About this podcast

In this captivating episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast, host Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Erich Jarvis, a distinguished Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language at Rockefeller University. Dr. Jarvis, an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, delves into the intricate world of vocal communication, exploring its molecular and genetic underpinnings across various species. The discussion covers the unique human ability to learn and use complex language, the fascinating connections between language, singing, and dance, and the evolutionary hypothesis that song may have predated language. Dr. Jarvis sheds light on the biological and genetic factors contributing to stuttering and other speech disorders, the neuroscience behind non-verbal communication, and the optimal periods for language acquisition. Listeners will gain profound insights into why it's easiest to learn languages as a child and how multilingualism can be achieved at any age, even touching on how modern technology like social media impacts our brains. This episode is a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the origins of human communication, music, and culture.