Introduction

This week we talk to cognitive neuroscientist and multi-platinum record producer Susan Rogers about her new book This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You. 

In this episode:

• The science behind how we perceive and process music and how it can affect our emotions and sense of self
• How our brains develop the ability to process sound and how formal music training can help us become "auditory athletes," or people who can analyze sound on a deeper level
• The concept of the "default mode network," a group of brain structures that are active when we are “in our own heads,” and how our favorite records can light up this network and create a private, emotional connection with us. 
• Rogers talks about her time as Prince’s full-time recording engineer during which she worked on albums like Purple Rain. (!)