Join us to explore the profound impact of music on personal identity, healing, and creativity. We discuss the importance of creating one's own experiences, the healing power of music, and the challenges of navigating cultural expectations in the music industry. Scott shares his journey of songwriting and the founding of World Singing Day, emphasizing that music is for everyone and can bring joy and connection across cultures. We explore the significance of singing and music in personal expression, healing, and community building. We discuss the origins of World Singing Day, the importance of finding one's voice, and the transformative power of music therapy, particularly for seniors. The dialogue also touches on cultural perspectives regarding singing, the role of music in fostering community, and the necessity of trusting one's inner voice while navigating life's journey. We explore the importance of trusting one's path, the growth of World Singing Day, and the challenges of navigating societal expectations. We discuss the balance between creativity and commercialization, the journey of self-discovery, and the power of voice and expression. The conversation emphasizes the significance of music in personal growth and encourages listeners to embrace their unique journeys and sing together, particularly on World Singing Day.

Food for thought

"Some of the biggest mistakes are the best learning."

"Cultural expectations can mold one's relationship with music."

"We can create our own experience, and our own life."

"The power of voice is deeply connected to our emotions and identity."

"Judgments from society can silence our voices."

"Music education can be therapeutic."

"Trust your inner wisdom and follow what lights you up."

"Creativity thrives in an environment free from commercial pressures."

"Self-discovery is a journey that requires trust and openness."

"Life's biggest decisions often come naturally, not through force."

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:54 Celebrating Connections and Milestones

04:57 Creating Your Own Heaven

11:21 The Healing Power of Music

18:19 Navigating Cultural Expectations in Music

25:11 The Journey of Musical Creation

27:12 The Birth of World Singing Day

30:17 Finding Your Voice Through Music

33:07 The Healing Power of Singing

37:23 The Importance of Community in Music

40:58 Cultural Perspectives on Singing

45:27 The Role of Music in Personal Expression

48:22 Navigating Life's Journey Without a Plan

54:08 Trusting Your Path

57:31 The Growth of World Singing Day

01:00:36 Navigating Societal Expectations

01:01:38 Creativity vs. Commercialization

01:04:40 The Journey of Self-Discovery

01:07:34 The Power of Voice and Expression

01:17:19 Encouragement to Sing Together

01:19:19 If This Were Heaven by Scott Johnson

01:19:51 Outro

Guest Bio

Scott Johnson

Scott founded World Singing Day in 2012 with the belief that nothing bonds people faster than singing together. He has written and produced music for over 40 years, including 7 albums of his own songs, ranging from children’s music to adult contemporary pop/rock. In 2003, Scott co-founded the Positive Music Association to promote artists and music with universal, life-affirming messages.

我又一次在南非的丛林中度过了两个星期远离现代社会的生活——没有网络、没有复杂的加工食品、没有五彩的灯火、没有机械的噪音，每晚枕着大自然的交响曲入睡（除了持续不断的虫鸣和蛙鸣，有狮吼宣誓领地、河马上岸、斑鬣狗猎食，几公里范围内在发生些什么可以听得一清二楚）——这一次我们自驾克鲁格国家公园：白天观察野生动物、animal tracking，晚上生起篝火、仰望银河、聆听昼夜的交替。Every time I went to South Africa, I receive new insights about life and music and human evolution. 这一次去正值南半球的夏季，也是动物们的繁殖季节，看着生命显化为多姿多彩的模样，在富足丰盛的丛林中自在地生活，生命们呈现出一种enough的妆态，“speechless”、“thoughtless meditative state”或者说“坐忘”是最常发生在我身上的状态。 在这次旅途中，我和同行伙伴坐在大自然中录制了三期播客，你可以听到周围的环境与我们的互动：N种鸟、人、大海、风、甚至是灌木...... 随性而自发地漫谈自然、进化、音乐......这些如何指引我们的人生下一步？

城市生活似乎很容易让生活变得太过复杂、太紧张、太用力，在城市化工业化的过程中，我们摧毁了很多本就拥有的幸福，为了一些“塑造出来的目标和幻相“，人和自然离得越远，就越容易被这种幻相所掌控。

The trip is a retreat for the mind-body-soul, like a natural combination of 1) digital detox, 2) studying biodiversity and evolution first hand, 3) touching the core of genetics, neuroscience, music and language development.

这一期的开场特别好玩，我刚把手机录音打开，鸟儿们就加入了观众席，给我们一波欢呼。我们和自然、其他的生命这种深层次的连结深深地打动我，让我的内心充满喜悦。这难道不就是大家在努力追求的吗？用尽各种方法...到头来，只要我们不去破坏、只要我们聆听pay attention的方向正确，就在那里。我想到躺在沙滩上的渔夫和那位奋斗了一生，用积蓄在海边买了一栋豪宅度假的富翁的故事。

本期的后期特别插入了下列鸟类的叫声：

11:20 多言的寡妇-绿林戴胜Green Wood Hoopoe

25:46 红脸地犀鸟四重奏乐队Quartet

35:20 环颈斑鸠Ring-necked Dove

59:26 非洲角鴞African Scopes Owl

1:02:06 容易被群殴的珠斑鸺鶹Pearl-spotted Owlet

1:02:24 方尾夜莺-像发动机引擎的声音Square-tailed Nightingale

本期嘉宾：张律 Tigris Zhang

野去自然旅行自然顾问，上海市科普作家协会会员。09年出版《南非野生生活》，17年出版《追踪非洲五霸》（18年被评为“上海好童书”），21年出版《丛林中的一百万种邂逅》。狂热的自然爱好者，早在2000年就建立了首个自然保育网站《老虎的呼声》。2005年参与老虎野化项目，毕业于南非大学自然保护专业，拥有超过10年自然保护领域工作经验。连续3年在南非自然保护区参与野生动物保育与自然栖息地恢复工作。