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Future-Proof Your Mind: Music, Memory & the Joy of Learning at Any Age

The Joy of Living Podcast with Barry Shore

What if your memory isn’t broken—it’s just misunderstood?

In this high-energy and deeply inspiring episode, Barry Shore sits down with the unstoppable Matt DiMaio—renowned learning expert, motivational musician, and memory master—to explore how anyone (yes, even you!) can sharpen their mind, remember names like a pro, and fall in love with learning again.

Together, they unpack why most people forget (hint: it’s not age!), how to overcome fear of new things like AI and crypto, and why musical affirmations might just be your secret weapon for unstoppable motivation. Matt even shares how one small shift in mindset earned someone the biggest tip of their career—and how you can tap into the same power.

If you’ve ever said, “I have a terrible memory,” this episode will flip that script and give you the tools to start remembering—on purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why remembering someone’s name instantly builds trust and connection
  • The 3 surprising causes of “forgettery”—and how to overcome them
  • How to overcome the fear of learning and future-proof your brain
  • What “review gap” means and how it’s silently sabotaging your progress
  • The magic of imagination and connection in building mental strength
  • How music can turn affirmations into lasting transformation
  • A free resource to triple your memory power—without tricks or gimmicks

Sponsors:

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Show Notes:

[10:00] The Beauty of Names and the Art of Listening

  • Matt reveals the life-changing magic of remembering names and why it instantly earns trust and attention.
  • You’ve been told to “pay attention,” but were you ever taught how? Matt breaks down what school forgot to teach.
  • Active listening, focus, and note-taking aren’t instincts—they’re skills you can learn, and Matt shares how.
  • A simple mental shift can make you feel smarter, faster, and more connected in every room you enter.
  • Matt’s on-stage memory demonstrations aren’t just for show—they’re proof of human potential.
  • Calling someone by their name is one of the fastest ways to make them feel seen and valued.
  • Barry and Matt emphasize that this podcast isn’t about them—it’s about YOU and your power to remember, connect, and grow.

[19:00] The Three Causes of Forgettery

  • “I have a bad memory” isn’t a truth—it’s a trap. Matt exposes the three real reasons we forget.
  • You don’t forget because you’re getting older—you forget because you never truly “got it” in the first place.
  • Caring deeply about remembering someone’s name can make all the difference—and people can feel it.
  • Belief is the biggest memory enhancer: If you think you can remember, you probably will.
  • The mental filing cabinet you never knew you had—Matt explains how to organize your memory like a pro.
  • One photographer used just this concept to become unforgettable at an event—and got the biggest tip of his life.
  • Transforming your memory can transform your business, social life, and even romantic possibilities.

[33:00] Future-Proofing the Mind: Overcoming the Fear of Learning

  • Fear of AI and crypto isn’t really fear of tech—it’s fear that we can’t keep up.
  • Matt’s mission: help you conquer learning anxiety by future-proofing your mind with method, not magic.
  • Memory isn’t a mystery—it’s a system. And like any system, it works better when you actually use it.
  • Adult learners are overwhelmed, time-starved, and stressed—but they can thrive with micro-learning and habit stacking.
  • The “review gap” might be the one thing standing between you and mastering anything new.
  • Legos become a powerful metaphor: Build your mental strength block by block with vision and connection.
  • Whether you’re in Bhutan or the Bronx, the strategies work because they’re rooted in how your brain naturally learns.

[41:00] Musical Affirmations: Rewiring Your Brain Through Song

  • Tired of boring affirmations? Matt’s answer: rock anthems that embed confidence straight into your subconscious.
  • From stage performer to memory maestro, Matt fuses music and mindset in a way no one else does.
  • “Learning Machine” is more than an album—it’s a playlist for personal power, with tracks like “The Will to Win” and “I Believe in Myself.”
  • Music makes affirmations stick. These lyrics loop in your mind, replacing doubt with drive.
  • Musical motivation lets you reprogram your thoughts without effort—just press play and sing along.
  • You’ll laugh, hum, and level up just by letting these songs run through your head during the day.
  • Matt makes affirmations effortless, turning repetition into rhythm and mental clutter into clarity.

[48:00] Legacy, Joy, and the Real Superpower

  • Matt’s ultimate goal isn’t just to teach memory—it’s to transform how people of all ages see themselves.
  • The “real enemy” isn’t age—it’s avoidance. And that enemy doesn’t stand a chance against applied optimism.
  • Barry and Matt break down what joy really means: the journey of YOU becoming who you were meant to be.
  • Memory is natural—kids do it instinctively. Matt shows how to reclaim that childlike “sense of wonder.”
  • You’ve been using your brain wrong. Matt teaches how to align with how your mind is truly designed.
  • The fastest way to get to the top? “Get off your bottom.” Matt keeps it real with humor and hope.
  • It all leads back to this: gratitude, purpose, and positivity will make you happier, healthier, and wealthier.

Insider Tips:

Nicole Iny is the Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education at FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. FAIR Health possesses the nation’s largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 47 billion claim records. It is dedicated to bringing transparency and integrity to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support.

Topics:

  • What is FAIR Health?
  • What types of tools and resources are offered on FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org?
  • What obstacles do older adults and family caregivers face when navigating the healthcare system, and what strategies can they use to find the services and support they need?
  • Have you received any feedback from patients and/or their caregivers about the shared decision-making resources available on the FAIR Health consumer website?
  • Where can patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers find more information?

About Matt DiMaio

School tells you WHAT to learn, Matt DiMaio shows you HOW to learn it. Now in his 5th decade of producing attention-getting results, speaker, trainer, Guinness World Record certificate holder, Author of a #1 Best Seller on Amazon, and recipient of YouTube’s Silver Play Button Award, Matt DiMaio is the creator of the popular YouTube channel: “Be Smarter Faster”. He teaches techniques, strategies, and mental tricks that speed up your ability to learn whatever you like. These skills have helped millions of students and have gained him an enthusiastic worldwide audience. His channel has attracted well over 200,000 subscribers and millions of views.