The 'It' Factor and Neuroscience

What is the “it” factor, anyway? That charisma or magnetism that we can’t quite explain that makes a certain artist seem to crackle with attractive energy? We act like it’s something that you either have or you don’t. But what if you could cultivate it? This episode, with neuroscientist and founder of Sparkmesh, John Morgan, explores the science and psychology behind the “it” factor. We’ll also talk about how music affects brain activity, what position is best when you’re in a line-up with other artists, the connection between stage fright and trance states, how you communicate with your audience when you don’t even realize you’re doing it and more. Included is a new Initiation Exercise for a pre-show ritual you can use before auditions, going on stage or any kind of public speaking.

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John Morgan is a lifelong music fan and the founder of Sparkmesh, a one-stop shop for everything artists have online - events, links, announcements, and more. For artists and fans tired of fighting with algorithms or even having to pay just to reach each other reliably, Sparkmesh is the solution! Prior to founding Sparkmesh, John received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California-San Diego, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California-Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, where he studied cellular changes in the brain in autism. John is not currently a practicing musician, but he grew up singing in his school choir, and has always been a passionate music fan with a particular interest in what makes some acts have an easier time attracting and retaining fans. He has extensively read the literature published on the psychology and neuroscience of music, as well as human evolution, motivation, and social interaction.

About Your Host, Holly Shaw

Holly Shaw, CHT  is a performance coach, creativity researcher and stand up comedian.  Growing up in Indianapolis, IN she convinced her parents she needed to go to Chicago to get her own agent when she was 14 years old and has spent a lifetime in film, T.V. and on professional stages all over the world as an actor, dancer, and director.

Now she shares her passion for the problems that artists face as a Creativity Coach and a Certified Hypnotherapist and has helped hundreds of artists, from Emmy award winning and Grammy nominated artists to world class choreographers overcome their anxiety, stage fright, impostor syndrome, and creative blocks so that they can create original work and totally kill it onstage again and again without feeling like they're selling out or losing their sanity.

In 2016, Shaw wrote and released her book, The Creative Formula: Compose, Choreograph, and Capture Your Masterpiece  which has become an Amazon bestseller.  In 2018 she launched the Performers & Creators Lab podcast which was named one of 2019's most outstanding podcasts by Databird Research. She teaches regularly at the SAG/AFTRA offices in L.A. and SF and runs creative laboratory workshops like the Comedy Lab Open Mic once a month at Monaghan's on the Hill in Oakland. Follow her on Instagram @hollyshawspritely