In this episode, we explore the power of music as a tool for emotional healing and developmental support in childhood. I’m joined by two remarkable guests: Dr. Nicole St. Jean and Dr. Sarah Bartolome, who are co-leading of the Music for Childhood Well-Being Initiative (MCWI) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Together, they bring deep experience in education, public health, and the healing arts.

Dr. Nicole St. Jean is an educator, counselor, and advocate for trauma-informed practices in schools. Dr. Sarah Bartolome is a music educator and researcher whose work bridges music, identity, and child development. Together, they share the vision behind MCWI and how music can be integrated into the lives of children to support their mental health and emotional growth.

Key takeaways from this conversation:

• Music is more than art—it's a therapeutic tool that can promote regulation, resilience, and connection, particularly for children who have experienced trauma.
• The Music for Childhood Well-Being Initiative (MCWI) is creating new models that blend public health, education, and music to meet the emotional needs of children where they are across the globe.
• Healing through music often happens without words. It creates a safe space for children to express what they may not yet be able to say.
• Supporting children's well-being requires collaboration across disciplines—and a willingness to listen, adapt, and lead with empathy.

Whether you’re an educator, health professional, or parent, this conversation offers powerful insights into how music can be used to support the whole child.

Resources:

https://buffett.northwestern.edu/research/global-working-groups/trauma,-music,-and-the-breath-working-group.html

Featured articles from Northwestern:

https://buffett.northwestern.edu/documents/buffett-brief-trauma-music-and-the-breath.pdf

https://music.northwestern.edu/news/2024/music-childhood-well-being

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/05/01/campus/music-for-childhood-well-being-initiative-uses-music-to-support-childrens-well-being-worldwide/

#MusicForWellbeing #ChildhoodMentalHealth #MCWI #PublicHealth #TraumaInformedCare #ArtsInHealth #WholeChildDevelopment