As we dive into our conversation with Dan, it becomes clear that talking to him is like injecting yourself with a dose of super-charged music. His energy is contagious, and his passion for making music accessible to all is palpable. Throughout the episode, Dan generously shares gold nuggets of wisdom on how anyone can learn, read, and love music. His deep desire to enable others to embark on their musical journey is evident, making him a mentor you'd be fortunate to have.

The episode kicks off with a wave of gratitude, and the conversation weaves through various aspects touched by music – from practical tips on learning music in just five minutes every day to debunking excuses that may hold someone back from diving into the world of music. Dan's insights into why music is truly amazing in so many ways will leave you inspired and ready to embrace the transformative power of sound.

Discover how his journey has not only transformed his life but has become a source of inspiration for thousands seeking to find their own melody of resilience and self-discovery. Don't miss this episode filled with refreshing insights, exciting revelations, and the contagious positivity of Dan Spencer.

During our chat we discussed:

About Dan:

Dan Spencer’s mission is to share the breakthroughs that came from needing a simple way to understand music while grappling with anxiety, ADHD, and trauma from growing up in a cult. The result of fighting through seemingly impossible odds has resulted in thousands of lives changed through the power of music with Dan serving as a guide and trusted mentor.

Dan is the author of the Best Music Theory Book for Beginners series and other books in the “Best Books for Beginners” series with 7,000+ books sold. Dan is currently coaching a select group of students, recording, producing songs, writing more books, and can be seen and heard as a music expert on XM Radio, TV, The Best Music Podcast, Music Mastery Podcast, and YouTube.

During our time together we discuss:

🎙️ How Dan wants to make learning music easier & more enjoyable

🎙️ How developing (music) habits through consistent effort can lead to personal growth and expansion of one's horizons

🎙️ He dispels common reasons for not pursuing music

🎙️ Dan’s own story around learning music

🎙️ Music's emotional impact

🎙️ Sensory experiences in entertainment

🎙️ Using music to change mood and habits

More about Dan:

Dan Spencer’s mission is to share the breakthroughs that came from needing a simple way to understand music while grappling with anxiety, ADHD, and trauma from growing up in a cult. The result of fighting through seemingly impossible odds has resulted in thousands of lives changed through the power of music with Dan serving as a guide and trusted mentor.

Dan is the author of the Best Music Theory Book for Beginners series and other books in the “Best Books for Beginners” series with 7,000+ books sold. Dan is currently coaching a select group of students, recording, producing songs, writing more books, and can be seen and heard as a music expert on XM Radio, TV, The Best Music Podcast, Music Mastery Podcast, and YouTube.

Connect with Dan:

www.musicmentordanspencer.com

instagram.com/musicmentordan

twitter.com/musicmentordan

youtube.com/@MusicMentorDanSpencer

Grab his book '14 Unshakeable Laws of Learning:

https://bestmusiccoach.com/books/14unshakablelawsoflearningmusic/#14buynow

In this soul-stirring episode, I have the privilege of diving deep into the transformative power of music with Sabi Lew. Join us as we explore the profound impact that music has had on her life, especially when it comes to her mental health, self-acceptance, and self-care.

In this episode, we sit down with Sabi to hear her personal journey and the pivotal role that music has played in her life. She shares how songwriting became a powerful form of self-expression, a therapeutic outlet for her struggles with mental health, and a source of strength during moments of self-doubt. Sabi's story reminds us that music can be a lifeline, offering a safe space to explore emotions, find self-acceptance, and embark on a journey of self-care.

Sabi's experiences are a testament to the way music can serve as a form of therapy and self-expression.

This episode promises to inspire and be a reminder that music can be a powerful tool for mental health, self-acceptance, and self-care – as an artist as well as music listener.

During our chat we cover:

More about Sabi in her own words:

I write, draw, paint, sing, play my guitar and try to love others because I know I am dearly and endlessly loved and many of us are hurt and trampled and end up hurting others because no one chose to love us… But I believe we are all here to teach each other about the goodness that exists in this world and to evolve as a race to greater acts of love, compassion, and sacrifice… including and not limited to loving the earth and animals that are all around us that we have forgotten to watch after.

I have been singing since I can remember and I really want to encourage others who suffer that they are not alone in their suffering, there is someone who understands and can help you get past the suffering and not just survive but to live and thrive and bring joy and healing to others as well.

I'm a disabled Latina woman who is a full time caretaker for my elderly mother, I advocate for bunnies and marginalized groups.

ko-fi.com/sabilewsounds

www.youtube.com/channel/UCuLByKVfyshKMZDLIDNiHjQ

www.twitch.tv/sabilewsounds

linktr.ee/sabilewsounds

In this episode I embark on a musical journey back to the late 1980s when a song had the power to touch our hearts, stir our spirits, and inspire our dreams. Join me as I delve deep into the enchanting melody and lyrics of "These Dreams" by Heart.

From the moment the first notes of "These Dreams" filled the airwaves, it was clear that this song was something truly special. The hauntingly beautiful voice and music pulled me in it struck a chord deep within. When reflecting on my early teenage years I share a personal connection to the song that continues to resonate through the decades.

As the years passed, it became evident that "These Dreams" was more than just a tune; it was an anthem for introverts and dreamers, like myself. The song encapsulated the power of dreams, the essence of hope, and the inspiration that can drive us forward. It serves as a comforting reminder that it's okay to be introspective, to dream, and to find strength in quiet moments.

In this episode, I try to unpack the layers of meaning within the lyrics, exploring how "These Dreams" has been a constant source of encouragement and lifting my spirits. The song's timeless message still holds the power to ignite a sense of purpose, especially when the world becomes overwhelming.

My hope is that, through this discussion, you too will come to love and appreciate "These Dreams" as much as I do. Let it become part of your soundtrack to your moments of reflection, inspiration, and determination. If you find yourself in need of a lift to keep pursuing your dreams, this episode is the dose of motivation and inspiration you've been waiting for.

Let's connect:

www.livingonthebside.com

IG & FB: @livingonthebside

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingonbside

In this episode of Living on the B Side, I shine a spotlight on a remarkable grassroots project making waves in the world of art and creativity: Sista Creatives Rising. Join us as we explore their mission to empower marginalized women and gender-diverse individuals, offering them a platform for personal healing and artistic visibility.

Sista Creatives Rising is a force for change, breaking down barriers that historically marginalized individuals in the arts have. I sit down with the dynamic leaders, Amaranthia Sepia and Claire Jones, behind this movement to discuss the transformative power of creativity and the importance of their work in this space with them both sharing where it all started and how they ended up creating their project – from the music angle, of course.

But Sista Creatives Rising isn't just about creating beautiful art; it's about fostering a space where personal healing can take place. As our guests explain, the act of artistic expression can be a cathartic and transformative experience. Learn how this organization provides a nurturing environment for marginalized artists to explore their own identities and experiences, leading to profound healing and growth.

Throughout this episode, we also hear about the ‘Art & Mind’ events that Sista Creatives Rising has initiated to increase accessibility and visibility in the arts for creative women and marginalized genders.

Throughout this episode, we also hear about the grassroots charitable art event and virtual gallery art show, "Art & Mind," which supports creative marginalized women and marginalized genders to share their journeys. This event uses short films, documentaries, entrepreneur features, and speaking engagements from professionals such as therapists and activists to raise awareness about social issues these creatives face.

Join us as we dive deep into their own inspiring stories and by the end of this episode, you'll be moved by the incredible work Sista Creatives Rising is doing and inspired to support their mission of empowerment and healing through the arts.

Tune in and be a part of the conversation as we explore the profound impact of creativity and inclusivity with Sista Creatives Rising. It's a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment that you won't want to miss.

During our chat we cover:

More about Sista Creatives Rising:

Amaranthia Sepia is a Black invisibly-disabled coordinator, creative, and activist who is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," a virtual event showcasing creative folks who are underrepresented women and marginalized genders.

Claire Jones is a Black invisibly-disabled DV and cancer survivor, creative, Buddhist and Frances Perkins Scholar who is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," a virtual event showcasing underrepresented women and marginalized genders.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on your preferred Podcast platform and leave me a review.

In this episode, I'm going to be using Jimin’s (of BTS) song ‘’Set me free part 2’’ to talk about why this song is my second song in a trilogy of songs given to me by music, and how I apply it to my current life.

This song for me focuses on having determination, passion and overcoming and basically stepping into my true self. I feel I'm at a point where I need to get out of my own way much more, what do I want in life and how do I want to spend living it?!

It is time for me to step up and more into who I truly am, let the world know and ditch fear and concern about who says what, where and when and why.

This song is truly a wonderful anthem for anyone that struggles with letting go of these emotions and empowering to keep that determination and passion going to overcome our often self-created hurdles in life.

Let's connect:

www.livingonthebside.com

IG & FB: @livingonthebside

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingonbside

Do you know how music is part of being clairaudient?

I did not until I met Peta-Ann and her deep ability to see and feel music on a completely different level. She is a woman that approaches life from an angle of acceptance, love and inclusivity and in a way that is elegant but also rebellious. She is the definition of ‘Elegant Rebel’ and it is also her mission to make each and every one of us understand that we too are unique and need to share this with the world, without apology.

Part of her journey through life is deeply connected with music. And music is there to nudge her, sometimes gently other times more forcefully, to make her stop, listen and receive messages sent to her that she needs to hear and learn from.

In our chat Peta-Ann shares situations where music literally changes her mood and life. Also how growing up she always felt this deep and powerful connection to it, how this incorporates with her Woo Woo’ lifestyle and what she wants others to realise when it comes to having music in their life.

A powerful and rebellious chat that hopefully will make your ears prick up a little more when it comes to songs and sounds that are around you.

During chat we discussed:

• Her music story; from childhood to today

• The importance of music in her life

• Examples of how music can bring deep & lasting memories for us

• The power of music combined with intuition

• Elegant Rebel – the story of staying flat after break cancer & how music is connected to this

• Why tuning into clairaudience is needed for personal development

• Two songs that mean a lot to her,

• Why ‘Woo woo’ is not what people think it is

• Peta-Ann’s message to everyone

Follow Peta-Ann on her various social networks or visit her website by clicking the links on the left & below.

https://peta-annwood.au/

https://www.facebook.com/PeachyOwl

https://www.instagram.com/elegant.rebel.ponders/

More about Peta-Ann Wood:

Peta-Ann is the Founder of Elegant Rebel, providing support for other soul-full rebels in rediscovering their uniqueness and celebrating all that they are and can be. Elegant Rebels choose to follow their inner-knowing instead of societal norms and take heart-centred action filled with compassion, kindness and grace.

Peta-Ann is also a breast cancer thriver, having a bilateral mastectomy in her mid-40s. Post mastectomy, she decided to elegantly rebel against society’s version of normal and chose to ‘stay-flat’ – meaning no prosthesis and no reconstruction.

This decision came after much soul searching, trial and error and discovering the really odd things that may occur to your mind, body and soul after having a bilateral mastectomy.

You can check out her book ''What happens when they don't grow back - the upside down view of life after a bilateral mastectomy' here:

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of the Living on the B Side Podcast – Music. People. Stories.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on your preferred Podcast platform and leave me a review. The show can be found anywhere else you may wish to get your podcasts too!

Be sure to www.livingonthebside.com and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @livingonthebside, and if you know someone who you think would enjoy this episode, please share it with them on social media.

How do we cultivate more self-love? How can we start to pay more attention to ourselves and give us the time and attention we need to embrace our uniqueness and accept us for who and how we are?

I started to ask myself these questions (again) after recording the interview with Barbara in episode 69 (you can listen/watch it right here). She went through a process of looking at her life and make changes, which have led her to a happier life overall – AND starting to love herself, too!

Self-love. It sounds so easy in theory to achieve this, yet most of us start off great and then feel we fail because we aren’t consistent in looking after ourselves. Or we find it super hard to even try to give ourselves what we so deeply want of others and give to others.

How can we find ways to fall in love with ourselves and continue this path, no matter what life throws at us?

I believe we need to do ‘More than Words’ and jump into action mode. When it comes to us and provide what we need, words aren’t’ enough anymore. I have picked this beautiful song by Extreme as the song to accompany this episode as the lyrics so beautifully highlight the need to stop talking about what we can and should do and start taking the steps to find our love for ourselves.

During this episode I try to share my view on what self-love is, why it is important and how music can help us with this process to create awareness on own ‘self-love scale’, ways to incorporate on our journey and fill our own cup up first.

I also mention a Spotify self-love playlist that you can use to remind yourself to keep working on that important part of your life. Go and give it a listen and please get in touch if you have more to add to this list.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5krG8JZ9XWyctGh7LbcJQm?si=2e8c6ae9609d42e5

The rock band Extreme's song I refer to during this episode is 'More than Words' https://youtu.be/UrIiLvg58SY

Is not the words I want to hear from you

It's not that I want you

Not to say, but if you only knew

How easy it would be to show me how you feel''

During this episode I chat about:

• How can music help us with self-love (3:19)

• The best way to start your self-love journey (8:02)

• How to help yourself with this journey (12:10)

Let's connect:

www.livingonthebside.com

IG & FB: @livingonthebside

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingonbside

More about Living on the B Side:

I’ve always loved Music, it was and is part of my daily life. There are so many genres and songs that are connected with special moments, memories or phases in my life.

This is what ‘Living on the B Side’ is all about – songs that for one reason or the other I love and listen to. Mainly from the 80’s to the late 90’s, I want to share these with you in the hope that you find a new artist or band or even genre of music that brings you as much joy as they bring me.

‘Living on the B Side’ also wants to highlight the positive impact Music can bring, how it can change a person’s life. So if you have a favourite song that means HEAPS to you, please get in touch & share it with me. Let’s build a community where this passion for music can be shared far and wide.

We hear it a lot these days that ‘loving yourself’ is the first step to a happy and fulfilling life. Putting that into action and practise can be hard thought. This is where inspiration and support can truly make a difference.

Enter BTS (with a super funky, sharp and colourful choreo & vocals)!

Through BTS Barbara has learned to truly fill her own cup up first, experience life fully and be more than a mum, friend, employee, etc. and tap into what it means to get to know and love herself.

During this chat we dive into the story of how BTS found her and what massive impact these 7 humans from South Korea had so far in her life.

Tune in and explore more around how truly loving yourself can change your life in ways you might not expect!

During out time together we chatted about:

More about Barbara dela Pena:

47-year-old single mum and now grand mum. My daughter is probably my biggest flex -- national ice hockey player for the Philippine Women's Team and state player for NSW, model, social media manager and new mum to the most beautiful baby girl. My own flex? Being Army since 2018, meeting new people and establishing friendships, helping out with the best fandom, traveling the world one BTS concert at a time and hopefully making a difference in this universe. 💜

Connect with Barbara:

https://www.facebook.com/barbs.delapena/

Instagram: @barbiedollapena

Twitter: @barbiedollapena

Aussie ARMY FB Group

Aussie ARMY IG Account

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of the Living on the B Side Podcast – Music. People. Stories.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on your preferred Podcast platform and leave me a review. The show can be found anywhere else you may wish to get your podcasts too!

Be sure to www.livingonthebside.com and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and if you know someone who you think would enjoy this episode, please share it with them on social media.

Emotional numbness can strike anyone in their life. Especially when we navigate tricky and hard times, which take a lot out of us.

In this episode I am trying to share my personal thoughts around the first few months of 2023, how I shut down emotionally because life was too overwhelming for me and how the song ‘Wild Flower’ by BTS member RM penetrated my ‘numbness bubble’ and allowed me to slowly return to life.

If you are experiencing anything similar, I hope this episode shows you that music can potentially help you start to feel again, allow you to move through the emotions that need releasing and return to start living life a little more.

During this episode I chat about:

Link to the blog post I refer to in this episode: WILD FLOWERS – TIME TO OVERCOME MY OBSTACLES & SEIZE NEW OPPORTUNITIES

More about Living on the B Side:

I’ve always loved Music, it was and is part of my daily life. There are so many genres and songs that are connected with special moments, memories or phases in my life.

This is what ‘Living on the B Side’ is all about – songs that for one reason or the other I love and listen to. Mainly from the 80’s to the late 90’s, I want to share these with you in the hope that you find a new artist or band or even genre of music that brings you as much joy as they bring me.

‘Living on the B Side’ also wants to highlight the positive impact Music can bring, how it can change a person’s life. So if you have a favourite song that means HEAPS to you, please get in touch & share it with me. Let’s build a community where this passion for music can be shared far and wide.

www.livingonthebside.com

Join my FB Community today:

https://bit.ly/LOTBSFBCommunity

Let’s connect on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/livingonthebside/

https://www.facebook.com/livingonthebside/

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of the Living on the B Side Podcast – Music. People. Stories.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on your preferred Podcast platform and leave me a review. The show can be found anywhere else you may wish to get your podcasts too!

‘Whisper’, ‘Worth it’ and ‘Love Yourself’ – songs that show up on my Instagram stories so much these days. These songs have been created by the one and only Able Heart!

I couldn’t resist to invite him to my show to find out more about him, his journey and what makes him tick to create the music he does as well as how he views life, the lessons he has learned so far and what he hopes to inspire in others that listen to his music.

Join Able and myself on this extra-long and split in two-part interview, I hope you enjoy it and please let us know what you resonated with the most.

During out time together we chatted about:

Part 2:

More about Able:

Los Angeles based-singer, songwriter and producer Able Heart was lost in life after his Amateur US Olympic snowboarding career came to an abrupt halt due to an injury. For years, he questioned his life and struggled with depression and addiction in his hometown of Philadelphia until he found a deep connection and purpose with music.

Creating music became his therapy and healthy outlet to express himself. Able hopes his music can now inspire and help others.

Able's single Whisper went viral trending #2 on Canada, Norway, South Africa and Ukraine "Spotify Top 50 Viral" and TikTok with over 100,000,000 plays and over 100,000 user created videos have used the Whisper sound.

Connect with Able:

Follow Able Hearts on his various social networks below or visit his website.

https://www.ableheart.co/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ableheart/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AbleHeartMusic

YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/ableheart

TiktTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ableheartmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbleHeartMusic

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of the Living on the B Side Podcast – Music. People. Stories.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on your preferred Podcast platform and leave me a review. The show can be found anywhere else you may wish to get your podcasts too!

Be sure to www.livingonthebside.com and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and if you know someone who you think would enjoy this episode, please share it with them on social media.