Jung at Harp | Episode 191: Stretto – When Music Imitates Life

In this reflective solo episode of Jung at Harp, harpist-composer Deborah Henson-Conant (DHC) explores the musical and psychological idea of stretto the overlapping of themes that creates tension, energy, and, ultimately, transformation.

Without her usual co-host Kathleen Wiley, DHC takes listeners on a journey through music, creativity, and problem-solving from the challenges of arranging "Carol of the Bells" for harp to life-changing moments of artistic surrender. Along the way, she connects the dots between musical structure and personal growth, revealing how technical obstacles can become gateways to creative breakthroughs.

Through music, storytelling, and metaphor, Deborah invites you to:

🎵 See structure as liberation how boundaries and challenges can spark innovation. 💡 Embrace imperfection discovering freedom through "good enough" progress. 🪶 Transform frustration into flow turning impasses into opportunities for creative growth. 🌉 Find meaning in musical metaphors from descending bass lines to emotional build-ups. 💞 Hold opposites with compassion allowing transformation to emerge from tension.

What begins as a study of a holiday tune unfolds into a rich reflection on artistry, surrender, and community reminding us that the places we feel stuck often hold the seeds of our most meaningful transformations.

✨ Why listen? If you've ever faced a creative or personal roadblock, this episode will remind you that challenges aren't dead ends they're invitations. Stretto reveals how constraint and discomfort can lead to innovation, resilience, and heart-centered growth — in music, work, and life itself.