Students enter our classrooms already equipped with rich musical lives, shaped by what they listen to and how they use music to navigate emotions, relationships, and identity. Research demonstrates that listening practices are among the most accessible and effective ways young people regulate mood, cope with stress, and foster connection. By acknowledging and harnessing these everyday strategies, music educators can position listening as a powerful tool not only for musical growth but also for student well-being.This workshop explores evidence-informed connections between music listening and holistic student development, drawing on interdisciplinary research and practice from across education, music perception, psychology, and sociology. Participants will consider how intentional listening activities can validate students’ musical identities, support emotional literacy, and promote inclusive classroom communities. Listening is presented not only as a means of broadening stylistic knowledge or cultivating critical listening skills, but as a pedagogical pathway to belonging, resilience, and self-awareness.Through interactive, hands-on activities, attendees will experience and design listening-based strategies that can be immediately applied in a variety of music education contexts. Examples include co-creating classroom playlists to strengthen social connection, using guided listening for emotional reflection, and building student capacity to recognize how music can support or hinder their wellbeing. Participants will also engage with worksheets and adaptable tools that help structure these activities, with prompts for facilitating dialogue, reflecting on music’s impact, and connecting listening to broader social-emotional learning outcomes.Discussion will highlight how listening practices can be implemented across diverse educational settings, from general music to ensembles to community programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on culturally responsive approaches that respect students’ musical preferences and lived experiences, while expanding their understanding of music’s role in wellness. Together, participants will generate strategies for identifying signs of student stress, barriers to well-being, and opportunities where music listening can serve as a supportive intervention.This workshop affirms the crucial role music educators play in helping students use music as a lifelong resource for health and flourishing. Attendees will leave with adaptable listening activities, research-grounded frameworks, and practical tools to integrate student-centered well-being practices into their own teaching.