The Great Voice Podcast

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice student Anna Kunkin and industry guest Brady Flanagan. Anna Kunkin is a bilingual medical interpreter whose years helping Spanish-speaking patients navigate doctors’ appointments and immigration interviews have given her a deep sense of empathy and connection. After growing up partly in Mexico and becoming fluent in Spanish, Anna found a career where advocacy and communication come together. Brady Flanagan is a voice actor, writer, director and sound engineer based out of Salt Lake City. He is the founder of the Voice Support Community on Discord as well as the creator of the audio drama Rogue Life. Brady and Susan discuss the booming world of audio dramas and why the format has exploded in recent years. Tune in as Susan coaches Anna through a commercial read where they work on developing a clear point of view by speaking to one specific person and creating a believable world behind the script. And learn how podcasts are helping fuel a new generation of scripted audio entertainment built around immersive sound, full casts, music, and storytelling “for the ears.”Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Tanya Wade This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM. Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits. Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more. Join the Voice Support Community on discord: https://discord.gg/amEcdfEJCR

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students David Peterson and Omar Masoodi. David Peterson turned a recent layoff into an opportunity to pursue his long-standing interest in voice acting and character work. Growing his skills with The Great Voice Company and putting himself out there on the pay-to-play sites, David wants to bring his unique voice to animation, video games, elearning and more. Omar Masoodi is a special education teacher of 35 years and longtime public address announcer with a natural love of storytelling. With experience in radio and a growing presence on Voices.com, Omar shares how consistent daily auditions are already leading to paid work. Listen in as Susan coaches David through an audiobook scene, focusing on “raising the stakes.” And with Omar, Susan shows how adding specificity can help bring vague copy to life. But stay tuned, because a special bonus interview where Omar talks about his recent successes on the pay-to-play sites and what he’s learned about scams and how to avoid them. Chapters 05:47 Audiobook Narration Techniques 16:59 Exploring Corporate Voiceover Scripts 25:51 Creating Authentic Connections in Voice Over 34:09 Navigating Pay-to-Play Platforms Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Tanya Wade This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM. Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits. Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice talent Susie Hackel, a former reading specialist who transformed her lifelong love of storytelling into a flourishing voiceover career. After walking away from voiceover decades ago (back in the cassette demo days!), Susie restarted in 2020 with The Great Voice Company and today she’s narrated dozens of children’s audiobooks, booked indie games and animation, built steady momentum on Fiverr and the pay-to-plays, and recently signed with Stewart Talent. Susie shares how she landed her dream children’s narration work, built a strong LinkedIn presence, and branded herself as “Bee Your Voice.” Then, listen in as Susan works Susie through a commercial script, uncovering the emotional journey of the spot and elevating the performance beat by beat. Chapters 05:40 Fiverr experience and building her portfolio 08:23 Most successful projects and direct marketing 11:31 LinkedIn strategy and networking tips 36:03 Overcoming imposter syndrome and enjoying success Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Tanya Wade This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM. Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits. Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students and audiobook narrators John Bejarano and Terri Dien, two professionals building exciting audiobook careers alongside their full-time work. Susan kicks things off with John Bejarano, who shares how a second try at voiceover, thanks to the support of Great Voice training and encouragement from fellow student Terri, led to multiple audiobooks now available on Audible. John talks about narrating epic sci-fi and fantasy titles, including Echoes of the Fallen World and the Smoke series, and the challenge of keeping dozens of characters consistent across long-form storytelling. Susan then coaches John through an audiobook audition, showing how raising the stakes and letting the narrator “know more than the characters” can add depth, drama, and intrigue. Next, Susan sits down with instructional designer, chef instructor, and audiobook narrator Terri Dien. Terri shares how earning her Home Studio Masterclass certification gave her the confidence to jump into ACX auditions and how just seven auditions in, she landed her first two audiobook offers. With eight audiobooks completed and a ninth in progress, Terri discusses workflow, momentum, and why audiobook narration fits naturally with teaching and storytelling. Listen as Susan helps elevate audiobook auditions with stronger intention and higher stakes and hear how John and Terri are building fulfilling voiceover careers one book at a time. Chapters 06:04 Balancing Voiceover with a Day Job 11:46 Character Development and Storytelling 14:57 Raising the Stakes 30:01 Workflow in Audiobook Narration 39:00 Advice for New Audiobook Narrators Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Tanya Wade This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM. Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits. Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice student Don Bly and Full Compass representative and voice artist Nick Marzock. Susan kicks off the episode with Great Voice Community member Don Bly. Don shares his journey from radio and a 30-year career in online retail to discovering voiceover through a simple Facebook ad. He talks about the wholehearted support of his wife that helped him take the leap. Then, Susan gives a coaching session enhancing Don’s read of a corporate script. Next up, Susan sits down with musician, producer, voiceover artist, and Full Compass rep Nick Marzock for a fun and incredibly useful conversation. They dive into the exciting new partnership between The Great Voice Company and Full Compass—bringing students and listeners top-tier voiceover gear, unbeatable pricing, and truly standout customer service. Nick makes the tech feel easy, breaking down how different mics work and why a good USB mic can absolutely deliver broadcast-quality sound. He and Susan trade stories, studio wisdom, and real-world tips that every voice talent can put to work right away. Listen as Susan helps Don build character, intention, and shows how specificity can transform a good read into a great one. And learn about Full Compass, the new partnership with Great Voice, and what that means for you! Chapters 03:27 Script Coaching Session 10:13 Conversational Techniques 21:41 Partnership with Full Compass Sound 23:33 Home Studio Setup Tips Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Tanya Wade This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM. Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits. Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students Randy Boyum and Kathy Bruins. Randy Boyum has spent over 35 years in corporate video production as a production manager and behind the lens as a camera operator for live events. Along the way, he launched a second creative outlet in clay animation. Now, he’s inspired to do voiceover work and maybe even narrate his own book! Kathy Bruins is an award-winning writer and publisher who helps creatives take the next step through her coaching and teaching. She also founded The Well Publishers in Southwest Michigan. Originally drawn to voiceover for audiobooks, Kathy’s Great Voice training opened her eyes to even more possibilities! Listen as Susan works with Randy on pacing, breath control, and connecting his storytelling to voiceover and to Kathy as she explores character development and powerful audiobook narration. Chapters 03:10 Randy Boyum’s talks about Clay Animation 14:41 Learning Breath Control and Recording Tips 20:31 Kathy Bruins talks about Publishing and Audiobooks 23:27 Susan Teaches Narration Techniques and Character Development

In today’s episode, you’ll meet VO dubbing artist Vanessa Garcia and Great Voice student Clay Browne. Vanessa Garcia is a 20+ year litigation paralegal, who found the voice over community during the pandemic. She used lockdown to train, network and grow her voiceover skills. Now Vanessa is an emerging live dubbing artist who has recorded VO projects for Netflix! They talk about opportunities as a live Spanish/English dubbing artist, how auditions work, and how walking in to record means walking in cold - with no script! Then, Susan speaks with Clay Browne, a retired high school band director of 32 years and a former Apple Store Genius Bar tech expert. He's looking for a fulfilling retirement career and voiceover offers him flexibility and an outlet for creativity. Susan works with Clay on an eLearning script where she coaches him on how finding the right “mumble in” can dramatically alter the read and help you create a warm and friendly tone. Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast listeners.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet emerging voice talents Garrett Holcombe and Rob Klein. Garrett, a certified financial planner from Georgia, has already landed VO gigs for a dinner theater trailer and a short documentary. Rob, a longtime High-Performance System Specialist, and community chorus singer, is drawn to audiobooks and the storytelling side of voiceover. Listen and learn as Susan coaches Garrett through an e-learning script and helps him explore delivering multiple takes that give directors more flexibility in the edit room. Then, Susan helps Rob build a vivid scene around an audiobook narration—raising the emotional stakes and transforming his read. Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast listeners

What does tech and creativity have in common? In the world of voiceover, more than you’d expect! Jim Strunk spent decades selling in the tech industry, building network connectivity, security, and data centers. As a former Private Client with Susan Berkley and The Great Voice Company, he’s taken that same strategic approach to mastering both the craft and business of voiceover. Daron Macke, an IT professional and musician, knows how to harmonize data and creativity. His dynamic voice caught the attention of The Great Voice Podcast team, winning him a contest that made him the official voice of the show. Join host Susan Berkley as she chats with Jim and Daron about their tech-driven paths into voiceover, the power of visualization in performance, and why a strategic mindset can be a game-changer in this industry. Chapters 03:00 Jim Strunk’s Transition from Technology to Voiceover 06:09 E-Learning Script Analysis 11:52 Susan Talks About the Importance of Visualization in Voiceover 17:46 Daron's Voiceover Journey 26:36 Susan Explains the Importance of Directed Sessions 34:04 How to Create a Connection with the Audience 37:03 Daron Learns to Select Key Phrases to Bring More Life to a Read Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. To sign up for the Show Notes and be notified when a new episode posts go to: GreatVoicePodcast.com

Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down—it can be the perfect time to launch a brand-new career. Just ask Robert Weible and Nita Drakatos. Robert spent decades as an aerospace test engineer, making sure aircraft components could withstand extreme conditions. But ever since high school, people told him he had a great voice. Now, as he approaches retirement, he’s putting that voice to work. He’s diving into this new adventure, exploring how voiceovers can supplement his retirement—and maybe even help him retire a little sooner. Then there’s Nita Drakatos. With a background in ethics and compliance, she spent years ensuring employees followed the right path. Along the way, she created e-learning content and corporate communications, unknowingly building the foundation for her future in voiceover. Now, five years into her journey, she’s proving that retirement is just the beginning of a whole new career. Listen in as Susan and Nita discuss how Nita used the four ways to launch her VO career—through personal connections, freelancing, auditioning, and pay-to-play platforms. Chapters 03:51 Bob’s Transition to Voiceover in Retirement 13:10 How to add interest and "deliciousness" to all your reads 33:19 Nita Explains How She Used Networking to Find Voiceover Jobs 38:02 The good, the bad and the ugly of VO freelance platforms 46:21 Nita Shares the important Lessons she Learned from Audiobook Projects Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. To sign up for the Show Notes and be notified when a new episode posts go to: GreatVoicePodcast.com

In this episode of the Great Voice podcast Susan Berkley interviews and coaches two members of the Great Voice Community who are growing their voice over businesses despite the demands of their day jobs. You’ll meet Lee Riley, an accomplished corporate professional who enjoys narrating audio books in his spare time. Lee takes you on an audio tour of his home studio where he just finished narrating his third audio book, despite a crushing work schedule and some really noisy crickets in his backyard! I think you’ll really get a kick out of Lee’s ingenious soundproofing hack. You’ll also meet Chad Engelbert, who leads a team that produces 60,000 vinyl records every day for major labels like Sony Records and indie labels like Thirty Tigers. Yes, vinyl is still going strong, and Chad gives us a fascinating inside look at this niche corner of the music industry. As always, each episode is filled with actionable takeaways on how to improve your voice acting skills, as Susan coaches emerging voice talent guests. Chapters 03:16 Best practices for home studios. 06:20 Exploring Voiceover Techniques 19:42 Transforming Voiceover Reads 23:26 Character-Driven Performance 34:15 E-Learning Script Coaching 45:39 Chad's Home Studio Setup Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. To sign up for the Show Notes and be notified when a new episode posts go to: GreatVoicePodcast.com

How I Built This: Susan Berkley reveals the intimate details of how (and why) she built the Great Voice Company, an iconic voice over training brand. Plus, meet emerging voice talent Debbie Smith and get inspired by her journey from nurse to narrator! In this episode of The Great Voice Podcast, host Susan Berkley interviews Debbie Smith, who brings her healthcare background to the mic. Their conversation unpacks Debbie’s shift from nursing to voiceover with valuable lessons for anyone wanting to pursue Medical Narration VO. Then Great Voice coach DeBorah Pryor continues her interview with Susan Berkley about how she built the Great Voice Company. Susan Berkley continues. Susan discusses several different voiceover niches, she explores how creativity and work can be surprisingly vital for well-being, and they also discuss the concept of “vocal narcissism” and the teachings of Dr. Norberto Keppe, which shed light on a unique perspective about health and work. Takeaways: Debbie’s story highlights the potential for career transitions post-retirement. Medical narration spans peer-to-peer and peer-to-patient communication. E-learning and other niches in voiceover are seeing significant growth. The demand for voiceover surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vocal narcissism can be a barrier for voice actors, impacting delivery and relatability. Dr. Norberto Keppe emphasizes how work is essential for maintaining health. Exploring various niches can open new paths for aspiring voiceover artists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Voiceover and Personal Journeys 02:50 Exploring Medical Narration and Audio Description 09:01 Opportunities in Medical Narration 15:02 The Impact of COVID-19 on Voiceover 18:10 Understanding Vocal Narcissism 24:03 Dr. Norberto Keppe and his teachings on work and health 30:13 Advice for Aspiring Voiceover Artists Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by Daron Macke This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. To sign up for the Show Notes and be notified when a new episode posts go to: GreatVoicePodcast.com

It’s everywhere now. It seems you can’t escape it. And you have to ask yourself: Is AI the end of Voiceover as we know it? On this special bonus episode of the The Great Voice Podcast, Great Voice Coach Joe Smith sits down to interview Susan for a straight talk about AI and her predictions about what it will mean to our voice over future. Chapters 00:00 AI in Voiceover- an overview of where we stand 01:28 Susan shares frank predictions about the future of voice over 09:54 AI and voice over: is it the end? Or is it a new opportunity to thrive? 13:06 Is the human voice as irreplaceable as we hope it will be? 18:20 AI's Role in Enhancing Voiceover Work 22:33 Collaboration in Voiceover Production 30:32 Licensing and Voice Cloning Concerns 33:24 Customer Service in Voiceover 39:32 Surviving change in the Voiceover Industry and Susan’s vision for the future. Hosted - Susan Berkley Producer - Salena Metreger Music by Darrin Fossella Show Opener by DeBorah B. Pryor