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7 Screen Free Weeks to Improved Memory & Changed Brain with Carlos Whittaker

Carlos Whittaker is bringing hope to humans all over the world. And he’s pretty good at it: he’s an author, podcaster, and global speaker backed by the power of a massive Instafamilia, his enthusiastic social followers who tune in daily to join forces with Carlos to find connection, do good, and be in community.

When Carlos enters a room, he makes people feel seen. His super power is creating spaces—online and in-person—where people are safe to engage in conversation about the topics that matter most but are often avoided. His motto: don’t stand on issues, walk with people. That’s the professional stuff—but all day every day, Carlos is a family man.

He and his wife Heather live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their three amazing children, where you can find them working on the family farm, planning trips around the world, and dancing to Single Ladies (seriously, Google it).


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What if you unplugged from every screen in your life for seven straight weeks? No phone. No TV. No laptop. Just silence, stillness, and the raw, unfiltered experience of being human. 

That’s exactly what Carlos Whittaker did—living with monks and Amish farmers to see what happens when you trade constant digital noise for presence, wonder and connection. 

In this episode, Carlos shares the physical and mental withdrawals of going screen-free, the surprising brain scan results that stunned his doctors, and the “lost arts of being human” he rediscovered. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to reclaim your attention, rebuild genuine community and design your own “screen-free sabbatical,” even if you only start with two hours a week. By the end, you may never look at your phone—or your life—the same way again

/ / / Are you ready to take the next step on your brain optimization journey? / / /

Choose your own adventure. Below are the best places to start:

>>> 21 Days of the World’s Best Thinking Program

>>> Join Limitless Live 2025 in San Diego 8-10 December

>>> Discover Your Unique KWIK BRAIN C.O.D.E To Activate Your Genius

Take your first step by choosing one of the options above, and you will find everything you need to ignite your brilliant brain and unlock your exceptional life, allowing you to achieve and surpass all of your personal and professional goals.

Selected links from the episode:

Books mentioned

Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human

Products mentioned

Jim’s Brain T-Shirts

Research papers mentioned

Associations between digital media use and brain surface structural measures in preschool-aged children (November 2022)

How Multitasking Drains Your Brain

Renowned neurologist Richard Cytowic exposes the dangers of multitasking in the digital age

London taxi drivers and bus drivers: a structural MRI and neuropsychological analysis

Podcast episodes you want to listen to next

Neuroscience Behind Online Hostility & Social Behaviour with Dr. Ben Rein

Daily Habits for Better Brain Health with Dr. Daniel Amen

4 Daily Steps for Better Memory with Jim Kwik

Carlos Whittaker

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**This week’s show notes are taken from the video — enjoy!**

[5:30] Why did Carlos choose to live with monks and the Amish?

[7:30] Why are we so uncomfortable to sit in silence with ourselves?

[10:10] These are the 3 biggest lost arts of being human

[14:18] Carlos’ shocking brain scan results before and after the experiment

[17:56] Biggest lessons learned from being in silence

[21:27] How to set boundaries around social media and digital devices in your everyday life [25:10] Why are e-bikes allowed in the Amish community but not cars?

[27:22] How to re-connect and build a community without escaping to the Amish Country

[30:31] Carlos’ blueprint for getting you to 1 screen free day a week

[33:18] Carlos’ learning list

Take a screenshot, tag us (@jimkwik & @loswhit) and share your biggest takeaway.

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