Fresh from his tour of VO Atlanta this month, ACM Talent Manager Jeff Umberger is in the studio to talk about his story behind the voiceover business. From his beginnings as an actor, to setting up his own talent group 'The Umberger Agency' to becoming a talent manager at ACM Talent in New York, Jeff discusses how he puts together what he calls "a partnership of careers". We also chat about the differences between commercial work and audiobooks; making the move from theatre, television and radio...
Mar 12, 2024•27 min•Ep. 107
In the Houston studio today to chat with former KILT news and traffic reporter T.j. Callahan, talking about how radio life introduced her to a new side hustle as a film critic - and what a gig! T.j. explains how she scores those meetups with famous celebs on the red carpet like Oprah and Claire Foy (The Queen) from 'The Crown'; her work with the Critics Choice Association, Houston Film Critics Society, The Alliance of Women Film Journalists and more. This busy Texas Radio Hall of Famer also disc...
Feb 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 106
Love these visits to Canada to interview the marketing genius - guru - wizard of all things podcasting: Matt Cundill, host of the 'Sound Off Podcast' - the Podcast about Broadcast. We cover the whole story about podcasting, from marketing cycles, finding your audience, discoverability (my takeaway from this episode!) and why producing, hosting and marketing your podcast needs to be a top priority to succeed. This one time radio program director who now heads up his company the 'Sound Off Media C...
Jan 30, 2024•40 min•Ep. 105
We are talkin' radio today with the entertaining radio personality Jo Maeder , also known to fans everywhere as 'The Rock and Roll Madame' (as in 'Up and at 'em with the Madame'). We start with the story behind her gigs at South Florida radio stations like Y100/Miami' (the 'Y-onic Woman'); and as the Madame at I-95/WINZ; plus working in New York at K-ROCK/WXRK with Howard Stern and Z100/WHTZ. Never one to stay idle while busy in the broadcasting booth, Jo describes it all - from the real reason ...
Jan 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 104
In Dallas today talking with the effervescent author Bev Cuevas about her book 'Behind Her Smile: The Adventures of a Tall Girl from WVA and Her Life as a Stewardess'. It's funny and entertaining; with over 35 years in the aviation industry, she gives a real look at what life was like during the glam days of the airline business - along with a special story about moments with Elvis. Grab a glass and join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy li...
Dec 05, 2023•29 min•Ep. 103
Oh Canada! Today it's Calgary time baby, as I sit in the studio with voiceover pro Paul Boucher where we discuss his storied voice career, along with a few great tips for veteran and newbie voice talent. This bilingual voice talent (French, English) has built his reputation from the early days of the internet industry (starting in 1997!) with a big list of clients in both languages and in long form narration. With nods to some of his favorite voice teachers: Maurice Tobias, Anne Ganguzza, The VO...
Nov 28, 2023•42 min•Ep. 102
It's Houston today baby, visiting with veteran radio personality Chris Alan (CBS Radio, KILE, KLOL, 97 Rock, and now on Houston Radio Platinum ) as we talk about almost every crazy radio story we can fit into an interview, including that well known studio skill known as 'back timing into network programming' (it's an art, trust us!); why out of so many radio formats he's worked in, the Adult Contemporary arena is where he loves to work; his brand new website where you can find some of your fave ...
Nov 14, 2023•21 min•Ep. 101
Visiting North Carolina today with Steve Eisenstadt, bass player for the legendary (soon to be anyway!) ' Johnny Folsom 4 ', a tribute band to Johnny Cash. Fresh from their recent gig at Daryl's House, Steve talks about life on the road, the loyal fans, plus the backstory about his band mates and and their individual career path to playing in this special tribute band. From newspaper reporter to public relations expert to now life on the road with 'Johnny Folsom 4', Steve discusses the current t...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Ep. 100
In the Carolinas today talking with author David Menconi , enjoying the entire backstory about writing his new book 'Oh Didn't They Ramble, Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music.' The UT grad and former writer for Rolling Stone and Spin (and music critic for the Raleigh News and Observer), talks about the iconic record label Rounder Records, how the forward from Robert Plant from Led Zep came together, those interviews with Allison Krauss, Bela Fleck and Patterson Hood; ...
Oct 10, 2023•27 min•Ep. 99
In Houston today with actress-screenwriter-director and acting coach Sara Gaston , talking not only about what it takes to be a successful working actor, but also about the true 'invisible work' of marketing, auditioning, and ultimately taking that work where you can get it! She also discusses her new comedy screenplay "Sanchos and Ponchos" which will be appearing at the Austin Under The Stars Film Festival in October. The busy actress gets real about her love of working with actors who have suc...
Sep 12, 2023•29 min•Ep. 98
Visiting North Carolina today with singer-songwriter Michael Daughtry, who has carved one hit making trail of music from the Carolinas to Boston to all over the globe! The Berklee College of Music magna cum laude grad (who just so happened to graduate with another singer, songwriter and guitarist - John Mayer!) has worked with musicians Edwin McCain, Mark Davis of Hootie and the Blowfish, Sponge and John Ford Coley, in addition to making his own career path in the music business. Michael explain...
Aug 29, 2023•35 min•Ep. 97
In Cleveland today with WMMS The Buzzard radio legend Jeff Kinzbach and his wife Patti, as they talk about their new adventure of livin' life on the road! After 50 years on the air as a morning show host, Jeff agreed with Patti it was time for a change, so they decided to sell their house, buy an RV and live their dream of life on the road while loving every minute of it. With his new podcast ' Rocking the RV Life ' and touring in their 54 foot long motor home (Right? It's compact baby!) find ou...
Jun 28, 2023•35 min•Ep. 96
Toronto is the place this week as I sit in with Josie Dye, morning DJ at Indie88 and talk about all things radio! From show content to concert festivals, Josie talks about the hustle and grit it takes to not only get into the radio business but staying in the business as well. This natural storyteller is honest and forthright about everything from career train wrecks to broadcast success stories (with a special nod to one of our fave radio consultant Steve Reynolds of Reynolds Group Radio ); how...
May 30, 2023•32 min•Ep. 95
Visiting Houston with voiceover legend Dave Crockett , talking about his radio days in Houston, Chicago and Atlanta; the start of his production company WeHo Studios , and all about the voiceover biz! Serious with a mix of humor, Dave shares a great discussion for aspiring (and veteran) voice pros about what it really takes to make it in the voiceover business, how to find your own voice, those questions about unions and agents; how to hustle in a booming voiceover market and why focus and hard ...
May 16, 2023•36 min•Ep. 94
Visiting Boston today to chat in the studio with pro voice talent Jeff Berlin , starting with those oh so crazy radio stories that led to his remarkable voiceover career. Starting his broadcasting career with WAAF, WZBC to WCOZ (both on the air and behind the scenes in the production department) to creating commercials and promos with a definite 'wow' factor, Jeff describes how his true love of music led to all things audio. From his voiceover work with ' The Wahlbergs', 'Grand Theft Auto' and '...
May 02, 2023•39 min•Ep. 93
It's Hollywood in Houston baby as I talk with Texas actor and director Joe Grisaffi , discussing all of his very popular films (Laughing Boy, Conjoined and Lars the Emo Kid) along with his recent work on the Netflix series 'Stranger Things' (a gig he scored during Covid no less!). Joe talks about why he loves movies and acting, how flaws can really make a film (so don't panic filmmakers on making it perfect!); plus a special nod to his beloved dog in a soon to be released film called 'Zoe's Stor...
Apr 04, 2023•36 min•Ep. 92
Audiobook narrator Mike Lenz knows a thing or two about audio - and with over 200 audiobooks to his credit, I'd call him a true word master! Besides his narration chops, Mike is also a Voice Arts Award nominated podcast producer and host, with an equally storied career as a Pharmacist and Mayor of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York! I mean, can you say multifaceted??? Sharing stories from his coaches Sean Pratt, Jeffrey Kafer and actor P.J. Ochlan, Mike explains the intricate details of the vo...
Mar 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 91
Today I'm in the studio with Anne Beall, author of the book 'Cinderella Didn't Live Happily Ever After: The Hidden Messages in Fairytales' and she definitely has a story to tell! Mixing both her storytelling and marketing research expertise, Anne discusses the hidden messages in fairy tales about marriage, power, good versus evil and so much more. As a leader in the marketing research field and CEO of her own consultancy firm ' Beall Research ' Anne offers a new and entertaining look at those be...
Jan 11, 2023•18 min•Ep. 90
In sunny California today with real estate agent and new author Monika Strand as she shares the backstory of her book 'Welcome Home!'. Illustrated by Janette Hill, the book is about a young boy moving to a new home, helping to make the transition of moving from one home to the next so much easier and less scary for himself and his family. In addition to running her busy real estate office, plus a booming new publishing career (she wrote her current book in one day!) Monika offers tips on how she...
Dec 21, 2022•27 min•Ep. 89
Traveling to North Carolina today to visit with voice talent and coach Dan Friedman , who also happens to be the author of one very popular voiceover book called "Sound Advice" (written 10 years ago and still going strong!) Dan describes his early audio days behind the scenes in promotions and engineering at several radio stations including 96 Rock in Atlanta; spending time with legendary vocal coach Paul Armbruster; being a pro in the recording booth; the ever changing world of audiobooks and v...
Aug 17, 2022•34 min•Ep. 88
Visiting Los Angeles with the guy who knows audio technology inside and out - Don Baarns, a leading expert in voice recording and studio production. Owner of the renowned voiceover courses at VOJumpStart (where both veteran and newbie voiceover talent can learn valuable skills about recording), Don shares what you really need to know about your home studio - before recording! We talk about Punch and Roll (and how mastering this skill makes editing fast and easy); life before Punch and Roll (wait...
Jul 20, 2022•41 min•Ep. 87
Dwight Douglas has worked in radio, consulted radio, brought software to radio (Selector anyone?) and now he's written a book about the radio business with ' True Radio Confessions - Sex, Drugs & Rock'n Roll' (available now on Amazon). It's the possibly true (but all names have been changed) fictional story of DJ Sonny Joe McPherson, who takes on a fifty year broadcasting journey filled with - you guessed it - sex, drugs and rock and roll. Dwight talks about his new novel (which by the way h...
Jul 13, 2022•46 min•Ep. 86
In the studio with author Bob Mann, a professor who holds the esteemed Manship Chair in Journalism at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University (LSU) , talking about his new book 'Backrooms And Bayous: My Life in Louisiana Politics' - a memoir about his long career in Louisiana politics and everything he learned along the way. Candid and introspective, Bob discusses both journalism, history and politics, including his work on Capitol Hill for Senators Russell B. Long...
Jul 12, 2022•20 min•Ep. 85
Singer-songwriter Parthenon Huxley is in the studio talking about music, songwriting, journalism and more, including his early work with North Carolina music legends Mitch Easter, Jamie Hoover and Don Dixon; working with 'The Blazers' and his own 'Ridiculous Band'; to leaving the Chapel Hill area to make the move to New York and LA, eventually signing with MCA and Columbia Records (plus gigs with Mick Jones of Foreigner and Robert Lamm of Chicago). Currently working on his memoir with a very cat...
Jun 22, 2022•23 min•Ep. 84
In Hollywood today with Troy Carlton, who talks about his new film ' Birdies The Movie ', shot entirely in North Carolina (and now available on Amazon Prime). The Raleigh native sits down in the studio and talks of how his independent movie about "a washed up golf phenom who gets hired as the pro at a decaying country club where catching a buzz is par for the course" really began with his YouTube channel ' Golf Jokes from Tight Lies '; working with comedian Ryan O'Flanagan and actor Nate Panning...
Jun 08, 2022•22 min•Ep. 83
In the studio with award winning Alysson Bourque, author of the Alycat Series of children's books . The series has gained loyal followers both in the United States (where her books were included in the Swag Bags at the Oscars AND the Grammy's!) and an equally strong following in the United Kingdom, with the support of Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, who chose Alysson's book series to be a part of the Duchess's ' Storytime with Fergie and Friends ' on YouTube. This busy mom (inspired by her ...
May 20, 2022•25 min•Ep. 82
Offering sage advice with real life stories on transitioning, former MIX 101.5 FM (Raleigh, North Carolina) morning guy (now author) Bill Jordan discusses his book "Embrace the Boom" which in his words '"empowers, encourages and inspires my fellow members of the Baby Boomer generation"' (and read the special introduction from Duke Men's Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski). We then talk about everything from radio (40 years as a morning show host) to his current voiceover career; the art of social ...
May 10, 2022•32 min•Ep. 81
It's no easy feat becoming a bestselling author, but in today's episode, Elizabeth Spann Craig proves that with determination anything is possible. We discuss her new book - " A Notion to Murder ", part of her Southern Quilting Mystery series (available now on Amazon) along with other novels including " A Dash of Murder " (from the Myrtle Clover Mystery series) and " Frictional Characters " from the Village Library series. A lifelong fan of mystery books (yup, think Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys!) t...
Apr 19, 2022•20 min•Ep. 80
For many in the voiceover world, Bob Souer is known as 'The Second Nicest Guy in Voiceover" , and after spending time at his studio in Pittsburgh, I finally found the true story of how he got that brand started (with a shout out to fellow voice pro and marketing guru Doug Turkel ) Listen in on how Bob's start in radio, combined with a childhood love of books and performance, has paved the way to a very successful business, beginning with his first audiobook project: narrating the Bible for Thoma...
Apr 13, 2022•43 min•Ep. 79
Amanda Lamb, veteran reporter for award winning NBC television station WRAL in Raleigh, NC stops by the studio to talk about her new book "No Wake Zone", one of many books (in different genres) she's written while covering hard news for the station. Here's an interview that gives an honest look at journalism, including the business of writing books and writing blogs (and her contribution to WRAL's parenting blog "Go Ask Mom" . ) Her reputation as a go-to reporter (including regular appearances o...
Mar 29, 2022•30 min•Ep. 78
