Sunday Jun 22, 2025

How Music Supports Mental Health with Ariana Alexander-Sefre (SPOKE)

What does it mean to “metabolize” emotion through music? Do wellness tools actually work better when paired with your favourite artist? Why does the music industry treat artists like products and not caregivers?

Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams is joined by Ariana Alexander-Sefre, co-founder of the mental health app SPOKE⁠, to talk about the future of therapy and how music can play a pivotal role in that. The conversation explores the science behind sound, the emotional toll on musicians, and why music should be taken seriously as a public health tool.

Spoke has worked with over 100 artists, training them in techniques like CBT and mindfulness to embed into lyrics and melodies - and the results are changing lives.

Episode chapters:

0:00 - 2:45 - Introduction

2:46 - 4:55 What would Ariana hope music to be like in 2050?

4:56 - 7:46 Using music to “metabolize” emotions

7:47 - 11:50 Who are SPOKE and who is Ariana Alexandre-Sefre

11:51 - 13:42 The relationship between music and mental health

13:43 - 20:28 Inside the SPOKE app - embedding music with culture with therapy

20:29 - 31:18 Why the music industry needs a fresh perspective on artist value

31:19 - 37:08 The science behind functional music and mindfulness

38:09 - 40:04 The real-world impact of therapy delivered through music

40:05 - 48:08 Can artists become a recognised part of healthcare?

48:09 - 54:13 - Closing thoughts from Sean