Music, Listening, and The Brain: A Conversation With Jessica Phillips-Silver

Music, Listening, and The Brain: A Conversation With Jessica Phillips-Silver

March 25, 2026 · 43 min · Season 3 · Episode 6

About this episode

Dominique interviews Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver about the intersection of music, listening, and brain function.

What does listening actually require, and what can music teach us about how the brain learns? In this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver, a music neuroscientist, speaker, and artistic creator whose work explores how rhythm shapes attention, regulation, and human connection. Together, they unpack Jessica’s ARC framework of listening - attention, regulation, and connection - and explore why sound environment, movement, and music education are essential to learning. Jessica also shares how her Finding Rhythm project brings neuroscience, culture, and music into K–12 classrooms, reframing music as a powerful tool for learning, healing, and community. Resources Learn more about Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver Learn more about the Finding Rhythm Project Learn more about Lightspeed

People in this episode

Host: Dominique

Guest: Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver

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Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Finding Rhythm Project, Lightspeed

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