The Sound Mind

• Ep. 32 The Psychology of Waiting Music: From Elevators to Call Centres

  In this episode, we explore the strange world of waiting music, from the smooth strings in elevators to the tinny loops of call centre hold lines. We dive into the psychology of waiting sounds, from attentional distraction and time distortion to the careful design choices that shape your mood. We also ask bigger questions about ethics, manipulation, and the future of waiting music in an AI-driven world. Whether you love it or hate it, you’ll never hear hold music the same way again.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro03:02 The Birth of Background Music12:04 The Psychology of Waiting Music18:44 The Sound of Anonymity25:26 Modern Approaches: From Bland to Branded30:34 The Ethics37:04 The Future of Waiting Music41:35 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

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• Ep. 31 When Music Hurts: The Psychology of Trigger Songs

  In this episode, we explore why some songs feel impossible to listen to, instantly pulling us back into buried emotions and memories. From the way music intertwines with memory and emotion in the brain, to how tracks become bound up with trauma, grief, or heartbreak, we dive into the psychology of trigger songs. Through powerful listener stories of avoidance, reclamation and healing, we also unpack therapeutic approaches that can help us navigate painful music and even find ways to reclaim those tracks.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:52 The Science Behind Trigger Songs08:59 When Songs Become Memories13:56 Why It Hurts So Deeply19:59 Listener Stories31:36 Ways to Cope With Painful Music38:23 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

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• Ep. 30 Do Genres Still Matter? Why Labels Can’t Contain Music

  In this episode, we explore why music genres still matter — and why, in many ways, they don’t. From the history of genre classification and their role in shaping communities and emotional expectations, to how streaming, playlists, and globalised sounds are blurring boundaries, we dive into the psychology and cultural significance of musical categories. Ultimately, we reveal how genres remain a powerful yet evolving lens for identity, emotion, and the way we experience the ever-expanding universe of sound.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:09 A Brief History of Genres08:27 Why Genres Matter Less Today20:24 Do Genres Still Matter In Some Ways?28:55 Future Trends: What’s Next for Genres?33:49 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

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• Ep. 29 Do Lyrics Matter More Than Melody? The Psychology of Lyrics

  In this episode, we uncover why lyrics matter so deeply in music and what makes certain lines unforgettable. From self-expression and storytelling to emotional regulation, we dive into the psychology of why some words resonate whilst others pass us by, and how personal relevance shapes what sticks in memory. We also explore the science of misheard lyrics, the power of vocal delivery, and the neuroscience of why lyrics stay with us — even resurfacing in dementia — showing how songs connect us to our identity, our memories, and each other.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:41 Lyrics as Mirrors of the Self04:24 Lyrics as Storytelling11:26 When Lyrics Hit Home16:28 Do Words or Melodies Move Us More?23:23 What Makes Lyrics Memorable27:10 Mondegreens: Why We Mishear Songs32:35 Lyrics as Social Glue37:03 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

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• Ep. 28 Why Your Emotions Choose Your Playlist: The Mood-Music Loop

  In this episode, we explore how our playlists shift with our emotions and life stages, and why the same song can comfort us one day and energise us the next. Using the Brief Music in Mood Regulation scale, we explore seven science-backed strategies for utilising music to regulate mood. Whether you’re chasing a dopamine high, seeking comfort, or just needing a moment to breathe, this episode will help you understand the psychology behind why your emotions pick your playlist.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro02:21 Entertainment: When Music Is Just for Fun06:01 Revival: Recharging Your Mind and Mood12:06 Strong Sensation: Chasing Musical Chills and Rush16:01 Diversion: Pressing Pause on Worries20:06 Discharge: Letting Your Feelings Out Through Music24:14 Mental Work: Thinking and Reflecting with Music28:08 Solace: Feeling Understood Through Sound32:10 Bringing It All Together: How Moods and Music Intertwine34:48 Summary and OutroCook et al’s (2019) study: https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356177346272024 follow-up study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03057356241258959Brief Music in Mood Regulation Scale: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Ft17588-000Follow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

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