A Voice and Beyond

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the podcast, The Wander Mom Diaries, hosted by Mandie Kramer. The theme of the podcast centres around self-care, overcoming adversities, and empowering women and, my story and messaging certainly dives into all three! During my conversation with Mandie, I allowed myself to become vulnerable as I began to share my personal story of how I had to overcome one major challenge in my life, after another, including being a suicide survivor, the challenges of being a single mum whilst having a hectic schedule as professional in the music industry and how I was silenced by my culture and my community. Eventually I discovered I could stand up and use my voice in life, and It is my intention to release this episode as I truly want to inspire other women, that no matter where they are at, no matter what adversities, they are having to deal with, there is a way to live your best, most authentic life each and every day and please know you are beautiful just as you are. You are stronger than what you think. I hope you find something within this episode that will empower you to follow your dreams and embrace the woman that you are.

 For all The Wander Moms socials visit https://linktr.ee/wandermomdiaries

In this episode

01:16 - Introducing this episode with Mandie Kramer

03:22 - Mandie's introduction from our episode on The Wander Moms Podcast

12:44 – My early career background

14:32 – Loosing my first husband

18:00 – Struggling with Mental health and developing bulimia

20:06 – Meeting my second husband 

22:38 – What helped her act to step up and leave her environment?

24:16 – My advice for other mothers

29:12 – Opportunities for moms looking for a singing career

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/56

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

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Today’s guest is Dr David Juncos.

Dr David Juncos a clinical psychologist, performance coach, a voice workshop lecturer, and co-author of the book ACT for Musicians, which is due for release in the coming months. David shares that he considers himself to be a "third wave" therapist, with additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy otherwise known as (ACT). In this episode, he describes ACT as an evidence-based psychotherapy that aims to promote mindfulness and acceptance and he explains how he has been able to successfully treat performance anxiety in musicians, as well as singers, using this treatment approach. 

David also answers questions around willingness and avoidance and how they relate to dealing with problems such as anxiety, including performance anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, as well as depression. David breaks down the signs and symptoms of all of these issues and identifies the possible impairments that filter into the lives, work and relationships of those who are suffering with these problems. 

This is such a powerful and informative episode and one of the most important pieces of information that resonated with me, is David reinforcing the idea that we, as teachers, should only do what we have been trained to do and that if we ourselves, are in trouble, we must seek help. There is so much to unpack in this episode, so be sure to listen carefully.

In this episode

1:17 - Introducing Dr David Juncos

6:33 - David’s inspiration to study psychology 

14:01 - David’s motivation to work with singers

23:05 - How to access ACT psychotherapy

28:37 - Where do we draw the line between therapist and teacher

39:29 - What is depression and how does it differ from anxiety?

43:16 - Dealing and treating with addictions

45:04 - Is one addiction harder to treat than another?

46:33 - CAGE screener technique for identifying alcohol addiction

51:38 - Particular drugs more prevalent amongst musicians

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/55

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

We are so excited to announce it is our first birthday. Yes, it is one year since we launched our very first episode of A Voice and Beyond and to celebrate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some brilliant highlights from our interview rounds, where our internationally acclaimed voice teachers and music artists offer their pearls of wisdom from lessons they have learned throughout their own personal and professional experiences in the music industry, in the teaching studio and beyond. 

Each guest shares with us their empowering words of advice, as they speak candidly about their own journeys of self-discovery, self-care and self-awareness. It is through these lessons, we can all learn and grow, reconnect with our most authentic selves, and discover our voices in song as well as life, so we too can empower others, including our students. 

It has been a real joy spending time with all my guests and I am truly grateful for their contribution to the show. We hope that you enjoy part two of our two-part birthday celebrations.

In this episode

0:01 - Introduction to our Birthday Celebration of Voices

1:44 - Donna Cameron from Episode 4

9:53 - Petra Raspel Borzinski from Episode 46

13:48 - Sarah Marshall from Episode 33

19:41 - Emma Ferris from Episode 23

23:53 - Duncan Rock from Episode 29

27:24 - Elina Winnel from Episode 37

31:11 - Chris Johnson from Episode 15

35:05 - Dr Nidhi Krishnan from Episode 30

37:43 - Grace Ng Ee Wern from Episode 40

40:18 - Peter Edwards from Episode 39

44:50 - Julie-Anne Whitfield from Episode 25

50:09 - Jen Haddix from Episode 49

53:51 - Heidi Moss Erickson from Episode 35

59:48 - Evan Dunn from Episode 52

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/54

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

We are so excited to announce it is our first birthday. Yes, it is one year since we launched our very first episode of A Voice and Beyond and to celebrate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some brilliant highlights from our interview rounds, where our internationally acclaimed voice teachers and music artists offer their pearls of wisdom from lessons they have learned throughout their own personal and professional experiences in the music industry, in the teaching studio and beyond. 

Each guest shares with us their empowering words of advice, as they speak candidly about their own journeys of self-discovery, self-care and self-awareness. It is through these lessons, we can all learn and grow, reconnect with our most authentic selves, and discover our voices in song as well as life, so we too can empower others, including our students. 

It has been a real joy spending time with all my guests and I am truly grateful for their contribution to the show. We hope that you enjoy part one of our two-part birthday celebrations.

In this episode

1:16 - Introduction to our Birthday Celebration of Voices

1:44 - Dr Elizabeth Blades from Episode 2

5:06 - Dr Jenevora Williams from Episode 5

8:50 - Dr Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher from Episode 6 & 7

12:27 - Ashlie Amber from Episode 9

16:02 - Lisa Popeil from Episode 11

20:01 - Brenda Earle Stokes from Episode 50

25:31 - Chris Johnson from Episode 15 

28:05 - Dr Elizabeth Benson from Episode 13

32:00 - Dr Wendy LeBorgne from Episode 17 & 18

35:44 - Nancy Bos from Episode 20 & 21

39:18 - Dann Milton from Episode 32

44:16 - Nadine Manion from Episode 24

46:51 - Heidi Moss Erickson from Episode 35

51:15 - Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin from Episode 47

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/53

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Today’s guest is Evan Dunn.

Many of us identify so strongly with the thoughts that are running through our minds that we begin to believe those thoughts and sometimes it can be difficult to sort through all the doubts and uncertainties that you experience in the process. However, our thoughts do not define us and they are not always the truth. Mindfulness is a practice that helps us to dis-identify with those thoughts and manage our emotions so we can live a far more intentional life. 

Evan Dunn is a mindfulness coach for Take the Stage Coaching, a professional opera singer and host of Take the Stage Coaching podcast. Evan describes mindfulness as a way to discover who we truly are, connect to our deepest feelings, learn how to process these feelings and ultimately become more empowered in the future. Evan believes that we all have the power to design a life where we feel so much better than we at present and the only person who can make that happen is you. 

In this episode Evan explains the true meaning of mindfulness, he gives us some tools we can use to become more mindful and the benefits it can have on all us in our relationships with others as well as our own physical, mental and emotional health. The past lives as a memory and the future as thoughts. We all have a choice in life and you don’t want to miss Evan’s great advice for designing the lives we choose for ourselves.

In this episode

1:16 - Introduction

10:17 - Evan's early performance career

11:58 - What is Take the Stage Coaching?

15:40 - Mindfulness explained

29:45 - Tools that Evan uses to teach mindfulness 

31:28 - A mindfulness role-play example

49:28 - Is Meditation a mindfulness tool?

53:45 - Resources available to learn more about mindfulness

1:01:40 - As voice teachers how can we help our students

1:04:51 - Evan's personal mindfulness discoveries 

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/51

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Over the past two years, life has thrown us a curve ball and it’s been hard to set goals, as results are uncertain, and the future is unpredictable. As we walk through each day, it can be difficult to think about what is going to happen in 100 steps time because we don't know how the ground is going to change. However, in life we won’t feel joy by accident, we won’t achieve successful outcomes by accident, and we won’t show up at our best by accident, we need to design the future we desire by setting intentions. An intention isn’t necessarily a goal or something that we measure, it’s simply a commitment to ourselves. It’s a promise we make to ourselves that aligns with our values. 

In this episode, we discuss how we can cultivate a healthy and joyful mindset irrespective of what is happening around us by setting intentions for the life we want to live, and the person we want to become in the here and the now. We encourage you to stop relying on the randomness of the world and the randomness of life to bring you what you desire. Now is the time to become very deliberate in your words and in your actions and begin setting daily intentions to cultivate the future of your dreams.

 In this episode

1:11 - Are you living your life to your full potential?

6:23 - What is an intention?

8:52 - Setting intentions every day 

14:03 - Segment intending explained

19:21 - Conclusion


For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/51

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Today’s guest is Brenda Earle Stokes.

Brenda Earle Stokes has built an extensive and sustainable professional career as an accomplished pianist and vocalist skilled across classical, jazz, pop, rock, R&B and Music Theatre styles. Her curiosity and voracious appetite for music has led her to become an internationally acclaimed performer, composer, and educator. Since 2018, Brenda has been busy creating a suite of online courses which is now called "The Versatile Musician".

In this episode, Brenda takes us on her extensive music industry journey as she reveals that her sustainable career was built on being resourceful, entrepreneurial, and by simply figuring it out. Brenda believes that versatility is key and the more we learn, the more opportunities we will create not only as performers but also as teachers because the more tools we have in our toolbox, the more students we will attract and retain. Brenda reveals how her performance career experiences inform and guide her student-centric teaching approaches. She explains that in order for our students to acquire the necessary skills that are useful and relevant to them, for whatever it is they want to pursue, we must customise our teaching. Brenda also discusses an existing culture of dumbing down singers in music programs within higher educational institutions, the problems associated with gender bias in the music industry, the importance of being strategic and how to create and seize opportunities for employment. This is such a fun and informative show with Brenda Earle Stokes.

In this episode
1:16 - Introducing Brenda Earle Stokes

7:56 - Brenda’s early love for music

18:53 - Transitioning into the professional world

22:40 - Life performing on board a cruise ship

31:55 - Brenda’s move to New York City

39:41 - Brenda’s transition to teaching piano and voice

46:30 - Are higher education training programs serving the next generation adequately?

52:12 - Training programs that Brenda has created and how they have evolved

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/50

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Today’s guest is Jen Haddix.

Jen Haddix is a certified yoga teacher, a self-love coach, and host of the podcast The Self-Love Yogi. In this episode, Jen shares parts of her traumatic childhood which led to her journey of healing, forgiveness, overcoming addiction, managing Bi Polar and ultimately discovering self-love. Jen tells us that she spent most of her earlier years trying to escape from the chaos, the drama and the vulnerability that constantly surrounded her, using addiction to things such as drugs, working out and dating to medicate herself. Jen explains that she did not have the tools or the skills to overcome the shame, responsibility and guilt she felt as a victim of abuse. It was when Jen was at the lowest point in her life, that she discovered yoga and ultimately it was yoga that saved her.

Jen believes that as a western society we have become so disconnected from our feelings, our minds and our bodies and she now uses her personal experiences and knowledge to empower others to connect to their authentic selves, discover their voices when they feel they are not being heard and to heal from the traumas they have endured. This is an inspirational story of resilience, tenacity and the strength in overcoming adversity and I’m sure you too will be in awe of Jen Haddix, just as I was.

In this episode
1:06 - Introducing Jen Haddix

4:28 - Jen’s upbringing and early childhood experiences

17:01 - Jen’s turning point and healing journey

19:12 - Discovering Yoga and finding balance through yoga teacher training

29:52 - Jen’s favourite starting point for Yoga beginners

46:36 - Self-love coaching and how Jen uses her experiences to help others

54:06 - Tips for those who don’t have a self-care regime & how they can get started 

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/49

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Everybody wants freedom!! Whether we want financial freedom, we want more free time, or we want the freedom to follow our dreams, whatever freedom we desire can only be achieved through discipline. Discipline and freedom may seem as though they live on opposite sides of the spectrum, however, discipline equates to freedom in every aspect of life. If you are seeking financial freedom, you must have financial discipline. If you desire more free time, you must be more disciplined with your time management skills.

In this episode, we explain that discipline is not something we are born with, it’s a learned behaviour and just like any other skill, it requires daily practise and repetition. It must become a habit. The message we share is, that if you want to transform your life in a positive way, that transformation will not happen by itself. You need to be committed and consistent to make it happen. We discuss what it takes to become more disciplined and offer four key strategies that will lead you to the path of a more fulfilling life of freedom. A lifelong journey of discipline will lead to a lifelong journey of freedom!

 In this episode

01:10 - Everybody wants freedom

05:28 - Eliminate Temptation

09:01 - Have a Morning Routine

13:49 - Set clear goals and a plan to execute them

17:39 - Create a schedule and follow it

19:24 - Your path to freedom

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/48

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...

Today’s guest is Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin.

Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin is a world-class performer, voice researcher, author and educator who has travelled and taught students from all over the world, as well as lectured nationally and internationally on numerous topics relating to singing voice pedagogy, and vocal style. In this episode, Trineice speaks candidly about the struggles she endured in higher education where she discovered that there was a disconnect between academic singing and the singing that she grew up within her church community. 

Triniece explains the more time she spent trying to sound academically correct, the more authentically incorrect her singing became. This motivated her to study voice on a deeper level and she completed her doctoral studies seeking to understand the cultural aesthetics and components of a vocal performance in gospel music. Based on her research, Trineice created Soul Ingredients, her trademarked teaching methodology, which focusses on student centred learning and encourages personal expression across African American based styles such as jazz, gospel, R & B, blues and other pop styles. 

In this episode, Triniece also shares her views on why educational institutions still endorse a one size fits all Eurocentric training model, the responsibilities of representing the black community in the singing voice community, and much much more. You do not want to miss today’s show with Dr Triniece Robinson Martin.

 In this episode

1:15 - Introducing Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin

8:09 - The early days of Trineice finding her voice

16:07 - Trineice explains her decision to write her PHD on Gospel Pedagogy

26:45 - The importance of singing with authenticity

31:42 - Finding freedom of expression within herself 

41:26 - Uncovering tensions surrounding CCM around the world

49:23 - Our collaboration with Elizabeth Benson

53:44 - Trineice introduces her business Soul Ingredients 

1:05:59 - Trienices performance career past and present

1:11:32 - As we travel through 2022, what can we do better?

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/47

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Find Marisa online:

• Website: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisaleenaismith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lee.12
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avoiceandbeyond3519/videos

Resources:

• MLN Coaching Program: www.mlnlifecoaching.com
• Schedule a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/info-56015/discovery 
• Gratitude Journal: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/in-gratitude-my-daily-self-journal/
• Download your eBook: Thriving in a Creative Industry: https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/product/ebook-thriving-in-a-creative-industry-dr-marisa-lee-naismith/

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps! ...