Out of the Voicebox

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Aaron Schumacher, a seasoned performer, entrepreneur, and the founder of VocalMist. While managing the demands of constant travel and performance, Aaron saw the need for a solution to maintain vocal health on the go. This led him to create VocalMist, a portable nebulizer that uses isotonic saline to hydrate the vocal folds, becoming a trusted tool for singers, public speakers, and those with respiratory conditions. Tune in to hear the story behind the creation of VocalMist and learn how Aaron navigated the challenges of building a business in the health and wellness tech space.

On today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Emily Kimball, an Assistant Professor in Hearing and Speech Sciences in the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson center, where she investigates the molecular and cellular properties of the vocal folds as the Director of the Voice Biology Lab, as well as teaches the Masters level course in Voice Disorders. Dr. Kimball has a unique background having received an undergraduate degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology from the University of Arizona, and completed her Masters in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Utah. Following her Masters, she completed her PhD at Vanderbilt University, where she investigated the phonotraumatic damage associated with acute voice use in a rabbit model before completing her clinical fellowship in speech pathology at the Vanderbilt Voice Center. Tune in to hear more about the ins and outs of vocal fold tissue healing and how Dr. Kimball is working to bridge the gap between research findings in the lab and clinical practice!

On today's episode, we are joined by Dr. David Lott, a second time guest and fellowship trained laryngologist. As the director of the center for regenerative medicine at Mayo Clinic Arizona, he has gained national attention recently for completing the third laryngeal transplant in the US and the first in someone with active cancer. We have had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Lott during the preparation stages of this journey and are excited to share his story now that his vision has come to fruition. Enjoy!

On today's episode, we are joined by Marty Kedian, a pioneering recipient of a groundbreaking laryngeal transplant, completed in February 2024 at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. His successful transplant has been a beacon of hope for many suffering from similar conditions, gaining national attention and marking a significant milestone in medical history as the third successful total laryngeal transplant in the U.S. and the first to be performed on a patient with active cancer. Tune in to hear Marty's side of the story.

On today’s episode, we are joined by Courtney Lin, an accomplished voiceover actor who has been able to meow, scream, giggle, and KYAH! her way into various video games, anime, commercials, and animated TV shows. Her voiceover credits include Monster High, The Casagrandes, Teenage Euthanasia, Black Rock Shooter Dawn, Romantic Killer, Dislyte, Smite, Fire Emblem Heroes, American Girl Doll Corinne Tan, LOL Surprise Dolls, Rainbow High, Project Triangle Strategy, CookieRun Kingdom, & Diablo 4. Tune in to hear more about her personal journey, industry tips, impressive impressions, and overall advice for those interested in entering the world of voiceover.

Welcome to the Voice Nerd Minute! Join us while your hosts (Sara & Nathaniel) discuss a variety of laryngeally-adjacent topics. Today, we chat about our perspective on the clinical fellowship process - how best to prepare, what we look for in applications, and other tips and tricks. We hope you enjoy!

On today's episode, we are joined by Sharon Frank MA, CCC-SLP, the founder and director of Speech and Voice Therapy Center where she specializes in voice and upper airway disorders. Sharon has been on the forefront of treatment for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and has developed a holistic approach to treating this disorder, known as the PIE approach. Tune in to learn what PIE stands for, about Buteyko breathing, and the ins and outs of assessment and treatment of upper airway dyspnea.

This episode features Anthony B. Law, MD PhD. Now at the Emory Voice Center in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Law has spent decades developing his unique approach to Laryngology. He is a revered expert in applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence. He is also a fierce advocate for healthcare accessibility. This episode offers a glimpse into the technologies that make machine learning so unique and the humans behind it, steering it into a productive and safe future. Tune in to hear how he and his lab is working feverishly to develop and release several technologies to make expert level care available to all medical systems across the spectrum of specialty.

This episode features Laurie Slovarp, PhD CCC-SLP. Hailing from the University of Montana health system, Dr. Slovarp has spent much of her career innovating new treatments for chronic refractory cough. This episode offers a robust, yet concise, review of chronic refractory cough and the role of the speech language pathologist. Dr. Slovarp also explains the clinical utility of using capsaicin for desensitizing a hyperactive cough response.

This episode features David G. Lott, MD. Dr. Lott is a fellowship-trained laryngologist and department chair at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to his clinical responsibilities he also directs the Center for Regenerative Medicine where he leads the Head and Neck Regenerative Medicine Laboratory. This translational lab, specifically designed for bench work innovation, has been working on methods of restoring voice, breathing, and swallowing. Dr. Lott has been a steady force in continuing the work of his predecessors and pioneering the functional benefit of laryngeal transplantation and regeneration for restoration of voice and swallow.