It's a secret held long enough. The arts make us human. They pull us together and tear us apart. They help us feel safe - and loved. And they bring that va-va-voom into our days (and nights).

From the bone-shaking stomp-stomp-clap of a live concert to the world's ubiquitous use of emojis and the chill-inducing impact of a swastika, Susan Adam draws you into the biology and psychology of the arts. She makes it personal and fun - a smorgasbord of experiences so familiar that you will see the arts at play in your own life.

After a career managing culture and change in organizations from L.L.Bean to Chase Bank and in arts organizations from Blue Man Group to The Public Theater, Susan shows her mastery of how we humans find connection and belonging.

This book will answer these questions:

• Why is music the MVP for your most important rituals and celebrations?
• Why are you such an eager beaver when it comes to metaphors?
• Why is a picture worth a thousand words?

And this book will leave you asking two questions, "Why didn't I know this before?" And, "How can I help my kids learn about this earlier than I did?" (Helpful hints throughout just for you parents.)