What is memory? And how does it affect our perception of self? This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Charan Ranganath, a pioneering neuroscientist transforming our understanding of memory. His research shows that our memories resemble not photographs of the past but paintings—constantly altered by the present moment. We explore memory’s counterintuitive purpose (hint: it’s not about documenting the past), why forgetting is crucial for survival, and how sharing stories can reshape our memor