Podcast Summary: All Of It
Episode: A Brain Health Challenge for 2026
Air Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Dana Smith (New York Times reporter, brain health & aging)
Overview
This episode of All Of It centers on practical brain health, using the launch of the New York Times' “Five Day Brain Health Challenge” as a springboard. Host Alison Stewart speaks with Dana Smith, who curates the challenge, about actionable strategies, myths, and the science of caring for the brain at any age. Listeners and callers share their journeys, pose questions, and seek real-world advice.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Framing the Challenge: Why Brain Health Now?
- Dana Smith explains that while headlines about dementia can be frightening, dementia is not inevitable.
“One of the most encouraging things I’ve heard from researchers…is that there’s a lot you can do to reduce your risk of dementia and protect your brain health.”
— Dana Smith [01:24] - Message: Like physical health, brain health is under your influence.
The Five Core Pillars of Brain Health
Smith outlines the “Five Day Brain Health Challenge”:
- Sleep: Foundational for brain maintenance and memory.
- Diet: Focusing on the “MIND diet,” a Mediterranean-style approach with brain-boosting tweaks.
- Exercise: Universally championed by experts as the #1 activity for brain resilience.
- Cognitive Challenge: Mental exercises or novelty-based activities to stimulate the brain.
- Blood Pressure: Not glamorous but essential; hypertension is a major dementia risk.
“These are really small tweaks…you don’t have to throw out all your favorite foods and just eat raw kale.”
— Dana Smith [09:14]
Addressing Myths & Misconceptions
- Myth 1: Nothing can be done for brain health.
- Not true: Sleep, exercise, and nutrition matter as much for the brain as for the body.
- Myth 2: Supplements are necessary.
- Diet is generally more effective; e.g., eat salmon instead of just taking Omega-3s.
- Myth 3: Sleep doesn’t matter that much.
- Strong science shows deep, regular sleep is vital.
“This kind of rise and grind mentality...has hurt a lot of us.”
— Dana Smith [04:03]
Fun Brain Science Facts
- The brain is constantly changing, even in adulthood; “it’s never too late” to improve brain health.
- Loss of smell may be an early sign of dementia.
“A loss of smell can be an early sign of dementia… I certainly didn’t know that until I was reporting on the dementia beat.”
— Dana Smith [06:00]
- The brain is an “energy hog”—uses 20% of the body’s energy despite being just 2% of mass.
Brain Health in Action: Callers’ Stories & Q&A
Cognitive Wellness Post-TBI [07:01]
- Gary, 20 years post-traumatic brain injury, credits exercise, nutrition, and meditation for ongoing resilience.
- Smith underscores exercise’s direct effect on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity:
“Exercise is probably the best thing you can do for your brain. It really does actually help new neurons grow.”
— Dana Smith [07:40]
Memorable Aging & New Challenges [10:33]
- Nancy (age 70) recounts starring in a play, relearning memorization techniques, and how “hard but rewarding” it was.
- Linkage: Novelty and complexity (e.g., theater, new crafts) uniquely stimulate and benefit the brain.
Alcohol & Brain Health [11:33]
- Frances asks if alcohol impacts brain regeneration.
- Smith: “Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Alcohol really is not great for our brains… less is definitely more.” [12:02]
Nutrition: Walnuts, Olive Oil, & Berries [07:40, 09:14, 13:05]
- Walnuts and blueberries emphasized for their antioxidant properties.
- Olive oil is preferred (over coconut oil) for brain-healthy unsaturated fats and omega-3s.
Hydration [08:46]
- Not studied deeply in Smith’s reporting, but: “Please drink water for the health of all of your cells.” [08:50]
Exercise: What Kind and How Much? [14:11]
- All forms of movement count; mix walking (“5,000–7,000 steps per day”), resistance training, and activities that elevate heart rate.
“Any type of movement that is getting your heart rate up and challenging your muscles is good. There’s no one best type of exercise.”
— Dana Smith [14:11]
Sleep: Does it Need to Be Uninterrupted? [15:02]
- Long, continuous sleep periods are best for cognitive cleansing via the glymphatic system.
- Short naps may not offer the same deep brain benefits as 7–8 hours of nighttime sleep.
Sports: Tennis & Social Play [16:20]
- Tennis (and dance) have added brain benefits due to social, physical, and cognitive engagement.
“Socializing is incredibly good for our brain... Probably there's some agility as well, but it's...a mental game.”
— Dana Smith [16:43]
Games & Novelty [17:49]
- Crossword and puzzle benefits diminish with repetition; novelty and challenge are keys.
- Try new types of games, crafts, lectures, and activities.
Blood Pressure: The Unsexy But Critical Factor [20:25]
- Smith’s final advice: “Go get your blood pressure checked.” High blood pressure is a major, modifiable risk for dementia.
Noteworthy Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Your brain is an energy hog.” — Dana Smith [07:40]
- “It’s never too early and never too late to improve your brain health.” — Dana Smith [06:35]
- “If you do the same thing over and over again, the benefit starts to drop a little bit… Novelty is incredibly important.” — Dana Smith [17:49]
- “Any amount of alcohol is not good for your brain…less is definitely more.” — Dana Smith [12:02]
- “Eat a handful of walnuts and blueberries…really, I think the most important thing is go get your blood pressure checked.” — Dana Smith [20:25]
Important Timestamps
- 00:31: Introduction, brain health challenge overview
- 02:13: Smith outlines the five pillars of the challenge
- 03:16: Invitation for listeners’ stories and questions
- 04:03: Myths and misconceptions
- 06:00: Fun brain facts
- 07:40: Science of exercise, neurogenesis
- 09:14: Simple diet habit suggestions
- 10:33: Caller (Nancy) on memory and novelty in later life
- 12:02: Alcohol and brain health
- 14:11: What counts as “enough” and “the right kind” of exercise
- 15:02: Sleep, naps, and memory
- 16:20: Tennis and social benefits of sports
- 17:49: Cognitive challenge, games, and novelty
- 20:25: Final takeaway: walnuts, blueberries, blood pressure
Takeaway Actions
- Focus on sleep, diet, exercise, cognitive stimulation, and blood pressure.
- Embrace small changes—add berries, swap in olive oil, walk more, diversify your mental challenges.
- Monitor blood pressure as a critical, often-overlooked factor.
- Remember: It’s never too late or too early to start caring for your brain!