BrainShape Podcast
167 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHost Dr. Andrea Wilkinson has a PhD in Psychology, with a specialization in Cognitive Aging. She has been studying brain fitness and cognitive maintenance for over 15 years. The BrainShape Podcast discusses the hottest issues, topics, interests and concerns related to healthy aging and brain health for aging adults, older adults, seniors and baby boomers who want to learn about how to stay mentally and physically engaged for as long as possible. What are the tips and techniques that promote successful aging? How do I age well? How can I improve my brain health and memory? How can I protect my brain against disease and illness? What is brain plasticity? How does food, nutrition and fitness affect the aging brain? What lifestyle promotes healthy and successful aging? Welcome to the BrainShape Podcast where Dr. Andrea answers all of your questions and so much more! Week after week, Dr. Andrea cuts through the noise of an ever growing, ever changing world of brain health. She shares her expertise on healthy aging and has in-depth conversations with experts and knowledge leaders. On this podcast, we talk about everything that impacts healthy aging from fitness, brain food, nutrition, socializing, sleeping habits, mental stimulation, meditation, the downside of brain games, memory, cognition, family, travel, lifestyle, habits, retirement, volunteering and so much more! Dr. Andrea gives you actionable and tangible tips, tools and techniques backed-up by real scientific studies that will get you inspired and help you to keep your brain in shape. To stay in touch with all things BrainShape, you can check out www.BrainShape.ca and follow Dr. Andrea Wilkinson on social media @BrainShapeTO.
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Episodes
Episode 17: The Limits of Brain Games with Dr. Andrea Wilkinson
July 02, 2019 04:30 - 35 minutes - 49.5 MBThe billion-dollar brain training industry would have you believe that playing brain games on your computer or mobile device will help boost your mental functioning, but the scientific research on the matter tells a different story. Today I will share with you my story as a young graduate student trying to unlock the power of brain games and the science that demonstrates the limitations of brain games. The truth is that brain games help you get better at the game, but they do not help you to...
Episode 16: Five ways to stay engaged in Toronto this summer (2019)
June 25, 2019 04:30 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBStaying active and engaged in your community is a central pillar to maintaining your brain health. There are so many free and fun activities happening in and around the city – so, in this episode, I will be sharing five ways to stay mentally and physically active over the summer months. While it is so important that we stay mentally and physically engaged all year round, the summer months are a perfect time to get out into the world to explore, learn, move your body and be with friends & fam...
Episode 15: Building a Resilient Brain with Dr. Andrea Wilkinson
June 18, 2019 04:30 - 41 minutes - 56.4 MBHaving a brain that is highly efficient, dynamic and adaptable in the face of challenge will always be a noble pursuit. In this episode of the BrainShape Podcast, Dr. Andrea Wilkinson talks about brain reserve and cognitive reserve, including research evidence that supports its existence and tips on how you can enhance your own “reserve”. The idea that – over time – our brains can develop the ability to function “normally” in the face of structural and functional changes is extraordinary. ...
Episode 14: Happy Seniors’ Month!
June 11, 2019 04:30 - 21 minutes - 28.8 MBIn celebration of Seniors’ Month in Ontario, Dr. Andrea Wilkinson was invited to speak at the Toronto Seniors Services Event at City Hall in Toronto. The event was held in June to celebrate Seniors month in Ontario. This year, 2019, marks the 35th annual Seniors Month in Ontario and the theme is “Aging Strong”. For Dr. Andrea Wilkinson, it was an absolute honour to be invited to speak at Toronto’s City Hall about BrainShape, and to share the scientific research that supports our four key pil...
Episode 13: Stroke, Dementia and Brain Health with guest Dr. Vladimir Hachinski
June 04, 2019 04:30 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBDid you know that stroke is a risk factor for dementia? In fact, the most common clinical outcome of vascular disease is cognitive impairment. The good news is that 90% of strokes are preventable with a healthy lifestyle, including controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol, exercising regularly, eating healthy and reducing your sodium intake. To help us learn more about the associations between cardiovascular health and brain health we’re talking with Dr. Vladimir Hachinski. Dr. Hachin...
Episode 12: Oral Health & Healthy Aging with guest Dr. Bei Wu
May 28, 2019 04:30 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBOral hygiene is a regular part of most people’s daily lives. But, did you know that oral health (such as brushing your teeth daily and visiting your dentist regularly) is related to many health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, quality of life and even your mental functions? To help us better understand the relationship between oral hygiene and healthy aging, we’re talking with Dr. Bei Wu – a professor at New York University's (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nurs...
Episode 11: All about caregiving with guest Craig Knowles
May 21, 2019 04:30 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBThere are approximately 8 million informal caregivers in Canada – that is more than 1 in 4 Canadians who put in regular hours to care for their loved ones, family members and friends. Today we’re joined by Craig Knowles who has lived experienced as an informal caregiver for his partner and aging parents. Being an effective caregiver is fulfilling, but many caregivers experience symptoms of caregiver distress, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and difficulty sleeping. In this episode, C...
Episode 10: Sleep and the aging brain with guest Sasha Usyatynsky
May 14, 2019 04:30 - 42 minutes - 58.8 MBSleep is a basic human need. In this episode, we will be talking about sleep systems, age-related changes in sleep patterns, myths about sleep, various sleep disorders (including sleep apnea and insomnia) and cognitive-behavioural therapy as a common treatment for insomnia. Our guest is a PhD student in clinical psychology. She shares a lot of amazing insights about sleep and the aging brain, as well as tangible tips you can use to ensure you are getting the sleep that your body and your bra...
Episode 9: Volunteering and Healthy Aging with guest Dr. Nicole Anderson
May 07, 2019 04:30 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MBVolunteering is an important way to contribute to your community and to society. An added bonus is that there are many benefits associated with volunteering, including increased longevity, better self-reported health status, less depression, and more life satisfaction. There is even evidence that shows that volunteering can impact your cognition (mental abilities). In this episode of the BrainShape Podcast, we’ll be talking with Dr. Nicole Anderson about the research supporting the benefits ...
Episode 8: Taoist Tai Chi Arts & Wellness with guest Bonnie Steinman
April 30, 2019 04:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBInterested in learning about Taoist Tai Chi Arts? There are many physical and mental benefits associated with this practice. In this episode, we’ll be talking about Taoist Tai Chi Arts as a community, and its physical, mental and social benefits. We are joined by Bonnie Steinman, a member and volunteer instructor at the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism. Bonnie will share with us the variety of positive effects she’s experienced, since starting her Taoist Tai Chi Arts practice 35 years ago, a...
Episode 7: Staying Engaged as you Age with Dr. Andrea Wilkinson
April 23, 2019 04:30 - 23 minutes - 33 MBToday on the podcast, we’re sharing the audio from a talk that Dr. Andrea Wilkinson gave at the University of Toronto, called “Exploring and Developing Tools for Staying Engaged as we Age.” The audio being shared today is specifically from the last section of the talk, where Dr. Andrea spoke about staying engaged during healthy aging. In this context, she discusses the inspiration and foundation for BrainShape.ca. This will be informative for anyone who is not very familiar with the BrainSha...
Episode 6: Mindfulness and the brain with guest Dr. Alexandra Fiocco
April 16, 2019 04:30 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBWe all experience stress in our lives. As we deal with these stressors, it is important for us to learn how to respond to them mindfully and appropriately. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life. We are joined by Dr. Alexandra Fiocco, Director of the Stress and Healthy Aging Research (StAR) Lab at Ryerson University. Dr. Fiocco will talk about one of her areas of expertise: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She will address que...
Episode 5: Reaching your nutrition goals with guest Brittany Raftis, RD
April 09, 2019 04:30 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBWe all know the importance of eating healthy and nutritious foods to fuel our bodies and our brains; but, having the plans in place to ensure we get all of the vitamins, good fats and proteins that we need can be a challenge. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to build healthy eating habits with our guest, Brittany Raftis - a Registered Dietitian. Brittany will share some healthy cooking tips, bust myths about healthy eating, and talk about Ca...
Episode 4: Brain Healthy Food Habits with guest Dr. Carol Greenwood
April 02, 2019 04:30 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBYour diet plays a crucial role in helping you maintain your brain health. The human brain - like every tissue in your body - is reliant on healthy nutrition throughout its life span. Focus on developing a healthy global diet, instead of too narrowly focusing on individual foods, nutrients, or spices. The social context in which you eat your food is also a core feature of driving your brain health. Maintaining social connection and keeping yourself cognitively engaged is central to healthy br...
Episode 3: Why a healthy, fit and active lifestyle is so important as we age with Laurie Brager
March 26, 2019 04:30 - 37 minutes - 52 MBThis week Dr. Andrea Wilkinson talks with Laurie Brager - a Personal Trainer for women over the age of 50. In this episode, we discuss all of the benefits of physical fitness that are particularly important for older adults, including increasing muscle and bone strength, enhanced balance and flexibility, improvements in sleep and mental benefits. Laurie also provides some tangible tips on how to incorporate more physical activity into your very busy life. She also touches on the importance o...
Episode 2: How dance impacts your body and your mind with Rachel Bar
March 19, 2019 08:00 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBThis week Dr. Andrea Wilkinson talks with Rachel Bar about the power of dance and how it impacts our minds, bodies, and souls. Rachel is currently a PhD student studying dance in older adults, and also works at Canada's National Ballet School. Join us as Rachel takes us through her research journey – investigating how dance affects individuals with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other older adult populations. She also introduces us to the Sharing Dance Seniors program – jointly created b...
Episode1: How to Change your Brain with Dr. Andrea Wilkinson
March 03, 2019 19:53 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBWelcome to the BrainShape Podcast! Join host Dr. Andrea Wilkinson as she walks you through her vision for the BrainShape Podcast and shares her motivation to inspire healthy aging and brain fitness through social engagement, physical activity and mental challenges. In this episode Dr. Andrea discusses one of her favourite topics: brain plasticity - our brain's ability to change itself in response to our experiences and the environment. Learn about the top 3 ways to optimize your brain heal...