Neuroscientist and cognitive psychologist Dr. Daniel Levitin reveals that growing old is a lot more than just a gradual period of decline and indeed we get better at many aspects of life as we age.  He explains how memory really works, why online brain games probably don’t do all that they promise, and how taking up a new hobby or starting a second career could be the best thing for keeping the mind sharp.  Dan debunks most longevity diets and supplements as well as a whole bunch of common myths from the idea that old people get more depressed to the belief that the elderly need less sleep.  Plus Dan shares the secrets of some of the world's sharpest and most active seniors from former Secretary of State George Shultz to the Dalai Lama.

Order Dan's new book Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold.  Keep up with Dan at www.daniellevitin.com or on twitter at @DanLevitin.  Today's episode was sponsored by Wave invoicing software.

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