Podcasts about uncle roy

A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Host Miko Lee checks in with Dr. Robyn Rodriguez and we get to check out her podcast Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn Speaks.   SHOW TRANSCRIPT [00:00:00] Opening: Apex Express Asian Pacific expression. Community and cultural coverage, music and calendar, new visions and voices, coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the Apex Express.   [00:00:34] Miko Lee: Welcome to Apex Express. I'm your host, Miko Lee, and tonight I'm so excited to talk to my lovely colleague, Dr. Robyn Rodriguez. Robyn is such a powerful leader. She's often called the people's professor. She was a professor of Asian studies at UC Davis, and now runs the Reimagination Lab. She has created a farm that is a collective action space, and she is really thinking about new ways to reimagine our world. I'm so excited for you to learn more about Dr. Robyn and you're gonna get to hear from her new podcast, which is called appropriately, Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn Speaks. And I just love this, 'cause spitting fire is this term for women that can speak out and share their stories, and Robyn has so much to tell. So I'm gonna interview her, and then you're gonna get to listen to her new podcast, Spitting Fire. Thanks so much for joining us on Apex Express.   [00:01:36] Welcome back Dr. Robyn Rodriguez to Apex Express.   [00:01:41] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Oh, thank you so much for having me.    [00:01:44] Miko Lee: I'm so happy to have you with us once again. And I have asked you this before, but sometimes things change in the amount of years we've spoken to each other. So I'm gonna ask again, who are your people and what legacy do you carry with you?   [00:02:00] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah, who are my people? I think about folks of color broadly as my people. Whenever I refer to my people, I really do think about those of us who share intertwined and yet also distinct histories of colonization, empire, War, Violence. I think of all of us who've descend from peoples who've survived, fought back thrived, in spite of all that as my people and the legacy I hope to leave is lessons on continuing to not just dismantle the systems that caused harm on our ancestors and continue to cause harm for us now, but to offer also lessons on liberation and what it can look like and feel like so that we can continue to not just again, dismantle, but also build out the worlds we want.    [00:03:15] Miko Lee: Speaking of lessons, you have a brand new podcast series called Spitting Fire Doc. Robyn Speaks, and I wonder if you can talk to me about how this podcast came to be.   [00:03:27] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : You're gonna laugh. Well, there are a couple of things I think that lead to the podcast. I've always wanted to do a podcast. I did college radio when I was an undergrad at UC Santa Barbara. I had a co-host for a show called WAR Women in the Act of Resistance, and we used to love to always say, we declare war on.   [00:03:53] Miko Lee: I love that.    [00:03:53] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Whatever it is that we, yeah,    [00:03:58] Miko Lee: that's so good.    [00:03:59] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : I, I, yeah. So I, I love doing college radio and have always, you know, people would joke or I don't know if it was a joke, but compliment me on having a kind of good radio voice. I don't know how true that is.   [00:04:16] Miko Lee: Very true, true.   [00:04:16] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : But I've always had a, an interest in, podcasting as a platform. I think in general I prefer the long form platform. I prefer storytelling and, uh, there's something really powerful about podcasts is I think for me, really connected to radio programming. I don't see them, I guess, in very different ways. So I'd always wanted to do podcasts even when I was still teaching at, uc Davis, in Asian American Studies. I always thought podcasts are a really, really powerful way to share the knowledges of ethnic studies beyond the classroom. So I'd actually clipped on a recorder while I was lecturing and had uploaded a bunch of a raw unedited audio to what used to be iTunes University. So in some ways that might have been like the first podcast in a way. And then the funny thing about, uh, Spitting Fire it was kind of launched a little sooner than I was ready to be honest. I basically messed up on what was supposed to be a Zoom video. I don't know exactly what happened, but we only had audio and I thought, you know what? We're slapping that together, editing it and putting it out there, because I thought that the conversation that we had over Zoom was so, just really powerful and informative, and I didn't want to not have it circulate in the world. And so I've sort of tried to proceed in that way. I, I guess I see podcasting alongside YouTube videos and other long form and even just more written essays as the sets of long form digital media that I tend to prefer and also recognize as an educator that people learn in so many different ways. Some people are able to learn better, by listening closing their eyes and listening and are able to kind of absorb knowledge differently in that way. Others respond better to a kind of visual medium. Others like to read. And as an educator too, I feel like each of the mediums can be really effective in terms of conveying and transmitting knowledge. But again, I have a preference if I have to use digital media for the long form. I do worry that the sort of clipped, abbreviated, kind of versions of digital media that is social media, whether it's TikTok or Instagram and other sorts, or just, I don't know that they serve us in the way that, especially as an educator, that I    [00:07:08] Miko Lee: Thank you for sharing. I'm wondering how you ended up selecting this lovely title. You went from WAR in college to Spitting Fire. Tell me about where this title comes from.   [00:07:19] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : You know, I think it must have been a student, honestly, who had said, oh, look at Dr. Rob Spitting Fire after some talk. And I, I was sort of drawn to that. I think too, honestly, as an Asian American woman I think I was kind of playing a little bit with these stereotypes of Asian American women as kind of dragon ladies. And, but trying to kind of remake that in a way to kind of paint a picture of sort of fierce Asian American woman who is unafraid to speak truth to power. I think I've been feeling as and in my interactions with younger generations of women, I do feel as if younger Asian American women, and again, maybe it has to do with social media maybe the permanency of that. The circulation of media and how rapidly it spreads. Cancel culture. I feel that there is a kind of timidness that I'm encountering with younger Asian American women who are a little bit reluctant to speak up and speak out without really taking a moment to first compose themselves. Edit and then maybe post or share. And I guess I, I had hoped that image of spitting fire might conjure up a different way of being, as a kind of Asian American, woman, and activist, and organizer. And that's even why I think I was really drawn to just not over editing any of the content. You know, if there were was content that I could pull from other conversations I was having, that might have been like originally a Zoom for instance, but might you know, be conveyed better to somebody who Is more of a listener than a a watcher or a viewer that could invite, people or women in particular feeling like it's okay to not be perfect. It's okay to be able to stand by a thought and recognize that are the things that we, we say in a particular moment have history and context and need to be understood in that way. So it plays with that image of, I think the dragon lady, Asian American woman, dragon leader lady. And also, you know, I always talk about my middle name. It's such an important part of who I am and my identity, but my middle name, which I get from my mother. Was my mother's maiden name means to be angry in Filipino, and I've always loved it because it was actually a made up name. It was a name that my great-great-grandfather claimed for himself. Changing his name from De Los Reyes, which means of the kings to Magalit to be angry because he was a revolutionary against the Spanish. And I'm so fiercely proud of this revolutionary lineage that I hold. And I think in a way, Spitting Fire also reflects that lineage of ancestors who've never been afraid to stand up, speak out and again, speak truth to power.   [00:10:54] Miko Lee: Ooh, that was such a lovely answer. I really appreciate reclaiming the dragon Lady is furious and powerful and a revolutionary figure. I think that's so lovely because usually we just think of the dragon lady as this evil villain, but dragons in Asian culture are creatures that are to be revered and are powerful and lucky too.   [00:11:19] So, I so appreciate that. I really, I wonder,    [00:11:21] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : you know, that too.    [00:11:23] Miko Lee: I'm wondering, you, you said that you feel like young women are timid today and I was like deep sigh of that because I feel like still really now with, I don't know, I just, that's that. Um, do you find that in the students that you're working with now, that they're still Asian, young women are still being timid?   [00:11:46] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : I mean, honestly, I don't think that this is a uni. You know, this is certainly not true for all of the young women I encounter. No, that would be unfair, but I also feel as if the boldness that might be out there I feel is often highly curated. A lot of it is expressed through social media. And again, if we understand social media, the reality of Instagram is it's never so instant. There is a much time and effort put into filters, into kind of visualizations aimed to draw a more attention. Really careful framings, and accompanying captions. I mean, I, you know, even for posts, 'cause I think a lot of, I think political conversation and discourse is happening, I would say on Instagram, I've decided to opt out of TikTok. I know that's also a place, but that's all to say that I think that these become a kind of shield or crutch. And then I've found and often been surprised. When I meet people in person, such a disconnect between a persona and, how one actually moves in the world with other people. And, that's where I've seen some surprising timidness and caution. And it does worry me a bit. I mean, I, and 'cause I think that there are maybe competing notions. I think some people in my generation feel this generation to be very brave. And I'm not, you know, I hate to say this, I'm not a hundred percent certain that's true sometimes, at least in sometimes the young people that I've encountered. I think social media has. I guess I'm not convinced that social media is the modality or the mechanism by which change will happen. And we make change in our relationships with actual, kind of, with everyday people. With people. And in relation to the land and kind of the resources of the earth. And yeah, that's where I feel like that kind of boldness and bravery needs, you know, makes more lasting impact than the kind of illusory, fleeting, and very superficial for me trade and visuals and words over social media. So, yeah, I do, I do worry about it. I, I feel like I've seen it too often, a hesitance to speak up.   [00:14:32] Miko Lee: This is so interesting. I just did an interview uh, with NAKASEC about the new study that they released on Asian American men and the Manosphere, and how more and more Asian American men are being persuaded by right wing media in the Manosphere. But I wonder about Asian American women as you bring this up. And I, I think back to that many years ago, that documentary film that. Slaying the dragon. Do you remember that from years past    [00:14:58] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : that? Oh my gosh, yeah. It's a while.    [00:15:00] Miko Lee: Yeah. That was all on the, you know, the on representation of Asian American women and that, and that was maybe 20 years ago. So I wonder how much that's changed    [00:15:10] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : maybe more. Yeah,    [00:15:11] Miko Lee: maybe more. Right? So, but I wonder how that's changed with, because that was pre-social media and if Asian American men are being pulled in the manosphere, what are Asian American women being pulled into?    [00:15:24] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah, I do worry. I worry again, just, I mean, my goodness, you know, the proliferation of just the growth of the beauty industry.    [00:15:35] Miko Lee: Yeah.    [00:15:35] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Um, the casualness, by what I mean, just in terms of cosmetic surgery becoming so even normalized   [00:15:45] Miko Lee: for young people very young people .   [00:15:48] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Absolutely. Absolutely. And our kind of television series through streaming platforms you know, even movies. I mean, it's, it's clear that there are, you know, real investments in cosmetic surgery by many of the women that we hold up, across race. And yeah, this sort of, it's just, it's, I've been shocked by how, how, I mean, just the other day, I, I'm like a very loyal client. Well, when it comes to my hairstylist, I go, I travel two hours to Sacramento from our farm to get my hair cut every six months from one woman. I, I just, I could not believe just the conversations I was hearing women including Asian American women in the seats next to me around injections, fillers, I remember seeing flyers posted all around the salon. For a session being held by a, a cosmetic, I don't even know the terms, but there's now a proliferation of job titles even associated what is it? Medical aesthetician. But yeah, I, I do worry. Right. Trading in the visual. Maybe that's why too, the podcast feels like a way where people can. Especially if I, you know, am in conversation with others or for myself even to just kind of show up without having to worry about you know, what I look like or what others look like. Or there's, you know, people don't have to worry about, the talking heads and kind of can pay attention more to the knowledges or the stories being shared. But I feel like that is a pull, I mean, if there was, if we've always, I think as as Asian American women, our bodies, right? Subject to just, these representations, right? The hypersexualization of Asian American women, which is really at the core of, I can recall of slaying the dragon. I think that has gotten worse. And we're being more actively recruited into our own participation in this kind of hypersexualization on one hand, or being recruited into participating in these what are ultimately white aesthetics and remaking our bodies. To conform to notions of beauty and it's all being cast as if it's empowering and liberating somehow. And I, I've heard that and, and witnessed that, that somehow, no, these are not aesthetic choices that have to do with whiteness. I just wanna look pretty. Without any interrogation around what are the standards of beauty based on and even why, like, what is it about you know, desirability, youthfulness and all of that. That I think is definitely a co a concern I have and why I've pulled away from social media. I don't know that I've looked on Instagram for I don't know how many months. It's been quite a bit of time, so much so that, Instagram is now sending me emails to remind me of all the messages and posts I'm missing. Facebook was doing that as well. But. I get troubled by the things that I am seeing. And I do worry for not just kind of younger generations of Asian American women, I think this is also a worry for all younger women of color.    [00:19:20] Miko Lee: It's interesting they cast it almost as colorblindness in terms of the beauty standards, but it's laced in white supremacy because the whole, the very basic of the standard of beauty is based in whiteness. That's quite powerful and interesting.    [00:19:40] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah. And it's also deeply rooted in kind of capitalist consumption, right? The notion that the only thing that is of value is a thing that is new and novel. Anything else has zero value. And we're seeing that right where women are terrified. Terrified of getting older. I mean, I was in conversation with a few women, you know, in, in my circles, not even 30. Who are being policed by their peers about their frown lines, watching how they express themselves because they're approaching 30 and another woman in her early thirties you know, just commenting too that, well, the procedures now are so good. They've gotten so good at it that you can't even tell. But you know, just this, that it's happening at such a young age and, and you know, women, we already have to deal with all of these demands on our bodies, right? Some that are external, some that we internalize around, reproduction if we're straight or if we desire children, even if we're not, you know, just these pressures around that. And I mean, I feel like what woman is, especially younger women, you know, really, really worried about whether they've met certain milestones at at every age. I mean, I hear it with young women. Oh my god, I'm 25 now. I'm a quarter century. This is huge, right? Oh, I'm 30, three decades in, where am I at? So there are all these other demands around achievement, professional achievement. Scholastic achievement, nevermind, you know, your body, whether it comports to the thing that is di desirable and is doing the thing it needs to do, that it's athletic and that it's light, that it's, it can make babies. So it just it's a lot. And I feel like if we were went through it as, as younger women the intensity is, even greater. and I noticed it myself. It's probably part of the reason why I've, I had to pull away from social media, you know, I'm 53, you know, and feeling like I don't see many representations of myself too in social media. That is, I don't know that it's a space for me either. And you can't help when you're in these spaces. Even the most, kind of radical critical of us you know, can fall prey to, the intrusive thoughts of patriarchy around our bodies and aging and our utility. So yeah, it's worrying, it's really worrying to me.   [00:22:05] Miko Lee: So I wanna flip the switch on that and ask you, as a 53-year-old, what do you feel most powerful about?   [00:22:13] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : I personally have experienced so much personal loss of people, beloved people. I've also witnessed too many people who have not had the opportunity and privilege to reach this age. I think what makes me powerful or what, what makes me feel powerful, or maybe less the term, I don't know if powerful is the term, but just I feel deep gratitude that my body has, allowed me to live in this form, to this age to have the range of experiences that I've been able to experience in this body. Looking at the world through these eyes experiencing it, you know, with this skin. And I just, that is, I guess, a source of power because of the wisdom that it offers. The I think empathy, you know, and compassion that it makes possible. Because you've experienced and witnessed so much. I think that there's a lot that I have also, let go of. I think there were so many kind of insecurities that I think I struggled with as a younger woman that I no longer experience and that feels very empowering. To come to a place. And, and it really comes with life experience, I think. And that you are able to get perspective on things that might've, felt as personal failures in the past, but then you can look at differently as just lessons. Along this journey, in life. And I think I've just also been blessed with elder women in my life who you know, just are so, unapologetic about who they are, what they think, and how they move in the world. And so I have really great models. That make me excited about the prospects of continuing to, to get older and and being able to kind of experience and learn new things along the way. There's a power there.    [00:24:26] Miko Lee: Thank you for sharing. Yeah. As somebody who's 60 this year, I feel like it's lessons that I've learned, but also I don't care. I don't care as much I don't obsess over the little things. I just, and I say what I feel because why not? We're at a phase in life where, you know, I've done a lot of things. I've experienced hardship, and I'm just gonna say how I feel where I'm at what's going on right now? So there's a freedom to that, that I think is very different from being young. What would you like your podcast audiences to understand?   [00:25:01] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah. You know, I think my podcast audiences need to understand that I am really approaching the podcast from a place of embracing my role as a elder or a young elder. I think it's a role that, I was struggling a bit with and again, I'm not immune to as much as I feel empowered by being older, I also am not immune to all of the, the messages around youthfulness and value that I think we're constantly being barraged. But I do recognize that there is a really special role to be played by women in middle age, which I am. And I think that's what I want audiences to understand, that I am coming into this podcast, doing this podcast from a very specific vantage point. A vantage point that offers insights that on, you know, and of course I'm coming in as me, right? Somebody who still considers herself a scholar, if not necessarily one based at a university. Somebody who's been a really sort of radical thing and shift by becoming a farmer and doing land based work. That, yeah that they're going to be hearing, a perspective, you know, from somebody who has been an organizer, continues to do that work, but is also experimenting and risk taking in different ways. They get the chances to hear from a yelder who's lived a little. Who has a very unique perspective, not just from a particular vantage point in terms of age, but also somebody who's you know, done the work, studied the thing when it comes to kind of the Asian American experience done the thing it, and when it comes to Asian American, organizing. It's continued to grow by stepping away from previous ways of being, uh, by doing this work on our farm. You know, I feel like it's a unique set of perspectives that I'm hoping can offer inspiration or lessons for the moment. But yeah.    [00:27:33] Miko Lee: So last time we talked was a few years ago and you were just getting your farm set up and now you actually have this whole farm. Can you share a little bit more about your connection to the land and what it's like being a farmer now?   [00:27:48] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah, no, thank you. You're right. I recall, I think we had literally just moved in when I was in conversation with you, and now we're at the start of season four. It has been an amazing journey. I'm actually right now and I hope to be able to talk about it on the podcast. I've come, I'm in the process of finishing, a book, reflecting on my experiences over the last four years in this transition from university professor to farmer. there's so much that I've learned. One of the major things I've, learned especially as an organizer, to differently appreciate all of the metaphors we use in organizing. cause we use them a lot, right? How do we describe certain kinds of organizing? We, we describe it as grassroots. How do we talk about the ways we might be building our, you know, struggles of resistance? We think about ourselves as sowing seeds. More and more people talk about, you know, mycchorizal networks. There are all of these metaphors that proliferate when we're thinking about, struggles for justice. And there is something that shifts when you do land-based work and really understand and learn at the knee of mother nature around all the things that are required for cultivating life, which for me, I think is what activism and, organizing really is about. You know, we live in a system that ultimately thrives on death. I mean, war, empire, capitalism, disposability, you know, all of that is, is a system that thrives actually on, on death. And I think that when we're organizing as folks who are activists, social justice activists, ecological and environmental justice activists and organizers, what we're doing is we're in the business, so to speak, of cultivating life. But how best to learn about how to cultivate life, if not at the knee of of Mother Nature. And so I've learned a lot about that. Learned about you know, how long it can take. In fact for, plant sowing a seed a seed can only germinate, you know, and there's the right kinds of conditions and even the right kind of conditions can't be fully predicted. You tend to that ground, that soil anyhow, you know, seeds being so small and nearly invisible to the eye and yet, we know them to be there and we, we support their growth. Seeds when under the right conditions germinate and grow can become these healthy, mature plants. One singular plant can feed so many, I mean, all of those lessons when you understand them in deeply embodied ways, I think allow you to approach organizing and activism differently. I think especially now, there seems to be an urgency to everything. Everything feels urgent. Um. Something needs to be responded to, you know, immediately it feels like all the time. and that not responding somehow is being complacent or enabling. But I think what I've learned as a farmer is that transformation in life takes time and we need to tend to that. And I mean, I feel like I think organizers would benefit a lot from, doing land-based work. Not only because the earth needs us to do this work of regeneration and restoration, but I think we would have better perspective around, what liberation would look like and require, from these systems of domination and power if we, you know, humbled ourselves a bit and learned from. Mother Nature, and the ways that, you know, she's endured through it all and, you know, adapted through it all. I think, I think there are important lessons there, but lessons that I think that really require a work of embodied learning and knowledge.    [00:31:56] Miko Lee: So you speak of your farm as this, as a place that's cultivating growth, and can you talk a little bit more about that, cultivating the mind? Because I know you're also doing work on your farm with organizers, with nonprofits, with students. So can you talk a little bit more about the cultivation of people on your farm?    [00:32:15] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I mean, so much of what we do isn't just about the food that we grow, which we do, and I shouldn't name that, you know, a lot of. our aim with food growing is not just to feed, you know, sort of a community of people who've opted in to get food from us, which, you know, we do have a CSA, a Community sourced agricultural program, but we're also working with native communities here to support in addressing their food needs. So that's. Important, piece of what we do that I wanna name in terms of food and plant production. But yes, in terms of cultivating people, I think a lot of what we do here is about facilitating this reconnection to land. I grew up a very urban, suburban existence. I think it always as an organizer and activist, valued ecological and, environmental justice. But I don't know that I centered it in the way that I do now, in part because I didn't. Have a relationship with the land in the way that we do now. I really think that our work is to help cultivate that relationship. I think we need that relationship to fully appreciate what's at stake when we talk about climate change. It's one thing to kind of know the facts. It's another thing to be in relation to the land, and I think it takes a certain set of conditions to be able to, to be in relation to the land. So yeah, we, we hold space for lots of organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, community-based organizations, other folks, who also are feeling that there is a need to be in relation to the land. Not only to be in a relationship, but to be in a right relationship with the land. So we, we hold space for a lot of that. And of course that process is also deeply healing. There is something really healing about learning from the land. just understanding there's something really magical like, for example, when you come out of winter and you start to see new growth, I think that cycle of growth offers a kind of hope and reassurance when we're feeling especially despairing, which I think a lot of people feel tremendous despair now. And yet, you know, being bearing witness to that is it can be super just powerful and can kind of keep and sustain the fight.   [00:34:37] Miko Lee: And lastly, can you share more about your school for Liberating education?    [00:34:42] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Sure. So the School for Liberating Education is an online platform through which I share all of the ethnic studies knowledge that I was teaching at the university. Most recently at the University of California Davis, you know, always believed ethnic studies was never intended to be just another academic field like anthropology, sociology, political science. But that, it is a form of knowledge that is meant to raise our consciousness to inspire and to provide us real skillsets and pathways to taking that knowledge and doing the work of changing our world for the better. And so, you know, the School for Liberating Education I set up so that people can have access to that knowledge without having to go through. All of the, the, hoops that are required for, you know, getting into a four year university, even all of the kind of bureaucracy it takes to get even to a community college, which is not as easy as one would think. But also a very unapologetic, form of ethnic studies. I think part of what's happening at colleges and universities now is, these are battlegrounds. The, right wing has taken it upon itself to really attack ethnic studies in various institutions. They've been very successful in gaining, Support. University administrations have also been very easily bent not only kind of grassroots right wing movements because they're really organized at the grasses, but certainly the series of executive orders that Trump passed, you know, within days after inauguration. Effectively illegalizing ethnic studies and of course we know what he's trying to do in terms of, the Department of Education and, its, effective dismantlement. But this is meant as a place to offer the knowledge that our forebearers and fought really hard for the university, but can't really fully thrive there either. And so, I wanted to make sure that there was a place where this knowledge can be accessed, to anybody with the interest and desire.    [00:36:55] Miko Lee: Thank you so much for chatting with us today. I'm wondering if there's anything you would like podcast listeners to prepare themselves for before they bust out Spotify and listen to Spitting Fire.   [00:37:10] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Well, it's just, you know, to, you're gonna get a lot of raw, unedited audio. And so, um, you're gonna kind of get just, you know, as the, the host of the, show me in a very unedited, very unfiltered form, which can be, I hope enjoyable for folks. But, you know, I think people will, will learn a lot, and a lot of the topics are rooted in the things that I care about. Certainly social justice issues certainly even, you know, the work we're doing at the farm. So, you know, I, I mean, it's broadly, uh, the podcast is around social and ecological justice. But very much from the lens of somebody who, again, is a yelder, somebody who's taught ethnic studies, continues to teach, although not at the university. Um, somebody who does the work of kind of social and ecological justice organizing and is doing land-based work. So, you're getting all of the, the things that connect to all of the ways that I, I'm moving in the world right now.    [00:38:15] Miko Lee: Thank you so much Dr. Robyn for joining us today on Apex Express.   [00:38:20] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Thank you so much again for having me.   [00:38:38] Welcome everybody, to Resistance, Defiant Love, and Radical Care. Today we are launching, uh, the pre-registration for my new activism course, my course on Asian American activism, and it will be drawing on my book, co-edited with Diane Fujino, uh, Professor Diane Fujino, entitled Contemporary Asian American Activism: Building Movements for Liberation.   [00:39:09] I'm really, really excited that the book is coming out, but probably even more excited that I'll be able to launch a mini course that draws from that book, as well as other work on Asian American activism, and that I'll be able to offer a mini course that really looks at Asian American activism in the coming months.   [00:39:30] And I'm very, very, very, very pleased to be joined by Artnelson Concordia. Artnelson and I actually hopped on earlier and we went back to, to just recollect when we met and how long ago, and I'll talk about that in a moment. But, um, oh, I guess I might as well just say, Art and I have known each other for exa- almost exactly half of our lives.   [00:39:54] Um- So we first met when we were only 12. Just kidding. We met when we were 25 years old. We, uh, so that was half of our lives. You do the math. Um, and, uh, it, it's just so wonderful, uh, to, to be able to reconnect, uh, with Artnelson in this way. But we go back, and as we'll talk about later on, we go back, um, 25 years ago, uh, where we, when we first met, uh, through, uh, our work, uh, in, in activist spaces.   [00:40:27] But Artnelson Concordia was born and raised in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The son of working class Filipino immigrants, he earned BAs in political science and history at the University of California in Los Angeles, so UCLA. Artnelson is a longtime educator who got his start in San Francisco and was a founding teacher of the San Francisco Unified School District's Ethnic Studies program that was the focus of a 2014 Stanford University study that highlighted the academic benefits of the district's ninth grade ethnic studies course.   [00:41:02] That's Artnelson. Currently, he coordinates Santa Barbara Unified School District's ethnic studies program. Artnelson is the father of four Brown boys, four beautiful Brown boys, and is in cahoots with his wife to raise them to have deep knowledge and love of self and community, as well as to be active disruptors of the white supremacist, patriarchal, heteronormative, imperialist hegemony.   [00:41:29] Yeah. He and his family have the great privilege to live in the beautiful town of Oxnard, California, which is unceded Chumash territory. And this fall marks the beginning of his 23rd year in education. And as I was saying before, Art and I go way, way back. We met right after we had both graduated from college.   [00:41:52] And yeah, as… Art and I are here to talk story a little bit about our shared activist path, because really, uh, it ma- it seems it's so appropriate to talk about our shared path as activists and educators because this pivot for me to offering, uh, courses through the School for Liberating Education has everything to do with my activism and everything to do with my deep, deep belief that education, uh, and a critical education, uh, can be so vital for, uh, movement building, for building the world that we want.   [00:42:29] So I'm gonna just hand it over to you, Art. And we can just start. But it's so great to see you and have this chance to chat.    [00:42:37] Artnelson Concordia: Right on. What a, what an introduction, uh, hearing that coming from you. Um, and- Reflecting on the time and how quickly that really does fly. And I think it's actually more than 25.   [00:42:50] We've known each other more than 25 years. Um, and I think, yeah, that's more than half of our lives. But I think the moment that we, we met each other, we were already on our journey to, to really committing ourselves to figuring out, you know, what the hell is going on with this world. I mean, beginning with our own lived experiences and what's, what was happening with our communities.   [00:43:18] Um, but yeah, education has always been central, and I think my, my path to really focusing in on that was in, in organizing spaces before I became a teacher. It was so key in bringing people to to support and be a part of whatever issue. Like, it was, well, how do we move people? Well, w- we tell them the truth.   [00:43:47] We, we tell them the… an all-rounded kind of breakdown of how it will impact them and why they should get involved. And the, the, the think, um, really that is, was my introduction to organizing. Um, I think in community college, uh, I got to meet, um, a long time Filipino American, uh, organizer-activist, Royal Morales, was really my first introduction to Filipino American history and identity.   [00:44:23] And from there, it just really took off. Like, so much of the suffering, struggling, and questions I had about my own life was answered. I mean, of course over time, but it kept, it kept, it kept, uh, bringing me along, bringing me along, and I was hooked. I was hooked after that. Um, yeah, the power of education to really transform lives is, has been a theme throughout.   [00:44:53] Uh, and I'm sure for you as well. I, I- Yeah … the, the spaces that we, we shared were always about, like, getting to root problems and how everything is related inside.    [00:45:06] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah. No, absolutely. It's funny, I was just thinking, I don't… You know, I think we might have first encountered each other indirectly around the, the fight against Proposition 209.   [00:45:19] Oh. Uh, you know, right? And maybe even before that, around Proposition 187. 187. Y- yeah. And so for people who don't know, and actually I end up writing… I ended up writing a chapter on, uh, student organizing, specifically around 187 and 209, in this book. So, you know, the book itself, um, so, you know, Professor Fujino, who happened to, happened to be my professor as an undergrad, so she's now my collaborator.   [00:45:47] But, um, Diane, uh, and I kind of pulled a, a whole range of organizers together to contribute to this anthology, but I also ended up contributing a separate chapter to it, and it was a reflection on the '90s, and specifically our campus organizing across the UC system- Mm-hmm … around first 187 and 209. And for people who aren't familiar with it, you know, 187 was this, uh, this terrible, um, voter initiative that ended up being passed by the state of California that would essentially criminalize, um, undocumented Californians.   [00:46:24] And not just that, it was really going to, uh, m- make- teachers and, uh, and social workers and anybody who worked for the state of California stand in as border agents.    [00:46:37] Artnelson Concordia: Right. ‘   [00:46:38] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Cause basically it would be their, their responsibility as employees of the state of California to report on anybody seeking out service or that they're encountering in the space of their jobs, to report them if they were, if, if they suspected that these individuals, if they suspected these individuals- Yeah, yeah [00:46:58] were, um, undocumented. And so, you know, uh, Art and I and so many other UC students, uh, were, you know, going, um, were organizing in, in, in partnership with community organizations to, of course, try to stop Californians from, from, from voting for 187. W- they did, and of course that ended up not becoming law because it got, you know, challenged in, in the courts.   [00:47:24] Right. But nevertheless, we were part of the resistance movement. And then, uh, after 187 was Proposition 209, which essentially eliminated affirmative action programs, um, in, in, uh, the University of California system. And, you know, I know, you know, that was also something that was also meaningful for, for us.    [00:47:45] Artnelson Concordia: Yeah.    [00:47:45] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : You know, uh, as, as, as young people who were also very much recipients of affirmative action programs. Yeah. Um, some of our ethnic studies knowledge was not even necessarily coming through ethnic studies courses, but oftentimes through the counselors and, and other staff who worked in these affirmative action programs.   [00:48:06] And so, you know, that was, that was going to happen. Right. And it did, right? Had such a deep impact on us. Yeah. And we knew that, um, by making affirmative action, um, by eliminating affirmative action, it was going to have a major impact. Which it did, right? Mm-hmm. The Filipino, at least for Filipino Americans, our numbers at the UC system plum- plummeted after that.   [00:48:25] Plummeted. But I think that's when we first met, and then, but it was really afterwards where, where we really connected more, right? When- Hmm … um, I think you and I both, because we, we, uh, found ourselves, uh, with the, the, the, the opportunity to connect with, uh, people who were really active in the anti-martial ma- law, the anti-martial law movement, right?   [00:48:48] Um, for both of us. Yeah,    [00:48:49] Artnelson Concordia: in the Philippines. Yeah.    [00:48:50] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : Yeah. They were people who, uh, were already active in, um, the movement against the dictatorship- had come to the United States fleeing the tyranny of the Marcos dictatorship. Mm-hmm. And then were really responsible in, uh, growing the, uh, anti-martial law movement in the US, and I think, you know, at the time we met, of course martial law had ended, but, but the conditions in the Philippines hadn't changed. Still haven't changed.    [00:49:17] Artnelson Concordia: Yeah.    [00:49:17] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : And so our elders saw us, we saw them, right? I think. I mean, I can't even remember how I    [00:49:24] Artnelson Concordia: first met some of them. Looking for each other, I really feel.   [00:49:25] Dr Robyn Rodriguez : I think, you know, we, we end up gravitating to the same- Yeah … spaces, right? And we knew that that was something, you know, we wanted to be part of. T- maybe tell me about your story. How did you kind of find your way into that work and, and how did it resonate with you? But I know that that was really where we built together was- yeah … in the work around the Filipino, um, you know, liberation struggle.   [00:49:47] Artnelson Concordia: Yeah. Our, our paths definitely, um, crossed then, and my, my journey to that point really was through the Black liberation movement- Yeah where I, in undergrad, um, was exposed to the history of the Panthers, and I… And it was immediate, like in terms of the truth they were telling and how they resonated with me. I just swallowed text after text after text. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um, To Die for the People, uh, uh, Huey's Revolutionary Suicide, Elaine Brown's, uh, Taste of Power- Mm-hmm   [00:50:25] Bobby Se- Seize the Time. I, I, I was so, um, I don't know, kind of- Absolutely, like, fascinated and inspired and wanting to find, well, what's the equivalent for, for Filipinos? Yes. And that was, that of course leads me from, um, Uncle Roy or Royal Morales, who's really talking about Filipino-American activism in History.   [00:50:55] Mm-hmm. And I got a lot of the really incredible, um, participation and organizing with the farm workers, but it kind of just would stop, and I, and I was curious about, well, what is existing now? And it was my meeting, um, it was a, a brother mentor, Ed- Edwin Ha- Habaquan. Edwin. And he, uh- I went with Edwin at the same time.   [00:51:25] Yeah. He was the, the founder of this Filipino apparel company, right? Tribal Pinoy. Oh my gosh. And I, um, I worked for the Filipino American newspaper for Samahang Pilipino at UCLA, Tan- Tanawin, and I only wrote one, maybe, maybe two articles. But the one article I, I, I very much remember, and I, I, I need to go find that article now, was an interview with Edwin, um, about Filipino-American activism. And he was like, “Look, it didn't just end with the farm workers. It continues today through this national liberation movement in the Philippines.”   [00:52:15] Ayame Keane-Lee: You just listened to a clip from Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn Speaks from tonight's guest, Dr. Robyn Rodriguez. This episode is called Resistance, Defiant Love, and Radical Care: Asian American Activism Course Launch with Artnelson Concordia. You can check it out in our show notes. Thank you so much for listening   [00:52:36] Miko Lee: Please check out our website, kpfa.org/program/apexexpress to find out more about our show and our guests tonight. We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating, and sharing your visions with the world because your voices are important. Apex Express is produced by Ayame Keane-Lee, Anuj Vaidya, Cheryl Truong, Isabel Li, Jalena Keane-Lee, Miko Lee, Miata Tan, Preti Mangala-Shekar and Swati Rayasam. Tonight's show was produced by me Miko Lee, and edited by Ayame Keane-Lee. Have a great night The post APEX Express – 6.25.26 – Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn Speaks appeared first on KPFA.

Today we remember original SNL writer, Anne Beatts. Coming to Saturday Night Live by way of The National Lampoon, she was both a vital voice and powerful force in the early formative years of the show.Not only did Anne create the iconic "Nerds," she also contributed to such memorable characters and sketches as Irwin Mainway, Uncle Roy, and "Hard Hats." Her voice was also showcased on commercial parodies like "Jewess Jeans," "Angora Bouquet," and "Chanel."Fellow original SNL writer Rosie Shuster returns to the podcast to help us look back to remember not only Anne Beatts the writer, but also the person. As the only two female writers when the show began, Anne and Rosie were paired together from the very beginning—forming a partnership that would last throughout the original era.Rosie recounts her time with Anne from their hilarious first meeting to late night writing sessions and pulling off iconic moments like the very first Roseanne Roseannadanna as well as discussing how Anne's work on the show's pre-tapes helped pave the way for the rest of her career. In addition, she recounts how Anne fought for equality in the writers room, kept control over her characters, and brought a sense of style and humor to everything she did.Anne Beatts was a 5-time Emmy nominee, winning for SNL's first season. She also won a Writer's Guild Award for her work on the Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special. Aside from her work on SNL, Anne created the sitcom, Square Pegs (starring Sarah Jessica Parker) and was a producer on A Different World.---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

We've done it! At last we can now say we are mathematically safe and will be playing in the Championship again next season.It's been a hard slog especially at times, but we are over the line and that's all that matters.Hear me and Dad with our pre-Baggies chat. Uncle Roy remembers an Ipswich memory, plus the usual in-game reports on how it happened.

We didn't start the fire, but today's Flashback Friday clip is hot to the touch! After having trouble with Hummer H3's in the past, John get the news that the gas guzzling gift just keeps on giving. We don't know who's at fault for the burnt up baby Hummer, so John calls our man in the field, Uncle Roy, to get the low down on what happened. With a driver named "Cant Get Right" behind the wheel I could take a guess, but I'll let them tell it!   Thanks for joining us for this week's #JCWPodcast #FlashbackFriday. Please don't forget to Like, Share, and most importantly, Subscribe--to make sure you get the latest John Clay Wolfe Show materials as soon as they're released! So keep an eye out for those "slow" drivers...and we'll see you Saturday

John gets in trouble for a controversial givemethevin.com commercial, Rush Limbaugh lets us know what the Percocet threshold is, Uncle Roy has to fire a GMTV driver, and Keith Richards explains why the Royal Wedding is a big deal. All that and much more on this weeks episode.

Sexxton with News, What happened to John's to Boat, Whats wrong with Uncle Roy, Facebook Shenanigans, Shit Found in Cars, Audio Clip of the Week, and much more!!

Another show and another new affiliate added! The crew welcomes 92.5FM KZPS in Dallas on board, Tony Romo's dad was back for his weekly visit, Uncle Roy teaches us about the can't read hustle, and the debut of a new segment called You Just Lost a Listener. All that and MUCH more on this weeks JCW show.

Things You'll hear on this weeks show.. Wallace Edwards on Boston, Drunk Trump & Drunk John Clay Wolfe Show! Top Ten things Facebook actually does, Explosive Audio that got a Fox sports broadcaster fired, Uncle Roy takes John's 64 Vette on a joy ride, and Much Much More So tune in!

John plays with his drone, Uncle Roy goes postal, Johnny Manziel has a new spokesman gig, and the JCW show expose all the lies dealerships tell customers.

Wallace Edwards on Prince, Top 10, In Studio Music, Ride Of The Week, Uncle Roy, Abusive Women, and Much More

Wallace Edwards on Prince, Top 10, In Studio Music, Ride Of The Week, Uncle Roy, Abusive Women, and Much More

Wallace Edwards on Prince, Top 10, In Studio Music, Ride Of The Week, Uncle Roy, Abusive Women, and Much More

Dropping knowledge on how to pass a drug test, Riding with Uncle Roy, Retired cop with Oj's Knife and should Ben Carson run as Trumps VP?

When Uncle Roy's transport team gets iced out from picking up cars, John brings him up to the studio to reminisce on memories of how Roy taught John how to work so hard. Valuable lessons such as not sleeping with the clients in strange territory, the best places to catch a quick nap and how to operate an excavator! Uncle Roy has been on the scene since John was born and he's got the stories to prove it!   Thanks for joining us for this week's #JCWPodcast #FlashbackFriday. Please don't forget to Like, Share, and most importantly, Subscribe--to make sure you get the latest John Clay Wolfe Show materials as soon as they're released! So keep an eye out for that cool spot under a tree...and we'll see you Saturday

We like to live life with NO RAGRETS! However, it seems Bobbo unfortunately got out of the marijuana business right before he could have struck Acapulco Gold. We reminisce on a Caribbean connections and just how high times have gotten. Uncle Roy even chimes in with a tip on how to save money in the cigarette department. Ssssmokin'!   Thanks for joining us for this week's #JCWPodcast #FlashbackFriday. Please don't forget to Like, Share, and most importantly, Subscribe--to make sure you get the latest John Clay Wolfe Show materials as soon as they're released! So keep an eye out for that bag of Bugler...and we'll see you Saturday

Christmas Eve – December 24, 2025; May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard.  Amen. This is the most wonderful time of the year, or so we are told by Johnny Mathis and others.  It really is though, even if the turkey didn't thaw out in time, the kids are hyped up on sugar and dreams of Santa Claus, and the in-laws are about to send you to a therapist's couch.  Yet sometimes when we think about Christmas, we get caught up in the Hallmark version of it – the lights, the carols, the cookies, and the gifts, that when we hear the story of that first Christmas, whether here at church or from Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas, it seems so far away from who we are that we lose sight of what it means for us.  But the thing is, this story isn't as foreign to our lived reality as we sometimes make it – and that knowledge helps us to see something we need to know now.  The author of Luke, from where Linus and we get the birth story we usually hear on Christmas Eve, sets the scene for us in the midst of human history – it was when a certain ruler was in charge and had commanded a census of “all the world.” Now, just for context, things were difficult in those days – they were indeed a people who walked in darkness (though the prophet Isaiah was speaking about an earlier time).  The empire's taxes were hard, and most labored for their own food.  Poverty was crushing most of the people, while a small elite profited off of them and lived lavishly.  And there was political unrest caused by an appointed ruler, Herod, a larger than life sort, who the people  viewed with suspicion because of his ties to the empire.  This is the setting into which God chooses to enter, and there is a lot we can all resonate with in it to be sure – but more on that later. Back to the story itself – this census moves Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a journey of nearly 100 miles (with no trains, planes, or automobiles to get them there).  It also likely meant a lot of others were making similar journeys, so as the song goes – there may be No Place Like Home for the holidays, but the traffic really is terrific!  And then there is the problem of trying to find places to stay along the way.  I have to wonder if Joseph and Mary made their place in Nazareth an Air B&B, given all the folks traveling in the opposite direction. At any rate, all that travel must sound familiar to a lot of folks today who stood in long TSA lines, navigated bumper to bumper traffic, or was trying to figure out where to put everybody who made it home for the holidays.  Add to all of that is the fact that Mary is very pregnant!  Lordy – that's gotta be a tough trip. So, back to our Holy Family – they get to Bethlehem, and there is “no room for them in the inn.” Now, that may mean Joe forgot to make reservations (you know that meant a big argument later – right?).  But it wasn't like they had to go to a barn somewhere on the property.  Likely, because other guests already took over the host family's guest rooms, it was sort of like telling them they had to sleep on the old lumpy sofa in the unfinished basement. Homes in those days had a lower level where animals were brought in for the night and in cold weather.  That is where the host family had to send Mary and Joseph.  If you can imagine that for a moment – it means the house was filled with people – all there for the census taking one supposes.  That is a made for  Hallmark crazy time moment for sure, that many of you here likely know far too well.  And for this couple, who already had a lot going on, sleeping among the animals may have been the most peaceful part of their days – a respite from upstairs where perhaps Joe's crazy Uncle Roy was getting into it with Grandma Lucy, who had a bit too much eggnog.  At least the animals aren't likely to break out into a fight over politics.  From the animals point of view though, this was a nightmare. I mean, first this couple comes down, takes over two of their beds of hay, and dang it – then they have a baby (what a noisy mess) and worse – they put that little human on their food in their manger – yuk!  The animals were probably like – What the heck!  And as for the birth, you know that was crazy time at the OK Corral.  Women upstairs likely came down to help, making things a bit crowded; and birth scenes, even for the virtuous like Mary, are typically not quiet events, despite what the hymn says.  Giving birth then, and even today is joyous and noisy.  Sadly, it is also dangerous – for both the mother and the child.  And after all that – shepherds arrive to tell them that angels appeared in the sky and confirming what the angel had said to Mary at the beginning of this journey.  No wonder she pondered it all in her heart – before nodding off for a much needed nap. What a wild family story this probably became over the years, right?  I mean, can you imagine on the 10th Christmas, somebody saying – Hey Joe and Mary, remember that crazy year of the census?  And them saying back “Lordy what a time that was” as Joe grabs another eggnog and Mary chases Jesus and his siblings away from the presents. Seriously though – that was the Luke story.  Filled with very human stress, joy, and a bit of craziness – and all wrapped up in love.  The Matthew story was much less chaotic, but far more dangerous.  Mary was pregnant, but she and Joseph were engaged, not married – which in those days, and in some parts of the world today – means danger for Mary and her unborn child.  In a dream, Joseph is told by an angel not to discard her, but to marry her as planned.  After the baby is born, a few wise people from the East come to their house (with very impractical and odd gifts).  Then, Joseph has another dream where an angel tells him that King Herod is out to kill Jesus.  So ,the Holy Family become refugees.  They flee the danger in their homeland, cross over the border into Egypt, and stay there until Herod dies.  Thankfully for most, this story in Matthew is not as familiar to their Christmas gatherings as the one in the Gospel of Luke.  But it is to many in this country now, who fled from danger in their home countries, often with children and just the clothes on their backs, to come here for safety.  To them, this flight to Egypt is very familiar. So, if we really take in the story we celebrate tonight we may just find a place for ourselves in its familiarity.  Sure, we don't ride donkeys generally (although how cool would that be – well, except not from the donkey's perspective, I suppose).  We don't trudge for miles on all dirt roads (even if in NJ it feels that way), have farm animals on the first floor of our house, or have to travel for our government census (they kinda frown on that). And we don't typically see choirs of angels singing, have shepherds coming over with strange news, people bearing odd gifts knocking on our door, or an awe inspiring astrological phenomenon shining in the sky above (which I can guarantee meant that it was cloudy over New Jersey that first Christmas night, as it always is when there is something cool to see).   No, we don't have any of that on our Christmas to do or see list, but then again, it is not those things that matter anyway.  What makes this birth we celebrate so important to remember is the rest of it.  God chose to enter into the world through relationships of love – the love of parents for their newborn child, of a young couple starting their life together, of family, friends, and neighbors gathering in likely too small a space but somehow making it work.  This birth, that changed the world forever, begins among family relationships that are messy and wonderful all at the same time, and amid moments when we feel exhausted or lonely even in a crowd (as it must have felt for Mary, Joseph, or the shepherds sometimes). It is in the mundane, the mess, the fear, the joy, the hurt, and the longing – the ever day ordinariness and sometimes craziness of human existence – that God comes – choosing to connect heaven and earth in the form of a vulnerable baby, born to world weary parents, in a humble setting, amid a chaotic family gathering, to a people who walked in darkness.  Today we too are a people who walk in darkness – the deep night of bigotry and hate, oppressive governmental leaders, marginalized people, poverty and loneliness, violence and war. And here's the thing, we who live in a land of deep darkness, need to remember most of all this night – Jesus is being born now too, and we have a part to play in that birth.  Long ago, God chose Mary because God knew she had the courage to say Yes to that call, the faith to trust the Holy Spirit even when things got crazy, and the will to bring Jesus into a world in need.  And God chooses us to do the same now.  You, and you, and you, all you-all, are not spectators this night.  You are a part of the story.  The story that is happening now. You are the one God now calls to bring the light of Christ's love into the darkness.  You are the one that needs to trust the Holy Spirit amid the insanity of this time and place. You may not see angels flying around in the sky, or shepherds knocking at your door in the middle of the night, but you are meant to be a part of this story nonetheless.  You are meant to be Mary – bearers of Christ to those who walk in darkness. We all are. And perhaps Mary's need to ponder all of it in her heart makes a lot more sense to us now.  It is a lot to think about – more than whether the tie you got for your dad was a good idea or not.  Because while the gifts we give at Christmas will someday be put away and forgotten, this gift – to be Mary – to carry Christ's light within us, give birth to his love for the sake of others, nurture him in the world – it is the gift of a lifetime – and the call we all have.  And perhaps like her, we may be wondering: Why me? Why would God come into this crazy world at this time and place? Will I be able to do what God is asking me to do, and will it really matter? And when you need to ponder that, come here among your parish family, where you will be given what you need for your life journey, just as Mary was so long ago.  Remember that when she became pregnant as the Archangel Gabriel told her, she traveled to her cousin Elizabeth, who affirmed her call.  Here is where you too can take a moment from the busy-ness of the world to come among family and be affirmed about your life and in your call. The story of Christmas – of the birth of Jesus – is our story – of God active in our lives and in the world.  It reminds us that mystery and wonder abounds even in chaos, that healing and restoration come with humility and grace, that God's great love appears in the most unexpected ways, and bursts into our ordinary lives to bring freedom and justice for the oppressed, and to proclaim for all to hear that everyone is a beloved child of God – no exceptions.  And perhaps most especially, that God chooses us to help bring this all about. God chooses us to be Mary – bearers of Christ into the world. So let us all have a Mary Christmas!  M-A-R-Y and the other kind too. For then we may one day truly see peace on earth, and good will for all.  Merry Christmas Everyone! For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rec-001-Sermon-Christmas_Eve-11pm.m4a The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve 1st Reading – Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14 Gospel – Luke 2:1-20     The post “Ponder This” appeared first on Christ Episcopal Church.

Pre-order my Creepy Campfire Stories Book Now! https://a.co/d/eBLp4Yz Get a Darkness Prevails Plushie! Be one of the first 100 to verify your pre-order of CREEPY CAMPFIRE STORIES: https://www.quarto.com/campaign/creepy-campfire-stories-preorder Become an Eeriecast PLUS Member! https://eeriecast.com/plus Background from this music comes from: Myuu https://www.youtube.com/@Myuu CO.AG Darkness Prevails Epidemic Sound LXZURAY GIMU SCARY STORIES TIMESTAMPS 0:00 INTRO 1:06 Uncle Roy and the Wechuge from woops 12:03 These are the Stories Grandmother used to Tell from anonymous 20:18 Don't Drive Drunk, Kids from RBJozzles 28:14 Clarence's Estate from Neems 39:19 The Nightmare that Changed Everything from Summin GET MY WIFE'S ADORABLE STICKERS!!! https://ko-fi.com/ruffledragons/shop ORDER PHANTOM PHENOMENA: https://a.co/d/3hQAV7e ORDER APPALCHIAN FOLKLORE UNVEILED: https://a.co/d/iteR5xZ Get CRYPTID: The Creepy Card Battling Game https://cryptidcardgame.com/ Read our new wendigo horror novel https://eeriecast.com/lore Sign up for Eeriecast PLUS for bonus content and more https://eeriecast.com/plus Get our merch http://eeriecast.store/ Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/3YVN4twrD8 Follow the Unexplained Encounters podcast! https://pod.link/1152248491 Follow and review Tales from the Break Room on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! https://pod.link/1621075170 Submit Your Story Here: https://www.darkstories.org/ Subscribe on YouTube for More Stories! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh_VbMnoL4nuxX_3HYanJbA?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a voice actor, the most powerful marketing tool you might be missing? The stories you tell yourself. In this episode, I open up about a frustrating situation I experienced—four months and $500 spent on a course, only to miss the final exam. But this episode isn't about failure. It's about perspective—and how choosing the right story can completely change your results in voice over and in life.

  CinemAddicts Episode 295 covers movies that are opening the week of Friday, May 23, 2025. They include The New Boy, The Last Rodeo, Trail of Vengeance, Ran, and The Surrender. Bruce Purkey also reviews The Brutalist.  Timestamps (0:00) - Intro (3:44) - The New Boy. Images: Vertical  (10:31) - The Last Rodeo. Images: Angel Studios (18:54) - Trail of Vengeance. Images: Shout! Studios (22:40) - Any Day Now. Available on Digital. Images: Any Day Now.  (29:55) - Details on the upcoming documentary Uncle Roy. Kickstarter ends May 25, 2025.  (36:55) - Bruce Purkey is in the Cinem-Attic!! (41:06) - The New Boy (50:36) - The Surrender. Images: Courtesy of Cailin Yatsko. A Shudder Release.(57:52) - Akira Kurosawa's Ran. 40th Anniversary Presentation opens May 23rd at New York's IFC Center and Los Angeles' Laemmle Royal. Images: Rialto Pictures When you use our Amazon links or our SiteStripe for your purchases, the CinemAddicts crew receive a slight commission. CinemAddicts Info: Like Our CinemAddicts Facebook Page Join our CinemAddicts Facebook Group for daily movie recommendations. Our email: editor@deepestdream.com. Shop our CinemAddicts Merch store (shirts, hoodies, mugs). Our Website is Deepest Dream Thanks to our Patreon Community Ryan Smith 2. Stephen Schrock 3. Susan 4. Charles Peterson 5. Nelson B. McClintock 6. Diana Van De Kamp 7. Pete Abeyta 8. Tyler Andula 9. Stephen Mand 10. Edmund Mendez 11. Abbie Schmidt 12. Jeff Tait 13. Robert Prakash 14. Kristen 15. Chris M 16. Jeremy Chappell 17. Lewis Longshadow 18. Iver 19. Alex Clayton 20. Daniel Hulbert 21. Andrew Martin 22. Angela Clark 23. Myron Freeman 24. Kayn Kalmbach 25. Aaron Fordham 26. Tracy Peters 27. Grant Boston 28. Ken Cunningham 30. Erik Chavez #MovieReview #CinemAddicts #AkiraKurosawa #TheLastRodeo  

Want to become a top 10% voice actor and book more commercial work? In this episode, casting director Tina Morasco from Sound and Fury reveals what actually sets successful voice actors apart in today's industry.

Thinking about starting a podcast as a voice actor? This episode is packed with the real-world advice you need before you hit record. From common mistakes to smart strategies for growing your brand and connecting with the right audience, this conversation with Melanie Scroggins will inspire and inform you. If you've ever wondered: • Should I launch a podcast if it's not about voiceover? • Can podcasting help grow my VO business? • Is it really worth the time and effort? Then you're in the right place.

Uncle Roy is on his way. Directed by Keri Pickett, UNCLE ROY tells the story of Roy Blakey, a trailblazer in the world of theatrical ice skating and an influential gay male photographer. To the world, he was an icon. But to Pickett, he was simply Uncle Roy. Now, telling his story on film, Pickett shares his world from a perspective that only she could have. In this 1on1, we speak to Pickett and producer Dawn Mikkelson tell us about the legacy of Uncle Roy and how you can help bring the film to screens.For more information on how you can help, check out uncleroyfilm.com.

Voice over rates are more critical — and confusing — than ever. In this powerful episode, Marc Scott sits down with David Toback, one of the creators of the GVAA Rate Guide, the industry's gold standard for non-union voiceover pricing. You'll get a front-row seat to the conversation voice actors everywhere are having — about voice over usage, AI disruption, unrealistic budgets, and how to stand your ground and still get the job. From OTT/CTV ads to streaming audio and social reels, David breaks down how to quote voice over work, why most clients don't understand usage, and how YOU can educate and advocate like a pro. What You'll Learn: ✅ What the GVAA Rate Guide really is — and isn't ✅ How to price for social, OTT, podcast ads & more ✅ How “value” gets lost in modern VO negotiations ✅ What to say when clients ask for perpetuity ✅ Why you must think like your own agent

Keri Pickett & Dawn Mikkelson joins the Podcast to talk about the new film  "Uncle Roy" and the Kickstarter campaign to accomplish the finishing funds for the film. 

What do you post on social media when you're not booking voice over work—or worse, when you're under NDA and can't share the jobs you do book? In this episode, I break down the myth that voice actors need client wins to stay visible online. Instead, I'm offering six proven content strategies you can start using this week to build trust, grow your audience, and stay top of mind with prospects—even if you've never booked a job. This is your playbook for authentic, consistent marketing that actually works. CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Voice Over - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * Free Guide: 10 Common Marketing Mistakes Visit https://vopreneur.com/10mistakes * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Social media should be used as a marketing tool, not just for showcasing work. Engagement is key to social media algorithms and visibility. Behind-the-scenes content can be fascinating and engaging for audiences. Sharing marketing moves can help others in the industry. Tagging and collaborating with others can expand your reach. Throwback wins can provide valuable insights and stories. Real talk moments can create authentic connections with your audience. Consistency in posting is crucial for building an audience. Stop overthinking and start creating content.

Fear. Stress. Anxiety. All things voice actors are feeling right now in the midst of tariffs, trade wars and growing economic uncertainty.  In this episode, I share some of the strategies I'm leaning into right now to keep my voice over business resilient, proactive and profitable, no matter what's going on "out there." You'll hear actionable strategies on how to optimize your marketing, stay connected with clients, avoid social media pitfalls, and focus on what you can control. If you're feeling overwhelmed, this episode is your calm in the chaos. Also Listen to Trends, Tariffs and Trade Wars with J. Michael Collins - https://youtu.be/n1kpyB2e4nI CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Voice Over - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * Free Guide: 10 Common Marketing Mistakes Visit https://vopreneur.com/10mistakes * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Maintaining communication with clients is crucial during economic downturns. Social media should be used to share positive and valuable content. Focus on strategic targeting of opportunities in less impacted sectors. Marketing budgets may be slashed, but costs for advertising may decrease as well. Regularly audit online profiles and marketing materials to ensure they are current. Focusing on what you can control helps reduce stress and anxiety. Engage with positive influences and take breaks from negative news. Utilize downtime to address small tasks that can improve business perception. Your mindset is essential; keep it fueled and clean.

Discover the World of Radio Imaging Voice Over! In this episode, we dive deep into the Radio Imaging genre — one of the most powerful and consistent income streams for voice actors.

Rosie Shuster is a national treasure – in Canada AND the US. A two-time Emmy winner, she was an integral part in the creation of Saturday Night Live, with contributions to the show that cannot be overlooked.From helping craft the show from the ground up during the summer of '75 to developing Dana Carvey's iconic Church Lady character, Rosie joins us to discuss all three of her stints writing for the show, as well as the evolution of women on the show, the importance of taboo in comedy, and tracing the roots of SNL back to her childhood living room. She also reveals the writers' true feelings on putting Garrett in drag, who got upset when they didn't get to play Uncle Roy, and who had the best audition tape she ever witnessed.Rosie also offers her candid thoughts on the Saturday Night movie and recounts her experience at the SNL50 celebration – which just might surprise you.---------------------------------Subscribe today!Follow us on social media: X (Twitter): NR4PTProjectBluesky: nr4ptproject.bsky.socialInstagram: nr4ptprojectFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

At some point, most voice actors have the dream of packing up and heading for LA to achieve success and fame in voice over. Few actually follow through, and fewer still actually make their dreams a reality. Laila Berzins is one of the few! In this conversation, Lila Berzins shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Connecticut to becoming a successful voice actor in LA. One workshop, callback, audition and odd job at a time!   Now, Laila has nearly 150 credits on IMBD including Disney, Nickelodeon, Genshin Impact, Marvel and many more.   Listen as Laila shares the real story behind her rise—living on food stamps, driving Uber, and investing every cent back into her craft. Whether you're grinding in VO or chasing a dream in any field, this episode will leave you fired up and focused. CONNECT WITH LAILA BERZINS Laila Berzins Autographs: http://streamily.com/lailaberzins Laila Berzins Cameos: https://www.cameo.com/lailaberzinsvoice Laila Berzins Website: http://lailaberzins.com Laila Berzins Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lailaberzinsvo/ Laila Berzins Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lailaberzinsvoice Laila Berzins Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lailab_voiceovers Laila Berzins X - https://x.com/lberzins_voices Laila Berzins Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailaberzins Laila Berzins IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389637/     Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey to success in voiceover can take years of hard work. Reinvesting in one's craft through classes and workshops is essential. Networking and making connections can lead to unexpected opportunities. Finding a supportive community can make a significant difference. Persistence and stubbornness are key to achieving dreams. You never know who's going to see your content. Agents can be champions for your career. Continuous learning is essential in the industry. Diverse performance backgrounds enhance voice acting skills. Organization is key for managing multiple characters. Improv skills are vital for character development. Character development is a blend of inspiration and personal experience. Alternate takes can showcase a different range for characters. Conventions provide a unique opportunity to connect with fans. The energy we project influences our experiences in the industry. Enjoying the journey is as important as the destination.

A thousand voice actors are about to descend on the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel for VO Atlanta. If you're one of them, this special episode is for you. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of your conference experience. From purposeful networking and vocal care to leveraging AI for better note-taking and content creation, Marc Scott shares his top strategies for success. Don't just attend—thrive at VO Atlanta! Even More VO Atlanta Tips - https://youtube.com/live/C-RFXKVVn-w Vocal Warmups (and Downs!); How to Protect Your Voice - https://youtu.be/d-F5PFfdBA4 CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Network with purpose, focusing on key connections. Engage actively in sessions to enhance learning. Take care of your voice to ensure participation. Follow common themes from multiple speakers. Create content to reinforce learning and share experiences. Be present and enjoy the conference experience. Leverage AI to summarize notes and create content. Implement learned strategies into actionable items. Don't let fear or nerves hold you back from participating.

He got Dula finally back on the podcast. In this episode, we interview his mentor as far as record shopping goes. We take a nice trip down memory lane speaking with Phill a.k.a. @Phillmostchill. From record shows at the Roosevelt in New York in the early 90s to selling records to all of your favorite producers like Diamond D, Alchemist, Pete Rock, Q-tip, etc., to a discussion about a producer vs a beat maker. We covered everything. And of course, we talk about the legendary Roy Ayers. Rest in peace. We speak about all of the artist who have sampled them and we even play some amazing original records that were sampled by some of your favorites. Great conversation for those interested in vinyl, etc..ENJOY‼️

Tariffs are here. Will they impact the voice over industry? I didn't bring J. Michael Collins on the podcast to talk tariffs and trade wars, but it just so happened that the day we recorded, that was the story of the day. So we tackled it. We didn't stop there. We also talked trends voice actors need to watch in 2025 including shifts in commercial and political, the new "it read" that seems to be booking at the moment. How shifting demographics are opening up more opportunities for certain voice actors who may have felt a little left behind in recent years. A lot of ground is covered in this chat. We even had time to get to VO Atlanta and some insights into this years conference. If you're a voice actor looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry, you're going to want to dig into this one with a notebook! CONNECT WITH J. MICHAEL COLLINS J. Michael Collins Website - https://jmcvoiceover.com JMC Demos - https://jmcdemos.com J. Michael Collins on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jmcdemos J. Michael Collins on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jmcdemos J. Michael Collins on X - https://x.com/jmcvoiceover   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS The voice over market is experiencing a glut in the middle tier. Short-term impacts of tariffs on voice over are uncertain. Assertiveness is becoming a key trait in voice over reads. Demographics in voice over are shifting towards older voices. The average consumer's perception of advertising is changing. Buyers are adapting to demographic shifts in their marketing strategies. The future of conversational voice over is being redefined. Voice over trends are evolving, especially in humor and delivery. AI's impact on voice over is minimal at the high end. Marketing is crucial for voice actors to succeed today. Demos need to reflect versatility and current trends. Political voice over requires frequent updates due to shifting issues. Online casting companies are facing challenges in the current market. The VO Atlanta conference aims to bring fresh insights and speakers. Voice actors should focus on building relationships with agents. Staying informed about industry changes is key to success.

You have the right to remain silent. Luckily when one of John's employees was suspected of stealing a set of wheels off of a truck, he chose not to exercise that right. After John breaks down the story and makes a few attempts to get the suspect on the air, we finally get him on to tell his side and of course, he's got a lot of excuses. We call Uncle Roy to verify the facts and we even have video proof, but the former employee says he's innocent. Did he do it? You be the judge!   Thanks for joining us for this week's #JCWPodcast #JCWArchive. Please don't forget to Like, Share, and most importantly, Subscribe--to make sure you get the latest John Clay Wolfe Show materials as soon as they're released! So keep an eye out for that pit crew...and we'll see you Saturday

Every so often I have a conversation with a voice actor who introduces me to genre of voice over I had never really considered before. That happened with Rafael Neve when he reached out with an idea for the podcast. Rafael has built a thriving, full-time income to support himself and his family from YouTube Dubbing. He even hired his mother to work with him he's so busy! In this in-depth conversation, Rafael pulls back the curtain on all the potential Youtube Dubbing offers. He holds nothing back with advice for differentiating yourself from other talent in the space, how to find the work, who to collaborate with and so much more. This episode is particularly impactful if you're a bilingual talent, but as Rafael points out, there are opportunities for anyone who is willing to go look for them. CONNECT WITH RAFAEL NEVE Rafael Neve Website - https://www.rafaelneve.com Rafael Neve LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelneve Rafael Neve on X - https://x.com/RafaelNeveVO Rafael Neve on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaeleverhardvoiceover   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Voice over encompasses a wide range of genres beyond the mainstream. Being bilingual adds significant value in localization and voice over work. Combining skills like audio engineering enhances the service offered to clients. Customer service and building relationships are crucial in the voice over industry. Networking through platforms like Discord can lead to unexpected opportunities. Preparation is key to recognizing and seizing opportunities when they arise. Dubbing requires creativity to match mouth movements and translations. Being a one-stop solution can streamline the dubbing process. Many content creators are unaware of the potential for dubbing their work. The demand for localized content is increasing across platforms. AI may assist in dubbing but cannot replicate human emotion and cultural nuances. Networking in the right communities can lead to more dubbing opportunities. Voice actors must continuously adapt to remain relevant. Protecting creative work is essential in the age of AI. Collaboration can lead to innovative profit-sharing models.

One great way to build a portfolio in gaming is to work with Indie Game Developers. You get access to opportunities. Build your credits and hone your craft. Michael Everhard recognizes this, and has taken an interesting approach to his latest collaboration. He's teamed up with a studio for a game he's passionate about and taken on a role beyond simply voice actor. Rather than regular payment, he's entered into a profit sharing arrangement. For gaming studios in tight budgets, this could be a new way to approach them with your marketing. Michael shares plenty of tips on doing just that. Michael is also a Nimble Jedi, and we get into that too. CONNECT WITH MICHAEL EVERHARD Michael Everhard Website - http://www.michaeleverhard.com Michael Everhard Website - http://www.britishelearningvoiceover.com Michael Everhard on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/michaeleverhardvo.bsky.social Michael Everhard on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaeleverhardvoiceover Shoni Island Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2813990/Shoni_Island/ Golden Horde https://goldenhordestudios.com/# Cave Bear Games https://cavebeargames.com/   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS There's more than one way to play the voice over game. Voice acting can be a collaborative process in indie games. Profit-sharing models can be beneficial for voice actors. Building relationships in the industry can lead to future projects. Collaborative approaches can open new opportunities in game development. LinkedIn groups can be valuable for networking in the industry. You can find Indie Game gigs on Facebook, Twitter and others. Automation tools like Nimble can significantly enhance workflow efficiency.

Discover how Bobbi Maxwell became one of the top voices in automotive voice over, working with brands like Maserati, GMC, and Honda. In this episode of the Everyday VOpreneur Podcast, Bobbi shares her journey from radio to full-time voice actor, building a career that boasts over 300 automotive spots annually. You'll learn the keys to booking and maintaining long-term automotive clients, the importance of working with automotive agencies, and how to strategically manage your availability to keep clients happy. Bobbi also offers insider advice on demo versatility, staying consistent, and why being reliable and fast is crucial in this competitive niche. For voice actors looking to break into automotive or expand their client base, Bobbi's insights on navigating conflicts, understanding regional markets, and managing rates for TV, radio, and digital automotive spots are invaluable. She even touches on how AI might impact automotive voice over in the future and how to stay prepared. This episode is packed with practical tips and real-world examples to help voice actors build a sustainable career in automotive. Whether you're new to the genre or a seasoned talent, you'll find plenty of actionable advice. CONNECT WITH BOBBI MAXWELL Bobbi Maxwell Website - https://www.bobbimaxwell.com Bobbi Maxwell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bobbimaxwellvo Bobbi Maxwell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbi-maxwell-85238b99 Bobbi Maxwell on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bobbimaxwell492 Making Wavs Podcast - https://makingwavsvo.com   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Automotive voice over work can be steady and lucrative. Agency connections are crucial for securing automotive voice over work. The automotive industry offers opportunities for both local and national work. Automotive voice over rates differ from standard commercial rates. Styles in automotive voiceover are evolving towards more relatable voices. Versatility in voice demos is crucial for success in the industry. Voice actors need to understand brand identities to succeed in automotive. Quick turnaround times are often expected in automotive voice over.

We all wish we could book more with our agents, right? I know I do! They signed us in the first place, so we must bring something to the table. But how can we convert that into more bookings and more earnings? Emma O'Neill is a non-union voice actor earning over 50% of her income through agents and managers. So if there's a secret to this, she's figured it out; and now she's sharing! In this episode Emma offers plenty of tips for building better relationships with agents, giving them what they're looking for so they'll want to work with you, and continually improving your own craft so you're always curren with what they need. We talk landing agents, working with agents, the difference between agents and managers, how to increase your book rate and so much more.  CONNECT WITH EMMA O'NEILL Emma O'Neill Website - https://emmaoneillvo.com Emma O'Neill on Instagram - https://instagram.com/emmaoneill Emma O'Neill on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaoneillvo Emma O'Neill on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/emmaoneill Emma O'Neill Coaching Consult - https://tidycal.com/emmaoneill   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Most voice actors earn less than 10% from agents. Building relationships with agents is crucial for voice actors. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable connections. Managers focus on personal branding while agents handle business aspects. Be easy to work with. Casting directors are often supportive and want actors to succeed. Taking risks in auditions can lead to better opportunities. Current trends in voice acting are shifting towards more authentic reads. Improving relationships with agents can enhance booking opportunities.

With AI results now appearing at the top of many Google searches, the voice actor who is using SEO as part of their marketing strategy is going to have to understand how the rules of the SEO game are changing. From zero-click content to the implications of AI-generated search results, choosing the right short and long tail keywords to building your trust and authority, Gina Scarpa dishes all the tips, tricks and strategies in this wide-ranging SEO-based conversation. Heck, we cover so much ground in this chat we ever got to talk about Robert Irvine and the amazing Restaurant Impossible TV show! Want actionable, practical strategies for improving your websites SEO without having to be a programming genius or SEO Jedi? Gina delivers the goods! CONNECT WITH GINA SCARPA Gina Scarpa Website - https://ginascarpa.com Gina Scarpa on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ginascarpa Gina Scarpa on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/voiceoversbygina Gina Scarpa on X - https://x.com/ginascarpa Gina Scarpa on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbw8eOVVA_H0_zb4VHZlAWw   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS AI will impact voiceover and SEO significantly. Zero click content is changing how we search online. Google's AI, Gemini, is prioritizing direct answers. Human-generated content is still crucial for SEO. Building authority and trustworthiness is essential. Keyword strategies must evolve with AI advancements. Competitor research can inform effective SEO practices. Voice Actors should create niche or genre specific pages. AI tools can assist but cannot replace human creativity. AI tools can help identify keyword gaps and improve content. Regularly updating website content is crucial for maintaining rankings. Google prioritizes content that answers user questions quickly.

A voice over demo is one of the biggest investments you'll make in your career. The right demos will get you access to incredible opportunities. The wrong demos will hold you back and prevent you from achieving your full potential as a voice actor. In this episode, I speak with the Demo Dream Team, Michelle and Steve Sundholm, Ryan Paul James and Melissa Disney and draw from their unique skill sets and collective experience to uncover what it takes to make a stand out voice over demo. We talk about choosing the right producer, understanding what's trending, when it's time for a refresh, showcasing your talents effectively and why you might want to reconsider self-producing your demo. All this and more! CONNECT WITH THE DEMO DREAM TEAM Demo Dream Team Website - https://demodreamteam.com Demo Dream Team on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/demodreamteamvo Demo Dream Team on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/demodreamteamvo Email the Demo Dream Team - production@demodreamteam.com   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Vetting voice actors is crucial to ensure they are ready for a demo. Demos should be aspirational, showcasing what the actor wants to do. It's important to refresh demos when skills or industry trends change. Personalized scripts help actors connect with their demos authentically. The process of creating a demo should be fun and engaging for the actor. A demo is a snapshot of an artist's progress and should reflect their current abilities. Feedback and collaboration are key to producing a successful demo. Investing in coaching and training is essential before creating a demo. The demo should take listeners on a journey through different emotions and styles. Professional production is crucial for creating a competitive demo. Demos should sound like advertisements, not just voice over samples. Authenticity and personality are becoming more important in voiceover work. The trend is moving away from the disinterested, flat delivery style. The importance of sound quality cannot be overstated in voice over production.

Are hashtags becoming obsolete? In this episode, I dive into the shifting role of hashtags on platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. You're going to learn how to adapt your social media strategy as platforms focus more on SEO, AI, and content quality. Whether you're a voice actor or any other creative professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice to keep your posts relevant and effective in 2025. CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Hashtag strategy is evolving across social media platforms. LinkedIn is shifting focus from hashtags to AI and SEO. Using too many hashtags can reduce post visibility. X is moving away from hashtags, prioritizing content quality and engagement. Instagram has banned many hashtags due to spam and abuse. Only highly relevant hashtags should be used, ideally one to three. Content should include relevant keywords to reach the target audience. Adjusting strategies is necessary to maintain visibility and engagement.

Looking for some fun, unique and easy ways to market your voice over business while playing off the theme of New Year's? In this episode I share several creative and practical marketing strategies you can lean into to stay top-of-mind with your clients and prospects. For even more New Year's marketing ideas ideas visit https://www.vopreneur.com/newyearsguide for a free guide. CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS It's not too late to send a New Year's email. Sending a New Year's message can help reconnect with clients. Offering planning calls can engage both clients and prospects. Raising rates can be communicated with goodwill by offering lower rates for early bookings. Refreshing testimonials can enhance your marketing efforts. Creating a 'Best Of' campaign can showcase your past work. Social media posts should be tailored for each platform. Pitching fresh starts can inspire clients to update their projects. Providing value in marketing campaigns strengthens client relationships.

The Christmas holiday season presents countless opportunities for creating content and marketing campaigns that can both showcase your skill and talent as a voice actor and get you in front of your audience of leads, prospects and clients. In this episode, I share several different low cost / no cost ideas you can implement easily, both on your own, or with clients and colleagues you might want to parntner with. For even more ideas visit https://vopreneur.com/12tipsofchristmas for a free PDF download. CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Engage with your community through local initiatives. Create fun and engaging content to showcase your skills. Utilize social media to share your holiday-themed projects. Consider collaborating with local businesses for mutual benefit. Explore the potential of audio dramas for creative storytelling. Encourage audience participation through challenges and contests. Focus on building relationships rather than just selling services.

UGC (User Generated Content) is, for many voice actors, a misunderstood concept and also a potentially missed revenue stream for their business. In this episode I speak with Kelley and Cam Buttrick, both of whom are running thriving UGC businesses and are more than willing to share the ins and outs of this opportunity. To make it even more interesting and insightful, Kelley is offering her take as a Gex X and Cam shares her perspective as a Gen Z. The end result, a fun and informative interview offering up plenty of actionable, practical tips and strategies for adding UGC into your list of services offered. CONNECT WITH KELLEY BUTTRICK Kelley Buttrick Website - https://kbvoiceovers.com KB Creates Website - https://kbcreatescontent.com Kelley Buttrick on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kbvoiceovers Kelley Buttrick on Facebook - https://facebook.com/kelley.buttrick   CONNECT WITH CAM BUTTRICK Cam Buttrick on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@goodtimesandfaketanlines   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur   RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. https://calendly.com/marcscott/free15min EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com KEY TAKEAWAYS Authenticity is key in building trust with audiences. Understanding your audience is crucial for effective marketing. UGC offers new opportunities for voice actors. Generational perspectives influence marketing strategies. Finding UGC opportunities often involves pitching to brands directly. Networking and connections play a crucial role in securing UGC work. Pitches should clearly outline what you want and what you offer. Understanding the target audience is key in content creation. Rates for UGC can vary widely; negotiation is often necessary. Storytelling is central to effective UGC.

What would you like to put on your Wish List for Santa Claus? Maybe a new microphone? A new interface? Some other voice over studio upgrade? George the Tech has plenty of ideas for you if you're trying to decide what you'd like to ask for this holiday season. He offers up suggestions for mics, interfaces, software and plugins, and he even had one suggestion I had never thought about before but now I know I want to ask for! Wanna grab some of these recommendations? Visit https://www.amazon.com/shop/vopreneurbymarcscott/list/GLXE7EJYG4IO?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_XGEW39D3AXJVSNW4ESPT CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT George the Tech Website - georgethe.tech/ms George the Tech on Instagram - https://instagram.com/georgethetech George the Tech on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/georgethetech George the Tech on YouTube - http://youtube.com/c/GeorgeTheTech George the Tech on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgethetech Pro Audio Suite Podcast - https://www.theproaudiosuite.com   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott VOpreneur® on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@vopreneur   RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Black Friday deals can significantly benefit studio upgrades. Affordable microphones can perform well in professional settings. Be cautious of counterfeit products in the market. AI technology is revolutionizing audio production tools. Tech splurges can enhance studio setups but should be researched. Sound Check service helps evaluate audio quality and processing. Investing in quality tools can save time and improve results.

One of the big reasons why voice actors don't use social media is because of criticism from total strangers. Someone either shares something, or drops a comment, and you immediately second guess everything you're doing on social media, or assume you're doing it all wrong. We're giving too much power to these total strangers. In this episode, I talk about the importance of remembering who your audience is, tailoring your content to that audience, remaining authentically you, and ignoring the haters, who are probably going to hate, no matter what you do! Let this episode serve as a reminder that success isn't about pleasing everyone, but about building genuine connections with the people who matter. CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS There is no product or service with 100% customer satisfaction. Negative interactions on social media are inevitable. Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication. Adding value through content is essential for engagement. Authenticity is key in social media marketing. Don't let negativity from strangers derail your efforts. Data-driven decisions are more important than opinions. Embrace your uniqueness and connect with your audience.

In this episode, Tom and Derek discuss highlights and key takeaways from the recent Mile High Profit Summit (MHPS) 2024. They delve into the community's strength, gratitude, and the importance of actionable tactics learned at the summit. Together, they recount unforgettable sessions from prominent speakers like Tommy Mello, Marcus Sheridan, and special guest Linda Alvarado. For contractors aiming to take their businesses to the next level, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable strategies.Episode Highlights:[00:00] – Tom and Derek introduce the episode as a recap of Mile High Profit Summit (MHPS) 2024, emphasizing the event's impact and the power of community.[00:25] – They discuss the importance of taking action and how attendees are already applying their learnings to drive success in their businesses.[01:06] – Derek shares his thoughts on the supportive, welcoming environment at MHPS, which encourages contractors to connect and grow.[03:19] – Tom touches on the bittersweet nature of the final MHPS event and shares upcoming plans for future initiatives within The Contractor Fight community.[05:02] – How first-time attendees are quickly embraced, feeling at home in the contractor community.[07:07] – Derek outlines his successful sales strategies, which allow him to outperform competitors, including a live “Shinfu” session that captivated the audience.[12:57] – Highlights from Tommy Mello and Marcus Sheridan, who provided valuable advice and motivation, resonating deeply with the audience.[17:07] – Introduction of the War Room program, tailored for contractors looking to scale to $5-10 million businesses.[28:43] – Tom presents the Impact Award to his Uncle Roy, celebrating his crucial influence on Tom's life and the contractor community.[32:35] – Tom and Derek discuss how expressing gratitude can positively influence relationships and build a strong brand reputation.[36:20] – Recap of actionable strategies from MHPS for contractors to implement and improve their businesses.[40:35] – Tom and Derek reflect on the significance of MHPS, expressing gratitude to listeners and encouraging them to apply insights from the episode.Resources:

Success is in the follow-up. This is something you've probably heard me say a thousand times. But now, thanks to Nimble, I've got a new way to automate those follow-ups making them even easier to do, and all but guaranteeing they actually get sent. Using a new feature called Sequences, automating your follow-up strategy is going to change the way you do your email marketing. In this episode, I explain how it works and how I'm using it. Sign up for a Nimble Trial at https://nimble.com/marcscottvo CONNECT WITH MARC SCOTT Marc Scott Website - https://marcscottvoiceover.com Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott Marc Scott on Facebook - https://facebook.com/marcscottvoiceover Marc Scott on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@marcscottvo Marc Scott on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcscottvoiceover RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Follow-ups are essential for maintaining client relationships. Providing value in follow-ups can enhance engagement. Automating follow-ups can save time and increase efficiency. Nimble's Sequences feature allows for automated email follow-ups. Consistent follow-ups can lead to more work opportunities. Many people need multiple contacts before making a decision. Follow-ups can help reclaim missed opportunities. Success in voice acting often hinges on effective follow-up strategies.

Odds are, if you're working as a voice actor, you've got at least one dream you're working towards in the industry. Maybe it's landing a specific client. Booking a certain type of job. Or finding success in a particular genre of the industry. For Sarah Kramer, the goal has been the same for years. She wanted to work in animation and more specifically, she wanted to work on a Star Wars project. That dream became a reality when she landed a role on Star Wars; Young Jedi Adventures. In this episode, Sarah shares her story of how she made it possible, despite many odds being stacked against her.  Persistence, Patience, Perseverance, and maybe channeling the power of The Force. ;) CONNECT WITH SARAH KRAMER Sarah Kramer Website - https://sarahkramervoiceovers.com Sarah Kramer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahkrameractor Sarah Kramer on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SarahKramerVoiceOvers Sarah Kramer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkrameractor   Young Jedi Adventures -  Watch on DIsneyPlus   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS Taking strategic, consistent action is the secret to success. Training is essential for growth in voice over. Stepping out of the comfort zone is necessary for progress. Creating unique marketing tools can set you apart. Perseverance is key in the voice over journey. Mentorship can significantly impact your career growth. Don't compare your journey to others; everyone has a unique path. Follow up is essential after auditions and networking opportunities. It's important to find your niche and pursue it passionately. The journey to success is often a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

Making a decision to pursue a career in voice acting means also making a decision to start a small business and pursue a life of entrepreneurship.  If you're going to run a business, you need think like a business owner. That's what the entire concept of VOpreneur is all about. Voice Actor + Entrepreneur = VOpreneur Danielle Famble has built a name for herself within the industry not only for her impressive career and credits, but for encouraging voice actors to (and teaching them how to) approach voice over with a CEO Mindset. In this episode, Marc and Danielle dive deep into business, money, and the mindset that will lead you to success. CONNECT WITH DANIELLE FAMBLE Danielle Famble Website - https://daniellefamble.com Danielle Famble on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daniellefamble Danielle Famble on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellefamble   Marc Scott on Instagram - https://instagram.com/marcscott RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS * Voice Over Marketing Playbook Visit https://voiceovermarketingplaybook.com * The VOpreneur Guide to Testimonials Visit https://vopreneur.com/testimonials * Get an instant $25 credit when you sign up for VoiceZam Visit https://voicezam.com/marcscott * For voice over services: Visit https://marcscottvoiceover.com * Want VOpreneur Swag? Visit https://teespring.com/stores/vopreneur * Join the VOpreneur Facebook Group Visit https://facebook.com/groups/vopreneur EVERYDAY VOPRENEURS IN THIS EPISODE * Thanks to "Uncle Roy" for production assistance! Visit https://antlandproductions.com * Thanks to Christy Harst for VO contributions! Visit https://christyharst.com * Thanks to Krysta Wallrauch for VO contributions! Visit https://krystawallrauch.com If you need guidance with your voice over business or learning how to more effectively market, I can help. Book a 15 minute free consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. Book Your Consult KEY TAKEAWAYS A CEO mindset is crucial for voice actors to thrive. Entrepreneurial roots can provide a strong foundation for success. The art of the pivot is essential in business. Delegating tasks can lead to business growth and efficiency. A positive relationship with money can enhance business performance. Understanding your relationship with money is crucial. Investing in your business should be strategic, not impulsive. Success can be defined in various ways beyond financial metrics. Mentorship can significantly accelerate your growth and learning. Recognizing personal achievements is essential for self-acknowledgment. Continuous learning from others can enhance your business acumen.

CARABAO CUP FINAL PREVIEW BABY! Rog looks ahead to the battle for the first piece of silverware in the English football calendar: could this be the last trophy Klopp wins for Liverpool, or even the first trophy Poch wins with Chelsea. Also, we bid farewell to a Premier League legend (at least for now), ‘Uncle Roy' Hodgson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.