Buying Local Podcast · Episode 48 · October 24, 2025 · 35 min
Why Music Therapy Works with Tracey Puckhaber | Buying Local S3E48
In this episode of Buying Local, host Mike Nelson sits down with Tracey Puckhaber to talk about her path into music therapy and how she brings that work to families through Nourishing Minds Tutoring. Tracey explains how music can be used as a clinical tool to support emotional regulation, speech development, focus, and connection across all ages. You can find Tracey at nourishingmindstutoring.com or by emailing her at [email protected]. 00:00 Introductions & Tracey shares her background 01:20 What Nourishing Minds Tutoring is and who they serve 03:20 Virtual vs. in-person support for students 04:15 Business development and community networking 05:30 Defining music therapy in clinical terms 06:30 Evidence-based practice and credentialing 07:40 Real-time assessment during sessions 09:10 Why music improves memory and learning 10:30 Engagement & attention in very young children 12:20 Movement, rhythm, and physical connection to music 13:45 When parents should consider music therapy 15:10 Special education and neurodivergent support 17:05 Music therapy across hospitals, NICU, & geriatrics 19:00 Post-Covid speech delays and early intervention 20:45 Building trust and pacing progress 22:00 Tweens & teens: emotional regulation through lyrics 23:15 Lyric analysis as self-reflection 25:45 How Tracey joined Nourishing Minds Tutoring 28:15 Why in-person connection matters for therapy 33:20 Tracey’s passion & last takeaways