Podcasts about neuroaesthetics

Send us Fan MailWhat if your outdoor space could improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you enjoy everyday life more?In this episode of Your Home by Design, we're revisiting a listener favourite as we head into the warmer months. Nico explores the connection between outdoor living, wellbeing, and intentional design, sharing simple ways to transform a balcony, patio, deck, or backyard into a space that draws you outside and encourages you to stay.From the science of biophilic design and the benefits of dining outdoors to practical design strategies for creating comfort, beauty, and connection, this episode will help you rethink how you use your outdoor spaces and why they matter more than you may realize.Whether you're working with a small balcony or a large backyard, you'll learn how thoughtful design choices can help you slow down, reconnect with nature, and create a lifestyle that feels more restorative and fulfilling.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Why spending more time outdoors can positively impact mood, stress levels, and overall wellbeing• The surprising benefits of dining outside and connecting with nature• How biophilic design supports health and happiness• Simple ways to make a patio, deck, or balcony feel more inviting• How to identify and address outdoor eyesores and annoyances• Furniture planning tips that create comfort and encourage lingering• The role of scent, sound, texture, and lighting in outdoor design• Why even the smallest outdoor space can transform your daily routines• How to create an outdoor environment that supports the lifestyle you want to liveIf you've been wanting to spend more time outdoors this season, this episode will inspire you to create an outdoor space that feels like a true extension of home.Connect with Paro:Website: yourparo.comInstagram: @yourparoSupport the showWebsite:  https://www.yourparo.comResources:                                                     Free Living Room Know How.                                                                                      Free Bathroom Serenity Guide.                                                                                   Get the Free Guides Here!  https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides                                                    Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or out of sync? In this eye-opening conversation, host Bryan Bibbo sits down with Donna Redman, founder of The Secret Genius Project, and occupational therapist Cindy Duffy to unpack the hidden science of sensory processing and what it means for how you think, feel, and function every day.  Cindy draws on over 40 years of experience working with children, adults, and Alzheimer’s patients to explain how your nervous system takes in sensory information, processes it, and drives your behavior, often without your awareness. Donna connects those insights to creativity, neuroaesthetics, and the universal patterns that shape identity and wellbeing. Together, they make a compelling case that much of what we label as stress, anxiety, or personality is the nervous system signaling that something needs to change.  Key Topics:  The Science of Sensory Processing: How your nervous system takes in the world around you and why that shapes more of your behavior than you realize.  Hypersensitivity, Hyposensitivity, and the Judgment Gap: Why so much of what gets labeled as personality or attitude is rooted in neurology.  Neuroaesthetics and Your Environment: The surprising research on how color, art, and physical surroundings affect brain function and emotional regulation.  Daily Routines That Keep You Regulated: The grounding practices that help your nervous system reset and why missing them is immediately felt.  Sensory Processing as You Age: What changes across the lifespan and how staying active keeps critical neural pathways working.  The Sensory-Addiction Connection: What research reveals about undiagnosed sensory dysregulation and self-medication. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Your Home by Design, Nico explores the subtle but powerful ways our homes shape our behavior, routines, stress levels, focus, and overall well-being.From the way we instinctively personalize a hotel room to the habits triggered by a well-designed kitchen or calming bedroom, this episode dives into the psychology of space and how intentional design can support a better life.Nico shares five practical yet meaningful design moves that can transform how your home functions and feels.This episode covers: Why we instinctively personalize spaces  How your home cues behavior and habits  The connection between clutter and cognitive load  Why layout impacts relationships, routines, and health  The role of nature and biophilic design in reducing stress  How home systems reduce friction and overwhelm  Why art has measurable effects on the brain  The importance of creating device-free zones  How intentional design can support better living If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, overstimulated, or simply “off” in your home, this episode will change the way you think about design.Because your home is never neutral.It is always shaping you.Support the showWebsite:  https://www.yourparo.comResources:                                                     Free Living Room Know How.                                                                                      Free Bathroom Serenity Guide.                                                                                   Get the Free Guides Here!  https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides                                                    Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Send us Fan MailIf timeless interiors feel intimidating, trend-driven, or reserved for heritage homes—this episode reframes the conversation entirely.Timeless interior design isn't about freezing your home in one aesthetic moment or avoiding trends altogether.It's about understanding what actually lasts.In this episode, Nico explores what makes certain homes feel enduring, layered, emotionally connected, and deeply considered—while others quickly feel dated and disposable.From craftsmanship and quality materials to meaningful objects, thoughtful layouts, and designing around your personal values, this episode breaks down what timeless interiors actually look like in real life.Because a timeless home isn't one untouched by time—it's one that evolves beautifully with it.In this episode: What timeless interior design actually means (and what it doesn't)  Why fast interiors mirror fast fashion  The psychology of permanence in design  Why quality changes your relationship with your home  How meaningful objects outlive trends  Why buying slower leads to better interiors  The importance of layout, proportion, and flow  How to mix old and new for a layered, elevated home  Why your values should shape your interiors  5 practical principles to create a timeless home If you love thoughtful interiors, design psychology, and creating a home that supports better living—this episode is for you.Visit yourparo.com to explore guides, resources, and the Create Space digital course.Support the showWebsite:  https://www.yourparo.comResources:                                                     Free Living Room Know How.                                                                                      Free Bathroom Serenity Guide.                                                                                   Get the Free Guides Here!  https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides                                                    Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

What happens when we slow down enough to really experience art? We visit a museum to discover how slow looking at art can cultivate awe, empathy, and a greater sense of connection in a distracted world.Summary: Art has the power to move us emotionally, physically, and socially—but only if we take the time to truly engage with it. As part of our Cities of Awe series, this episode of The Science of Happiness explores what happens when we slow down and really look at a piece of art. We visit the Nevada Museum of Art to look at the science and practice of slow looking—how it can deepen empathy, presence, and everyday meaning.How To Do This Practice: Choose One Piece and Commit to Staying With It: Pick a single artwork, photograph, object, or even a scene in nature. Set aside about 15 minutes and put away distractions—especially your phone. The goal is not to “figure it out,” but to stay present long enough for your experience to deepen. Spend Time Noticing the Form: For the first five minutes, focus only on what you see. Notice the shapes, textures, colors, lines, patterns, shadows, movement, or composition. Let your eyes wander slowly across the piece and observe details you might normally miss. Pay Attention to Your Emotional Response: For the next five minutes, shift inward. What feelings arise as you look? Curiosity, comfort, sadness, awe, tension, delight, nostalgia? Instead of labeling the experience as simply “I like it” or “I don't,” explore the full range of emotions and reactions that emerge. Let Your Mind Make Associations: For the last five minutes, allow the artwork to lead your thoughts elsewhere. What memories, people, places, or ideas come to mind? Does it remind you of something from your own life or spark questions about the world, history, or humanity? Follow the associations without judging them. Stay Open to Complexity and Discomfort: Some works may bring up conflicting or uncomfortable emotions. Rather than rushing past them, give yourself permission to sit with them.  Read the full study here.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today's Guests: COLIN ROBERTSON is the Senior Vice President of Education and Research at the Nevada Museum of Art. Learn more about Colin Robertson here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmrobertson/DR. ANJAN CHATTERJEE is a professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture and the founding Director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. Learn more about Dr. Anjan Chatterjee here: https://tinyurl.com/yw2fs364Related Science of Happiness episodes:Cities of Awe Series: https://tinyurl.com/2vyhxvnyFollow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe'd love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/5b5prh4t

Saskia Wheeler is a strategist and researcher working at the intersection of neuroscience and design, translating cognitive and sensory science into frameworks that guide how creative work is felt and experienced. For the past six years, she has worked with designers, agencies and hospitality brands to help them close the gap between the experience they intend to create and the one people actually feel. Saskia studied philosophy at Trinity College Dublin before completing a Master's in Neuroaesthetics at Goldsmiths, University of London.In this episode of Out of the Clouds, Saskia tells Anne about her upbringing in a creative London household (her mother was an art director who often had photographers living in the family home) and how she developed an early sensitivity to the way art and design bring atmosphere and meaning to everyday environments. Drawn to questions of consciousness and perception, she explains what led her from philosophy to neuroaesthetics, and why she felt she could not go further into questions of consciousness without first understanding the brain.Saskia and Anne discuss what neuroaesthetics actually is: the scientific study of how art, design, music and architecture measurably change our brains and bodies. Still a relatively young field, it draws on rigorous research to show that beauty and aesthetic experience are not decorative concerns but deeply embedded in how we evolved. The most surprising thing Saskia has learned in the field: just how deeply wired we are to respond to beauty.She also shares an insight that sits at the crossroads of philosophy and neuroscience and that has stayed with her since her studies: that lived experience is not simply made up of what we perceive in the present moment. It is co-created by our past memories, which don't merely inform the present but actually shape and in part create it. This is why two people can occupy the same space and have entirely different experiences of it, and why, Saskia reflects, understanding this has given her more compassion for herself and others.Saskia and Anne discuss the applications of neuroarchitecture and design, and what the research tells us about what makes spaces feel good to be in. Saskia identifies three things people value most: homeness (warmth and comfort), coherence (how well the space meets expectations and guides movement through it) and fascination (how much it surprises and interests). She also makes the case for touch as the most underestimated sense when it comes to comfort, linked to the neurochemical oxytocin and the experience of trust, and explains why this extends beyond physical contact with other people to the materials we come into contact with in our environments.Creativity is also an emerging area within neuroaesthetics, and Saskia speaks about it as an increasingly recognised fifth pillar of health and wellbeing, alongside exercise, sleep, nutrition and social connection. What she says here is worth sitting with: the benefits of creativity come from the expression and the doing, rather than the output. The inner critic is so often the biggest obstacle, because creativity has long been tied to being good at something rather than simply doing it. Anne and Saskia also share a practice: both are devoted morning pages writers.The conversation also touches on cognitive load and clutter (including research suggesting that disorganisation in our environments creates low-level vigilance even when we are not consciously aware of it), biophilic design, the science of lighting, and Anne's own plans for Le Trente, a social learning studio she is developing in Geneva.A rich exchange with a thinker who is quietly changing how the built world gets made. Happy listening!Selected links Connect with Saskia:Saskia Wheeler on Instagram: @neuro.aestheticWebsite: https://www.saskiawheeler.co.uk/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saskiawheeler/Visit our website: https://outoftheclouds.com/Subscribe to Anne's newsletter The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-viewFollow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWhat if your home isn't actually a reflection of you—but a reflection of everything you've been exposed to?In this episode, we explore the subtle but powerful difference between designing from your presented self versus your authentic self—and why that gap can leave even the most beautiful homes feeling off.Because the truth is: a well-designed space can still feel wrong if it isn't rooted in who you are, how you live, and what you truly need.We break down how comparison, trends, and external influence quietly shape our homes—and how to step out of that cycle to create a space that supports your life, not someone else's.This is about more than aesthetics. It's about alignment.Key Takeaways: Why your home may feel “off” even when it looks good  The difference between your authentic self vs. presented self  How comparison shapes your design decisions (often unconsciously)  Why personalization is the missing layer in most homes  The power of “collected” vs. “decorated” spaces  5 practical ways to design a home that reflects your real life  How layout, objects, and materials shape your behavior daily  A new standard for design: intention over perfection Support the showWebsite:  https://www.yourparo.comResources:                                                     Free Living Room Know How.                                                                                      Free Bathroom Serenity Guide.                                                                                   Get the Free Guides Here!  https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides                                                    Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

"Fortunately for us art and travel lovers, science has caught up with what we have felt inside, what we have experienced" - Michelle JohnstonIn more recent years the science of ‘neuro-aesthetics' has given us much to ponder in terms of understanding the importance of art and beauty in our lives. I share my personal experience and sound research on the positive side effects that seeking art, travel and beauty in our lives has on our mental health, neuro-plasticity and longevity. This is a broad topic yet I cite recent book publications and examples on the importance of art, creativity and travel and how there are many positive flow on effects in our lives. Enjoy, Michelle xShownotes A Writer in Italy InstagramSubstack - At My TableMichelle's BooksMusical Scores by Richard JohnstonA Writer in Italy is about travel and life. A place to share the beautiful travel journeys and the discoveries along the way. Support the show

Send a textWhat if your home is quietly training your brain every day?Not through décor or trends — but through attention.In this episode of your home by design, we explore the idea of the listening room. Historically known as the drawing room — a place to withdraw, slow down, and experience music or conversation with intention — these spaces were designed for presence.Today, most homes are built around constant stimulation. TVs, phones, multitasking, and open-plan layouts often mean our environments are training us to move faster, switch tasks, and fragment our attention.But design can work the other way.In this episode, we explore how intentional spaces shape behavior — and how creating a room, or even a corner, dedicated to listening, reflection, or quiet ritual can shift how you feel and function inside your home.You'll also learn how designers approach concept-driven rooms and how to create a listening space that feels layered, story-driven, and deeply personal.Because the truth is simple:Every room trains you. The question is — what is your home training you to become?If this episode resonates with you and you want to go deeper, the Create Space digital course walks you step-by-step through designing a home that supports better living.Learn more at yourparo.comKey Takeaways• Why attention — not aesthetics — may be the most important design factor in your home • How open-plan living changed the way we experience our spaces • The historical origins of the listening room and drawing room • How environmental cues influence behavior and focus • Why multi-purpose rooms can fragment attention • The neuroscience behind habit loops and spatial cues • The role lighting plays in nervous system regulation • How to write a concept statement for any room • Practical steps for designing a listening room in your home • Why analog rituals (music, reading, reflection) matter in modern life • How meaningful objects deepen connection to space • How even a small corner can become a powerful ritual spaceSupport the showWebsite: https://www.yourparo.com Resources: Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Today, we're revisiting a favorite from the Biophilic Solutions archive: a thoughtful conversation on beauty, the brain, and our relationship to nature with Anjan Chatterjee. In this episode, we explore whether our aesthetic preferences are culturally shaped or more universal, why nature brings deep calm to some people while evoking unease in others, and how researchers are beginning to measure the real cognitive and emotional impacts of biophilic design.Dr. Chatterjee is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and a leading voice in the emerging field of neuroaesthetics, the science of how the brain perceives and responds to beauty. His insights help unpack what's actually happening neurologically when we encounter inspiring spaces, art, and landscapes.As conversations around mental health, neurodiversity, and the built environment continue to evolve, this episode feels as relevant as ever. Whether you're listening for the first time or returning with fresh ears, it's a rich exploration of why beauty matters—and how it shapes the way we feel, think, and live.Show NotesAnjan Chatterjee, M.D.NeuroaestheticsBiophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation: An Onto- and Phylogenetic Framework for Biophilic Design (Frontiers in Psychology)Biophilia by Edward O. WilsonBuildings, Beauty and the Brain: Q&A with Anjan Chatterjee (CNS: Cognitive Neuroscience Society)What We Like About Built and Natural Spaces (Psychology Today)How Our Brains Decide What Is Beautiful (TED)Key Words: Neuroscience, Neurology, Neuroaesthetics, Neuroarchitecture, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Brain Health, Beauty, Art History, Architecture, Aesthetics, Nature, Psychology, Science, Research, Research and DevelopmentBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

Send us a textThis episode marks my first episode of 2026, and instead of a recap or big resolutions, I want to start the year by slowing things down.In this episode, we reflect on what our homes have been carrying — what supported us, what quietly weighed on us, and what's been asking for care and attention. We talk about simplifying not just our spaces, but our pace, our projects, and the way we make decisions at home.I share why repairing before replacing can completely change how a home feels, how sharing responsibility in a household reduces tension and mental load, and why simplifying visually helps the most meaningful things come into focus. We'll also explore where it's worth slowing down and investing in things that last — and why rushing design decisions often works against us.Throughout the episode, I return to a quiet image that's stayed with me: a furniture maker carefully restoring an old chair. It wasn't fast or flashy — but it felt like a reminder of how I want to approach home and life this year.At Paro, we believe our homes are tools for better living. And sometimes the most meaningful change doesn't come from doing more — but from slowing down enough to do things well.Visit yourparo.com for free guides and resources to support you in creating space for better living. KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy slowing down leads to better decisions in your homeHow unfinished spaces quietly create stress and mental loadThe grounding power of repair, maintenance, and careHow simplifying together reduces tension in shared homesWhy visual quiet helps meaningful pieces stand outWhere it's worth investing for long-term impactHow rushing design decisions often costs more in the long runSupport the showWebsite: https://www.yourparo.com Resources: Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Neuroaesthetics researcher Susan Magsamen and Google design leader Ivy Ross on creativity as a biological necessity, intuition, and the aesthetic mindset for a good life.   You'll learn:Habits that Susan and Ivy turn to when they need to re-centre.What Susan and Ivy are trying to change in the world with their day jobs. The beginning of Susan and Ivy working together.Clear evidence that proved to Susan and Ivy that their work was needed.Advice for using your intuition to be more creative.How a writer might find their voice.Questions to ask yourself if you're writing a similar book to Your Brain on Art.Principles that Susan and Ivy use to help them live a good life. The link between nature and neuroaesthetics.The transforming power of journaling.Resources and Links:

Send us a textToday we're unpacking something light, funny, and surprisingly revealing — the “man cave.” Not the stereotype, but the psychology behind why people retreat to certain spaces and what that means for your home.You'll learn the real reasons the garage, den, or basement becomes the default refuge for some people, what makes a room feel like “home,” and why everyone — men, women, and kids — needs a personal zone that reflects them.We'll walk through the five core psychological drivers behind familiar spaces, how to co-design a home even when one partner says “I don't care,” and a simple four-question framework that gets everyone involved in the process.Plus, you'll get elevated, practical design tips to upgrade a man cave without stripping away personality — and without turning it into a storage room with a TV.By the end, you'll have tools to create a home that supports individuality and togetherness so no one needs to escape to feel like themselves.Download the free Living Room and Bathroom Guides at yourparo.com for more support. Key TakeawaysWhy people retreat to predictable, familiar spaces — and why it's not about isolationFive psychological reasons some rooms feel like “home” and others feel neutralWhy every person needs a personal zone they connect toHow to co-design shared spaces when one person claims they “don't care”A simple four-question couples design frameworkHigh-impact design tips to elevate a man cave without stripping personalityHow to use lighting, texture, storage, and “hero items” to create emotional salienceWhy personal space is a human need, not a gendered oneHow co-creating spaces reduces escape behaviour in the homeSupport the showWebsite: https://www.yourparo.com Resources: Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

In this episode, I am joined by Caitlin Krause, a globally recognized experience designer, author, and educator whose work bridges technology, storytelling, and emotional intelligence. Together, we explore what Digital Wellbeing truly means in a world designed to distract — and how we can cultivate presence, imagination, and care in our digital lives.The conversation moves from mindfulness to AI, from wonder to design, and from play to purpose. Caitlin and I reflect on creativity as a form of connection — not just to others, but to ourselves and the living systems around us. In this episode, we talk about:What creativity means in an age of automationHow to design for Digital WellbeingWhy wonder and imagination are vital for human connectionLessons from Caitlin's teaching at Stanford and University of OregonThe role of awe and embodiment in technology designThe difference between using technology and being used by itSimple practices to bring more reflection and intentionality into your dayAbout CaitlinCaitlin Krause is the founder of MindWise, an interactive studio and consultancy focused on wellbeing, leadership, and design. She teaches Digital Wellbeing, AI & XR at Stanford University and the University of Oregon, and advises organizations including TED, Google, Meta, and the U.S. State Department. Her latest book, Digital Wellbeing: Empowering Connection with Wonder and Imagination in the Age of AI, invites us to reimagine our relationship with technology through the lens of presence and play.Connect with CaitlinTwitter  |  Instagram  |  YouTube  |  Website  

Send us a textThinking about changing something in your home—but not sure where to start?In this episode of Your Home by Design, Nico from Paro shares five design moves you can do this weekend to instantly elevate your home and, in turn, how you feel in it. These aren't trendy hacks or quick fixes. They're grounded in neuroaesthetic design—how light, flow, and visual harmony directly influence mood, energy, and focus.You'll learn how to: • Start with a conversation that gets everyone aligned • Fix the lighting to restore calm and regulate rhythm • Rearrange for flow so your body can actually breathe • Add art that tells your story • Create vignettes and space to pausePlus a simple bonus move that transforms your mindset every time you walk into the room.Because when your home starts working for you—even in small ways—you start showing up differently in your life too.

Send us a textIn the final episode of the Home by Country series, host Nico Smutylo takes you inside children's bedrooms around the world to reveal how design can shape calm, growth, and better living. From Denmark's sense of calm and longevity, to Japan's adaptable simplicity, to Germany's structured precision, this episode uncovers how global design philosophies teach children rhythm, focus, and independence—and how you can bring those ideas home.You'll learn how a rug or Roman shade can ground the nervous system, how layered lighting supports better sleep, and how furniture height can teach independence. Nico shares eight actionable neuroaesthetic design principles inspired by international interiors—from the 70/30 balance rule to designing for growth and protecting the room's purpose—to help you create a bedroom that truly supports your child's mind and body.Whether you're redesigning a nursery, a tween space, or a teen's room, this episode blends neuroscience, psychology, and timeless design to help you build a home that nurtures calm and creativity.

Resources: Join us at the How To Manifest Book Tour!NYC AUSTIN LA Limited VIP & Early Bird Discount available  HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill) Coming October 21st!Pre-Order NOW & get access to our Reflection Ritual PDF & Pathway Discount Join the Pathway MembershipUse code EXPANDED for 20% off your first month!Join our membership to access the TBM Money Challenge Now Live! The Pathway Membership gives you unlimited access to all of our manifestation workshops—including How to Manifest, Unblocking Your Inner Child, Shadow, Love, Money, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Energetic Updates —plus 70+ self-hypnosis tracks designed to unlock your full potential.LEARN MORE HERE Get the latest from TBMJoin our Money Challenge - 3 weeks to your next level of abundanceTake our Free Money Quiz - find out what level of wealth consciousness you are at Join the Pathway now - to get full access to our 2025 Money Challenge and join the Pathway (use code EXPANDED for 20% off first month) New to TBM? Free Offerings to Get You StartedLearn the Process! Expanded Podcast - How to Manifest Anything You Desire Get Expanded! The Motivation - Testimonial LibraryReady to find out what's holding you back? Try our Free Clarity Exercise Be an EXPANDER! Share Your Manifestation StorySubmit to Be a Process GuestWhat did you manifest during the Money Challenge? Share a voice note of your question, block, or Process to be featured in an episode! This Episode is brought to you by: Beam - Visit https://shopbeam.com/TBM and use code TBM to get our exclusive discount of up to 30% off. Osea - 10% off with MAGNETIC10Undaria Algae™ Body OilUndaria Algae™ Body ButterDream Night CreamHoliday Sets In This Episode We Talk About:The spiritual aftermath of losing a soulmateReceiving and interpreting signs from the other sideClaircognizance, clairvoyance, and intuitive abilitiesHow grief can open the channel to deeper consciousnessThe 34 human senses beyond the traditional fiveMediumship and neuroscience: bridging the seen and unseenThe thin veil during eclipse portals and ancestral presenceHow trauma reshapes intuition and the bodyBeauty and neuroaesthetics as tools for emotional healingCultural suppression of ancestral and spirit workLacy's live mediumship in channeling Dr. Tara Swart's late husband, RobinReclaiming ancient spiritual practices in modern lifeSigns of connection through numbers, animals, and synchronicitiesExploring low latent inhibition and altered statesHonoring grief without losing connection to love Mentioned In the Episode: Expanded x Ep. 275 - The Science & Spirituality of Manifestation with Dr. TaraExpanded x Ep. 99: Dr. Tara Swart on Neuroplasticity and ManifestationPre-Order HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill) Lacy's Substack! - By Candlelight - Join HereFind our Money Challenge plus all our workshops and all workshops mentioned inside our Pathway Membership! (Including the Worst Case Scenario DI, Safe DI, and Regulate DI)  Connect with Dr. TaraFollow Dr. Tara on IG at /www.instagram.com/drtaraswartOrder her book The Signs  Join us at the How To Manifest Book Tour!NYC AUSTIN LA Limited VIP & Early Bird Discount available HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill) Coming October 21st!Pre-Order NOW The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.At TBM, we've redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you'll learn how to: – Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth – Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work – Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth – Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true selfWith over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you're meant to live.Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest. Where To Find Us!@tobemagnetic (IG)@LacyannephillipsLacy Launched a Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here@Jessicaashleygill@tobemagnetic (youtube)@expandedpodcast

In this episode of the Glowing Older podcast, host NancyGriffin interviews Susie Ellis, Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of the Global Wellness Summit and the Global Wellness Institute. They discuss the evolution of wellness, the importance of healthspan over lifespan, and the role of research in defining wellness. Susie shares insights on the history of the Global Wellness Summit's, the nonprofit initiatives, and the significance of social connections in wellness. The conversation also touches on biohackingtrends, self-care for aging well, and the future of wellness and longevity.About SusieSusie Ellis is the chair and CEO of the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute, considered the industry's leading global research and educational resource. She is also chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit, an organization at the heart of the multi-trillion-dollar global wellness economy focused on facilitating collaboration amongst industry thought leaders. Recognized as a leading authority on wellness trends, shesits on numerous academic and industry boards, including the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, and was also a member of the World Economic Forum's “Accelerating Health and Well-being Initiative.” She holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.Key TakeawaysThe Global Wellness Institute provides wellness research at no cost. Research is crucial for defining and understanding wellness and longevity.The Global Wellness Institute defines 11 sectors of the $6.3 trillion dollar wellness economy: Wellness Real Estate; Physical Activity; Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss; Public Health, Prevention, and Personalized Medicine; Traditional and Complementary Medicine; Personal Care andBeauty; Wellness Tourism; Spa Economy; Thermal and Mineral Springs; Workplace Wellness; Mental Wellness. The medical community is more interested in wellness post COVID. There is more research and science showing valuable steps that people can take to improve their health.Wellness modalities are the cornerstone of longevity. What contributes to wellness also contributes to longevity.

Dr. Laura welcomes Pamela Buchanan, the Founder of Quantum Sense, to the podcast to discuss the innovation of Soul Health and why it's a missing component in today's workplaces. Pam worked in corporate America, including at Nasdaq, for over forty years before investing over a decade of research into the concepts and framework for Soul Health. Pam defines what the soul is and how nourishing it is connected to workplace environments and individual well-being.  A three-step program called Ground, Elevate, Evolve is one of the main focuses of Pam's business, Quantum Sense. Pam asserts that people are not grounded in themselves and don't know themselves at a deep level, a soul level. Part of reaching the soul is rooted in aesthetics - smell, touch, sound - and how these variables affect each individual differently. Pam's research into how the sensory information in our environments calibrates with our nervous systems highlights aspects of neuroaesthetics and sound engineering, showcasing a system rooted in neuroscience more than religion. Pam and Dr. Laura explore the key trio of soul, mind, and body in their conversation and why neglecting the soul contributes to unhealthy workplaces.  “You know, it has been more difficult than I thought to get business because I speak directly about the soul, and it's just not a common term that you see in business every day. And that's why I try to say no, it's a part of a person that they bring into work every day. You've tackled the physical; you wouldn't want an unhealthy workplace, so you give them tools to keep their physical presence healthy. Why wouldn't you give them tools to keep their soul presence healthy?” - Pamela BuchananAbout Pamela Buchanan:Pam Buchanan, the founder of Quantum Sense, stands at the intersection of corporate prowess and soulful innovation. With over 40 years of experience in corporate America, including pivotal roles at Nasdaq where she worked closely with tech titans like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Pam brings extensive experience to the table.    Her journey to Quantum Sense began with a profound assertion: that the modern world is missing a focus on a very vital contributor to success, Soul Health. This insight spurred over a decade of research culminating in her innovative concepts and frameworks. Pam's background uniquely positions her to understand the evolving corporate landscape and the benefit of putting an emphasis on a connection to the senses to drive Soul Health and holistic wellbeing at work.  Pam has developed programs tailored for companies that are proven to enhance employee well-being, reduce anxiety, and boost creativity, ultimately fostering a more satisfying work-life balance. Covering topics from neuro-aesthetics to sound engineering, Pam explores how these can be used to benefit the soul from the outside in, through the gateway of the senses.  As a podcast guest, Pam offers a unique perspective rooted in her corporate experience, deep understanding of Soul Health, and her commitment to ushering in a future where individuals thrive both personally and professionally with Soul Health valued as widely as physical health and mental health.Resources:Website: TheQuantumSense.comLinkedIn: Pam-Buchanan“Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us” by Susan Magsamen and Ivy RossLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Architect, artist, and designer, Suchi Reddy, grew up in India where her home played a critical role in her appreciation of how environments shape our experiences. Now, at the helm of her architecture firm + design studio, Reddymade, she's built a body of work spanning residential, large-scale commercial environments, and immersive interactive public art installations. As a leader in the practice of neuroaesthetics, a neuroscientific study of the impact of art and aesthetics on brain and body, all her work follows her guiding philosophy: “form follows feeling.” Integrating neuroaesthetics into her architecture and design work is an ongoing endeavor in the art of making the invisible visible, as in the physiological responses to spaces or the sounds plants emit in response to stress, and pushing the boundaries of of how we can use design to create spaces that truly nurture our wellbeing.Images and more from Suchi Reddy on our website!Clever is hosted & produced by Amy Devers, with editing by Mark Zurawinski, production assistance from Ilana Nevins and Anouchka Stephan, and music by El Ten Eleven.SUBSCRIBE - listen to Clever on any podcast app!SIGN UP - for our Substack for news, bonus content, new episode alertsVISIT - cleverpodcast.com for transcripts, images, and 200+ more episodesSAY HI! - on Instagram & LinkedIn @cleverpodcast @amydeversSpecial thanks to our sponsors!Wix Studio is a platform built for all web creators to design, develop, and manage exceptional web projects at scale.Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code “clever” at checkout. Download Saily app or go to https://saily.com/cleverCozy Earth: head to cozyearth.com/pages/clever to get 40% off! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textWhat if you could design your table the way you design your home? In this episode of yourHOME by Design, we tour dining cultures - from Spain's late-night sobremesa and Japan's washoku rituals to France's layered elegance, India's abundant thali, and Scandinavia's light-filled simplicity and translate them into practical choices for your space. We cover the ergonomics of a comfortable dining room, how lighting and texture shape mood and digestion, why plate and bowl design can change portion perception, and small rituals that turn dinner into connection.You'll leave with simple, high-impact tweaks: a 15-minute linger rule after meals, calm visual cues to slow eating, ways to reclaim a catch-all table, and ideas for both relaxed and elevated settings (indoors or al fresco). When you design your table with intention, you design how you live.If this episode sparks ideas, share it with a friend and explore more resources at yourparo.com. Create space, and let your table tell the story of the life you want to live.Key takeawaysDesign your table like your home: choose rituals, lighting, and textures that deliver the life you want.Try a 15-minute linger after dinner (hello, sobremesa) to boost connection and lower stress.Create visual calm: Japan-inspired balance and simple settings naturally slow eating.Elevate weeknights: layer linens, glassware, and a focal light for French-level “this matters.”Plates shape portions: wide rims and bowl sizes change how much your brain thinks you're eating.Make it a team sport: Scandinavian style-shared prep, punctual dinners, everyone clears.Texture sets tone: rustic = relaxed and inviting; glossy = formal and careful.Outdoor counts: design al fresco to be as casual or as refined as your values.Reclaim the table: clear the catch-all zone and set a daily cue (runner, candles, flowers).Get on teh waitlist and get 15% off codeSupport the showWebsite: https://www.yourparo.com/Resources: Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

What if music, color, scent, and art could actually change your brain? Science now shows they do.Join Susan Magsamen, Executive Director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins, as she explores how art and beauty impact our brains and well-being. From the transformative power of music to the subtle magic of sensory environments, she reveals how simple aesthetic moments can boost your health and joy.

Tom Thibodeau shares a word he recently learned: Neuroaesthetics. This word or term explores how the brain perceives beauty and art, combining neuroscience with aesthetics. As we hear from Tom, beauty enhances all of our lives!

Art is nice, but it's not just a nice-to-have. And it's not relegated to galleries, museums and exclusive circles. Not only is art everywhere in our lives, day in and out, it has a profound impact on our physiology, psychology and our ability to better connect with other people. On this episode of Looking Outside we speak with author of ‘Your Brain on Art', Susan Magsamen. Having researched the topic of neuroaethethics and neuroarts, Susan leads initiatives within John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Aspen Institute to spread the rigorous scientific evidence on the benefits of creativity, sensorial immersion, playfulness and awe on our brain. As well as on how we learn, grow and do business.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Susan MagsamenFollow Susan on LinkedIn & X & Instagram Susan and Ivy's book Your Brain on ArtFollow Your Brain on Art on LinkedIn & InstagramSusan's work at the Art and Mind Lab & the Neuroarts Blueprint----------⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Suchi Reddy's creative journey began in Chennai, India, where she grew up in a vibrant home curated by her mother—think scenic wallpaper, terrazzo floors embedded with marble fragments, and a rich mix of textures. Surrounded by gardens and books, Reddy developed an early sensitivity to how environments shape our sense of self. That awareness grew into a passion for architecture, which she pursued both in India and the U.S.In 2002, she founded her New York–based multidisciplinary studio, Reddymade. From Humanscale's sustainably minded Chicago showroom to immersive installations for the Smithsonian, her work reflects her guiding principle: form follows feeling. Rooted in the science of neuroaesthetics—the intersection of neuroscience and design—Reddy's approach centers on creating spaces that resonate emotionally. Whether through retail, residential, or institutional projects, her mission remains the same: to make people feel seen, included, and inspired.This episode is brought to you by American Leather. For more information, go to americanleather.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

In this Women's History Month episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Sara Balderi and Deidre Hoguet of Designtex for an inspiring conversation on the growing field of neuroaesthetics. They explore how neuroscience, biophilia, and the psychology of space are reshaping commercial design—from healthcare to hospitality—with a focus on emotional wellness, sensory comfort, and inclusive experiences. Sara and Deidre share their research on color, texture, and pattern, explain how “positive distractions” reduce stress in high-pressure environments, and discuss how natural materials can promote well-being on a subconscious level. They also highlight the role of evidence-based design and emerging technologies in creating spaces that adapt to users' emotional and cognitive needs. Tune in to learn how thoughtful design choices can uplift, inspire, and truly make a difference in the places where we live, work, and heal.   Show Notes Designing with Emotion story Resources on Biophilia, Neuroaesthetics, and Designing for Wellbeing

This episode of 15FAB on the FFAB podcast is the second part of the topic on beauty and the brain as discussed in the previous episode.     This week's episode is a continuation of that topic, with a look into neuroaesthetics, a field that studies how the brain processes a beautiful experience. Keywords:   Beauty Holistic Brain Perception Neuroscience Neuroesthetics Gender About The Host:   Dr. Shirley Madhere is a NYC-based plastic surgeon and Founder of Holistic Plastic Surgery.  This philosophy is based on a whole-body, mind, and spirit approach to beauty and incorporates wellness, integrative nutrition, functional aesthetics, and complementary medicine.   Dr. Madhere's approach to optimal outcomes in plastic surgery is through a lens of wellness, and is grounded in science and backed by ivy league medical study, research, and extensive surgical training.  View her menu of services at ElementsandGraces.com.  Consultations are available in-office, virtually, and online via Click-lift.com.   Coming soon: Dr. Madhere offers beauty on call services through Jet Set Beauty Rx, a mobile medical aesthetics unit delivering beauty in the privacy of your own home.  Reserve at JetSetBeautyRx.com.   About This Podcast:   As a creative outlet and means to broaden the perspective on the “spectrum of beauty,”  Dr. Madhere created Forever F.A.B., a podcast dedicated to Fashion, the Art of living well (i.e., wellness), and all things Beauty.  Visit ForeverFABpodcast.com for past and new episodes: https://www.foreverfabpodcast.com/ .    If you enjoy listening to the Forever F.A.B. podcast, get more audio and visuals with a membership through Patreon.  Choose the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond tier for premium added content, special co-hosts, lifestyle videos, branded merchandise, and private access to Dr. Shirley's Clubhouse by visiting patreon.com/ForeverFAB.   Catch the latest episode of the Forever F.A.B. podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iheartradio, Podbean, Amazon podcasts, and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.  For past episodes featuring guest star interviews, beauty product reviews and innovations in plastic surgery, visit ForeverFABpodcast.com.   Call to Action:   Did you learn something today?  Did this episode make you feel something today?  Share positively on social what resonated with you most using one word and tag the FFAB Podcast.   If you liked this episode of the Fifteen Minutes of FAB on the Forever FAB podcast, please share it and subscribe to the feed.   Listen to past episodes or check out who's coming up next on foreverfabpodcast.com. Links:   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroesthetics

Download free chapters from Good Talk and master the art of conversations big and small Please support the podcast by subscribing on Spotify or iTunes, making a monthly contribution here, or making a one-time donation here. Check out the episode post for the full transcript and video highlights. Dr. Anjan Chatterjee is a renowned professor and the founding Director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. He's a leading expert on how our brains perceive beauty and art, and author of an engaging book on this topic: “The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art" In this beautiful conversation, we explore: the intersection of beauty, conversation, and the human brain how our biological evolution has left us in a world that often feels disconnected from our innate ways of communicating the aesthetic qualities of conversations, the biases we hold toward beauty, and how cultural representations influence our perceptions the importance of awareness in mitigating biases how to embrace complex ideas, rather than simplify them Links Dr. Anjan Chatterjee and the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics (PCfN) online PBS News Hour feature: ‘Brains and Beauty' exhibit explores how the mind processes art and aesthetic experiences The PCfN 2024 Year in Review Dr. Anjan Chatterjee on Bluesky  The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art  

ABOUT NATALIA OLSZEWSKA:NATALIA'S LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-olszewska/COMPANY WEBSITE: improntaspace.com EMAIL: gardener.natalia@gmail.comNATALIA'S BIO:Natalia is a versatile professional with a foundation in medicine and neuroscience, dedicated to applying neuroscientific principles to architectural design. She adeptly connects these two realms, striving to improve our built environment by making it more human-centered and conducive to well-being. Furthermore, Natalia is an accomplished researcher and practitioner in the field of neuroscience applied to architecture, specializing in evidence-based and neuroscience-informed design. She garnered invaluable experience during her tenure at Hume, a pioneering architectural and urban planning firm founded by Itai Palti, where she led the 'Human Metrics Lab.' Natalia lent her expertise to design projects for prestigious clients such as Arup, Skanska, HKS Architects, EDGE, the Association of Children's Museums, the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, Google, as well as numerous individual clients.Her interdisciplinary approach transcends boundaries, allowing her to craft built environments that foster individual well-being across various dimensions - social, psychological, and cognitive. Natalia's co-founding role at IMPRONTA, a consultancy specializing in health and well-being design, underscores her commitment to leveraging neuroscience and applied sciences in architecture. Since 2020, she has also been contributing to the NAAD (Neuroscience Applied to Architecture) course at IUAV University in Venice.Natalia's educational journey is characterized by a distinctive blend of backgrounds, encompassing medicine from Jagiellonian University and Tor Vergata, neuroscience from UCL, ENS, Sorbonne, and neuroscience applied to architectural design from Università IUAV.SHOW INTRO:Welcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast.EPISODE 76… and my conversation with Natalia Olszewska. On the podacast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.    The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgOn this episode I connect with Natalia Olszewska is a versatile professional with a foundation in medicine and neuroscience, dedicated to applying neuroscientific principles to architectural design. We'll get to all of that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts…                 *                                  *                                  *For a while now I have had a fascination with the connection between buildings and brains. While I loved psychology, and studied it before getting into architecture school, it occurred to me in the middle of the 20-teens that buildings, or the environments we design and build, have a direct effect on our psychology. There are places in which we feel good or bad or uneasy or exhilarated, or a sense of awe or agitation. There are places where we feel calm, and others that make me feel ill at ease. And all of those feelings have a body sense to them as well. Heart rises or decreases. I sweat more or less. My chest feels tight or relaxed.  Cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and other neurochemicals and hormones are released and coursing through my body as I experience places. And many of these hormones and neurochemicals being released into my blood stream I have little control over. My brain-body reacts to environmental stimuli and biochemistry does its thing.Buildings may make me feel certain way, induce certain emotions, that we may think are just about your thoughts, brain activity, but at the core, our body too is in a relationship with conditions in the environment.We feel architecture with our bodies, we don't just intellectually experience them in our heads. The experience of buildings, and our emotional reactions to them, is as much a ‘bottom-up process' - our body's sensory processes taking in stimuli from the environment - as a ‘top-down' process – our brains processing that sensory information and making decisions about who we should behave in response to them.Our bodies and brains are in continual dialogue with the world around us. In fact, through a process of neuro plasticity, our brains are wired partly in response to our experiences. Yes we are hard wired through our millions of years of evolution to have what we consider innate responses to the environment and then there are those neuronal connections that area direct result of experiences in the here and now. As you listen to this podcast, your brain is creating new wiring shaping the neural pathways that allow for learning and behaviors.And as we repeatedly experience something, those pathways are reinforced facilitating understanding. Those pathways recognize patterns in our experiences, and they are codified so that when we experience them again our brains are not continually trying to decipher every element anew. If it weren't for our brain's ability of recognize patterns and anomalies in them, we would live a life of extreme ground hog day and would likely be immobilized with the processing necessary to analyze every element we encounter every moment of every day. Over millions of years some of these patterns have become deeply ingrained in our neurobiology. They are part of our brain structures that allow us to react instinctually. You might say that some of them operate ‘below the radar' of our conscious awareness. But because they are not front row center in our awareness doesn't mean that they don't have an influence of our mindbody state.Colors, lighting, materials, geometries, visual patterns and spatial arrangements, to name of few, have an effect on us. We might not necessarily pay attention to these elements of our environment as we move through it, but they have an effect on us. We may not consciously feel the influence of these things, but the effects are there, nevertheless. Acute angles, loud sounds, bright fluorescent lights, certain colors and texture patterns, repetitive and banal patterns, things devoid of detail and out of scale with our human body all have an effect on our sense of well-being. University of Waterloo cognitive neuroscientist Colin Ellard has worked for more than three decades in the application of psychology and neuroscience to architectural and urban design. His work illustrates the impact of ‘boring buildings' on how we feel and our sense health and well-being. We humans, it turns out, function and feel better in environments of physical and visual intricacy. We seek our variety and complexity, layered environments that pique our curiosity and sense of intrigue. And yet…far too many of our built environments at simply banal.Ellard says the  - “The holy grail in urban design is to produce some kind of novelty or change every few seconds,” “Otherwise, we become cognitively disengaged.”Imagine for a moment what is happening inside our mind-bodies when we live 8 + hours in a sea of detail-less white cubicles under a blanked of fluorescent lights. We might think this is an efficient office space, but we are creating brain numbing environments and at the same time asking people to reach optimal performance in the workplace. We may wish hotels guests a good night sleep on a heavenly bed and then we fill the room with light that completely counteracts the production of melatonin telling our brain that it is still daytime and to stay alert.And… we have built city block after city block of repetitive, banality. Efficient to build, very economical yes, but a boredom inducer for the brain.Now this doesn't mean that every environment needs to be a rollercoaster for the senses nor be pristine and bucolic. In fact, some environments are better because they are well…messier. Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design suggest that successful design is about “shaping emotional infrastructure.” Montgomery argues that some of the happier blocks in New York are “kind of ugly and messy.” The energy of New York can be both energizing and exhausting.It would be perhaps unfair to heap the responsibility for inhabitants' psychological and physical well-being entirely on buildings but given that we now spend the overwhelming proportion of our days enclosed in them, it stands to reason that they have a clear effect on how we feel. For whatever it's worth, Aarhus, Denmark is the world's happiest city, according to the London-based Institute for Quality of Life's 2024 Happy City Index. The Institute for the Quality of Life identified five categories it believes have the most direct impact on happiness, including citizens, governance, economy, mobility and environment.Based on these factors, Aarhus, Denmark, achieved the highest score, particularly excelling in governance and the environment. I think Copenhagen also held the title at some point I believe due to its building stock being human scale, detailed and varied engendering intrigue and visual delight.And this is where this episode's guest Natalia Olszewska comes into the story.Natalia went to medical school but always had a fascination with architecture. When on a trip to the Venice Biennale it clicked for her that she could combine both of these interests considering that neuroscience could be linked to how buildings make us feel.The rest as they say is history…Natalia adeptly connects these two realms, striving to improve our built environment by making it more human-centered and conducive to well-being. Natalia is an accomplished researcher and practitioner in the field of neuroscience applied to architecture, specializing in evidence-based and neuroscience-informed design.Her interdisciplinary approach transcends boundaries, allowing her to craft built environments that foster individual well-being across various dimensions - social, psychological, and cognitive. Natalia's co-founding role at IMPRONTA, a consultancy specializing in health and well-being design, underscores her commitment to leveraging neuroscience and applied sciences in architecture. Since 2020, she has also been contributing to the NAAD (Neuroscience Applied to Architecture) course at IUAV University in Venice a city that is most definitely not boring…                 *                                  *                                  *ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com. The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too. The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Download Your Free Guide - 3 Things You Need to Know About Cancer:  https://www.katiedeming.com/cancer-101/Could your home be sabotaging your health?Dr. Katie is joined by Mahwish Syed, who transformed her own cancer diagnosis into a mission to help others create healing sanctuaries within their homes.  As both an interior designer and circadian biology expert, she bridges the gap between beautiful spaces and evidence-based health principles. From the lighting that guides our internal clock to the materials that surround us daily, our environment plays a crucial role in supporting - or hindering - our body's natural healing processes.Chapters:05:04 - The power of taking agency07:25 - Beauty's impact on biology011:39 - Lighting secrets for better health23:32 - What is biophilic design?29:35 - Create a healing coffee tableMahwish's unique perspective offers practical solutions for anyone looking to optimize their environment for better health, whether dealing with a serious illness or simply wanting to thrive.Learn how small changes in lighting, materials, and room layout can positively impact your sleep, energy levels, and overall health. Mawish shares specific tips that work even in rental properties or when finances are tight.Listen, and understand how to create an environment that works with your body's natural rhythms, rather than against them. Connect with Mahwish: https://www.claimyourparadise.com/Send us a text (include your phone number)Watch & Listen to Born to Heal on Youtube: Click Here Transform your hydration with the system that delivers filtered, mineralized, and structured water all in one. Spring Aqua System: https://springaqua.info/drkatie Don't Face Cancer Alone"The 6 Pillars of Healing Cancer" workshop series provides you valuable insights and strategies to support your healing journey - Click Here to Enroll MORE FROM KATIE DEMING M.D. Free Guide - 3 Things You Need to Know About Cancer: https://www.katiedeming.com/cancer-101/6 Pillars of Healing Cancer Workshop Series - Click Here to EnrollWork with Dr. Katie: www.katiedeming.comFollow Dr. Katie Deming on Instagram: The.Conscious.Oncologist Take a Deeper Dive into Your Healing Journey: Dr. Katie Deming's Linkedin Here Please Support the Show Share this episode with a friend or family member Give a Review on Spotify Give a Review on Apple Podcast DISCLAIMER:The Born to Heal Podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual medical histories are unique; therefore, this episode should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease without consulting your healthcare provider.

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Mahwish Syed—design visionary, neuroaesthetics expert, and author of Purgatory to Paradise. Together, they explore the intersection of beauty, biology, and building design to create spaces that heal, inspire, and restore balance. Mahwish shares her transformative journey from cancer survivor to design innovator, revealing how neuroaesthetics and biophilia can shift environments from “purgatory” to “paradise.” She explains how lighting, materials, and even layout impact circadian rhythms, mental health, and overall well-being. From hospitals to schools, Mahwish offers practical strategies for designing spaces that promote health and connection—balancing sustainability with human-centered design. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about architecture, wellness, and the future of healing spaces. More About Mahwish Sayed Mahwish Syed is a visionary at the intersection of health, healing, and the transformative power of design. At the forefront of New York City design for over two decades, she has orchestrated beauty through unveiling spaces that utilize neuroaesthetics and biophilia to nourish the soul and promote a healthy environment.   She is an esteemed fashion and interior designer, bestselling author, speaker, and cancer survivor. In her acclaimed book, "Purgatory to Paradise," she unveils the profound influence of beauty as a healing force. Committed to empowering others, she advocates for personal paradises, affirming that genuine beauty is immediate and attainable for all. CONTACT: ClaimYourParadise.com msd-ny.com https://www.instagram.com/mahwish_syed_designs/?hl=enPurgatory to Paradise Book https://www.claimyourparadise.com/podcast Where To Find Us: https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

Can we improve our business brain by participating in art? My guest did the research to confirm this;  it's called neuroaesthetics.Ivy Ross is the Vice President, Design for Hardware at Google.She was trained at Harvard Business School for general management with outstanding record of achievement with Fortune 500 companies in retail, direct mail, and manufacturing environments. One of nine executives selected by Fast Company Magazine to represent the new face of leadership . Selected by Business Week magazine as one of the 25 most innovative global business leaders working within a corporation. Business Insider recently named her one of the 15 Most Powerful Women at Google.She is the coauthor of "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us".Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

We are the only species that creates and experiences art – not just visual art but music, poetry, dance, theater, and even architecture. The impact that art has on us cannot be overstated, as it affects cognition, mental health, and physical wellbeing. My guests today are Susan Magsamen of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Ivy Ross, vice president of design for the Hardware Product Area at Google and an artist and designer in her own right. Magsamen and Ross co-authored a book about the brain and the arts; the new field of neuroaesthetics is, as they say, "the closest thing to magic." Find out how we don't just create and enjoy art – we are actually shaped by it, improved by it, made healthier by it. Embracing art just once a month can extend your life up to a decade! Find out how easy it is get started, which arts have an impact on both sides of the brain, and why art makes us better people. Plus... Hear from one of my own patients about how adding art to her environment boosted her recovery from a devastating stroke.  For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

Did you know that people who create art actually live longer? And the good news is you don't have to be good at! Painting, singing a song - even random doodling during a meeting - strengthens the neural pathways in your brain and increases overall physical health.   In our next episode Dr. Stieg discusses the intriguing new field of Applied Neuroaesthetics with co-authors Susan Magsamen of the Pedersen Brain Science Institute and Ivy Ross, VP of hardware design at Google.  Their entertaining new book "Your Brain on Art" explores the healing power of making (even just enjoying!) a broad range of visual and performing arts.  For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org 

Over the summer, I had the pleasure of working with the NeuroArts Blueprint, an initiative from Johns Hopkins Medical School and the Aspen Institute aimed at strengthening and advancing the emerging field of NeuroArts. This field, which we'll dive into in today's episode, sits at the intersection of science, technology, and art. I'm thrilled to have Susan Magsamen with us today. Susan is one of the brains behind the NeuroArts Blueprint. She is the executive director of the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University and has dedicated her career to unlocking the power of the arts to enhance physical and mental health. She's also the author of Your Brain On Art: How the Arts Transform Us. In this episode, we'll explore the intersection of economics and NeuroArts and discuss what it's like to be an entrepreneur pioneering a new field of study. NeuroArts BlueprintNeuroArts Resource CenterSupport the Show.

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Custom Builder Online Editor Caroline Broderick interviews Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs, about the emerging field of neuroaesthetics. Ginger shares her personal journey through significant life challenges, including her daughter's leukemia and her own battle with breast cancer. She discusses how these experiences influenced her instinct to create beauty and embrace the role of neuroaesthetics in design. Neuroaesthetics, a combination of design and neuroscience, explores the profound impact of beauty on the human experience. Ginger also provides practical tips for incorporating principles of neuroaesthetics in various spaces. WIR+CC Conference: https://www.womensconstructionconference.com/2024/ Urbanology Designs: https://www.urbanologydesigns.com/ Custom Builder: https://www.custombuilderonline.com/ Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/ Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Women at WIRC Podcast 01:17 Meet Ginger Curtis: Designer and CEO 01:32 Understanding Neuroaesthetics 02:01 Ginger's Personal Journey and Inspiration 04:26 The Power of Fractals in Design 06:44 Ginger's Story of Resilience and Design 13:42 Launching a Design Firm from Adversity 16:26 Practical Tips for Neuroaesthetic Design 18:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Margo is joined by artist and designer for the gift & home decor industry, Jennifer Brinley. Jennifer has been in the industry for over 20 years with a degree in Studio Art from UC Santa Barbara and she believes well designed products can bring moments of joy. Her creative path took her to graduate school for architecture before promptly dropping out after learning advanced math was involved to pass "structures." She then bounced around with a variety of jobs to save money to go to Europe for 3 months with a childhood friend. After Europe, came the quandary of what to do next and decided she would go back to school to become an art teacher. A want ad looking for a T-shirt designer led to quickly creating a fake portfolio and she began designing T-shirts for Crazy Shirts as well as getting a business license to sell her own T-shirts. She met her licensing agent by chance making color copies at Kinkos and today her designs have been on everything from tableware, gift mugs, kitchen textiles, rugs, fabrics, placemats, trays, coasters, gift bags, flags, art poles and planters.   Margo and Jennifer discuss: Finding inspiration in nature and how one of her best selling products is a nature inspired design Balancing creativity and business in the art world The importance of staying informed and interested within one's industry Fueling passion through seeing others' work and new trends The impact of art and design on behavior and well-being The benefits of engaging in art daily for brain stimulation Biophilic design and nature's calming effect on the brain Studies on neuroaesthetics (the measurable changes that occur in the brain while looking at art, design, architecture, interior design, etc)    Connect with Jennifer: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrinley/   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

Ever wondered how art affects your brain and body? In my latest Note, I explore this connection.There is a whole field of study dedicated to it, called Neuroaesthetics.I cover how the intersection of the arts and health can help with reducing pain, aiding in military mental health recovery, and how enriched environments can heal and improve lives. I cover the breakthrough work from Marian Diamond, John Krakauer, Omar Ahmad, Promit Roy, the Kata Design Studio, Hunter Hoffman and David Patterson.This article was inspired by the Book of the Week “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross”This week's Note is definitely a must-read for anyone passionate about the intersection of art, science, and health.

Episode 013 | Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, wife, mom, and skin enthusiast. She's on a mission to help educate people with real skincare, beauty, and cosmetic guidance and advice curated by true skin experts. She loves taking care of her patients at her practice, Baucom and Mina Derm Surgery, in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Mina has been practicing dermatology with a focus on dermatologic surgery for over a decade and truly loves what she does. She's also the creator and host of The Skin Real, a podcast that allows her to bring skincare education to a broader population because healthy skin begins from the inside out and requires real skincare education and guidance.And, don't be fooled by the title, there's nothing impolite about her :)In this episode:

  Art, whether you're creating it or experiencing it, is capable of literally rewiring your brain. That's what I explore on this episode with Ivy Ross and Susan Maximum. Specifically, you'll learn 1. Tips on how to use colors, textures, and lighting in your home to stimulate your body's natural ability to relax and restore. 2. You'll discover why picking up an art like singing, dancing, or painting, regardless of how good you are at it, is so beneficial for your brain and body. 3. You'll gain insights on how creating art actually helps develop resilience in children that they then carry on into adulthood. If you're looking for new ways to bring joy, balance, and well being into your life, you don't want to miss this episode. Susan and Ivy's insights in "Your Brain on Art" bring to light the profound connection between creative expression and mental well-being, suggesting that art might be key to not just surviving, but thriving. Step into a world where the space around you shapes how you feel and heal. We uncover the hidden ways our environment—its colors, textures, and even the lighting—affects us more deeply than we might expect. This conversation dives into the personal journey of discovering which art forms resonate with each of us, whether it's the shared rhythm of a dance or the solitary reflection in writing. We also champion the role of arts in education and the broader community. As we discuss California's move to bring art teachers into every classroom, we're advocating for a renaissance in how we approach learning and healing. Art, as we see it, is a vital tool for building resilience, fostering joy, and connecting us to one another. This episode is an open invitation to embrace creativity—for the sake of our health, our children, and the very fabric of our society. Join us as we celebrate the arts not as a luxury, but as a necessity, with Ivy and Susan guiding us through this transformational landscape. International Arts and Mind Lab at John Hopkins University Your Brain on Art      

Suchi is the founder of her eponymous firm, Reddymade. From her large interactive public art works at The Smithsonian, in Times Square and Prospect Park to her range of architectural projects including Google's first retail store, Suchi has been a passionate thought leader in creating spaces that make us feel. A longtime friend of COOL HUNTING, Evan and Josh are excited to share her point of view on built environments, art, and design justice. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced by Rob Schulte. Design Tangents is presented by Genesis.

Friend of the podcast and one of my favourite authors Dr Tara Swart is back on The Doctor's Kitchen show today. Neuroscientist, former medical doctor and author of “The Source”, a book that has been hugely impactful to my career and mindset.She's also host of top rated life sciences podcast “Reinvent Yourself with Dr Tara”, and brand ambassador in beauty and well-being.Today we're going to talk about neuroplasticity and the ability of every human to adapt and change way later in life than we originally thought. Dr Tara will talk to us about exercises for how to better tap into the potential of our brains, as well as the science of why manifesting and vision boarding (also known as ‘action boarding') works as well as how ancient wisdom has influenced her medical practice.Her idea is simple: no matter how old, how stubborn, or how set in their ways, everyone has the capacity to change. And to add to that, everyone has the ability to manifest a future for themselves full of love, joy, health and whatever you desire. But your mindset and willingness to let go is crucial. You will love Tara's science influenced approach to manifesting and ancient practices.

ABOUT TASHA GOLDEN, PhD:Tasha's Profile: linkedin.com/in/tashagoldenWebsites:tashagolden.com (Other)facebook/ellerymusic (Other)ellerymusic.com (Other)Twitter:goldenthisBIO:Tasha Golden, PhD is Director of Research at the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, and a national leader and consultant in arts + public health. Holding a PhD in Public Health Sciences, Tasha Golden has published extensively on the impacts of the arts, music, aesthetics, and social norms on health and well-being. She has served as an advisor on several nati      onal and international health initiatives, is adjunct faculty for the University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine, and recently led the pilot evaluation of CultureRx in Massachusetts: the first arts-on-prescription in the U.S.Golden is also a career artist and entrepreneur. As singer-songwriter for the critically acclaimed band Ellery, she toured full-time in the US and abroad, and her songs appear in feature films and TV dramas (ABC, SHOWTIME, FOX, NETFLIX, etc). She is a published poet (Humanist Press) and founder of Project Uncaged: an arts-based health intervention for incarcerated teen women that amplifies their voices in justice reform.Tasha's diverse background drives her success as an international speaker and thought leader. She gives talks and facilitates workshops for artists, businesses, researchers, practitioners, and more—helping them enhance and reimagine their work. As a consultant, she helps leaders and organizations draw on the science of arts and health to further their goals. This is one of those conversations that literally just scratches the surface of what is possible when considering how the arts influences our lives. It is an important conversation about why  we need to put art back into our daily routines as a prescription to wellbeing. SHOW INTRO: Welcome to episode 61 of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast. These dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.As usual, thanks go to VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media.VMSD is the publisher of VMSD magazine and brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant.You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgIn a minute, we'll dig into my discussion with Tasha Golden - Director of Research at the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University.But first a few thoughts to set up our talk…****************Art and making is part of our human experience – it is part of who we are as a species.I have had this feeling for a number of years, and probably expressed it on this podcast a number of times, that art and making are intrinsic to all of us. There's something unique about the making of things that humans do that is different than other living creatures on the planet. Sure, some of the animals in our world make things too. Birds make nests and the great apes do as well, for some apes, new ones every night as I understand it. But the defining feature between humans and the other creatures making things on the planet is that we make things that can make other things.We are Homo Sapiens – “Man The Thinker” but we are also “Homo Faber” or Man The Maker. I think we're equally “Homo Ludens” – “Man The Player.”I'm sure that there's some deep connection between the idea of the making of things and play that are also deeply connected in defining who we are and how we come to understand ourselves and navigate the world. When I am deeply connected to the making of things, specifically when listening to music and painting, I am very aware of the fact that I am in a Flow state that feels like being deeply involved in play. Time disappears, dissipates… its otherworldly. I think that making, whether objects, stories, music or other manifestations of our creative minds is part of who we all are. But I also think we have pushed it aside getting up in our rational heads believing that we could think our way through our lives rather than feeling, or maybe even creating our way through them.Sir Ken Robinson had said something like ‘we are all born creative, and we have it educated out of us.' That's a tragedy with huge implications to our world when I think we really need super creative solutions to life's pressing challenges.It seems to me that creativity was a necessary skill to be developed as part of our evolutionary history. Being creative, a good problem solver, was an insurance policy for survival. This is also true of our ability to engage in empathic relationships in collaborative communities. When working together, we were much better able to survive. Millenia ago, being cast out of the group and having to go at on your own in the wild might have significantly reduced your chances of survival.And so, making and creating close knit social communities and problem solving have been with us from time immemorial.But beyond making tools, creating shelters and being creative in these ways so as to survive in an unpredictable and sometime brutal world, the arts, at least we call them now evolved as a way for us to express ourselves, our ideological orientations, our understanding of the world.In some ways they were an attempt to understand and answer some of the existential questions of what it meant to be human and how we fit into the cosmological scheme of things. The arts in its many forms; sculpture, dance, song, music, and later literature, brought communities together in shared understanding of the meaning of being individuals as well as members of a larger whole. The arts were a vehicle for the expression of ideas, the asking of questions and searching for answers. In many ways the arts helped to express the ineffable. The arts aligned with our penchant for using narratives to navigate through the world. Stories put things into place, they described the why and how of things. Cognitive scientist Roger Schank has said “Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they're ideally set up to understand stories.”      And many of the stories we tell are in the form of the arts. From the paintings on the walls of caves in Lascaux France 1700 years ago, to the contemporary dance of Martha Graham, to best-selling books (you pick the author) or immersive digital experiences of media artists like Refik Anadol, the arts have been, and continue to be, part of our lives. Without the arts, life would be bereft of meaning.I have often heard people say I can't draw or I've got no rhythm and can't dance or I can't hold a tune. These self-judgmental comments go completely contrary to what we know from science about the value of engaging in art or even doing simple things like humming your favorite tune and the positive effects it has on your mind-body state.I find myself humming or singing to myself all the time – Christmas carols in the summer, old 70's rock classics any day, doesn't matter. Humming, an ancient artform, plays a key role in activating the parasympathetic nervous system – also known as your ‘rest and digest state'. Because your vagus nerve, one of your neural superhighways connecting your brain to major organs in the rest of your body, runs through your larynx and pharynx in your throat, the vibrations that humming stimulates your vagus nerve and creates what's known as “vagal tone.”Humming can also improve heart rate variability which is an important metric that shows how well you can recover from experiences of stress. So, when you hum you induce something called “parasympathetic dominance” which means that you move from a fight or flight state into one of increased relaxation. The idea here is that bringing the arts into our lives even in the simplest of ways like humming, reconnects us to ourselves and helps support mind body health, an overall sense of well-being. More and more research is pointing to the fact that engaging in the arts and having a sense of well-being can be directly connected. In fact the whole emerging field in cognitive science called neuroaesthetics is geared towards the understanding of how the arts, in all of their incarnations, influences how we feel - not just when listening to a piece of music or staring at a painting on a wall in a museum - but how the    overall built environment potentially influences our emotional state which may have a direct effect on our body systems potentially leading to disease. So, there is a significant problem at hand when arts funding is slashed from school curricula thinking that it is less important than getting our school aged children ready to compete on the world stage by simply focusing on STEM based curricula only. Fully integrating the arts into the school, and even our workdays, increases learning and company performance. As a personal example, I know I've described this in a number of the podcast episodes, and at the risk of being repetitive I'll do so       now……during the pandemic between 2020 and 2022 and I poured myself into painting, writing and doing this podcast all of which would qualify as the arts. I firmly believe that if it weren't for me finding a Flow state, a pseudo meditative experience, through painting and listening to music while doing it , that my experience of the pandemic may have been drastically different. I think that in many ways, it might have actually been quite negative and that I might have been a very difficult person to live with. Instead, art gave me a sense of agency to be able to navigate the ambiguity of an uncertain future. Engaging in the arts, if even on a small plain of my physical world in the form of a 36 by 48-inch canvas, gave me a certain sense of control. I shifted the negative energy of anxiety and fear of the unknown into creativity in the form of a pandemic production of 25 canvases. I was directly exposed to the value and impact of how the arts could be harnessed to create a profound sense of well-being.And this brings me to my guest Tasha Golden.    Tasha Golden, PhD is Director of Research at the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, and a national leader and consultant in arts + public health. Holding a PhD in Public Health Sciences, Tasha Golden has published extensively on the impacts of the arts, music, aesthetics, and social norms on health and well-being. She has served as an advisor on several nati      onal and international health initiatives, is adjunct faculty for the University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine, and recently led the pilot evaluation of CultureRx in Massachusetts: the first arts-on-prescription in the U.S.Golden is also a career artist and entrepreneur. As singer-songwriter for the critically acclaimed band Ellery, she toured full-time in the US and abroad, and her songs appear in feature films and TV dramas (ABC, SHOWTIME, FOX, NETFLIX, etc). She is a published poet (Humanist Press) and founder of Project Uncaged: an arts-based health intervention for incarcerated teen women that amplifies their voices in justice reform.Tasha's diverse background drives her success as an international speaker and thought leader. She gives talks and facilitates workshops for artists, businesses, researchers, practitioners, and more—helping them enhance and reimagine their work. As a consultant, she helps leaders and organizations draw on the science of arts and health to further their goals. This is one of those conversations that literally just scratches the surface of what is possible when considering how the arts influences our lives. It is an important conversation about why  we need to put art back into our daily routines as a prescription to wellbeing. ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com. ************************************************************************************************************************************The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

How does our past influence the perception we have of our world today? Where does color stand in our daily perception of things and more importantly, how do we select the correct colors that truly make us feel good? Andreea Hartea will explain how we perceive color and how to select the right color for ourselves and our clients. Andreea Hartea was born in Romania and currently lives and works in Italy where in early 2020, she established RAH Colour Consulting Studio collaborating with architecture firms, interior designers, and international companies. She studied Visual Arts at NABA and completed a two-year program in Dynamic Hypnosis and Analogical Psychology at the CID_CNV Institute in Milan. To deepen her expertise, she pursued additional courses on color by "Max Luscher," attended seminars on meditative and hypnotic practices, while she researched topics like neuromarketing and neuroeconomics.Her research primarily draws inspiration from psychology and consciousness, focusing on the mechanisms of unconscious and emotional perception. Her fascination with the human experience fuels her exploration of the inner universe as a means to comprehend our surroundings. She derives great satisfaction from assisting individuals in their daily lives and uncovering the underlying reasons behind their experiences using the power of color. Her primary objective is to educate people on approaching color from a more intimate, authentic, and conscious standpoint, acknowledging that color affects each individual in a very unique manner. Currently, she is devoted to promote the concept "subjectivity of color” as she has been privileged to deliver lectures to prominent companies and international platforms such as Edison, PPG, Archiproducts, and TedxRoma.Having moved from theory to practical application, she developed the RAH Colours test, which aids professionals closely engaged with end clients in addressing the challenging question: "What color should we choose?" Whether it involves materials, products, or surfaces, this question invariably arises in interior design and often proves a point of frustration for both professionals and clients alike.She provides guidance on implementing this methodology, and currently works on creating a platform that will provide professionals with their own personal color consultant. Moreover, she collaborates with studios and boutique agencies specializing in brand identities, particularly for small-scale brands.Thank you for listening! Follow us through our website or social media!https://www.thecolorauthority.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_color_authority_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/78120219/admin/

ABOUT YASMINE MAHMOUDIEH: Yasmine's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminemahmoudieh/Websitesmahmoudieh.com (Company)impactdesignnow.com (Company)Emaildesign@mahmoudieh.comTwitterMahmoudieh_ArchMykidsyltd BIO:Yasmine Mahmoudieh, an acclaimed architect, designer, and tech entrepreneur, is internationally recognized for groundbreaking designs and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Her work has earned her numerous international design awards, including the prestigious Global Sustainability Award in 2022 for her contributions to architecture and design in hospitality. With an illustrious career spanning prestigious institutions, she serves as a visiting professor at renowned establishments such as EHL Hotel School and Institut Paul Bocuse, inspiring emerging talents in the field. Additionally, Mahmoudieh is a sought-after speaker, lecturing around the world on hotel architecture, design, and development. She has even been invited to speak at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, focusing on the critical subject of sustainability in architecture and design.Mahmoudieh seamlessly integrates modern technologies with traditional design principles, crafting captivating and immersive spaces that engage all senses.As a prominent global ambassador for eco-conscious practices, she pioneers sustainable construction techniques, utilizing recycled plastics through 3D printing and exploring mycelium as a substitute for traditional building materials.With an unwavering passion for harmonizing functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, Mahmoudieh continues to shape the future of architecture and design with her profound influence and visionary approach.SHOW INTRO: Welcome to episode 60 of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast. This season will be no different than the previous ones where we continue to have great discussions with visionary leaders from various industries and professions. These dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.As usual, thanks go to VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media.VMSD is the publisher of VMSD magazine and brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant.You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgIn a minute, we'll dig into my discussion with Yasmine Mahmoudieh - architect, designer, and tech entrepreneur, who is internationally recognized for ground breaking designs and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. But first a few thoughts to set up our talk…****************I remember back in 2009 going to see the movie Avatar. The narrative followed a typical story of white man's colonization and subjugation of an indigenous peoples - this time on Pandora - a planet light years away from earth  - because presumably we had succeeded in trashing our own planet and had gone off to exploit the natural resources of another. There were multiple other themes written into the script but in principle it dealt with what I would characterize as corporate greed and the decimation of natural landscapes an indigenous peoples. The singular motivation to mining the planet's natural resources?... the billions of dollars of revenue for a large corporation who was mining a natural resource called “unobtanium.” Naturally the corporation militarized their operations under the guise that the 10 foot tall blue-skinned sapient humanoid indigenous peoples called the Na'vi - as well as the flora a fauna were… lethal. Another re-telling of big bad corporations exercising their power over a helpless people by flexing their military muscle with sociopathic leaders with a bent for murderous behavior. And adding insult to narrative injury, there was the denial of science and the well intentioned initiatives of creating Avatars of the Na'vi where humans could transfer consciousness into alien bodies cultivated in an enormous incubation chamber, that would then animate and go out among the native beings and infiltrate their community with the intention of learning more about them.OK... So this is a story that we're pretty familiar with.Notwithstanding the re-telling of a narrative we all know, James Cameron the director, brough the theater-going public compelling visualizations of an imaginary verdant jungle-like environment. On the big screen of a movie theater it was immersive and realistic. I'd say that for a while Avatar was a superb example of the use computer generated imagery that brought viewers into the experience of a distant world.Ok, so as not to get bogged down with the nasty-self-serving-humans part of the story ...…one of the key feature of this world was the Home Tree (which the humans eventually destroyed as well). Ok sorry I had to add that in…Home Tree - and all other tress for that matter - created an eco-system, an integrated network, that was connected underground. For the Na'vi people, Eywa was the living deity but not in the physical form humans would have expected.Eywa was a biological sentient guiding force of life and was physicalized through a network of plants, trees and other wildlife that stretched across Pandora. Eywa acted to maintain equilibrium among all things.Now… the obvious connection to be drawn here is the idea that our earth is a massive ecosystem and that there is an urgent need for our collective understanding that everything in this ecosystem works as a complex set of interdependencies. Everything is connected to everything. Our life energy is intimately intertwined with the planet's natural resources. We are from the earth. Though, I believe, many often see themselves as separated from it.I seem to have been having an increasing number of conversation with people where one of the things we end up returning to is sustainability. What the building industry does in negative ways to the environment and by consequence us, emotionally and physically.The conversation is encompassing straight up building practice, materials and finishes and what the CO2 contribution is to the planet when we build things, anything. Not a good thing for the environment and by extension not a good thing for us.and… what the effect of the building typologies has to do with our emotional well-being – a field called Neuroaesthetics – how he built environment affects us at a mind-body level.The sea of sameness and a building stock of overwhelming banality can undermine a sense of well-being. We are born experience expectant and our brains love novelty. The brain isn't fond of being bored.And yet, many of our urban environments are monotonous. So not only is the building industry responsible for about 40% of the CO2 in the atmosphere contributing to the global climate problem, the buildings we are putting into the environment are, from the neuroaesthetics point of view, often not contributing to our sense of wellbeing since they often create city blocks that area mundane.This is where my guest Yasmine Mahmoudieh enters the scene. Her work has earned her numerous international design awards, including the prestigious Global Sustainability Award in 2022 for her contributions to architecture and design in hospitality. With an illustrious career spanning prestigious institutions, she serves as a visiting professor at renowned establishments such as EHL Hotel School and Institut Paul Bocuse, inspiring emerging talents in the field. Mahmoudieh seamlessly integrates modern technologies with traditional design principles, crafting captivating and immersive spaces that engage all senses.With an unwavering passion for harmonizing functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, Mahmoudieh continues to shape the future of architecture and design with her profound influence and visionary approach.So why the whole description of the movie Avatar and undergound connections between trees and other forest plants?Because that idea directly aligns with the emerging use of mycillium. What is mycelium?Mycellium is tubular thread of cells that spread through the soil underground and connects the roots of plants to one another. It is like the earth's natural internet. Everything is connected…Why would understanding the portential use of Mycellium as a building material be important ?Well… it is a naturally occurring substance and research suggests that it has a positive effect on enhancing immune strength.As a prominent global ambassador for eco-conscious practices, Yasmine Mahmoudieh pioneers sustainable construction techniques, utilizing recycled plastics through 3D printing and exploring mycelium as a substitute for traditional building materials.The Na'vi and Eywa had something goin' on. And humans just bulldozed it all in search for a rock in the ground. A familiar story with tragic outcomes.I think that the more we turn to ancient indigenous traditions, understand them and perhaps augment them with modern science, the more we may find solutions to some of the more profound eco challenges we now face.ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com. ************************************************************************************************************************************The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Tara sits down with the co-authors of “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us,” Ivy Ross & Susan Magsamen, to discuss the importance of including art in your daily life, how just 20 minutes in nature can lower cortisol levels and increase focus and making versus beholding. They also discuss the science of neuroaesthetics and the power it has to transform traditional medicine and build healthier communities.Follow “Your Brain on Art” on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrainonartbook/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089357061217&mibextid=LQQJ4dLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-brain-on-art/-----Visit the “Your Brain on Art” Website: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/---Follow Dr. Tara on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtaraswartTwitter: https://twitter.com/TaraSwartLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraswartTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtaraswart

ABOUT Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross:Susan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-magsamen-6345918/Ivy's Profile: linkedin.com/in/rossivyWebsites:Website: www.yourbrainonart.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrainonartbook/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-brain-on-art/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089357061217&mibextid=LQQJ4d BIO - Susan Magsamen:Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her body of work lies at the intersection of brain sciences and the arts—and how our unique response to aesthetic experiences can amplify human potential. Magsamen is the author of the Impact Thinking model, an evidence-based research approach to accelerate how we use the arts to solve problems in health, well-being, and learning. In addition to her role at IAM Lab, she is an assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins and serves as co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint project in partnership with the Aspen Institute.Prior to founding IAM Lab, Magsamen worked in both the private and public sector, developing social impact programs and products addressing all stages of life—from early childhood to the senior years.  Magsamen created Curiosityville, an online personalized learning world, acquired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2014 and Curiosity Kits, a hands-on multi-sensory company, acquired by Torstar in 1995.An award-winning author, Magsamen has published eight books including The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonder, The 10 Best of Everything Families, and Family Stories.Magsamen is a Fellow at the Royal Society of the Arts and a strategic advisor to several innovative organizations and initiatives, including the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, the American Psychological Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Brain Futures, Learning Landscapes, and Creating Healthy Communities:  Arts + Public Health in America. BIO - Ivy Ross:Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold. A winner of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, Ivy's innovative metal work in jewelry is in the permanent collections of 12 international museums. Ivy has held executive positions ranging from head of product design and development to CMO and presidencies of several companies, including Calvin Klein, Swatch, Coach, Mattel, Bausch & Lomb, and Gap. Ninth on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business 2019, Ivy believes the intersection of arts and science is where the most engaging and creative ideas are found. SHOW INTRO: Welcome to season five of the next level experience design podcast. It's kind of amazing when I think of it… now five seasons… wow.This season will be no different than the previous ones where we continue to have great discussions with visionary leaders from various industries and professions. These dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.As we jump into this new season thanks go to VMSD magazine. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL experience design podcast on VMSD.com. VMSD is the publisher of VMSD magazine and brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience placemakers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgOK, let's dig in... With our first interview of the season with two remarkable women Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross whose recent book “Your Brain on Art has garnered huge attention since its recent release. But first a few thoughts on art and making...****************When I was about 9 years old and my mom had me in an after school art program at a local painting studio near my childhood home. Thursdays, as it would turn out, became the single time of the week where the outside world disappeared and I entered into a place of pure creativity and innovation which many years later I would discover was called “flow.”Even to this day Thursdays seemed to hold a special body memory for me of calm and an internal sense of both peace and joy. Thursdays somehow carry a different energy from me that I think was implanted in my body all those years ago where my creative passion was fully expressed.For years I would paint on Thursdays and that turned into a passion that became a profession as an architect. I wasn't great at math or physics but I was pretty confident about my skills in art and I knew that there was something specific about the feeling that I had in going to this small art studio that was because of the things I was doing as well as the place that I was doing it in. So studying architecture was always grounded in this idea for me of creating places that moved people emotionally. It didn't matter to me too much whether you loved it or hated it, although I would have preferred you loved it. But my goal was always to connect to people on an emotional level to find the right combination of materials and finishes space volumes and textures and all those other things that we have in our architects toolbox and how we moved through and experience space from a mind – body emotional perspective.I think early on I developed an aesthetic mindset. I seemed to have a high level of curiosity, a love of play and open-ended exploration, a keen sensory awareness and a drive to engage in activities as a maker or beholder. Through my architecture studies at McGill University I discovered principles of experience rooted in ritual and that there was a very different physical and emotional feeling connected to participating in ritual versus simply watching them. I was always very interested in how people participated in space. How they participated in the making of their experiences because I always believed that in making we brought something unique to the world that humans were capable of doing better than any other creatures on the planet. I developed a keen interest in ontological design - basically put - that the things we make return the favor by in part making us who we are. Our neurobiology reacts to the environment around us and so our mind body state is directly influenced by what we experience in the built environment. Our brains are in a feedback loop of making and being made by experience.The Irish poet John O'Donoghue once said “art is the essence of awareness” and I find that particularly relevant to how we experience the places that we build and how we interact with them. What I learned as a young artist on Thursday afternoons was that somehow in the making of things I became acutely aware of my mind body state as well as my surroundings.As I started to create and design retail places it seemed that everywhere I walked the world around me became more relevant I was tuning in to everything that I could see and hear. When in the middle of trying to solve a design challenge, I seemed to tune into things that might not have otherwise been apparent to me.What I found interesting was that this attunement to the environment around me also grew a connection between my sensory experiences and my appreciation of art. As I engaged more fully in the environment around me and the various kinds of arts I also learned more about myself. During the recent pandemic I turned to painting to help navigate the uncertainty and ambiguity of a global crisis that had left everything that I had believed to be true and a path that I had created for myself professionally in flux. Art it seemed became the grounding mechanism that calmed my nervous system that brought joy amidst uncertainty.Over the past few decades as a creative architect I've become acutely aware that the environment around us has a profound effect on our mind body state, our sense of well-being, our feelings of joy, community, connection, belonging, relevance. Being exposed to the arts provided context and meaning, a way for me to understand where I stood in the grand scheme of things. And art also gave me a sense of agency of being able to have a sense of control and to bring things into the world that had never been there before.And so, because of all of these understandings I have a deep appreciation for the book recently published by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross called “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.”This book is wildly successful because I believe it is a writing whose time has come. It brings forward the ideas that the arts are fundamental to who we are as people and that long before we had written language we danced around fires sang songs, made drawings on walls and shared the meaning of our lives with each other by being in community, in relationships, participating in rituals and making. And so, it's not surprising that the arts in all of its forms visual,  literary, dance, sculpture and others are part of who we are as individuals and as members of a broader human whole.When I bought this book I thought that it would help me understand the neuroscience of what was happening in my brain as I stood in front of a painting. But it did more than that. It helped to unpack why I was led to feel certain ways about my experience of art in general including paintings, dance, musical theater, poetry, a good movie and a great book.It was chock full of examples and great research on how the arts are used in healing practices and health care industry to augment patient recovery. It looked at how the arts are being used in education, though not nearly enough, to enhance learning.Your brain on Art also brought me greater understanding about making music and how memories are tied to our experiences of hearing music. That's why it's likely you can clearly remember tunes from your childhood and tag them to early childhood experiences. Or why your playlists from your high school years probably are still able to be recalled with ease. And why I can remember the high school dance and my girlfriend at the time and the song Lucky Man by Emerson Lake and Palmer and that kiss.The book dives into understanding arts and the neurodivergent brain and play and how these are critical to our development.And if all of that wasn't quite enough it digs into the idea of how the arts support flourishing and asks the question - What constitutes a good life? I did not know that there is a burgeoning subfield of neuroscience and psychology now dedicated to identifying and understanding the neural mechanisms that contribute to a state of flourishing. And Your Brain on Art brings to light some of the neuroscience related to creativity, awe and wonder.Your Brain on Art is a collaborative effort between two remarkable women who together combine neuroscience and creative vision into a must-read book.Susan Magsamen has over 35 years of experience in developing effective learning programs rooted in the science of learning and is an active member of the brain sciences research, arts, education and social impact communities. She currently serves as Executive Director of the International Arts and Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at the Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University where she is also a faculty member. She is also the senior advisor to the Science of Learning Institute at Johns Hopkins University. She works with both the public and private sectors using arts and culture evidence based approaches in areas including health, child development, workforce innovation, rehabilitation and social equity.Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold. She is a winner of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and her innovative metal work in jewelry is in the permanent collections of 12 international museums. Ivy has held executive positions ranging from head of product design and development to CMO and presidencies of several companies, including Calvin Klein, Swatch, Coach, Mattel, Bausch & Lomb, and Gap. Ninth on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business 2019, Ivy believes the intersection of arts and science is where the most engaging and creative ideas are found. ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com. ************************************************************************************************************************************The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Buildings are increasingly leaning into biophilic design, which connects us to nature, even when we're indoors. Plus: Why Uber and Lyft may leave Minneapolis, trouble for Roblox, and the end of Barbie's reign. Join our hosts Juliet Bennett Rylah and Ben Berkley as they take you through our most interesting stories of the day. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thdspod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thdspod/  Thank You For Listening to The Hustle Daily Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe or Follow us on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode! If you want this news delivered to your inbox, join millions of others and sign up for The Hustle Daily newsletter, here: https://thehustle.co/email/  Plus! Your engagement matters to us. If you are a fan of the show, be sure to leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hustle-daily-show/id1606449047 (and share your favorite episodes with your friends, clients, and colleagues). “The Hustle Daily Show” is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by The HubSpot Podcast Network // Produced by Darren Clarke. 

Did you know that just 20 minutes of art a day is as beneficial as exercise and mindfulness? Or that participating in one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years? Our guests Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen talk about their new book, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Together they explore the new science of neuroaesthetics, which explains how the arts can measurably change the body, brain, and our behaviors. This is the first installment in a three part series we're running called, Mundane Glory about learning not to overlook the little things in your daily life that can be powerful and evidence-based levers for increased happiness. In this episode we talk about:Their definition of the arts and aesthetic experiencesHow they see nature as, “the highest form of art”How simple actions like humming in the shower & gardening can be categorized as art experiencesHow you don't have to be good at making art to benefit from itThe difference between “makers” and “beholders” of artWhat they mean by art being a part of our evolutionary DNAHow engaging in the arts can help strengthen our relationships and connectivityHow arts and aesthetic experiences create neuroplasticity in the brainHow society's emphasis on optimizing for productivity has pushed the arts asideThe four key attributes that make up a concept called an “aesthetic mindset”The benefits of partaking in a wide array of art experiencesThe importance of infusing play and non judgment into the art you makeHow art can be a form of meditation and mindfulnessHow artistic experiences can extend your life, help treat disease and relieve stressHow the arts affect the way we learnThe emerging field of neuroarts and neuroaestheticsHow food fits into the arts categorySimple ways to integrate the arts into our daily livesTechnology's relationship to the artsAnd the importance of architecture and your physical space as a form of artFor tickets to TPH's live event in Boston on September 7:https://thewilbur.com/armory/artist/dan-harris/themightyfix.com/happierFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ivy-ross-susan-magsamenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jennifer and Monica here! We've officially reached the height of Summer. The days are long, it's (very) hot outside, and there's nothing we want to do more than hang out with a good book - preferably next to some kind of body of water. Failing that, we'll take a big, icy, reusable water bottle. So, for this week's episode, we've rounded up a list of our top picks for biophilic summer reads. From romance and awe to brain health and climate science-fiction, we've got something for everyone. The common theme? Nature is always center stage. Show NotesYour Brain on Art: How Art Transforms Us by Susan Magsamen & Ivy RossYour Brain on Nature: Neuroaesthetics and Biophilia with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee Form Follows Feeling: Serenity, Human Emotion, and Design with Suchi ReddyThe Signature of All Things by Elizabeth GilbertAwe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher KeltnerEveryday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life by Kristen GhodseeSaving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Oddell The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley RobinsonKey Words: Summer Reading, Reading, Books, Book List, Nature, Biophilia, Art, Awe, Elizabeth Gilbert, Utopia Jenny Oddell, Ken Stanley Robinson, Dacher Keltner, Susan Magsamen, Neuroscience, Neuroaesthetics, Climate Change, Climate Science, Wellness