The Vocal Lab Collective

Will Ai replace us? The team at the Vocal Lab open up again this can of worms. Is AI getting too good? Can it analyze voices or is it just a positive feedback loop that could lead a singer to damage their voices? Is a human touch invaluable? Find out!

On this week, Jason and Shelby return to Coachella. From $3,000 resale tickets, $17 dollar coffees, to Caviar and nuggets, the gang discusses the cultural phenomenon that it has become. All of this culminating at one of the most polarizing performances of the night: Justin Bieber. Was it a lazy attempt at a performance or genius in disguise. Tune in to find out!

In this weeks episode of the Vocal Lab Podcast we talk... music... and feelings... When's the last time that music moved you so deeply you cried? Is it Shelby's "thumpers" playlist or Jason's love for Bad Bunny? Tune in to find out why waxing eloquent about music is both a noun and a verb!

This week's episode features Bret Green, AKA Dad Got Bars. From his early days in his high school cafeteria making beats on a table, to being nominated for an Emmy for his work in "The Inspectors," Bret has found a way to connect his passion for storytelling and music as a rapper to be a an honest voice sharing the real experiences women face in their everyday lives.

We’re bringing this fan-favorite back to the front of the feed! In this special RE-RELEASE of The Vocal Lab Podcast, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron sit down with hit songwriter Derrick Southerland to celebrate their milestone 50th episode. From his humble beginnings "scrubbing toilets" as a studio intern to opening the door for legends like John Legend and Ryan Tedder while working as a server, Derrick’s story is a masterclass in persistence. Tune in as he shares what it was like to pass on an idea from Vince Gill, the hilarious moment he tried to "take Nelly's strawberries," and how he learned to find true success in the creative process rather than just the chart-topping hits.

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason and Shelby are joined by Nashville’s own Sooner Routhier, a visionary production and lighting designer whose work has defined the visual identity of modern live music. As the CEO of The Playground, Sooner has earned prestigious accolades including multiple Parnelli Awards and the Live Design Achievement Award. She is the creative force behind some of the highest-grossing tours in history, notably serving as the lighting designer for Coldplay’s record-breaking Music of the Spheres World Tour and the co-production designer for The Lumineers' 2025 Automatic World Tour. Her portfolio spans genres and generations, from the theatrical world of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience to stadium shows for The Weeknd, Rihanna, and Chris Stapleton. Beyond her technical mastery, Sooner is a champion for industry evolution as the co-founder of EVEN, an organization dedicated to fostering diversity and mentorship within the live events community.

From surviving the freeze to the fallout of "Music’s Biggest Night," this week on The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby are diving deep into a Nashville ice storm that changed everything. While Shelby took advantage of the power outage to crush six books in a single week, Jason was busy hunkering down at a friend’s house, watching the city turn into a literal ice rink.But the real storm? It was brewing at the 2026 Grammys. The duo breaks down:Billie Eilish’s polarizing "F*** ICE" acceptance speech that has the internet on fire.Trevor Noah’s final stint as host—was the comedy actually "funny" or just safe?Nicki Minaj’s digital "unleashing" as she took to social media to drop bombshell allegations and conspiracy theories while the show aired.From the nature of award shows in a hyper-political era to the resilience of the Nashville music scene, Jason and Shelby aren't holding anything back.

Is your vocal coach a mentor or just a fan? Choosing a vocal coach is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your career, yet most singers go in blind. This week on The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby pull back the curtain on the hiring process. They’re sharing the exact 5-question litmus test you should use to separate the world-class mentors from the weekend hobbyists.

Ring in the New Year with The Vocal Lab Podcast as Jason and Shelby recap their NYE adventures, set bold goals, and dream up what’s next. From big aspirations to unexpected hobbies, anything’s possible in 2026. But the real question is—will Shelby take up pickleball, and is Jason actually fencing?

This week on The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason and Shelby trade vocal warm-ups for wild holiday facts as they dive into the strangest Christmas traditions around the world. 🎄From Austria’s horned nightmare Krampus, to Spain’s infamous poop log, and other festive customs that make caroling seem tame nothing is off-limits.It’s funny, slightly unhinged, and the perfect reminder that Christmas gets weird everywhere. Tune in and laugh along.

On this Thanksgiving episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason, Shelby, and Carlos gather around the mics to reflect on the year, share what they’re most thankful for, and look ahead with hope and excitement. And yes, Carlos is extra thankful this week after accidentally uploading the wrong episode last time (we forgive him… mostly).From personal milestones to musical breakthroughs, they open up about the moments that shaped them and the dreams they’re carrying into the future. Pull up a chair, grab a slice of pie, and join the conversation. It’s a warm, honest, and very on brand holiday hang.

This week on The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason and Shelby sit down with Ben Rodgers of Pivotol for a conversation that blends identity, creativity, and the unexpected.From the shrimp boat–style lunch where Ben and Jason first connected to the deeper questions behind the real X-factor—do we truly know ourselves?—Ben explores why the Relational Economy may matter more than talent alone.You’ll hear why choosing your “spot” is everything, how one decision can redirect a life, and why what’s meant for you somehow finds its way.Plus, get a first look at the new At Depth podcast launching January 1st.Over an hour of insight, stories, and reflection—don’t miss it.

his week, Jason and Shelby drop in for a quick checkup episode! Jason shares how watching the new Luther Vandross documentary sent him down a soulful rabbit hole — and somehow led to a real-life run-in with John Tesh. Hear how that unexpected meeting went, plus a little catch-up between the hosts you know and love.It’s light, fun, and full of those “only on The Vocal Lab” moments. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.