Idiosyncratic Fables

What happens when a successful electrical engineer walks away from circuit boards and business ownership to chase a passion for storytelling? You get one of the most versatile and compelling voices in audiobooks today. In this episode, I sit down with award-winning, SOVAS-nominated SAG-AFTRA narrator Gary Bennett. With over 270 audiobooks narrated for major publishers including Blackstone, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and more, Gary has brought to life spies, wizards, vampires, trolls, conflicted heroes, and villains across thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and historical fiction. Gary shares his remarkable career pivot, the meticulous craft of professional narration — from prepping a book and building distinct character voices (including British, Scottish, Italian, and Eastern European accents) to protecting vocal health during marathon recording sessions. We also explore the booming audiobook industry, the impact of AI, advice for aspiring narrators, and what it really takes to succeed behind the mic. Whether you’re an audiobook lover, aspiring voice actor, or someone who appreciates inspiring second-act stories, this conversation is packed with insight, warmth, and plenty of “how does he do that?” moments. Tune in to discover how Gary Bennett went from engineering to voicing entire worlds — one character at a time.

Check out his website here: https://www.garybennettreads.com

Are you an aspiring narrator? Click here: https://www.narratorsroadmap.com

Join my Discord community here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#GaryBennett #AudiobookNarrator #VoiceActor #Audiobooks #BehindTheMic #NarrationCraft #SecondAct #CareerPivot #SOVAS #SAGAFTRA #AudiobookLovers #VoiceActing #Bookstagram #FantasyNarrator #ThrillerNarrator #PodcastInterview #Storytelling #AccentsAndVoices #AudiobookCommunity #ListenNow

Join us for an epic deep dive with Erick Thiemke, better known as AlwaysRollsAOne, the author of the hit military LitRPG series A Soldier’s Life! In this episode, Erick shares how his lifelong experience as a Dungeon Master shaped his writing, the story behind his memorable pen name, and the gritty realities of legion life in a brutal fantasy empire. We explore Eryk’s hard-earned progression, balancing LitRPG mechanics with raw character drama, worldbuilding secrets, writing speed, handling mature themes, and what it takes to succeed as an indie author in the progression fantasy space. Whether you love military isekai, realistic system stories, or just great storytelling, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. Check out A Soldier’s Life and the World Sphere series on Amazon, Royal Road, and Patreon! If you enjoy LitRPG and progression fantasy, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with your party.

Follow him on Royal Road here: https://www.royalroad.com/profile/120381

Subscribe to his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/alwaysrollsaone

Join my Discord Community here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#LitRPG #ProgressionFantasy #ASoldiersLife #AlwaysRollsAOne #Isekai #MilitaryLitRPG #FantasyBooks #IndieAuthor #LitRPGPodcast #WorldSphere #BookInterview #ProgressionFantasyBooks #RoyalRoad #FantasyLiterature

Join us for a warm and insightful conversation with veteran audiobook narrator John Hopkinson. With over 70 titles narrated, John is beloved for his rich, resonant voice that listeners describe as a “fatherly embrace of wisdom.” A devoted dad of eight and grandpa of seven, he brings heart, depth, and authenticity to every project.

In this episode, John shares his journey into narration, his preparation process inside the booth, and how he builds suspense in thrillers while delivering clarity and impact in non-fiction, biographies, and faith-based works. We explore character development, industry trends, the future of human narration in the age of AI, and what aspiring narrators and authors need to know to succeed.

Whether you’re an audiobook enthusiast, writer, or someone curious about the craft behind the voices you love, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, personal stories, and a genuine love for storytelling.

Tune in now and discover what it really takes to bring books to life through the power of voice.

Check out John's work on his website!

https://www.johnhopkinson.com

Be sure to join my Discord server here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#AudiobookNarrator #Audiobooks #Podcast #Narration #VoiceActor #AudiobookProduction #Storytelling #MysteryThriller #NonFiction #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #BehindTheMic #Fatherhood #BookLovers

Join us for an inspiring conversation with award-winning SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator Steve Campbell! With over 140 titles and 1,000+ finished hours under his belt, Steve specializes in LitRPG, Fantasy, and YA fiction. From high school performer and construction company owner to full-time narrator in just 1.5 years, Steve shares his remarkable journey, home studio secrets, character voice techniques, industry insights, and tips for aspiring narrators and authors.

Whether you’re a book lover, audiobook enthusiast, or curious about the craft behind the mic, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and actionable advice.

Listen now and discover the human voice behind your favorite adventures!

Where to find Steve:

https://www.stevecampbellsvoice.com

https://www.facebook.com/steve.campbell.1694059

https://www.instagram.com/stevecampbellvo/

https://discord.com/invite/uvkHtaNPra

Where you can find me:

https://www.narratorjames.com

https://www.instagram.com/narrator_james/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/narratorjames/

https://discord.com/invite/6JKxwNQQJc

#AudiobookNarrator #LitRPG #FantasyBooks #VoiceActor #Audiobooks #Podcast #Narration #SteveCampbell #BookTok #IndieAuthors #HomeStudio #VoiceOver #SAGAFRTA

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with award-winning voice actor, podcast host, and storyteller Cheryl Holling. From her early days in radio to creating the acclaimed podcast 19Stories: From Fear to Hope during the height of the pandemic, Cheryl has dedicated her career to the power of authentic human connection through voice.

We explore how she turned personal challenges into fuel for resilience, why the human voice remains irreplaceable in an AI-driven world, and the importance of storytelling for healing and hope. Cheryl also shares highlights from The Voice Kitchen, her unique show that blends great conversation with food and creativity, plus practical wisdom for voice actors, podcasters, and anyone navigating fear or transition.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that your voice matters — and that it’s always possible to move from fear to hope.

Tune in for warmth, wisdom, resilience, and plenty of encouragement you can carry with you long after the episode ends.

https://www.cherylholling.com

https://www.instagram.com/cherylhollingvo/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chollingvo/

https://19stories.libsyn.com

https://thevoicekitchen.libsyn.com

Join my Discord community here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#FromFearToHope #PowerOfVoice #CherylHolling #VoiceActing #PodcastInterview #19Stories #TheVoiceKitchen #HumanVoice #Resilience #Storytelling #VoiceOverLife #WomenInMedia #AuthenticVoice #PodcastGuest #HopefulConversations #WildernessFireProductions #IdiosyncraticFables

Join us for a fun, spicy conversation with Melissa Gramling — better known as Little Lissa from the popular YouTube series The Ramblin Gramling Show!

Together with narrator John Solo, Little Lissa delivers weekly recaps, hilarious banter, and candid reviews of the newest MM romance audiobook releases. In this episode, she shares how she fell in love with the genre, what makes an audiobook truly shine, her favorite (and most surprising) tropes, standout narrators, and the vibrant community that keeps her coming back for more.

Whether you’re a longtime MM romance audiobook fan or just curious about diving in, this episode is packed with honest recommendations, behind-the-scenes insights, and plenty of laughs. Discover your next 5-star listen and get the inside scoop on one of the fastest-growing corners of the romance world.

Don’t forget to check out The Ramblin Gramling Show on YouTube for weekly MM audiobook recaps with Melissa and John Solo.

https://youtu.be/EXCqz6db5pY?si=FpgqgouI3hDxKXy_

Be sure to join my Discord community too!

#MMRomance #MMRomanceAudiobooks #Audiobooks #GayRomance #LGBTQRomance #RomanceAudiobooks #LittleLissa #RamblinGramlingShow #MelissaGramling #SpicyAudiobooks #RomanceTropes #BookRecs #AudiobookRecommendations #MMBooks #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #BookTok #PodcastEpisode #RomanceCommunity

In this inspiring episode of Idiosyncratic Fables, I sit down with audiobook industry trailblazer Jocqueline Protho. As the founder of The Audio Flow, award-winning producer, director, casting director, and narrator, Jocqueline has shaped the world of audio storytelling through her dedication to quality, diversity, and mentorship.

From her roots in broadcast journalism and religious studies to building a company known for heartfelt Christian titles, children’s stories, and powerful multicast productions, Jocqueline shares her remarkable journey. We explore the creation of her imprints — Three One Six Audio and Nubian Audio — her passion for amplifying Black voices, and the lessons learned while mentoring the next generation of storytellers through programs like Youth in the Booth.

Now stepping into an exciting new chapter after her impactful run with The Audio Flow, Jocqueline reflects on the evolution of the audiobook industry, the magic of full-cast productions, casting secrets, and what the future holds for authentic storytelling.

Whether you’re an author, narrator, producer, or simply an audiobook enthusiast, this conversation is packed with wisdom, heart, and encouragement to tell your own unique stories.

Join my Discord community here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#audiobooks #audiobookproduction #NubianAudio #ThreeOneSixAudio #TheAudioFlow #BlackVoices #DiversityInPublishing #AudiobookNarrator #IndieAuthor #FullCastAudiobook #ChristianAudiobooks #Storytelling #Mentorship #Podcast #IdiosyncraticFables #AudiobookIndustry #CastingDirector #NewChapter #WildernessFireProductions

From reading books aloud to her auditory-learner father as a young girl, to producing homemade book CDs for family and friends, Sarah Kisko always had a natural gift for bringing stories to life.

The real turning point? When her own kids started turning off other audiobooks, declaring that “Mom was better.” That honest feedback gave her the push to go professional — all while homeschooling her family.

In this episode, Calgary-based audiobook narrator and voice-over artist Sarah Kisko joins us to share her incredible journey. We explore how she developed her clear, confident, and captivating voice — expressive and energetic for fiction, calm and knowledgeable for non-fiction. Sarah opens up about the craft of narration, the realities of the booming audiobook industry, balancing recording sessions with family life, and what it’s like listening to audiobooks during long walks with her two massive Great Danes, Titan and Venom, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

Whether you’re an avid audiobook listener, aspiring voice actor, or simply love stories about turning passion into profession, this conversation is full of warmth, practical insights, and inspiration.

Sarah's website: https://www.sarahkiskovo.com

Sarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahkiskovo/

Check out her own books: https://www.claireoxton.ca , https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G57Y573G

Join my Discord community here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#MomIsBetter #AudiobookNarration #VoiceActorLife #CalgaryVO #PodcastEpisode #wildernessfireproductions #idiosyncraticfables #sarahkisko 

In 2023, Evan Kidwell stood up at a leadership conference and made a public promise that terrified him: he would publish his first novel by the end of 2024. No safety net. No excuses. Today on the show, debut author Evan Kidwell (writing as E.K. Kidwell) joins us to share exactly how that scary promise became the award-winning YA fantasy Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse. Set in the breathtaking world of Mythantas, this 332-page epic follows an ordinary boy named Timeaous as he faces deadly Trials at Mythica High in a power-obsessed society that wants to break him. Think Harry Potter’s magic school colliding with the high-stakes intensity of The Hunger Games — wrapped in a heartfelt story about resilience, bullying, and finding your own kind of magic. Evan opens up about turning childhood pain into powerful fiction, the real-life leap from dreamer to published author, and what it felt like to earn a Silver Medal in the 2025 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards for Young Adult Mythology — just two years after making that bold commitment. If you’ve ever felt like your dream was too big or too late, this conversation will light a fire under you. Whether you’re 12 or 52, Evan’s journey reminds us that courage and resilience are the real superpowers. Grab your copy of Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse on Amazon today (search E.K. Kidwell). Follow Evan’s story and stay inspired — links in the show notes.

Evan's Website: https://www.timeaousspark.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan_kidwell_author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565907646755

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Timeaous-Spark-Curse-K-Kidwell-ebook/dp/B0DJGYLK35

To be a guest on the show, fill out the contact form on my website: https://www.narratorjames.com

To join my Discord community: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc

#IdiosyncraticFables #WildernessFireProductions #TimeaousSparkAndTheLuckCurse #EKKidwell #SilverMedalYA #MythantasChronicles #YAFantasyDebut #FromPromiseToPublished #AuthorInterview #ResilienceThroughFantasy