This week we're learning how to embrace being a beginner again (and why we should) with help from journalist Tom Vanderbilt. Tom is the best-selling author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us), and You May Also Like: Taste in an Age of Endless Choice, and his latest book is Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning. Listen to hear Tom describe how becoming a beginner again can change your perspective and offer multiple cognitive benefits, as well as tips on how to get over the initial hump of getting started.

Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hear from you!

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How to Be a Beginner, With Journalist Tom Vanderbilt

Each week, Jordan Calhoun and Meghan Walbert of Lifehacker brings in all-star guests to tackle the stuff that matters—like how to be happy, how to buy a TV, how to be less bad with money and how to tell if you’re dating a psychopath. Look, you're doing great, but quite frankly we think you can be a little better. All your friends do too. It's time for The Upgrade.

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A Message for Listeners

This week we're fine-tuning our instruments with help from Hollywood vocal coach, Denise Woods. Denise has been a professional vocal and dialect coach for over 20 years and has worked with stars like Will Smith, Halle Berry, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, and Mahershala Ali. Listen to hear Denise gives tips on how to nix the bad habits of the “ums,” “ahs,” and “likes,” figure out your unique voice print, and learn to harness the power of your breath when speaking.

Denise's new book is called The Power of Voice: A Guide to Making Yourself Heard.

Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hear from you!

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How to Find Your Voice, With Vocal Coach Denise Woods (RECAST)

Ever find yourself in an anxiety spiral, ruminating over things that stress you out? If so, you're in luck because this week we're learning how to better control that voice in our heads with help from psychologist Ethan Kross. Ethan is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and Ross School of Business, and is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. His book is called Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.

Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hear from you!

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How to Tame Your Inner Critic, With Psychologist Ethan Kross (RECAST)

This week we're learning how to better focus and pay attention with help from neuroscientist Dr. Amishi Jha. Dr. Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. She's also the author of Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day. Listen to hear Dr. Jha explain why our minds wander the way that they do, and how we can start to better harness our attention.

Have an idea for a future episode? Call us at 347-687-8109 and leave a voicemail, or write to us at upgrade@lifehacker.com. We want to hear from you!

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How to Pay Better Attention, With Neuroscientist Dr. Amishi Jha

The team at Gizmodo has a brand new podcast womansplaining the latest technology. Each week hosts Florence Ion and Caitlin McGarry sit down to talk about the latest gadgets and the biggest headlines in tech. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

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How to Be a Beginner, With Journalist Tom Vanderbilt

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