"A holistic look at the power of music in our everyday lives."
Whether you consider yourself a musician or not, music is all around us! We explore the holistic power of music in our everyday lives through the lens of science & health, sports & entertainment, business, and education. Unleash the power of music in your life!
This weekly podcast is hosted, created, and produced by Mindy Peterson, a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. The show is in Chartable’s Top 200 Music Podcasts for USA and Global; has downloads in over 90 countries; and is in Listen Score’s top 10% of global podcasts (like Nielsen ratings for podcasts). View a complete episode list here.
What others are saying:
“With Enhance Life with Music, Mindy is spreading the word of music’s impact on our brain function and health, whether we consider ourselves musicians or not.”
– Dr. Nina Kraus, Professor of Communication Sciences, Neurobiology, and Otolaryngology at Northwestern University
“John Coltrane once said, ‘One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.’ Mindy Peterson’s Enhance Life With Music is producing billions of positive vibrations for music, life, and humanity.”
– Dr. Clint Randles, Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of South Florida, and author of, To Create: Imagining the Good Life through Music.
“Mindy Peterson of Enhance Life with Music has created an exceptional podcast providing the most up-to-date research and material relating to all aspects of music. If you’re looking for the latest in music and brain research, children’s music, music in sports, music in our schools, the connection between music and color and so much more—Mindy has you covered! A ‘must’ podcast for those recognizing the power of music in their lives.”
– Sharlene Habermeyer, author of Good Music, Brighter Children
“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!!”
– Dr. Julia Mossbridge, cognitive neuroscientist
Ep. 111: Behind the scenes of my favorite piano learning app, Piano Maestro; With JoyTunes’ Becki Laurent
Piano Maestro by JoyTunes is the one subscription I DO encourage my students' parents to use because it is so effective, motivating, and fun! JoyTunes Music Education Specialist Becki Laurent explains her favorite features, how the app came to be, and tips for teachers and students alike.
Ep. 110: How are album covers created – and why is some of the art so bizarre?! With Darin Leach
The form that the “album” has taken has evolved over the decades: we’ve had vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, digital downloads. Through all these iterations, one constant has been the cover art. Even on our digital downloads and streams, we still get to view the cover art on our device when a song is playing. Today’s episode is going...
Ep. 109: How can I enhance my next dinner party with music? With Chef Arlene Coco
Music and food are two things that everyone loves, and that consistently bring people together! Thoughtful music playlists can enhance the dinner party experience for everyone involved, from prep to party to cleanup. Ambassador of Entertaining Arlene Coco discusses playlist selections, her go-to party musicians, and trends in the food world.
Ep. 108: How is music boosting skills and learning in students in special education? With Natalie Hawkins, MT-BC
Music therapy and technology collide to increase therapeutic results, increase student engagement, and streamline data reporting in the special education setting! An innovative, completely accessible program incorporates music with motion capture software to address IEP (Individualized Education Program) objectives, including academic, social-emotional, and physical skills.
Ep. 107: How is music changing my purchasing habits without my awareness?! With author Pavle Marinkovic
Emotions sell, and music is the sound of emotions. How and why does background music have an especially strong influence on what we buy and how much we’re willing to pay? And why is audio branding a growing, research-backed business trend?
Ep. 106: How to Talk… when kids don’t want to practice, with authors Joanna Faber & Julie King
As adults, we know what a gift music is, especially the gift of being able to create our own music and express ourselves in this way. And we want that for our kids. But there’s this thing called “practicing the piano”/musical instrument. And kids don’t always want to do this! Co-authors of How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen,...
Ep. 105: What are the top three skills desired by corporate recruiters, and why are they found in musicians? When should musicians consider a day job in the business world? With Christopher Caliendo
Based on market trends, your best new hire is highly likely to be a musician. We discuss the core creative and soft skills musicians bring to the marketplace; when and why musicians should consider a pivot to business; and how to find a job that will help you actualize a sustainable lifestyle, work-life balance, AND your artistic goals.
Ep. 104: Outsmarting Alzheimer’s – What to do now to increase your odds of successful aging and quality of life, with Kenneth Kosik, MD
Successful aging: What are small, enjoyable changes you can make NOW that will reduce your Alzheimer’s risk and increase your quality-of-life odds decades down the road? Author Kenneth Kosik, MD, explains what music has to do with “Outsmarting Alzheimer’s: What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk.”
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!