POPULARITY
Has your voice ever been front of mind for you? Many people often dismiss how their voice sounds and comes across to people, but it is a huge part of your executive presence. Our guest today, Susan Room is a former C-suite leader and is the creator of business voice coaching. Business voice coaching helps organisations communicate in an open, authentic and inclusive way.Today, our CEO and Host Stuart Elliott speaks to a familiar face of Elliott Scott HR, Susan Room. Susan has previously worked with us on a successful event in the UK and will hopefully be back with a webinar in the coming months for our global audience. In this episode, Stuart and Susan chat about what business voice coaching is and how it differs from other types of coaching, what a typical business voice coaching programme involves, the business case for voice coaching, measuring the success of the programme and tips for working professionals to help with their voice. Susan's Make Your Mark framework focuses on developing mindset, body language, speech and voice; enhancing personal success and well-being, organisational culture and performance. Susan holds a master's degree in Voice Studies with a Distinction from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, a Voice and Speech Trainers Association member, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.If you are interested in working with Susan; you can read her testimonials here. Key Timestamps:02:21 – Introduction to Susan Room10:43 – What is business voice coaching?15:20 – Vocal bias18:59 – Vocal Brand 27:27 – The business case for voice coaching 30:31 – Vocal Capital 36:21 – Tone of voice38:16 – What does a business voice coaching programme involve?44:39 – Measuring success 49.50 – Tips for working on your voiceYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen!
In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Hilary Blair. Hilary helps businesspeople get comfortable in the uncomfortable. She believes our society has shut down a lot of sharing within conversations and, as a result, we miss out on leadership opportunities by confusing confidence and comfort. Hilary observes that you can be confident if you accept the discomfort that might be involved. Tell your story, share your vulnerability and where you've made mistakes. This transparency, especially in money conversations, will allow you to tell your story, connect with others and, as Hilary says, own the awkward. Hilary is a keynote speaker, champion of human connection and the CEO of ARTiculate: Real&Clear. She is impassioned by moving beyond habits and learned behaviors to uncover what is unique and authentic in individuals and groups. A presentation and speaking voice expert, Hilary is a highly regarded coach and facilitator working extensively across the globe with a variety of businesses including Maersk, Liberty Global, Slalom and AWS. Whether working on leadership communication with members of the C-Suite, or facilitating workshops using improvisation to improve communication skills, Hilary's 35 plus years as a teacher combined with her professional stage, film and voice over career present a unique and essential skill set. She and the ARTiculate team partner with HR departments to co-create experiential learning events that activate individual presence and team effectiveness. Hilary is certified in Conversational Intelligence and CultureTalk. She is an active member of NSA and former board member of the Colorado Chapter. She is also a former board member of VASTA – the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. Hilary is on the faculty for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and has been adjunct faculty for a number of universities. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed and numerous podcasts. Hilary holds an MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University.
Welcome Back Guys, to the Season Premiere of Season 2!!! It's been a long time coming.For the second season Russell sits down with some of his fellow classmates and teachers down at UNC Greensboro where he was finishing up his MFA.Up first on the list is directing student Karen Sabo. Karen and Russell discuss a little bit about the theatre directing process as a student as well as the importance of theatre education not only in the theatre but in everyday life also.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Share, Review & Subscribe.Karen Sabo (she/her) is a director, teacher, writer, and actor. She has been a member of three resident acting companies, including the Barter Theater in Virginia where she was also a resident director, dialect coach, and eventually, director of education. Karen studied with the American Conservatory Theatre, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the Saratoga International Theatre Institute, and Shakespeare & Company. She has a B.A. from Hampshire College, an M.A. from East Tennessee State University, and an MFA in Directing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her plays have been produced in New York, New Mexico, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia, and she has had dozens of articles published in regional publications in the Southeast, including American Theatre and Southern Theatre Magazine. She is a 25-year member of Actors' Equity, and belongs to SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society), and to VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association). She is grateful to currently teach in the wonderful theatre program at Missouri State University. www.karensabo.com Instagram: @kabbasabesFacebook: @Karen Sabo
In this episode of The Artist Inclusive Podcast, hosts Shang Parker is joined by multi-hypenate, Steven Eng. Steven teaches voice, speech, and text at NYU and throughout NYC to professional actors and corporate clients. He is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and has served as a panelist at the Voice and Speech Trainers Association national conference. As an actor, he has played leading roles in classic plays and musicals, from Shakespeare to Rodgers and Hammerstein. His acting credits include London's West End, New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Red Bull Theatre, ShakespeareNYC, Prospect Theater Company, PanAsian Rep, 5th Avenue Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Huntington Theatre Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, TUTS, Dallas Theater Center, and more, as well as in Germany, Austria, and Cambodia. Steven's directing credits include productions in both New York and Ohio, and he is co-founder of National Asian Artists Project in NYC, a nonprofit striving to bridge professional theatre artists of Asian descent with the many communities their work can serve. Steven has also served as a grants panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. Take a listen to this episode of the Artist Inclusive Podcast for insight into finding a middle ground among several intersecting vocations.https://www.hollandcreative.io daniel@hollandcreative.io IG: https://instagram.com/conversioncopydesign https://www.dashofcopy.com anna@dashofcopy.com IG: Dash of Copy (@dashofcopy) • Instagram photos and videos
THEATRE FOR ALL | Lecture Series on "Basics of Speech" by Hema Singh, Associate Professor, National School of Drama Amazing speech on the subject. Not only the actors but commoners can benefit too. This may definitely help one for communication and personality improvement. I have now learned how to use breath as part of my acting, expressing emotions. HEMA SINGH (Actor, Trainer, Director and Writer) Hema Singh a well known actor and a graduate of National School of Drama , has worked with NSD Repertory Company for 10 years, essaying several major roles in different styles of theatre, under eminent National and International directors such as Ebrahim Alkazi, Richard Schechner, B.V. Karanth ,K.N. Pannikar, K.V.Subbanna, Habib Tanveer, B.M.Shah, Anuradha Kapur, Mohan Mahirshi, Fritz Benewitz, Amal Allanna, D.R. Ankur and M.K.Raina. She has also worked with eminent Film Directors such as Majid Majidi , Shyam Benegal and M.S. Sathyu .Her portrayal of 'Imarti Devi'in a T.V. Serial fetched her' Indian Television Academy Award' for the Best Actress. As a Director she has done innovative work in the field of Parsi Theatre and Presentation of Poetry on stage. Her directed remarkable Poetry Presentations are NSD Repertory Company's' Hum KaunThe ,Kaya Ho Gaye Hain,Aur Kaya Honge Abhi' based on the National Poet Maithileesharan Gupta's poems and 'Vinash Ke Viruddh' based on Modern Hindi Poet Raghuvir Sahay's poems, with Shri Ram Centre Repertory Company .She has assisted famous Parsi Style actor-director Master Fida Hussain' Narsi' for about 5 years, She was invited by Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, U.K.( Wales, Cardiff) to do a Parsi Style work with British actors. Has participated with a Parsi Style production at Shanghai ( China) at APB Theatre Festival and at BRICS Festival at Moscow. Has done Fellowship from Ministry of HRD on Parsi Style, titled 'Parsi Style--Possibilities'. Has done at least 25 Parsi Style Productions with NSD, SRC, M.P .Drama School, Miranda House and with her own Theatre Group 'BHAS'. She has written analytical articles on theatre , translated Cicly Berry's book 'Voice and the Actor' and was Theatre Critic of 'Jansatta' a Hindi news paper. Since last 27 years she has taught Voice and Speech , Acting and Parsi Theatre at NSD and at various Theatre Institutes of India . She has extencively travelled abroad, have performed and conducted workshops . She is a member of VASTA( Voice and Speech Trainers Association) and has taken master classes at VASTA Singapore. She taught Acting at NSD for 18 years. She was awarded with NSD's prestigious 'Manohar Singh Smriti Award in 2008. She is a recipient of Central Sangeet Natak Acadmy Award -2017 for Theatre Acting. Image Courtesy Hema Singh --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sm-irfan/message
Welcome to the 39th episode of the Give A Heck Podcast! Join Dwight Heck and his guest, Elissa Weinzimmer, to discuss how she lost her voice at a young age and the healing process she underwent that rekindled her vocal skills and a new purpose. As someone vigorous and creative before as a student, Elissa admitted to getting obsessed with not working at one point in her life. Unfortunately, because of overworking, Elissa developed a case of mononucleosis that eventually led to her losing her voice. In this episode, Elissa and Dwight discuss yoga and meditation, body and mind connection, the effects of hustle culture, and more. In this episode, you'll learn: · Growing up with a love for singing and experiencing vocal hemorrhage at 21 · Hustle culture normalizes ignorance toward the outcries of well-being · Yoga and Meditation: Tackling the stimuli of discomfort and anxiety · How to be more present? · The associations and connections you make matter more than you think · And much more! ~ About Elissa Weinzimmer: Elissa Weinzimmer is the founder of Voice Body Connection, empowering speakers and singers to have healthy, powerful voices. After losing her own voice at age 21, Elissa began studying the mechanics of the voice. Through her courses and podcast, she has helped thousands of students to find their voices and speak their truth. Elissa has coached for eBay, WeWork, and Equinox and has been featured by Career Contessa, Kajabi, Healthline, and SheKnows. Elissa held an MFA in Theatre Voice Pedagogy from the University of Alberta and was the recipient of the Clyde Vinson Award for Excellence from the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. ~ You can find Elissa Weinzimmer on… Website: https://www.voicebodyconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissa-weinzimmer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voicebodyconnection https://www.facebook.com/elissa.weinzimmer Twitter: https://twitter.com/voicebodyelissa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicebodyelissa/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgCXX_WwmOkHl8HFpR0u5w Connect with Dwight Heck! Website: https://giveaheck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heck/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heck Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF0i
“Businesspeople and artists; we all are driven by passion.” Nothing better describes this episode than words from my guest herself. Join us as we discuss art, business, leadership, mentorship and gifting yourself the fact that you are confident. Hilary Blair is a keynote speaker, reframer of executive presence, and the CEO and Lead Coach for ARTiculate: Real&Clear. As a speaking, communication & voice expert, Hilary is a highly regarded coach and facilitator working globally with a variety of businesses including Roche, Maersk, Slalom, and AWS.Hilary's years as a teacher, stage, film and voice-over actor present a unique skill set. She sees beyond habits and learned behaviors to what is unique and authentic in groups & individuals. Hilary facilitates interactive workshops to heighten executive presence, deepen interpersonal communication, and strengthen leadership skills, teams, and messaging. She is a CSP™, Certified Speaking Professional, and past board member of the Colorado Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Hilary is a member of VASTA, the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and is certified in Conversational Intelligence™ (CIQ), and CultureTalk. She holds an MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University.In this episode:You don't have to know it all to startComfort and confidenceFeedback and outcomesIntentional explorationTrust your gutFinding the treasures in the hard momentsConnect with Hilary:ARTiculate: Real & Clear – articulaterc.com LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/hbarticulate Instagram – @articulate_coach_speak_trainContinue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!www.theencourageproject.comFacebook – @theencourageprojectInstagram – @the_encourage_projectLinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022 Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!
Today on Extraordinary Women Radio, I am happy to introduce you to Hilary Blair, the CEO and Co-founder of ARTiculate: Real&Clear. Human connection can be awkward and exhausting. Hilary shows how true connection is worth navigating the mess. In this Episode: Archetypes: Understanding how they shape who we are and how they guide the choices, life, and work we make. Stereotype and archetype – Seeing from archetypal lens vs. stereotypical lens Hilary's passion around freeing voices and just really embracing the messiness that comes through us. Controlling our voice and learning to adjust How Hilary will bring her messiness into preparing for her talk on the TEDx stage An analogy of a soccer player in regards to creativity in rules and boundaries. Hilary is a keynote speaker and champion of human connection. She is impassioned by moving beyond habits and learned behaviors to uncover what is unique and authentic in individuals and groups. A presentation and speaking voice expert, Hilary is a highly regarded coach and facilitator working extensively across the globe with a variety of businesses including American Express, Maersk, Staples, Liberty Global, Slalom, Merrill Lynch, and Hunter Douglas. Whether facilitating workshops on professional presence or on navigating tough conversations to improve leadership/team connection, or exploring the messiness of communication in a keynote, Hilary’s 30 plus years as a teacher combined with her professional stage, film and voice-over career present a unique skill set. She was a Making Cents’ speaker and mentor at three YSEALI exchanges (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam) delivering expert training on verbal communication and presentation skills. She traveled as a pitch coach for Count Me in for Women’s Economic Independence’s Make Mine a Million and has reconnected for the Count Me In Revival. Hilary is certified in Conversational Intelligence and CultureTalk. She is an active member of NSA and former board member of the Colorado Chapter. She is also a former board member of VASTA – the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. She is on faculty for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and has been adjunct faculty for a number of universities. Hilary holds an MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University. “Even though it may take more energy to sit down and connect with people, in the end it creates and generates energy and creates forward movement.” –Hilary Blair Discover more about Hilary's works and passion on her website ARTiculate. You can also follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn. Let’s meet Hilary Blair! Hilary Blair Show Notes
Lydia Flock is a dynamic singing and speaking voice coach, practitioner, and researcher. She is graduate of the internationally respected Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (MA in Music Theatre) as well as the University of Virginia (BA in Drama, with honours). Her educational background also includes 2.5 years of training at the esteemed Ithaca College (New York) in their BFA Musical Theatre programme. Lydia is a qualified Vocal Health First Aider with Vocal Health Education, has expertise in Knight-Thompson Speechwork, and is a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, the British Voice Association, and is an associate member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is due to qualify in Vocal Massage Training with the Voice Care Centre in February 2021. Lydia is also in the process of working with vocal coach and founder of the Voice Care Centre, Stephen King, to eventually serve as a vocal coach for the Voice Care Centre. As a voice teacher and practitioner, Lydia founded Flockstars Coaching, a holistic voice coaching company in London and online that uses the speaking and singing voice as a vehicle for healing, confidence building and personal development. Lydia is the Junior Voice Specialist at London's first multidisciplinary voice care service, the Voice Care Centre. She is on the visiting staff for Arts Educational Schools, London and is Senior Voice Tutor at the Kogan Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her unique interest in the interactions between voicework and wellbeing have led to collaborations with Real Talk Practice (Danielle Pinals, LMHC) and The Creative Genius (Nicolette Wilson-Clarke). Lydia is a promising academic and is dedicated to evidence-based practice. Her research titled Freedom of the Singing Voice: An Exploration of the Mind-Body Connection, Performance Anxiety and Confidence through Methods of Fitzmaurice Voicework, Organic Intelligence, and Ziva Meditation is currently in press with the renowned academic journal, Voice and Speech Review. She is also collaborating with Chris Johnson (Vocal Coach) on a research project investigating singing voice assessment and diagnosis. Lydia is passionate about research and development and is committed to incorporating the latest research in voice science within her professional practice. Connect with Lydia on: Instagram: @flockstarscoaching and @voicecarecentre
This past summer I was supposed to have been in Sydney, Australia at the Voice and Speech Trainers Association conference, presenting a workshop called “Coaching the Voice of Our Times” with my colleague Thea May. Suffice it to say, that didn’t happen. Good news though: Thea and I have put the content in today’s podcast episode! This conversation blew my mind and I think it will blow yours too. Thea and I agree: in our modern era, the pathway to liberation is through our voice. Join us as we discuss how to get there. You’ll learn about the three layers of truth, why safety is so important for effective conversation, and how connecting to your gut can allow your voice and power to flow. Listen now, and for show notes and access to the free mini-course, visit www.voicebodyconnection.com/podcast.
Have you ever avoided calling someone by name for fear of mispronouncing it? Have you given students nicknames to make it easier for you and fellow students to address them? How can mispronouncing, altering, or altogether changing students’ names affect their personal, educational, and social trajectories? Why is it important to change the narrative around names that some might consider difficult to pronounce and what can we do to begin? We discuss these topics and much more with N’Jameh Camara. N'Jameh Camara is an actor and author currently residing in New York. She is a proud first generation American of Filipina and Gambian roots. Having recently wrapped up the post-Broadway run of JUNK by Ayad Akhtar, she is currently performing in Macbeth at Classic Stage Company directed by John Doyle. She also did a year long run in the principal role of Nettie in the Tony Winning Revival of The Color Purple Broadway Tour, directed by John Doyle. Other credits include the World Premier of X: or Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation by Marcus Gardley, the Off-Broadway run of Julius Caesar and a Bobby and Kristen Anderson Lopez World Premier of Up Here at the La Jolla Playhouse, directed by Alex Timbers. Her voice can be heard on Amazon’s Audible, narrating audiobooks for young adults from Penguin Random House Publishing. For more information, check out the books, “Harbor Me,” “We Rise, We Resist, We Raise our Voices,” “A Peoples’ Future of the United States,” “You Bring the Distant Near,” and Fumbled and Gravity. N'Jameh received her Master of Fine Art from UC San Diego and has taught acting and movement workshops at various universities including Loyola University- New Orleans, UC San Diego, SUNY Oswego, Northern Arizona University and University of Central Missouri. She is a current member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association where she presented on Intersectional Arts Pedagogy in Singapore at the 2017 VASTA conference. As well as acting, N’Jameh enjoys writing and is currently working on her first book. She has also written and performed a one woman show about a young Maya Angelou, Marguerite to Maya. The show was developed with the Ubuntu Theater Project and was performed at Studio 67 in Oakland, CA, The Alameda Juvenile Detention Hall and the Eugene O'Neill Tao House for New Play Development. Other writing credits include The Monologue Project. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/highest-aspirations/message
For most people, your voice is simply the tool you use to communicate. But for Gina Razón, this week’s guest on the Confident Communications podcast, the voice is much more than that. And when you don’t use your breath properly, your voice (and your credibility) can suffer. A former opera singer and current public speaker and voice coach, Gina shares with us why the voice is a tattletale for your confidence and exactly what speakers do when they’re not as confident or as prepared as they’d like to be. And she passes along tips that any speaker, no matter what kind of room they’re in, can use to be more confident. Even if the ex-boyfriend who broke your heart 10 years ago walks into the room. Probably most fascinating is the connection that the body--even the big toe--has with your voice and how dynamic your speech is. Gina also explores how generational inflection is a part of life today and the superpower that each gender has in their voice. Gina firmly believes that there is one special “birthright to everyone who breathes air.” And the answer comes out loud and clear in this episode. Mentioned in This Episode Gina Razon’s TEDx Cambridge talk Tamsen Webster’s Find Your Red Thread Episode 5: Just Listen Episode 3: How to Ace an Interview and Communicate Your Brand The Cognitive Neuroscience of Music The neural integration of speaker and message About Gina Gina Razón has taught voice and speech for over 16 years to individuals, organizations and in academic settings. She is sought after as a teacher of voice and speech, singing, and public presentation. Gina also performs as a classical mezzo-soprano in concert and opera. Gina has a BM and MM in Voice Performance, is a practitioner of Fitzmaurice Voicework and a certified teacher of Somatic Voicework. She has served as voice coach for TEDxCambridge, and speaks at National and local events on all things voice and speech. Gina is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Foundation, the Voice and Speech Trainers Association and the National Speakers Association. Visit her website or read more about the topics of voice and speech on her blog. Do you struggle with feeling like your own communication is seen and heard? Feel more relevant online with my Power Speak download. Learn what to say (and what not to say) if you want to feel seen, heard and relevant online. © Molly McPherson 2019
In episode 49 of Fresh Tracks I speak with voice coach Hilary Blair about the power of our voice. Hilary teaches us some best practices so you can you best use your voice to both communicate your message and be in your power center so you are heard. In this week’s show you’ll discover the three distinct areas of your voice and understand why they are important as well as the role of each. Hilary also shares the important role of your breath when you speak and the different types of breath that support conveying your message adequately in different situations. Did you know that your voice is connected to you and your emotions? In fact, your voice is a vulnerable place because it’s connected to your breath and we can unconsciously hold back when we are afraid or nervous – undermining the message we are trying to share. Understanding our bodies built-in coping mechanisms and how to work with them rather than against them is a valuable tool Hilary shares in the show. Are you using your voice as a wall to hide behind? Speak and no one hears you? You don’t feel as if you are speaking as your powerful self in certain situations? Listen in on this week’s show….Hilary shares all! Hilary shares that embracing the emotional quality of our beingness is what the world needs more of right now and people are starving to hear the full emotion in our voice – we do this by sharing our full selves. Show Notes 2:20 – Your breath. Your voice. Knowing who you are and getting your message out there 5:00 – The three distinct areas of your voice, including your power source 7:30 – What to do if your message is not landing or not being heard 10:30 – The maturation cycle of your voice and stepping into your mature voice 14:00 – Creating the ‘balanced stereo’ in your voice 17:25 – Difference between a full voice and a deep voice and why it matters 24:30 – Contrast between the belly breath and the athletic breath when you speak 28:00 – Why networking events can be exhausting and what do to about it 31:00 – What happens to our voice when we get nervous and Hilary’s #1 tip for dealing with it About Hilary Blair Hilary Blair trains high achievers craving honest feedback in order to reach the next level in business and/or life. She is impassioned by moving beyond habits and learned behaviors to uncover what is unique and authentic in individuals and groups. A presentation and speaking voice expert, Hilary is a highly regarded coach and facilitator working extensively across the globe with a variety of businesses including American Express, Janus Funds, Staples, Liberty Global, Slalom, Merrill Lynch, and Hunter Douglas. Whether facilitating workshops that use improvisation to improve leadership skills, team building and creativity, or training trainers to hone their craft, Ms. Blair’s 30 plus years as a teacher combined with her professional stage, film and voice over career present a unique skill set. She has participated as a Making Cents’ speaker and mentor at two YSEALI exchanges (Singapore, 2014 and Vietnam, 2015) to deliver expert training on verbal communication and presentation skills. Her skills-building sessions were ranked highly by YSEALI young leaders and many have stayed in touch with Ms. Blair in informal mentorship relationships. Ms. Blair is founder, CEO and lead coach at ARTiculate: Real&Clear, a communications company which has grown exponentially since its inception. She is an active member of Toastmasters International and is a board member of VASTA – the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. She is on faculty for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and has been adjunct faculty for a number of universities. Hilary holds an MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University. www.articulaterc.com Want more Fresh Tracks? Get your free Tracks-to-Cash Video Training here now!
Women Rocking Wall Street - A podcast dedicated to women in financial services
WRW026: Realigning Your Voice with Hilary Blair Happy summer, everyone! This week, I’m excited to invite a communication chiropractor to Women Rocking Wall Street. You’re probably thinking, “What the heck is a communication chiropractor?” Hilary Blair, CEO of ARTiculate: Real & Clear, helps clients align verbal and nonverbal communication with their messages. The result is a voice that connects the head, heart and spirit. On this episode, Hilary walks us through vocal habits that can unintentionally send messages of insecurity, indecisiveness and all that other bad stuff. Maybe you’re using little girl voice to avoid being “too much,” or perhaps you’re trailing off at the end of sentences because you’re scared to push an idea. Or maybe you’ve reverted to the “surfer-dude voice,” known as vocal fry, because you don’t want to seem overly enthusiastic. Whatever the case, a little practice and awareness can give your voice warmth and clarity. Strive for musicality with a nice blend of bass and treble. And be sure to use inflection, which guides listeners through a message, Hilary says. I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to try out a speaking organization such as Toastmasters. You don’t have to be an expert to join; in fact, it’s the perfect place to practice public speaking in a supportive environment. For more information about Hilary’s company, visit articulateRC.com, or find her on LinkedIn. Also be sure to check out VASTA—the Voice and Speech Trainers Association—where Hilary is a member. Listen in next time for guest Tim Smith, who’ll be discussing how the 30 Percent Coalition has encouraged more women on boards. Have a great week!
Host Trena Bolden Fields interviews dialect coach, Foster Johns on accents. Join us for a fun show today! Foster Johns holds a B.A. in Theater and English from Boston College. He was born and raised just down river in New Orleans, LA and has performed in numerous productions there in addition to the Boston area. Since moving to the twin cities on 2009, he has performed with truly amazing companies such as Swandive Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata, Theatre in the Round Players, Workhouse Theater, The Flowershop Project, Night Path Theatre, Brazen Theatre, Dovetail Productions, Classical Actor's Ensemble, and Jon Ferguson's theater company. In addition to performing, he has had the privilege to serve as dialect coach to companies such as Park Square, Bloomington Civic Theater, Minnesota Jewish Theater, Chain Reaction Theater Project, Theater Latte Da, as well as a private coach to a variety of talented performers in the Twin Cities. He aims to pursue an MFA in voice and dialect studies in the near future with the goal of becoming a resident voice/dialect coach for a regional theater and teaching at the university level. Foster is a proud member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association), a board member of Workhouse Theatre, and the resident dialect coach of the Actor's Workout with Raye Birk at the Guthrie. He aims to pursue voice work in a graduate setting and continue to perform and work with actors' voices, as both are a constant source of inspiration and fulfillment.