Episode 268

Staying Sharp: Brain Science for a Better Retirement with Dr. Therese Huston

Published on: 23rd November, 2025

Dr. Therese Huston discusses why cognitive changes in later life don’t always signal decline and how to stay mentally strong with simple, science-backed strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

  1. The difference between normal memory lapses and concerning cognitive decline
  2. How the brain actually gets better at certain things with age
  3. Why “brain training” apps might not be as effective as you think, and what works better
  4. The surprising link between movement and memory
  5. How multitasking, stress, and even retirement routines can cloud mental clarity
  6. Daily strategies for staying sharp without overhauling your life
  7. The emotional impact of memory concerns and how to manage that inner dialogue

Action Steps:

  1. Replace multitasking with focused, single-task attention once per day
  2. Build a new memory-friendly habit around your existing routine (e.g., walking while reviewing your to-do list)
  3. Reframe “forgetting” as a cue to slow down, not as a failure
  4. Grab your own copy of Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science

You can contact Dr. Huston via her website: https://theresehuston.com

Don't forget to check out her new book, Best Brain Ever, hitting stores on December 2, 2025!

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About the Podcast

Beyond Retirement
What really happens after retirement?

If you’re approaching retirement—or already there—and wondering what now?, you’re not alone. The world is full of financial advice for retirement, but there’s far less about how to actually live a fulfilling life once the 9-to-5 ends.

Beyond Retirement is the podcast that explores what comes after the career chapter. Whether your retirement was planned or unexpected, joyful or jarring, you’ll find real stories, honest conversations, and practical inspiration here.

Join host Jacquie Doucette as she shares her own journey and speaks with people who’ve reimagined life after work—some fully retired, some shifting gears, and all discovering new meaning in this next stage. From finding purpose to building community, embracing play, and navigating change, we’ll explore how to create a life that truly fits.

Because retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.

Let’s figure out what comes next, together.

About your host

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Jacquie Doucette