Episode 259 – The Glorious Problem of You
In this episode, John talks about how we need to get out of our own way with our singing and how to accept and appreciate where we are in our singing journey right now. Episode Highlights: How to be in the moment without judgment when you sing Are you overthinking? Fear, anticipation, and tension and…
Episode 258 – Support with Daniel Formica
In this episode, John talks with Daniel Formica, a world-class performer, and vocal coach, about “support” in singing. Episode highlights: What is support? How connection is the key How to recognize if you are grabbing or forcing the sound Warming up your voice is more like “re-awakening” your nervous system to an optimal singing condition …
Episode 257 – Mending Your Vocal Nets
In this episode, John talks about what you can do as a singer and a performer while the music industry and live performances are still recovering. Episode Highlights: Navigating the waves of the “starts” and “stops” as a performer during this time Stay connected to “why” you love music and “why” you sing Take this…
Episode 256 – How Much Water Should I Drink?
In this episode, John talks about the importance of hydration for singing and the steps we can take to support our voice. Episode highlights: The mucus membrane on the vocal folds and how aging and environment affect it Humidity, hormones and medications, and the voice How much water should we drink? The difference between superficial…
Episode 255 – Overall Vocal Health with Dr. H. Steven Sims
In this episode, John talks with Dr. H. Steven Sims, director at the Chicago Institute for Voice Care, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, about overall vocal health. Episode highlights: Lifestyle choices and how they can affect your voice Acid reflux – when and what you eat matters Hormones and age and how…
Episode 254 – A Cappella Singing With Ben Bram
In this episode, John talks with Grammy award-winning producer and arranger Ben Bram (Pentatonix, Pitch Perfect, Glee, A Cappella Academy) about how a cappella can “up” your singing game. Episode Highlights: Ben talks about his musical journey How to get started “arranging” and layering your own voice Understanding the musical “rules” of different genres will…
Episode 253 – The Role of the Tongue and Twanging with Kerrie Obert
In this episode John talks with Kerrie Obert, a Speech-Language Pathologist and Singing Voice Specialist, about the role of the tongue and twanging. Episode Highlights: What “twang” is and the misconceptions around it The tongue and its role in producing brightness in the sound Finding exercises to find new ways to use the tongue to…
Episode 252 – Stop Listening To This Podcast
Show Notes In this episode, John talks about when to put the books, podcasts, and study down to take that knowledge you have learned and utilize it to understand your voice better. Science is not perfect, and knowledge is ever-growing Simplifying the science of resonance and pitch is not that simple Knowledge is great, but…
Episode 251 – The Power of Mistakes
In this episode, John talks about how making “mistakes” can be an opportunity to grow. If you can look at mistakes as signals to adjust, you can positively use these moments to reach your true potential. Mistakes happen, and they happen to me! If mistakes happen, it may be telling you something in your process…
Episode 250 – How to Let Your Voice Soar with Jeff Alani Stanfill
In this episode, John talks with Jeff Alani Stanfill about his vocal journey and how to let your own voice soar. Episode Highlights: The inspiration behind Jeff’s Let Your Voice Soar audio course and his journey to find the right vocal coach How adjusting vowels and “space” can help a singer to reach higher notes…