Healing Through Rhythm: Suzy Turner's Journey to Therapeutic Drumming

In this episode of Reinventing Mental Health, host Mary talks with Suzy, owner of Soulshine Rhythm Experience, about interactive group drumming programs used for all ages in corporate, community, and therapeutic settings. Suzy shares how drumming supported her through an abusive marriage and led her to research its benefits, citing a study by music therapist Christine Stevens and neuroscientist Dr. Barry Bitman showing measurable changes such as reduced anxiety, increased endorphins and neurotransmitters, bonding effects, and boosted immune markers. They discuss brain-body connection, creating new neural pathways, bilateral integration through movement, and how drumming and singing can help people in recovery or dementia settings feel engaged and connected, sometimes more than talk therapy. Suzy demonstrates building rhythms with words, explains facilitated structure versus unstructured circles, and invites viewers to learn more at soulshinerhythm.com and join the upcoming “Let’s Get Real” tour with community-nominated locations in early 2026.