Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode of Flow Radio, Steven Kotler and Dr. Michael Mannino sit down with Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
These groundbreaking experts explain how making and experiencing art changes the way we think, feel, and perform. From our ancient past to cutting-edge science, find out why art isn’t just beautiful—it’s fuel for your brain.
Learn how just 20 minutes of creative practice can boost your mental edge, unlock more flow, and supercharge problem-solving. Plus, discover how AI is revolutionizing art creation and opening new frontiers in human-machine creativity.
Tune in to unlock practical insights for tapping into your creative genius.
In This Episode:
00:03 The Intersection of Art, Brain, and Performance
02:11 How Susan and Ivy Became Pioneers in Their Fields
05:04 Bridging Art and Science
09:10 Why We're Wired for Art
14:22 Art as Medicine
22:52 Flow States and Creativity
30:57 Current Research
37:46 Daily Practices for Enhancing Creativity
43:24 AI and Art
48:22 Why Neuroesthetics Matters for Everyone
About The Guest:
Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold. Most recently, Ivy co-authored with Susan Magsamen Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
Susan Magsamen is the executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is the co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute and co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
Episode Resources:
Book website: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
Lab: The International Arts + Mind Lab
Social: YourBrainonArtBook
For more, visit:
Steven Kotler
stevenkotler.com/yt
Did you know that just 20 minutes of creative activity can boost your happiness? Engaging in activities that spark creativity can lead to positive changes in brain activity and promote neuroplasticity. Make mindfulness and self improvement a daily habit for overall personal development.
In this episode of Flow Radio, Steven Kotler and Dr. Michael Mannino sit down with Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
These groundbreaking experts explain how making and experiencing art changes the way we think, feel, and perform. From our ancient past to cutting-edge science, find out why art isn’t just beautiful—it’s fuel for your brain.
Learn how just 20 minutes of creative practice can boost your mental edge, unlock more flow, and supercharge problem-solving. Plus, discover how AI is revolutionizing art creation and opening new frontiers in human-machine creativity.
Tune in to unlock practical insights for tapping into your creative genius.
In This Episode:
00:03 The Intersection of Art, Brain, and Performance
02:11 How Susan and Ivy Became Pioneers in Their Fields
05:04 Bridging Art and Science
09:10 Why We're Wired for Art
14:22 Art as Medicine
22:52 Flow States and Creativity
30:57 Current Research
37:46 Daily Practices for Enhancing Creativity
43:24 AI and Art
48:22 Why Neuroesthetics Matters for Everyone
About The Guest:
Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold. Most recently, Ivy co-authored with Susan Magsamen Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
Susan Magsamen is the executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is the co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute and co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
Episode Resources:
Book website: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
Lab: The International Arts + Mind Lab
Social: YourBrainonArtBook
For more, visit:
Steven Kotler
stevenkotler.com/yt
Did you know that just 20 minutes of creative activity can boost your happiness? Engaging in activities that spark creativity can lead to positive changes in brain activity and promote neuroplasticity. Make mindfulness and self improvement a daily habit for overall personal development.
