✨ EPISODE 7 IS HERE! ✨

What do punk music, music therapy, birthday-stealing seagulls, chaotic cats, social media detoxes, burnout, Italian ice, and a whole lot of honest conversation have in common?

Apparently… Episode 7 of Sparkles & Sunshine. 😂🎸☀️

This week, we’re joined by Ava Marvin and April Hickey—music therapists, educators, entrepreneurs, community-builders, members of Pink Squeeze, AND the incredibly talented humans behind the Sparkles & Sunshine theme song. 🎶💛

Yes. We have celebrities on the podcast now. We’re handling it very professionally. 😂

And this episode goes EVERYWHERE.

We talk about:

🎸 Punk music, songwriting, and the power of being vulnerable through music
🧠 Burnout, nervous-system regulation, and why “self-care” sometimes needs to go a whole lot deeper
📱 Realizing you might actually be addicted to social media when you suddenly CAN’T open Instagram
😂 A cat who managed to vomit, flip over his litter box, AND poop in the bathtub in roughly ten minutes
🐦 A birthday seagull attack involving both poop AND the theft of a perfectly good bagel sandwich
💼 What employers actually look for in new music therapists
✨ Building confidence, community, authenticity, and a career that actually feels like YOU
🌊 And intentionally making choices that bring joy—even when your first instinct is to just… do more work

One of our favorite reminders from this episode:

“Sometimes you have to make a choice that is just for joy.” 💛

Because apparently adulthood is partly learning how to regulate your nervous system…

…and partly protecting your birthday bagel from seagulls. 😂

🎧 Listen to Episode 7 of Sparkles & Sunshine now!
Be sure to follow Sparkles & Sunshine on Facebook and Instagram for episode updates, behind-the-scenes moments, guest announcements, parenting—and apparently pet-parenting—fails, Funny Friday moments, and plenty of laughter.

🎥 The unedited video recording link is below!
https://youtu.be/y2BRx50Nr3w 

#SparklesAndSunshine #Episode7 #NewPodcastEpisode #MusicTherapy #PinkSqueeze #MusicTherapyPodcast #FindingJoy #BurnoutRecovery #ParentingFails #PetParentFails #PodcastRelease #RealLifeRealLaughs #ChooseJoy

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

✨ EPISODE 6 IS HERE! ✨

What do rainbow heart-shaped glasses, truffle potato chips, broken dreams hiding in your hair, parenting fails, imposter phenomenon, glitter bombs, and the Tooth Fairy have in common?

Apparently… Episode 6 of Sparkles & Sunshine. 😂🌈✨

This week, we’re joined by Heather—aka “Rainbow”—an entrepreneur, mom, professional problem-solver, mobile notary, wedding officiant, and all-around wonderfully colorful human who has fully embraced bringing brightness into both the joyful and incredibly hard moments of life.

And trust us… this conversation GOES PLACES. 😂

We talk about:
✨ Finding joy in the middle of chaos
🌈 Why sometimes you just have to lean into the rainbows
😂 Parenting moments that absolutely did NOT go according to plan
✂️ Hair apparently being full of “broken dreams”
🧠 Imposter phenomenon and learning to quiet the unhelpful voices in our heads
💛 Patience, boundaries, and the realization that patience and peace are NOT the same thing
✨ And why the people in our lives should probably be a little more like glitter bombs

One of our favorite reminders from this episode:

“There are little moments of joy…and they’re going to sneak up on you and show up in the most random places.” ✨

Honestly, if you’ve ever tried to keep it together while parenting, working, figuring yourself out, and wondering how glitter somehow ended up THERE… this episode is for you. 😂

Find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts!

Be sure to follow Sparkles & Sunshine on Facebook and Instagram for episode updates, behind-the-scenes moments, guest announcements, parenting fails, Funny Friday moments, and plenty of laughter.

🎥 The unedited video recording is found on our Youtube Channel, https://youtu.be/VAjiVNVIECo?si=_1l5QDjV5Hah0fUj!

#SparklesAndSunshine #Episode6 #NewPodcastEpisode #FindingJoy #ParentingFails #ParentingRealTalk #MusicTherapy #PodcastRelease #ChooseJoy #ImposterPhenomenon #RealLifeRealLaughs

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

Every five episodes, the lights go down and the conversation gets a little more candid. Welcome to Sparkles & Sunshine After Dark—a recurring bonus series where Rachael and Ericha talk about the parts of music therapy that rarely make it into textbooks, treatment plans, conference presentations, or perfectly polished professional bios.

For the very first After Dark episode, there is no guest—and absolutely no shortage of stories.

Rachael and Ericha revisit the awkward, hilarious, and occasionally painful moments that shaped them as students and early-career professionals. There is a practicum intervention that ended with Ericha literally swimming like a turtle on a questionable preschool floor, a senior music group that briefly turned into a wedding-DJ moment for Rachael, a difficult supervision experience that revealed just how small—and complicated—the music therapy field can be, and one unforgettable client response that permanently changed the way Rachael asks an open-ended question.

The stories are funny, but the lessons are real: prepare enough to remain flexible, think before speaking when possible, protect your professional boundaries, pay attention to the culture around you, and remember that some of your greatest teachers will be the clients, residents, and patients you serve.

Naturally, the episode also includes a missing-shoe gremlin, a soccer-camp navigation disaster, suspiciously long bathroom “business meetings,” and a rooster impression that may need to be seen on YouTube to be fully appreciated.

Come for the chaos. Stay for the reflection. This is music therapy without the pedestal—honest, imperfect, and very real.

Have a topic, question, or unbelievable music therapy moment for a future After Dark episode? Email [email protected].

Listener note: This episode includes adult humor and occasional strong language.

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

This week on the Sparkles and Sunshine Podcast, we welcome Rebecca “Becca” Barnard—a professor, clinician, mom, and music therapist whose 21-year career has taken her from the NICU to hospice—for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about giving ourselves grace, finding humor in difficult moments, and choosing connection over perfection. ☀️🎙️

Together, we explore:

💛 Why we don’t have to have all the answers
 🎵 The power of authentic connection in music therapy and everyday life
 😂 Preschool music mishaps—and why Becca may someday throw her walker at a music therapist

As Becca beautifully reminds us, “Connection matters more than perfection.”

Find us on Facebook and Instagram! Like, comment, share, and subscribe for more real conversations filled with laughter, connection, sparkles, and sunshine! ✨

#SparklesAndSunshinePodcast #MusicTherapy #MTBC #ConnectionOverPerfection #GiveYourselfGrace #AuthenticConversations #FindTheJoy #PodcastCommunity 

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

In this week’s dose of Sparkles and Sunshine Podcast, we welcome Danielle—an 18-year nonprofit healthcare professional and hospice volunteer coordinator—for an honest, heartwarming, and laugh-filled conversation about recovering from people-pleasing, setting boundaries, preventing burnout, and finding joy in everyday moments. ☀️🎙️

Together, we explore:

💛 Why saying “no” can be an act of kindness
 ✨ Making peace with doing your best—even when it isn’t perfect
 😂 Midnight driveway walks, sleepy dogs, and a coffee-syrup conversation that goes hilariously off track

As Danielle reminds us, “Boundaries are kindness, and sometimes the nicest thing to say to a person is no.”

Like, comment, share, and subscribe for more authentic conversations filled with laughter, connection, sparkles, and sunshine! ✨

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

Some conversations have a way of gently reminding us to pause, breathe, and embrace what truly matters. This episode is one of them.

Join Rachael and Ericha as they sit down with Vanessa and her incredible 11-year-old granddaughter, Rory, whose wisdom and perspective are far beyond her years. Together, they share stories of family, purpose, resilience, and the journey that has shaped Vanessa into the woman she is today.

As the founder of an inspiring Alzheimer's Choir, Vanessa opens up about the life-changing power of music, connection, and creating moments of joy for individuals living with dementia and those who love them. Throughout the conversation, she leaves us with one simple yet powerful reminder that we could all use a little more often: "Slow your roll." It's more than a catchy phrase—it's an invitation to be present, extend ourselves grace, and remember that some of life's greatest moments happen when we stop rushing through them.

With heartfelt stories, unexpected laughter, and Rory's refreshing outlook on life, this episode is a beautiful reminder that wisdom doesn't always come with age, healing often begins with connection, and there's always room to slow down long enough to notice the sparkles and sunshine waiting around us.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do is simply... slow your roll. 

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

What do you get when you mix entrepreneurship, music therapy, parenting, a healthy dose of humor, and the willingness to laugh at yourself? Jennifer Gastineau.

In Episode 2 of Sparkles & Sunshine, Jennifer joins Rachael and Ericha for an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about the realities of building a business while raising a family and trying to keep all the plates spinning. From celebrating professional victories to admitting those all-too-relatable parenting moments we'd rather not put on social media, Jennifer reminds us that growth often happens in the middle of the chaos.

You'll hear stories that will make you laugh, moments that might make you reflect, and practical wisdom from someone who's learned that success isn't about having it all together—it's about continuing to show up.

Join us as we talk business, music therapy, family life, and finding joy in the wonderfully imperfect moments that make us who we are.

Because behind every polished success story is a collection of bloopers, lessons learned, and plenty of sparkles and sunshine.

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!

What happens when two music therapists, moms, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners sit down to have honest conversations about the beautifully messy experience of being human?

Welcome to the very first episode of Sparkles & Sunshine! Meet your hosts, Rachael and Ericha, as they share who they are, how they found music therapy, what inspired them to launch this podcast, and why they're passionate about creating a space where joy, vulnerability, laughter, and real-life conversations can coexist.

From career twists and parenting adventures to professional wins, favorite snacks, and the moments that keep them grounded, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the people behind the microphones—and what you can expect from future episodes.

Whether you're a music therapist, student, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply someone navigating life's highs and lows, there's a seat for you here.

Because even in life's hardest moments, there's always room to find a little sparkle and a little sunshine. ☀️✨

Subscribe now and join us as we celebrate the joy, resilience, and beautifully imperfect journey of being human.

If you'd like to be on our next episode or would like to share some of your answers to our questions. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!