In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice student Cris Cassell and E. Curtis Johnson.

Cris Cassell, a trained actor, director, and acting teacher whose career has taken her from theater stages to the classroom at the Academy of Art University. Already working in e-learning and preparing an audiobook demo, Cris shares why voiceover appeals to her as a performer who loves creating entire worlds with nothing but her voice.

Curtis Johnson, a retired broadcaster whose voice has been heard on the radio for nearly five decades. After a successful career in rock, country, Top 40, and adult contemporary radio, Curtis has turned his attention to audiobooks, commercials, and voiceover work.

Listen as Susan coaches Cris through a commercial script. They explore the concepts of urgency and high stakes, using visualization and physical movement to bring more energy, authenticity, and emotional commitment to the read. Working on an e-learning script with E., Susan helps him move beyond the familiar “announcer voice” by creating a specific scenario and a real person to talk to. The result is a warmer, more conversational read that feels less like a presentation and more like a genuine interaction.

Chapters

• 03:37 Coaching Session: Subway Commercial
• 12:49 Understanding High Stakes in Voiceover
• 25:32 Coaching Session: E-Learning Script

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 Claudett Sanders and Larry Chain.

Claudett Sanders, a preschool supervisor and lead teacher from Sacramento, spends her days reading stories to three-, four-, and five-year-olds. With retirement on the horizon, Claudett is looking to turn her love of reading into a fulfilling voiceover career.

Larry Chain has spent more than 30 years building relationships and selling everything from motors to industrial components. After years of hearing compliments about his voice and occasionally being mistaken for a robocall, Larry is discovering how the same communication skills that make him successful in sales can translate to voiceover.

Listen as Susan helps Claudett finesse an audiobook script. Susan coaches her on raising the stakes, helping her explore multiple story scenarios and emotional perspectives. Working on a Subway commercial, Susan helps Larry sharpen his read by focusing on a single, specific listener, transforming the script from a general sales pitch into a genuine one-on-one conversation.

Chapters

• 12:02 Character Development and Storytelling
• 17:58 Voiceover Techniques and Performance
• 22:13 Sales and Voiceover Connection
• 24:09 Focusing on One Person

  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 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