Legendary Harvard Scientist On The Study That Reversed Aging | Dr. Ellen Langer
In 1979, a group of elderly men walked into a retreat center. One week later, they walked out stronger, faster — even biologically younger. There was no medication. No surgery. The only thing that changed was the way they saw themselves.That study launched one of the most groundbreaking research careers in psychology — and it changed how we understand aging, illness, limitations, and the possibilities that are available to all of us.Dr. Ellen Langer is a Harvard psychologist, the first tenured woman in Harvard’s psych department, and one of the most cited scientists in her field.She’s widely recognized as the GOAT of mindfulness research — not the meditation kind, but a radically different approach rooted in active noticing and the restoration of personal agency.In this episode, we explore:— The now-famous Counterclockwise Study that challenged aging itself— How our mindset shapes everything from stress to disease outcomes— The quiet ways we limit ourselves through language, labels, and expectation— And what happens when we stop blindly trusting “the facts” and start trusting what we feelChapters:0:00 - Intro2:49 - Sponsor (Magic Mind)3:52 - The Counterclockwise Study7:42 - We Live In Mental Prisons14:43 - The Definition of Mindlessness17:30 - Are We Making Ourselves Sick?28:42 - Our Perception of Getting Older36:35 - Stress is the Biggest Killer45:56 - Dealing With Mental Health Issues54:20 - Is There a Negativity Bias In The Brain?58:49 - Labeling Theory1:06:22 - Dealing with Relational Conflict1:15:19 - Are Emotions Choices?1:25:16 - Social Comparison1:32:52 - Do Mind-shifts Get Easier?1:42:53 - Feeling Like You’re Behind1:54:21 - Dr. Langer’s Greatest ChallengeGet 50% off your first month subscription at Magic Mind:https://magicmind.com/mighty50 (use code MIGHTY50)Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuitDr. Ellen Langer Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenjlanger/The Mindful Body (Book): https://amzn.to/4ke6nf5For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com
Mighty Pursuit Podcast
Most people are trying to piece their lives together in a hundred different places. A podcast for mental health. An app for fitness. A class for their soul. It’s too much... and not enough. Mighty Pursuit is where it all connects—mind, body, and spirit. We host conversations with scientists, celebrities, spiritual thinkers, and everyday people—exploring what it means to live well in a fragmented world. LINKS: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mightypursuit TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/
- No. of episodes: 52
- Latest episode: 2025-07-22
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