Sarah Natochenny on Voicing Ash Ketchum, Pokémon & Finding Confidence in Chaos
About this episode
Sarah Natochenny discusses her journey voicing Ash Ketchum and the challenges of stepping into an iconic role.
In this nostalgic and high-spirited episode, Sarah Natochenny—the voice of Ash Ketchum from Pokémon—joins Nancy Cartwright for a lively conversation packed with behind-the-scenes stories, voice acting insights, and plenty of playful moments. From iconic catchphrases to real-life challenges, Sarah offers an honest and entertaining look at what it takes to bring one of the most beloved animated characters of all time to life. Right from the start, the energy is electric. Sarah effortlessly slips into Ash’s voice, delivering the legendary “I choose you!” moment that instantly transports listeners back to their childhood. It’s a reminder of just how powerful voice acting can be—one line, one tone, and suddenly millions of memories come rushing back. But beyond the nostalgia, Sarah opens up about her unexpected journey into the role. At just 18 years old, she nearly missed her audition entirely, forgetting about it until the day of. With little preparation and no prior experience in dubbing, she walked into what would become a life-changing opportunity. Despite feeling unprepared—and even crying afterward—she landed the role, proving that talent and instinct can sometimes outweigh…
People in this episode
Host: Nancy Cartwright
Guest: Sarah Natochenny
Topics covered
- voice acting
- Pokémon
- nostalgia
- character replacement
- confidence
- behind-the-scenes
Keywords
- voice acting
- Ash Ketchum
- Pokémon
- Sarah Natochenny
- Nancy Cartwright
- audition
- nostalgia
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Pokémon
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