Why Music Therapy Works with Tracey Puckhaber | Buying Local S3E48

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 [email protected]:00 Introductions & Tracey shares her background01:20 What Nourishing Minds Tutoring is and who they serve03:20 Virtual vs. in-person support for students04:15 Business development and community networking05:30 Defining music therapy in clinical terms06:30 Evidence-based practice and credentialing07:40 Real-time assessment during sessions09:10 Why music improves memory and learning10:30 Engagement & attention in very young children12:20 Movement, rhythm, and physical connection to music13:45 When parents should consider music therapy15:10 Special education and neurodivergent support17:05 Music therapy across hospitals, NICU, & geriatrics19:00 Post-Covid speech delays and early intervention20:45 Building trust and pacing progress22:00 Tweens & teens: emotional regulation through lyrics23:15 Lyric analysis as self-reflection25:45 How Tracey joined Nourishing Minds Tutoring28:15 Why in-person connection matters for therapy33:20 Tracey’s passion & last takeaways