Finding ways to merge hobbies and/or passions into work can be difficult at best, impossible at worst. And in my 20 years at UT, this has been true. Most of the time, these creative efforts to fuse work and play – haven’t quite worked, often leaving me frustrated or even confused.
But here’s the good news:
I just might be turning a corner, straight into a new position at the Moritz Center for Societal Impact at Texas Social Work.
Of course, this merger didn’t happen overnight. My love for music is long-standing, full of powerful memories and insights. And my path of becoming a professor has been 25 years in the making — rewarding in some ways, challenging in others.
But in the words of Bob Schneider (from the song “Bridge Builders”) I’m now “Building my own Bridge” – between work and passion projects.
The first step occurred while teaching an Introduction to Counseling course here at UT. As an instructor, I always tried to incorporate media. I’ve experimented with various types, but music seemed to always be the “hit” receiving the most engaging student responses.
For the last ten years, I’ve used music to illustrate concepts from a range of counseling theories (Freud, Existential, Cognitive, etc.) by bringing in Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and more recently Dawes. For example, I’ve used the Pink Floyd song “Time” to connect with core existential themes including meaning making and death’s inevitability. I used the Dawes song “Just Beneath the Surface” to teach Freud’s concept of the Unconscious.
Students loved it. And most importantly they understood the concepts in ways they were missing previously.
Why? Well lyrics and music seem to explain and connect with our inner lives in ways that textbooks and lectures – just can’t. Music can explain what’s in the textbooks, including complicated concepts and theories – in meaningful ways.
This experience led to a news feature from the College of Education regarding how I was using music in the classroom, including some of the above examples. This story then found its way into the hands of musicians including Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes. Mr. Goldsmith (who recently opened the Grammys) said this that learning how his music was being used in a university setting was a huge honor. He noted how he was always interested in psychology yet could never imagine how his “work” could be creatively integrated into the classroom.
As Taylor Goldsmith was one of my favorite artists, receiving this response was one of MY greatest professional honors.
At that point, I realized I may be developing a unique music specialization with academic potential.
These experiences led to a series of successful music-infused projects including:
- A Dawes backyard concert, where I discussed some of the psychological themes explored in my courses and their connection to the music.
- A Signature Music and Mental Health course, where I teach students about psychological disorders using music as a lens.
- A community-based music series called Under the Rock, where I bring top-tier artists to perform and discuss lyrics in the context of relevant psychological concepts for the audience.
- A research project assessing the impact of music concerts (and related discussions) on self-awareness, insights, and reduce burnout among medical professionals.
With these professional developments surfacing, I was also building bridges between UT and Austin’s artistic community. Talented, high-profile local artists were inquiring about being on “Under the Rock” and performing in my “Music & Mental Health” class.
Meanwhile, contemporary research continued to highlight the physical and psychological benefits of music. For example, studies in music therapy have demonstrated how music can reduce anxiety, lower cortisol levels, and stimulate brain regions associated with emotion, memory, and self-awareness. Music activates the limbic system and can unlock feelings that are often hard to express.
The timing of this research and my music-mental health initiatives were ideal. The newly established Moritz Center at Texas Social Work identified a focus on the intersection between the arts and well-being, championed by its dean, Dr. Allan Cole. Dean Cole has openly shared his journey with Parkinson’s Disease, specifically how music has become a powerful tool in his healing, connection, and symptom management. He has presented on how playing music provides emotional relief, builds community, and helps him face the challenges of Parkinson’s with creativity and resilience.
When he found out about my signature course and community-based series, we connected immediately. Shortly after, he invited me to lead the Arts and Humanities Division of the Center.
Our mission is to implement innovative programming and research focused on the creative arts and their application to a range of populations. I’m excited to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and bring together different perspectives.
Ideally, all of us can find ways to channel our hobbies into our collective work and broader goals. Pursuing activities that you are passionate about attracts others seeking similar creative professional outlets. Sometimes we get the most reward from stepping outside the formal boxes that society and work environments construct. Doing so can yield value at unexpected intersections.
For now, the plan seems clear – the road promising both for the Moritz Center and for my own professional path. But if things change? I’ll keep in mind a line from one of my favorite songs, “Franklin’s Towers” by the Grateful Dead.
“If you get confused, listen to the music play.” – Written by Robert Hunter
