Episode 1: Rachel Rilinger does music therapy

For my debut episode, I introduce to you both good and bad. Let’s start with the bad. I ask board-certified music therapist Rachel Rilinger questions from a distant location, which is really right across the table from her, but apparently I, as a grown adult, can’t manage my settings on my microphone. But you didn’t want to hear from me. The good part of this episode is all the great stuff from Rachel! 

We kick things off with Rachel by talking about certification for music therapy. Don’t stop here. Keep going. She respects the education and the work of her chosen profession, which she reveals she’s been excited to do since she was 15 years old. Then we get into what’s really amazing about music therapy, how it helps with mental illness, rehabilitation, chronic conditions – with everything where music can be a modality to heal and help. 

You’ll hear Rachel’s origin story and feel her intense passion for the work. You’ll even get a little about the neurology behind music and why it can do things other therapy and treatment can’t. And you’ll get to hear Rachel rock the autoharp. (After demonstrating the power of ascending and descending notes, she says that “in a nutshell, our brain wants to do what the music’s doing. We’re built to respond to that.” And that can be put to therapeutic use.) And, finally, Rachel touches on the mystery of life, the “why” and the spirituality behind music. Last but not least, don’t leave before Rachel tells her story about the power of music therapy. (“There are times when I felt like a magician,” she says.) 

As for the audio quality, maybe by the third of fourth episode I’ll have my crap together? Stick with me. Can you believe what amazing things people do?  

Want to know more? 

• Need more details on music therapy? Maybe think you want to be one or know someone who’d make a great one? Want to see the definition of music therapy Rachel likes? Want to hear about legislation in your states that supports the professionalizing of board-certified music therapists? Want to find a music therapist? Find out about this profession from the American Music Therapy Association.
• Rachel plays an autoharp in this episode and explains why it’s amazing. Here’s more on this cool instrument.
• And, yes, the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying has Rachel’s frog story. (It’s on page 42 here.)