# Harvard M.Ed. Andrew Watson on Working Memory

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/executive-function-for-all-a-podcast-by-untapped-learning-7087003/harvard-m-ed-andrew-watson-on-working-memory.md
Podcast: [Executive Function for All | A Podcast by Untapped Learning](https://stenobird.com/podcast/executive-function-for-all-a-podcast-by-untapped-learning-7087003)
Published: 2026-02-20T16:42:33+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/executive-function-skills-for-all/2559414
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/289572/2559414/executive-function-skills-for-all/2026_02_19_00_29_06_bfbe62bd-0fca-4d9e-adfe-d6c9fa382fca.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2072

## Resource

Few things are more frustrating than feeling like your brain just won’t hold onto information. You try to follow directions. You lose track halfway through. You ask a question that was just answered. And eventually, you start wondering if something is wrong with you. In this episode of Executive Function for All, Brandon sits down with Andrew Watson — former high school teacher, Harvard M.Ed. in Mind, Brain, and Education, and author of Learning Begins — to unpack the science of working memory . Here’s the hard truth: Working memory capacity is limited for everyone. And despite what some programs claim, research does not strongly support that we can artificially increase it. But here’s the hopeful part: We can design systems that reduce overload and make learning more manageable. Andrew shares: • What working memory actually is • Why it feels so frustrating • Why low scores are not an academic death sentence • The 3-question framework: Anticipate. Identify. Solve. • Signs of overload that look like “not listening.” • How dual coding (visual + verbal instruction) increases usable capacity • Why emotional safety matters for cognitive performance This episode reframes memory struggles from character flaws to capacity constraints. Learn more about Andrew’s work at: https://translatethebrain.com/ Explore Untapped Learning’s mentoring and free resources: https://untappedlearning.com/ #WorkingMemory #ExecutiveFunction #ADHDSupport #EducationPodcast #UntappedLearning

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