Why can’t I remember being a baby?
Summary
This episode explores infantile amnesia, examining why we rarely remember our earliest years. Hosts interview cognitive psychologist Tristan Yates, who discusses new fMRI research on infant brain development, and pediatrician Dana Susskind, who explains how early interactions build neural infrastructure. They conclude that while specific memories fade, the emotional foundation and patterns learned in infancy profoundly shape who we become.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Engine and Odoo
Earliest memories and the unreliability of recall
The mystery of infantile amnesia
Infant brain development and hippocampus function
Neurogenesis and statistical learning in babies
Sponsors: Engine, Odoo, and Google Gemini
Early childhood development and brain architecture
The value of friction and imperfect parenting
Credits and final sponsors
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