The VOHeroes Podcast

Hey there, hero!

So you want to try something new, or do something you’ve never done before, or finally get off your keester and create the first of something.

You might not realize how infinitely powerful that action is.

And I do mean infinite. I checked, and did so with people who are better at math than I am.

There’s a concept called “delta.” The delta of something is the difference between two approaches: if something is twice as g...

Hey there, hero!

Sometimes, a little thing can be a puzzler, and can be annoying, and when you figure out how to solve it, can be a bit embarrassing.

For years, I didn’t enjoy the notion of shooting a vertical full body shot for my on-camera self-tape auditions…

…until I did. I stopped being so precious about it, and made it easy. And gave casting directors exactly what they want: a look at me, head to toe.

In this episode, I show you ...

Hey there, hero!

If you don’t know by now, one of my favorite hobbies is to brag on my VOHeroes Pro clients.

(Given how real the struggle is to be a professional performer, and how we constantly have to manage our mindset when we inevitably don’t get the gig, each win is a savory morsel of delight.)

Everytime that happens, I get a little giddy.

I can’t lose. I always win. It makes me happy inside.

And when the joy of success is layered ...

Hey there, hero!

Ever notice how some people look at acting, voice over or writing and think it’s a snap…

…and not that hard to do?

I had an aunt that would make snide comments like “Oh, I could do that. Who would think that’s so difficult?”

She would say that phrase to make others feel small. And, likely, to try and make herself feel better about herself…and her life choices.

In this episode, we’re going to look at just how hard being ...

Hey there, hero!

To get from here to there, to move forward (or even, sometimes, backwards), we need to be in a state of motion.

Not standing still, but rather moving toward our goal.

That sometimes takes bravery.

Like when you were first behind the wheel in driver’s ed class (for those of you who grew up in NYC, you’re excused - we’ll see you next time). Pure terror.

But you got moving. And that’s what you need to do to “figure it out ...

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The Broadway actor André De Shields has quietly made a stunning career out of performing on one of the most exclusive sets of stages in the world, and although he’s a Emmy-, Grammy- and Tony-award winning actor, he’s not a household name…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/André_De_Shields

…but De Shields’ recently-publicized three rules of life ought be memorized and put to use by everyone.

Who knows? They might make the w...

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Permanence. Import. Outcomes. Results.

We make lots of decisions, and we talk a lot about the size of those small, medium and large decisions - but another way of looking at them is…permanence.

The long lasting results of all those decisions, if any. The effectiveness of a decision that makes for real change.

But instead of size, what about potency? What about import? What about the long-term permanence of your decisio...

Hey there, hero!

Math.

Some people love it, and some people scratch their head over it.

But this particular math concept is simple: distance is distance, no matter how much time it takes.

In a race, the fastest contestants usually win.

But the work we pursue and reach for? It’s not a race. So there’s no medal for getting there faster.

In fact, it might be better to take your time: you’ll miss less. You might even enjoy the run a bit more...

Hey there, hero!

Looking back at when you were just starting out with something can be heartwarming and lovely as you reflect on how far you’ve come.

Or, it can be regretful and cringeworthy, as you think about the rookie mistakes you might have made.

My answer was a simple one - I spent too much on very expensive potential solutions: on gear, software, courses - and I doubt I was ready for any of it, because I didn’t have the prepara...

Hey there, hero!

Sometimes, the most casual comments can be the most powerful.

The moments of conversation that are the least charged can sometimes be monumental.

I had one of those moments in a recent co-working session with Coach Trevor Algatt (long time collab and member of the VOHeroes and Narrate Your Own Book coaching squad).

And I have a sneaking suspicion that what he had to say (about a...bag) might just land with a bang for y...

Hey there, hero!

We’re a few years in on the AI onslaught.

No doubt, you have had thoughts on this, both as an artist and as a lover of art.

And, I’d be surprised if your thoughts haven’t changed and become more informed and nuanced over the years.

I’d love to know what those thoughts currently are.

Scroll down and let me know how you currently view AI and synthetic media when it comes to your work as an artist…as well as your enjoyment...

Hey there, hero!

So there’s that thing you don’t want to do.

That task that seems insurmountable, that conversation that seems uncomfortable, that project that seems confusing and messy.

So you put it off.

What do you tell yourself to justify your procrastination?

It’s OK…sometimes there’s a really good reason to delay things.

And sometimes…there’s just avoidance. And maybe, even fear.

What are the different common things you tell yoursel...

Hey there, hero!

Along the lines of what I've mentioned in the past, the rules change as our journey progresses, a hiker once said a version of the title of this episode.

The scenery is going to be different as you move through your trek.

The same thing happens for us as writers, actors and voice talent.

You start off with a set of rules and scenery as a beginner that will be very different from the set of rules and scenery you&ap...

Hey there, hero!

Sometimes, it’s not just A or B, one or the other.

You can often be presented with and virtually frozen in place by a stunning and varied array of options in life, and if you’re confused by all the choices, that overwhelm can be paralyzing.

We can spend so much time trying to be safe…to be correct…to make no mistakes. And that can lead to not making any choice at all.

Think of all the things you might have missed in li...

Hey there, hero!

“Return to the breath.”

It’s a common phrase that helps you get back to your center when you’re meditating or doing any sort of calming technique.

We self correct when driving as well - watching the wheel, making gentle movements on the wheel to stay in our lane.

And we can use this minor adjustment technique in other areas in life, including staying on task as we move through the day, and staying gracefully focused on...

Hey there, hero!

I just want to take a moment to tell you how grateful I am to be a part of your journey, and to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your storytelling support crew.

That’s pretty much it. I’m just thankful.

And here’s a link to Kindra Hall’s Stories That Stick (I highly recommend this audiobook - she’s amazing and will also make you a better storyteller):

https://amzn.to/45s4yrg

Thoughts on all this...

Hey there, hero!

There can be a big difference between taking action, and hurting yourself by jumping to a reaction without really thinking it through.

And there’s a difference between rushing to some action…any action…and taking just a moment to consider your options.

Delta and AMEX and a couple who couldn’t wait to post with righteous indignation on Reddit are prominently featured in this episode.

I don’t think they thought things th...

Hey there, hero!

Ever been asked to upload a perfectly square image as your profile pic?

Sure you have, if you’ve created your profile on, say, ACX.com.

The problem is that you’re usually working from a portrait-shaped headshot, that is usually taller than it is wide…definitely NOT square. So, you have to crop a section of just your face.

And if you don’t get it just right, ACX will force the image to be square, and your face will get ...

Hey there, hero!

Unless you count the awards shows and box office (unfairly) as some sort of barometer of our success (please don’t), there really isn’t any sort of leaderboard or all-star ladder for creatives.

Even best-seller lists only judge what’s selling well, not what’s the highest artistic quality.

It’s not a race, right? We tell ourselves (and I tell you from time to time) it’s not a competition. We’re all pulling in the same ...