The Gould Standard

By The Glenn Gould FoundationSociety & Culture Documentary Arts Music Performing Arts Music Interviews

The Gould Standard episodes

October 22Melanie Doane - The Pop Star leading a Music Education Revolution
What happens when a Juno Award-winning pop star discovers that her greatest calling might be helping others make music?
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor Melanie Doane joins host Brian Levine for a spirited conversation about artistic ambition, the changing music industry, and why every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of making music.
From her breakout album Adam's Rib and years with Sony Music to navigating the challenges of artistic independence, Melanie reflects on a remarkable career spanning pop music, theatre, and Broadway. She shares candid stories about finding her voice as a songwriter, working with producer Rick Neigher, and the realities facing musicians in an industry transformed by streaming and technology.
But Melanie's musical journey began long before the recording studio. Her father, J. Chalmers Doane, was a pioneering Canadian music educator who transformed school music programs by championing an unlikely instrument: the ukulele. His innovative teaching methods introduced generations of children to music, including internationally acclaimed ukulele virtuoso James Hill.
Inspired by that legacy, Melanie founded Doane Music School, beginning with a small volunteer program at her own children's school. Today, the organization reaches approximately 1,700 students every week, bringing accessible, high-quality music education directly into schools and communities.
From chart-topping success to transforming music education, Melanie Doane has built a remarkable career around a lifelong passion for music. Her story is a testament to the power of music not only to entertain and inspire, but to enrich lives and bring communities together.
Connect with Melanie Doane: [email protected]
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The Gould Standard is hosted by Brian Levine and produced by The Glenn Gould Foundation, bringing you conversations with extraordinary minds whose creativity, ideas, and achievements are shaping our world.
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1 hr 27 min
April 30 Alexander Neef - Opera: Intimidating or Essential?
In this episode of The Gould Standard, Alexander Neef, General Director of the Opéra national de Paris, joins Brian Levine to reframe how we think about opera, and to provide a user-friendly on-ramp for opera-curious newcomers. Beginning with its roots in Renaissance Italy, Neef traces opera’s evolution from courtly entertainment to a global cultural force, one that has continually reflected the deepest tensions, social and cultural trends of its time. From the human dramas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi to the radical innovations of Richard Wagner, and the trauma-driven experimentation, sense of dislocation and alienation of the twentieth […]
58 min
March 27 Chris Levine - Finding the Light
Artist Chris Levine takes listeners inside the cutting edge of portraiture, where art, science, and spirituality come together. From the technical challenges of holography, where even microscopic vibrations can ruin an image, to the pioneering image making that led to his iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Levine reveals how precision and intuition shape his work.
He recounts the surreal experience of photographing the Queen, the pressure of reimagining one of the most depicted figures in history, and how a second sitting unlocked the now famous Equanimity image.
The conversation then turns to Elton John, exploring their creative collaboration, Levine’s contributions to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and the challenge of capturing both the performer’s flamboyance and inner stillness.
Blending innovation with introspection, Levine reflects on art as a path to healing, the power of light, and how moments of stillness can reveal something profoundly human beneath the surface.
1 hr 25 min
December 04, 2025 Exploring Music's Primal Power with Gabor Maté
Join Dr Gabor Maté and Brian Levine in this enlightening episode of The Gould Standard, as they explore the profound impact of music on the human experience. Delve into topics ranging from the primal elements of music and its role in early childhood development, to the therapeutic potential of music in trauma recovery. Maté and Levine recount powerful anecdotes, share personal experiences, and discuss the universality of music across different cultures. Discover how music, from lullabies to complex symphonies, serves as a profound source of emotional and psychological nourishment.
59 min
November 20, 2025 Dr. Gabor Maté - Trauma, Healing and Music (Part I)
Join us for part one of a revelatory conversation (presented at The Promise of Music - The First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music presented by The Glenn Gould Foundation in October 2025).
Dr. Gabor Maté is a world-renowned authority on trauma and its wide-ranging harms. Noted for his compassion, wisdom and holistic approach to mind and body, Dr. Maté is a best-selling author, and internationally sought-after speaker. Dr. Maté discusses his foundational understanding of trauma, and its destructive effects on mental and physical health, relationships and society at large.
Discover how deep-seated psychic wounds influence physical diseases, addictions, and societal behaviours. The discussion also explores the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its socio-political ramifications, alongside the alternatives offered by different cultures, including those of Indigenous peoples. This episode delves into the unity of mind and body, the profound impact of unresolved trauma, and the broader implications for society and our collective history.
41 min
July 24, 2025 Glenn Gould's First Piano - The Well-travelled Clavier
Join Brian Levine, Executive Director of The Glenn Gould Foundation, as we look back on the 86th anniversary of Glenn Gould's birth and the first official Glenn Gould Day in Toronto. Featuring sisters Heather Tucker and Susanne Rayner. Discover the origins of Glenn Gould's musical journey through his very first piano—a humble Dominion piano—and learn about the rich history and personal connections between the Gould family and the Morton family. Hear anecdotes about Glenn's early life, his unique bond with the Dominion upright, and the cherished memories shared by those who knew him best.
34 min
June 19, 2025Stephen Fry - Part 2 - Loveable Legend
Join host Brian Levine on The Gould Standard podcast as he welcomes back the prolific and insightful Stephen Fry. In this enriching episode, Fry reflects on his roles in 'Wilde,' 'V for Vendetta,' and 'Gosford Park,' and explores the future of art in an AI-dominated world. Touching on themes of creativity, persecution, and the intersection of technology and society, Fry provides thought-provoking insights into both his artistic journey and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Don't miss this captivating conversation filled with humor, wisdom, and a call to cherish and safeguard human ingenuity.
Stephen Fry:
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3E4NjSP86kUnBxc3iVMQDs
Podcast: https://pod.link/thegouldstandard
1 hr 12 min
December 19, 2024 Micah Hendler and the Jerusalem Youth Chorus - Healing through Harmony
In this episode of the Glenn Gould Podcast, Brian Levine is joined by guest Micah Hendler where we explore the concept of small victories through music—moments of connection and understanding that we can create ourselves, even amidst great divides. Micah Hendler is the founder and artistic director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, which follows this principle through its work in Jerusalem, where they use music to serve as a bridge between Israeli and Palestinian youth.
The Jerusalem Youth Chorus is unique in that half of its members are Israeli, and the other half are Palestinian. Through music, we’re able to find a way to coexist and foster greater understanding for each other, allowing Israeli and Palestinian youth to connect and share their experiences together.
1 hr 19 min
November 14, 2024 Rick Beato - Beato's Verdict
Rick Beato is a musical and internet phenomenon.
On this episode of The Gould Standard, host Brian Levine sits down with Rick, a renowned music educator, producer, and YouTube sensation. Starting with discussion around Rick's early influences, including his classical music background and exposure to jazz. Rick shares his journey from teaching to becoming a successful music producer and YouTuber with 4.5 million subscribers and over 1.5 Billion views. Rick shares the secrets to the success of his popular Youtube series “What Makes This Song Great?,” the vital importance of ear training, the impact of technology on music production, the negative impacts of music streaming services and the irreplaceable importance of live performance.
Rick also discusses his interviews with legendary musicians and the role of harmony (musically and emotionally) in creating impactful music. It’s an in-depth and inspiring discussion about one man’s passionate love of music and his dedication to sharing a lifetime of joy, insight and brilliant communication with devoted audiences globally.
1 hr 30 min
October 24, 2024 Afghanistan’s Ahmad Sarmast: Keeping Music Alive
Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), Afghanistan’s first modern music academy, established in 2010 to preserve the beautiful musical heritage of his country after years of rule under the Taliban had attempted to ban and eradicate all musical culture. Bringing together a diverse student body that included young women and children from the most disadvantaged rung of society, ANIM was founded both to teach music and promote human advancement and social justice.
Dr. Sarmast, a true musical hero, shares his powerful journey in this episode of The Gould Standard. We dive into the origins of ANIM, his experiences in Afghanistan, and the institute’s saga of escape and survival as it continues its mission following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Dr. Sarmast reflects on Afghanistan's rich musical heritage and its role in uniting a nation torn apart by ethnic, civil, and religious strife.
Dr. Sarmast’s dedication to the music and people of Afghanistan comes into dramatic focus as he recounts the personal threats he faced, including surviving a Taliban-orchestrated suicide bombing at a performance. Despite the dangers, Dr. Sarmast remained resolute in his mission to use music as a tool for education and healing.
Dr Sarmast’s inspiring love for music with its power to heal and unify, shines when discussing the work of his students, faculty and the pride that he has seen them bring to the people of Afghanistan as a beacon of hope and freedom in dark times.
1 hr 44 min

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A conversational podcast about the arts, culture, and contemporary society. We talk with artistic heroes working to create a more inclusive and mindful world, hear their incredible stories, and get to…