by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

I’m changing things up BIG TIME for the month of June on the podcast. In celebration of Father’s Day, I’m featuring four DADS who are sharing their perspective on parenting and life as a music therapist.
This week’s guest has an even more unique perspective, because he lives in New Zealand. I really enjoyed hearing about Ahjay Stelino’s journey to becoming a music therapist, and how the field of music therapy differs between here and there.
Ahjay talks about nurturing his young son’s love of music, what it’s like to be a music therapist in New Zealand, and how he avoids professional burnout in Episode 21 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Ahjay, along with links to the resources he mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, which is software for music teachers and therapists that helps manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.
by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

I’m changing things up BIG TIME for the month of June on the podcast. In celebration of Father’s Day, I’ll be featuring four DADS who are sharing their perspective on parenting and life as a music therapist.
My inaugural male guest is the one and only Tim Ringgold. He was without a doubt the first person who came to mind when I had the idea for this special series. If you know Tim at all, then you know what an exceptional father, music therapist, and friend he is.
I look forward to seeing Tim at AMTA conference every year, because I come away from our face-to-face conversations feeling completely inspired and encouraged. I think you’ll feel that way after listening to this episode.
Tim talks about the winding road that led him to music therapy, his unconventional roles as a parent, and how he is empowering other music therapists to earn what they are worth in Episode 20 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Tim, along with links to the resources he mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, the best way to manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.
by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

Having worked with children almost exclusively throughout my career so far, I am in total awe of music therapists who have experience with clients in many different settings. Stephanie Bolton fits that description, as she shares in the latest episode of the podcast.
Not only has Stephanie worked in a variety of settings, but she is also a business owner running a private practice. She has the best of both worlds, doing the work she loves while still spending plenty of quality time with her daughter during the week.
Stephanie talks about her career path working with a vast array of client populations, the challenges of having a home office, and how entering into private practice has allowed her to enjoy valuable time with her family in Episode 19 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Stephanie, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, the best way to manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.
by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

Back in December, my family moved from one side of the neighborhood to the other with an 18-month-old in tow and another baby on the way. Here I was thinking that was a difficult transition…and then I interviewed music therapist Allison Hingley.
She moved across the country with a two-week-old newborn, and that was just one of MANY big life changes Allison went through in a relatively short amount of time. She certainly inspired me to believe that anything is possible when it comes to raising a family and pursuing a fulfilling carer.
Allison talks about raising a toddler and newborn while completing a master’s program, her family’s various moves around the country, and her decision to start a private practice after staying home with her young daughters in Episode 18 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Allison, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, the best way to manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.
by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

When I sat down to interview Kristen O’Grady via Skype for this episode, she told me about how she and her daughters had just returned from a day trip to the beach. I have to admit, I was a little jealous of how she had spent her Monday. Kristen explained later in the interview that this day of the week is “Girls’ Day” in her family, because she works on Saturdays.
I love hearing the details when it comes to how my guests make the best of their busy schedules, and Kristen had some great insight to share. As usual, I was taking notes on some of the ways I can do the same in my own life (which is about to get a lot busier with the addition of a second baby any day now!).
Kristen talks about the evolution of her career while working in the same facility for 11 years, how her family structures their unique weekly schedule, and the importance of staying connected with your partner in Episode 17 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Kristen, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, the best way to manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.
by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars

Julie Palmieri is a people person. Of course, this is one of the characteristics that makes her a great music therapist, but her people skills when it comes to online interaction make her especially good at the specialized work she does.
Julie specializes in helping fellow music therapists build, grow and rock their online presence, which allows her to work from home and spend time with her young daughters. I was so excited to interview her about her unique career within the field of music therapy for this week’s podcast episode.
Julie talks about her experiences having two children, leaving the clinical realm to work with music therapists online, and how she is able to raise her girls while working from home in Episode 16 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Julie, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
This episode is sponsored by Music Teacher’s Helper, the best way to manage your private music lesson studio and/or music therapy practice. I’ve used Music Teacher’s Helper every single day since 2011, and it is one of the best tools I have to keep my private practice running smoothly.
Sign up here for a 30-day no risk trial. If you choose to sign up after the trial using my link, you’ll save 20% off your first month!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.

Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.