Audio Postcards and Music Thinking Development

Audio Postcard.

And we’re back! After a reflective summer break, The Power of Music Thinking returns with a special episode that is both a journey for the senses and a look into the future. I’ve just returned from a trip to Japan, a place of profound contrasts, where ancient traditions coexist with futuristic cityscapes. Instead of a camera, my primary tool for capturing my experience was an audio recorder.

This episode is built around a series of audio postcards —immersive field recordings from my journey. Why audio? I find that, unlike taking photos, which can distance you from the moment, the act of recording sound forces you to slow down, to stop, and to listen with your entire being. You become aware of the intricate layers of your environment, from the sounds in the foreground to those far in the distance. You are not just observing the scene; you are in it. These recordings are my attempt to share that sensory experience with you.

Announcements

Following this sonic exploration, I have three significant announcements about the development and future of the Music Thinking project, including new ways for us to connect and for you to support the show.

Listen to Audio Postcards and Music Thinking Development

You can also listen to it on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or any other player.

What you can expect

This episode begins in the green garden outside the Ryoanji temple in Kyoto, one of Japan’s most famous Zen gardens. As I was recording the gentle sound of a small water basin, a young man approached me and asked me a question.

“Excuse me sir, what are you doing?”

This simple question sparked a reflection on the difference between capturing a moment with a camera versus a microphone. While one often ruins the experience of being there, the other deepens it, opening your senses to the entire atmosphere.

Audio postcards from Japan

The first postcard from Ryoanji is a testament to this—a peaceful soundscape layered with the subtle sounds of the outside world.

From the tranquillity of Kyoto, we travel to the vibrant heart of Tokyo for a completely different postcard from the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Here, the soundscape is one of organised chaos, a wave of human energy that is both overwhelming and exhilarating.

Finally, we journey to the temple settlement of Koyasan, where I was incredibly fortunate to witness and record the maintenance of Japan’s largest stone garden. The final postcard is the sound of craftsmanship itself: the rhythmic, meditative scraping of a large wooden rake drawing patterns in the gravel, a sound of pure dedication and mindfulness.

In the second half of the show, we shift from reflection to the future of Music Thinking

I am thrilled to share three important updates:

  1. A New Way to Support the Show: I am officially launching a new community page on Ko-fi. This is a simple, creative space for listeners who find value in the podcast to support the work directly, helping to cover production costs and ensuring Music Thinking remains independent and ad-free.
  2. The Music Thinking 101 Workshop: I’m introducing a new, interactive 90-minute online workshop designed as a powerful introduction to the Music Thinking Framework. It’s for anyone looking to transform how they co-create, lead, and collaborate.
    Workshop Registration: Sign up for Music Thinking 101 on Future Skills Academy.
    Use this code: PODCAST LISTENER at the check-out to get the session for free (be quick and save €55 for the first 3 who use this code)
  3. A Preview of What’s to Come: I’ll give you a sneak peek into the rich season of content ahead, including three new guest conversations and three more special episodes from my trip to Japan.

This episode marks a new beginning, and I’m so glad to share it with you.

Keep the podcast and musictinking.com running & ad-free

The most valuable support you can offer is to continue listening and sharing the podcast. For years, my goal has been to share all the ideas from Music Thinking freely and without hassle, and that will never change.

However, if this podcast has sparked an idea, offered a new perspective, or provided a tool you’ve found useful. You can now show your appreciation and help sustain the show through our new Ko-fi page.
Your support, whether a one-time ‘coffee’ or a monthly membership, makes a huge difference. Thank you for being part of this journey. Please buy me a coffee, support Music Thinking on Ko-fi:
https://ko-fi.com/musicthinking