MT Mentor

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Tim Ringgold.

Tim Ringgold is a board-certified music therapist, columnist, and the author of the book, Sonic Recovery: Harness the Power of Music to Stay Sober. He has provided music therapy to thousands of teens and adults in residential treatment, and is a sought-after international speaker, having shared the stage with some of the top minds on music, the brain, addiction, and personal development, including Tony Robbins. Tim was the first person to give a TEDx talk on music therapy in 2012. Tim is also a former Regional President of the American Music Therapy Association.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Music as a source of support during the lowest points of our lives,
• Reminders to not give up and to trust your music therapy journey,
• Music therapy for individuals in recovery,
• Music as a trigger for cravings,
• Humor in the midst of addiction,
• Ways to “flip your flaws” (as Renee Airya would say),
• The power of a gratitude practice,
• The importance of physical health for our mental health,
• The essential need for connection, community, and support,
• The value of resilience, perspective, and communication in music therapy education,
• The merit of having the same level of grace for each other that we do for clients,
• The insight gained through volunteering, and
• The benefits of having a hobby outside of music therapy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tim’s website: https://www.timringgold.com/
• Tim’s blog: https://www.timringgold.com/blog/
• Tim’s social media accounts: https://www.instagram.com/tim_ringgold/ & https://www.facebook.com/tim.ringgold
• Tim’s book “Sonic Recovery: Harness the Power of Music to Stay Sober”: http://bit.ly/TRRbook or https://bookshop.org/books/sonic-recovery-harness-the-power-of-music-to-stay-sober/9781099035555
• Tim’s FREE Relaxation Vacation audio file: http://www.sonicrecovery.com
• Books: "Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue" series by Neale Donald Walsch, “The Four Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz, “The Work” and “The Four Questions” by Byron Katie, "Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" by Deepak Chopra, “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg, “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber, “Breath” by James Nestor, “Polyvagal Theory in Therapy” by Deb Dana, “Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure” by Tim Harford
• Music: Steve Morse, Enya, Steve Vai, Dream Theater, EDM, acid house
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16tDQIp2xwlzxGwtCEouyv0wHecVNpo5f/view?usp=sharing

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Jennifer Pinson.

Jennifer Pinson is the owner and founder of Dynamic Music Services Inc. in Indianapolis, IN. There she manages a team of music therapists, interns, and practicum students. Jennifer is knowledgeable about business topics, having completed the Streetwise MBA program through the SBA. Jennifer is also a published author, speaker, and the owner of Career Driven Mom, which focuses on finding your harmony through career, parenting, and you. She also offers coaching for entrepreneurs specifically in starting a business, financial growth, managing a team, and diversification.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Staying connected with employees as a MTBO and clinician,
• Leaning into your career for your own self-growth,
• Striving for harmony rather than balance in your life,
• Embracing the importance of community and connection,
• Taking ownership for your own self and actions,
• Building self-awareness,
• Acknowledging shame,
• Practicing gratitude in the moment,
• Understanding the difference between an employee and a contractor,
• Being okay with making mistakes and making changes,
• Letting go of the need to work as if you don’t have children and parent as if you don’t work,
• Finding mentors to support you during the challenges of being a music therapist, and
• Knowing that the more you learn and grow, the better you’ll do next time.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dynamic Music Services, Inc.: https://www.dynamicmusicservices.com/
• Career Driven Mom: https://www.facebook.com/CareerDrivenMom
• “First Class Life” with a chapter by Jen: https://bookshop.org/books/first-class-life-10-empowering-lessons-to-help-you-create-a-life-full-of-purpose-fulfillment-happiness/9798687236379
• Books: “I Thought It Was Just Me” by Brené Brown, “The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” by Gary Chapman and Paul White, “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey, and “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown
• Music: “Foolish Games” by Jewel, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, “Roar” by Katy Perry, and Sara Bareilles
• Extrovert’s Guide to COVID-19: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiefKVtC5aEeoncoLAO9AfTwe4toXcZBR
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kl5iSUfNEQLAYvRAd21DDd7bM-HFRiSH/view?usp=sharing

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentors for this episode, Helen Dolas, MS, MT-BC and Ron Borczon, MM, MT-BC.

Full Bios: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ffzy1rXpifhHoZf9swQySlCCJqkpfOW6/view?usp=sharing

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The evolution and increased awareness of music therapy,
• The use of rhythm and music therapy with those affected by mass disasters and trauma,
• Lessons learned as a MTBO in the midst of a global pandemic,
• The wisdom of listening and being present and intentional with our words,
• The importance of taking risks, learning new things, and not being afraid to let things go,
• The need to be authentic and tap into all dimensions of ourselves to be whole human beings,
• The difference between giving advice and mentoring,
• The importance of understanding our biases and listening to marginalized groups,
• Reasons to make your college education a priority,
• And much, much more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Able Arts Work: https://www.ableartswork.org/
• AAW Learn for Life: www.ableartslearnforlife.org
• Ron's Products: http://www.ronborczon.com/Products.html
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16vnolqx64q-TE-lc9jiZ7OMfCmRw-oWi/view?usp=sharing 

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentors for this episode, Lindsay Markworth and Alan Turry.

Lindsay Markworth, MMT, MT-BC, NRMT, is a board-certified music therapist and owner of Twin Cities Music Therapy Services in Minneapolis, MN. She has a master's degree in music therapy from Temple University and completed the Level 1 Nordoff-Robbins MT Training at NYU. She is adjunct faculty at Augsburg University teaching clinical improvisation.

Dr. Alan Turry, DA, MT-BC, NRMT, LCAT is Managing Director of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. The first music therapist formally certified to run a Nordoff-Robbins training course, he is responsible for the overall administration, research, clinical services and the training program at the Center. Turry also teaches clinical improvisation in the New York University Master’s program. He has lectured internationally on his work with a wide range of client populations including self-referred adults, psychiatric patients and those with neuro-diverse learning styles. Dr. Turry is recognized for his innovative contributions to the Nordoff-Robbins approach. These include his success in incorporating contemporary music styles into the resources for Creative Music Therapy, his use of improvisation and improvised songs in group music therapy, as well as pioneering work with self-referred adults integrating music psychotherapy and community music therapy practice.

You can learn more about both Lindsay and Alan via the links to their websites below.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lifelong learning
• Music-centered music therapy
• Music-centered music therapy via telehealth
• Musical partnerships
• Ways to stay grounded
• Techniques and reminders for building your improvisational skills
• The importance of remembering the “spark” that led you to music therapy and finding your authentic voice as a musician and music therapist
• The significance of the language we use
• The need to create space to listen intentionally in music and in life

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Twin Cities Music Therapy Services, LLC: https://twincitiesmusictherapyservices.com/index.html
• CREATE: www.CreateFromAnywhere.com
• Virtual Therapeutic Music Classes for Older Adults: http://twincitiesmusictherapy.com/telehealth-music-therapy.html
• Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/nordoff
• Alan’s Website: https://alanturry.com/
• Alan’s Full Bio: https://alanturry.com/about
• Teamwork Article by Turry and Marcus: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17edXR3sbrtK839jIp1dwhJt12JxXtdKz/view?usp=sharing
• Books: Music for Life: Aspects of Creative Music Therapy with Adult Clients and How Music Helps in Music Therapy and Everyday Life by Gary Ansdell
• Music: Federico Mompou; Johannes Brahms, Mr. Rogers, the Beach Boys, Yo-Yo Ma, Ludwig van Beethoven, Brandi Carlile, Cake, David Byrne American Utopia, Craig Taborn
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xsa78pj8p-ACikrZuMibMwQ1ETfrm_zY/view?usp=sharing 

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Amy Furman.

Amy Furman, MM, MT-BC has led the development of the Minneapolis Public School Music Therapy program, which now has eight music therapists. Her specialties include students with ASD, English Learners, and inclusion/mainstreaming in the music classroom. She served as a state mentor for Minnesota Music Educators in the areas of urban education and special needs students. A Past President of the American Music Therapy Association, she has written articles for professional journals, music therapy monographs and book chapters. She has presented nationally and internationally on music and special learners for a variety of organizations including World Federation of Music Therapy, International Society for Music Education, and American Orff Schulwerk.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The role of advocacy, research, and service in music therapy,
• The joy of sharing playlists and discovering new music,
• The importance of learning how to learn, and
• Ways to stay engaged in and excited about music therapy after decades in the profession.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• AMTA Bookstore (intellectual materials donated by members): https://www.musictherapy.org/bookstore/
• Jen's 2020 Self-Care Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiefKVtC5aEdgBRGsG5P3VJcQCEVL6POk or https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bF3poFTYRj7pMuLRJ9gFQ
• Music from Amy's Spotify Library: "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" by Claude Debussy, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around," "One Foot/Lead with Love" by Melanie DeMore, Nickel Creek, Joshua Bell, and this Family Dance Party Playlist by Melissa Hentges: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5DiICfu8AennCLRfWcOhTJ 
• Books from Amy's Bookshelf: "This Tender Land" by William Kent Krueger, "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Daniel Tatum, "Just Us: An American Conversation" by Claudia Rankine, "The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father" by Kao Kalia Yan, "WASTE: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret" by Catherine Coleman Flowers, "Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison, illustrator, and "I Am Every Good Thing" by Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James, illustrator
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NZUIA5xsnS1qOQwwiUAox26fLr-lvHiT/view?usp=sharing

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Dr. Natasha Thomas.

Natasha Thomas, PhD is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) currently serving as Assistant Professor at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). She received her undergraduate degree in music therapy from the University of North Dakota (UND), holds a masters degree in special education (also from UND, with an emphasis on visual impairment), and completed her PhD in expressive therapies from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Natasha has served on the Midwest and Southeastern Regional Boards of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) in various committee positions, including the Diversity & Multiculturalism Committee. She is currently serving on the steering committee of the Black Music Therapists Network (BMTN) and co-facilitates the BMTN sponsored podcast “Black Creative Healing” with Adenike Webb, sharing in radical conversations, mindful collaborations, and wholistic (spelling intended!) visioning that centers Black communities. Natasha is a committed advocate for creative & culturally sustaining support for marginalized communities. Her current research focus involves Black creativity, particularly identity construction and community care. Natasha is interested in the meaning made behind artistic & collaborative choices made by Black/African American youth from limited resource communities, as well as the Black professionals who serve them, and Black creatives in general. Her research and clinical work are inclusive of emerging technology, as well as the perspectives of disability and queer identities, and the unique ways those perspectives and resources can intersect to impact quality of life, identity construction and meaning making.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Community
• Community care
• Creative movement
• True solidarity
• Ways to "lift while we climb"
• Importance of getting what you need
• Why and how to interrogate everything

References mentioned in this episode:

• Black Creative Healing Podcast: https://www.blackmtnetwork.org/black-creative-healing & https://anchor.fm/black-creative-healing
• Black Creative Healing YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg-lyupbG8ulmeGqHfFBPhA
• Black Music Therapy Network: https://www.blackmtnetwork.org/
• BT Playgrounds: https://www.btplaygrounds.com/
• Tech Nook: https://www.technook.co/
• Music Therapy in a Multicultural Context: https://bookshop.org/books/music-therapy-in-a-multicultural-context-a-handbook-for-music-therapy-students-and-professionals/9781785927980
• Dr. Natasha Thomas's Pilot Study: Community-Based Referential Music Making with Limited-Resource Adolescents in Music Therapy Perspectives: https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miaa016
• Resmaa Menakem's Free E-Course: https://culturalsomaticsuniversity.thinkific.com/courses/cultural-somatics-free-5-session-ecourse
• Horti Plant Subscription Service: https://heyhorti.com/
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SR5GXFi0F0v1PI_IF_ipy1rojNoii2HK/view?usp=sharing 

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentors for this episode, Beth Allard Yoder and Nathan Mensah.

Beth Allard Yoder is a board-certified music therapist with a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is a sole practitioner with a private practice serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. Along with her clinical work, Beth is also the Integrator at Music Therapy Ed, and has served as adjunct faculty at SMWC. These roles bring all of her skills and passions together into her dream career. In all her work, she credits the power of our human musicality to connect us & create space for growth. Beth lives in Terre Haute, Indiana with her husband, pets, & ever-growing typewriter collection. She's always down to talk about space exploration, life with chronic illness, Walt Whitman, & folklore.

Nathan Mensah, MA, MT-BC is a Music Therapist II at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center who serves many patients and families, and an Adjunct instructor for the Music & Theatre Department at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. He regularly participates in various musical ensembles, and presented at conferences and universities about topics related to music-centered approaches, musical authenticity, musical skill building, and music therapy with cardiology.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Continuum of overall and musical wellness
• Importance of defining wellness and self-care for your own body and self
• Journey of self-actualization

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Beth’s Thesis: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QHdp3S-SOTQ0zCNdpUp3h5RiH2Lzq7wP/view?usp=sharing
• St Mary-of-the-Woods College Master of Arts in Music Therapy: https://www.smwc.edu/academics/departments/graduate-studies/master-music-therapy/
• Nate’s MusicTherapyEd Course: https://musictherapyed.com/courses/level-up-your-style-with-nathan-mensah-ma-mt-bc/
• GLR-AMTA Mentor Program: https://www.glr-amta.org/members-only/mentoring/
• MT Mentor: https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hFPST_-0bR6AsLOAvhHHdcrCzOzdqG9n/view?usp=sharing

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Ami Kunimura.

Ami Kunimura, MA, MT-BC is the founder of The Self-Care Institute and provides therapeutic support for professionals around the world who are experiencing burnout. Ami has been a board-certified music therapist since 2006, specializing in mental health, trauma, and addictions treatment. Ami also holds certifications in yoga education and first and second degree reiki, with training in mindfulness and meditation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook University.

Topics discussed in this episode include the following:

• Experiences with burn-out
• Ways to build and adapt sustainable self-care skills
• The importance of self-compassion and resiliency
• How we choose our career and define our success

Resources mentioned in this episode include the following:

• Elizabeth Gilbert’s Podcast “Magic Lessons”: https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/magic-lessons/
• Ami’s Self-Care Institute: https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ 
• Ami’s “The Self-Care Community for Music Therapists” Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/selfcaremusictherapy/
• Ami’s Instagram Site: https://www.instagram.com/amikunimura/
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OfnXg-v-E0vRbUl4FKjczV2PVoZiGDHh/view?usp=sharing

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for this episode, Dr. Alicia Ann Clair.

Alicia Ann Clair, Ph.D., MT-BC, is a professor emeritus at the University of Kansas School of Music, Lawrence, where she has a long history of clinical research, teaching, and service. Dr. Clair is a past president of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and has also served on its board of directors.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Observations and experiences related to the evolution of the music therapy profession
• Lessons learned from personal and professional challenges along the way
• The importance of caring for and trusting ourselves
• The vital role that students play in the future of our field

American Music Therapy Association

Transcript

It is an honor to welcome our guest mentor for our very first episode, Emma Moonier.

Emma is a Registered Attachment Therapist, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She is a professor of music therapy at Augsburg University and a music psychotherapist, specializing in attachment and attachment injury. Emma also works extensively with queer and trans youth.

This episode includes conversations around understanding attachment and attachment injury in music therapy; working with gender-expansive, queer, and trans youth; supervising music therapy students; and embracing listening and cultural humility.

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KEoc9X1l_wSJbf4wusSEIvSg4bWsu8JO/view?usp=sharing

Resources mentioned in this episode include the following:

• Perspectives on Perspectives Podcast Episode 8 - Evolving Considerations and Dimensions in Best Practices in Music Therapy with the LGBTQ Community: https://academic.oup.com/mtp/pages/mtp-podcasts
• Whitehead-Pleaux, A., Donnenwerth, A., Robinson, B., Hardy, S., Oswanski, L., Forinash, M., Hearns, M., Anderson, N., & York, E. (2012). Lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, and questioning: Best practices in music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 30(2), 158–166. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/30.2.158
• Mindfulness, Music, and Mandala: Cultivating Self-Compassion around Privilege and Bias CMTE G at the AMTA 2020 National Conference: https://netforum.avectra.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=SessionDetail&session_key=be216084-d35b-4d7f-828c-e4f14ab09e34&evt_key=76c9b1a4-428e-4144-9ff6-1851109d0d5c&Site=AMTA2
• Alex Iantaffi Podcast and Books: https://www.alexiantaffi.com/
• BMTN's Black Creative Healing Podcast: https://anchor.fm/black-creative-healing
• Emma's Theme Song Let It Be Me by The Indigo Girls: https://youtu.be/-Hb7TZ5FQHI
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mt-mentor/id1529162254
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RoNFT2u5mSJ8kybIsjn2T
• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiefKVtC5aEe6rnhyCG899CzoI3vAzfIY
• MT Mentor Membership Group: http://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

Thank you for joining us to fill our cups and share our wisdom together!