Podcast appearances and mentions of susan magsamen

In this episode of The Singing Teachers Talk Podcast, Alexa chats with Rachael Drury about practical ways voice teachers can use AI to save time, spark creativity, and streamline admin — without losing the vital human connection that makes teaching so powerful. From lesson planning and practice tools to lyric writing and accountability, find out how AI can become a helpful ally in your teaching toolkit. WHAT'S IN THIS PODCAST?1:24 What can AI NOT do?14:02 How can we use AI positively as singing teachers?27:42 Helpful AI tools33:30 Are there any loopholes?41:23 How can teachers continue to advocate for the arts in the face of AI? About the presenter, click HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSSinging Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What It Means for Singers and TeachersChatGPTSinging Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.155 & 156 Part One & Two: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice StudiosSunoUdioMidjourneyStability AICanvaTonaraErol StudiosSing ScopeYousicianTuneCoreSound CloudDeezerSinging Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and HealingYour Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen & Ivy RossIndependent Society of MusiciansABOUT THE GUESTDr Rachael Drury is a violinist, educator and researcher specialising in the evolving relationship between music, technology and the law. Rachael's successful career as a musician has seen her perform with ensembles like the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic, and in 2019 she returned to academia to explore how new technologies are reshaping the music industry. Her PhD at the University of Liverpool focused on the legal and economic impact of generative AI on copyright, authorship and musicians' livelihoods. Rachael now teaches across music industry studies and performance, while also serving as Senior Researcher and AI Officer at the Independent Society of Musicians. Her work informs copyright policy and creative rights, and she regularly speaks at national and international events. She is passionate about supporting musicians, students and teachers as they navigate the fast-changing digital music landscape.SEE FULL BIO HEREE: rachael.drury@ism.orgInstagram: @rachael_drury BAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

In this episode, Alexa sits down with voice teacher and performer Conor Angell to explore his influential article How Do You Teach Voice? Six Vital Non-Musical Teaching Principles. They discuss how these principles shape effective teaching, what's changed since 2019, and the importance of kindness, agency, and adaptability in the studio. Conor also reveals what he'd now add as a seventh principle, offering fresh insights for voice teachers, singers, and educators alike.  WHAT'S IN THIS PODCAST? 0:34 What makes a good teacher according to Conor?2:40 What are the signs that your teaching principles aren't working?6:41 How can we get out of our own heads in the teaching room?9:59 How to keep learning fun15:02 Understanding intrusive teaching approaches21:08 Balancing challenge and support27:56 Teaching approaches for specific vocal targets33:10 Which of Conor's six principles have proven to be the most successful?36:37 How can HE programmes make room for teaching philosophy?40:56 What would be Conor's 7th principle? About the presenter, click HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSDr BraceySinging Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and HealingYour Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy RossDaniel Levitin This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel LevitinJournal of SingingHow Do You Teach Voice? Six Vital Nonmusical Teaching Principles by Conor AngellToward a Theory of Applied Music Instruction by Richard KennelLev Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal DevelopmentSomatic VoiceworkIndianapolis OperaSinging Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.219 10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers ABOUT THE GUESTBorn in Ireland, baritone Conor Angell joined the music faculty at Taylor University in 2013 after teaching at Houghton and Wabash Colleges. A versatile performer, he has appeared in opera, musical theatre, orchestral concerts, recitals, and recording studios. His stage credits include roles in Le nozze di Figaro, La bohème, Rigoletto, The Sound of Music, and The Music Man, with companies such as Opera North, Kentucky Opera, and Indianapolis Opera. He is a prizewinner in competitions including the Chicago Oratorio Competition and the American Prize in Vocal Performance. As a director, Angell has led productions ranging from Mozart operas to Broadway classics, earning recognition from the National Opera Association, also a writer and collaborator in professional recording projects. SEE FULL BIO HEREWebsiteBAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

In this episode we welcome Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross - co-authors of New York Times bestseller Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, where they explore how the arts are not just entertainment, but vital to human health, learning, and wellbeing.Our guests reveal how art physically changes the brain and body. We discuss neuroaesthetics—the science of how art impacts us—alongside practical ways teachers and creatives can use these insights in their own work. Whether you're curious about creativity, seeking tools for wellbeing, or simply want scientific proof that the arts truly matter, this conversation will inspire and affirm the transformative role of art in our lives.WHAT'S IN THIS PODCAST?0:00 ‘Your Brain on Art' Book Review4 :08 What art has impacted Susan?7:17 What art has impacted Ivy?10:07 What is ‘art?'13:15 The difference between being the beholder v the creator?17:09 How art and medicine work together25:23 What sound and music offer33:53 How can teachers encourage an aesthetic mindset?39:14 When art becomes your careerBuy ‘Your Brain on Art' (USA)  Amazon, Barnes & Noble Buy ‘Your Brain on Art' (UK) Amazon, WaterstonesAbout the presenter, click HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSA Little Life by Hanya YanigaharaSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.207 Singing at the End of Life: The Magic of Music in HospicesMusicophilia by Oliver SacksFormer Ballerina with Alzheimer's Performs ‘Swan Lake' DanceNational Institute for PlayDr George MusgraveVoice Study CentreABOUT THE GUESTSSusan Magsamen, founder of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, explores how the arts influence brain, body and behaviour, translating research into programs for health, wellbeing and education. Her Impact Thinking model applies scientific rigour to arts research while ensuring real-world use. She also co-leads the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute. Ivy Ross, Chief Design Officer at Google, has led award-winning hardware design since 2017, earning more than 240 global design awards. Previously she held leadership roles at Calvin Klein, Swatch, Mattel, Coach and Gap. Named one of Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business, her artistic work includes jewellery in 12 international museums and recognition such as the Women in Design Award.See full bios HEREBAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

Do arts interventions and creative engagement really make a difference in our lives and our brains?  Yes, they really do. Come explore what the Neuro Arts movement is all about. In this conversation with Susan Magsamen, the author of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, and Director of The International Arts and Mind Lab at John's Hopkins University School of Medicine, we cover: *Why putting ourselves in the path of AWE is powerful for our brains. *What is Neuro-Plasticity? *How the Saliency Networks in our brains impacts why certain things resonate with us. *Why daydreaming is good for us. *How nature is the ultimate enriched environment for us. *What is the default mode network of our brain? The seat of ourslves or place of rumination? *And what actually causes us to ruminate? *The Aesthetic Triad, how we are wired vs our lived experiences. *The paradigm shift that is happening right now in public health. *Music Break, take a breathe and let go. (*Song: Of Your Own by James Harrell)  *Why Art and Science together is potent medicine. *What is Entrainment and why is it so powerful in arts interventions? *Music Break ( *Song by James Harrell, from documentary film Separate But Equal)  *Arts and Health vs. Pharmacology. *Are the Arts and Sciences dating? Yes and it's getting serious! *Closing song (Alchemy by Ilyana Kadushin and James Harrell)  *Signing off with Ilyana and James and may include some special cat guest! All Music and Lyrics in this episode by James Harrell and Ilyana Kadushin.  Visit: https://www.noiknowpodcast.com  https://www.neuroartsresourcecenter.com/home  

Many of us think of the arts as entertainment or a luxury of some kind. But In their New York Times Bestselling Book: Your Brain on Art, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross invite us to open our minds and consider a breathtaking expansion of this limited view of what the arts are, and the power they hold to transform our lives both individually and collectively. Ivy, who serves as Chief Design Officer for Consumer Devices at Google, and has previously held executive positions spanning from head of product design and development to CMO and presidencies with several of the world's leading companies, including Calvin Klein, Swatch, Coach, Mattel, and Gap.And Susan who is the founder and director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she also serves as a faculty member, Originally came together through a cold outreach email on LinkedIn.That email turned into a 3 hour conversation,Which ultimately led to a 4 year journey of discovery, writing and research.  In today's conversation they will share the fruits of this unlikely and extraordinary collaboration -As they offer insights, research, and practices that shed light on the new science of neuroaesthetics. And the possibility we find ourselves standing in front of:A cultural shift in which the arts can deliver potent, accessible, and proven solutions for the well-being of everyone.Susan and Ivy argue that this new understanding about how the arts and aesthetics can help us Holds the potential to transform traditional medicine, build healthier communities, and mend an aching planet.And that unlocking this potential is not about seeking something outside of us, But rather, is about returning to the creative and artistic expression we freely experienced as children.Embracing art not as a luxury, or an escape,But as our evolutionary birthright.For more on Ivy, Susan, their beautiful book Your Brain on Art, please visit yourbrainonart.com. You can also check out a beautiful newly launched resource center for the Neuroarts that Susan is spearheading at neruoartsresourcecenter.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On the Science, and Magic, of Great Conversations | Alison Wood BrooksA Cardiologist's Journey to Healing, Health, and Happiness | Dr. Jonathan FisherThanks for listening!Support the show

Great Spiritual and Self-Development Authors:I'm going to start off with authors that I adore in no particular order because they're all amazing. You could easily pick one of those books, read it, and find something useful.His Holiness the Dalai Lama—I probably have the most books of his. One of my favourites is "An Open Heart." It is from a lecture he gave in New York. He can get very deep and philosophical, so if you want to dive deep into Buddhism and our connection with all things and understanding compassion, that's where I'd go.Deepak Chopra is fantastic, with so many of his books being wonderful. Wayne Dyer as well, and Louise Hay—what can I say? We use Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life" as part of our courses here at LunaHolistic. That book is probably the one I reference the most. All of her books are really great, and she has a lot to say on gratitude, which is fantastic for our mental and spiritual well-being.Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and he has many beautifully written, amazing books on mindfulness. If you're interested in mindfulness and slowing your mind down, creating some peace and calm, no matter the circumstances, all of Thich Nhat Hanh's books are wonderful. He lived to be 95, and there are also some great resources on the Plum Village YouTube channel, as well as an app with some of his recorded lectures and meditations.Dean Radin is a science researcher who explores spirituality and consciousness, intuition, and how our human consciousness can interact with random number generators throughout the world. It's really cool from the science-meets-spirituality perspective, so if you want to dig into some fairly mind-blowing real science about how spirituality works, that is a great resource as well.Must-Read Books on Spirituality and Self-Help"Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us" written by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.It's a really cool book about how interacting with art in any form—music, drawing, painting, sculpting, anything creative at all—can benefit us. You get the best effect by making things yourself, but you also get a huge boost to your brain in all kinds of really cool brain science ways that significantly increase your resilience and decrease your anxiety.Creativity has a big role in decreasing anxiety and increasing life satisfaction, bringing a sense of calm. It doesn't matter if you're good at it; that's the beautiful thing. If we can set aside our inner critic, we can make, share, and enjoy all the benefits of being artistic. You can also just observe other people's art.For example, going to watch live music, visiting an art gallery, or connecting with other creators all provide great benefits. Even watching YouTube videos about people making things is a fantastic way to engage with creativity.If you feel like you're not an artist and you don't want to create, you can still be a patron of the arts and receive a huge benefit to your brain. Creativity is a powerful mechanism for transforming your life, getting perspective on your feelings and expressing yourself. "Your Brain on Art" is interesting because it approaches things from a scientific perspective, explaining what's actually happening in our brains when we're engaging with art."Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Rubin.In this book, the author visited an art gallery every day for a year, focusing on one of the senses each time. It's a fascinating read about her personal journey through mindfulness and connection with art in a place she enjoys, all while being attuned to her senses. It ties in art and mindfulness, which are huge parts of spirituality."Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson.To dig into the deeper parts of ourselves, I recommend this author and her very clear perspective on dealing with dysfunctional and emotionally immature people. This book is especially beneficial if you have narcissists in your family, but it's relevant for any relationship dynamic. It's aimed at children of emotionally immature parents, but anyone can gain insight from it.There's also "Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents," which focuses on honouring your emotions, nurturing yourself, and living with confidence, also by Lindsay C. Gibson. These are fantastic books filled with valuable information about narcissism from various perspectives.What I appreciate about Gibson's work is its focus on emotionally immature behaviour and how to spot it, cope with it, and understand its impact on you. It's essential for those who didn't have parents who could teach the necessary skills for coping, regulating, and grounding.I think everybody should read those two books because it's surprising how many emotionally immature people you might encounter, even outside your family—important insights for navigating friendships, coworkers, bosses, or neighbours whose behaviour leaves you puzzled."The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, has a fantastic TED Talk about classical music. He's quite a character, and this book is a really great read. It provides a way of bringing forth people's creativity. This book is about leading people so that they are in their most creative, expressive, innovative, and inventive selves.This is important if you're trying to solve big problems or figure things out in any capacity, whether in a workplace setting or even within families, as we're leaders in our families and communities."The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life" by Dr. Edith Eger.Shifting gears to something very deep and profound, we have The Gift. Dr Eger is a psychologist, a Holocaust survivor, and well into her nineties, with a truly transformational message. If you're struggling and seeking a new perspective, this book is a brilliant guide to the power you have to transform your outlook on life.Her perspective focuses on 14 different ways of reframing experiences in a positive and nurturing manner while honouring the harms that may have happened to you. One of her profound sayings is "There's no forgiveness without rage", so you must experience, express, and allow the energy to move through without it keeping you stuck.It addresses how to move through incredibly challenging and painful experiences and connect deeply to the grace and beauty of life. This book is beautifully written, heartfelt, and one of the most inspiring reads I've ever encountered. Life changing!"Slow Productivity" by Cal NewportThese are in no particular order."Slow Productivity" has helped me save my brain because I have so many things I want to do, and it feels like there's not enough time to do them. This is a really great book about how, by going slow, you can go faster, especially if you are doing mental work or anything creative.You actually need space and time in order to put complex ideas together in a new way. So if you're a writer or your main work is using your brain rather than using your muscles, this is a really good one. It's a very well-written, well-researched book, and it helps give you a new perspective on the best way to work.We always think that if we want to get somewhere faster, we have to push harder and go there directly. But really, if you are doing anything creative or with your brain, going slower will get you there faster. The more you try to rush something, the lower the quality will be. Go slow to go fast!"Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful" by Archara ShunyaThis book is so inspiring, and I recommend it to many people simply because it's so beautiful. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this one, as you get to hear the author's voice as she tells the stories, and it's just magical. She tells stories about different goddesses and how we can apply those energies in our lives. It is a beautiful and empowering read. So if you want to access that wisdom and power of being a woman, I think it's good for everybody, regardless of how you identify. It's just a remarkable read."No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with Internal Family Systems" by Richard SchwartzThis book is a fantastic introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a therapy technique. Richard Schwartz is one of the primary creators of this technique. It's all about understanding that inside us are these multitudes of voices, parts of us that are all talking at once. One part of us, maybe the inner critic, is bullying the inner child, and maybe there's an inner adult or other aspects of your inner world.He treats all of these inner voices as though they are part of your internal family, and you can talk to each one of these parts and see what they need. When you do that, there's this central self—the part of you, your consciousness, that is truly you, steps forward in the middle.There are all the voices we have inside, and then there's the observer. When we pop into that observer's point of view, that's where we connect to this sort of spiritual essence of ourselves. It is a really interesting and gentle way of reframing what is happening with our inner critic.What he often says is that our inner critic is actually a childlike consciousness that is trying to protect us, to scare us away from harm and danger before we even go there. That little critic is trying to control our behaviour so that we won't get any more damage from abusive influences.If we recognize that inner critic as a child, we don't get rough with the part of us that's rough with us. We can be gentle, kind, and nurturing, then manage it with this reframe to gain a new inner awareness. "Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter WohllebenThe Hidden Life of Trees, written by a forester and scientist, explores how trees communicate with each other and their dynamic nature. It's a very sweetly written book. If you're looking to restore and balance your nervous system, I highly recommend the audiobook version. The narrator's voice is particularly soothing.It's a really sweet way to understand how connected trees are, something we often think of as individuals. They live and communicate in these communities, and that extended community is something we're also part of. A fantastic nervous system rebalancing read."Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.It's just such a beautiful book. She is a botanist and an indigenous lady, and this book offers a really beautiful explanation of core philosophical concepts of a gift economy and how we can relate to our natural environment in a cooperative way rather than a dominator mindset.It's transformational on many levels and is a really good introduction to a whole new worldview, for shifting away from a colonial or hierarchical view, where human beings are at the top of a ladder and everything exists for our use. Instead, it emphasizes an interconnected way of being in the world, focusing on relationships and nurturing connections with the natural world and with each other. It is very beautiful, and there's some really cool botany in there. If you're looking for some science, it's also an excellent science book."The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself", by Michael Singer,This is one of those books that was just handed to me over and over again. It is a great read that helps you release your grip on who you truly are, letting go of your status, name, and accomplishments - who are you then?. If you take all of that away, who are you in the middle of all of that? The truth is, who you are is this conscious soul that's connected to all things.I find this book very impactful; it's very short, but very dense. It's one of those books where you read a paragraph, and then you have to sit and reflect. It's a slow read for me, even though it's a short book, but it contains beautiful concepts that can tap you into who you truly are at your core."The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life" by Lisa MillerThis is another fascinating read. She is a brain researcher, and it's a great blend of science and spirituality. Initially, she studied people with depression and found in the data that those with any form of spiritual connection—whether religious or a connection to something greater, like nature, meditation, mindfulness, or faith—seemed to be protected from depression.This spiritual connection changes your brain, and researchers can actually see this in the brains of people who actively cultivate their spiritual connections; it lowers their instances of depression. It's so fascinating to me, given my background in science and the work I do. I'm always intrigued by the overlaps of spirituality and science. "The Order of Time" written by Carlo RovelliIt's about quantum physics and the nature of time from a scientific perspective. Time is really weird, and it has a connection to gravity and speed. To sum up the whole book, time is truly strange.It's a short read, but very dense; you really need to think about it. However, it is exceptionally well-written. Ravelli explains many deep science concepts in a poetic way. If you appreciate audiobooks, Benedict Cumberbatch narrates the audiobook version, so you might want to check that out.The Order of Time is a great introduction to quantum physics and relates to how I believe Reiki works. Much of the way Reiki is described from a spiritual standpoint overlaps with how quantum physicists explain the nature of reality. Combining those two ideas suggests that Reiki operates as a quantum phenomenon we connect to with our consciousness.I enjoy exploring quantum physics as it offers insight into a potential understanding of the mechanics of Reiki, alongside a spiritual connection to vast energies. I've had many strange experiences that connect me to something greater."Be Here Now" by Ram Dass,This book delves into the power of being present, emphasizing that the spiritual moment exists in the now. All time is essentially the present, and by allowing yourself to be completely present, you can enter a timeless spiritual space. This concept forms the core of Ram Dass's teachings, and the book is both beautifully written and illustrated. It's best to get a hard copy, as it has a nice, trippy quality to it, plus beautiful illustrations."Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.A book that changed my life, I couldn't put it down when I first encountered it. I would say that was my first introduction to spirituality. This is not necessarily a spiritual book; it's about fairy tales and the Wild Woman archetype. "Women Who Run with the Wolves" was the first book where I connected to the concept of a spiritually strong woman, connected to nature and her primal instincts as being a powerful model for how I wanted to be in the world. This book was just transformative for me."The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr Mikao Usui" by Dr. Mikao Usui, translated by Frank Arjava Petter.Another amazing book that people ask me about when seeking recommendations for a Reiki book. I feel it's best to go to the source! It's an excellent source for your Reiki studies. For a long time, people believed that Reiki was only passed down orally, from teacher to student. However, there actually was a handbook written by Master Usui, which has been translated from Japanese to English with illustrations. It offers a fascinating look into the origins of this amazing healing modality for anyone interested in Reiki and its history."The Secret Art of Happiness. Change your Life with the Reiki Ideals", written by me, Geneva Robins.This book is based on the Reiki ideals, which are these five simple lessons for doing fewer things that cause you distress and more things that help bring ease. When you do those things, you invite happiness into your world.The Secret Art of Happiness is based on what I observed with my students when I was teaching Reiki. The people who got the most out of their Reiki classes were the ones who started really following the Reiki ideals.The Reiki Ideals, also known as the Reiki Principles, are: Just for today, I will let go of anger; I will let go of worry; I'll be grateful for my many blessings; I will do my work, which is my spiritual work, honestly; and I will be kind to myself and every living thing.This book gives you a tangible guide with journaling and meditation prompts and affirmation ladders to help you shift to a new state of empowered energy."Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose" by Martha Beck I think it is fantastic. It is such a good read if you or anyone you know suffers from anxiety, even in a little tiny way.It has really good practical tools and techniques, along with an understanding of the brain science behind it. All of that is very well written and explains exactly proven techniques to decrease your anxiety. If you can tap into your creativity and your curiosity, it basically switches you into a different mode in your brain where you are not anxious."Whole Brain Living: Anatomy of Choice, and the 4 Characters that Drive Our Life" by Jill Bolte Taylor.Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who had a left hemisphere stroke, hemorrhage, that took over the whole left side of her brain, basically knocking her left brain offline. She could only use her right hemisphere, and because she was a neuroanatomist, she was aware and observing what was happening in her brain.She was fascinated as her whole left side of her brain shut down and even more fascinated as she recovered from her stroke and regained that left brain, learning to let the left and right brains play together. She describes that there are four parts of our brain, and they each have a different worldview on what makes up the inside of you and your connection with all things. So that's a really good one."Braving the Wilderness." by Brené Brown.Brene Brown, if you're not familiar, is a social worker and researcher focused on shame and vulnerability, and how vulnerability is essential to creativity and innovation, and bringing our best work into the world. What I love about "Braving the Wilderness" is that it's all about truly belonging. To truly have a sense of belonging, we have to belong to ourselves first and risk being alone in the wilderness.If we pretend to be someone we're not, we can't connect because people will connect to the mask we're wearing, not to who we truly are. So we have to brave that vulnerable space of sharing ourselves with people or being authentically curious about who we genuinely are, and share that with people who have earned the right to our story.In this book, she talks about the acronym for trust: BRAVING. It is magical. If you struggle with either over-trusting or under-trusting people, the BRAVING acronym is essentially the recipe for trust.  "Braving the Wilderness" is a fantastic read on all levels."You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise HayIt is so very good—it's very insightful about the mind-body connection and using affirmations to change your inner tape and dialogue. We use this book as a textbook in our Reiki Courses to help understand the mind-body connection."Seth Speaks" by Jane Roberts.It's an older book where Jane Roberts channelled a being called Seth. It's just wild and trippy, delving into the nature of consciousness, who we are, and how the soul and reincarnation work. A very profound and thought-provoking read."Nosso Lar" (which means “Our Home” in Portuguese) written by Francisco Candido XavierFrancisco Candido Xavier is a Brazilian author who channelled over 400 books, some of which are being translated into English. The "Nosso Lar" series talks about life on the other side, reincarnation, and various other concepts. I find it to be a very deep dive into what the other side is like.  What is your Favourite Spiritual Book?And there are so many more! Please drop a line; I'd love to hear how this all sits with you. If there's a book I mentioned that you absolutely love or don't, that's great. Let me know! If there are books that you think I need to read, please mention them. We may do another one of these reading list podcasts in the next little while. I'd love to hear from you!

For our 50th episode, we have an extra special guest who I was so honored to speak with: musical artist/harpist Mary Lattimore! Mary's ethereal instrumental music, particularly her 2020 album Silver Ladders, was a cornerstone of my self-care in pregnancy, and I've been a massive fan ever since. Mary joined me virtually from her home in Los Angeles to discuss her favorite ways to build and nurture community and sustain inspiration in her artistry, the scoop on her favorite artist residencies, dreaming as a form of processing the nightmare that is the current political climate in the US, lucid dreaming, and oh so much more!With permission from the artist and her management, this episode includes a snippet from Mary's forthcoming song, “A Lock of His Hair Under Glass”This episode touches on the following topics:The Aces in Tarot (specifically the Ace of Wands)Sustainable artistic practicesBuilding an artistic community The value of practicing various art forms in an unskilled wayWhere to find artist residency programs Artistic inspiration through nature and unfamiliar environmentsAnimism relating to musical instrumentsThe arts as political resistanceDreaming as a way to process our deep emotionsLucid dreaming School of Song and their amazing Brian Eno workshop (!!)The Artist's Way by Julia CameronYour Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross Follow Mary's work and various projects here and here! Psyche Magic Website, Socials and more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Psyche Magic Salon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psychemagic.substack.com/subscribe

098 From Surviving to Thriving with Textile Artist Kay Hustwaite   This week, Laura and Ros are joined by the inspiring Kay Hustwaite, a textile and mixed media artist from Ballarat, Victoria, whose work and life are rooted in the healing potential of creativity. Kay shares her powerful story of transformation, from navigating an acquired brain injury to building a joyful, purpose-led art practice and running community workshops that connect, heal and inspire. In this conversation, we talk about: How creativity became a lifeline during recovery (12:40) The role of community, soul sisters, and “believing mirrors” in rebuilding confidence (20:30) The shift from surviving to flourishing and why embracing limitations can still lead to expansion (26:15) Blending art-making with wellbeing advocacy to create meaningful change (30:20) Kay's upcoming workshops and the projects lighting her up right now (33:45) Kay's story is a reminder that it is never too late to reinvent yourself, step into your strength, and share your gifts with the world.   Connect with Kay: Website: https://kayhustwaiteart.square.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayhustwaiteart/ Join Kay's newsletter for workshop updates https://kayhustwaiteart.square.site/contact-us   Resources & Mentions: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/artists-way/s?k=the+artists+way Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Art-Arts-Transform/dp/0593449231 Laura's Vietnam Art Retreat (2026) — early bird ends this month! https://www.laurajaneday.com/retreat   Prefer to Watch or Listen? YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paintrestrepeatpodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XkuZ4KuoUgy3Shu7IpmjN Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/paint-rest-repeat/id1597004305   Sponsored by: Laura Day: https://www.laurajaneday.com https://www.instagram.com/laurajaneday/ Ros Gervay: https://www.permissiontopaint.co https://www.instagram.com/rosgervayart   Stay Connected: Ros's Newsletter — get weekly inspiration + practical biz advice here: https://www.permissiontopaint.co/stay-connected Laura's Newsletter — find your creative rhythm + joy here: https://laura-jane-day.myflodesk.com/studio-news   Let Us Shout You Out! Leave us a review and we'll shout you out in an upcoming episode: Here's how

Kreative Blockaden, Selbstzweifel, Leistungsdruck – wie gehen wir damit um? In dieser Folge spreche ich mit Thuli Wolf, Kunsttherapeutin und Ärztin, über den Umgang mit inneren Widerständen und darüber, wie wir wieder in unsere kreative Kraft zurückfinden können. Thuli erzählt, wie sie den Weg von der Medizin zur Kunst gefunden hat und warum kreative Arbeit ein Spiegel unserer inneren Welt ist. Wir sprechen über zyklisches Arbeiten, kollektive Erschöpfung, kreative Routinen – und darüber, warum "nicht kreativ zu sein" oft ein Glaubenssatz ist, der aus struktureller Bewertung stammt.—

This week we'll be explaining some common brain myths that keep popping up in movies and online! However, I will still be addressing you all as “left and right brainers” because a little *lighthearted* fun never hurt anyone (it absolutely has but in this context I think we're fine.) Please enjoy these Schauer Thoughts and let me know your in the comments or DMs.  Resources: Bend App Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross Brain Myths Are Age Old https://www.edubloxtutor.com/brain-myths/#:~:text=Brain%20myths%20or%20neuromyths%20are,fluid%20housed%20the%20human%20soul. Brain Development and Mastery of Language in the Early Childhood Years https://www.idra.org/resource-center/brain-development-and-mastery-of-language-in-the-early-childhood-years/ If there are any resources missing please let me know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if your second act could be even more meaningful than your first? Vasu Tolia is an extraordinary woman whose heart-led career path took her from medicine to art. She is a retired pediatrician who followed a quiet nudge that turned into a bold second act. After decades of caring for others through medicine, she channels that same compassion and creativity into her artwork. Her vibrant, socially conscious pieces are designed to inspire and heal—to bring beauty, reflection, and emotional comfort into the world. What I love most about our conversation is how honest and encouraging Vasu is about what it means to start over. We talked about fear, perfectionism, and the courage it takes to trust your inner voice. She reminded me (and hopefully you!) that creativity can be a powerful tool for healing—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Vasu shared how her work now lives in hospitals and educational spaces, offering peace in stressful places. We also explored how her medical background gave her transferable skills—empathy, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving—that show up in her art daily. If you're ready for a more creative path or simply curious about the connection of creativity + well-being, this episode is for you. Vasu's story is a beautiful reminder that the most fulfilling paths are the ones led by the heart.

Learn how poetry can help your brain handle stress, process feelings, and spark insight.Summary: This episode of The Science of Happiness is part of our series Using Art As Medicine. We explore poetry, one of the oldest artforms, powers our brains, calms our nervous systems, and reduces anxiety by opening doors into our psyche. Whether you're reading or writing it, elements like rhythm, metaphor and rhyme improve memory, cognition and even self-esteem. This episode is made possible through the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation.How To Do This Practice: Find Your Moment: Notice the time of day when you feel closest to yourself. It might be early morning before the world wakes up, or another quiet pocket of time when your thoughts are unfiltered and your heart is open. Set the Scene: Create an atmosphere that supports you. Play music that matches your mood or inspires imagination. Let it be soft and inviting, not distracting, just enough to signal to your body that this is a sacred moment. Choose Your Tools: Use what feels natural. Journal, laptop, scrap paper, napkin, the format doesn't matter. What matters is that you're ready to begin. Write Without Interruption: Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes. Let your pen or fingers move freely. Don't stop, don't edit, and don't worry about making sense, just see what comes. Welcome the Unsaid: Allow what's hidden, half-formed, or surprising to emerge.  Let It Be What It Is: When the timer ends, pause. Don't rush to interpret or fix your words. You've just made contact with something real, let that be enough. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.YRSA DALEY-WARD is an award-winning poet and author. Her debut novel, The Catch, comes out June 3rd. Learn more about Yrsa here: https://yrsadaleyward.squarespace.com/Pre-order her book here: https://tinyurl.com/yanw6bb5DR. SUSAN MAGSAMEN is a Professor of Neurology at John Hopkins, and author of the New York Times bestseller, Your Brain On Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Learn more about Dr. Magsamen  here: https://tinyurl.com/33v8m5mdRead Dr. Magsamen's book here: https://tinyurl.com/426k87f2Related The Science of Happiness episodes:  Using Art As Medicine Series: https://tinyurl.com/k3mneupxHow Art Heals Us: https://tinyurl.com/yc77fkzuHow Awe Helps You Navigate Life's Challenges: https://tinyurl.com/2466rnm4Related Happiness Breaks:How To Awaken Your Creative Energy: https://tinyurl.com/4fknd8evMaking Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yk6nfnfvA Self-Compassion Meditation For Burnout: https://tinyurl.com/485y3b4yTell us about your experience with poetry. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/y9r9dyzd

Susan Magsamen makes her life at the frontier: the frontier of neuroscience, of institutional change, of the intersection of art and science. Her's is a life full of wisdom for how to live amongst mystery and befriend complexity.Origins Podcast WebsiteFlourishing Commons NewsletterShow Notes:spontaneous "you are my sunshine" (02:00)T. S. Eliot (08:00)implementation science (08:40)therapeutic recreation (11:00)Trabian Shorters and asset framing (15:00)Daniel Kahneman (16:00)neuroplasticity (22:30)Howard Gardner and Kurt Fisher and Mind, Brain, and Education Program at Harvard (26:15)Karl Alexander (27:30)Curiosity Kits (28:30)NeuroArts (32:00)Gileadby Marilynne Robinson (36:00)more than scientific knowledge (38:00)"Social Support and the Perception of Geographical Slant" (45:00)Resmaa Menakem (46:30)NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative (46:40)"Cirque du Soleil and the neuroscience of awe" on Vox (47:40)Global Watering Hole (51:30)Renée Fleming Neuroarts Investigator Awards (52:30)Rachel Naomi Remen (56:30)Lightning Round (01:03:00)Book: Silent Spring by Rachel CarsonPassion: horseback ridingHeart sing: grandchildrenScrewed up: articulation in these timesFind Susan online:International Arts + Mind LabLogo artwork by Cristina GonzalezMusic by swelo on all streaming platforms or @swelomusic on social media

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.

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/susan-magsamen-and-ivy-ross In school, art is often positioned in curricula as an enrichment subject, not a core skill like math or language arts. But those of us who pursue the arts instinctually recognize that there is something in creative expression that is foundational to the human experience. Susan Magsamen, executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, has spent years studying the effect art has on our mind and body. Her research is surfacing profound health and longevity benefits created through poetry, music, painting, and other arts. Susan recently collaborated with Ivy Ross, Chief Design Officer for Consumer Devices at Google, to co-author a fascinating book called Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. We speak with Susan and Ivy about how they found their way into collaborating on the book, why we are “wired for art,” how practicing art can actually extend your lifespan significantly, and how they bring the ideas in their book into their work to reduce stress and help teams perform at their peak. Bios Ivy Ross Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Hardware Design at Google, where she led the creation of the award-winning design language for Google's hardware products. With a background spanning executive roles at Calvin Klein, Swatch, Coach, Mattel, and Gap, Ivy blends design, science, and psychology to drive innovation. Her work has earned over 240 design awards, and she has been recognized by Fast Company, Business Insider, and Surface magazine as a creative leader. A former jewelry designer with works in major museum collections, she is also a sought-after speaker and contributor to books on creativity, leadership, and design. Susan Magsamen Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute. With over four decades of work at the intersection of the arts and neuroscience, she has developed tools and programs to support health, learning, and social equity through aesthetic experiences. A published author and entrepreneur, Susan also founded Curiosityville and Curiosity Kits, and has advised numerous organizations across public health, education, and the arts. *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This ad-supported episode is available to everyone. If you'd like to hear it ad-free, upgrade to our premium subscription, where you'll get an additional 2 ad-free episodes per month (4 total). Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books, as well as our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid ***

What happens in your brain when you hear your favorite song? In our Music and Health podcast miniseries, we're exploring how music affects our minds, bodies, and communities. On this episode, host J. D. Talasek is joined by Sweta Adatia, a neurologist practicing in Dubai, and Fred Johnson, a community engagement specialist and artist in residence at both the National Academy of Sciences and the Straz Center for Performing Arts. They discuss their paths into combining music and science, how music impacts the brain, and how music can go beyond entertainment to create stronger, healthier communities. This series is produced in collaboration with Susan Magsamen and Leonardo journal.Resources:Listen to Fred Johnson's version of “Nature Boy,” and check out his website and his Instagram to listen to more of his music and mantras, and to see Johnson in an upcoming show. Visit Sweta Adatia's website to learn more about her work. Listen to previous miniseries episodes: The Creative Arts and Healing with Renée Fleming and Susan Magsamen.Dancing Together with David Leventhal and Constantina Theofanopoulou.

How can doodling and daydreaming - when your child might otherwise be paying attention - be a good thing? How does art support our child's health? What skills do our kids acquire in art class that help them later in life? This week, join me in conversation with Susan Magsamen, author of Your Brain On Art. She serves as executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, part of the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She also co-directs the Aspen Institute's NeuroArts BluePrint. This episode originally aired June 2023.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Sakara: Head to Sakara.com and check out The Essentials Bundle. And donʼt forget to tell them how you heard about them at checkout (podcast - Raising Good Humans)Great Wolf Lodge: Learn more at GreatWolf.comBetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/HUMANS today to get 10% off your first month.Saks.com: SHOP SAKS.COMVionic: Use code HUMANS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use onlyOutschool: Get up to $20 off your child's first class or tutoring session on Outschool for a limited time when you use my link: https://outschool.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS at checkoutPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textHow are you this week? Have you been seeing more places, spaces, where two opposing forces or states of being intersect? Have you witnessed the magic in those juicy spaces? If you're nodding yes, has the supernatural winked at you? Given you more overt breadcrumbs? This morning as I ran, I watched the clouds move across the sky, one in particular was shaped like a pyramid. It then morphed into a shark. Is cloud scrying a thing? Certain shapes, designs, patterns, images evoke a deep knowing in me, remind me of my connection to everything else. A spiral, for example. It calls to mind a whirlpool, a vortex of energy, a portal. Spirals, pyramids, waves, checkerboard patterns, art on a cave wall, the handprint of another human created thousands of years ago that we can picture placing a hand over, a mental link to ancient ones that stretches the bounds of time and space. Art is a magical bridge, both from us to other civilizations, or cultures, or individuals. It's also an internal bridge between sides of our brain, logic and creativity, math and mental health. Our self-expression is potent medicine.Let's get into it. What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXTWhat Art Does to Your Brain, Berkeley.eduYour Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Amazon.comArt and the Brain, The Healing Power of ArtHow to Integrate Art into Your Daily Life, The Roanoke Star dot comWhat Your Favorite Color Says about You, According to an Expert, The Pioneer Woman Have you tried the GoodPods app yet? It's free and a fun way to share podcasts with friends and family! Curious Cat Podcast is there, and is sitting pretty in the Top 5 of Angels and other categories! Be one of the first to share and recommend podcasts to your friends. Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Chris Appleton is the founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, a pioneering initiative using social prescribing to integrate the arts into healthcare and improve mental well-being. A leader in arts and social impact, his work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and NPR. With a background in nonprofit leadership Chris is redefining healing one creative prescription at a time. This episode: What if a doctor's prescription didn't lead you to a pharmacy, but to a painting class, a dance performance, or a music workshop? For centuries, artists have played a vital role in well-being, and cultures around the world have embraced the arts as a source of health, community, and renewal. Now, social prescribing is reshaping healthcare by integrating the arts, not just as enrichment but as a science-backed tool for improving both mental and physical health. Decades of research show that engaging in the arts can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and improve cognitive function. As the founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, Chris Appleton is proving that creative engagement is more than a feel-good activity. It is a legitimate, measurable intervention that enhances health outcomes. By working with healthcare providers and insurers, he is building a system where doctors can prescribe the arts just like they would medication or therapy. Grant and Chris also explore how programs like Prebys Foundation's Healing Through Arts and Nature initiative are improving community health through greater access to arts, culture, and nature. Grant shares how his own experience stepping onto the dance floor at a recent grantee event led to an unexpected moment of joy, connection, and uplifted spirits that reinforced the power of the arts in fostering well-being.

In episode one of our Makers series, Kelly and her daughter Claire speak with neuroscientist Susan Magsamen and Google's Chief Design Officer Ivy Ross about how art and creativity affect our brains and bodies. Their book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us reveals that making isn't just a hobby but a fundamental human need that improves wellbeing, helps process trauma, and enhances learning. Susan and Ivy explain how singing to babies releases oxytocin, how arts education closes achievement gaps, and why creative expression matters for everyone from CEOs to doctors to children. Check out Kelly and Claire's new children's book Marianne the Maker - you can pre-order HERE. To celebrate the release of Marianne the Maker, Penguin Young Readers is matching each pre-order with a donation of the book to Save the Children's early education programs in the U.S. — up to 2,000 books. Pre-order your copy today and help inspire a love of reading in the lives of children who may not otherwise have access to books. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Creative expression is essential for everyone—to think differently, connect deeply and thrive through uncertainty. In the Season 4 premiere of Learning Through Experience, Heidi Brooks welcomes Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen, co-authors of Your Brain on Art, for a thought-provoking conversation about how engaging with art can help shape the way we learn, collaborate and navigate life's complexities. Ivy and Susan share their personal journeys into the worlds of art and neuroscience, revealing how aesthetic experiences, whether through music, visual art or movement, can rewire the brain, strengthen emotional wellbeing and foster connection. They explore the science behind neuroplasticity and the role of sensory engagement in daily life. This episode is an invitation to reimagine learning and leadership, inspiring listeners to embrace art—not just as a form of expression but as a tool for building resilience, expanding perspective and finding wonder in the everyday.  Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. For deeper insights and reflections about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. What resonates with you about this conversation? We'd love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu.  Watch this episode on YouTube. Show Notes & Key Moments 00:00 | Welcome to Season 4: How Art Helps Us Face UncertaintyHeidi Brooks introduces the season's theme of “facing uncertainty” and why experiences with art are essential in uncertain times. Ivy and Susan reflect on the growing impact of Your Brain on Art and the movement it has sparked. 01:54 | The Unexpected Paths to Creative ExpressionSusan shares how her twin sister's health journey inspired faith in art's healing powerand sparked her lifelong interest in art and neuroscience. Ivy recalls how growing up in a maker's home led her to a career at the intersection of creativity, business and human potential. 08:41 | Why Experiencing Art Matters—-Even If You're Not an ArtistSimply listening to music, viewing a painting or standing in awe of architecture can spark emotional and neurological shifts that help us feel more connected, grounded and resilient. Heidi shares her experience bringing art into leadership education at Yale. 12:22 | Unlocking Your Brain Through Sensory Experiences Susan explains how sensory experiences activate neural pathways that support memory, learning and improved mental health. The arts, she argues, are essential for cognitive and emotional well-being. 19:09 | Relearning How to Feel, Not Just ThinkIvy challenges the common belief that learning happens only through thinking, emphasizing that we are feeling beings first. They discuss why the arts should be central—not optional—in education. 30:02 | Can Art Make Us Better Collaborators? Yes.Ivy shares how incorporating art and creative exercises helped her build high-performing teams at Mattel and Google. The secret? Trust, play and shared sensory experiences. 35:56 | The Science of Group Flow: Why Shared Experiences MatterSusan and Ivy explore how teams can synchronize at a deep level. Ivy describes her experiment using sound frequencies to enhance brainstorming sessions. 43:30 | From Coping to Thriving: The Keys to FlourishingSusan breaks down what it takes to truly thrive—curiosity, awe, enriched environments and play—and how interfaces with art helps us build a capacity to thrive.. 46:52 | A Final Invitation to Notice MoreIvy offers a simple but profound takeaway: “Pay attention to what gets your attention.” Noticing what moves you is the first step toward living a more enriched and connected life.  Additional Resources  Your Brain on Art website: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/ What is neuroarts? https://www.yourbrainonart.com/what-is-neuroarts Aesthetic Mindset Index https://www.yourbrainonart.com/aesthetic-mindset-index Blend of science and art improving neurological health: https://www.pbs.org/video/your-brain-on-art-1685477928/ How the Arts Can Benefit Your Mental Health: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/well/mind/art-mental-health.html How music and dance affect your brain and body: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/03/02/music-dance-painting-brain-mental-health/ ‘Your Brain on Art' explore how even bad art makes for good health: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/books/your-brain-on-art-health-benefits-17775845

“People always say, ‘Well, if I could only do one art form, what would it be?' And I always say dance.” —Susan Magsamen In our podcast miniseries Music and Health, we're exploring how music impacts our minds, bodies, and communities. In this installment, we're learning about the power of dance. Host J. D. Talasek is joined by David Leventhal and ConstantinaTheofanopoulou. Both began their careers as dancers and use dance to inform their current work. Leventhal is a program director and one of the founding teachers of Dance for PD, a program that offers people with Parkinson's disease research-backed dance classes. Theofanopoulou is a research assistant professor at Rockefeller University. Her research focuses on understanding the neuroscience of complex sensory motor behaviors. They discuss how dance is helping patients regain movement abilities, and what neuroscience research says about dance as a form of healing. This series is produced in collaboration with Susan Magsamen and Leonardo journal.Resources:  Listen to the first episode of the mini-series, Music and Health: The Creative Arts and Healing, featuring Renée Fleming and Susan Magsamen.  Visit the Dance for PD website to learn more about the program, and find classes in your area or virtually.  Learn more about Constantina Theofanopoulou's research by visiting her website. 

The world needs more of Maggie Stephens' joyful perspective on art and creativity — and it's why I am SO excited to have her on the show. Maggie is an Austin artist who, in her own words, "Makes things out of things," giving found objects a new life in her installations.  Listen to hear more about her work, how she fills it with stories, how she finds inspiration in the most unlikely places, and why having more FUN might be the secret to it all. If you need to spark some joy back into your art, this episode is for you! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss a thing! And don't forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_ Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art? Email me at amy@jodieking.com! Resources mentioned: Learn more about the Color Course for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/ccfr Stay in touch with Maggie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magpieinyoureye/  Check out some of Maggie's work here: https://www.madebymagpie.com/  ByGeorge Clothing Store: https://bygeorgeaustin.com/   Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose by Martha Beck: https://amzn.to/3EO9dII  Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen: https://amzn.to/42VTG3O  Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6  How are you liking the Honest Art Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!     Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC64Vn6NF5BfiwLNTSb_VnDA  For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast    

https://Art2Life.com - Arts and aesthetic experiences positively influence our body, brain, and behavior, improving our overall health and well-being. Find out more about the fascinating journey that led Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen to write their groundbreaking book, unveiling scientific proof of what many artists intuitively understand—the transformative power of art in our lives. We'll discuss memorable stories of personal transformation through art, the neurological mechanisms behind our sensory experiences, and the importance of cultivating an "aesthetic mindset" for a more fulfilling life.  Listen in to find out how art can enrich our lives and make us more vibrant, dynamic human beings. If you've ever wanted to understand the profound impact of creativity on our minds and bodies, this episode is one you won't want to miss. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… (00:00) How Ivy and Susan connected over their shared love for play and curiosity  (08:10) Artists intuitively grasp concepts, with science now catching up  (14:27) Creating art allows deep exploration of personal tastes without judgment  (16:31) Connecting with passions fuels creativity and sparks an inspirational energy  (23:26) Feel before thinking; creative expression can reveal true emotions  (30:29) The experiment on neuroaesthetics at Milan Salone  (37:07) How firefighters use painting to alleviate PTSD  (43:00) How their book weaves together science and storytelling  (44:51) Art improves mental health in young moms  (55:52) Artists in Santa Fe create experiential art that moves beyond traditional forms  ================================ RESOURCES MENTIONED Your Brain on Art: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/ Luminary Scholars at Johns Hopkins: https://www.artsandmindlab.org/people/ Finding "A Space for Being" at Salone del Mobile in Milan: https://blog.google/technology/design/a-space-for-being-salone-del-mobile-milan/ The relationship between arts and cultural services and health outcomes by Daisy Fancourt: https://cloa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Prof-Daisy-Fancourt-The-relationship-between-arts-and-cultural-services.pdf Margaret Chisolm, MD: https://margaretchisolmmd.com/ Dominic Di Mare: https://browngrotta.com/artists/dominic-di-mare About Joan Mitchell: https://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/joan-mitchell Your Brain on Art: https://www.amazon.com/dp/059344924X Ashes2Art: https://www.firerescue1.com/trauma/articles/ashes2art-the-healing-power-of-creativity-for-firefighters-RGvsB1bDarCKxMLy/ Meow Wolf: https://meowwolf.com/ Ep 151 of the Art2Life Podcast: https://www.art2life.com/2024/11/06/wisdom-art-and-longing-judy-tuwaletstiwa-ep-151/ ================================= CONNECT WITH IVY ROSS AND SUSAN MAGSAMEN Susan Magasmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-magsamen-6345918/  Ivy Ross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossivy/  Your Brain on Art on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-brain-on-art/  ============================= CONNECT WITH NICHOLAS WILTON AND ART2LIFE: Get the Free COLOR TIPS PDF: https://workshop.art2life.com/color-tips-pdf-podcasts/  Follow the Sunday Art2Life Vlog: https://art2life.lpages.co/sign-up-for-the-a2l-vlog/  Follow Nicholas Wilton's Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholaswilton/  Follow Art2Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art2life_world/?hl=en  Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Art2Life  #Art2Life #FineArt #AbstractArt #ModernArt #Contemporary

https://Art2Life.com - Have you ever seen a painting on a satellite or art on a quantum computer?  Forest Stearns, principal artist and founder of Draw Everywhere Studio and the resident artist at Google Quantum AI, shares how he puts art into space, transforming satellites into canvases for beautiful, thought-provoking illustrations.  His unique fusion of art and science doesn't stop there. Forest's curiosity and drive led him to join Google and decorate quantum computers with inspiring art, making them more relatable to the average person. We dig into the synergy between art and science and how art can connect different fields and people as a universal language. This episode celebrates the unexpected, the beautiful, and the creative spirit that drives creative innovation. Listen to learn how we can integrate creativity into our everyday lives.  ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… The crossover between art and science (00:00) How art and science bring valuable ideas to life (06:03) Forest's experience with aerospace science and painting on satellites (14:26) How Forest brings art to quantum computers (18:21) Art in non-artistic spaces inspires creativity and self-reflection (25:55) Ornamenting technology with art encourages people to engage with science (33:46) Nature's chaotic beauty inspires awe and investigation (43:36) ================================ RESOURCES MENTIONED Ivy Ross: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/about-us/bio/ivy-ross Susan Magsamen: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/about-us/bio/susan-magsamen Your Brain on Art: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book Your Brain on Art – Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen: https://www.art2life.com/2023/03/22/your-brain-on-art-ivy-ross-and-susan-magsamen-ep-74/ Forest Stearns: Space Art Dream Remix TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/forest_stearns_space_art_dream_remix_jan_2018 ================================= Connect with Forest Stearns Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draweverywhere_studios/?hl=en DRAWEVERYWHERE: https://www.draweverywhere.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/foreststearns/ ============================= CONNECT WITH NICHOLAS WILTON AND ART2LIFE: Get the Free COLOR TIPS PDF: https://workshop.art2life.com/color-tips-pdf-podcasts/  Follow the Sunday Art2Life Vlog: https://art2life.lpages.co/sign-up-for-the-a2l-vlog/  Follow Nicholas Wilton's Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholaswilton/  Follow Art2Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art2life_world/?hl=en  Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Art2Life  #Art2Life #FineArt #AbstractArt #ModernArt #Contemporary

From lullabies to movie soundtracks to workout playlists, music has the capacity to change how we feel. But what is the evidence that music's effects can transform physical health? On our new podcast miniseries, Music and Health, we'll explore the power of music to heal our minds, bodies, and even communities.  On the first episode of this series, host J. D. Talasek is joined by Renée Fleming and Susan Magsamen. Fleming is an opera soprano, actress, and long time advocate for the healing powers of the arts. She recently edited a book called Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness. Magsamen founded the International Arts + Mind Lab, and created the NeuroArts Blueprint. They discuss health and arts research, current initiatives to use the arts to heal, and how this vital approach to care can be expanded.  This series is produced in collaboration with Susan Magsamen and Leonardo journal. Resources Read Renée Fleming's book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, to learn more about how music and the creative arts are being used for health. The book was also recently reviewed in Issues by Susan Fitzpatrick, who called Fleming's introduction “beautifully written, providing a lyrical and comprehensive summary of the main ideas in the book.”  Learn more about Susan Magsamen's work by visiting the International Arts + Mind Lab website, and check out Magsamen and Ivy Ross's book, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.  Visit the NeuroArts Blueprint website to find information on how the creative arts impact the brain. You can also find more information about and apply for the Renée Fleming Neuroarts Investigator Award.  Visit the Sound Health Initiative website to learn more about the partnership between the National Institutes of Health and the Kennedy Center to research the potential of music to treat a wide range of conditions.  Listen to the Real Young Prodigys' song “Where My Bus At” and learn more about how the song helped inspire change in Louisville. Thank you to the Real Young Prodigys for allowing use of their song in this episode! 

Magsamen and Ross emphasize the transformative power of art, in all its forms. It impacts neural circuitry, physiology, and behavior, enhancing physical and mental well-being, reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and fostering social connections. They highlight the importance of integrating the arts in healthcare, education, and community building. Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthethics (known as the IAM Lab) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she's a faculty member in the Department of Neurology. Ivy Ross is Chief Design Officer of Consumer Devices at Google and has led teams that have won hundreds of design awards. She's a National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient and was ninth on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2019. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross are Co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. (Random House 2023)Interview Date: 10/14/2024 Tags: Susan Magsamen, Ivy Ross, doodling, E.O. Wilson, salience, neuro arts, neuroaesthetics, improv, endocrine system, James Pennebaker, Stuart Brown, play, neurosynapses, John Krakauer, Art & Creativity, Health & Healing, Personal Transformation

Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthethics (known as the IAM Lab) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she's a faculty member in the Department of Neurology. Ivy Ross is Chief Design Officer of Consumer Devices at Google and has led teams that have won hundreds of design awards. She's a National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient and was ninth on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2019. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross are Co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. (Random House 2023)Interview Date: 10/14/2024 Tags: Susan Magsamen, Ivy Ross, aesthetic mindset, curiosity, playful exploration, sensorial experience, colored pencils, color is a vibration, chromasonics, Art & Creativity Health & Healing, Personal Transformation

Flourishing is not a fixed state; it is an unfolding. In this time of rupture we need encounters with flourishing, to know it in our lived experiences individually and collectively. In this transformative event on December 12, 2024, Ryan McGranaghan, host of the Origins Podcast and founder of the Flourishing Salons, engaged in a moving conversation with four profound provocateurs and a wider community of artists, designers, engineers, scientists, educators, and contemplatives. The event was co-hosted by Flourishing Salons and the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS) DC Art and Science Evening Rendezvous (DASER).Origins Podcast WebsiteFlourishing Commons NewsletterShow Notes:Video of the event (link) and event page (link)Opening remarks - JD Talasek, Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (03:30)DC Art Science Evening Rendezvous (03:30)Ryan McGranaghan framing (05:50)Flourishing Salons (06:00)Rainer Maria Rilke "Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower" (07:30)Elizabeth Alexander (09:00)James Suzman (09:40)Danielle Allen (09:40)John Paul Lederach and critical yeast (12:00)Audrey Tang (12:50)David Whyte (13:10)"Knowledge Commons and the Future of Democracy" (14:00)Simone Weil (18:00)American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (19:00)'Flourishing Summits' (19:45)Susan Magsamen provocation (20:15)Julie Demuth provocation (34:00)Jennifer Wiseman provocation (45:00)Dan Jay provocation (56:15)Salon discussion (01:11:00)Find the guests online:Susan MagsamenJulie DemuthJennifer WisemanDan JayLogo artwork by Cristina GonzalezMusic by swelo on all streaming platforms or @swelomusic on social media

In Alaska, reindeer are much more real than the fantasy animals that pull Santa's sleigh. Introduced to Alaska from Siberia by the US government in the 1890s, reindeer were part of a strategy to solve food shortages among the Native peoples after the gold rush. Today, reindeer provide food security and economic opportunities for the Alaskan Native community. Even more so than farming, reindeer herding requires a deep understanding of the needs of Indigenous communities and academic science—as well as how to navigate and influence local, state, and federal policies. On this episode, host Lisa Margonelli is joined by Jacqueline Hrabok and Bonnie Scheele of the University of Alaska Fairbanks's High Latitude Range Management program to learn more about the interplay of science, policy, and community in reindeer herding.  This is our final episode of 2024. We'll be back in late January for an interview with opera singer and actress Renee Fleming and neurology professor Susan Magsamen on the intersection of music, art, and health. And we would love to explore more local science policy issues in our upcoming episodes! Write to us at podcast@issues.org about any policy developments happening near you.  Resources: Learn more about the University of Alaska Fairbanks' High Latitude Range Management program.  Visit Bonnie Scheele's reindeer farm at the Midnite Sun Reindeer Ranch website and Facebook page. 

We often fill up our free time by listening to a favorite song, watching a movie or going to a museum. But have you ever considered that art can also work as a medicine? Susan Magsamen is the founder of the Arts + Mind Lab at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the co-author of “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.” In this episode, she discusses her groundbreaking research on the health benefits of art. If you want to learn more about the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative, visit neuroartsblueprint.org--If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter. To learn more about our mission and our partners, visit systemcatalysts.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel This podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://Art2Life.com - Judy Tuwaletstiwa, a multidisciplinary visual artist, writer, and teacher, had no idea she was an artist for many many years. After being told she was ‘no artist' by her 7th-grade teacher, she didn't create art until later.  Judy shares her insights on aging as a liberating gift, allowing her to focus on what truly matters. We explore her vision of art as a mysterious, transformative force and she tells me more about an ongoing project, which aims to help people understand how to integrate art into every life stage.  I know you'll love the inspiring stories based on Judy's teaching experiences, including a viral TikTok that demonstrates the power of art in self-exploration. She shares influences that shaped her artistic path, including lessons from a tumultuous childhood, transformative travels, and meaningful collaborations.  Join us to reflect on creativity, intuition, and the enriching exchange of insights between generations, offering valuable takeaways for artists and educators alike in this episode of the Art2Life Podcast. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… [6:38] Her grandmother's positivity and magic helped overcome generational wounds [12:35] How Van Gogh brought Judy back to cresting art  [17:01] Providing art-based workshops to help young boys experience healing  [23:23] What brought Judy back to sharing her art 15 years later  [28:21] A soul-searching camping trip in the Southwest at age 41  [34:24] How Judy created her “Songs of the Earth from Space” series  [37:38] Art has no mistakes; it's a doorway that leads you somewhere  [42:32] Intergenerational exchange enriches learning  [46:14] Growing old is a gift because it brings freedom and clarity on what truly matters  ================================ RESOURCES MENTIONED Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://a.co/d/76PPPWP Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross: https://a.co/d/gYqRrK7  Frog Dreaming: https://frogdreamingbooks.com/index.html ================================= CONNECT WITH JUDY TUWALETSTIWA Judy's artwork: https://www.judytuwaletstiwa.com/  Gma Judy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@judytuwaletstiwa  Judy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuwaletstiwa/ ============================= CONNECT WITH NICHOLAS WILTON AND ART2LIFE: Get the Free COLOR TIPS PDF: https://workshop.art2life.com/color-tips-pdf-podcasts/  Follow the Sunday Art2Life Vlog: https://art2life.lpages.co/sign-up-for-the-a2l-vlog/  Follow Nicholas Wilton's Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholaswilton/  Follow Art2Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art2life_world/?hl=en  Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Art2Life  #Art2Life #FineArt #AbstractArt #ModernArt #Contemporary

Believe the hype—art can transform your life.In this episode of Flow Radio, hosts Steven Kotler, Dr. Michael Mannino, and Ryan Wickes explore the powerful connections between creativity, longevity, and the future of human-AI collaboration. Tune in for a fresh look at how an “aesthetic mindset” influences aging, cognitive health, and the amount of flow in your life. Plus, get the low down on how partnering with AI can boost your creative potential far beyond a run-of-the-mill brainstorm. This is a must-listen for anyone wanting practical tips to lead a happier, healthier, and more creative life.  Join the discussion by leaving your questions for future Afterthoughts episodes in the comments. In This Episode: 01:36 Art vs. Altruism 04:06 Creativity and Longevity 06:19 The Role of AI in Future Jobs  11:10 Wisdom and Creativity as We Age 17:32 Brain Damage and Creativity 28:27 Hacking Creativity with Daydreaming35:12 Microflow and Daily Art Practice 42:08 Can AI Be Truly Creative? About The Guest: Steven Kotler is a New York Times-bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the co-founder and executive director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world's leading experts on human performance. He is the author of eleven bestsellers (out of fourteen books), including The Art of Impossible, The Future is Faster Than You Think, Stealing Fire, The Rise of Superman, Bold and Abundance. His work has been nominated for three Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over sixty languages, and has appeared in over 110 publications, including academic journals such as Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews and Psychophysiology, and mainstream publications like The New York Times Magazine, Wired, Atlantic Monthly, Wall Street Journal, TIME, and the Harvard Business Review. Dr. Michael Mannino is the Director of Programs at the University of Miami's Institute for Data Science and Computing, focusing on AI projects across various domains. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience and a Master's in philosophy, with expertise in embodied cognition, critical thinking, and the philosophy of mind. As a professor of philosophy and ethics for over a decade, Michael integrates his academic background with a passion for peak performance, flow science, and the mind-body connection. He is also an athlete, musician, and avid learner, and serves on the Singularity University Miami Chapter. Episode Resources: Book: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross Book: The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain by Gene Cohen Book: The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older by Elkhonon Goldberg Article: Eric Kandel's Research on Aesthetic Experience Podcast: John Kounios on Mood and Creativity  Flow Radio Is Presented By Flow Research Collective Flow Research Collective is a leading neuroscience research and training company. If you're interested in learning the science-backed techniques we used to train top executives at Facebook, Audi and even the Navy SEALs, click the link here: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/zero-to-dangerous/overview⁠⁠ ‍ Follow Flow Research Collective: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@flowresearchcollective⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/flowresearchcollective⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowresearchcollective⁠ X: ⁠https://twitter.com/thefrc_official⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/flowresearchcollective⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6RQY0d5rdlEiinHEtfWy6A⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.flowresearchcollective.com⁠ ‍ Flow Research Collective was founded by Steven Kotler, one of the world's leading experts on human peak performance. He is an award-winning journalist and author with over ten bestselling books.

Mental health and matters of spiritual and mental wellness are often topics we address on Rector's Cupboard and so we were very grateful to speak to Elise Girardin, Executive Director of The Woods Arts & Wellness, a North Vancouver based therapy practice addressing the well being of mind-body-spirit through engagement with nature and the arts. Elise practices what she calls embodied therapy, helping people find healing and flourishing through connection and creativity. This kind of therapy is beneficial for those who have experienced trauma, those who feel disconnected, those who do not feel like they are flourishing. We highly recommend checking out The Woods and their programs. They offer a variety of therapies, some available virtually, and have sliding-scale pricing for accessibility. If you'd like some extra credit, Elise recommends the following books on embodied therapy practices and research: The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk Your Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross

In this episode of Flow Radio, Steven Kotler and Dr. Michael Mannino sit down with Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. These groundbreaking experts explain how making and experiencing art changes the way we think, feel, and perform. From our ancient past to cutting-edge science, find out why art isn't just beautiful—it's fuel for your brain. Learn how just 20 minutes of creative practice can boost your mental edge, unlock more flow, and supercharge problem-solving. Plus, discover how AI is revolutionizing art creation and opening new frontiers in human-machine creativity. Tune in to unlock practical insights for tapping into your creative genius. In This Episode: 00:03  The Intersection of Art, Brain, and Performance 02:11  How Susan and Ivy Became Pioneers in Their Fields 05:04  Bridging Art and Science 09:10  Why We're Wired for Art 14:22  Art as Medicine 22:52  Flow States and Creativity 30:57  Current Research 37:46  Daily Practices for Enhancing Creativity 43:24  AI and Art 48:22  Why Neuroesthetics Matters for Everyone About The Guest: 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.   Most recently, Ivy co-authored with Susan Magsamen Your Brain on Art: How the Arts  Transform Us.  Susan Magsamen is the executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is the co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute and co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Susan studies how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the brain, body, and behavior and how this knowledge can be translated to inform health, wellbeing and learning in medicine, public health and education. Episode Resources: Book website: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us Lab: The International Arts + Mind Lab Social: YourBrainonArtBook Flow Radio Is Presented By Flow Research Collective Flow Research Collective is a leading neuroscience research and training company. If you're interested in learning the science-backed techniques we used to train top executives at Facebook, Audi and even the Navy SEALs, click the link here: ⁠https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/zero-to-dangerous/overview⁠ Follow Flow Research Collective: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@flowresearchcollective⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/flowresearchcollective⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowresearchcollective⁠ X: ⁠https://twitter.com/thefrc_official⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/flowresearchcollective⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6RQY0d5rdlEiinHEtfWy6A⁠ Website: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/ Flow Research Collective was founded by Steven Kotler, one of the world's leading experts on human peak performance. He is an award-winning journalist and author with over ten bestselling books.

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.

Sari is joined by Megan E. Collins for the second installment of their Summer Book Club series as they discuss Your Brain On Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.This 2023 book is a fascinating peek into the science of neuroaesthetics and how art impacts our lives in myriad ways. I hope you enjoy our conversation and stay tuned for the third and final Summer Book Club next month as we discuss Bianca Bosker's new book, Get The Picture, a first-hand account of an outsider's journey into the art world and beyondThis episode is sponsored by my book, Modern Still Life: From Fruit Bowls to Disco Balls, which you can order now :)This episode is also sponsored by Not Sorry Art and my online art school, Not Sorry Art SchoolEmail Sari at notsorryart@sari.studioFollow Sari: @not_sorry_artSHOW NOTES:Follow Megan:TikTok @VirgoLikeBeyonceInstagram: @TheManicuredShelf

Jack Harwood made history in 2023 when he became the first male Spirit of Fiesta in 99 years of Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Santa Barbara's largest event of the year. He recently returned from Spain where he studied Flamenco and other traditional dance styles. Jack spoke with KCSB's Jennifer Zwigl about his experience at Fiesta and the way dance influences his life. This interview aired on KCSB in conjunction a reading of the UCSB Reads 2024 selection "Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross. Photo credit: Timo Nuñez

  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      

There is an increasing body of scientific evidence demonstrating a phenomenon humans across cultures have long known intuitively: we are biologically wired for art. Engaging in the arts transforms our neural circuitry in deep ways that we are only beginning to uncover, and studies are showing how the arts can help us live longer, stave off cognitive decline, reduce our stress hormones, nurture the development of young minds, reduce the impacts of PTSD, and more. Joining us in this episode are two individuals at the forefront of the movement to translate this groundbreaking research to medicine, public health, education, the workplace, and other real world applications. Susan Magsamen is the director of the International Arts and Mind Lab at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where her research focuses on how our brains respond to artistic experiences. Ivy Ross is an acclaimed jewelry designer and Vice President of hardware design at Google. Together, they coauthored the 2023 New York Times best seller Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Over the course of our conversation, Susan and Ivy discuss the emerging field of neuroaesthetics, how the arts can make us healthier, smarter and happier, and how we can incorporate more art into our everyday lives.In this episode, we discuss: 2:40 - How Susan and Ivy's paths led them to neuroarts7:46 - What does it mean to be in a “flow state”? 15:12 - An introduction to neuroaesthetics and neuroarts 18:33 - Surprising impacts the arts have on health 25:58 - The health benefits of creating art in community 29:51 - What “aesthetics” means in the context of Susan and Ivy's studies 33:53 - The science behind how the arts support healing 39:45 - Practical tips for someone who wants to begin engaging with art 46:32 - Dispelling the myth of “high art vs low art”Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross are the co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us (2023).Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross can be found on Instagram at @yourbrainonartbook.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor's Art Podcast 2024

To save 15% off an Apollo device, click THIS LINK and use code PERLMUTTER at checkout.

Margo is joined by listener favorite guest Beth Buffington. Beth is a licensed illustrator, and an online digital illustration instructor, creative coach, and podcaster. Like most creatives, she has been drawing since she was old enough to hold her favorite red crayon. After graduating with a degree in art and graphic design, Beth began her creative career working for “in-house” corporate art departments. 
After years of corporate communications, she decided to focus on her personal creative passions, by starting her own business. Her work has grown into several facets including home decor products, course creation and her latest creative outlet, adventure exploring and podcasting.   Margo and Beth discuss: Beth's creative path from in-house designer to entrepreneur The importance of making time for self-improvement and finding joy in learning something new Benefits of using technology, like Procreate, to create art anywhere Challenges of rejection and finding a supportive community in pursuing creative work How she discovered her passion for teaching Balancing creative pursuits with other responsibilities The power in consistent creativity and its effect on health Her upcoming course, free workshops and podcast And more!   Mentioned in this episode: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen   Connect with Beth: https://www.bdi-create.today/windowsill https://bdi-celebrate.today/ Create Today Podcast https://www.instagram.com/b.b.buffington_celebratetoday/ https://www.facebook.com/BDIcreatetoday https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbbuffington/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNR_jaR-CnBXIHC5RVTnQg https://www.skillshare.com/profile/Beth-Buffington/4859209   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

In this captivating episode, Susan Magsamen explores the profound impact of art on our well-being. With compelling research and engaging stories, Magsamen reveals how art activities, from painting to music, can reduce stress, enhance cognitive skills, and even extend our lifespan. Join the conversation to discover the transformative power of the arts in improving our physical, mental, and emotional health. Subscribe for ad-free interviews and bonus episodes https://plus.acast.com/s/the-unmistakable-creative-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note: I'm taking next week off for the new year and to work on my next book—this month's More Things bonus episodes has thus been moved to this upcoming Thursday, and you'll see the next LKT episode on January 2!This week we talk about Venezuelan, Guyana, and the British.We also discuss oil deposits, gold, and the Geneva Agreement.Recommended Book: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy RossTranscriptIn 1581, Dutch colonists arrived in South America, setting up a colony along the northern coast—but that embryonic settlement, called Pomeroon, was wiped out about a decade and a half later by the British; and survivors from Pomeroon then founded a new settlement on the back of an existing but abondoned Portuguese fort, located on an island in the middle of a river, that was an offshoot of the major regional waterway, the Essequibo River—they took over this fort, and then eventually retook Pomeroon from the British, with the help of their allies, the French.The specifics of all this conquering and reconquering aren't terribly important, though: what's important to know is that this settlement was located in a strategic area, globally, because it allowed Europeans to grow incredibly valuable crops, like sugarcane, in an region that was accessible to ocean-traversing vessels, and in a location that was an established crossroads for local trade, which made acquiring local resources a lot easier, and getting workers for these plantations at lot simpler, as well.All of which has meant this region—like many other scattered throughout the world, but especially those with natural ports and located somewhere near the equator—was a somewhat tumultuous, violent place for a long while, in large part because all these Europeans kept popping in to kill and take and build and destroy existing buildings and to fight with each other, while also leaving a lot of dead locals and destroyed local infrastructure and ecosystems in their wake.Following that initial period of back and forth, though, things calmed down a bit, and the Dutch fleshed out their holdings, vastly expanding the scope of their plantations, even to the point—and this was fairly controversial at the time—that they allowed English planters to join them from 1740, onward, which increased the scope of the plantations thereabouts still-further.In February of 1781, some British privateers showed up, captured the main settlements, and then left, and in March of that same year two Royal Navy sloops arrived and did the same, conquering the area for the British Crown until the French showed up, beat the local British forces, and occupied the colony; though a peace deal back in Europe resulted in this colony being handed back to the Dutch in 1783.In 1796 it was reoccupied by the British, the Dutch retook it, holding it from 1802 until 1803, then the British took it again during the Napoleonic Wars, and it became an official British territory in mid-1814.That was the end of that second period of conflicts, as the big, violent rush to claim as much area as possible during the Age of Discovery was beginning to wane, there was a sort of peace, in some aspects of the word, at least, emerging between European powers, and many of these entities were finding they made more money by trading than by fighting with each other all the time.That said, a more fundamental conflict remained in this area, as the Spanish held a neighboring territory, the border between that territory and this one held by the British typically delineated by the Essequibo river.So the Spanish were busy with a series of colonial independence movements when the British rolled up this collection of plantations and habitations on the east side of the Essequibo river, and thus the Spanish didn't really have anything to say on the matter, despite at times having claimed portions of the territory the British were now claiming as their own.And maybe partially because of that distraction on the part of Spain, Britain's new, official maps that were drawn in 1835 showed British Guiana, the name of its new, official territory thereabouts, beginning at the Orinoco River, not the Essequibo, while neighboring Venezuela's maps showed the latter river as the border.When the government of the relatively newfound state of Venezuela, which is what that neighboring Spanish territory became, realized that their neighbor was claiming territory they thought of as their own on their maps, they complained, threatened, and negotiations began, but no compromise was reached and in 1850 the two governments agreed to not occupy the disputed area along their shared border.Less than a decade later, though, gold was discovered in that disputed area, and British settlers almost immediately moved in and started setting up formal mining infrastructure, alongside a company through which they could profit from it.The Venezuelan government continued to complain and attempted to solve the disagreement through arbitration, but the British weren't keen to do so. This led to Venezuela breaking diplomatic relations with the British in 1887, and it asked the US for help, and when the US suggested that the UK enter arbitration, they were told no, even when then-President, Grover Cleveland, said that the US might have to intervene if the British didn't do something, based on the Monroe Doctrine, which basically says European powers shouldn't meddle in the Western Hemisphere, or else.The British eventually said okay to arbitration in 1897, and a decision handed down in 1899 gave 94% of the disputed area to British Guiana—and the Venezuelan government was perhaps predictably fairly upset about this outcome, but both sides formally accepted this new boundary in 1905.What I'd like to talk about today is a new rift resulting from a fresh batch of resources discovered in this long-contested area, and how that rift could spark still-further conflict.—In 1958, British Guiana was divided into official administrative regions, and that led to the dissolution of an historical region called Essequibo, after the river that bisected it.In 1962, as the European powers were undergoing a phase of decolonization in the wake of WWII, Venezuela re-stated its position that the claim it made to the territory back in the 19th century was legit and should never have been questioned or legalized away, and part of its argument was that the British had a deal with the Russians back when that arbitration effort was completed, the folks on the arbitration board—who were supposed to be objective—allegedly were swayed by that alliance to rule in favor of the Brits.The British said this is nonsense, as did the government of British Guiana, but this remained in dispute—and still is to this day in dispute, in some corners of policy and diplomacy—until British Guiana gained independence from the British, as a dominion, in 1966, becoming the nation of Guyana, with those arbitration-established borders still in place, and they remained in place when it became a republic in 1970, as well.Shortly after that independence was attained, though, Venezuela started taking action of diplomatic, economic, and military varieties to retake the territory it considered to be its own, and to have been unfairly stolen from it, arguing—and this is just one of the many arguments it has made toward this intended end—that the Geneva Agreement that it, then-British Guiana, and the British signed in 1966 nullified the original arbitration agreement the parties signed earlier that established the still-in-place, British Guiana-favoring border.That new agreement also said that the signatory nations would solve all disputes through dialogue, though, which is part of why recent saber-rattling by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been so shocking to many, as even though this has been an, again, tumultuous and violent area for a long time, in recent memory it's been tumultuous, but mostly peaceful, despite those long-simmering resentments from Venezuela about this perceived violation of trust and wholesale theft of a region it considers its own.On December 3, 2023, Venezuela held a referendum that asked voters if they reject the 1899 arbitration agreement, if they support the 1966 agreement, if they agree with the government's stance that the International Court of Justice has no say in this matter, if they agree that the Venezuelan government should be able to oppose Guyana's claims about the region, and if they think the government should turn the disputed region into a new Venezuelan state called Guayana Esequiba, granting all locals Venezuelan citizenship as a consequence.Low turnout was reported at polling stations for this referendum, but the official results indicated that more than 95% of voters responded "yes" to each of those five questions, and despite that low turnout and claims that the government may have falsified these results, they've been using those "yes" numbers as part of their justification for seemingly moving forward with an annexation of the region—though as of the day I'm recording this at least, and this could change before this episode goes live, that annexation is only on paper, not a practical, real-life reality.Now, part of why that vote and the results and the government's response to the results are so shocking is that this region has been governed by Guyana in its many governmental guises for generations; this isn't an area that's gone back and forth between the two countries in recent memory—it's been well and truly Guyanan for a long time, and the people living in the region, all 125,000-or-so of them, out of Guyana's total 800,000-ish population, would tell you the same if you asked them. It also makes up something like 2/3 of Guyana's total landmass.In 2015, though, oil was discovered just off the coast of this disputed territory, and that led to calls by then, as today, Venezuelan President Maduro, to take this territory back; Venezuela has a lot of oil already, but these new reserves were looking to be sizable, and this new discovery had the potential to further enrich already rapidly enriching, from the sale of oil in other reserves, Guyana—so through some lenses, it made sense to to try grab the land attached to these reserves if possible, both to get that money, and to prevent a neighbor with whom they've long had all sorts of conflicts from getting that money, as well.That call eventually died down a bit; it remained, but wasn't at the forefront of conversation the way it was in 2015, when Venezuela was in the midst of a Presidential crisis that Maduro was likely keen to conceal a bit, moving the spotlight to something else, and ideally something nationalistic in nature.So while getting that money was probably a big part of that renewed push, there's a good chance that political expediency and trying to get both the public and the media to look at something else, something potentially titilating in the sense that the possibility of military action tends to be titilating, and something that might rile up the nationalistic base in support of their president, rather than encouraging them to continue questioning that president's legitimacy, which was otherwise a major topic of conversation.In October of 2023, a consortium of fossil fuel interests, led by Exxon Mobile, announced the discovery of a significant new reserve of oil and gas, marking the fourth such discovery in 2023, alone.That announcement ran parallel to increasingly bad news for Venezuelan president Maduro, who is incredibly unpopular with Venezuelans, for all sorts of alleged corruption and driving the economy into the ground, and who is up for election in January of 2024, that election almost certain to be rigged, though the US has offered him incentives to not rig the election, allowing it to be free and open and fair, in exchange for lessening some of the oil export sanctions the country has been operating under for a long while.So the state of play is that Maduro would almost certainly like to rig this upcoming election the way he has previous elections, keeping his hold on power as a consequence, and he kind of has to rig it if he wants to win, based on his popularity numbers, but he could potentially better those numbers by allowing something closer to a free election, getting sanctions lifted, the economy improving a bit, and he could possibly goose his numbers further by raising the Essequibo issue once more, riling up the nationalistic base and thus, possibly benefitting from those lifted sections while also winning the election with the minimum of corruption required on the back of pro-Venezuela fervor.That's one theory of what he's up to, at least, as there's a chance he's ramping up to just move into the contested region, start setting up shop, guarding roads and claiming the area for Venezuela based on those historical claims.But that option is considered to be quite risky by many analysts, as military action of that kind, annexing a neighbor's internationally recognized territory, in the western hemisphere, could be a step too far, bringing neighboring militaries, including Brazil's, which already has troops on the border because of this dispute, into the conflict, alongside forces or other types of support from the US.What might be better, instead, for his seeming purposes, at least, is to just keep on rattling that saber, raise the possibility of annexing the area, maybe make some deals with the Guyanan government, threatening the whole time, and consequently grabbing some small piece of the territory, or maybe just economic, monetary rights to some of the assets—deals instead of land—and that would still be more than he started with, alongside those aforementioned election-related benefits that could help him stay in power, without having to do much in the way of election fraud.This is all speculation at this point, though, as the public face of this burgeoning crisis is the threat of a much larger, wealthier, more powerful nation and military telling their smaller, weaker neighbor that a significant portion of their land is not theirs, and will therefore be incorporated into that larger neighbor.That's not unheard of—it's similar to the claim made by the Russian government about Ukraine, recently, pre-invasion—but it's also not super common in the modern world, as the taking of territory in this way has been disincentivized by international structures and alliances that generally make the consequences of doing so a lot weightier than the benefits of acquiring that bit of land.We're entering a new, post-Ukraine-invasion age, though, in which a lot of those prior norms and expectations are being challenged or upended, neighbors invading neighbors, maybe gesturing at a new norm, but some of these governments maybe just hoping to get in while the getting is good, righting perceived wrongs and grabbing what they can before the international order gets wise and implements some new system of carrots and sticks, assuming—not without reason—that it will make more sense for everyone, in the aftermath, to just leave things where they are at that point, rather than trying to put the pieces of the former setup back together in some way.The governments of Venezuela and Guyana had a meeting in the nearby island of St. Vincent recently, in which they agreed to an 11-point declaration, which included a mutual promise not to use force against each other, no matter what, and to avoid escalating the conflict in any way—but their disagreement over who should have jurisdiction here, with Guyana pointing at the International Court of Justice, and Venezuela saying that Court should have no say in the matter, could complicate these discussions before they really start, making any progress a slogging, pit-trap laden effort.Show Noteshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67635646https://time.com/6343549/guyana-essequibo-region-venezuela-dispute/?utm_placement=newsletterhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67645018https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-opposition-referendum-machado-guaido-0f615a5aa835a4cae7d83403321c6c6dhttps://www.semafor.com/article/12/07/2023/guyana-venezuela-tensions-drive-us-military-exerciseshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Venezuela#2006_changeshttps://apnews.com/article/guyana-venezuela-essequibo-oil-united-nations-maduro-fd9e3a3275de8d88dc0a0982f8e7cda4https://archive.ph/VMWiRhttps://www.france24.com/en/americas/20231214-venezuela-guyana-presidents-meet-to-de-escalate-tensions-over-disputed-oil-rich-regionhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/15/venezuela-and-guyana-agree-not-to-use-force-in-essequibo-disputehttps://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-tells-world-court-referendum-go-ahead-despite-guyana-resistance-2023-11-15/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/14/guyana-venezuela-essequibo-maduro-kenneth-mohammedhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Guianahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essequibo_(colony)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Kyk-Over-Alhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyana%E2%80%93Venezuela_territorial_disputehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyana This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

If you think of the arts as entertainment or luxury, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross might ask you to reconsider. The authors of the New York Times bestseller “Your Brain on Art” argue that engaging with music, craft projects, and museums can transform our lives in unexpected ways. Susan, Ivy, and Adam delve into the fascinating science of neuroaesthetics, and explore how art can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

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.

We have a new podcast! It's called Universe Of Art, and it features conversations with artists who use science to bring their creations to the next level. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.    A See-Through Squid Success Story Adult octopuses have about 500 million neurons, which is about as many neurons as a dog. Typically, more neurons means a more intelligent and complex creature. But it's a bit more complicated than that. Unlike dogs, or even humans, octopuses' neurons aren't concentrated in their brains—they're spread out through their bodies and into their arms and suckers, more like a “distributed” mind. (Scientists still haven't quite figured out exactly why this is.) And that's just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of unanswered cephalopod questions. Now, researchers have successfully bred a line of albino squid that were first engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, creating a see-through squid. Their unique transparency allows scientists to more easily study their neural structure, and a whole lot more. SciFri experiences manager Diana Plasker talks with Joshua Rosenthal, senior scientist at the University of Chicago's Marine Biological Laboratory, based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, about this see-through squid success story. When Eye-Grabbing Results Just Don't Pan Out You know the feeling — you see a headline in the paper or get an alert on your phone about a big scientific breakthrough that has the potential to really change things. But then, not much happens, or that news turns out to be much less significant than the headlines made it seem. Journalists are partially to blame for this phenomenon. But another guilty culprit is also the scientific journals, and the researchers who try to make their own work seem more significant than the data really supports in order to get published. Armin Alaedini, an assistant professor of medical sciences at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, recently co-authored a commentary on this topic published in The American Journal of Medicine. He joins Ira and Ivan Oransky — co-founder of Retraction Watch and a medical journalism professor and Distinguished Writer In Residence at New York University — to talk about the tangled world of scientific publishing and the factors that drive inflated claims in publications.     How Art Can Help Treat Dementia And Trauma We might intrinsically know that engaging with and making art is good for us in some way. But now, scientists have much more evidence to support this, thanks in part to a relatively new field called neuroaesthetics, which studies the effects that artistic experiences have on the brain. A new book called Your Brain On Art: How The Arts Transform Us, dives into that research, and it turns out the benefits of the arts go far beyond elevating everyday life; they're now being used as part of healthcare treatments to address conditions like dementia and trauma. Universe of Art host D. Peterschmidt sits down with the authors of the book, Susan Magsamen, executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at the Pederson Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University, and Ivy Ross, vice president of design for hardware products at Google, to talk about what we can learn from neuroaesthetic studies, the benefits of a daily arts practice, and the kinds of art they both like making.   Testing Mars Rovers In Utah's Red Desert Take a 20-minute drive down Cow Dung Road, outside of Hanksville, Utah, and you'll stumble across the Mars Desert Research Station. This cluster of white buildings—webbed together by a series of covered walkways—looks a little alien, as does the red, desolate landscape that surrounds it. “The ground has this crust that you puncture through, and it makes you feel like your footprints are going to be there for a thousand years,” said Sam Craven, a senior leading the Brigham Young University team here for the University Rover Challenge. “Very bleak and dry, but very beautiful also.” This remote chunk of Utah is a Mars analogue, one of roughly a dozen locations on Earth researchers use to test equipment, train astronauts and search for clues to inform the search for life on other planets. While deployed at the station, visiting scientists live in total isolation and don mock space suits before they venture outside. To read the rest, visit sciencefriday.com.   To stay updated on all-things-science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.  

Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross (Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us) are researchers and authors. Susan and Ivy join the Armchair Expert to discuss how important it is to participate in the arts, why room designs can affect moods, and how technology can be used to improve quality of life. Susan and Ivy explain how humans are feeling beings that have learned to think, that writing down a secret can reduce your stress levels, and what being in a completely silent room would be like. Susan, Ivy, and Dax discuss the importance of play, humans perpetual state of aesthetic fatigue, and why people feel most comfortable in curved spaces. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.