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Speaking of Talking

Speaking of Talking

Di: Jenni Steck MFA MS CCC-SLP
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A proposito di questo titolo

 Speaking of Talking is your go-to podcast for all things voice. We unpack what makes a voice compelling—on stage, on air, and in everyday life. From vocal health and identity to performance under pressure, we explore the voice’s role in how we connect and communicate. With humor and curiosity, we chat with experts like vocal coaches, announcers, and voice actors to bring you fresh insights. Tune in and discover why voices are cool—and how yours can be even cooler.Jenni Steck, MFA, MS, CCC-SLP Arte
Episodi
  • David Maquis: The Show Must Go On (Even with a Sore Throat)

    David Maquis: The Show Must Go On (Even with a Sore Throat)
    Feb 19 2026
    🎧 Speaking of Talking: The Show Must Go On (Even with a Sore Throat)Guest: David Marquis — Performer, Writer, Activist, EducatorRun Time: ~1 hour 30 minutesEpisode Summary:In this episode, Jenni sits down with performer, writer, activist, and lifelong “teacher” David Marquis for a rich, wide-ranging conversation about voice, performance, and what it truly means to use your voice for a living.What begins with travel stories quickly unfolds into the reality of touring one-man shows for decades: six to seven performances a week, relentless travel, vocal wear-and-tear, and the deep loneliness that often comes with life on the road. David traces his journey back to a single speech teacher who saw his potential early on—setting him on a path that led to I Am A Teacher, a one-man show seen by hundreds of thousands, later adapted into a book, and ultimately used as the foundation for a national Ad Council campaign to recruit new teachers.Together, Jenni and David dive into the intersection of voice, body, and nervous system—sharing practical strategies for hydration, managing exhaustion, handling performance anxiety, and adapting vocal warm-ups to real-world constraints. David offers hard-earned wisdom from decades of performance, including techniques for resting the voice mid-show, releasing trapped energy in the body, and using stillness to deepen audience connection rather than losing it.The conversation also weaves in unforgettable stories from the road: the infamous “two raw eggs” throat remedy, a powerful decongestant that sent a show into overdrive, and the night David lost sound mid-performance and finished the show on pure stage training alone.As the episode closes, the focus turns reflective and deeply personal—exploring how voice is tied to identity, what it means to age out of certain performances, and how artists find new ways to communicate when their instrument changes. David hints at a future conversation about losing—and reclaiming—his voice, a journey he credits Jenni with helping guide him through.They dive into:• Life on the road as a one-man show performer• How an early failure and a great speech teacher changed everything• Vocal care in dry planes, hotels, and exhausting travel schedules• Why silence is one of the most underrated tools for voice health• Managing nerves through breath, body awareness, and releasing tension• Using pauses and stillness to protect the voice and heighten impact• The emotional power of live performance—and why it’s worth the cost• What happens when your voice changes and your identity has to shift🎙️ Guest Bio:David Marquis is a performer, writer, activist, and educator whose work has reached audiences across the country through live performance, books, and advocacy. Best known for his acclaimed one-man show I Am A Teacher, David has spent decades using story and voice to inspire educators, leaders, and audiences nationwide.✨ Quote of the Episode:“If you don’t get nervous, you’re doing it wrong.”Learn more about David:https://theactivistheart.com/david-marquis-biography/Most recent books:The River Always Wins (Part 1 of the River Trilogy)Shop local at Deep Vellum booksBuy on AmazonThe River of Goodness (Part 2 of the River Trilogy)Shop local at Deep Vellum booksBuy on AmazonThe River of Blessings (Part 3 of the River Trilogy)Coming soon…
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    47 min
  • Speaking of Talking: Finding Your Voice in a Male-Dominated Industry Guest: Marybeth Michelli — NDT Consultant, Engineer, & Industry Leader

    Speaking of Talking: Finding Your Voice in a Male-Dominated Industry Guest: Marybeth Michelli — NDT Consultant, Engineer, & Industry Leader
    Jan 15 2026

    Marybeth Miceli is a leader in the world of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)—a field keeping our bridges, buildings, and planes safe. In this episode, she shares how she found her voice in a male-dominated industry, why vocal confidence matters, and how she’s mentoring the next generation of women to speak up, take up space, and lead with power. “Don’t give up,” she says. “You have to keep getting back up.”

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    In this episode, Jenni sits down with Marybeth Michelli, founder of Michelli Infrastructure Consulting and a leader in the world of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)—a field that uses technologies like ultrasound and X-ray to assess the safety of our bridges, pipelines, and aircraft.

    They dive into:

    • What Non-Destructive Testing actually is—and why it matters

    • How Marybeth learned to use her voice to command respect in male-dominated spaces

    • The vocal strategies that helped her avoid being talked over

    • Why pitch and pause can change how you're perceived

    • What it means to lead with authenticity (and without apology)

    • The shift from “fitting in with the guys” to mentoring the next generation of women

    • How voice, presence, and communication build credibility in technical fields

    • Lessons learned from theater, Taekwondo, and the boardroom

    Whether you're an executive, engineer, or someone navigating your own leadership voice, Marybeth’s insight is full of strength, warmth, and hard-earned wisdom.

    🎙️ Guest Bio:Marybeth Michelli is the founder of Michelli Infrastructure Consulting, principal and cofounder of the WNDT Marketing Network, and executive director of the Non-Destructive Testing Management Association. With over two decades in the field, she is a vocal advocate for women in engineering and is known for her honest, direct approach to leadership and communication.

    ✨ Quote of the Episode:"Don’t give up. You’ll get pushed down, but you have to keep getting back up. Have the tenacity and the perseverance to push through."

    Mentions:

    Miceli Consulting :

    https://www.miceliconsulting.com/

    Nondestructive Testing Management Association:

    https://www.ndtma.org/
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    49 min
  • Jeff Pegues: Finding Your Voice... Again

    Jeff Pegues: Finding Your Voice... Again
    Dec 18 2025
    🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode, Jenni reconnects with Jeff Pegues, a veteran journalist whose career has spanned three decades across ABC, CBS, and now his own media company. From the football fields of Miami University of Ohio to the front lines of justice and crime reporting, Jeff shares his journey through the highs of national news, the toll of relentless coverage, and the unexpected challenge of losing his voice to spasmodic dysphonia.They dive into:• How a campus audition set him on the path to journalism• Breaking into top markets and becoming CBS’s first Black justice correspondent• Covering Ferguson, Freddie Gray, January 6, and the 2016 election• The physical and personal toll of 24/7 news and how stress impacted his health• Living with a voice disorder as a broadcast journalist• Reclaiming balance, creative freedom, and joy through Jeff Pegues Media• His current projects: Critical Dispatch, Person of Interest, a true crime series, and long-form documentariesThis conversation is about resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering purpose when life and career collide.🎙️ Guest Bio:With over 30 years of experience in major news organizations like WABC in New York and CBS News, where he served as Chief National Affairs & Justice Correspondent, Jeff has extensive expertise and credibility.His experience includes covering the Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, as well as interviewing top U.S. law enforcement officials. He has also reported on significant events such as the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, numerous inaugurations, national political conventions, Super Bowls, terrorism incidents, and major hurricanes.The three-time Emmy Award winner is also a recipient of the Sigma Delta Chi journalism award and was part of the CBS News team honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2017. He has authored two books, Black and Blue: Inside the Divide Between Police and Black America (2017) and Kompromat: How Russia Undermined American Democracy (2018). While at CBS News, Jeff also hosted the podcast America Changed Forever and currently produces The Critical Dispatch podcast in partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. His new show, Person of Interest, airs on Hulu, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other streaming platforms as part of the ALIVE Podcast Network.✨ Quote of the Episode:“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. That’s what I tell young people today—follow your dreams, because if you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” — Jeff PeguesMentions:The Critical Dispatch podcasthttps://jeffpeguesmedia.com/our-work/podcasts/Kompromat: How Russia Undermined American Democracy (2018):https://www.amazon.com/Kompromat-Russia-Undermined-American-Democracy/dp/1633884295Black and Blue: Inside the Divide Between Police and Black America (2017)https://www.amazon.com/Black-Blue-Inside-between-America/dp/1633882578Learn more about Spasmodic Dysphonia:https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spasmodic-dysphonia
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    59 min
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