SPOS #963 – Daniel Levitin On Secret Chords And The Power Of Music
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Release Date: 12/22/2024
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #990 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the , and currently serves as the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship. In that role, she oversees Wharton’s and its West Coast campus, while continuing her long-standing research into social networks, innovation and how knowledge flows between people, companies and technologies. Before her academic career, Lori worked as a systems engineer for and , giving her a rare blend of practical and academic insight into how organizations innovate. She’s also the author of the new...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #989 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is reshaping how we think about work, not by focusing on tasks or tools, but by interrogating how we communicate. A management professor at the at , Andrew specializes in organizational behavior, with a sharp focus on the friction (and possibility) that emerges when human behavior meets digital platforms. With a PhD from and a BS from , his work explores everything from how to show emotional authenticity on to how organizations can build culture without a physical office. In his new book, , Andrew offers a...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #988 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. believes the world needs to learn how to listen again. You may know him from his , - one of the most viewed of all time (over 65 million views). But long before going viral, Julian was helping companies and individuals rethink their relationship with sound - as founder of , author of and , and now with his new book . Julian’s work spans science, music, psychology, and design - from biophilic soundscapes in office buildings to sonic branding for global brands. In this conversation, he breaks down why we...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #987 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is on a mission to bring clarity, standards, and serious business impact to thought leadership. As Global Lead for Engagement & Eminence at ’s and the , Cindy has spent years leading one of the most ambitious research efforts ever undertaken on this topic. The result is her new book, , co-authored with . In it, Cindy reveals what more than 4000 C-level executives told IBM about how they consume, value, and act on thought leadership, and why some content drives sales while most gets ignored. In this...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #986 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. lives between worlds - geographically, culturally, and spiritually - and that makes him one of the most attuned chroniclers of what it means to be alive right now. Best known for travel writing that often transcends borders and genres (, , ), Pico is also a deeply reflective thinker about silence, stillness, and solitude. In his latest book, , he returns to a Benedictine monastery in Big Sur - a place he has visited over 100 times - to explore what it means to pause in a world that won’t stop moving. This isn’t...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #985 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is one of the most important voices rethinking the purpose, structure, and future of higher education. As founder of the and board chair of , she’s spent the last decade helping over 1,200 colleges, organizations, and regional economies reimagine learning pathways for next-generation students - particularly the new majority learners often left behind by traditional institutions. Her new book, is a provocative and optimistic look at how postsecondary education must evolve, drawing on over a decade of field...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #984 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. knows how to earn attention - and not in the algorithm-chasing, trend-hopping way most marketers talk about it. As the co-founder of (the first agency dedicated to branded podcasts), Steve helped pioneer a model for long-form brand storytelling that respected the audience as much as it served the client. Before podcasting was a thing brands took seriously, Steve was guiding companies like , , , , , and into a new kind of media - one built on trust, consistency, and real creative value. That experience forms the...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #983 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is not just thinking about the future of the economy - he’s thinking about the economy of the final frontier. As a professor at and a Research Associate at the , Matt brings the analytical rigor of economic policy to a space sector that’s shifting from sci-fi to IPO. In our conversation, we unpack the big thesis behind his new book (co-authored with ), which reframes space as something more than spectacle or science - it’s a place where real economic value is being created right now. This isn’t about day...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode . is one of the sharpest minds on the planet when it comes to understanding how our emotions shape our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. As a professor of psychology and business at the and the author of the bestselling books and , Ethan brings together rigorous research and practical insight in ways that are deeply human and immediately useful. In our conversation, we explore what it takes to manage emotions in a world that feels like it’s dialed up to 11 - from doomscrolling and overstimulation to the growing cultural obsession with emotional transparency. Ethan...
info_outlineSix Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #981 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is one of the most influential voices in modern marketing - a bestselling author, business strategist, and the creative force behind (a framework that has reshaped how leaders and organizations communicate). In our conversation, Donald breaks down the timeless power of story and why clarity - not cleverness - is the most underrated competitive advantage in business today. His new book, , expands on his original seven-part storytelling framework with sharper tools and practical applications for the modern marketer....
info_outlineWelcome to episode #963 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Daniel J. Levitin is a polymath whose career defies categorization - a neuroscientist, musician, and New York Times bestselling author, he seamlessly blends the scientific with the soulful. As a professor and researcher, his work has illuminated the deep connections between music, the brain, health, and creativity, with his insights gracing publications from Nature and Science to Rolling Stone and The Atlantic. Dan has not only revolutionized how we think about music through seminal works like This Is Your Brain On Music but also through his consultations with tech giants like Apple and Microsoft and his collaborations with legendary musicians like Joni Mitchell and Sting. In our conversation, Dan shares insights from his latest book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord - Music As Medicine, a fascinating exploration of music’s unique ability to heal and connect us. We discussed everything from the evolutionary roots of music to its capacity to transform physical and emotional health. He explained the brain’s innate response to rhythm and melody, unpacking why music compels us to move and how it serves as one of humanity’s oldest forms of therapy. The dialogue also touched on the neuroscience of creativity, the serendipity of success in the music industry (and business), and the evolving role of music in the streaming age. His work reminds us that music isn’t just entertainment - it’s a vital force that shapes who we are and how we connect with the world. If you’ve ever wondered why a particular song brings you to tears or makes you tap your foot uncontrollably, this episode will resonate deeply. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 1:08:01.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
- Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
- Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
- Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
- Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
- Check out ThinkersOne.
- or you can connect on LinkedIn.
- ...or on Twitter.
- Here is my conversation with Daniel J. Levitin.
- I Heard There Was a Secret Chord - Music As Medicine.
- This Is Your Brain On Music.
- Dan’s music.
- Dan’s research.
- Follow Dan on X.
- Follow Dan on Instagram.
- Follow Dan on LinkedIn.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Daniel J. Levitin.
(02:52) - The Connection Between Music and Movement.
(06:12) - The Evolution of Music and Speech.
(09:05) - The Role of Taste in Music Discovery.
(11:58) - Luck vs. Skill in Music Success.
(14:49) - The Complexity of Musical Originality.
(18:06) - Creativity Across Cultures.
(20:48) - The Evolution of Artists and Their Music.
(31:09) - The Emotional Power of Music.
(34:55) - The Evolution of Musical Taste.
(39:42) - Songwriting and Personal Expression.
(44:05) - Music as Medicine.
(50:12) - The Impact of Streaming on Music Consumption.
(56:45) - Lessons from Live Performance.