In Enhance Life with Music: The lay-person’s guide to enjoying music’s benefits, musician Mindy Peterson explores the many ways music affects and benefits our everyday lives. Increase happiness with the musical advantage while learning about music’s relationship to science, medicine, sports, education, entertainment, business, service, and history. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Mindy provides a layperson’s guide to integrating the musical advantage in your own life and the lives of your loved ones.
Listener Improv
Each episode includes an Improv from our guest – a Try-This-At-Home, experiment, or hack – a practical, concrete way to enhance life with music. Each episode also features a Listener Improv. Send me your Listener Improv by sharing a practical way you use music to enhance YOUR life. I would love to hear from you!
- Leave a comment below;
- Comment on a social media post (Instagram, FaceBook or LinkedIn); or
- Email me at mindy@mpetersonmusic.com
Ep. 16: The Backstory of “Awakenings” and “The Music Never Stopped,” with Dr. Concetta Tomaino (basis of a main character in each film)
Dr. Concetta Tomaino co-founded the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function with the renowned author and neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks. Tomaino’s work is highlighted in two feature films based on Dr. Sacks’ work: The Music Never Stopped; and Awakenings, with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. Dr. Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of...
Ep. 15: Veterans Day Tribute + Role of Music in the Military: with Jari Villanueva, Taps Historian, USAF
We honor our veterans with a look at the role music plays in our military. Guest Jari Villanueva also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the call of Taps, a way of thanking the military for their service and for a job well done. Veterans Day is November 11.
Ep. 14: The Healing Power of Music for Child Soldiers and Refugees: with Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominee Samite Mulondo
With a theme of resilience, Ugandan-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Samite Mulondo uses the power of music to bring comfort, healing, and hope to child soldiers, refugees, orphans, and others experiencing traumatic and frightening circumstances.
Ep. 13: Heartbeat of the Stadium and the Sound of Fall: Cheers to the Drumline (with UNT Drumline + Director of Athletic Bands Daniel Cook)
For many Americans, the marching band drumline is the sound of fall – mixed with colliding helmets and crowds cheering. The marching band, and specifically the drumline, bring an energy, school spirit, and game mood to the college football experience. We are talking today about the college drumline and its integral role in football game spirit.
Ep. 12: Coldplay’s Music Therapy for Kids Suffering Illness: with Melodic Caring Project’s Levi & Stephanie Ware
Melodic Caring Project is a non-profit organization that uses music to provide therapy, hope, and empowerment to children suffering from serious illness or injury. Melodic Caring Project teams up with local and nationally touring artists to connect them directly to children by streaming personalized concerts to kids in their hospital rooms (or homes, in between treatment). Their use of...
Ep. 11: A Lion Mom Roars: with America’s Got Talent Contestant Susan Pascale
Get Tiger Mom results without the Tiger Mom bite! In her article, “A Lion Mom Roars,” Pascale discusses her methods for getting high-level results without sacrificing a child’s childhood or the parent-child relationship. She explains how to have high expectations for excellence and ambition for your children and students – without the negativity that can go along with...
Ep. 10: NHL Season Kick-off – Gloria! (with theScore hockey editor Josh Gold-Smith)
Organ music immediately sets the mood for fans, fills breaks in the action, and engages the crowd. Hear the story of St. Louis Blues’ rallying cry, Gloria, and engage with your hockey team’s organist on Twitter.
Ep. 9: Artist Spotlight (from Australia to Cincinnati, Composer & Vegan Foodie Douglas Knehans)
Our first Artist Spotlight episode features composer, animal-lover, and vegan foodie Dr. Douglas Knehans, who has lived and worked in places as varied as Australia and Cincinnati. His compositions have been performed worldwide at Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall, and festivals in Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Austria, the US and Australia.
Ep. 8: Music Improves Concentration (“Music is the new superfood.” – Dr. Julia Mossbridge)
We Americans love productivity: We love feeling productive, we’re proud of increasing our productivity, and we’re fond of anything that will get us into a flow state, also known as being “in the zone” – that mental state of being fully immersed in an activity with energized focus. Studies and brainscans have shown that certain music can bring us to a focused...
Ep. 7: Sound of Your Heritage: Music’s Role in Jewish Culture & Celebrations (Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro)
Music has been a part of Jewish life since ancient biblical times, and remains integral to the Jewish religious and cultural experiences. Hazzan Pomerantz-Boro tells us about the Jewish High Holidays (personal preparation is taking place now) and the role Jewish music plays in Jewish culture and holidays/celebrations. Some of America’s greatest composers and songwriters are Jewish (including Aaron...
Ep. 6: How to Get Your Child to Practice…Without Resorting to Violence! (Author Cynthia Richards)
Gently but firmly implementing daily practice time for your child will provide musical rewards they can enjoy for a lifetime (not to mention the many life skills learned through music lessons, including problem solving, discipline, increased focus, creativity, patience, perseverance). Regardless of whether music is eventually entered as a profession, the ability to make great music is a priceless...
Ep. 5: Why is the Ukulele So Popular? (Ben Hassenger, Ukulele Ambassador to Michigan)
The ukulele seems to have exploded in popularity in the last five years or so with both amateurs and experienced musicians, and across all ages! Ben Hassenger, self-described Ukulele Ambassador to Michigan, explains why the ukulele is so attractive to so many people across so many demographics. He also explains the versatility of the instrument in spanning...
Ep. 4: Music Rewires the Brain (Maegan Morrow)
After Gabby Giffords’ horrific shooting in 2011, Maegan Morrow helped her re-learn to speak using music therapy. Maegan explains how music is used for healing the brain. The brain's ability to pave new pathways around damaged areas is called neuroplasticity. Learn how music generates neuroplasticity superpowers!
Ep. 3: Music Reduces Urban Poverty (BIIG MIIC & Urban Ventures)
Lasting solutions to urban poverty span all the way from cradle to career – empowering communities by putting education, families, and community assets at the core. Urban Ventures provides cradle-to-career support for youth and families in one of Minneapolis' most under-resourced neighborhoods, through music & arts, literacy & academics, farm, and sports.
Ep. 2: Music in Movie Trailers (Ariella Abrams)
How are we influenced by music in movie trailers? How important is the music in trailers? Is it an afterthought, or more integral to the message of the trailer? What does the process of creating this music look like? Discover the niche industry of the movie trailer music world.
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your suggestions for topics and guests, your Improv suggestions, and how music enhances your life by commenting below.
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!