► Tell us about you and your podcast
I am Natalie Brown, a composer, educator, sound healing practitioner, and multi-instrumentalist. Classically trained in violin from the age of four, I spent 14 years teaching high school orchestra before expanding into sound healing and therapeutic music practices. I am the founder of Sounds Heal Studio and serve as Lead Teacher for North America with the Sound Healing Academy, where I train practitioners in sound healing and sound therapy.
My podcast, Sounds Heal Podcast, is nearly 8 years old and explores sound healing, sound therapy, and sound meditation for health and wellbeing. Through in-depth interviews and conversations, I explore how sound and music influence wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and human experience, featuring educators, researchers, composers, instrument makers, and innovators in the field.
The podcast is designed for listeners interested in sound-based approaches to wellbeing, including practitioners, students, and anyone drawn to meditation, relaxation, stress reduction, and the science and philosophy of listening.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started Sounds Heal Podcast in January 2019, originally out of curiosity and a desire to connect with others working in the field of sound and music. At the time, I imagined there might be a handful of interesting conversations to have—what I discovered very quickly was that the field was far more expansive and diverse than I had anticipated.
My initial motivation was simply to explore and learn: to speak with practitioners and researchers about sound healing and to better understand how sound is being used for health, wellbeing, and human experience. I also wanted to highlight voices that weren’t always being centered—educators, composers, instrument makers, inventors, physicists, and even dolphin researchers whose work intersects with sound and vibration in unexpected ways.
I do listen to podcasts, but this project came more from direct inquiry and conversation than from podcasting as a medium itself. It grew organically from my own teaching, performing, and curiosity within the field of sound.
I released my first episode shortly after launching in 2019, starting with a monthly release schedule. Over time, as the conversations deepened and the community expanded, I moved to a consistent rhythm of two episodes per month, which I’ve maintained ever since—without taking a break.
What has surprised me most is how much the field has blossomed since I began. Sound healing, sound therapy, sound baths, and meditation practices have grown into a much wider global conversation than I ever expected at the outset. What began as a small exploratory project has become an ongoing, evolving archive of voices and perspectives at the intersection of sound, science, and spirituality.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release episodes consistently, currently about two episodes per month. Each episode is a long-form, in-depth conversation, typically around 40–60 minutes, and I prepare quite extensively in advance. I spend time researching each guest thoroughly—reading their books or articles, listening to their music or work, reviewing links they provide, and watching or listening to other interviews when available. That preparation is an important part of how I shape the flow and depth of each conversation.
In terms of production time, once an episode is recorded, the release process itself is relatively streamlined for me and usually takes a couple of hours per episode to finalize and publish.
I run and fund the podcast myself, which has kept it independent from the beginning. Over the years, I’ve had a small number of sponsorships that have helped support production costs, but the podcast has largely been self-sustained as a long-term creative and educational project.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Podcasting has been one of the most meaningful and expansive parts of my work. On a practical level, it supports my wider career in sound healing and education by connecting me with a global community of practitioners, researchers, and innovators in the field. It has also helped establish long-term relationships and collaborations that continue far beyond individual episodes.
In terms of sponsorship, I have been fortunate to be approached directly over time. I currently receive a very small, select number of sponsorships, which I keep intentionally minimal so the focus remains on the content and integrity of the conversations.
Beyond any financial aspect, the greatest benefit has been learning. Every episode is an opportunity to go deeply into a subject I care about and to be in conversation with people whose perspectives continually expand my own understanding of sound, health, and human experience. It is consistently eye-opening and often challenges or refines my thinking.
It has also been an extraordinary connector. The podcast has opened doors to friendships, professional relationships, and global connections I never would have anticipated when I started. Many guests become ongoing colleagues, collaborators, or part of a shared network of inquiry.
With approximately 7,500 to 12,000 downloads per month, it has grown steadily, but the real value for me has never just been reach—it’s been the depth of dialogue and the ongoing exchange of ideas.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
When I began the podcast, I recorded interviews over the phone. Over time, the process evolved and is now consistently done over Zoom, using both video and audio recording. I then edit and assemble each episode using iMovie.
In terms of guests, it’s a balance between people who reach out to me and those I intentionally invite. I stay open to both—some guests are a natural fit through community connections or referrals, and others I seek out based on the themes I want to explore.
For each episode, I prepare by reviewing the guest’s work in advance and identifying key themes or questions I’d like to explore, while still leaving space for the conversation to unfold organically.
► How do you market your show?
The podcast is distributed widely through my RSS feed, which pushes episodes out to 100+ platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Google/Google Podcasts integrations.
In terms of listener discovery, people find the show through a mix of platforms and channels: search on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, YouTube, my website, and social media (primarily Instagram and Facebook, with some presence on X). My email newsletter is also a consistent driver of engagement and returning listeners.
Overall, it’s a blend of organic platform discovery plus ongoing sharing through social media and email rather than relying on a single dominant traffic source.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you don’t need everything figured out before you begin. The most important step is simply starting. Your voice, your confidence, and your style all develop through doing, not planning.
I often encourage students and colleagues to begin with what they already have—no need for elaborate gear or a perfect setup. Clear audio and genuine conversation are far more important than production polish in the early stages. You can always refine your systems over time.
Another key insight is to choose a format you can actually sustain. Many new podcasters start with overly ambitious plans, but longevity matters more than intensity. A simple, consistent rhythm will take you much further than bursts of content followed by burnout.
I’ve also seen how powerful it is when people lean into their existing relationships and communities. Some of the best early guests are often students, peers, mentors, or colleagues—people you already have meaningful dialogue with. It immediately removes pressure and creates natural flow.
For resources, I usually suggest starting with straightforward tutorials on your hosting platform, listening closely to podcasts you admire (not just for content but for structure and pacing), and using simple tools like Zoom for recording and iMovie or basic editors for putting episodes together.
Ultimately, the most important advice is: don’t wait until it feels “ready.” Start, stay consistent, and let the podcast evolve with you.