The Sound Mind

Joined by Josh Simons, CEO of Vinyl Group and founder of music industry networking platform Vampr, this episode explores the psychology of music fandom, parasocial relationships, and creativity in the digital age. We unpack why, in a streaming-first world, people are still drawn to deeper, more tangible connections with music, artists, and the communities around them.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
02:27 Josh’s Journey From Musician to Music Tech
29:05 The Resurgence of Vinyl and Collectibles
37:40 Artists, Fans, and Parasocial Relationships
44:12 Monetisation vs. Authenticity in Music
53:21 The Future of Music and Human Experience
01:02:40 Final Reflections

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Support us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

Download Vampr: https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=1069819177&code=SOUNDMIND  
Get $5 off an annual subscription with the code: SOUNDMIND

This episode explores the rise of MTV and how visual storytelling reshaped the music industry, artist identity, and global pop culture. We explore the psychology behind this shift, exploring how music videos shape memory, emotional interpretation, and our attachment to songs and artists.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
06:04 Before MTV: The Origin of Music Videos
12:59 The Launch of MTV: Video Killed the Radio Star
19:13 When Music Became Visual Identity
26:16 The Controversy: MTV and Representation
33:21 The Psychology of Music Videos
42:17 Final Reflections

Follow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalks

Support us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

Joined by Jennie Silber from Koodos Labs, we unpack how platforms like Shelf are turning taste into something social and even predictive, from matching people through music to building a broader picture of identity across culture and lifestyle.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
01:58 Jennie’s Journey: From Law to Data
06:32 What Is Taste?
17:20 Can Taste Be Measured? Inside the Data
29:05 Building Shelf: Turning Taste into a Product
34:32 Music, Identity and Self-Presentation
45:19 Taste and Compatibility: Connecting Through Music
51:35 Beyond Music: The Future of Taste
57:50 Final Reflections

Follow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalks

Support us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

Connect with Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-silber/
Follow Jennie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniesilber/
Download the Shelf app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shelf-music-books-movies/id1667391175

To honour both World Music Therapy Week and World Autism Month, this episode explores the power of music therapy in autism. From understanding how autistic individuals experience the world to the psychology and neuroscience behind why music can unlock connection, we explore how music can become a language of its own and what it reveals about expression, connection, and what it truly means to communicate.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
02:25 What is Autism?
08:18 Defining Music Therapy
16:48 Why Music Works for Autism
24:44 Case Study
29:27 Final Reflections

Follow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalks

Support us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CuAjiU7RBg

What happens in your brain when creativity unfolds in real time? In this episode, we explore the psychology of jazz, from its rich history and roots in expression and identity, to the neuroscience behind improvisation, flow state, and emotional connection. Discover how jazz musicians create in the moment, why it feels so powerful to listen to, and what it can teach us about creativity, focus, and letting go.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
02:05 The History of Jazz Music
08:48 Emotion and Expression in Jazz
12:18 The Brain on Jazz Improvisation
21:13 Jazz as a Language: Prediction and Surprise
23:54 Benefits of Listening to Jazz
29:47 Final Reflections

Follow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalks

Support us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠