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In this episode, Ryan sits down with Dr. Sean Young, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and Professor of Informatics in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences — and a lifelong bassist.
Dr. Young holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University, an M.S. in Health Services Research from Stanford School of Medicine, and a B.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. His work bridges music, psychology, medicine, and technology, offering a rare perspective on how sound shapes human behavior.
Together, they explore how jazz and reggae affect pain perception, why improvisation creates narrative and emotional immersion, how personal history influences the way we hear music, and why creativity resists being reduced to algorithms. The conversation also dives into AI, culture, and the ethical limits of technology.
This episode is a thoughtful look at music as both a scientific phenomenon and a deeply human experience.
Featured in This Episode
Lemur Music
Everything you need for the double bass — strings, accessories, sheet music, and bass-specific gear.
https://www.lemurmusic.com
Jerry Jemmott: 15 Timeless Basslines
A deep dive into feel, placement, tone, and musical decision-making — co-created with Jerry Jemmott, with every transcription personally approved.
https://www.thebassshed.org
The Wood Shed Bass
Vintage-inspired design with a modern voice — built for clarity, feel, and musicality.
https://www.thebassshed.com/wood-shed-bass
KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand
Lightweight, compact, and rock-solid for gigs, rehearsals, and teaching.
Use promo code SHED15 to save 15%.
https://youtu.be/b5b0aABJgSE
The Bass Shed
Explore podcast extras, deep-dive articles, listening content, and mindset resources.
https://www.thebassshed.com/join
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