Finding Connection: Dance, Creativity, and Brain Health

In this episode of *Brain Bridges*, dance artist, researcher, and creative aging advocate Magda Kaczmarska shares how movement and creativity can strengthen connection, support brain health, and enrich the lives of people living with dementia. Magda reflects on her journey from growing up in Poland and immigrating to the United States to pursuing careers in both scientific research and dance. She shares how dance helped her find confidence, expression, and community, and how her scientific and artistic interests ultimately came together through her work with people living with dementia. The conversation explores how dance can foster connection, dignity, and belonging; the creative possibilities that can emerge from limitations; and Magda's evolving understanding of leadership. She also discusses founding DanceStream Projects and her vision for helping communities guide conversations about dementia and brain health. **In this episode** - Magda's journey from Poland to the United States and her early connection to dance - Bridging scientific research, dance, and brain health - How creative expression can complement clinical care - Building community through dance programs for people living with dementia - Embracing limitations as opportunities for creativity and growth - Authenticity, connection, and Magda's evolving understanding of leadership - How dance supports physical activity, social connection, and cognitive stimulation **About the guest** Magda Kaczmarska, MFA (she/they), is a dance artist, researcher, and Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health who advocates for dance as a catalyst for brain health. She is the founding Executive Director of DanceStream Projects, an arts and health nonprofit advancing evidence-informed, co-creative dance programs that support brain health, creative aging, and people living with dementia. Through partnerships with communities, artists, clinicians, and researchers, DanceStream explores how movement and creativity can strengthen connection, promote well-being, and expand access to brain health education and engagement. Learn more at https://dancestreamprojects.org/. Magda's work bridges the worlds of science and the arts, helping to reimagine how creative expression can complement clinical care while fostering dignity, agency, and belonging. **About the host** Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. **About the podcast** *Brain Bridges* is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.