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 tracey@nourishingmindstutoring.com.
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
