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Not Your Average Music Therapist is a space for music therapists who feel out of place or out of sorts to come together. Music therapy is a small field that faces lots of challenges. Why not go through these things together?! Kim Best is your host and will share stories, thoughts, and ideas around being the not very average music therapist herself. We’ll talk about wanting to leave the field, feeling like a phony, exploring new avenues, and other things on Kim’s mind. Guests will be invited on the podcast to share their stories and experiences within and outside the music therapy field. Listen in if you’re feeling kinda alone, and hopefully you’ll feel less alone through these episodes. Connect with us on Instagram here: @musictherapistpod
Episodes
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
New seasons are a good opportunity to reset, check in with yourself, and look expectantly ahead. In this episode I talk about Personal, Work, and Fun things to do at the start of a new year, new month, or new season. If you’d rather read this episode, check out the blog here: kimbest.com/blog
Some links from the episode:
Free “Take Time Off” Reference and CMTE-entering guide, kimbest.com/resources
Basic Business Spreadsheets, kimbest.com/shop/p/spreadsheets-for-taxes
Vision Board Making, kimbest.com/blog/visionboard
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
BEES! Listen to some top-tips, to steer clear of bee stings, from a music therapist/beekeeper.
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with my husband on a church roof with Nick Lord and the bees. Nick taught us all about bees and the process of beekeeping and harvesting honey. It was fascinating, and we found the queen on the first frame we looked at! This was definitely an experience to remember, and thankfully we can savor it a little longer with the hyper-local honey Nick gifted us.
Nick is a music therapist who has ventured into his other hobbies and passions in a big way, such as starting beekeeping on roofs around Rochester.
WHERE TO FIND THE HONEY:
Find Flower City Bee Works honey locally in Rochester, NY at Stacy K Floral or one of Nick’s pop-ups around town (or you can enter our giveaway! Ends Nov 4).
Strangebird Brewing in Rochester has honey brown on tap/in cans, called Do Up, using honey from their rooftop hives that Nick manages.
WHERE TO FIND NICK’S MUSIC:
Cover group: Spring Drive, www.springdriveband.com
Folk group: Chaz & the Dazzlers, Intelligence Is Rising on Spotify
CONNECT WITH NICK:
Instagram: @flowercitybeeworks
#rochesterny #beekeeping #hyperlocalhoney #musictherapist #musictherapylife #musictherapists
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Welcome to this joint podcast episode! This is part 1 (of 2) of my conversation with Dannielle Caldwell, content creator extraordinaire, co-host of MTPT (Music Till Proven Therapy) podcast, and the creator of the all-new NEW PROFESSIONAL RETREAT! The retreat is happening THIS Saturday, September 28th, and you can still register up until Friday. There are limited spaces, so make sure you register now!
In part 2, Dannielle shares all about the retreat and I share a special discount for all of you! Check out the second half of this episode here: www.musictherapynow.net/podcast and register for the retreat here: www.musictherapynow.net/newprofessionals
These episodes are great for all music therapists, not just new professionals, as we share our stories and glean wisdom from the steps we’ve taken. Hope you enjoy!
Connect with Dannielle here!
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Welcome to this joint podcast episode! You'll hear part 1 on the Able Voice Podcast with Hayley and Kim of Synergy Wellness.
Some topics from the episode:
- Behind Not Your Average Music Therapist podcast
- Competency and Experience
- What would you tell your younger self?
- Life advice
- Reminders on how to be human
And the book I referenced, which I could not remember the name of, is Defining Music Therapy by Kenneth Bruscia.
Enjoy the episode!
Connect with the guests
Instagram: @synergymusictherapy, @ablevoicepodcast, @mtahayley, @mta.kimberly
Email: contactsynergymt@gmail.com
Website: synergymusictherapy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/synergymusictherapy
You're always welcome to send me a message at hello@kimbest.com OR connect on Instagram: @kimberlyjanebest, @musiccanhelp, @nymusictherapy, @musictherapistpod
P.S. it's beanie season!!! You can find them here: kimbest.com/shop
About the guests:
Hayley (she/her) is a certified music therapist, speaker, and author living in Bermuda! She is passionate about lots of things including accessibility, anti-oppressive practice, and finds her clinical passion in working with older adults (e.g. dementia care and end-of-life care) and in neurologic rehabilitation.
Kim (she/her) is a certified music therapist and singer-songwriter based in Kingston, Ontario. She works with many people, but her main area of focus is within the realm of mental health care, supporting people of all ages in living a fulfilled and healthy life.
Together, Kim and Hayley, are the co-founders of Synergy Music Therapy & Wellness services which is the umbrella hub for a number of passion projects including the Able Voice Podcast. Under the Synergy MT brand, Hayley and Kim offer music therapy sessions with a team spanning across Canada and Bermuda, have released sticker collections, and most recently introducing their new Synergy Soirée series of events.
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
This episode is real, raw, and oh so honest. Many of us have had less-than-ideal experiences working for other music therapists, and we’re here to spill the tea. Please know that these are our personal experiences, thoughts, and perspectives. I truly hope there are music therapy businesses out there doing things differently, but for now we will open the conversation up so that maybe, just maybe another music therapist won’t go through what we’ve each been through.
Just a note, this episode was recorded in 2023.
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Head over to kimbest.substack.com to share your thoughts and see what other people are saying about this episode!
>>>>>>Take a look at the Survey Results<<<<<<
Notes from the episode ⬇️
Links:
- Shannon’s podcast, Casually Green on Spotify
- Pros and Cons of Subcontracting, episode with Tricia Caiati from Care Chronicles Podcast
- Therapeutic crisis intervention
- MIT living wage calculator
Topics from the episode:
- What are the worst things you went through in music therapy jobs?
- What kept you in music therapy?
- How to fall in love with it again.
- Why it doesn’t work (MTs having employees)
- Is happiness in our jobs possible?
- Business ownership solo vs having employees
- Abundance mindset vs scarcity
- Thoughts for the music therapy business owners
Advice for new professionals:
- Sense of self outside of music therapy
- Network and support system
- Trust yourself and your experiences
- Personal wellness checklist at the end of the survey
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Connect with the guests in this episode!
Jules Joyce
Pronouns: she/they
FB: Juliana Rose
Instagram: @_jujujules11
Cheyenna Eagle
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Email: cheyennaeagle@gmail.com
FB: Cheya-Rain Eagle
Instagram: @cheyarain
Shannon Ogden
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Instagram: @shannon_mtbc
If you’d like to share your story, email hello@kimbest.com.
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If you’d like to join the “pod” that supports this podcast, go to patreon.com/kimbest.
And here are some extra links for you:
kimbest.com for resources and added support for music therapists
Instagram: @kimberlyjanebest, @musiccanhelp, @nymusictherapy, @musictherapistpod
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Wednesday May 22, 2024
I recorded this in April, right after World Music Therapy week. So, enjoy all things music therapy in this episode!
Here are some of the topics discussed.
-using flute in music therapy sessions
-adults with dementia using jumbo guitar picks
-QUESTION: “I really love the field of music therapy, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be a good music therapist. Any advice?”
-QUESTION: “mt intern here! do you recommend being a contract MT or being hired by a facility and why?”
-QUESTION: “What is one thing you like about yourself?”
-QUESTION: “How did you decide to become a music therapist?”
Send in your own anonymous question: https://ngl.link/kimberlyjanebest1
Check out Patreon: patreon.com/kimbest
Read some creative writing: kimbest.substack.com
Kim on Instagram: instagram.com/kimberlyjanebest
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
How the heck do we take time off???? Let’s get to the heart of the matter in this episode with a follow-up reference guide that you can download for free.
Instagram post referenced in the episode:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1SQN9YxiC2/?igsh=cGUyZ3dqc2MyZXg5
Articles on the Mother Wound:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-and-recovery/201910/the-mother-wound
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/un-numb/202311/mending-the-mother-wound
Take Time Off REFERENCE:
Substack: https://kimbest.substack.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kimbest (let’s be pen-pals!)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyjanebest
Email: hello@kimbest.com
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
The podcast is back up! Enjoy this episode that provides some space for you to recognize your growth, breathe, and look lovingly into the rest of the year.
To read my writings: kimbest.substack.com
To become a BFF behind the scenes: patreon.com/kimbest
kimbest.com for resources, products, and added support for music therapists
…and Instagram:
@kimberlyjanebest on Instagram
@musiccanhelp on Instagram
@nymusictherapy on Instagram
@musictherapistpod for this podcast on Instagram
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
In this episode, Tricia and I chat about subcontracting and our many opinions and experiences with contract-style work. We dive into the model of private practice music therapy businesses, and I offer a new model of business that I am excited to see unfold and develop. This is the first time I am sharing this new model publicly, and I hope you are inspired to try new things in your life and work to make each day more fulfilling.
Find Tricia online:
@care-chronicles on Instagram
Email: hello@care-chronicles
And all the links that I had mentioned:
kimbest.com for resources and support for music therapists
@kimberlyjanebest on Instagram
@musiccanhelp on Instagram
@nymusictherapy on Instagram
@musictherapistpod for this podcast on Instagram
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
I have had my share of proposing music therapy programs, networking with administrators, and giving presentations to anyone who will listen.
These years have given me insight into the most important parts of the process - what actually matters. I care about your time and our sustainability as a profession, so in this conversation I break down the key pieces that really matter.
Find the powerpoint slides here as a PDF.
Hope you walk away with ideas and next steps!
P.S. I have just started up my Patreon Page, so check it out! It’s a place where you get behind-the-scenes, early and exclusive access, and conversations with like-minded beautiful people, As a patron, you get to choose which tier you want to be - the $10/month tier is probably my favorite because you get a letter of encouragement in the mail and get to call yourself a “pen-pal.” It just makes me smile! There are other options as well which offer you coaching, art in the mail, etc. Can’t wait to build our little community over there!