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Unlock Your Brain: The Science-Backed Memory and Focus Revolution

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Discover why your phone's mere presence drains cognitive power and how sleep acts as your brain's 'save button.' Drawing from Andrew Huberman's neuroscience research, Joshua Foer's memory techniques, and Cal Newport's deep work principles, this episode reveals the counterintuitive rules governing your brain's performance.

Unlock Your Brain: The Science-Backed Memory and Focus Revolution
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How This Personalized Podcast Was Made

This podcast was created using BeFreed’s AI, based on selected books, the creator’s learning goals, and their preferred tone.

Ultradian rhythms in cognitive performance: no evidence for a 1.5-h rhythm
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7669837/
Huberman Lab
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/focus-toolkit-tools-to-improve-your-focus-and-concentration
The Organized Mind
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/the-organized-mind-by-daniel-j-levitin
Ultradian rhythms in task performance, self-evaluation, and EEG activity
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7870505/
Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping
link
https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1199327
Modern Wisdom (Cal Newport)
link
https://share.snipd.com/episode/8d76661e-7236-4853-be03-a8ae7775ffeb
Interleaved practice improves mathematics learning
link
https://colab.ws/articles/10.1037%2Fedu0000001
About sleep’s role in memory
link
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/22681
WWC Review: Interleaved Practice Improves Mathematics Learning
link
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Study/89950
Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness
link
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1418490112
Why We Sleep
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35011549-why-we-sleep
Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory
link
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1015950108
Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal
link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9873947/
Peak
link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak%3A_Secrets_from_the_New_Science_of_Expertise
Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention
link
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0kp5q19x
The Distracted Mind
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34540154-the-distracted-mind
Make It Stick
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/make-it-stick-by-peter-c-brown
Modern Wisdom #700
link
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-modern-wisdom-30936734/episode/700-dr-andrew-huberman--126947569/
Why is it so hard to do my work? The challenge of attention residue when switching between work tasks
link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749597809000399
Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques
link
https://journals.sagepub.com/stoken/rbtfl/Z10jaVH/60XQM/full
Huberman Lab
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/understand-and-improve-memory-using-science-based-tools
Deep Work
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29433560-deep-work
Durable memories and efficient neural coding through mnemonic training using the method of loci
link
https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.abc7606
The Critical Importance of Retrieval for Learning
link
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008Sci...319..966K/abstract
Tristan Harris (TED)
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/tristan_harris_how_a_handful_of_tech_companies_control_billions_of_minds_every_day
The Eighty Five Percent Rule for optimal learning
link
https://econpapers.repec.org/RePEc%3Anat%3Anatcom%3Av%3A10%3Ay%3A2019%3Ai%3A1%3Ad%3A10.1038_s41467-019-12552-4
Matt Walker (TED)
link
https://www.ted.com/speakers/matthew_walker
A Mind for Numbers
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/a-mind-for-numbers-by-barbara-oakley
Moonwalking with Einstein
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/moonwalking-with-einstein-by-joshua-foer
Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity
link
https://news.utexas.edu/2017/06/26/the-mere-presence-of-your-smartphone-reduces-brain-power/
Daniel Levitin (TED)
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_levitin_how_to_stay_calm_when_you_know_you_ll_be_stressed/transcript
Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis
link
https://www.yorku.ca/ncepeda/publications/CPVWR2006.html
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Input question

How can I improve my memory and focus using science-based techniques?

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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