Podcast Summary

Podcast: Something You Should Know
Host: Mike Carruthers
Guest: Dr. Megan Sumeraki, Associate Professor of Psychology, Rhode Island College
Episode: SYSK TRENDING – How Memory Really Works
Date: March 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the fascinating world of memory—how it works, why we forget, the science behind remembering, and expert-backed strategies to improve memory. Host Mike Carruthers interviews cognitive psychologist and memory expert Dr. Megan Sumeraki, who breaks down why some memories stick while others fade, how our brain categorizes different types of memories, the role of emotion in recall, and why forgetting may actually be essential.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Defining Memory: More Than Just Events

• Definition: Memory is "using the past in service of the present or future." ([03:20])
• Memory encompasses not just personal experiences but also skills (like riding a bike), factual knowledge, and even things we aren't consciously aware of, such as navigating a previously visited area—this is called implicit memory.

  "It's the definition that I like...using the past in service of the present or future." (Dr. Sumeraki, 03:20)

2. Memory Types: Working, Short-Term, Long-Term, and Implicit

• Working (Short-Term) Memory: What you're actively thinking about right now; it lasts only seconds.
• Long-Term Memory: Anything you recall after you've stopped thinking about it for a moment—could be five minutes ago or decades earlier.

  "Short term memory or working memory is... really, really short. It’s what we're holding on to in the moment." (Dr. Sumeraki, 07:08)

• Implicit Memory: Unconscious recall, e.g., knowing your way around a familiar place without remembering every visit.

3. Why Do Vivid Memories Last While Others Fade?

• Emotional events (like weddings) leave stronger, more durable impressions.
• The "reminiscence bump": We remember more from our late teens/early 20s than from other periods ([08:00]).
• Even vivid memories (big emotional events) may not be as accurate as we believe.

  "It seems like we favor memories that occur with great emotion, although we tend to think that we're more accurate than we are." (Dr. Sumeraki, 09:50)

4. Individual Differences in Memory

• People really do vary in memory ability, but self-assessment isn’t always accurate. Some are "confidently wrong," while others underestimate themselves ([11:01]).
• Forgetting is normal and often functional, not necessarily a sign of a "bad" memory.

  "Terrible memory is in some ways kind of what one would expect... those are functional. Forgetting is important..." (Dr. Sumeraki, 11:24)

5. The Purpose and Power of Forgetting

• Forgetting prevents cognitive overload and helps us make room for new, relevant information ([14:35]).
• Our brains are designed not to remember every detail, as that's not useful.

  "We shouldn't and don't want to be able to hold on to every single detail." (Dr. Sumeraki, 15:29)

6. Memory Distortion: Why Memories Change Over Time

• Every time you recall a memory, you’re recalling the last version of it, not the original event ([16:15]).
• Retrieval strengthens memory but also changes it—small details can be altered or fabricated over repeated recall.

  "Every time we retrieve information... the memory can be strengthened, but also modified." (Dr. Sumeraki, 16:21)

7. The Mystery of Random or Persistent Memories

• Some seemingly insignificant memories persist due to frequent retrieval (like telling stories) or associative triggers (like seeing a photo).

  "It's also entirely possible that there's a picture and you've seen the picture or you've been told the story, or it is just some weird thing..." (Dr. Sumeraki, 18:27)

8. Why We Remember Old Phone Numbers, But Not Recent Ones

• Repetition and necessity previously reinforced certain memories (like phone numbers), but changes in habits (cell phones, speed dial) mean we don’t store new ones ([20:25]).
• "I remember my childhood phone number... but I couldn't tell you their [friends'] cell phones now." (Dr. Sumeraki, 20:34)

9. Memory and Aging: What’s Normal?

• Most people experience some decline in memory with age, especially after their mid-20s—processing speed and certain memory types decrease, but vocabulary can improve ([21:02]).

  "It's absolutely a normal part of aging... memory skills can peak in your mid-20s... but speed of processing, certain types of memory tend to decrease slowly." (Dr. Sumeraki, 21:02)

• Occasional forgetting is normal; concern is warranted only if problems are frequent or disruptive.

10. Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Memory

• Retrieval Practice: Actively recalling information strengthens it and makes it easier to use flexibly.

  "When we retrieve information, we call this retrieval practice. It does strengthen our memories." (Dr. Sumeraki, 22:47)

• Spaced Practice: Reviewing material at intervals (rather than all at once) helps with retention and recall.

  "... spaced practice is another one that tends to work really well, and the two go together." (Dr. Sumeraki, 23:17)

Memorable Quotes

• "Memory is actually much more broad than most people think."
  — Dr. Megan Sumeraki ([03:20])

• "It's entirely possible that these vivid memories that we have from these emotional events aren't as accurate as we think."
  — Dr. Megan Sumeraki ([10:04])

• "Every time you remember something... little pieces can insert themselves and they become integrated into that memory."
  — Dr. Megan Sumeraki ([16:44])

Notable and Lighthearted Moments

• Mike comments, “I forgot what I was going to ask” while talking to a memory expert ([24:03]), prompting laughter and a reassuring “That happens all the time, too. It's normal.” from Dr. Sumeraki ([24:09]).

Important Timestamps

• 03:20 – What memory really is; types of memory
• 07:00 – Difference between working, short-term, and long-term memory
• 08:00 – Why we remember certain events better (the reminiscence bump)
• 14:35 – Why forgetting is important and functional
• 16:15 – How recalling memories changes them
• 22:47 – Proven memory improvement strategies

Closing

The conversation closes with practical, science-backed tips: Use retrieval practice and spaced practice to boost memory. Forgetting is normal (even for memory experts!), and most lapses are not a warning sign, but part of how the system is designed.

Guest: Dr. Megan Sumeraki’s book The Psychology of Memory is linked in the show notes.