So Curious‪!‬ The Franklin Institute

So Curious is back! And to kick off this season on the science of music, we're looking at a question we've all asked before; why do we like the music we like?
To get to the bottom of this, Bey and Kirsten sit down with three experts across the fields of music cognition, psychology, and audio engineering to explore the ways our brains, personality, and experiences help shape musical preferences.
Links for today’s episode:
Learn more about Dr. Psyche Loui and her research with the MIND LabLearn more about Dr. David Greenberg’s work on music, personality, and the brainLearn more about Dr. Susan Rogers and her book, This Is What It Sounds Like

We all know the feeling of being moved by a song, but have you ever wondered why? The Bul Bey and Kirsten Michelle Cills get to the bottom of this mystery, interviewing experts in neuroscience, acoustics, biology, and musicology. And it’s not all serious - we’re here to entertain! Catch new episodes every Tuesday this summer! 

Just like anything else, the mental health world is susceptible to buzzwords. Lately, the term "wellness" has been tossed around everywhere, but what does that word even mean? In the last episode of this season, Bey and Kirsten do what they do best, and turn to science for some answers!
First, the two sit down with cross-cultural wellness researcher Dr. June Kim for some definitions. Then, Dr. Glenn Fox joins to share his work, scientifically measuring the affect practicing gratitude can have on our mental health. And to close out the season, Bey and Kirsten chat with Malaika Gilpin, co-founder and director of the One Art Community Center in West Philly, to learn some of the practical ways they help promote wellness in the local community.
Links for Today's Episode:
Lean more about Dr. June Kim's work at TCNJLean more about Dr. Glenn Fox's gratitude research, and his current focus applying that to entrepreneurship Learn more about Malaika Gilpin and One Art's mission in West Philly
Resources for Today's Episode:
My Grief Angels for a directory of grief resources Up the Block for those in Philadelphia affected by gun violence

Inevitably, we all deal with the loss of a loved one, but why is something as universal as grief still so difficult to process? To get some answers from science, Bey and Kirsten sit down with grief researcher Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor to explore how grief affects our brains and bodies. Then, the two chat with creativity expert Natalie Nixon, looking at how creativity can help one to find meaning following a loss. And to round out the episode, Marguerite Nicosia from the Shanthi Project returns with another mindfulness exercise.
Links for Today's Episode:
Learn more about Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor and her grief researchLearn more about Natalie Nixon and her workLearn more about the Shanthi Project
Resources for Today's Episode:
My Grief Angels for a directory to resources based on specific form of grief experiencedThe National Alliance for Children's Grief for helping kids process griefNAMI for general mental health support

Hope you're hungry! Today's episode is all about food, both how food impacts our mind, and how our mind impacts our relationship with food. To explore how what we eat impacts the way we feel, Bey and Kirsten sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Drew Ramsey to discuss nutritional psychology. Then, the two chat with self described anti-diet dietician and food writer Christine Byrne, investigating the ways language and societal pressure can negatively affect our relationship to food, and how we can combat these stigmas.
Links For Today's Episode:
Learn more about Dr. Ramsey's workLearn more about Bring Change To Mind's mission to end mental health stigmaLearn more about Christine Byrne's practice and writing
Resources For Today's Episode:
The National Eating Disorders Association offers a call line and various supports on their websiteMental Health America's eating disorder information + support pageProject Heal for support and resources for those seeking eating disorder treatmentthe National Alliance on Mental Health for general mental health resources nationwide

From doom scrolling to video games, we're constantly hearing how digital technologies are ruining our mental health, but do these claims hold any credence? To try and get to the bottom of this question, Bey and Kirsten sit down with three different guests - trauma researcher Roxanne Cohen Silver, author Jordan Shapiro, and the Franklin Institute's own Dr. Jayatri Das - to investigate the 24 hour news cycle, fears around kids using new technology, and the potential of chatbots and VR in mental health treatment.
Links for today's episode:
Learn more about Dr. Roxanne Cohen Silver and her extensive research into the effects of stressful news consumptionLearn more about Dr. Jordan Shapiro and his books on parenting in the modern age
Resources for today's episode
988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineNAMI, for non-crisis mental health needsVOICES Center for Resilience for support following a mass tragedy