This week on A Voice and Beyond, we welcome Dr. Teri Baydar, a leadership development consultant and Certified Professional Coactive Coach with over 17 years of experience who focuses on guiding C-Suites and high achievers towards personal growth for the greater good. She has worked with various organizations like the Boston Consulting Group, Harvard University, Pfizer, and more. Her expertise lies in transformational thinking and helping clients develop traits like calmness under stress, self-awareness, confidence, authenticity, and emotional intelligence.

Dr. Teri, who is also an inspirational speaker, host of the podcast Paradise Reclaimed Podcast, and emerging author, discusses her book "Flip Your Switch" on today’s show. Dr. Teri provides actionable steps and profound concepts to offer life-changing insights, regardless of where listeners are in their personal journey. She shares strategies for navigating life's difficult choices and equips listeners with skills and tools to unearth the magic within themselves and the world. Whether you're a thinker, an aspiring leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, Dr. Teri's book promises to resonate and inspire growth and transformation. If you are ready to make a change in your life, you don’t want to miss this interview with Dr. Teri Baydar.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Karen Lyu, whose book 'Singing in Tune' takes a truly holistic approach to singing and contains clearly defined, yet simple-to-understand lessons, exercises, and practical tips for developing body awareness and maintaining a healthy, in-tune, and skilled voice. Get your copy now at www.singingintunebook.com

In This Epsiode
0:00 - Sponsored Ad: Singing In Tune Book by Karen Lyu
6:04 - Leadership, Consciousness and Precognition
15:47 - Social constructs influence on our behaviour
29:15 - Inner critic in creative industries 
44:02 - Personal growth and confidence
52:09 - Love V's War and the importance of creating value 

Find Dr. Teri Baydar Online

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/161.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

In our modern, fast-paced world, the struggle to maintain focus has become increasingly difficult for all of us, impacting various aspects of our lives. One reason for this challenge is the constant bombardment of information competing for our attention. From our smartphones buzzing with notifications to endless streams of information on social media platforms, our attention is constantly being pulled in multiple directions, making sustained focus a daunting task. Additionally, factors such as stress, anxiety, and fatigue further hinder our ability to concentrate on those important tasks at hand.

Ultimately, the inability to focus not only undermines our performance and well-being but also diminishes our capacity to fully engage with the world around us, limiting our potential for growth and fulfilment. Today’s show is a masterclass on how to increase your level of focus as we explore five key areas that can transform our lives when given the attention and focus they deserve. By keeping these key building blocks of achievement on our mental dashboard, we can unlock a life of joy, significance, and abundance.

This episode is proudly sponsored by The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute, offering comprehensive training for singing teachers and voice specialists. Dive deeper into the science and art of voice pedagogy with their unique programs. Visit www.ccminstitute.com to learn more.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Sponsored Ad: The CCM Institute
• 09:19 - Desire: The Starting Point of Achievement
• 18:27 - Direction: Planning Your Path
• 25:55 - Discipline: The Key to Consistency
• 32:22 - Distraction Detachment: Managing Interruptions
• 41:29 - Destructive Self Talk: Changing Negative Patterns
• 53:25 - Conclusion and Encouragement for Personal Growth

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/160.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

The internet is a minefield of information, but it is also rife with misinformation, and when it comes to voice teaching, as an industry, we are not excluded from the bombardment of information. Whether it’s a YouTube video, an Instagram post, a TikTok video, or a post on a social media forum, there is an inundation of misinformation regarding how to sing, voice training techniques, and singing teachers and coaches themselves showing us how they believe it should be done. We are in an unregulated industry, and anyone can claim to have discovered the holy grail of vocal greatness. Therefore, this week on A Voice and Beyond, I asked Chris Johnson to return to the show as our special guest and voice geek, to spill the tea and shed the truth about some of the most widely spread myths that apply to singing.

Chris Johnson is an internationally acclaimed singing teacher and highly experienced vocal coach, who has been trained in vocal manual therapy, massage, and myofascial release, and his training perspective respects the whole self. He is the founder of the singing teacher training organization 'Teach Voice’, and co-founder of one of the most popular podcasts for singers, 'The Naked Vocalist’. Chris has also had a professional performance career and truly understands the demands on today’s singers, and the vital role voice training plays in developing and sustaining healthy vocal production.

This is a two-part episode, and in this Part 1 episode, Chris is going to address myths around the role of a singing teacher versus a vocal coach, tension, placement, and the role of the breath in the hierarchy of singing. It is a fascinating and informative episode, and Part 2 will be released in three weeks.

 This episode is proudly sponsored by The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute, offering comprehensive training for singing teachers and voice specialists. Dive deeper into the science and art of voice pedagogy with their unique programs. Visit www.ccminstitute.com to learn more.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Sponsored Ad: The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute
• 03:00 - Navigating the Sea of Misinformation in Voice Teaching
• 06:22 - Myth 1: Singing Teacher vs. Vocal Coach – Understanding the Difference
• 10:19 - Myth 2: The Role and Reality of Tension in Singing
• 17:10 - The Evolution of Musical Styles and Singers’ Adaptations
• 23:26 - Myth 3: Is Shouting Really Unhealthy for Singers?
• 28:57 - Debunking Vocal Myths: Breathiness and Whispering in Singing
• 34:29 - Myth 4: Does Singing Truly Start with the Breath?

Find Chris Johnson Online

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/159.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

This week on "A Voice and Beyond," we're thrilled to introduce our inspiring guest, Veronica Karaman who wears many hats as the founder of True Champion Coaching, a performance coach, speaker, and author of "The Champion’s Way." Not only is Veronica a seasoned professional golfer, having competed in the US Open and achieved the title of TN Senior Women's Open Champion, but she also firmly believes that each one of us harbours a champion within us. Over the past four decades, Veronica has dedicated herself to helping others unlock their full potential and perform at their best.

In today’s episode, Veronica shares invaluable insights on overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way of our success. She emphasizes that whether we're singing or swinging a golf club, there is a champion residing within us. I love Veronica’s perspective that the only difference between singing and swinging is the "w" in between, and that singing and golf have much more in common than we realize.

According to Veronica, true greatness emanates from embracing our whole selves, and understanding that our worth is more than trophies or performance outcomes. True victory lies in the freedom to embrace both success and failure, recognizing that our value isn't based on our achievements. It demands superior passion and focus.

Veronica describes her 12-week coaching program, offering insights into her strategies for empowering individuals to silence their inner critic and unleash their inner champion. She emphasizes the importance of finding one's authentic voice and pursuing one's dreams with unwavering determination, regardless of the challenges encountered along the way.

This is a beautiful and inspiring interview with Veronica Karaman, one that I’m sure will unleash the champion within you.

 This episode is proudly sponsored by The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute, offering comprehensive training for singing teachers and voice specialists. Dive deeper into the science and art of voice pedagogy with their unique programs. Visit www.ccminstitute.com to learn more.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Sponsored Ad: The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute
• 01:49 - Introduction to Today's Episode
• 06:10 - Welcoming Veronica Karaman
• 11:07 - Veronica's Journey in Golf and Coaching
• 20:45 - The True Traits of a Champion
• 33:42 - Developing the Champion Mindset
• 47:20 - Exploring the Champion Zones

Find Veronica Karaman Online

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/158.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

In a world where productivity is often equated with completing tasks on a to-do list, it's crucial to redefine what true productivity means. Productivity isn't just about ticking off items; it's about efficiently achieving desired outcomes. It's measured not only by the quantity of work completed but also by its quality and the effectiveness of achieving goals within a given timeframe.

Some may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be productive, while others excel effortlessly in all aspects of life. Time management plays a pivotal role in productivity and success across personal and professional spheres. Effective time management brings order, control, and reduces stress, ultimately enhancing our overall sense of well-being.

Considering time as a finite resource, it's essential to distinguish between spending and investing it. Unlike spending, which yields no future value, investing time in meaningful pursuits creates long-term benefits. Shockingly, the average person spends significant portions of their life pursuing meaningless activities, leaving only a fraction of time for personal growth and fulfilment.

To maximize the limited time available, it's important to invest it wisely. This involves adopting effective time management strategies to prioritize essential tasks and activities aligned with personal goals. By doing so, we can create the life we desire and make the most of our time. Throughout this episode, five key time management skills, tips, tricks, and hacks will be shared to empower you to invest your time wisely so you too can achieve your dreams and aspirations.

This episode is proudly sponsored by The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute, offering comprehensive training for singing teachers and voice specialists. Dive deeper into the science and art of voice pedagogy with their unique programs. Visit www.ccminstitute.com to learn more.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Sponsored Ad: The CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute
• 02:54 - The True Essence of Productivity
• 09:12 - Investing Time Wisely
• 10:27 - Energy vs. Time Management
• 21:56 - Handling Time Bullies and Self-Care
• 27:37 - Maximizing Gap Time
• 32:37 - Removing Distractions for Better Focus

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/157.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

This week on A Voice and Beyond, I am very excited to introduce this week’s very special guest, Jeannette LoVetri, who, by the way, needs little introduction as she is one of the most recognised and highly acclaimed voice teachers from around the world. Jeanie is my CCM inspiration, and I wanted to honour her and the work that she continues to do, not only in sharing her knowledge and skills in the CCM sector but also in legitimising CCM from a pedagogical standpoint in our teaching community. Jeanie is a true pioneer, and her success has come about because of her remarkable resilience, curiosity for learning, and sheer tenacity. Jeanie has certainly paved the way for the rest of us who teach singers across the broad range of CCM styles, so we too can be respected and acknowledged alongside our classical colleagues for the work that we do in the singing voice field.

This episode is a recap of sections of a two-part interview I did with Jeanie in 2022, and I wanted to replay this interview as I feel it is important right now, more than ever, to be advocating for the training of CCM singers. Let’s create a movement and see if we can create change in academic music programs to accommodate singers who want to pursue a career in the CCM music market. To listen to the full interview, please refer to episodes 66 and 67.


In this Episode

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:35 - Jeannette LoVetri's Introduction and CCM Advocacy
• 24:46 - Reflecting on Personal Experience and Vocal Health
• 33:33 - A Transformative Gala Performance
• 45:56 - Expanding the Teaching Program and Faculty
• 52:37 - The Importance of Somatic Awareness in Singing
• 1:06:39 - Upcoming Plans and Reflections on Legacy

Find Jeannette Online

• Website
• Instagram

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/156.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

This week on A Voice and Beyond our very special guest is Cristina Ramirez, a serial entrepreneur who brings her empowerment curricula to audiences everywhere across the United States. Her programs have been implemented across 41 states to over 10,000 individuals, ranging from children to executives. A veteran of Wall Street and Silicon Valley, Cristina is an award-winning coach, the best-selling author of the book Empowered by Discomfort, an Ironman triathlete, and a US Snowboard National Silver Medalist.

Cristina begins by talking about her own personal battles and the journey that ultimately led her to create her brilliant coaching program, which focuses on discomfort as a pathway to confidence. Cristina believes that our words serve as the expression of our inner dialogue, and the stories we consistently tell ourselves become our beliefs, acting as gatekeepers to our actions. She tells us that by recognizing and acknowledging our fears, we can ultimately control our thoughts and responses to life's challenges, leading us to an empowered life. Cristina explains to us that in life, progress often demands incremental steps forward, emphasizing that we should honor and acknowledge each stage of our journeys, rather than fixate on future achievements for happiness.

Christina shares many of the coaching strategies she uses with her clients to help them overcome the various obstacles that are standing in their way of success and how they can be applied to performing artists whose limiting beliefs are holding them back in their careers. This is truly a beautiful and uplifting interview with Cristina Ramirez, one that I learned so much from, and I’m sure you will too.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Introduction and Overview
• 02:35 - Cristina Ramirez: From Wall Street to Empowerment Coach
• 07:07 - Battling Inner Demons and The Path to Recovery
• 17:20 - Empowerment Strategies and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
• 46:03 - Redefining Success and Navigating Life's Challenges
• 57:42 - Embracing Discomfort for Empowerment

Find Cristina Online

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/155.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

This week on A Voice and Beyond, we discuss the impact of mental fatigue and how it significantly impairs cognitive function, decision-making abilities, and overall success. Mental fatigue has been proven to reduce concentration, productivity, and problem-solving skills while disrupting emotional regulation and increasing stress levels. Furthermore, chronic mental fatigue can lead to burnout, threatening your ability to attain long-term goals and live in a state of well-being. Contributing factors to mental fatigue can include poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and cognitive overload from multitasking and simply asking your brain to take on too much throughout the day.

In this episode, we help you identify its causes and share four lifestyle modifications you can make to combat mental fatigue, such as reducing screen time, prioritizing sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet. These adjustments can improve memory, productivity, and creativity while reducing stress and promoting emotional balance. Managing mental energy through rest, stress reduction and mindfulness is essential for sustained success and fulfillment. By removing unnecessary tasks and responsibilities, individuals can mitigate mental fatigue and optimize their chances of success. It's imperative to prioritize self-care and adopt strategies to preserve mental energy for your long-term health, well-being, and fulfillment. If you’ve been finding it difficult to focus, be productive, and ignite your creativity, passion, and purpose in your day, perhaps it is time to check in and see if you may be suffering from mental fatigue.

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:30 - Identifying Mental Fatigue
• 08:30 - Fuelling the Brain with Nutrition
• 15:48 - Eliminating Decision Fatigue
• 21:55 - Avoiding Morning Technology Overload
• 26:38 - Prioritising Sleep
• 32:49 - Summary and Action Plan

Find Me Online

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook 
• LinkedIn

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/154.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

Our guest this week on A Voice and Beyond is Giji Dennard, whose journey began with the pivotal moment of meeting her father for the very first time at the age of 17. This encounter sparked a lifelong passion for understanding and fostering healthy father-child relationships, which have become her professional signature.

Giji's speaking prowess first ignited in high school, where she clinched the state championship in oratory, and since then she has dedicated more than five decades to engaging and inspiring audiences with her captivating narratives, candidness, and empathy. With a multifaceted career spanning over three decades, Giji has gained insight into the many aspects of the human experience. Her professional career has included leading roles in multinational corporations and training thousands of professionals over the last 20 years. Giji is also the author of four acclaimed books.

In today’s show, Giji's conversation with me explores topics around healing father-child relationships, unleashing personal and professional greatness, forgiveness, and the pursuit of passion. This is a beautiful and inspirational interview with Giji Dennard.

Find Giji Online

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

In this Episode

• 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 06:48 - Giji's Professional Journey and Passion
• 13:01 - Meeting Her Father and Relationship Dynamics
• 21:13 - Inspiration for "Hungry for Wholeness" and Healing
• 34:19 - The Three R's of Healing and Forgiveness
• 51:57 - Learning to Receive and Exploring Identity
• 1:08:07 - Conclusion and Final Insights

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/153.

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

Follow me on Instagram.

Over the past few weeks, I have been on a teaching tour in the USA, where I have been working predominantly with classical singers and teachers who want to learn more about contemporary commercial music styles. The feedback was overwhelming, and many of the singers expressed they had a deep desire to sing this music, but there was limited opportunity in higher education. Many of the teachers were surprised to learn that many of our philosophies and approaches aligned, but it is just that our teaching is geared towards creating a different aesthetic. I was extremely grateful and humbled by all the positive feedback. I believe it is time for higher education to embrace this music and there needs to be a hierarchical change for this to happen. My trip has inspired to replay segments of a former interview with Matt Edwards and Jacqulyn Zito-Edwards, this week on A Voice and Beyond.

Matt and Jacqulyn have been working together on some ongoing research into the roots of the academic bias against popular music. You can go back and listen to episodes #99 and #101 for a full recap.

Jacqulyn is an adjunct assistant professor of voice for the musical theatre program at Shenandoah Conservatory and serves on faculty at the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute. Matt has been working at Shenandoah University since 2010 as an Associate Professor, within the Voice and Musical Theatre departments. He is also the Coordinator of Musical Theatre Voice and Artistic Director of CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute. In this fascinating episode, Matt and Jacqulyn delve deeply into the history of the classism and racism that has perpetuated the status quo in the training of CCM singers. I will let this interview speak for itself.

In this Episode

02:35 - Introduction to Contemporary Commercial Music in Voice Training
05:36 - Historical Bias Against Popular Music in Academia
13:15- Exploring the Roots of Academic Bias
22:37 - Impact of Historical Racism and Classism on Music Education
32:10 - The Need for Inclusivity in Music Education Today
41:20 - Personal Experiences with Resistance in Academia
52:15 - Moving Forward: Strategies for Inclusive Voice Training

Find Matt Online

• Website
• Facebook

Find Jacqulyn Online

• Website

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/152.

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

Follow me on Instagram.