In this episode of Becoming Bestsellers, Paul Reddick and Barry Spilchuk sit down with bestselling author, voice actor, and communication expert Joel Weldon, author of You Are the Message.

This conversation goes far beyond writing and publishing. It explores the often-ignored truth behind why books sell: the way the author shows up, speaks, and connects.

Joel shares how decades of voice acting, music, and live performance shaped his approach to communication—and why most people are never taught how to actually deliver a message with confidence, authority, and emotional impact. From conquering fear of public speaking to mastering vocal presence, silence, pacing, and authenticity, this episode reveals how your voice, presence, and delivery become the marketing engine behind your book.

If you want your ideas to land, your message to spread, and your book to move people instead of just sitting on a shelf, this episode shows you how to become the message.

1. Why most people fear speaking more than death—and how that fear blocks book sales
2. How You Are the Message was born during COVID from voice acting and teaching
3. The difference between being “talented” and being prepared
4. Why confidence comes from mission, not personality
5. The C1–C4 communication framework (Confidential, Conversational, Coach, Compelling)
6. How silence, pacing, and vocal range create authority and trust
7. Why authenticity is felt, not announced
8. How authors unintentionally lose their audience before they ever start
9. The difference between profiting and profiteering with your message
10. Why great communication turns interviews, talks, podcasts, and presentations into book sales
11. How practicing out loud changes everything
12. Why your book doesn’t sell until you can deliver it