The Sound Mind

Why do we sing, and why does it feel so good? In this episode, we explore the deep roots of singing, from its evolutionary beginnings to its role in emotional expression, community bonding, and resilience. From lullabies to football chants and protest anthems, we trace how singing continues to be one of the most human things we do.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:14 The Evolutionary Roots of Singing

08:08 The Neuroscience of Singing

19:40 Singing in Private: The Power of Personal Expression

23:52 Listener Stories

32:13 The Joy and Connection of Social Singing

45:38 Summary and Outro

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This episode traces the journey from old-school mixtapes to modern-day playlists, exploring how the way we share and consume music has evolved. Drawing on my time working at Spotify, we dive into the rise of playlist culture, how playlists became our sonic diaries, and how the intimacy of music sharing still lives on through gifting, collaboration, and curation.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:54 Why Do We Make Playlists?

13:22 The Mixtape Era

19:31 The Shift to Digital

26:32 My Time at Spotify

31:49 How Playlists Changed the Way We Listen

42:14 Summary and Outro

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Have you ever woken up with a song in your head, only to realise it came from your dream? From why music shows up during sleep to what these musical dreams can symbolise about our emotions, memories, and identity, this episode explores the soundtracks of our sleeping minds. We also explore how music can influence our dreams, plus share listener stories and famous examples of dream-inspired masterpieces.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:26 How Our Brains Create Dreams

05:20 Why Music Shows Up in Our Dreams

10:24 What Musical Dreams Reveal About Us

19:59 Listener Stories: Your Musical Dreams

26:42 Can We Shape Our Dreams with Music?

34:50 Famous Examples of Musical Dreams

39:19 Summary and Outro

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Can music help us stay young? In this episode, we explore how and why music might be one of the most powerful (and enjoyable) tools we have for living well, longer. From boosting memory and mood to reducing stress and inflammation, music engages our whole system in ways no supplement or skincare routine ever could. Whether you’re 25 or 75, this episode celebrates how music can help us age with grace, connection, and groove.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:45 What Happens to Our Brains and Bodies as We Age

06:31 Music and Brain Health: Slowing Cognitive Decline

11:09 The Benefits of Playing an Instrument

16:15 Singing and Passive Listening

21:58 Music for Reducing Stress and Inflammation

27:59 Dance Your Way to Longevity

31:12 Choirs, Connection & Community

34:19 Concerts, Clubbing & Intergenerational Joy

38:52 Summary and Outro

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Why can some people name any note out of thin air, while others can’t tell when a melody goes up or down? In this episode, we explore the fascinating spectrum of pitch perception — starting with perfect pitch, often called a “musical superpower,” and ending with amusia, a condition where music may sound confusing or even meaningless. From the brain science and cultural influences to real listener stories and mental health insights, this episode is all about the many different ways people experience music — and why all of them matter.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

02:06 What Is Perfect Pitch and Who Has It?

06:18 Nature vs Nurture: Can You Train Perfect Pitch?

15:57 Perfect Pitch in Practice: The Perks and the Pitfalls

21:47 Listener Stories: Your Experiences With Perfect Pitch

29:44 What Is Amusia?

36:59 How the Brain Processes Music

40:48 Summary and Outro

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Why does music give us goosebumps? This episode explores the science behind frisson — that spine-tingling sensation we get from powerful songs. From sudden key changes to sweeping melodies and personal memories, we break down the psychological and neurological triggers that cause chills. Plus, we dive into the personal traits and environmental factors that shape who feels them and why.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:31 What Are Goosebumps and Why Do We Get Them?

16:18 The Neuroscience of Frisson

22:07 How Mood and Environment Affect Goosebumps

25:54 Why Some People Feel It More Than Others

31:36 Cultural Context and Personal Music Taste

34:29 Listener Submissions: Songs That Give You Chills

40:06 Summary and Outro

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Why does sad music make us feel good, even when it brings us to tears? In this episode, we explore the paradox of why we willingly seek out melancholic melodies, how they stir deep emotions without overwhelming us, and what makes them so uniquely powerful. We dive into the psychology behind this phenomenon, from catharsis and emotional regulation to aesthetic beauty and personal meaning. Plus, we break down what’s happening in the brain when we listen to sad songs and how our individual traits shape how we experience them.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:19 What Makes a Song Feel Sad?

06:05 The Aesthetic Appeal

11:53 Catharsis and Emotional Processing

19:00 Your Brain on Sad Music: The Neuroscience Behind the Feels

24:58 Who Loves Sad Music and Why?

36:55 Summary and Outro

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Why do certain songs get stuck in our heads on repeat? Whether it’s a catchy pop chorus or a random jingle from years ago, earworms are a universal experience — but what’s really happening in our brains? In this episode, we explore the psychology and neuroscience behind musical earworms, uncover why some people are more prone to them, and break down the surprising triggers that make a tune stick. Plus, we’ll share science-backed strategies to finally shake off that stubborn song looping in your mind.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:20 What Are Earworms?

07:02 Why Do Songs Get Stuck? Common Triggers & Patterns

12:32 The Evolutionary Purpose of Earworms

21:00 The Neuroscience: What’s Happening in the Brain?

25:38 Who Gets More Earworms?

32:15 How to Stop an Earworm

36:44 Summary and Outro

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Why does hearing an old song instantly transport you to another time and place? This episode explores the powerful connection between music, memory, and nostalgia. We unpack the science behind those vivid throwback moments, the brain chemistry that makes music unforgettable, and why nostalgia is both comforting and bittersweet. Plus, we dive into how music can become the final thread of connection for people living with dementia — offering moments of clarity, joy, and identity when everything else fades.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:37 How Music Unlocks Your Memories

07:36 The Neuroscience of Music Memory

21:37 Music and Nostalgia

28:27 The Last Thing We Forget: Music and Dementia

37:07 Summary and Outro

Playlist For Life resources: https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/resources/

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In this episode, we explore the use of music as propaganda. From World War II anthems and Cold War jazz diplomacy to revolutionary songs in Iran and state-controlled music in North Korea and China, we explore how music has been harnessed to control, manipulate, and inspire. Learn how rhythms and melodies can unite or divide people and why music is one of the most powerful tools in political warfare. This one might change how you listen.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:22 The Power of Music to Shape Minds

11:17 World War II

16:40 The Cold War

27:09 Iran: Revolutionary Anthems and State Control

34:32 North Korea and China

41:18 Artists as Agents of Influence

43:54 Summary and Outro

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Can music really make you smarter? In this episode, we dive into the science behind music and intelligence. We debunk the Mozart Effect and explore how musical training enhances brain functions such as memory, focus, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. We also discuss what research says about using music to boost concentration and productivity and what tracks work best.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:12 Debunking the Mozart Effect

12:07 How Learning an Instrument Shapes the Brain

28:38 Music for Focus and Productivity

34:22 Summary and Outro

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Are you what you listen to? In this episode, we explore the link between music and identity, to uncover how your favourite songs may reveal more about your personality than you think. We break down the psychology behind musical preferences, uncover whether music simply reflects who you are or actively shapes your personality over time, and challenge common genre stereotypes.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:04 Why We Identify With Music

14:12 What Your Music Taste Says About You

29:09 Debunking Genre Stereotypes

36:10 Summary and Outro

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Can music be your therapist? In this episode, we explore the difference between music therapy as a professional field and using music as a personal therapeutic tool. We also share practical exercises to help you engage more deeply with music and harness its therapeutic power in daily life.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

00:54 History of Music Therapy

03:37 Music Therapy

15:40 Music As Therapy

18:03 Music for Emotional Regulation and Mood

23:39 Music for Stress Relief and Relaxation

30:14 Music for Reflection

34:34 Music for Self-Expression and Creativity

37:52 Summary and Outro

EPISODE LINKS:

Weightless by Marconi Union: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfcAVejslrU

Soundtrack Your Life article: https://medium.com/illumination/soundtrack-your-life-why-you-should-create-a-personalised-music-playlist-8499d43f4470

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Can music really make us fall in love? How does a song strengthen a bond between two people? How do love songs influence the way we experience and expect romance? And why do we turn to heartbreak anthems when love goes wrong? In this special Valentine’s episode, we explore the deep connection between music and romance.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

02:43 Can Music Make You Fall In Love?

08:32 The Role of Music in Building Relationships

12:18 Using Music to Maintain Relationships

15:41 Heartbreak Anthems

21:57 Love Songs, Expectations and Attachment

29:31 Summary and Outro

Read more on Bamford’s (2024) research:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10899422/

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love:https://shorturl.at/2gDJH

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Why do we love music? In this episode, we dive into the theories behind our deep emotional connection to sound. From gathering real people’s thoughts on why they love music to exploring music as a universal and historical art form, we touch on what makes it so powerful. We also break down the BRECVEMA model, a key psychological theory that explains our emotional connection to music. Tune in for a deep dive into the emotional power of sound, and discover how music moves us in ways we often don’t even realise.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

03:39 Music as a Universal and Historical Art Form

08:33 The BRECVEMA Model: Understanding Music and Emotion

09:33 Brain Stem Reflex: Evolutionary Responses to Sound

12:56 Rhythmic Entrainment: Moving to the Music

15:08 Evaluative Conditioning: Associating Music with Emotions

18:41 Contagion: How Music Spreads Emotion

21:42 Visual Imagery: Painting Pictures in Our Minds

23:54 Episodic Memory: Reliving Our Lives Through Music

27:09 Musical Expectancy: Predicting and Reacting to Sound

29:55 Aesthetic Judgement: Deciding What Sounds Good

32:59 Crowd Responses: Why We Love Music

41:23 Summary and Outro

Read more on Juslin's BRECVEMA theory: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23769678/

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