provides some practical strategies for increasing your brain power!  Listen up!

Transcript

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Hello friends, and welcome back to the Wisdom and Wonder Awards. This is series two, episode two, and this is about how to train your brain. In episode one, we discussed how babbling helps babies learn language. But can adults harness that same creativity, curiosity, and continue to learn? Yes. How you ask? Well, let's get into it. While training your brain might sound like a self-help slogan or a sci-fi experiment. Really, it's about something deeply human, how the mind grows, changes, and even rewires itself through language, curiosity, and practice. But your brain isn't a fixed machine. It's a living, changing, storytelling organ. And today we're going to uncover how to train it to be sharper, calmer, and more creative. One thought, one word, and one habit at a time. So grab your mental gym shoes because we're heading into the marvelous, mysterious world inside your head. First, we're going to talk about neuroplasticity. For a long time, scientists believed that once you reached adulthood, your brain stopped changing. Like a finished sculpture, beautiful but static. But now we know the truth. Your brain is actually more like clay. That doesn't mean learning, memory, or exercise of your brain comes easily. Have you ever worked with clay? It is stiff and much easier to work when it warms up. Your brain is no different. Every experience, every new skill, every conversation reshapes it. This ability to grow and adapt is what neuroplasticity is all about. The brain's way of reorganizing itself, forming new connections, and even repairing damage. And while this provides hope for growth, it does not mean this is a promise. You have to put in the work. But the coolest part, it doesn't stop. Ever. At any age, you can train your brain to learn faster, focus deeper, and even think more kindly. We definitely need more of that in our world. But your brain is not who you are. It's who you're becoming. You know, if your brain had a favorite exercise, it would be language. Speaking, reading, listening, they're like yoga for the mind. Remember, you have to get the clay warmed up to make it easier to mold and shape. Why? Because every word you use activates networks across your brain. The frontal lobe is mainly for planning and decision making. The temporal lobes are for hearing and memory. The parietal lobes are for understanding meaning and rhythm. And even the motor cortex, which is part of the frontal lobe, coordinates the movement of speech. When you speak or read, your brain lights up like a fireworks show. Learning new words or languages strengthens memory, attention, and creativity. Well, I'm going to discuss all the parts of the brain very briefly. I'll focus on the first three, which we'll get to in just a moment. I want to just briefly touch on the three that are not as closely related to language, and that's the occipital, which has to do with vision, perception, and reading. The cerebellum, which has more to do with coordination, balance, and equilibrium, and the brain stem itself, which is involuntary reflexes like breathing, digestion, swallowing, consciousness, your temperature, alertness, and balance. Those are all very important parts of your brain as well, but they don't deal as much with language as the first three that we're going to get to now. I guess technically they're not the first three, are they? The frontal lobe is very critical for language production. It's behind your forehead, and it deals with thinking, reasoning, and executive function. Conditions that can affect the frontal lobe include Alzheimer's, ADHD, autism, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, frontotemporal dementia, and mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, and personality. Some common symptoms you might see in someone who has frontal lobe damage or injury might be things like personality changes, trouble with reasoning or organizing, a lack of or at least a diminishment of impulse control, amnesia, and many more. I read an interesting story about how they determined that the frontal lobe impacts personality. Back in the 1800s, actually 1848, there was a railroad foreman named Phineas Gage. There was an accidental explosion at a railroad construction site and it propelled an iron rod through Gage's head. As you can imagine, the iron rod destroyed the left side of his frontal lobe. Before the accident, Gage was a calm, respected leader among his coworkers. Gage survived, surprisingly, but after the accident, his personality changed. He would lose his temper, act disrespectfully, and constantly use profanity. However, Gage's personality changes were not permanent. Four years after his accident, Gage moved to Chile in South America and became a stagecoach driver. Somewhere in late 1858 or 1859, a doctor who examined Gage said he was physically healthy and showed no impairment whatsoever of his mental faculties. While Gage mostly recovered from the accident, he ended up dying from seizures in San Francisco in 1860. The seizures were very likely the result of damage from the accident. However, his case remains one of the most useful in modern medicine's understanding of what the frontal lobe does, especially when it comes to your personality. Next, we move to your temporal lobe. This includes Wernicke's area, which has to do with language understanding. Remember, the frontal lobe has to do with language production. The temporal lobe is more about language understanding. Also, the temporal lobe affects organizing and sequencing, being able to retrieve information, musical awareness, memory, hearing, and feelings. The temporal lobe gives you the ability to understand the meaning of words and objects. So altogether, the temporal lobe has a big job to do. It deals with memory, language, emotions, senses, and even visual recognition. All of these things are strongly connected. Your senses tell you about the world around you. Your memory helps you recognize what's familiar. Your language abilities are part of how you remember and describe what you experience, and emotions are how you feel about it all. So what are some common conditions or disorders that affect the temporal lobe? Again, we see Alzheimer's disease, certain brain lesions or tumors, carbon monoxide poisoning, concussions or traumatic brain injuries, frontotemporal dementia, certain types of headaches and migraines, poisons and toxins. We can also include mental health conditions related to feelings of fear or panic, especially anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder. Also closely related to the temporal lobe are concerns or issues with schizophrenia, seizure-related disorders such as epilepsy, and certain kinds of strokes or transient ischemic attack or TIAs. Damage or disease in the temporal lobe can affect and show symptoms such as memory problems, changes in understanding language and or language expression, like speaking or writing, alexia, which is similar to dyslexia, but more severe, acalculea, like alexia, but for numbers and math. Dyscalculea is a less severe childhood form of this. Also, 75% of focal seizures with loss of awareness start in your temporal lobe. There are often severe or frequent feelings of anxiety or panic. Often you will see confusion or even changes in vision. So as you can see, the temporal lobe is closely related to a lot of aspects of language. The next lobe we'll consider is the parietal lobe. This part of your brain helps many different areas work cooperatively. First, the parietal lobe, its main job is self-perception. This is your processing center for sensations you can feel with your sense of touch. These include temperature, pressure, vibration, and pain. Self-perception also uses your sense of touch to tell you where parts of your body are without needing to see them. The technical term for this is proprioception or proprioception. A good way to test this is to close your eyes and bring the palm of your hand up to your face. Even with your eyes closed, you can usually tell the approximate position of your hand and avoid smacking yourself in the face. The second key function of the parietal lobe is sensory integration. Other brain areas process sensory information they're responsible for and then forward what they processed to your parietal lobe. Your parietal lobe takes that information, including the self-perception information mentioned above, and integrates it into a form that you can understand. It then sends information to other areas of your brain so you can respond or not to what you sense. The parietal lobe also deals with learned movements. It can help you learn each time you plan and carry out complex, precise movements. An example of this is writing, and that's why writing gets easier with practice. The same is true of similar activities like doing math by hand. In other words, doing division the old long way. I recently saw a story on TV about the NBA player Steph Curry. He was practicing his shooting before a game or some kind of competition he was in, and he kept missing shots, which is incredibly unlike him. This man practices by shooting the same shot hundreds and hundreds of times in his practice drills. And he knew something was off. So he had the officials measure the basketball rim, and they discovered that indeed the rim was two inches too high. And the officials had to make sure that it was corrected before the game began. Once the basketball hoop was adjusted to the correct height, Steph missed very few during the rest of his warm-up. Lastly, the parietal lobe is also an important part of the quote-unquote big picture perception. It helps you process situations when you perceive multiple objects in a related context. An example of this would be seeing a stove, countertops, sink, and refrigerator, and understanding that you're actually looking at a kitchen. Many of the same conditions and disorders that affect the parietal lobe are also ones that affected the temporal lobe. Different types of dementia, brain lesions and tumors, concussions, headaches, seizures and strokes. And also many of the disruptions in learning abilities are the same, such as alexia, the inability to read, acalculea, the inability to do math, even a graphia, the inability to write, and two additional significant disruptions include difficulty telling apart your left from your right, and also trouble identifying and telling apart different fingers. Some touch-related symptoms include disruptions in your ability to feel temperature, pressure, vibration, or pain, trouble recognizing an object with your sense of touch. For example, if someone handed you a metal key in your hand when your eyes were closed, you should be able to move it around in your hand and identify it by touch. People with parietal lobe damage may have trouble with this or may not be able to do it at all. With the parietal lobe, there may also be bigger perception issues. Meaning in the sense of direction you have relative to the world around you. You could be confused about left and right sides. There could be a loss of control when shifting your gaze, not related to the muscles in your eye. Maybe it would include trouble seeing how objects fit into a setting, like being able to see individual trees without recognizing that you're looking at a forest. And reaching for something and missing something while looking at it. In other words, the feeling you get when you're at a 3D movie and you feel as if something is coming towards you, but in reality, it's not. Those types of feelings must be really frustrating for those experiencing them. Again, the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes are incredibly important when it comes to language and language learning. If language is the brain's favorite form of exercise, even simple things like reading aloud, telling stories, or doing word puzzles train your brain's agility and emotional awareness. So if you ever need an excuse to read more books or listen to more podcasts, your brain just gave you one. When it comes to your brain, curiosity might be the brain's favorite fuel. When you're curious, your brain releases dopamine, the same neurotransmitter that drives motivation and reward. That's why learning something new feels good. Your brain literally rewards you for exploring. Curiosity keeps the mind flexible. It opens new neural pathways and strengthens the bridge between knowledge and imagination. So one of the best ways to train your brain isn't through memorization, it's through wonder. So ask more why questions. Follow more what-ifs, and never be afraid to wander into the unknown. That's where growth begins. Here's something remarkable though. The words you use don't just describe your thoughts, they shape them. This is known as linguistic relativity or the superior warf hypothesis. Some scholars claim that this theory is too deterministic and simplistic, and some believe that thought can exist independently from language. In fact, many contemporary linguists believe language structures influence thought, but does not limit or obstruct them. Different languages structure the world differently, and those structures guide perception. For instance, in Russian, there are two distinct words for blue, goluboi, which means light blue, and sinye, meaning dark blue. Russian speakers actually see shades of blue more distinctly than English speakers. And languages that assign gender to nouns, like Spanish or German, can subtly influence how people imagine those objects. So when you change your vocabulary, you expand your perception. Learn a new word, and you've literally grown a new lens for seeing reality. You, well, your brain, is that powerful. Language isn't just communication, it's cognition in motion. Did you know what you do physically affects how you think? Your brain isn't floating in isolation, it's wired to every cell of your body. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and releases endorphins, which boost mood, memory, and attention. Even simple movements like walking trigger creativity. Famous thinkers from Charles Dickens to Steve Jobs were obsessive walkers, because rhythm in motion often unlocks rhythm in thought. So next time you may feel mentally stuck, don't just think harder, take your brain for a walk. And for those who may have physical limitations of some kind, you may need to use some creativity to find ways to exercise so that your brain gets the benefit. Another way to train your brain is learning the art of rest and reflection. Training your brain isn't only about doing more, it's also about doing less. When you rest, daydream, or meditate, your default mode network, the brain's reflective system turns on. That's when the insights bubble up, connections form, and creativity flourishes. It's why ideas strike in the shower or just before sleep when the brain finally gets space to breathe. Rest isn't laziness, it's mental composting. Letting old thoughts break down so new ideas can grow. If you want a smarter brain, give it time to be silent. Another way to train your brain is to work on your memory. Memory isn't a filing cabinet. It's a story your brain keeps rewriting. It's a narrative. Each time you recall something, you rebuild it, slightly altered by mood, context, and imagination. That's why memories feel real even when they're a little wrong. This is also why there is so much controversy at times about eyewitness accounts in courtrooms. Memories are not always perfect. But to strengthen memory, repetition and meaning are the key. If something matters emotionally or personally, your brain files it deeper. That's why we remember stories better than lists. To remember more, don't just repeat facts, connect them to a feeling. Turn them into a narrative. Your brain loves a good story, especially your own. Training your brain isn't only about knowledge, it's also about resilience. Language plays a big role here too. The words you use to describe your challenges can literally alter your brain's response to stress. Saying I'm overwhelmed triggers your body's alarm system, but saying I'm learning to handle a lot right now engages problem-solving circuits instead. This is called cognitive reframing, and it's one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to rewire your thinking. You need to move from cognitive distortions, that is, flawed, irrational, damaging, or unhelpful thoughts, to is this the way I would make this statement to a friend if you're being hard on yourself or thinking negative thoughts. So here are some steps. First, identify the negative thought, such as I'm no good at this or I will never learn this. Secondly, challenge that negative thought. Question their accuracy or validity. Replace those statements or negativity with alternatives that are positive. And then you repeat numbers one through three over and over again. Your self-talk is your brain's internal dialogue coach. So choose words that build strength, not fear. Next, let's talk about the power of habit, consistency, which is the secret ingredient in brain training. Habits carve grooves in the brain, pathways of familiarity that make actions easier over time. Neuroscientists call this myelination. And just be aware that the frontal lobe is more susceptible to demyelination, affecting executive reasoning and functioning than any of the other lobes. But neuroscientists, when they talk about myelination, this has to do with the process of insulating neural connections so signals travel faster and smoother. Every time you practice something, a language, a musical instrument, mindfulness, you strengthen those circuits. At first it's clumsy, then automatic, then effortless. The key isn't intensity, it's repetition. I recently saw a video of the tennis star Martina Nevratilova playing tennis with a friend. She's now 69 years old. While I'm sure she had intense workouts, most of her ability has remained because of the repetition that has occurred over her lifetime. Her tennis playing skills are just as sharp now, maybe not quite as intense, but the movements are all there, and that's because she has trained not only her body but her mind to make those movements successfully. The brain doesn't need perfection, it just needs persistence and repetition. Language also has the power to heal the brain. Therapists call it narrative integration, the act of telling your story to make sense of pain. When you put experiences into words, you move them from raw emotion into structured understanding. Writing, journaling, or even talking through hard memories activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that makes sense of experience. And slowly words turn chaos into coherence. We train our brains not only through knowledge, but through meaning, and meaning is built with words. Here's the most hopeful truth of it all. It's never too late to train your brain. Neuroplasticity continues throughout life, even in old age. Seniors who learn new skills, like dancing, painting, or foreign languages, show measurable increases in brain volume and connectivity. I recently saw a video of a 104-year-old man who learned to do pottery at age 102. He states that he's still learning. So no matter your age, your brain is still in training. You're not getting older, you're getting reprogrammed. Here's a final exercise, one that neuroscientists and poets both swear by. Gratitude. When you express gratitude, even silently, your brain releases serotonin and dopamine, the same chemicals linked to happiness and focus. Writing or saying thank you actually trains your brain to look for the positive, to notice what's working instead of what's missing. Gratitude, in a way, is the most elegant form of mental training. A daily reminder that meaning grows where the attention goes. How to be smarter, faster, better. But maybe the most powerful training is learning to be amazed. Wonder rewires the brain too. When you experience awe, whether it's from music, nature, or language, your brain's default networks quiet down and feelings of connection expand. You feel smaller, more complete. It's the brain's way of saying, This world is bigger than my worries. Wonder keeps the brain humble and alive. At the heart of all this brain training is one simple truth. Your inner dialogue creates your outer reality. The words you think create the world you see. You train your inner language with as much care as your outer one. Speak to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. Because your brain is always listening. So, how do we summarize all of these training tools that I've provided today in this podcast? Here's a quick review. Remember to take advantage of neuroplasticity. Take advantage of learning new things with other languages and cultures. Be curious and a lifelong learner. Be careful of your words, both positive and negative. Remember that there's a mind-body connection and that exercise can release endorphins. Don't forget to rest and reflect. Work on memory being connected to meaning. Remember that resilience is a result of reframing. Keep in mind that habits are created with repetition. Narrative creates meaning for us. You can reprogram, that means unlearning to relearn, and that having a spirit and attitude of gratitude and wonder also helps train your brain. And you get the added benefit of the release of serotonin and dopamine. So what's the wisdom and wonder in all this? Your brain isn't a fixed tool. It's a lifelong learner. You train it every time you read, reflect, rest, or reach for understanding. Through words, habits, curiosity, and even kindness, you shape the landscape of your own mind. So read widely, speak thoughtfully, rest often, and keep your brain curious, because curiosity is the most powerful exercise of all. Thank you for joining me for the wisdom and wonder of words. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who loves learning, or someone who just needs a gentle reminder that their brain is still full of possibilities. You don't just use your brain, you build it one beautiful word at a time.