Livingonthebside

As music lovers we probably believe that music is ALWAYS present, no matter what.

Yet, I recently learned this is not the case and what happens when 'silence hits' (It's actually not a bad thing and beneficial if we can learn to see it that way).

Read the full story in my newest blog post, which is in the comments. 🎧

I recommend you take some time and read this article by JB Music Therapy, it provides great insight into why music therapy in the ICU is so beneficial.

Being the loved one of a patient that has been in ICU recently, I can truly say that this environment isn't always healing or supporting from an emotional and mental angle. Yet, adding music to the amazing work doctors and nurses are doing will definitely help with the patient's journey.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this...please share away... :)

Music Therapy in ICU: A Journey of Recovery, Resilience, and Psychosocial Support - JB Music Therapy Discover how JB Music Therapy supports ICU patients and families in Calgary with psychosocial support through music therapy, offering comfort, resilience, and evidence-based benefits in critical care settings.

Brad Stewart joins me to explore how technology can lighten the business-side load for artists — without touching their music.

Together we talk about how AI can help protect energy, reduce overwhelm, and create space for creativity, while music continues to guide and inspire our choices. The conversation highlights both the practical and emotional sides of navigating a music career.

In this episode we talk about:

🎧 How many independent artists burn out not from lack of talent, but from juggling the business side of music
🎧 Why AI can be a supportive tool, automating repetitive tasks while leaving the creative heart intact
🎧 Lessons from Brad’s journey as a booking agent and founder of Music Mogul AI
🎧 How music has shaped Brad’s life, kept him grounded, and continues to serve as a “north star”

Whether you’re an artist, a music lover, or someone curious about balancing passion with wellbeing, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and practical ideas for working smarter while staying creatively fulfilled.

Listen to our conversation here:
Website: https://livingonthebside.com/brad-stewart-ai-for-artists/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wzk4ntOsAw0

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/can-ai-reduce-artist-burnout-without-touching-the-music/id1548622108?i=1000758505128

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iH7CTQiBehptFe66ye7fM?si=VBbNuhijS6SrzNKBL5B21Q

Carrie KC West joins me to explore the power of story — the ones we inherit, outgrow, and can rewrite.

Together we talk about how music can become a turning point when we’re ready to see our life from a different perspective. Our personal soundtracks often reflect where we are in our journey and can even guide us toward new chapters

In this episode we talk about:

🎧The moment Carrie realised: “My life is a story… a crappy story, but it’s a story.” — and why that realisation can be surprisingly freeing
🎧How many of the stories we live by aren’t actually ours, but inherited from family, culture, or expectations
🎧Why the music we listen to during certain life chapters can reveal what we’re processing emotionally
🎧The idea of “daily rewrites” — making small shifts in how we see our story instead of trying to change everything at once


Whether you’re a music lover, a reflective soul, or someone navigating a new chapter, this episode offers inspiration and a reminder of how deeply music connects us to our own story.

Listen to our conversation right here:

Website: https://livingonthebside.com/rewriting-life-story-music-carrie-kc-west

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tbl6f5QmOsc

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rewriting-your-life-story-with-music-a/id1548622108?i=1000755824532

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Eo15rqcQINsaSQHGVER4F?si=k5-W2sKbQN2XMwpLaJCfuQ

This tiny but mighty insight by Sam Mitchell is very powerful and so simple to do:

🎧 Don't hesitate to reach out to people whose stories inspire you—Sam successfully contacted guests through simple Facebook messages. 🎧

Perhaps you can relate to this: Sometimes we admire someone’s story or work, but life feels heavy, and reaching out feels impossible. You may feel unsure, hesitant, or that you’re “not ready” — and that’s totally okay.

Here’s a quiet permission slip: pick one person whose work or story sparks something inside you — curiosity, hope, or reassurance. Send them a short, simple note:

🎧 to say thank you

🎧 to ask how they do something you admire

🎧 or just to share that their work resonated

Notice how this tiny step challenges the part of you that doubts yourself, yet is completely doable.

You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment, craft the perfect message, or expect a reply.

This is just a small, empowering step toward reconnecting with your curiosity, courage, and voice — even when life feels overwhelming.

I sat down with Sam Mitchell, host of Autism Rocks and Rolls Podcast, to talk about autism and music — and how a love of rock became something much bigger than a playlist.

We explored:
🎸 recognising songs in seconds
🧠 how music supports focus and memory
💬 stereotypes and what people often misunderstand
✨ embracing who you are instead of trying to “fix” yourself

It’s an honest, human conversation — and I’m grateful Sam trusted me with it.

Listen here: https://livingonthebside.com/autism-and-music-sam-mitchell/

Music sneaks in when you least expect it — past the lists, past the shoulds, right into something quietly powerful.

I spoke with Naila Keleta-Mae about her album I’m Grateful, creative calling, and the superpower of music to touch spaces even the artist herself might never reach.

It’s about courage, vulnerability, and just… listening.

Press play when you’re ready: https://livingonthebside.com/dont-give-up-naila-keleta-mae/ or find the episode on all major platforms, including YouTube.

💬 Naila reminds us: “Don't give up. Don't give up on yourself, on the world, on your communities. Please don't give up.”

New guest episode time - with Ian and Danielle from Orphan Prodigy🎧

Orphan Prodigy, Ian and Danielle, join me to discuss their album “Medication for Modern World” and how music serves as healing in chaotic times. Ian and Danielle share their journey of blending rock with electronic elements while advocating for mental health awareness. Our conversation explores themes of rejection, acceptance, and finding community through authentic self-expression.

In this episode we talk about:
> How Orphan Prodigy transforms personal and global chaos into their conceptual album “Medication for Modern World” and a daily songwriting practice.
> Ian’s and Danielle’s backstories—adoption, feeling “different,” anxiety—and how they shape their music and message of self-acceptance.
> The link between music and mental health, including the story behind their single “Trader” and Danielle’s perspective as a psychologist.
> How Orphan Prodigy is building a supportive community through live streams, mental health advocacy, and upcoming releases.

Whether you’re someone who’s ever felt like an outsider or ‘too much,’ this episode offers reflection, inspiration, and a quiet reminder of how music connects us.

Listen here: https://livingonthebside.com/109-interview-with-orphan-prodigy/ and all other major podcast platforms.

Music isn’t just something we listen to — it’s something our nervous system responds to.

In this episode of Living on the B Side, we explore how songwriting works like journaling with breath and melody, why you don’t need to “sing well” to benefit, and how music can help regulate stress, anxiety, and emotional expression.

These five takeaways offer a deeper look at music as a practical, accessible tool for emotional wellbeing — for adults and for young people alike.

Listen to my chat with Emma G on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wJqR51X5PdoZqXLCODdM1?si=jenrQ5UHRL-COPhWZqtacg and all major podcast platforms.

For my first podcast interview of 2026, I invited Emma G back to talk about her book ''Mental Health Sounds Like This", which explores how songwriting and music can transform mental health struggles into healing and empowerment.

In this episode we also talk about:
Neuroscience and practical applications
Real stories of using music therapeutically with everyone from addiction recovery patients to elementary school children

Her vision of integrating music-based healing into education and healthcare systems.

This episode is especially for quiet, sensitive humans—those feeling overwhelmed by life, those supporting others through tough seasons, and anyone who senses that music might be a missing piece in their healing or their work with others.

You can check it out here https://livingonthebside.com/how-songwriting-heals-mental-health-with-emma-g/ and on all major podcast platforms.