The Voice Coach Podcast

This week, I bring some tips to enjoy yourself during the holiday season and take care of your voice at the same time. You’ll learn how to be ready for your end-of-the-year voice gigs, avoid getting sick and conduct yourself at parties without risking the health of your voice.What Is Covered:How to be vocally ready for the end of the year party seasonWhat I did wrong during the last holiday and how it affected my workWhy you should drink water before, during, and after every social eventHow avoiding late snacks can improve your voice's healthWhy you should always create space for a wee warm upOne of the best things you can do for your vocal health is to cool down, switch off, and indulge yourself a bit. However, finding the sweet spot between enjoyment and responsibility is your duty as a professional. With proper care and conscious use of your voice, you can enjoy your end of the year gigs and your well deserved rest and enjoyment. Resources:Sign up to my Newsletter: Newsletter - Nic RedmanJoin The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

This week, I'll share six gift options you can give your voiceover artist, podcaster, or voice-dubber friend this Christmas. From voice-caring devices to performance enhancers, you can rely on this wishlist to save you and your loved one from that awkward moment when they open their presents to find a pair of socks.What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The multiple benefits a quality nebulizer has to offer- A voice straw is an excellent option for enhancing your warm-up routines- How to upgrade your hydration game with smart bottles- Use a voice warm-up card deck to save you and your friends from warm up-boredomResources:- The Voice Deck https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/the-voice-deck/- Voiceover Career Planner https://www.thevosocial.com/product-page/the-voiceover-career-planner-by-the-vo-social- SOVT straw https://www.rayvox.co.uk/?ref=NICREDMAN- Nebuliser https://myvocalmist.com/en-gb/products/vocalmist-portable-nebulizeror https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/beurer-ih55-nebulise- Episode 024 Using Straw Phonation to Enhance Your Vocal Warm Up  https://pod.fo/e/cfe44- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

This week, to keep things on the book recommendation trail going, I'll share three non-voice books you should add to your library to help you improve your voice training journey. What We Cover:- Understand the marks trauma has left in your body with The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk- The more you learn about breathing, the better. Master your breathing with Breathe in, Breathe Out by Stuart Sandeman- Encourage better and more productive habits with Atomic Habits by James ClearAlthough these books aren't voice training related, they can definitely add valuable skills and tools that'll make your voice quality better. Resources:- Join "The Fold", - my bi-monthly Newsletter: Newsletter - Nic Redman- Your Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Keeps-Score-Transformation-Trauma/dp/0141978619/- Breathe in, Breathe Out by Stuart Sandeman: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathe-Out-practical-management-improved/dp/0008475377/- Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/1847941834/- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

In today's short and sweet episode, I'll go through five of my favourite books for voice training. You'll learn about really accessible, easy-to-follow and practical resources with plenty of voice exercises and science-based recommendations. What You Will Learn:- How to approach your voicing holistically with Finding Your Voice by Barbara Houseman- Learn to improve your voice's daily care with Everyday Voice Care by Joanna Cazden- Get hundreds of voice exercises from Voicework by Christina Shewell- Learn everything you need to know about articulation from The Moment of Speech by Annie MorrisonResources: - Finding You Voice by Barbara Houseman: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Your-Voice-step-step-ebook/dp/B016YAOLOA- Everyday Voice Care by Joanna Cazden: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyday-Voice-Care-Lifestyle-Singers-ebook/dp/B00BFUOZW8/- Voicework by Christina Shewell: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voice-Work-Science-Changing-Voices-ebook/dp/B00DAB8HCE/- This Is a Voice by Jeremey Fisher, Gillyanne Kayes, and Cerys Matthews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Voice-exercises-project-harness/dp/1999809025/- The Moment of Speech by Annie Morrison: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moment-Speech-Creative-Articulation-Actors/dp/1350107921/- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

What to do when you are called last minute for a voice gig, to host a meeting or get interviewed, and you don't have much time to go through a proper voice warm up but still want to sound fantastic? Today is your lucky day, because I'll teach you 5 exercises to warm up dead quick. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The three main areas every warm up routine should focus on- The benefits of shaking your body before a voice gig- How to eliminate the shaky and nervous voice ton- How to glide up and down your vocal range- The benefits of slug tongue and underwater speakingThe excitement of getting interviewed and telling your story can cause unnecessary tension in your vocal tract that, on top of making you sound weird, can damage your voice. These 5 quick exercises can help you prevent that, and they're an excellent option for pre-speaking gigs or social networking events. Resources: - Buy a Voice Deck for more warm up inspo https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/the-voice-deck/ - Send me your voice problems! https://nicolaredman.com/contact/ Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

If you speak mainly on a microphone and you don't need to be heard in a massive outdoor space, it'll be fair to assume your voice will do fine for the most part. But if you must speak for long hours, doing several hours of recordings in a row, your voice will most likely get tired. In today's episode, I'll share three tips to reduce vocal tiredness and increase vocal stamina that'll help you keep your voice fresh and accurate. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- Why you must learn to take care of your vocal tiredness- The best way to build a consistent vocal care routine- How big breaths affect your voice quality and stamina- How to keep the right amount of tension in your bodyPart of taking care of your voice is acknowledging that voice care is a holistic experience; for your voice to be in a good place, your mind and body must be there first. So, if your nutrition, hydration, and sleep quality are poor or your stress levels are high, your voice will suffer, regardless of how much care you put into your warmups and release exercises. Resources:- Join The Vocal Empowerment Programme https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/vocal-empowerment-programme/- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

As a speaker, the most empowering thing you can do with your voice is to know it like the palm of your hand and how to take care of it. Today's episode is a guide to help you check your voice, see where you could improve your voice care, and ensure solid and consistent performances. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- One of the best ways of nailing and understanding your voice- The importance of regularly checking how you feel using your voice- How to keep your relationship with warm ups up to date- Why it is crucial to always check your hydration habits- How to be ahead of your voice gigs, schedule rest and prep time, and plan warm upsBeing able to connect with how you feel vocally and being aware of your voice's needs will make you feel empowered, confident, and it will also have a dramatically positive effect on the quality and accuracy of your work. Resources:- 001 How to Structure Your Voice Warm Up https://apple.co/3KSkiHV - Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Talk to me about coming to the Ultimate Voice Getaway: Ultimate Voice Getaway Retreat - Nic Redman- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

Today, in the last installment of the Vocal Empowerment Series, I have the pleasure of chatting with the voice expert and best-selling author Caroline Goyder. We explore the crucial role of the body in vocal empowerment, how imposter syndrome affects our voicing abilities, and what gravitas sounds like and means to Caroline. We look at vocal empowerment through the lens of mindfulness, discuss Caroline’s books and her idea that we, as humans, are not finished products. We talk about voicing and communication as a dance, not a picture, the role of nerves before a voice gig, and much more. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- How Caroline's book "Star Qualities" serves as an imposter syndrome neutraliser- Why Caroline believes in the beauty of voices' imperfections- Why feeling nervous is a perfectly normal part of public speaking, and how to go through it- What Caroline thinks gravitas is and how it should sound- What vocal empowerment is and how to reach it- Caroline's advice on the best way to "break a state"As an internationally recognised speaker and trainer, Caroline Goyder worked as a voice coach for over 10 years at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Besides “Star Qualities”, she authored "Gravitas: Communicate with Confidence," "Influence and Authority," and "Find your Voice." In 2014, Caroline presented "The surprising secret to speaking with confidence" at TEDx Brixton, that reached almost 9.5 million views on YouTube. Go and check it out! Resources:- Learn more about Caroline and her courses https://www.carolinegoyder.com/  - Join me in The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthub - Buy “Gravitas: Communicate with Confidence” https://amzn.to/3BDNa3T - Buy “The Star Qualities: How to Sparkle With Confidence in All Aspects of Your Life” https://amzn.to/3d5DLI0- Buy “Find Your Voice: The Secret to Talking with Confidence in Any Situation”  https://amzn.to/3bqyRFj - The surprising secret to speaking with confidence | Caroline Goyder | TEDxBrixton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MR5XbJtXU - Talk to me about coming to the Ultimate Voice Getaway: Ultimate Voice Getaway Retreat - Nic Redman- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

My guest Samara Bay is an Author, Coach, Podcast Host and International Speaker. We delve into Samara's passion for studying accents and their origins, how we relate to the sounds we hear, and how we are socially conditioned to think about them. We talk about the social phenomena of judging and being judged by how we sound, and what it really means to sound like our true self.Samara also talks about her experience of losing her voice in her 20s, shares her thoughts on vocal empowerment and tips on how to embrace it. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- Which factors contribute to an accent's existence, acceptance, and judgement- The stories that fictional characters tell us just by the way they sound- Why some accents make us automatically think of a dumb, intelligent, or tricky person - Why it seems easier to create a vocal persona instead of sounding like our true self- About the cultural mandate of hiding what we care about- What vocal empowerment means to Samara, and what is the best way to embrace itSamara worked as a Hollywood dialect coach for over 10 years, with massive stars from blockbuster movies like Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy. She is passionate about decolonising public speaking, and debunking the invisible voice biases that hold voice workers back. She is the author of "Permission to Speak: How to Change What Power Sounds Like, Starting with You" and host of the Permission to Speak Podcast.Resources:- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Find out more about Samara & pre-order Permission to Speak: https://www.samarabay.com/ - The Voiceover Social Podcast episode on The Birmingham Accent: https://www.thevosocial.com/the-vo-social-podcast/episode/fd0923cf/brummie - The Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/160080935058642/ - Talk to me about coming to the Ultimate Voice Getaway: Ultimate Voice Getaway Retreat - Nic Redman- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

Today I share the best parts of my conversation with the brilliant Tor Spence, Voice and Upper Airway Specialist, and the Founder of VoiceFit Private Speech Therapy Services.We delve into some voice health issues like reflux, its causes, how to identify it, and the consequences of it being misdiagnosed. Tor shares her thoughts on voice empowerment, how you can benefit from it, and how to better know your voice from a vocal health perspective. She also offers top tips for keeping your voice healthy and consistent during hay fever season, what inflammation might look and feel like, and much more. What You Will Learn:- The symptoms of reflux and consequences on your voice- Why you shouldn't ignore reflux symptoms- Tor's best advice on hydration - What vocal empowerment is for Tor, and its role in enhancing your voicing consistency and health- Tor's recommendation for being more in touch with your voice's health- Advice for voice users recovering from COVID- Why some people need to constantly clear their throats- The importance of nose breathingIf you find this useful and interesting, check out Tor’s voice therapy skills training, online courses, webinars, in-person training, as well as her VoiceFit Blog. Resources:- VoiceFit website: https://voicefit.co.uk/ - Tor Spence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tor-spence-05b7571a4/ - Tor Spence Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicefituk/ - Tor Spence Twitter: https://twitter.com/voicefituk/- The Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/160080935058642/ - Talk to me about coming to the Ultimate Voice Getaway: Ultimate Voice Getaway Retreat - Nic Redman- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoiceMentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

Today's episode is all about habits and how to incorporate your vocal warm ups and voice care into your daily routines. I'll share a few tips to help you make space in your day and turn your voice work more habitual. I’ll also talk about navigating new habits using timers, rewards, a warm up partner, or sticking fun things at the end of your voice work or warm ups. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- Why it is so hard to maintain your vocal warm up routines through time- How making your voice warm ups into habitual practices can help you develop efficient muscular patterns- The advantages of setting a timer for your warm up and voice work routines- How to motivate yourself using rewards- How to increase accountability by adding a voice warm up palAdding pleasure or fun things at the end of every warm up session is an excellent tool to motivate you to commit to doing our voice work consistently. Keeping consistency in your vocal warm up will increase your confidence, clarity, speaking performance, and vocal expression. Resources:- Book: James Clear Atomic Habits https://amzn.to/3PkLpw8- Talk to me about coming to the Ultimate Voice Getaway: Ultimate Voice Getaway Retreat - Nic Redman- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoice- Join the Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubMentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

This week, we'll explore the ways to keep your voice safe and functioning while dealing with a cold. I’ll talk about how to deal with your clients, listeners and colleagues' needs and expectations, how to reduce the impact on your voice of recording during illness, and what you can do to alleviate the effects of using your voice while enduring a cold. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- Why you must set clear expectations with your colleagues, listeners, and clients about what they can expect from you- The effects of hydration and nebulising reduce and help mitigate cold symptoms -  What you need to know about facial lymphatic drainage and cold medications- The benefits of creating a consistent nose breathing routine- Why you must pay attention to and perform releasing exercisesReleasing exercises are crucial to soften the tension produced by using your voice during these challenging times. Your usual work will demand a bigger physical and mental effort, which is why it's a good idea to create more space for resting or even taking some days off. Resources:- Subscribe to my newsletter: https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- The Ultimate Voice Retreat: https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/courses-and-retreats/ultimate-voice-getaway-retreat/ - Beurer nebulisers: https://www.beurer.com/web/gb/products/medical/nebulisation/ih-18.php - 023 What is SOVT Work and How to Use It In Your Vocal Warm Up: https://pod.fo/e/cdff8Mentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

Today I'll answer the question everyone I come across asks: why should I do a vocal warm up? We'll explore the effects vocal warm ups have on the physical aspect of voicing as well as your mental preparation, and I'll share the three not-so-obvious reasons why doing a proper vocal warm up really matters.What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The simpler answer to why vocal warm ups are necessary- How vocal warm ups affect your voice and mental preparation for a voice gig- Why vocal warm ups are great for reducing voice tiredness- How vocal warm ups affect your voicing muscles- How incorporating healthy habits impact your body in the long-termVocal warm ups are handy for learning about your body, voice and mind. You can also learn about your breath, have fun, and ensure proper ageing of your voice. Resources:- Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoice- Join the Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubMentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

This week, we'll learn to deal with the popping plosives. We'll overlook mic placement and other silly techniques to reduce plosives and we'll go right at the source of the issue, our lips. I'll share an exercise to help you release the plosives with more ease, reducing the popping sound on the mic in the long term, and I'll share an emergency tool for exceptional occasions. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- Why some consonants explode on the microphone- The connection between the vigour we use to speak and plosives- How to reduce plosives by paying attention to the lip tension- A quick fix to reduce plosives (not a long-term solution)In most cases, we sound poppy on the mic because we are over-excited during the plosive release phase. To reduce plosives, we must increase awareness of our lip tension when voicing and explore the sound produced under different levels of tension. Resources:- Subscribe to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/ - Episode 047 What are Plosives and Fricatives? https://pod.fo/e/10d7bd - Episode 062 What are Vowels and Consonants and What They Mean for Your Speaking‎ https://pod.fo/e/f79e2- Join the Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthub - Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicredvoice/Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

This week's episode is all about mouth noises. We'll focus on three most common - saliva clicks, nasal farts, and behavioural lips and tongue smacks. We'll learn to identify and understand why we produce them and focus on what we can do to avoid them. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The things we should focus on to eliminate behavioural mouth sounds- The three main reasons why we produce saliva and how to prevent them- What nasal farts are and the best ways to avoid themSoft palate awareness, release and toning exercises are great for preventing some of the most annoying mouth sounds. Proper hydration and healthy eating habits are also great tools, and we should always keep them in sight to keep our voices clean and clear. Resources:- Join my Newsletter: Newsletter - Nic Redman- Ep 33 Getting to know your articulators: ‎The Voice Coach Podcast: 033 Articulation 002: Getting to Know Your Articulators and How They Make Sounds on Apple Podcasts- Ep 43 Exploring and Energising the soft palate: ‎The Voice Coach Podcast: 043 Articulation 010: Exploring and Energising the Soft Palate for Extra Vocal Clarity on Apple Podcasts- Join the Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthub - Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicredvoice/Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here