“A holistic look at music’s effect on our everyday lives.”
Whether you consider yourself a musician or not, music is all around us! Augment your life with the inspiration and enrichment of music by looking at its benefits and impact on our daily lives through the lens of science, medicine, sports, education, entertainment, business, service, and history. The show considers current events (e.g., The Olympics, holidays, and the Black Lives Matter movement) while exploring the prevalence and relevance of music. What is the soundtrack of your life?
This weekly podcast is hosted, created, and produced by Mindy Peterson, a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. The show was launched in summer 2019, the result of an event Mindy initially saw as a huge disappointment (hear the story in the 10-minute Ep. 1: Introduction). The show is in Chartable’s Top 200 Music Podcasts for USA (top 100) and Global; and has downloads in over 50 countries. 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.78: How and when are songs selected for TV & film scenes? with Jody Friedman
Music clearly impacts us is through its role in TV and movies. The absence of music in trailers or the shows themselves would fundamentally change our viewing experience. But who matches the appropriate song to a scene in a TV show or film for full effect? Music supervisor Jody Friedman explains the music selection process, tips for those interested...
Ep. 77: Music interventions in speech development & disorders, with Laura Moorer, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech disorders affect 11% of children ages 3-6, and over 9% of children ages 7-10. That’s a lot of kids! The majority of these speech disorders in young children have no known cause, and affect boys at significantly higher rates than girls. Laura Moorer, M.A., CCC-SLP, explains why and how music plays an important role in speech disorder treatment.
Ep. 76: What are the benefits of being an adult (even “old”!) beginner? With New York Times bestselling author Tom Vanderbilt
We are never too old to take advantage of the cognitive and emotional benefits of learning a new skill. Treating learning as a lifetime sport can roll back the odometer of our brains, expand our horizons, and renew our sense of self and identity. New York Times best-selling author Tom Vanderbilt explains the magic of learning a new skill...
Ep. 75: How Pfizer, Sony, and Unilever use music to develop their executives’ business & leadership skills; with Maestro Roger Nierenberg
Executives develop organizational and leadership skills through unscripted, interactive and unconventional orchestral performances. This innovative program has been utilized in over 20 countries and at hundreds of corporations and organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Harvard Business School, Pfizer, Unilever, Sony, and Google. As of 2020, the experience is also available virtually.
Ep. 74: Why do birds (and insects and whales) sing? With David Rothenberg, PhD
Musicality is all around us in nature! An understanding of the musicality of animals brings vibrance to the world around us in unexpected ways. Dr. David Rothenberg is a musician and naturalist, and has played his clarinet along with birds, whales, and singing insects.
Ep. 73: Philip Brunelle, Godfather of the Scandinavian Lutheran choral mafia
Philip Brunelle has notoriety around the world for his musical knowledge and expertise. He discusses the motto and drink that fuel his success; other factors contributing to his personal and professional longevity; and what makes the Twin Cities a unicorn in the choral music world.
Ep. 72: “The orchestra that doesn’t behave:” The story of one community music group, with Marlene Pauley
What’s the big deal about community music orchestras, bands, and choirs? Under Marlene Pauley’s direction, The Wayzata Symphony Orchestra’s budget has quadrupled and audience attendance has increased 300%. Marlene explains the demand for community music groups, and what they mean to their members, audience, and communities.
Ep. 71: Give the gift of music: Research-based ways to GIFT music (the gift that keeps on giving)
Giving gifts has been a part of cultures and celebrations throughout history, and, fortunately for us, a lot of research has been done on what makes a meaningful gift – meaningful for both the recipient AND the giver. We take a look at research-backed factors that contribute to meaningful gifts, and specific ways to gift music to others, because...
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!