A look at music’s effect on our everyday lives.
Augment life with the inspiration and enrichment of music by looking at its benefits and effects on our daily lives through the lens of science, medicine, sports, education, entertainment, business, service, and history.
Hosted, created, and produced by Mindy Peterson, a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.
Launched in summer 2019, this weekly podcast is the result of an event Mindy initially saw as a huge disappointment, and the show has become an exploration of the “soundtrack of our lives.” Hear the story in the 10-minute Ep. 1: Introduction.
Ep. 45: Laurie Berkner describes music’s stabilizing effect for children during uncertain times, and serenades her graduating childhood fans
Dubbed “the Adele of the preschool crowd” by The New York Times, Laurie Berkner explains the role music plays in children’s lives, both in “normal” times and times of anxiety. She has a special message for Class of 2020 seniors, many of whom first fell in love with music as toddlers because of Laurie’s music!
Ep. 44: What will the music education of the future look like? With Dr. Clint Randles
New and innovative music-making methods can engage even more students in the life-enhancing creative process of music-making. Widely available technology brings with it a plethora of additional opportunities to diversify school music curriculum and ignite the innate love of music in students who may otherwise not be a good fit for traditional school music programs.
Ep. 43: Memorial Day: A combat veteran tells his story and shares how music is serving those who serve our country, with CreatiVets’ Richard Casper
Marine veteran Richard Casper’s life fell apart when he returned home with combat wounds from his service in Iraq. After nearly giving up, he discovered art and song-writing as therapeutic forms of expression, and he now uses these mediums to help other veterans heal. Richard says of songwriting: “I found out how to tell my story without actually telling...
Ep. 42: What does hip-hop have to do with mental health and well-being? With child and adolescent clinical psychologist Dr. Eliott Gann
Hip hop culture’s core values of social justice, peace, respect, and community make the world’s most popular musical genre a relevant and effective therapeutic tool for the marginalized and at-risk population. Hip Hop beat making and culture is successfully utilized across the globe as a mental health, educational, social justice and cross-cultural intervention.
Ep. 41: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a look at how music preserves Mexican heritage and connects cultures, with Eugene Rodriguez
Music can preserve culture and be a bridge between cultures. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a look at some of the ways music is used to celebrate Mexican history and traditions, as well as promote intercultural connection.
Ep. 40: Does society serve art, or does art serve society? A metropolitan opera utilizes music as a community development program teaching academic, vocational, and life skills.
MN Opera’s Music Out Loud program is influenced by El Sistema, a social development program founded in Venezuela over 40 years ago. Music Out Loud is a program with a social mission that uses music, and other operatic components, in a holistic way to teach academic skills and life skills, AND enrich the community at the same time.
Ep.39: Parkinson’s Disease Interventions with Music; “Music provides structure for movement.” Marion Haase, M.M.
Music allows information to bypass areas of the brain that have lost their ability to communicate. And as the music is removed, these new and improved functions remain, continuing to use the new route in the brain that was made possible by the music. The brain can change, learn new things, and re-route information at any point in life....
Ep. 38: How does music affect my TV viewing experience? With TV production insider Steve Mulholland
Imagine watching your favorite TV show without any music in its sound track. TV production insider Steve Mulholland explains the magic of music breathing life into a television story.
Music hack-the work I’m doing in the office will drive the type of music I listen to. I’m usually sitting at my desk all day so my music is always on. If I’m working on reports, it might be class rock/pop. If it’s something that needs a lot of concentrating, it could be Enya. If it’s something monotonous, maybe Metallica, to keep me awake!
Thanks so much for sharing!
We love music in our home- whether it’s listening to “cleaning music” while we clean up the house, or belting out songs we know together as a family around the piano and mandolin❤️ We are also schooling at home utilizing a curriculum that puts everything to music for easy memorization! We were thrilled the other night when we discovered this pony tail holder on our floor positioned like this: IMG_0742.JPG
Love this, Sarah — thanks so much for posting!! Definitely brought a smile to my face!
Hi my name is Vanessa, I am 11 year old.
I use just dance on the Wii to have fun dancing with music and being competitive with my sissy Delany.
Thank you, Vanessa! I’m so glad you listen to the podcast! I’ll include your Listener Improv on the next show. :^)
A way that we use music in our everyday life as a family is to sing a “brush your teeth” song while brushing my sons teeth. He never fights us during it, and he knows just how long to brush his teeth.
I wish I would have thought of that when MY kids were young! Thank you!
Mindy — Wow! I’ve been a guest on a lot of podcasts, but you are in the top 1% in terms of people who know their stuff and know how to interview guests in an engaging, knowledgeable way. Great experience. Thank you!!
Thanks so much, Dr. Mossbridge – It was a pleasure to meet you on the phone!!
Improv: Every time I am getting ready for the day I crank Beyonce. She makes you feel so empowered as a person/women and gets me dancing. Helps to start my day out right.
Love that — it’s like an audio version of the Power Pose – thank you, Lynn!