Introduction

"Open-earedness" describes our willingness to explore new music. I’ve come to think of it as the auditory equivalent of open-mindedness. Good news: there's delightfully compelling evidence that choosing to be curious about music is good for our health and well-being! Tim McKenry, professor of music at Australian Catholic University, is a spirited advocate for reclaiming our tolerance of the unfamiliar and making music an intentional and expanding part of our lives. Go ahead, open those ears! Tim McKenry at theconversation.com: https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-stop-exploring-new-music-as-we-get-older-200080 Theme music by Sean Balick. “Pxl Htra” by The Fence, via Blue Dot Sessions.