The Building Doors Podcast

What does it really take to build a sustainable, fulfilling career as a creative?

In this episode, Christy sits down with Tanya D. Jones, founder of Mama Bear Media Group, certified professional coach, and creator of Your Life Coached, to talk about the mindset shifts creatives need to move beyond the starving artist narrative.

With over 20 years producing for major networks like Food Network, Magnolia Network, and A&E, Tanya shares how her career in storytelling evolved into helping others rewrite their own. The conversation explores self-worth, pitching with confidence, and what it looks like to balance creativity with sustainability.

They also discuss Tanya’s new live coaching series, Back to One, an intimate space for women in media navigating career shifts, uncertainty, and reinvention.

If you are ready to think bigger about your creative career and own your value, this conversation is for you.

Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

Website: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com/

Marney Gellner has spent over 20 years shaping the sound of Minnesota sports. From sideline reporting to hosting and play-by-play, she’s built a career defined by versatility, credibility, and a love of the game.

In 2018, Marney made history as the first woman to call play-by-play for the Timberwolves, and in 2024, she did it again for the Twins, breaking barriers while staying focused on the craft. She also shares her voice on KFAN’s Power Trip Morning Show and balances her career with family life as a proud mom of two.

In this episode, we dive into Marney’s journey in a male-dominated industry, what it takes to earn trust in the booth, and her advice for anyone looking to build a career in sports broadcasting,without making gender the story.

Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

Website: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com/

Connect with Marney:

Marney’s Website: https://www.marneygellner.com/

Marney on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-marciano-059248197/

Marney on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/marneygellner/

On this episode of Building Doors, we talk with Peter Marciano, actor, director, teacher, and voice expert, about a fascinating experiment he ran with his acting students. In a bold classroom exercise, the men were not allowed to speak, giving the women the space to carry the entire class. Peter shares what he learned about voice, power, and presence, and how this exercise revealed surprising truths about gender, communication, and performance.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

On this episode of the BD Podcast, Darren “Robbo” Robertson brings his 35+ years of audio engineering experience to the mic, sharing how he’s helped shape the sound of some of Australia’s biggest brands. He opens up about what he’s witnessed in terms of women voicing for male-dominated industries and why true gender equity in VO still has a long road ahead. Robbo also brings his signature warmth and humor, including a fun detour into the wild world of Australia’s famously massive insects. It’s an honest, fascinating conversation with one of the industry’s most supportive allies.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

Follow Robbo on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/voodoorobbo

VooDoo Sound

voodoosound.com.au

instagram.com/soundslikevoodoo

linkedin.com/company/voodoo-sound

On this episode of the BD Podcast, Lori Zoss — founder of Growth Owl — shares fresh perspectives on outreach that put strategy first, not scripts. She explains why understanding the company, its priorities, and its decision-making structure matters more than crafting the “perfect” email. Lori breaks down how small business owners — especially women — can approach potential clients with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

Follow Lori on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/lorizoss

lorizossbooks.com

thegrowthowl.com

On this episode, Tiffany Greene shares her inspiring journey to becoming the first Black female commentator for a college football game. She opens up about the hard work, faith, and determination that fueled her rise to ESPN, offering listeners an honest look at the challenges and triumphs behind the scenes of a groundbreaking career.

Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

Website: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com/

LinkedIn Tiffany Greene

TIFFANY GREEN MEDIA KIT WITH PHOTOS

Get ready to meet DJ Lily Jade, a 11-year-old Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, DJ, author, and radio host who is already changing the game. In this episode of Building Doors, Lily shares how she’s using her voice, her talent, and her courage to open doors—not just for herself, but for everyone coming up behind her.

Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

Website: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com/

DJ Lily Jade on Instagram

DJ Lily Jade website

In this episode, host Christy Harst sits down with Ally Eclarin, co-founder of Cleveland’s first women’s sports bar, The W, and co-creator of State Champs, the sports-coffee shop and streetwear brand reimagining how women’s sports show up in culture.

Ally opens up about the pushback she faced bringing these concepts to life, the community that rallied behind them, and the powerful stories she hears from patrons who finally feel seen. It’s a conversation about representation, risk-taking, and building spaces where women’s sports are not just watched, but celebrated.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

Follow Ally on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/allyssaecl

Mentioned in this episode

State Champs website

The W Sports Bar

Marketing executive Kyong Coleman unpacks the world behind the ads we hear every day. This episode explores why brands often default to male voices, the complex process behind creating a commercial, and why different industries make distinct creative choices. The conversation also touches on AI, its impact on voiceover, and strategies for voice actors to stand out in a changing landscape. Insightful and full of perspective, this episode is a deep dive into the voices shaping media.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

Connect with Kyong on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/kyong-coleman-7720764

Olympic gold medalist and Team USA flag football star Izzy Geraci joins podcast host Christy Harst to talk about carving out space for women in a sport that’s breaking barriers and gaining momentum. From balancing life as a pro athlete to handling online critics and inspiring the next generation of girls in flag football, Izzy brings honesty, humor, and heart to this powerful conversation about grit, growth, and what it really means to build space.

Support the podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/buildingdoorsvo

Connect with Building Doors:

instagram.com/buildingdoorsvo

linkedin.com/company/buildingdoorsvo

buildingdoorsvo.com

Follow Izzy on Instagram

instagram.com/izzygeraci7

instagram.com/usafootbal

instagram.com/underarmour

instagram.com/gamebreakerhg

instagram.com/xendurance