MINDY PETERSON, NCTM

Photo by h heyerlein on Unsplash

Can music actually protect your brain and reduce dementia risk? Award-winning educator and arts advocate Genein Letford reveals how engaging with music builds “brain capital” – the essential combination of cognitive health, creativity, and connection that fuels success in leadership and in life. Discover the science behind the arts’ power to strengthen memory, sharpen thinking, and optimize your cognitive reserve at every stage of life, no matter your age or vocation.

Guest

Genein Letford is the founder of adult and K-12 training programs that develop brain capital and 21^st century skills through arts integration. She and her team have empowered employees, teachers, and corporate leaders in using the arts to increase leadership and brain health skills. Genein advocates that the arts can lower dementia risks AND increase creative thinking in non-arts areas. She has written numerous books on these topics and speaks around the world sharing this message. She claims that teaching brain health through the arts will be “A New Way of Learning for a New Way of Leading.”

Notes

We discuss:

• Arts integration:
  • the science behind it
  • how it develops 21st century skills and top CORE skills needed in the workforce and in life, according to the 2025 World Economic Forum
  • its effect on lowering dementia risk while building a strong brain that will flourish with creativity and connection
• NeuroSomatic Creativity
• Resources in formats including keynote speaking, curriculum, training, books, podcast, and blog.
• Resources for all ages, including K-12, college (Genein teaches an arts integration course at California State University, Northridge), and adult.
• “Inner child books”
• One of Mindy’s favorite quotes from Genein’s book, The Future Classroom of Intercultural Creativity: “The arts, I feel, should be a part of everyone’s education and brought into everyone’s adult life. In my perfect world, we would all be consumers and producers of art, and not because we wish to be professional artists but because we are human and desire to reach our full creative potential. If creativity is largely about seeing unobvious connections, then having artistic training will train our eye to see beyond convention.”

Connect/Other Resources

• Genein’s website: GeneinLetford.com
• Lyrics ‘N Leadership: Adult Brain Health and Leadership Training and Artists’ Community
• Brainolicious Adventures: K-12 Books and Curriculum
• CAFFE Strategies: Corporate Leadership and Brain Health Training
• Find Genein on
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
• Create and Grow Your Brain Capital podcast
• Blog
• Genein’s books on her website and Amazon
• Genein’s TEDx Talk:

Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:

• Ep. 49: “Traditional learning methods don’t work for me.” Utilizing Multiple Intelligences in Learning, with Graeme Winder
• Ep. 122: Transferring music skills to life, with Dr. Dylan Savage
• Ep. 59: How does MUSIC learning impact OTHER learning? With Dr. Anita Collins
• Ep. 190: I Heard There Was A Secret Chord – Dr. Daniel Levitin on His New Book and the Science Behind Music as Medicine
• Ep. 154: How does music impact stuttering? With Dr. Heather Grossman, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-F
• Ep. 112: How are the sounds of my life shaping my brain, and what does music have to do with it? With Dr. Nina Kraus
• Ep. 27: Are musicians better able to pick up subtle emotional cues? with Dr. Nina Kraus
• Ep. 131: Are musicians better able to learn an additional language? with Jennifer Krizman, PhD
• 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
• View all episodes related to Science & Health and Education & Community

In-Episode Promo

SHEET MUSIC DIRECT: One of my favorite ways to enhance my life with music is to play just-for-fun songs on the piano at the end of the day. My current favorites are ABBA songs and songs from the 80s, like We Are The World. With Sheet Music Direct, I can explore new music, track my favorites, play and download scores any time, from any device. This online treasure trove of digital sheet music is powered by music publisher Hal Leonard and has over a million arrangements—ready to view, listen to, and download instantly. Prices start at just $0.99 and include selections for every instrument, genre, and skill level. My family has relied on Sheet Music Direct for years for musical joy and convenience. For an entire musical library at your fingertips, visit SheetMusicDirect.com.

LIVING WELL WITH DR. MICHELLE: If you’ve listened to this podcast for long, you know that, in addition to being passionate about music, I am also passionate about natural health and wellbeing. So I was intrigued to learn about an all-natural toothpaste developed by a biologic, holistic dentist to effectively clean and protect teeth and strengthen enamel without fluoride or the many chemicals that are ubiquitous in the commercial toothpastes that I’ve always used without a second thought. What really caught my attention was that one of these dentist’s products was specially formulated for sensitive teeth, which I have thanks to gum recession. I was a little skeptical that an all-natural product would provide adequate sensitivity protection, but after trying it for several months, I am a fan. What clinched the deal was going to my 6-month dental cleaning and having my hygienist rave about the whiteness of my teeth. To learn more about the Living Well Sensitive Tooth Powder and other products – and get 10% off your order – check out the link in the show notes (or use Coupon Code: musicenhances10 at livingwellwithdrmichelle.com). (Or buy on Amazon.)

Coda

Genein shares about an artist who has a special place in her heart and why.

Closing Words

Thank you, Genein, for all she does to enhance brain capital, cognitive reserve, dementia prevention, and more with music. As we discussed, she has something for everyone, for kiddos on up; and especially for those who work with kids, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or college faculty member. Be sure to check out all the resources she offers; links are in the show notes to Genein’s books, blog, podcast, and other resources.

If you know of someone who would enjoy this episode – perhaps a parent, educator, or grandparent – please share it with them!

You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.

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