Guitars & Granola Bars

In this episode, I'm chatting with Lauren Servos.

Lauren talks about her experiences working in many different capacities at the same hospital, shares her beautiful natural birth story, and how she overcame the emotional challenges of working with medically compromised children after returning from maternity leave.

Lauren has been a board-certified music therapist since 2009, and currently works at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where she has been working in various capacities since she completed her internship. Lauren opened her private practice, Joyful Melodies, in the spring of 2015. She is the wife of her high school sweetheart, Nathan, and the mother of their 15 month old daughter, Mary Mae.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with JoAnn Jordan.

JoAnn talks about discovering her passion for working with two seemingly opposite populations, raising her daughter and building a private practice in a rural area, and how she’s adjusting to life as an empty nester.

JoAnn and her family live in Hays, Kansas. She is the owner of Music Sparks - a music therapy private practice serving older adults and preschoolers. Leading intergenerational sessions is her favorite each week.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Alana Seaton.

Alana talks about having her life interrupted by not 1 but 4 hurricanes, the birth and postpartum experiences she had with her two girls, and the parallels between being a mom and a music therapist.

Alana is a Master's level music therapist in Knoxville, TN. She currently has a part-time private practice, and a part-time position with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's Music & Wellness Program. She has experience with diverse psychiatric populations, special needs populations, and is currently conducting research with the KSO on the effects of live music on waiting room behaviors. Alana is mommy to a musical 7 year old, mobile 10 month old, 2 geriatric kitties, and wife to a funky bass-playing husband.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm doing something a little different: instead of interviewing a guest, I'm sharing my own experiences with motherhood and working as a music therapist.

I talk about cutting my undergraduate experience short to pursue music therapy, working 12-hour days at the beginning of my career, and making huge changes to my private practice while caring for a newborn and toddler.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Jennifer Hezoucky.

Jennifer talks about her long gap between finishing school and getting her first music therapy job, raising two teenagers while building a private practice, and how implementing the "miracle morning" has changed her life.

Jennifer is a Board Certified Music Therapist and lives in Jacobsburg, Ohio which is southeast part of the state. Jennifer has been a music therapist for almost 8 years and owns her own private practice. Last summer she recently quit her full time music therapy position to work her business full time. Jennifer has two teenagers and lives on a 48 acre farm with her husband in which both of them love to garden and raise Scottish Highland Cattle.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Michelle Erfurt.

Michelle talks about her zen pregnancy experience, making the decision not to return to clinical work after maternity leave, and why she prioritizes self-care.

Michelle is a music therapist and virtual assistant who has a passion for helping people. Her professional life began by providing music therapy services in hospitals and hospice agencies while being active online with a music therapy centered podcast and blog. After the birth of her son 2 years ago, Michelle has left the clinical side of things to focus on her online pursuits. She is the co-owner of MusicTherapyEbooks.com, an online bookstore that promotes ebooks written by music therapists. Michelle also offers virtual assistant services to busy private practice owners so that they can devote their professional time to working with others. When she isn't working, you can find Michelle at home with her son watching Curious George.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Karen Sanchez.

Karen talks about pursuing multiple degrees and how they have benefited her private practice, lets us in on her strategies for managing her family of five’s busy schedule, and shares how she keeps up her musicianship (in all her spare time, ha!).

Karen is a mom of 3 very active boys ages 13, 8, & 6 and also the Director/Founder of In Harmony Music Therapy Services in Stockton, CA, which has been serving the community since 2002. She currently has 4 other music therapists on staff providing services across 6 different counties in Northern California. Karen is in her second year of a PsyD in Clinical Psychology program, has a double MBA in Entrepreneurship/Health Care Management, has been married for almost 15 years, is a very busy soccer mom, and volunteers endless hours at her church and children's school. Needless to say, she relies heavily on technology to stay afloat and juggle all of it- while loving every minute!

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Noel Anderson.

Noel talks about working in private practice, the challenges of being pregnant with twins, and the importance of giving yourself grace when it comes to both motherhood and career.

Noel is owner of Anderson Music Therapy Services (www.amusictherapy.com) in Roanoke, Virginia. Her clinical work has included working with children through adults with various developmental and neurological disabilities; including cerebral palsy, chromosomal abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, brain injury, and autism. Noel holds a Masters degree from Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the past she has enjoyed serving as the regional treasurer as well as the secretary for MAR-AMTA. She has also served on the Financial Advisory Committee for the national organization of the American Music Therapy Association. She hopes to return to serving the region once her boys give her a moment to sit down (without being a "jungle gym").

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Andrew Knight.

Andrew talks about making the shift from clinical work to academia, the active role he plays in his children's extracurricular activities, and how his self-care practices are actually benefiting the field of music therapy.

Andrew is assistant professor of music therapy at Colorado State University, having taught at University of North Dakota before that. His clinical work included an internship in behavioral health in Milwaukee and professional work with adults with dementia and Parkinson's disease, children with developmental disabilities, and young children with language impairments.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.

In this episode, I'm chatting with William Murray.

Bill talks about the challenges of being a male in a female-dominated field, how starting a family ignited his passion for working in pediatrics, and the rock band he started which is doing some extraordinary things.

Bill has been a practicing Music Therapist for 12 years, specializing in pediatrics working with children and youthwith special needs. Throughout his career, Bill has developed, implemented and evaluated Music Therapy programs for not-for-profit organizations across Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. He holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Guelph and an Honors Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree (Minor in Psychology) from the University of Windsor. As Director and Lead Clinician for Accent Music Therapy, Bill is committed to providing industry-leading care.

For show notes from this episode, visit www.guitarsandgranolabars.com.