The Sound Mind

In this episode, we explore the role of music in the FIFA World Cup and why football is heard just as much as it is seen. We unpack the psychology of football anthems, stadium chants, and official World Cup songs, and how they shape identity, emotion, and collective experience. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 03:25 The Soundtrack of the Tournament 08:29 Music as Identity 12:56 Why Singing Together Feels So P...

Joined by Justin Holiday, a 15-year NBA veteran, we unpack how rhythm — from church piano and marching band percussion to guitar and worship music — has shaped his focus, resilience, and identity on and off the court. We also explore how and why, in the intensity of professional sport and constant travel, intentional sound choices and even silence can become powerful tools for stress management, c...

Joined by Josh Simons, CEO of Vinyl Group and founder of music industry networking platform Vampr, this episode explores the psychology of music fandom, parasocial relationships, and creativity in the digital age. We unpack why, in a streaming-first world, people are still drawn to deeper, more tangible connections with music, artists, and the communities around them. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 02:27 Jo...

This episode explores the rise of MTV and how visual storytelling reshaped the music industry, artist identity, and global pop culture. We explore the psychology behind this shift, exploring how music videos shape memory, emotional interpretation, and our attachment to songs and artists. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 06:04 Before MTV: The Origin of Music Videos 12:59 The Launch of MTV: Video Killed the Rad...

Joined by Jennie Silber from Koodos Labs, we unpack how platforms like Shelf are turning taste into something social and even predictive, from matching people through music to building a broader picture of identity across culture and lifestyle. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 01:58 Jennie’s Journey: From Law to Data 06:32 What Is Taste? 17:20 Can Taste Be Measured? Inside the Data 29:05 Building Shelf: Turni...

To honour both World Music Therapy Week and World Autism Month, this episode explores the power of music therapy in autism. From understanding how autistic individuals experience the world to the psychology and neuroscience behind why music can unlock connection, we explore how music can become a language of its own and what it reveals about expression, connection, and what it truly means to commu...

What happens in your brain when creativity unfolds in real time? In this episode, we explore the psychology of jazz, from its rich history and roots in expression and identity, to the neuroscience behind improvisation, flow state, and emotional connection. Discover how jazz musicians create in the moment, why it feels so powerful to listen to, and what it can teach us about creativity, focus, and...

How do we understand the history of music when so many women have been left out of the story? In this Women’s History Month special, we explore how women have always shaped music — from medieval composers to modern-day global superstars — despite being overlooked, excluded, and undervalued across the industry. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 02:05 The Earliest Women in Music 08:21 The Age of Erasure 16:08 Ea...

How do we stay emotionally steady when the world feels unpredictable? In this episode, we explore how music becomes a tool for regulation, release, reconnection, and even reclamation during times of collective stress. You’ll also learn how to design your own emotional soundscape with intentional playlists that help you regulate, release, reconnect, and reclaim a sense of agency in uncertain times....

How can music move us so deeply when we don’t even understand the words? In this episode, we explore how Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language Super Bowl performance sparked global streaming surges, inspired thousands to start learning Spanish, and reignited conversations about identity, cultural pride, and representation on one of the world’s biggest stages. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 04:58 The Neuroscience of...

In this 1st anniversary episode of The Sound Mind, we return to the question that started it all: why do we love music? One year on from the very first episode, we revisit the original themes through a new lens: not theory first, but real voices. Drawing on audio responses and conversations, this episode explores how music helps us regulate our emotions, navigate our darkest moments, connect with...

In our first guest episode of The Sound Mind, we sit down with John Butler to explore a life immersed in every corner of the music industry, from college radio and record labels to Spotify and the era of streaming. We discuss what it truly means to listen: to music, to audiences, and to the cultural shifts shaping the way we connect with sound. Plus, John shares his bold predictions for 2026, from...

For our first episode of 2026, we explore New Year’s resolutions and why the pressure we put on ourselves, combined with natural fluctuations in emotional state, can make even the best-intentioned goals feel heavy. We introduce a goal-setting model that works with your emotions instead of against them, showing how music can be a practical tool to support the emotional state you need to take action...

For our last episode of 2025, we break down the psychology behind Christmas music. We explore why festive songs feel comforting, familiar, and instantly transporting — even if they are decades older than we are. We dive into the musical features that make songs sound “Christmassy", and unpack why some people love Christmas music whilst others hate it. Finally, we bring it all together with a...

In this episode, we break down the psychology behind the internet’s favourite holiday: Spotify Wrapped. From nostalgia and identity to social comparison and belonging, we explore the emotional forces that make Wrapped so irresistible. We dive into 2025’s biggest new features, and reveal how Wrapped transforms your listening habits into a personal story worth sharing. Wrapped isn’t just data, it’s...

In this episode, we explore how music shapes the way we shop, from the emotional pull of advertising soundtracks to the subtle cues woven into in-store playlists. Through the psychology of memory, mood, and behaviour, we uncover how brands use music to guide our decisions without us even realising it. We also dive into Christmas as the world’s biggest musical marketing moment, where festive soundt...

In this episode, we explore why scary music scares us and why we secretly love it. Through the psychology of sound, evolution, and emotion, we uncover how horror composers tap into our deepest instincts to create fear through the manipulation of frequency, silence, and dissonance. We trace how the sound of fear has evolved and what it reveals about our relationship with emotion, control, and thril...

In this episode, we explore the lost art of listening and what albums can teach us about attention in an age of constant distraction. Through the psychology of flow, deep listening, and emotional regulation, we uncover why albums still matter — not just as collections of songs, but as journeys that mirror our inner lives. We also look at how focused listening affects the brain, memory, and stress,...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of music fandoms, from the thrill of discovering a new track by your favourite artist to the friendships and communities that form around shared musical passions. From dopamine-fuelled obsession and parasocial bonds to the collective euphoria of concerts and online fan spaces, we unpack the psychology of fandoms. We also ask bigger questions abou...

In this episode, we explore the strange world of waiting music, from the smooth strings in elevators to the tinny loops of call centre hold lines. We dive into the psychology of waiting sounds, from attentional distraction and time distortion to the careful design choices that shape your mood. We also ask bigger questions about ethics, manipulation, and the future of waiting music in an AI-driven...

In this episode, we explore why some songs feel impossible to listen to, instantly pulling us back into buried emotions and memories. From the way music intertwines with memory and emotion in the brain, to how tracks become bound up with trauma, grief, or heartbreak, we dive into the psychology of trigger songs. Through powerful listener stories of avoidance, reclamation and healing, we also unpac...

In this episode, we explore why music genres still matter — and why, in many ways, they don’t. From the history of genre classification and their role in shaping communities and emotional expectations, to how streaming, playlists, and globalised sounds are blurring boundaries, we dive into the psychology and cultural significance of musical categories. Ultimately, we reveal how genres remain a pow...

In this episode, we uncover why lyrics matter so deeply in music and what makes certain lines unforgettable. From self-expression and storytelling to emotional regulation, we dive into the psychology of why some words resonate whilst others pass us by, and how personal relevance shapes what sticks in memory. We also explore the science of misheard lyrics, the power of vocal delivery, and the neuro...

In this episode, we explore how our playlists shift with our emotions and life stages, and why the same song can comfort us one day and energise us the next. Using the Brief Music in Mood Regulation scale, we explore seven science-backed strategies for utilising music to regulate mood. Whether you’re chasing a dopamine high, seeking comfort, or just needing a moment to breathe, this episode will h...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of live music and explore why concerts are so much more than just sound. We explore how live shows create powerful emotions, meaningful connections, and leave us with unforgettable memories. From the brain chemistry behind goosebumps to the social magic of singing in unison, we unpack the science that makes live music experiences so powerful. This episo...