I came across an article the other day titled, "This is the Happiest Song on Earth, According to Science", and I was immediately interested. A neuroscientist claims that he found the happiest song, and analyzed the music to figure out why. In this episode, I reveal his "top 10 happiest songs", and argue that his reasoning is incorrect. I give my own theory and advise how to find a happiness song of your own! 

A few months ago, a viral tweet went around asking for the "best opening lyric of all time," and in this episode, I explore why people love the opening lyrics that they do. I give my theory for why great opening lyrics can fall into two categories. Then, my friend Jessica, and English PhD candidate, joins me to discuss song lyrics, poetry, and play an opening lyric game! 

The enneagram became an obsession of mine during the early days of the pandemic, and I'm lucky that my friend Jordan has the same interest! The enneagram is a set of 9 personality types, each with distinct characteristics, drives, and fears. We discuss current pop songs as enneagram types, and songs that truly embody each type. 

Spotify playlist of each song we discuss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xELfzZovoy7xWfRQLzwCn?si=lIy2Owy_S3eUyf4GzV0OVw

I have been a Demi Lovato fan since her "Camp Rock" days, and continue to be more in awe of her and inspired by her as her struggles have unfolded before our eyes. In her latest album, she really channels everything she's been through over the last two yeas into digestible pop songs. Instead of analyzing the music, in this episode, I analyze the lyrics of each song through my Music Therapist lens! 

I wasn't totally sold on "Old Town Road", but after hearing "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)", I think Lil Nas X is one of the best and most important people to come into mainstream music in a while. So, this makes the controversies surrounding this groundbreaking song even more unfortunate. I start this episode by discussing some of those controversies, and then later I dive into the most compelling musical components of this song. There is a lot to unpack! 

For the past five years, I've been listening to the song "There Will Be Time" by Baaba Maal and Mumford and Sons every time I take off in a plane. Why, you ask? In this episode, I dive into the musical elements of this song that make it both calming and exhilarating. Then, I talk about some criteria anyone can use to find a song to listen to during any "anxious events" that may come up in life!

I've become a sap for award shows during this pandemic, and the Grammys have always been my favorite. Because of the lack of live music these days, I was riveted by all of the live performances! So, I made an episode about them. I ranked all 20 performances from worst to best. See if your favorite is the same as mine! 

For a belated International Women's Day episode, I asked my listeners what female artists they'd like to hear me talk about, and y'all gave me some great answers! In this episode, I go through empowering songs from five female powerhouses - Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Shania Twain, Lizzo, and Billie Eilish - and talk about the positive takeaways from each song! 

Playlist of the songs I talk about can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jInV4aoeSsI5q200BRAUe?si=-_wQ1P_gR7u7HtR6MM5GGQ

In this episode, I talk about the history of the banjo. The banjo came here from Africa, but how did it turn into the whitest instrument in America? I explore where it originally came from, how it got appropriated by white Americans, and how to support Black country artists today. All proceeds from this episode will be donated to My Block, My Hood, My City (an amazing organization in Chicago)! 

My Block, My Hood, My City's website: https://www.formyblock.org/

Daniel Jatta playing the akonting (video mentioned in episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzt0v9roU6g

I think we can all agree that when we heard the song "Friday" for the first time, we knew it wasn't great. But, the media quickly turned to harping on Rebecca Black for this, which was unfair, and she was a 13-year-old child at the time! First, I dissect the musical elements in the song that don't work in its favor. Then, my sister joins me and we talk about her experience of the song, since she is the same age as Rebecca, and we discuss the new remix that was released to mark the 10-year anniversary!