Hear Us Out

What separates a musician with perfect timing from one who can make an entire band groove? And do extraordinary musicians actually hear music differently than the rest of us?

This week on Hear Us Out, we're joined by Cory Wong, the acclaimed guitarist, composer, producer, and bandleader known for his unmistakable rhythmic style, infectious energy, and work with Vulfpeck, The Fearless Flyers, and his own band.

We explore the art of listening—how different musicians experience sound, what happens when a band becomes truly locked in, and the subtle relationship between rhythm, anticipation, and musical instinct. Cory offers his perspective on what makes a great groove, the importance of knowing when not to play, and the elusive experience of reaching a flow state, when music seems to happen almost without conscious thought.

We also explore Cory's creative evolution as a songwriter, arranger, and producer, including his album Lost in the Wonder. How does an artist translate the music they imagine into something the rest of us can hear? And how do they know when they've captured the feeling they're after?

From the chemistry of live performance to the remarkable ability of music to communicate emotion without words, this is a conversation about much more than guitar playing. It's about the way we listen, connect, and experience music.

Every Sound Has a Story.

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Is hearing loss simply the price musicians have to pay for a lifetime of making music? Not necessarily.

In this episode of Hear Us Out, Dr. Eric Sandler and Dr. Michelle Schechter welcome music audiologist Dr. Frank Wartinger for a conversation about hearing health, music, and why protecting your ears doesn't have to mean sacrificing the sound you love.

From rehearsals and recording studios to live performances, musicians face unique listening challenges. But hearing loss isn't necessarily an inevitable consequence of a career in music.

Frank shares his perspective on the importance of hearing conservation, the misconceptions surrounding noise exposure, and how musicians can make informed decisions to protect their hearing without compromising their artistry.

We explore the relationship between sound exposure and hearing health, the role of hearing protection, and why audiologists need to understand the musical experiences of the people they serve.

Whether you're a professional musician, an aspiring artist, or someone who simply loves live music, this conversation offers an important reminder: You shouldn't have to choose between the music you love and the ability to hear it.

Every Sound Has a Story.

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What happens when the world knows your voice before you've fully discovered who you are?

David Archuleta captured millions of hearts as a teenager on American Idol, but his journey since then has been about much more than music. From navigating fame at a young age to finding the courage to live authentically, David has continued to evolve as both an artist and a person.

In this episode of Hear Us Out, Dr. Eric Sandler and Dr. Michelle Schechter sit down with David for a conversation about the power of music, the pressures of public expectations, and what it means to find your own voice.

We explore the relationship between music and identity, the vulnerability that comes with sharing your story, and how personal growth can change the way an artist connects with an audience.

It's a conversation about music, self-discovery, and the freedom that comes from finally being heard.

Every Sound Has a Story.

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Can artificial intelligence help us hear better? Why does the size of a hearing aid matter? And what does it really take to understand speech in a noisy restaurant?

On this episode of Hear Us Out, Dr. Eric Sandler and Dr. Michelle Schechter welcome Dr. Laurel Christensen, a leading expert in hearing science and hearing aid innovation, for a fascinating look at the technology changing how we hear.

Together, they explore the growing role of AI in hearing aids, why smaller devices present unique engineering challenges, and how directional microphones and beamforming technology help listeners navigate difficult environments. They also dive into one of the most interesting challenges in hearing technology: balancing the warmth and natural quality of sound with the accuracy and clarity needed for better communication.

From the science of speech understanding to the engineering behind today's most advanced hearing aids, this conversation reveals just how much goes into making hearing feel effortless.

Because better hearing isn't simply about making sounds louder. It's about making them meaningful.

Every sound has a story.

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What makes a vintage guitar truly special? Is it the sound, the history, the musician who played it, or the story of the person who owned it?

On this episode of Hear Us Out, we sit down with Trevor Boone of Seattle’s Emerald City Guitars to explore the fascinating world of vintage guitars, legendary gear, and the stories that make certain instruments unforgettable. Raised in a household where music was always playing and guitars were never far away, Trevor grew up immersed in his father’s guitar shop before finding his own path in the music business. Today, he helps musicians and collectors track down extraordinary instruments, uncover family heirlooms, and find the perfect guitar for the sound they’re chasing.

Trevor takes us inside the hunt for rare guitars and explains what makes vintage instruments sound and feel different. We also discuss the deeply personal connections people have with their instruments, why a guitar’s provenance can mean so much, how he balances the demands of a global business with family life, and why human connection still matters in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Because behind every instrument is a sound, a story, and often a piece of someone’s life.

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Olivia Valli grew up surrounded by music and with a last name that carries an unmistakable legacy—but her career has been about finding a voice and path of her own.

In this episode of Hear Us Out, Olivia joins Dr. Eric Sandler and Dr. Michelle Schechter for a candid conversation about growing up in a legendary musical family, pursuing a career in theatre, and navigating the assumptions that can come with being Frankie Valli’s granddaughter.

Olivia discusses the complicated conversation around nepotism, the opportunities and pressures that come with her family name, and the work required to establish herself as a performer in her own right. She also reflects on her experiences on Broadway, her relationship with music and performance, and what she has learned while building a career on her own terms.

It’s a conversation about legacy, identity, expectations, and ultimately finding your own voice—even when you inherit one of the most recognizable names in music.

🎙️ Hear Us Out — conversations about how sound shapes the human experience.

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What if you could actually see music? Artist Sarah Kraning experiences sound in a way most of us can only imagine: through her synesthesia, music and other sounds can appear as colors, textures, patterns, and movement. She has transformed these unique sensory experiences into a career creating vibrant artwork inspired by the sounds she hears.

In this episode of Hear Us Out, Sarah takes us inside her world of sound and color. She explains what it’s like to experience music visually, how she translates what she hears into art, and how synesthesia has shaped the way she understands creativity, emotion, and the world around her. We also explore the fascinating connection between our senses and ask: can seeing sound change the way we listen to it? It’s a conversation that might just make you hear your favorite music a little differently.

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What does a Tony Award-winning sound designer actually do? Kai Harada joins Hear Us Out to take us behind the scenes of Broadway's biggest productions, including his 2026 Tony Award winning work on Ragtime. He shares how sound design shapes an audience's emotional experience, the art and science of mixing live theater, collaborating with directors and performers, and why the best sound design often goes unnoticed.

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In this episode of Hear Us Out, we’re joined by Jonathan Solars, a musician and expert in the world of stringed instruments, to explore the fascinating art and science of violin restoration.

As audiologists, we spend much of our time thinking about how people hear sound. Jonathan approaches that same experience from the other side: how sound is created in the first place. We discuss what gives a violin its unique voice, how wood, design, craftsmanship, and restoration influence the way an instrument sounds, and why two seemingly identical instruments can sound remarkably different. Jonathan takes us inside the process of restoring and caring for instruments that can be centuries old, and explains why these instruments are so much more than tools. For many musicians, these instruments become extensions of themselves, carrying history, personality, and stories of the people who have played them. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of violin restoration and a whole new way to think about where sound begins.

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On this episode of Hear Us Out, we're joined by Broadway actor Lencia Kebede, who made history as the first Black actress to play Elphaba full-time on Broadway in Wicked. Before taking the stage at the Gershwin Theatre, Lencia spent multiple transformative years touring with Hamilton playing Angelica Schuyler, a role she now plays on Broadway.

Lencia takes us on her journey from Hamilton to Wicked and back to Hamilton, sharing what it's like to inhabit these powerhouse characters, how she approaches the vocal and physical demands of Broadway, and what she's learned about finding her own voice as a performer. We also discuss what audiences might not realize they're hearing during a Broadway show and what it means to make history while doing what you love. Tune in for a conversation about Broadway, music, identity, perseverance, and the sounds that bring these unforgettable stories to life.

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