In this episode, musician, composer, and technologist Elle Spencer-Lewis explores how music nurtures us, offers healing, and serves as a playful gateway to self-discovery. Drawing from her work in immersive interactive installations and neurofeedback experiments, Elle discusses how our innate musicality connects us at a deep, evolutionary level. We dive into cutting-edge projects-from video game inspired interactive cubes to brainwave sonification that challenge our perceptions of creativity, wellness, and digital design, all while addressing pressing questions around biometric data privacy.

Themes in this episode:

• Healing Power of Music & Creative Agency: How music provides emotional support, fosters self-acceptance, and encourages us to play and let go of judgment.
• Innate Musicality & Identity: Embracing the idea that we are innately musical beings—a connection that spans from lullabies and war chants to everyday expressions of creativity.
• Interactive Experiences & Gamification: The transformation of music into an immersive, interactive experience, where participation turns into a playful exploration of sound and self.
• Music, Neuroscience, and Wellness: The pioneering use of EEG and neurofeedback to sonify brainwaves, allowing individuals to see and shape their inner states for mindfulness and therapeutic benefits.
• Digital Transformation & Design for Now: Navigating the new frontier of digital interactivity, where technology both enhances our connection to music and raises important questions about data privacy and security.

Shownotes:

• Elle Spencer-Lewis – Emmy-nominated composer, music producer, and technologist whose work reimagines interactive musical experiences: 
• Circuitry of Life by Red Bull at Night – An immersive, four-story interactive cube that explores the evolution from analog to digital and its impact on human connection
• The Quantified Self Movement – Explore how people are using technology to track and understand their personal data, including brainwaves and other biometric signals
• Neurofeedback Explained – An accessible overview of neurofeedback, its benefits, and how it works to enhance focus and relaxation
• Biometric Data Privacy – Learn about the challenges and best practices for protecting your biometric data in an increasingly digital world