How does one (grow) as a music listener/lover?

@tomic601 +1 for sure! All sources bring new aspects to music!!

What a wonderful question! I don't think there are right or wrong answers to it. Mentioned by others was the benefit of having a subscription to a concert series; for me that would be season tickets to the symphony, and I do think that is very important. However, that does limit you in terms of genre. For that reason, I think even higher on the list would be to keep company with others who love music and to listen together, sharing your favorites with each other. Whenever I have the opportunity to listen deliberately with others, I inevitably discover something I had never heard before which I then seek out and add to my own collection.

This is fun. I have learned a lot about new/different music just perusing the music section of the forum here. Obviously with suggestions coming from fellow audio enthusiasts it has led to some interesting discoveries.

I would also suggest checking out Echoes hosted by John Diliberto.

https://echoes.org/

I might also add listen to Radio Paradise and any number of great FM stations streaming over the web...
there is a great Reggae station out of Kingston, mon......