How to Learn in Alignment with How Your Brain Actually Works

Learning the “right way” isn’t about trying harder, it’s about learning smarter.Lauren Waldman, a learning scientist and self-proclaimed “learning pirate,” spent over a decade in teaching and corporate learning, but it wasn’t until she dove into the neuroscience of the brain that everything clicked. We unpack how to learn in alignment with how your brain actually works, and in a way you can put into practice immediately. Lauren reminds us that most of us were never taught how to learn, and she introduces a simple metacognition framework: What do I know? What don’t I know? And what do I think I know that might be wrong?We explore stepping into discomfort, because growth happens when your brain is challenged, and Lauren encourages treating learning like a personal experiment. She helps you drill down on why you’re learning something, which keeps your efforts strategic, intentional, and way less overwhelming in a world full of endless resources.Key Takeaways:Learning works best when you are intentional and focused, not just consuming information.Ask yourself what you know, what you don’t, and what you might think you know to guide your learning.Growth comes from leaning into discomfort, even when your brain resists.Treat learning like an experiment: try, fail, adjust, and repeat to build skill and confidence.Focus is a skill you can train with attention exercises to learn more efficiently.Knowing your “why” keeps you motivated and helps you choose what to focus on.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:44 What is a ‘learning scientist’?04:47 How to learn in a way that aligns with how your brain is wired08:24 3 questions to ask yourself when learning something new11:41 Choosing resources that support real learning, not false comfort15:36 Why learning feels so hard even when you're doing everything right19:29 What comfort does to your brain26:12 A real example of skills, focus, and metacognition working together31:43 Moments of YARR35:06 Working through perfectionism38:50 What becomes possible when you stop fighting your brain and start partnering with itResources Mentioned:Joining Forces with Your Brain: https://www.learningpirate.com/joining-forces-with-your-brain  The Creative Way by Rick Reuben: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Act-Way-Being/dp/0593652886 Connect with Lauren:Website: ⁠https://www.learningpirate.com/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-waldman-4666bab/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/learning_pirate/⁠Connect with Me:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/⁠Building Thinkers Newsletter: ⁠https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf⁠More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.