by Rachel | Guitars & Granola Bars
This was one of those episodes I didn’t ever want to end — that’s how fascinated I was by my guest this week. My interview with music therapist and doula Kate Taylor is especially timely as I begin planning for the birth of my daughter, which is only a few weeks away.
I’m familiar with what doulas do, since I had the support of one during the birth of my son and will have her by my side again next month. But Kate opened my eyes to just how crucial a role music can play during the labor and delivery process.
Kate talks in-depth about her unique music therapy work as a doula and birth-centered practitioner, which she was inspired to pursue after the birth of her first daughter in Episode 13 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Kate, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
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
For years, I would lament that I was the only music therapist in my city of Springfield (luckily, that is no longer the case). But interviewing Aksana Kavaliova-Moussi for this week’s episode of the podcast really put things in perspective for me: she’s the only music therapist in her entire country.
Aksana is a shining example of how making connections with others online can help stave off that loneliness caused by geographical isolation. We both wondered out loud…what did people do before the internet?! :)
Aksana shares her experience completing her masters degree online while raising her young daughter, the challenges of being the only music therapist in her country, and why networking via the internet is essential in Episode 12 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Aksana, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
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
Trust me when I say that you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode of the podcast. I’m always up for being inspired by others, and Danielle is one of the most inspiring people I’ve talked to in a long time.
After our interview, I have a completely new perspective on things in my life I’ve viewed as challenges or obstacles; compared to what Danielle has faced and overcome, most of those “challenges” seem like a walk in the park.
Danielle shares the story of her pregnancy — an “unexpected blessing” — and how she pursued her music therapy studies while raising a baby as a single mother, along with how the support of colleagues, family and friends allowed her to complete her degree, internship, and eventually open a private practice in Episode 11 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Danielle, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
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
Today’s podcast episode marks an exciting milestone: we’ve reached episode #10! When I first had the idea for the podcast, I was worried I would have a hard time recruiting guests. But to my happy surprise, I haven’t had to recruit at all — I’ve had a long list of awesome music therapy mamas volunteer themselves.
Every week I pick up so many great tips and advice from my guest, and this week is no exception. Amy Schaack is a business owner like myself, but she is a few steps ahead of me. Not only has she kept her business going and GROWING despite taking time off to have two babies, but she has also grown her team substantially.
Since I’m heading into my second maternity leave in just a few weeks and getting ready to hire multiple employees this summer, I was extremely grateful that Amy was willing to share her knowledge and experience with me.
Amy talks about building her private practice and hiring employees, sustaining her business through two maternity leaves, and how her company is soon taking music therapy “on the road” in Episode 10 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Amy, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
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 have a lot to learn from Christina Stock, my guest on the podcast this week. She has two kids, a music therapy career she loves, an amazing circle of fellow mama friends right in her own neighborhood, and hobbies she shares with her super-supportive husband.
But as ideal as her life sounds now, it hasn’t always been that way for Christina. She endured two tough pregnancies as well as bouts with depression and PTSD, and I’m so grateful she was willing to open up and talk about those experiences with me.
Christina shares not only her journey through perinatal depression and birth-related PTSD, but also how she handles the “work-life wobble” and the importance of building a local community of support in Episode 9 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.
Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Christina, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.
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.
