The VOHeroes Podcast

Hey there, hero!It's easy to get into a rut. You get used to doing something, you're not challenged any longer, and it starts feeling monotonous.Even if your goal was to create a reliable ritual. It just gets old. You get stuck.Then Ajarae Coleman jumped in with a new concept.You try to shake things up, and strike out for something more challenging. Something new.And it doesn't quite work out.The feelings you have when you try something, fail at it, and reflect on the process can range from t...

Hey there, hero!The number one answer to the question I ask when I'm trying to gauge a student's concerns about learning, "What are you most worried about?" is so interesting.And we don't really think about that one moment, that one concern, that everyone in the world has also experienced. It's a universal.And if you give this momentous occasion a thought or two, it can really change your perspective on being a beginner.Or a "never tried it.".Or, at some point, an experienced professional.Do ...

Hey there, hero!If you're as big a fan of language, expression, narration and audiobooks as I am, and if you care about proper usage and what is required to do your own public domain audiobook narration, this is the episode for you.I had a chance to spend some time with Mignon Fogarty, discussing all that and more.Enjoy this visit with one of my heroes, Grammar Girl.If you're a writer, and haven't grabbed VOHeroes or the ACX Master Class, and you want to learn how to narrate your own book, he...

Hey there, hero!Ever been in the situation where you have an abundance of great choices?An embarrassment of riches when it comes to solutions, any one of which would be great?Does it stop you from making a decision on which to choose?I mean, how often do you have a bunch of options...that are all good?Here's a hall pass for choosing any one of them that would work out for you.It's OK to succeed, even when it's surprising.Is it rare for you to have more than one good choice? How do you react t...

Hey there, hero!Knowing your brand is essential, but once we determine the boundaries of our brand we might mistakenly misuse that knowledge.In this episode, I'm going to give you two examples around opportunities and your brand.Your brand can be your first filter, but then...I have a secret weapon for you. And it depends who is asking - if you're searching, or if someone is searching for you.You might be tempted to reject opportunities because "it's not my brand." My advice might run counter...

Hey there, hero!Does the world these days tend to make you angry? I know there are aspects of our existence that piss me off.And I want to delete those things. Don't you?James Clear helped set me straight. You know, the guy who wrote Atomic Habits?He got me again this week with something in his newsletter.Once you hear it (I repeat it, it's so good!), let me know your thoughts in the comments below.REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated an...

Hey there, hero!The consideration you make for a single role in an on-camera or stage opportunity and the many many characters you might play in an audiobook......means your personal brand is likely going to be less of a discriminator.You're not auditioning for that one character.You're auditioning for the entire cast.Once you let that marinate...does that help? Or does that give you pause? Let me know in the comments below.REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation on VOHeroes, where the...

Hey there, hero!My grandfather was a funny, smart cookie. He wasn't a performer, rather my grandfather was a plumber.I'm not really shocked anymore at how many lessons I learned from him, even though he was a tradesman, about how to execute my occupation and run my business.One of the basic rules he lived by was to be damn sure he had a measure of a job before he executed the plumbing needed.He measured, then measured again, just to be sure. Then he cut his pipes. And they always seem to fit ...

Hey there, hero!Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody fails at things. All. The. Time.Instead of being solely embarrassed about it, and fearful that failure might become the norm, why not make light of your mistakes?Even...celebrate them?You'll hear what I did in this episode.Sound familiar? How did you handle it? Let me know in the comments below.REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil.#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Produc...

Hey there, hero!We may not have control over what happens to us in life.Sometimes, it's our doing.Sometimes, life happens with no input from us.And although we might not be the cause of some event in our life, there is one thing that we can control: how we react to it.And I'm telling you, your choices on how to react are far more numerous than you think.And being mindful, imaginative and deliberate about my reaction is something I’ve been concentrating on with great results.I want to share th...

Hey there, hero!This one is worth listening to without the distraction of video. Wear headphones or earbuds, seat them properly and listen.And, I'm gonna warn you. I tear up a bit in this podcast episode.Because of the power of human breathing.How breaths are used run the gamut from comedic to tragic to frantic to romantic.And I'm on a mission to give you a permanent permission slip around your breaths, as a part of your work that needs to remain, and not be deleted.De-breathing plugins. Not ...

Hey there, hero!It's a pretty simple question, but we might fly right by it because we see it as a huge issue.We face things all the time that have the potential of being an issue......but it might be worth taking a moment and determining whether it's actually real or not.When you're worried about something...take a moment and survey whether you're worried about nothing. I show you how in this episode.Have you found yourself in this situation? Isn't it a relief when you check your assumptions...

Hey there, hero!We hear the phrase "game changer" all the time. And we take for granted that it's a major shift that leads to a victory.Is that always what it means? And is it always huge, monumental or unexpected?I'd love to know how you define a game-changing moment or development or shift.Can you even recognize it? When you haven't experienced the effects of this "game-changer" yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation on VOHeroes, ...

Hey there, hero!The rest of that quote (from Helen Keller) is really important to know.Life in general, and our chosen path in life (being an artist) specifically, has some twists and turns in store for us.Some unexpected stops, some uphill climbs and some out of control skids.Some bends in the road.Unless...you are watching, vigilant and prepared.I wonder how you handle the unpredictable. Especially when the unpredictable is as weird as it can be as a voice talent, an actor or a writer.I'm g...

Hey there, hero!Taking care of ourselves is paramount - as actors, voice talent, writers and other creatives, we don't have an office infirmary and an in-person support community when we are in need of self-care.And one area where your personal mental and physical health can be threatened is when you choose to disagree with someone's point of view...especially in online communication.The anonymity of social media emboldens some to take very big liberties with the basics of good manners - we c...