“A look at music’s effect on our everyday lives.”
Whether you consider yourself a musician or not, music is all around us! Augment 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). 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 the book, “To Create: Imagining the Good Life through Music.”
“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
“Thank you for creating your podcast aimed at all music lovers! You are unearthing lots of fascinating aspects of music. All of us must continually ‘sell’ the value of music and your podcast gives us all great material for our elevator speeches, so Thank You!!!”
– Doug Schmitt, Vice President, Schmitt Music Company
Ep. 55: “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” Music education in the new “classroom,” with David Jewell
What is K-12 music education going to look like moving forward with a new, non-traditional “classroom?” Guest David Jewell says, “It is important to keep music at the forefront in the ‘new normal.’ …If you are not at the table, you are on the menu. One person can make a big difference. Take that step and be at the...
Ep. 54: What happens when an entrepreneur combines music, health, and technology? With Point Motion Founder & CEO Kevin Clark
What if… there was a medical and educational assessment tool that could be used in person OR remotely; had the effect of lowering costs and reducing administrative burdens; was applicable across cultures, age groups, and physical & mental abilities; AND improved medical & educational outcomes? Point Motion has combined music, health, and technology to create this tool.
Ep. 53: One teen’s story of how she ended up on Spotify, with Grace Lundeen
When presented with some extra time as a result of the pandemic quarantine this spring, this teen completed her first album of original music and published it on Spotify! Grace Lundeen tells us about the genesis of her song-writing; her story of composing and recording an album; and her experience putting these songs out into the world.
Ep. 52: In honor of the “2020” Olympics: The MUSICAL Olympic event, with champion equestrian Betsy Van Dyke
In the spirit of the 2020-Tokyo-Summer-Olympics-that-would-have-been, we are highlighting a MUSICAL Olympic event that some listeners may not even be aware of, and that is the equestrian dressage musical freestyle. This event is really the grand finale of all the dressage events – only the top finalists in other Olympic Dressage events advance to the musical freestyle, which is...
Ep. 51: Conscious music: How do lyrics shape my mental narrative? with Jamie Goldstein, PsyD
Sometimes just a small habit adjustment can have a significant course-correction effect. Michael Franti says, "The best songs have positive messages hidden inside, like a positive affirmation." Meaningful words combined with a melody have the ability to integrate messages into our minds in a unique and powerful way.
Ep. 50: Earworms: How do songs get stuck in my head, and how can I get rid of them?! with Dr. Katherine Cotter
An earworm is a song that gets stuck in your head. It’s also called "involuntary musical imagery," and about 98 percent of us experience them. We discuss who is most susceptible to earworms, what causes them, what situations are most likely to create them, and – most important – how to get rid of them!
Ep. 49: “Traditional learning methods don’t work for me.” Utilizing Multiple Intelligences in Learning, with Graeme Winder
Have you ever heard of someone who eagerly began learning to play a musical instrument, excited by the idea of creating music; and before long felt so frustrated and discouraged by the process of translating a page of dots and symbols into meaningful sound that they gave it up and decided they are “just not musical?” Our guest today...
Ep. 48: Tips from a time management coach on accomplishing (or helping our kids accomplish) musical goals this summer, with Elizabeth Grace Saunders
How can I fulfill the desire to learn a musical instrument this summer – or encourage my child to learn their instrument without nagging?! This episode provides practical tips on structuring time to get the most out of summer while having fun and developing life skills. Bonus: Consciously undertaking a musical project will build deeper memories by forever linking...
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!