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Watkinson Extended Play: Using Music as Medicine

There is nothing particularly new about the idea that music can be a palliative or a distraction from pain or physical discomfort associated with illness. But over the last 25 years or so, we’ve seen a rising tide of interest in some that lies well beyond that -- a frontier where music’s actual therapeutic and even, curative powers can be discovered.

That’s what we’ll be talking about tonight, through the lens of neuroscience and the growing field of music therapy and through the stories of two musicians who faced catastrophic medical conditions in different ways.

We know such more now about the so-called mind-body connection, and we know enough to know that some of it remains mysterious. And music is like a shadow lying over that question -- or maybe even like a third point of a triangle.

No one here is going to tell you that music alone can solve medical problems.But I’d be willing to bet that, after hearing this conversation and music, you’ll all be far less likely to address any medical crisis in your life without at least exploring and adding the musical dimension.

Here is the show in its entirety (1 hour, 46 minutes):

Enjoy each track from the live event!

Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.
Chion Wolf is the host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public.
Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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