The Sound Mind

For our last episode of 2025, we break down the psychology behind Christmas music. We explore why festive songs feel comforting, familiar, and instantly transporting — even if they are decades older than we are. We dive into the musical features that make songs sound “Christmassy", and unpack why some people love Christmas music whilst others hate it. Finally, we bring it all together with a science-backed guide to building the perfect festive playlist: one that regulates mood, reduces stress, and enhances connection.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro02:01 Why Christmas Music Feels So Nostalgic10:40 What Makes Songs Sound “Christmassy”?15:02 Why We Love (or Hate) Christmas Music21:08 How to Build the Perfect Festive Playlist30:27 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

In this episode, we break down the psychology behind the internet’s favourite holiday: Spotify Wrapped. From nostalgia and identity to social comparison and belonging, we explore the emotional forces that make Wrapped so irresistible. We dive into 2025’s biggest new features, and reveal how Wrapped transforms your listening habits into a personal story worth sharing. Wrapped isn’t just data, it’s music psychology in motion. Here’s why we can’t stop talking about it, posting about it, and waiting for it every year.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:48 Wrapped’s Core Ingredients10:17 This Year’s Evolution: New Features of Wrapped 202527:36 The Psychology Behind Wrapped’s Success33:52 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

In this episode, we explore how music shapes the way we shop, from the emotional pull of advertising soundtracks to the subtle cues woven into in-store playlists. Through the psychology of memory, mood, and behaviour, we uncover how brands use music to guide our decisions without us even realising it. We also dive into Christmas as the world’s biggest musical marketing moment, where festive soundtracks combine with nostalgia and generosity to create the ideal environment for unconscious spending. And finally, we examine what happens when music overwhelms, misfires, or crosses into manipulation — and what that means for our relationship with sound, spending, and choice.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro02:33 How Music Sells: The Psychology Behind It09:52 Inside the Ad: How Marketers Choose Music17:33 Christmas: The World’s Biggest Musical Marketing Moment25:12 The Flip Side: The Ethics of Music and Marketing31:52 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

In this episode, we explore why scary music scares us and why we secretly love it. Through the psychology of sound, evolution, and emotion, we uncover how horror composers tap into our deepest instincts to create fear through the manipulation of frequency, silence, and dissonance. We trace how the sound of fear has evolved and what it reveals about our relationship with emotion, control, and thrill. We also unpack why some of us seek out fear for pleasure, and how scary music offers a safe space to experience intensity, release, and even joy.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:19 The Evolutionary Function of Fear in Sound08:44 The Tricks Behind Scary Music17:06 Why We Love to Be Scared24:26 How Scary Music Has Evolved31:58 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠

In this episode, we explore the lost art of listening and what albums can teach us about attention in an age of constant distraction. Through the psychology of flow, deep listening, and emotional regulation, we uncover why albums still matter — not just as collections of songs, but as journeys that mirror our inner lives. We also look at how focused listening affects the brain, memory, and stress, and why slowing down with music might just be the mindfulness practice we didn’t know we needed.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro02:40 Our Distracted Listening Culture15:37 The Art of Sequencing20:10 The Psychology of Deep Listening29:31 Mindfulness Exercise33:42 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks⁠