Dancing into Brain Health (S2 Ep1): Dancing into Reflection
We launched the Dancing into Brain Health Podcast out of a desire to create space for conversations that expand our understanding of the role dance can play in supporting and sparking brain health. By bringing together leading researchers, doctors, artists, lived-experience advocates, and thought leaders, the podcast builds new bridges between neuroscience, community practice, and the arts.
In the first episode of Season 2, we open with a conversation rooted in reflection, personal story, inspiration, and hope for new beginnings. This episode returns to the core intention behind the podcast—exploring the early seeds of impact we hope it is cultivating and sharing our evolving vision for where this work is headed next.
Our guests for this episode are Szewah Chin, communications expert and journalist, and Hilary Brown-Istrefi, dancer and choreographer. Both share a deep connection with DanceStream Projects: Szewah serves as our Board Chair, and Hilary is our podcast editor and a lead teaching artist. Drawing from their personal stories, practices, and perspectives, they articulate a shared vision forward and underscore the vital need for more conversations that bridge what may seem like disparate fields—but are, in fact, deeply interconnected: the arts, neuroscience, and community.
Listen here:
Here is a highlight from the episode:
“The language of the body feels so accessible to me because we may not speak the same language, but if I extend out my hand or smile or lower my gaze, you’re going to kind of come into the same space as me. …
We’re all in this space together and we can all express ourselves in what maybe some people feel are pedestrian or mundane ways. But there’s a lot of weight and power in that.”
Listen to Season 2, Episode 1 now: Dancing into Reflection on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Learn more about Szewah Chin here:
Asians in Art Podcast:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AsiansinArt
Instagram: @aiashow
Learn more about Hilary Brown-Istrefi here:
Same As Sister: https://sameassister.com/
Instagram: @sameassister
This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced by Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten.
ABOUT DANCING INTO BRAIN HEALTH PODCAST
Join host Magda Kaczmarska, dancer, researcher, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health and executive director of arts and health nonprofit, DanceStream Projects, in uncovering the interconnections of dance, brain health and community. Each episode Magda brings together leading researchers, artists, advocates and thought leaders to illuminate the magical interconnections of dance and brain health and explore their influence on all aspects of our lives.
* New Episodes every month! *
Follow us on IG: @ dancestream_projects or email us at: magda@dancestreamprojects.com