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. 

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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