Musicians on Call With Katy Epley

Musicians on Call with Katy Epley

 Music has the power to help us heal, and that’s why one Musicians on Call delivers music where it might be needed most: the hospital. This volunteer organization connects musicians with hospitals to provide live and recorded music to patients. In this episode, host Paula Felps is joined by Katy Epley, executive vice president at Musicians on Call, to learn how this program came about and how it has changed the lives of both patients and the musicians who perform for them. In this episode, you'll learn: The physical, emotional, and mental benefits of experiencing live music in a hospital setting. How this program has changed the landscape for accessing live music in the hospital. How to get involved with Musicians on Call. Links and Resources Visit their website. Sign up as a volunteer here. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musiciansoncall Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiciansoncall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansoncall TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musiciansoncallorg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/musiciansoncall/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@musiciansoncall Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Celebrate the Season With Straight No Chaser

 The holidays are here, which means we’ve been filling our ears with the sounds of the season. As we hit the final stretch, host Paula Felps sits down with Jasper Smith of the popular a capella group Straight No Chaser. Since being discovered on YouTube, this group has become an international sensation and has become part of a holiday tradition for many. In this episode, you'll learn: How a 10-year-old video from college launched the band’s career. Why Straight No Chaser has become synonymous with the holiday season. Why the band loves delivering happiness for the holidays. Links and Resources Website: https://sncmusic.com/ Twitter: @sncmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StraightNoChaser Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sncmusic/ Listen on Spotify Watch the video for “A Long December” Follow the band on YouTube Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Tuning Into Sound Therapy With Laura Widney

Sound frequencies can change not only our mental state, but change how we feel physically, too. Laura Widney first began using sound frequencies to help her wellness clients manage stress and anxiety. As she learned its many applications, she became chief innovation officer of Soaak, a company that offers sound therapy on the go. In this episode, she talks about how we all can use sound frequencies to boost our energy, enhance our focus, and improve our overall sense of well-being. In this episode, you'll learn: How different sound frequencies affect our physical and mental health. Why sound is so effective at changing how we feel. How to use sound as part of a daily wellness practice. Links and Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailysoaak Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DailySoaak Website: https://www.soaak.com/ Special offer: Enjoy the Soaak mobile app free for 30 days by entering the code LHN30 Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Graphic of kids reading on music notes

The Science of Positivity With Marsha and the Positrons

We are now back in school, and this week’s guest is going to be everyone’s favorite science teacher! In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Marsha Goodman, a cognitive neuroscientist turned popular children’s singer, songwriter and recording artist who performs under the name Marsha and the Positrons. As the name implies, her music is imbued with positivity and teaches listeners about things like kindness, friendship, and taking care of the planet and the people who live on it. She also throws some science in there and makes learning as fun and easy as listening to a song. In this episode, you'll learn: How she went from being a cognitive neuroscientist to becoming a popular children’s artist. Why she wanted to use her music to spread positive social messages. What to expect from her new album, “Energetic.” Links and Resources Instagram: @marshaandthepositrons  Facebook: Marsha and the Positrons Watch music videos, interviews and live performances on their YouTube channel. Discover the Marsha and the Positrons Spotify playlist here. Check out merch including t-shirts and music here. Win Free Music!! Enter to win our back-to-school prize pack that includes all three Marsha and the Positrons CDs, signed and personalized by Marsha herself, plus some other Marsha and the Positrons swag and a few gifts from Live Happy. Enter on our Instagram page, @mylivehappy Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A woman listening to music with a rain cloud above her.

Processing Grief Through Music with Morgan James

 We know that listening to music can help heal our hearts, but what can it do for the songwriter? In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Morgan James, a singer and songwriter who has appeared on Broadway stages and with symphony orchestras in addition to writing and recording her own music. While working on her latest album, she and Doug Wamble — her husband and cowriter —were grappling with the devastating illnesses of dear friends. Morgan explains how they put the tangled emotions of uncertainty, grief and loss into a song called I’ll Be Holding On, which also has become the album’s video centerpiece. In this episode, you'll learn: How songwriting helps her process difficult emotions. Why it was so important to write about the grief she was experiencing. How performing songs helps her work through challenging situations. Links and Resources Facebook: @MorganJamesOnline Instagram: @morganajames YouTube: @morganjamesonline Watch “I’ll Be Holding On” here. Listen to Morgan’s album Nobody’s Fool here. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A person meditating with headphones on.

Mastering the Art of Letting Go With gnash

Recording artist gnash has made mental health a central part of his music, delivering messages through music that might be difficult to talk about in conversation. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it’s the perfect time to talk to gnash about his latest album, The Art of Letting Go, which is a journey through the tumultuous emotions brought on by the pandemic. In this episode, you’ll hear how making this album helped save his life during the pandemic and what he hopes we all take away from it. In this episode, you'll learn: How The Art of Letting Go developed during the pandemic. Why he shares breathing exercises with his audience when he’s on stage. How he uses music, movement, and meditation to manage anxiety and worry. Links and Resources Instagram: @gnash Twitter: @gnash TikTok: @gnash Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Three women singing together.

Finding Comfort Through Music With Jan Stanley

Death is inevitable, but as with many things in life, music can change how people experience the journey. That’s the idea behind Threshold Choirs — an international movement in which a trio sings healing and comforting songs for people who are nearing the end of life. In this episode, Jan Stanley, a long-time Threshold Choir member, explains how sharing songs at this uncertain time not only brings comfort to the dying and their family members, but can be transformational for the singers as well. In this episode, you'll learn: What a Threshold Choir is and how they began. How music provides such comfort to those who are ill and dying. How being part of a Threshold Choir can impact members. Links and Resources Website: https://thresholdchoir.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-stanley-28a40420/ Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A group of children singing together.

Happy Tunes for Happy Kids With Allegra Levy

When acclaimed jazz vocalist Allegra Levy became a parent, she began noticing that the lyrics of classic children’s songs didn’t fit in today’s world of equity and inclusion. As a mother, she was concerned about what messages children were getting from the music and as a musician, she didn’t want to raise her child with songs that had been musically “dumbed down.” So she began writing her own jazz-tinged children’s music with a positive spin on mental well-being. The result is a new album, Songs for You and Me, and in this episode she talks about the importance of experiencing music as a family. In this episode, you'll learn: How the pandemic inspired her to rethink children’s music. Why children need to hear more inclusive music. What parents can do to use music as a tool for learning and creativity. Links and Resources Facebook: @allegralevyjazz Instagram: @allegrameanshappy Twitter: @allegralevyjazz Website: allegralevy.com Watch her music videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkARZY3yGoo Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A woman leading a music class with a group of kids.

Playing It Forward with The Accidentals

 Sav Buist and Katie Larson were shy high school students when a music education presentation brought them together — and changed their future. Ten years later, they front a trio called The Accidentals and have earned glowing album reviews while packing venues with their live shows. But because they’ve never forgotten how that high school presentation changed their lives, they also host and lead workshops across the country to inspire young musicians to find their voice and use music to improve their mental health. In this episode, they talk about how it all came together and how they are changing young lives one song at a time. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of music education. How music helps us process what’s hard to express. Why it’s so important to give back to others and help them follow their dreams. Links and Resources Facebook: @theaccidentals Instagram: @theaccidentalsmusic Twitter: @moreaccidentals YouTube: @moreaccidentals TikTok: @theaccidentalsmusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5JqJWTzD2wSWAp7UmFSP5x Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Drawing of a person rocking out with a guitar and amp.

The Transformative Power of Rocking Out with David Fishof

 David Fishof is a legendary music producer and founder of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, which invites everyday people to play alongside world-renowned rock stars. David has seen first-hand the incredible power of music and how it transforms people both in their personal lives and their professional aspirations. His amazing story is told in the new documentary, Rock Camp, available now on Amazon, as well as in the book by the same name. In this episode, he shares how Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp began and how he has seen music change the lives of hundreds of people along the way. In this episode, you'll learn: How Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp was inspired by a backstage “fight” between Joe Walsh and Levon Helm. Why music is so powerful in bringing people together. How playing with their rock heroes has inspired campers to pursue new dreams off the stage. Links and Resources Facebook: @RockFantasyCamp Instagram: @rockfantasycamp Twitter: @RockFantasyCamp YouTube: rockcamp TikTok: @rockfantasycamp Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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