The Writer Files

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Hosted ByKelton Reid

Kelton Reid studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. Tune in each week to learn how great writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid block. Explore our archives at writerfiles.fm to find interviews with notable guests that include bestselling authors John Scalzi (Old Mans War), Greg Iles (Natchez Burning), Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City), Kevin Kelly (founder of WIRED magazine), Emma Donoghue (Oscar Nominee for Room), Maria Konnikova (The Confidence Game), Andy Weir (The Martian), Dan Buettner (The Blue Zones), Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist), Daniel Pink (When), and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.

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How to Live to 100 with Science Journalist Marta Zaraska

October 2, 2020 The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience 32:43

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The lauded science journalist and author, Marta Zaraska, spoke with me about the impacts of loneliness on your health, why we need to think about aging earlier, and how smartphones ruin relationships.

“Too much concentration on our smartphones is definitely damaging our health. The reason for that is that it tends to damage our relationships .” — Marta Zaraska

Marta is the author of two non-fiction books (including Meathooked and Growing Young) two literary novels, and has contributed to two travel books published by National Geographic.

Her latest book is Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, and is “A smart, research-driven case for why optimism, kindness, and strong social networks will help us live to 100.”

Bestselling author Adam Grant said of the book, “If you care about the length and quality of your life but can’t stomach yet another diet or workout routine, this book is for you.”

Marta has been published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, The Atlantic, Discover, and her articles and books have been turned into TV programs around the globe.

Note: This interview was recorded at the end of June, 2020.

Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Marta Zaraska and I discussed:

  • How she distills the essence of hundreds of research papers into highly-readable prose
  • Why social isolation is so abnormal for humans and the double-edged sword of the pandemic
  • How retirement can have negative side-effects
  • And why introverted writers really only need one good friend

Show Notes:

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