How does improvisation teach us about decision-making and neuroscience? Can the brain be studied through the same lens we use to study art?

David Sulzer is a professor of neuroscience, psychiatry, and neurology at Columbia University, and a trained composer and musician who performs under the name Dave Soldier. His work spans two distinct yet interconnected worlds: scientific research on the brain and experimental music that pushes the boundaries of genre and form. Sulzer’s neuroscience research has investigated synaptic transmission, dopamine, and disorders such as Parkinson’s and Tourette’s, while his music career has included projects ranging from Thai Elephant Orchestra to collaborations with artists like John Cale and members of Sonic Youth.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how Sulzer’s dual identity as scientist and musician has shaped his understanding of both disciplines. He shares how his lab uses improvisation and creativity to understand the structure of the brain, and how different kinds of music trigger distinct cognitive responses. We dive into the neural basis of learning, pleasure, memory, and how art might offer insights into free will and consciousness.

But this conversation goes far beyond science and music. We also reflect on the educational system, the importance of awe, and what it means to cultivate curiosity across a lifetime. Whether you're a neuroscientist, an artist, or simply someone fascinated by the mysteries of the mind, this episode offers a rich and deeply human perspective on how our brains—and our creativity—function at every level.