The Gould Standard

A conversational podcast about the arts, culture, and contemporary society.

We talk with artistic heroes working to create a more inclusive and mindful world, hear their incredible stories, and get to know what makes them tick. Our guests are leaders in a wide range of fields, nationalities, and lived experience, including musical composers and performers, painters, poets, filmmakers, actors, dancers, broadcasters, and more.

The Gould Standard

  • Alexander Neef – Opera: Intimidating or Essential?
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    Alexander Neef – Opera: Intimidating or Essential?
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    In this episode of The Gould Standard, Alexander Neef, General Director of the Opéra national de Paris, joins Brian Levine to reframe how we think about opera, and to provide a user-friendly on-ramp for opera-curious newcomers. Beginning with its roots in Renaissance Italy, Neef traces opera’s evolution from courtly entertainment to a global cultural force,…

  • Chris Levine – Finding the Light
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    Chris Levine – Finding the Light
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    Artist Chris Levine takes listeners inside the cutting edge of portraiture, where art, science, and spirituality come together. From the technical challenges of holography, where even microscopic vibrations can ruin an image, to pioneering image making that led to his iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Levine reveals how precision and intuition shape his work. He recounts the surreal experience of photographing the Queen, the pressure of reimagining one of the most depicted figures in history, and how a second sitting unlocked the now famous Equanimity image. The conversation then turns to Elton John, exploring their creative collaboration, Levine’s contributions to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and the challenge of capturing both the performer’s flamboyance and inner stillness. Blending innovation with introspection, Levine reflects on art as a path to healing, the power of light, and how moments of stillness can reveal something profoundly human beneath the surface.

  • Exploring Music’s Primal Power with Gabor Maté
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    Exploring Music’s Primal Power with Gabor Maté
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    Join Dr Gabor Maté and Brian Levine in this enlightening episode of The Gould Standard, as they explore the profound impact of music on the human experience. Delve into topics ranging from the primal elements of music and its role in early childhood development, to the therapeutic potential of music in trauma recovery. Maté and Levine recount powerful anecdotes, share personal experiences, and discuss the universality of music across different cultures. Discover how music, from lullabies to complex symphonies, serves as a profound source of emotional and psychological nourishment.

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