E37 Empowering Through Songwriting with Adam Christoferson

Working Towards Our Purpose

"I want to use music and the arts to really bring people out of the shadow, celebrate diversity, and bring them into community. To be able to give back, and recognize that everybody has value." -Adam

I had the pleasure of speaking with Adam Christoferson, the founder of Musical Intervention in this episode of Working Towards Our Purpose. Adam shares his powerful vision of creating opportunities for individuals who have been marginalized by society to be celebrated through their creative expressions. We delve deep into the transformative impact music and creative activities have on mental health, community building, and empowerment. Adam shares his personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs in establishing a space where he uses music as a tool for healing and purpose for those who struggle.

Bio: Adam Christoferson's passion for music started at a young age when his uncle had a big hit on the radio the year he was born. After attending some of his concerts at a young age and experiencing the power of music, his father bought him a drum set at the age of 8 and he fell in love with playing. Music became a safe place for him to communicate and connect with others, spending hours jamming with friends during his adolescents. After writing and playing his own songs, he became an advocate for using music as a tool for healing and connection. He got a degree in recreational therapy from Southern Connecticut University and then started working with elderly in the hospitals and the homeless at shelters to write songs together and hold open mic nights. Adam took him ability to create music with others to the community giving people a space to feel like they have purpose no matter their history or situation.

Topics in this episode:

• The impact of music on mental health
• Community songwriting
• Music as a safe place for expression
• Recreational therapy
• Empowering the disenfranchised by not defining by their diagnosis
• Creatives not fitting into the existing social system
• The importance of giving people their identity back with music
• Impact of purpose on neglected communities
• The transformative power of music
• Collaboration with Yale University to show the impact music has on individuals with auditory hallucinations
• Solidifying identity and providing a sense of being valued, seen, and heard

Connect with Adam:

• Musical Intervention Website
• Musical Intervention IG
• Watch the FB Live open mic
• Visit Musical Intervention

Connect with me:

• Buy some WTOP SWAG
• Workingtowardsourpurpose.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can find some help at pleasantpodcasts.com