In this interview, I’m speaking with someone who has a real knack for voice – Cynthia Zhai. She’s helped people from over 46 countries around the world improve their voices and speak with impact and conviction. If you’ve been wanting to improve the quality of your voice, this is the interview for you! We discuss:

Imagine you’re a child and you’re riding in the back seat of a car at night. You watch the trees passing by you through the window, and then you close your eyes so you can feel the vibrations through the seat. All the while the engine softly rumbles all around you, surrounding you like a

This is the second part of my interview with Hamish Macdonald. In our first part, we discussed how he has embraced the audio branding world and what that’s meant for his company, Squeak E Clean Studios. Now, we’re discussing the importance of sound and how it plays out for different companies. Audio branding has become

In this interview, I talk with the managing director of Squeak E. Clean Studios – Hamish Macdonald. Hamish has done a wide variety of projects in advertising, production and post-production, and manages post and production companies throughout America, Australia, England and Asia. I’m super impressed with the work his company does and having international offices

What makes audio branding such an important component of your company identity – especially these days? This video takes a much longer interview with Audio Alchemist, Steve Keller (Sonic Strategy Director for Pandora) and abbreviates it into its most basic parts. This discussion with Steve was fairly early on in the Audio Branding podcast’s history –

How are you listening to this podcast right now? Maybe you’re sitting at your computer or hearing it on a smart speaker, which probably means that you’re listening with one app while keeping busy with a few other things. You might also be using a tablet or an MP3 player, which lets you stay on

This is the 2nd part of my interview with Tal Florentin. In the first part of our interview, we discussed the background of Summurai and where businesses are starting to use more audio. In this second part, we switch our conversation to talk about other places where audio is being used so content can be

In this interview, I have the pleasure of speaking with Tal Florentin. He’s in the UX space and has spent the last decade working to enhance UX using audio in the Israeli market. He’s done some monumental things in the UX world, including creating the Israeli UX certification program. After realizing that audio is the

It’s been just about a year now since the coronavirus pandemic first started, and sometimes it’s felt like the whole world’s closed for business. More and more of us are working from home, and most of our business meetings, not to mention our daily lives, take place over Zoom these days. Life seems to be

In the second part of my interview with Melinda Lauw, we continue our conversation about ASMR. In the first part, we really had a chance to dive into what ASMR is and what it looks like to create ASMR experiences – both in person and online. Now, we’re talking more about the commercial side of

In this interview, I’m talking with Melinda Lauw. She’s the cofounder of Whisperlodge – a company working to create in person ASMR experiences. Whisperlodge has toured San Francisco, L.A., and New York and even been featured in a Netflix documentary. ASMR is one of the more recent additions to audio entertainment (it stands for “Autonomous

When’s the last time you really listened to your own voice? Maybe you were rehearsing for a presentation, or if you sing, practicing a song. You might’ve heard it while checking your voice mail or watching yourself in a video, and if you’re like most of us, you probably hardly even recognized it. We don’t

This is the second part of my interview with Dr. Cornelius Ringe and Lars Ohlendorf. The first half of this conversation was so enlightening, especially hearing about how sound and audio branding looks in different parts of the world and the history of audio branding. In this part, we really dive into more about where

In this interview, I am joined by two guests who are taking the audio branding world by storm. Dr. Cornelius Ringe and Lars Ohlendorf are partners in the company, WESOUND and Dr. Ringe is the founder of the Audio Branding Academy. We dive into so many great aspects of audio branding in this interview and

When you close your eyes and think about being in a hospital, what do you imagine hearing? Are the sounds soothing, or do they make you tense up with even more anxiety? Hospitals aren’t usually relaxing places, and they don’t always sound very relaxing either. Heart monitors beep, respirators pump, and voices murmur in the

This is the second part of my interview with Chris Wirsig. We dive into other topics like music design, the changes the pandemic’s brought to music production and recording, and how you might get started in the world of music production yourself!  In this part of the interview, we talk about: How music design looks

In this interview, I had the joy of talking with Chris Wirsig, a classically training pianist and saxophone player. He’s been able to take his classically trained skills and spend the last 20 years in music production and composition for games, film and TV. He has a love for darker sounding music and his productions

The holidays are just around the corner, and we all know what that means: Christmas songs on the radio and holiday jingles in just about every store. But there’s one kind of traditional jingle we aren’t as likely to hear these days: the commercial jingle. If you used to wish you were an Oscar Mayer

  I’m excited to be sharing the second half of my interview with Kaye Doran. In the first part, Kaye shared so much with us and what she does in her work. In this second part, we’re continuing the conversation about everything from how to use your own tools/instruments to how she uses her work

  This interview is unlike any other that I’ve had the opportunity to do and Kaye Doran brings such a fascinating take on life! She’s an entrepreneur and is passionate about helping people create their greatest lives, from the inside out. She is both a life coach and a shaman, which creates such a unique

So much has changed about our world, from one century to the next, even from year to year. Just imagine taking someone even from the 1980s and dropping them into the world we live in right now, much less someone from a hundred or two hundred years ago. But all the way back through history,

I continue my conversation with Macha Gruber. In this second half of the interview, we discuss everything from advertising to diversity in voice acting to COVID to the Keto diet.  This part of our interview is even better than the first part!  Tune in to hear Macha and I discuss: The importance of imaging for

I’m so excited to chat with Macha Grueber. She’s done some amazing things in the audio world and I have to tell you –  I’ve been looking forward to hearing her perspective on the current status of the audio branding world. Macha is a professional voice actor and has spent the better part of 15

Music can have a powerful effect on our feelings, our behavior, even how we see the world around us. But what if music itself can react to our feelings?  Weav Run, an award-winning workout app that instantaneously adjusts a song’s tempo to match the listener’s own pace, offers just one example of the fascinating potential

This is the second part of my interview with Eric Seay. We dive into more about how audio varies for different brands. Eric also walks us through his entire process for creating an audio brand. This second part of our conversation is just as intriguing as the first and I can’t wait for you to

This week’s episode is part 1 of an interview with Eric Seay. He has a deep understanding of vertical sound. He combines his love for the artistic expression of music and the study of psychoacoustics (fascinating, right?). He and his team have done extensive research into the power of sound and are constantly pushing the

This is the second part of my interview with Emily Rose Giddings. This episode is a continuation of our conversation about music and sound and really dives into what she does to help her clients embody their own sound as well as what’s involved in training your voice for video/speaking. Listen in to our continued

In this episode, I had the joy of talking with Emily Rose Giddings. She is a self-taught musician who has toured the country multiple times as the lead vocalist in the indie band Zigtebra. She’s also a certified life coach who focuses on helping her clients find confidence and authenticity in marketing online. With the

In this second part of my interview with Robert Kennedy III, we continue our conversation about communication and how it plays into the realm of public speaking. There are so many good tidbits that are applicable to anyone who needs to use communication as part of their lives!   Tune in to hear Robert and

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by the Co-Founder and President of Speak Write Now Communications. He is a serial entrepreneur and started his first business in 2001, an online music promotion portal with an internet radio station.  He is an award-winning public speaker, corporate trainer and author.  His books include 28

Concluding the second part of my interview with Carrie Caulfield Arick, we go even deeper into what exactly you need to do in order to start a podcast, marketing issues Carrie sees even the best marketing companies make, and what’s next for her.  In this episode, Carrie and I discuss: How to figure out what

My next guest is the founder of YaYa Podcasting which empowers podcasters and podcasting professionals to create meaningful impact by providing production services, coaching and training. She’s the host of Just Podcasting, a seasonal show exploring podcasting life and culture and co-host of Podcast Editors Mastermind for those in the business of podcast post-production. She’s

This is the second part of my interview with Nick Crane. We are diving into the different changes and challenges that culture brings to creating the perfect sound and how music connects us. In the 2nd part of this interview Nick shares: How he uses emotions to bridge the gap between himself and his clients

Nick Crane has been making music since he was 8 and making movies since he was 11. In 2019, he launched Racket Club- a boutique music production studio. Nick’s had the pleasure of working with Nike, Verizon, Ford, and others. Racket Club also creates scores for short films and his most recent score released in

This week, we are diving back into part 2 of my interview with Elaine Appleton Grant. Last week, we discussed a lot of the ins and outs of starting and doing a podcast. This week we dive into a bit deeper how COVID is affecting the business of podcasting and how to tap into your

Elaine Appleton Grant is a writer, podcast producer, and public speaker. She co-founded Podcast Allies, LLC- a podcast consultancy and production studio out of Colorado. She has hosted programs in both Boston and Colorado on WBUR in Boston and Colorado Public Radio and appeared on National Public Radio. She currently produces two podcasts- Business Wars Daily

Here’s part two of my interview with producer and voice director, Jeff Howell. We talked about what specifically ad agencies are considering when choosing talent for a voiceover gig and the most important thing that will influence their decision. We also discussed: How the dubbing work Jeff does has been affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns

Jeff Howell launched his voiceover industry career as an agent at Abrams-Rubaloff and Lawrence then crossed over to the creative side as a casting director / radio producer at Bert Berdis and Company. Later, he was hired as the VP of Production at World Wide Wadio. He has produced radio commercials and network radio TV

Here’s the second part of my interview with casting director and coach, Mary Lynn Wissner. We talked about common mistakes she sees voice actors make and what she suggests voice talent do to differentiate themselves. We also spoke about things like: How voiceover work is about so much more than having a nice voice How

Since 1990, Mary Lynn Wissner’s company Voices Voicecasting has cast thousands and thousands of voice talent in thousands and thousands of voiceover productions. She directs workshops, coaches voice talent, consults, and directs talent around the world. While things have certainly changed in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdowns (during which time this episode was recorded),

Here’s the second part of my interview with technologist and teacher, Chip Edwards. In it, we discussed the shift made when moving from a visual interface to voice technology and how that affects a brand’s capability to connect with its audience as well as the user experience. We also talked about:  What an invocation name

Chip Edwards is a speaker, entrepreneur, teacher, technologist, and the Chief Voice Officer of Create My Voice. Chip helps individuals and brands engage their audiences through voice technology, utilizing smart speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. His company not only helps people strategize how they want to utilize voice apps but also builds those

Here’s the second part of my interview with vocal coach, Judy Rodman.  We talked about how Judy helps her students gain access to their full array of vocal possibilities and the importance of determining intention when approaching a vocal piece. We also discussed:  How people often have breathing problems they don’t even know about Understanding

Judy Rodman has spent over 50 years in the music industry. She’s been a top session singer, recording artist, stage and TV performer, songwriter, studio producer, public speaker, and coach. Judy teaches singers and speakers globally both from her office and online. She’s a published author, hosts the podcast All Things Vocal, and is currently

Here’s the second part of my interview with marketing upheaval expert Rudy Fernandez.  We talked about how he directs voice talent while in a session and the most important thing to consider when doing so. We also spoke about things like:  How Rudy self-admittedly tends to overdirect and how he navigates that with the voice

Rudy Fernandez is the founder of Creative Outhouse, a creative marketing agency that specializes in launching brands, and is the host of the Marketing Upheaval podcast. His knowledge of and experience in the science of behavior change helps his clients communicate their deeper purpose, win more fans, and strengthen their brands. Though some clients have

Here’s the second part of my wild ride of an interview with Multimedia Storyteller, Brandee Sanders. We talked about her journey as a woman in tech and what other women in tech must consider when advancing in the field. We also discussed: How Brandee recognizes the challenges of being a woman in tech but doesn’t

Brandee Sanders is an award-winning digital leader, tech strategist, multimedia storyteller, and data translator. She develops and accelerates her clients’ vision by working at the intersection of data, commerce, content, and creative. She’s worked with a dynamic variety of companies, including Silicon Valley startups, Emmy Award Winning studios, and more. She’s been featured in The

Here’s the second part of my interview with musician, author, and teacher, Bob Baker. We talked about what drew Bob to starting his YouTube channel and how it’s grown to over 117K subscribers through the meditations and positive affirmations he posts. We also spoke about things like:  Bob’s insecurities and self-worth challenges throughout his childhood

Bob Baker likes to call himself an “inspirationalist.” His mission in life is to inspire and empower people, especially creatives. Over the years, his work has included books, podcasts, music, coaching, and improv comedy. He co-authored the book The Improv Comedy Musician with Laura Hall, who you may be familiar with from the TV show

Here’s the second part of my interview with global brand strategist, Edward Farley. In it, we continued our conversation about the research going into artificial intelligence and how AI affects the brand experience. In addition, we discussed:  How KFC in Canada and the National Australia Bank are creating two unique brand voices using the same

Edward Farley has quite a history in marketing with over 25 years of experience in global marketing, brand management, creative development, and sports and entertainment marketing. He has degrees from Michigan State, Harvard Business School, and Northwestern University and has lectured on global brand management and marketing at multiple universities. Currently, Ed is working on

How Can Audio Branding Help Your Podcast or Company? According to Harvard Business Review [4], Audio Branding is “the strategic use of sound … in positively differentiating a product or service, enhancing recall, creating preference, building trust, and even increasing sales.” So ultimately, think of it as a brand or podcast’s emotional short hand –

In the second part of my interview with Corey Dissin, we discussed the three elements to every spot and how to build a successful audio brand for audio talent. Corey and I also talked about: How a voice talent is not a voice talent (yes, that caught me off guard, too!) The difference between the

Corey Dissin was only 19 when he first got into the world of audio and sound. He started answering phones as a volunteer with Paul Turner Productions (now Propulsion Media Labs). His volunteering later morphed into an internship, at which point he met Paul. The two formed a friendship, and later Paul began allowing Corey

Here’s the second part of my fascinating interview with Steve Keller. In it, we dove into how brands can harness the power of archetypes as well as what Steve calls the three pillars of return on sonic investment. We also discussed: Music’s impact on our perception of meaning How music soundscapes and noise affect the

For Steve Keller, audio branding seamlessly blends together the three overarching passions in his life: music, psychology, and marketing. Steve had a passion for music from a young age but never considered it as a career. He became fascinated with and obtained his college degree in psychology. During what some may consider a “gap year”

Here’s the second part of my interview with storyteller Dave Bricker. We talked about the four elements of a story, the difference between anecdotes and stories, and how to add value to people’s lives through storytelling. In our conversation, we also covered: Whether people are hardwired to want to hear depressing stories or happy stories

Dave Bricker discovered his love for “StorySailing” while spending 15 years living aboard sailboats. In 1983, after his first year of college, David got a job working with the Christo Surrounded Islands project. During that time, he realized something was missing in his life. After finishing college, he headed off to the Bahamas to begin

In the second part of my interview with Morry Zelcovitch, we got a bit more philosophical.  His work and research has led him to some very insightful observations about how he now deals with things in a healthier (brain chemistry-wise) manner – and how he might be able to help others do the same. So

Morry Zelcovitch has had a lot of challenges in his life including depression and addiction. In his search for something to help him with his difficulties, he came across something called “binauaral beats” and that led him into the brainwave entrainment field (a term he coined himself).  Essentially, he’s programming his brain to operate in

Here’s the second part of my interview with Creative Director, Monte Bowden   We talked about his philosophies on directing voice talent and trusting his editors, discovering a brand “voice”, consistency in branding, and his thoughts on creating a deeper connection with those who his clients hope to serve. We also spoke about things like: How

Monte Bowden knows a thing or two about advertising and marketing. He studied Communications in college and then worked in a TV News station for years, rising in the ranks from intern to news director.  He also served as an adjunct professor in communications at his alma-mater.  Monte joined AMPERAGE as a communications strategist, leading

This is the second part of my discussion with Josuël Rogers, a coach who uses music – specifically Hip Hop – to help his students and clients develop self-awareness and confidence.  We talked about how music influences our moods (making a playlist for yourself can really help!), how personal sound can be and the power

This is the first part of my discussion with Josuël Rogers, a coach who uses music – specifically Hip Hop – to help his students and clients develop self-awareness and confidence. We talked about how music influences our moods and what got him into the Hip Hop culture in the first place (among other things).

So apparently, a low frequency sound is responsible for the creation of our universe. That’s the low tone of a plasma cloud as it creates order out of chaos.  And really, all sound is just a vibration.  Like our existence is filled with “energy”, it’s also filled with “vibration”.  And our biological, carbon-based and limited

John McClain knows a thing or two about sound.  For one thing, he’s the owner and lead sound designer/mixer at The Dog and Pony Show in Las Vegas, Nevada (https://www.dogandponystudios.net/).  For another, he won a Grammy for his work with the late, great George Carlin, and an Emmy for his work with HBO on the

John McClain knows a thing or two about sound.  For one thing, he’s the owner and lead sound designer/mixer at The Dog and Pony Show in Las Vegas, Nevada (https://www.dogandponystudios.net/).  For another, he won a Grammy for his work with the late, great George Carlin, and an Emmy for his work with HBO on the

Did you know that human behavior can actually be modified with the use of sound?  It works very effectively.  Take the “piano stairs” experiment, for instance.  The first time I see this mentioned is in 2009 – but there have since been similar installations in China and India and a whole host of other places. 

Kattie Laur has a background in broadcast radio so it naturally seemed to follow that she would become interested in podcasts.  She’s putting that passion to good use as a podcast producer and gives us some tips on what makes a great show, why she feels podcasts are an important medium and how they’re the

Kattie Laur has a background in broadcast radio so it naturally seemed to follow that she would become interested in podcasts.  She’s putting that passion to good use as a podcast producer and gives us some tips on what makes a great show, why she feels podcasts are an important medium and how they’re the

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It has to do with certain triggers, usually having to do with sound or sight, giving you “tingles in your brain”.  It may seem like a strange reaction to have while hearing unintelligible whispers, someone using a marker on a pad of paper or seeing someone use a

Show Notes: Hannah and I talk about what she considers audio branding to be, how it affects the clients at her ad agency, and what she does to help those clients come up with their brand’s consistent sound.  She also reveals how she created an animated short and chose voices and music for that project.

Our audio landscape is definitely changing.  It’s becoming more and more important for brands to have a recognizable sound, especially with the rise of Alexa, Google Home, and similar products. Even our appliances are becoming “smart”.  If they recognize voice commands, how long will it be before they start selling us products directly – without

Those of you who have been following this blog and accompanying podcast, have seen the direction I’ve been going with this. I know a lot of us are Creatives.  A lot of us need help understanding how not to beat ourselves up in our own heads. And helping people with that (in a distinctly NOT

It was a true pleasure to talk with Clara and Jonathan about their creative process, how they work together as a creative couple and find time to figure out their work / life balance. I’ve spoken about Lullaby Theories in a previous podcast but they’re also working on other projects such as Born In A

How do you experience the world?  Do you forget what it was like to experience new things?  To actually NOT know something?  To want to discover more about this thing you know nothing (or very little) about? When I was a kid, the Internet didn’t exist.  At least, not the way it is now. I

I had the pleasure of talking with my friend Joe Nittoly about his art, his enthusiasm for D&D (and how the two merge), along with how he overcomes those nasty critical inner voices many of us Creatives deal with. I think lots of people will relate to this very frank discussion. If you’d like to

Christine McAlister (http://www.lifewithpassion.com), is an entrepreneur, business coach and the author of The Income Replacement Formula: 7 Simple Steps To Doing What You Love And Making Six Figures From Anywhere (you can read a free chapter of her book at http://lifewithpassion.com/freechapter). We had a wonderfully fun interview about how Creatives can get out of a

The mind is a powerful thing. What we tell ourselves about ourselves has the power to help or harm us. Starting your day with some affirmations and soothing music, may well mean the difference between a positive or negative outcome. There are a lot of ways to train your mind to be kinder.  To those

What a treat it was to sit down and talk with Rosi & Brian about their careers in both music and voice overs, how they keep themselves motivated and creative, where they find their inspiration and how they continue to practice kindness – both to themselves and the world around them. If you’d like to

I just recently went to my first podcasting convention (MAPCON, now the Independent Podcast Conference in Atlantic City) and had the privilege of meeting a lot of super talented and passionate people who create and have services for, podcasters (of which, I am now one!).  One of the topics that came up time and time

We’re always so BUSY. Ok.  I know that’s a pretty general statement.  And it might have a lot to do with the fact that I live in North America. There are places in the world that are much more relaxed about their days than we are here.  I get it. But I’ve been noticing around

Our world is a very visual one.  Especially now.  Facebook gives priority to video created on their own platform (Facebook Live) and LInkedIn is getting into that more and more.  Instagram is all ABOUT pictures – and one does say a thousand words. Twitter is bite-sized, yes – but still very visual.  A post that

I sit down with Tracy Lindley to talk about her reasons for becoming an entrepreneur, how she got into voice acting, and how she decided to put together an online course about LinkedIn. You can find TheLinkedIn Edge here.  And if you’re interested in learning more about Tracy’s voiceover services, you can visit her website

So today I’m going to reveal my really geeky self and talk about D&D (Dungeons & Dragons).  Why do I actually want to talk about this particular subject?  I go to conventions every once in awhile that are specifically for role playing and board gaming and all of that sort of thing. And I find

Kevin Leach and I sat down for a detailed discussion about his journey into becoming an entrepreneur, his early influences, the world of connection services and the future he sees for ipDTL and its offerings.  If you’re not familiar, you can learn more about ipDTL here. This is a fantastic service for both podcasters and

What do I mean by that?  Well, I just finished watching another of Donald Miller‘s really informative Business Made Simple Daily Videos on How To Control Your Emotions (I’ve included the YouTube video below) – and he makes a lot of really helpful comments. If you’re focused on arguing your point, “winning” the smaller battle,

In my quest to always be learning more about my own business – and other businesses in general, I’ve started reading a lot more non-fiction.  One of the books that was suggested to me by some very smart business people I trust, is called Never Split The Difference (Negotiating as if your life depended on

I recently came across a fascinating article about an old concert hall, buried 40 feet below street level underneath a piano shop in Boston. In its heyday, it was surely beautiful.  Acoustically, it had every advantage.  (When you can craft an environment that far underground, silencing the city sounds above all but completely, it’s understandable!)

Being creative can be both a blessing and a curse.  Sometimes that means “conforming” is really hard.  It often mean blazing your own trail.  And that too, can be really hard.  Traditional jobs – working 9-5 in an office – doesn’t really work for us.  Or if it does, it only does for very limited

… is read.  It’s a pretty simple statement to make, I know.  But it’s something I truly believe.  Whether you’re reading to relax late at night (and I know my friend Irina – who is a brilliant photographer and visual branding expert, by the way – reads fiction after a hard day’s work for that

Mastermind groups are a powerful thing.  They can take you out of your own head space and into someone else’s.  Helping someone with their struggles can sometimes help you deal with your own.  And doing it in a group setting, is kind of like crowd-sourcing.  In a really good way.  Of the many opinions and

Ok.  Sure.  It doesn’t exactly feel good… but failing at something means you tried, right?  I’ve been reading a lot of really insightful blogs, listening to podcasts and watching videos on this subject, and I thought I’d share some of those with you to maybe help ease your mind.  First off, you’re not alone.  We

Honestly, and I know this probably sounds pretty trite – I’d continue doing what I’m doing.  But I’d be a lot more relaxed about life in general, that’s for sure.  How about you?  What would that kind of money mean to you?  Do you feel it’s entirely unattainable?  Some pie in the sky idea that

Who let me in here? How did I get where I am?  Why do I deserve this?  What if I … (fill in the blank – forget my lines, play a wrong note, say something stupid in a meeting … You get the idea.) We all have these thoughts.  We all wonder how we got

So apparently, I’ve been living under a rock.  Recently, my friend Jerad Spencer alerted me to a podcast that featured Sam Horn at Intrigue.  Now, she’s been around for a while, so my missing her rise in popularity is entirely my fault.  That said, what she teaches – and how she teaches it – definitely

These guys are so much fun that it probably wouldn’t matter what they were talking about.  I’d still love watching their informative videos. (Full disclosure, I’ve been an Atomic member in the past.)  As it happens though, they tend to pick really timely and interesting business-related topics – mostly having to do with creating content,

In business and in life, no one – and I mean NO ONE (no matter how much you seem to think they have it all together) has everything perfect. Looks can be (and ARE) deceiving.  The only constant in life is that we WILL fall down.  We WILL fail.  A lot.  So … do you

If you’re a master of productivity tools, then either you have no need for this podcast, or you’ve already heard about it.  Steve Dotto is known for his extensive technology knowledge and the ease with which he explains the current technology climate to all sorts of different segments of the population.  But the particular segment

Catching the attention of an increasingly distracted audience, is … well… really hard.  We’re being inundated with advertising from all sides.  Interspersing them in online videos, the obvious television and radio commercials, and of course, product placement in our movies and television shows, are all methods that have been done in the past.  They continue

Justin Schenck is an entrepreneur and public speaker who hosts a podcast called the Growth Now Movement.  By now, you’re probably starting to see a theme in my blog posts – one of self discovery and yes, growth – in both your business and personal life.  Listening to this podcast is only one of the

Hiring a voice actor for your project is easier than you think – but at the same time, it’s not really an exchange of time for an exchange of dollars.  It has more in common with the way you might license music or photography for a commercial project.  There are also different pricing structures based

As a voice actor who also wants to do things like … Oh … I don’t know … have a roof over my head, be able to eat a meal or two a day and occasionally take a vacation, I’ve had to learn something about translating a creative career into a business.  While I’ve been

Mark Asquith knows a thing or two about podcasting.  He’s the CEO of Rebel Base Media, a podcast technology company that started up in 2013.  That technology has been making a steady rise in usability since it became possible – and the changes are only coming on faster as the years pass.  Podcasting has become

I adore and admire Marie Forleo. She is the epitome of personal branding, yes.  But she’s living authentically – without apology.  And she brings a lot of wonderful things to the world.  I love that.  She interviews people who do similar things too – those who pioneer new ways of thinking and doing.  I regularly

Lacey Abbacchi knows a thing or two about LinkedIn and using that platform to help promote your personal brand. In fact, she knows a lot about personal branding in general.  I’ve been super impressed with everything I’ve read from her.  This latest article is no exception.  And it reveals quite a bit about how to

On November 18th of this year, the 5th annual Society of Voice Arts & Sciences held their awards ceremony at Warner Bros. Studio in L.A.  My TV (In Show) Narration Demo was nominated for an award (along with several other very talented nominees) when it was sent in by my demo producer, J. Michael Collins. 

I was lucky enough to head to a voice over conference this past weekend called VO Atlanta – and WOW, was it overwhelming.   Wonderful – but overwhelming.  For one thing, there were around 650 or so other voice talent there.  For another, I knew quite a lot of them.  And for still something else, I learned

I hope you have a wonderful Holiday filled with all the warmth and magic of the Season. I do love to sing holiday songs - and this is one of my favorites. 🙂 I hope you enjoy! And if you do, feel free to download and keep it as a gift from me to you.

https://voiceoversandvocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/SteinMart2DaySale.mp4   I LOVE Stein Mart.  I've been a fan since I started visiting my friend Mary in Huntsville, Alabama every year around the beginning of January, over 15 years ago.  We always make a pilgrimage to the Stein Mart there - and I pretty much always come away with some fantastic finds.  So what

J. Michael Collins is a talented and hugely successful voice actor – but he’s also an outstanding coach and demo producer.   I first participated in a workshop of his this past June in Vegas and I was struck by how well the practice copy was written.  Humor can be a tricky thing to write

I really enjoy bringing my clients’ visions to life.  The beautiful cinematography in this commercial was nicely offset by Schlage’s super classy door hardware.  They’re a leading manufacturer of door hardware solutions – and you can certainly see why here! (And I love that it’s the mother of the family doing the installation. 😉  )

Doing voice overs for furniture stores is a really enjoyable aspect of my business.  I love furniture.  And I love the owners’ enthusiasm for their product!  This particular set of commercials (this is only one of them), truly demonstrates that love since you get to see the owner discussing his business personally.  I have to

The folks at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels were after a high end, luxury type of feel for their voice.  With a touch of playfulness.  The recording session was fairly early in the morning at a downtown studio and I remember laughing really hard at their antics on the other end of the ISDN

I love voicing anthems.  This is definitely one of those.  I went to a downtown Toronto studio for this one and really enjoyed working with the folks there.  I remember thinking how fantastic the cinematography on this spot was – and I still think it’s wonderfully done. These guys really know what they’re doing.

The production company behind these commercials does such wonderful work that it’s always a pleasure to voice something for them.  I’ve been working with them on the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital spots for some time now and I love everything they produce.  Here’s just one (outstanding) example:

I did multiple videos for Elkay in this series called “30 Seconds of Ingenuity”.  Each spot demonstrated just how deeply this sink manufacturer thinks about how to make their products innovative and easy to install.  The videos live on the Ekay site to help their clients get the most out of the products they buy.

Ok – so who wouldn’t want to voice a spot for prune juice? 🙂   So much fun to do and this Sunsweet TV commercial aired on PBS.  I was asked for that “mom-next-door” kind of sound.  I think it turned out quite nicely.

Voice overs for casinos are always so filled with wonder and excitement.  I have a lot of fun doing them.  This voice over was no exception and I love how it turned out.

This spot is a bit longer than your typical commercial.  It’s also incredibly moving.  The cinematography and concept are top notch and watching this always brings me really close to tears.   In the end, that’s why I do what I do.  To move someone.  The production company did their part.  I certainly do my

I love what I do – but there are some projects I’m just so super proud to be involved in – and this is one of those.  The story is compelling and the contrast in cultures is fascinating to see.  But it’s also about two young girls who were adopted into loving families in different

Warm and sincere performances are something of a specialty – and that’s just what the people at Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union were after.  In fact, a campaign I voiced for them (“Life Matters”), won a Silver Pele award.  It was a beautiful campaign (really well-conceived and written!) and the award was well-deserved.

This was a National US spot where I got to use my "mom" voice (a kind of tone I'm asked to use a lot).  When I was sent the audition, the client was asking for: "Female, early 30’s to early 40’s. Should be an actress or performer with range, not a slick announcer. Positive and

This is only one of the many infomercial voice overs I’ve done for Bissell over the years.  It’s a thrill to be involved with such a household name in vacuum cleaning solutions and my sessions with them are always a lot of fun.  This is definitely more in my bubbly, higher register type of voice

Anthems are a lot of fun to do.  This Shoppers Drug Mart voice over commercial was for the Life Brand at Shoppers Drug Mart, a Canadian drug store chain similar to CVS or Walgreens in the States.  I love how whimsical this turned out.  Thanks to the folks at CORUS in Toronto for their beautiful

These spots were a pleasure to do.  Details really do matter.  Jenn-Air wanted a “luxury” read and their appliances certainly lent themselves well to that kind of sound.  After recording these and seeing how they turned out?  I so wanted to buy some of their appliances.  They look incredibly handy and well thought-out!

I would categorize the spots I do for Unisom as “sympathetic” and “hopeful”.  There’s a problem, of course.  It’s hard to turn our brains off after a long, complex day (there’s the sympathy).  So when I’m talking about solving that problem, hopeful is what’s needed. I recall traveling through Columbus Ohio and hearing this spot

I get asked to be the “voice of reason” beside the wacky goings on around me, a LOT.  This commercial? It was really hard to keep a straight face.  The voice actor that did the voice of the oven was brilliant.  And apparently, he’d given the audio engineer something like an hour or more of

Looking for Voices? Trying to break into Voiceovers yourself? Want some tips on how to hire the right voice for your project? These articles will help…   So You Want To Be A Voice Over? Sarah Sealey, a British VO, has put together a brilliant essay about what it takes, in her own cheeky style.

Dan Hurst’s Voiceover e-Book – Dan’s put together a bunch of information for those thinking of getting into voice overs.  It’s a great resource and if you’re thinking about this as a sustainable career, it’s worth a (detailed) study.  You’re welcome. 😉

– A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Voice Talent, And What Happens Next The right voice can really make your project shine.  But how do you find that voice?  And what happens when you do? First things first Don’t let the process intimidate you.  If you’ve hired voices before, you probably know what to expect. 

Who Wants To Be A Voice Talent? – J. Christopher Dunn is a very talented voice over artist who gets asked what it takes to be a voice talent on a regular basis (I think any of us that have been in the business a bit have been asked the same). Here’s a pretty detailed analysis

Voice Coaches – They provide one-on-one and all-inclusive programs that provide specialized voice evaluation, industry preparation, network quality demo development, and effective self-marketing training coupled with personalized, long-term support. There’s lots of information on their website. If you’re looking to give yourself that extra edge a voice talent, check them out.

Internet Voice Coach is a new service for voice actors that gives tips and advice about various aspects of the industry. They also provide podcasts, personal feedback, downloads of helpful stuff for your business and your practice, they can work with you on auditions, there’s a forum, and a lot more. Whether you’re just starting out

If you’re really serious about becoming a voice talent, you really really need to treat this as a business – not a hobby.  Freshbooks can help you do that by presenting your invoices to your clients in a professional manner and allowing you to track outstanding invoices, keep track of expenses and a whole lot more.  Personally, I LOVE Freshbooks,

Putting together a demo and need background music? Producing a film, podcast, school project, commercial, corporate video or anything like that? Instant Background Music is a great place to try. This could be the cheapest way to get some really great music. They sell a package of 97 songs for only $97 dollars! That’s a pretty sweet

George Whittam is a genius when it comes to fixing recording issues for voice talent.  If you’re just getting into voice overs and you don’t know what equipment to buy, he’s the guy to ask. He has several options available from a super simple beginner’s set up, to a pro’s dream. And if you already have

VocalBoothToGo is a great website to check out if you’re looking for vocal booths you can take on the road with you. Once you’re in the thick of things, you’re really going to need some kind of a travel rig.  I happen to own one of these and really love it.  For more information on how

Canadian Recording Services website, a fantastic resource for finding recording studios in Canada. Their service is free and they deal with post-production for voice overs – including studios that have ISDN.

Edge Studio is a great marketing resource for voice overs. They have a ton of great resources for voice over training, too!. Visit their answer series for common questions and answers if you’re intending on becoming a voice over artist. You might also find their directory for suggesting links particularly useful.

If you’re just getting started in voice overs, or you’re a seasoned pro and want to improve your craft (it’s a never-ending process, after all), one of the best places to visit is VoiceActing.com. There’s tons of resources on their website, but one of the best things you can do for your career is to pick

Here are some resources for singers that I’ve found useful… Ok. I’ll be honest and say that some of these resources are ones I’ve compiled myself on other sites. That said, they’re still useful. 🙂 Reference Guide for Singers on The Muse’s Muse – This is a compilation of the resources for singers that can be found on

These resources will help enable you to get your website on the map, and climb in the ranks of online searches. Search Engine Optimization Tips for Voice Actors How to get the Search Engines to give your site Top Billing! (PDF) If you care to share any other SEO information with your fellow voice talent

Note: This is a reworking of a previous article I wrote back in 2003 specifically for the independent musicians and songwriters that dropped by my songwriting resource, The Muse’s Muse. Here’s a completely revamped version specifically for voice actors that I hope will help you all out. Before I began doing voice overs full time, I