So basically, Life happens to all Artists, whether we’re up for that or not. In some seasons, we’re left trying to figure out how our Art actually “fits in” to our Life - and how we stay Artists, despite all the different demands life can place on us.

This conv was driven by me (Em) seeing some thought-provoking chat online, re. how singers can fit in the demands of vocal practice, when the reality of life / cost of living / hiring patterns in the arts / a changing industry mean we are now WAY more likely to earn in ways OTHER than SOLELY our Art.

We dive into this topic together, and explore some ideas - both practical, and emotional / psychological - to help support us as Artists.

When Art is a vocational “calling”, we ignore that part of ourselves / our lives at our own peril…! Start to make space by coming to hang with us, today. Em x

They say "expectation is the breeding ground of resentment" - and ooh boy, in the arts there can be so many spoken/unspoken, internal/external expectations at play.

In this ep, I (Em) brought the self-reflection to the podcast - when are expectations healthy, and when do they hold us back / hurt or harm us? (Special shout out to the artists who resonate with “it’s not exactly what I expected” [for better and/or worse])

It's ultimately a compassionate and constructive deep dive into this often under-explored topic: the expectations (belonging to us, or to others) that can drive our actions, meaning, goals, and belonging - especially in the arts.

Come hang out with us for a bit, and hopefully leave feeling a little more seen / heard / less alone! Em x

(Injury / pathologies - what precisely can go wrong, and what we can do about it)

I recorded these 3 eps with Mr Declan Costello ENT in direct response to what I felt was a huge knowledge gap in our community - really robust, clear, no bullshit information about the voice.

This info is broken down into 3 episodes, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. 

An overview of the series:

Part One covers the basics (what is an ENT, how do I know when I need one, and how do I know when something is “wrong”).

In Part Two, we dive into the little obstacles that can plague us as voice users (allergies, hormones, asthma, muscle tension, grief, reflux, tonsillitis, sickness).

In Part Three of this vocal health chat, shit gets real, as we get extremely clear about what precisely can go wrong, and what we can do about it - be courageous, and empower yourself with this info, friend.

Part 3 covers:
- Outline of things that might go “wrong”.
- Discussion of causes.
- Stigma and taboo in this area.
- What to expect on a day of surgery.
- Recovery times / recovery periods.
- Continued vocal change / improvement.
- Is it the “end of” to get a challenging diagnosis?
- Vocal rest.
- Any other medications we might need to be aware of, re. voice.

These eps were recorded as part of Show Notes the podcast (my previous project). They are re-shared here with the generous permission of Mr Declan Costello (genius ENT and all-round wonderful person). These Eps have impacted more lives than I can count - and now, will hopefully impact many more.

Here’s to chats that inform, facts that empower, and to taking back control of our own voices.

Guest details:
Mr Declan Costello is a highly experienced consultant laryngologist with extensive expertise in treating all aspects of voice disorders and hoarseness – from vocal cord nodules and cysts to polyps, papilloma, vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia.

As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He is also one of the leading exponents of local anaesthetic laryngeal procedures, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with vocal fold paralysis.

He regularly runs workshops for singers and performers on voice health and anatomy.

Mr Costello studied music at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar under Christopher Robinson. He went on to study medicine at Imperial College and undertook his ENT specialist training in the Oxford region.

He was appointed as a consultant ENT surgeon (specialising in voice disorders) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in August 2010. In December 2018 his NHS practice moved to Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire.

Mr Costello runs weekly private clinics in London and NHS clinics in Wexham Park.

Disclaimer: Although I am interviewing a medical professional in this episode, this episode does not stand in for medical advice; this is conversation and opinion, only. If you are dealing with a medical concern, please seek medical advice from a medical professional, ASAP - hopefully this episode can help you feel empowered in walking into that space. 

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(Little vocal challenges / obstacles)

I recorded these 3 eps with Mr Declan Costello ENT in direct response to what I felt was a huge knowledge gap in our community - really robust, clear, no bullshit information about the voice.

This info is broken down into 3 episodes, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. 

An overview of the series:

Part One covers the basics (what is an ENT, how do I know when I need one, and how do I know when something is “wrong”).

In Part Two, we dive into the little obstacles that can plague us as voice users (allergies, hormones, asthma, muscle tension, grief, reflux, tonsillitis, sickness).

In Part Three, shit gets real, as we get extremely clear about what precisely can go wrong (injury / pathologies), and what we can do about it.

Part 2 covers the following topics, in relation to the voice:

- Allergies.
- Hormones, and cycles.
- Asthma.
- Pregnancy.
- Reflux.
- What if nothing is “wrong”?
- Muscle tension dysphonia.
- Extreme grief and emotion.
- Tonsillitis / tonsillectomy.
- Singing with sickness.
- Coughing / vomiting.
- Post-nasal drip.
- Throat-clearing.
- Steaming (why and how).
- Humidifiers.

These eps were recorded as part of Show Notes the podcast (my previous project). They are re-shared here with the generous permission of Mr Declan Costello (genius ENT and all-round wonderful person). These Eps have impacted more lives than I can count - and now, will hopefully impact many more.

Here’s to chats that inform, facts that empower, and to taking back control of our own voices.

Guest details:
Mr Declan Costello is a highly experienced consultant laryngologist with extensive expertise in treating all aspects of voice disorders and hoarseness – from vocal cord nodules and cysts to polyps, papilloma, vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia.

As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He is also one of the leading exponents of local anaesthetic laryngeal procedures, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with vocal fold paralysis.

He regularly runs workshops for singers and performers on voice health and anatomy.

Mr Costello studied music at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar under Christopher Robinson. He went on to study medicine at Imperial College and undertook his ENT specialist training in the Oxford region.

He was appointed as a consultant ENT surgeon (specialising in voice disorders) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in August 2010. In December 2018 his NHS practice moved to Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire.

Mr Costello runs weekly private clinics in London and NHS clinics in Wexham Park.

Disclaimer: Although I am interviewing a medical professional in this episode, this episode does not stand in for medical advice; this is conversation and opinion, only. If you are dealing with a medical concern, please seek medical advice from a medical professional, ASAP - hopefully this episode can help you feel empowered in walking into that space. 

Subscribe
Review
Share

(The Basics / how do I know if something is "wrong" vocally, and where do I go?)

I recorded these 3 eps with Mr Declan Costello ENT in direct response to what I felt was a huge knowledge gap in our community - really robust, clear, no bullshit information about the voice.

This info is broken down into 3 episodes, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. 

An overview of the series:

Part One covers the basics (what is an ENT, how do I know when I need one, and how do I know when something is “wrong”).

In Part Two, we dive into the little obstacles that can plague us as voice users (allergies, hormones, asthma, muscle tension, grief, reflux, tonsillitis, sickness).

In Part Three, shit gets real, as we get extremely clear about what precisely can go wrong (injury / pathologies), and what we can do about it.

Part 1 covers: 

- What is an ENT?
- What happens at an exam?
- What happens when I am “scoped”?- - Being empowered / feeling safe and supported in an ENT consult.
- Getting a second opinion.
- Processing news, and moving forwards.
- Communicating with companies.
- Getting clarity.
- How to know when something is “wrong”.
- The difference between fatigue and something being “wrong”.

These eps were recorded as part of Show Notes the podcast (my previous project). They are re-shared here with the generous permission of Mr Declan Costello (genius ENT and all-round wonderful person). These Eps have impacted more lives than I can count - and now, will hopefully impact many more.


Here’s to chats that inform, facts that empower, and to taking back control of our own voices.

Guest details:
Mr Declan Costello is a highly experienced consultant laryngologist with extensive expertise in treating all aspects of voice disorders and hoarseness – from vocal cord nodules and cysts to polyps, papilloma, vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia.

As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He is also one of the leading exponents of local anaesthetic laryngeal procedures, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with vocal fold paralysis.

He regularly runs workshops for singers and performers on voice health and anatomy.

Mr Costello studied music at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar under Christopher Robinson. He went on to study medicine at Imperial College and undertook his ENT specialist training in the Oxford region.

He was appointed as a consultant ENT surgeon (specialising in voice disorders) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in August 2010. In December 2018 his NHS practice moved to Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire.

Mr Costello runs weekly private clinics in London and NHS clinics in Wexham Park.

Disclaimer: Although I am interviewing a medical professional in this episode, this episode does not stand in for medical advice; this is conversation and opinion, only. If you are dealing with a medical concern, please seek medical advice from a medical professional, ASAP - hopefully this episode can help you feel empowered in walking into that space. 

Alternatively titled: “your art is always going to bite you on the bum…” (thanks, Mon), this ep explores the difference between transformational and transactional artistry...

“What does that mean?!” I hear you cry. Well, it has everything to do with the way we show up to / engage with our artistic practice. Spoiler alert: there's some re-thinking to be done...

So often we're stuck in a loop (and a world) that values transaction (or for lots of good, practical reasons) - but what does it mean to value both transaction, and transformation? And what role does transformation have in a sustainable, & meaningful artistic life?

Listen, to find out...! We're so happy you're here. Em x

If, like me (Em), you sometimes feel like "play" is just another thing to get right (and that you're not quite getting it right...) this ep might be for you...

Sometimes the phrase "you should play more!" is bandied about - but what does it really mean?! And how do we really do that?! And what happens when the thing you did as your fun/creative/playful "hobby" becomes your profession? What then?

Join us, for a lighthearted chat about the spirit of play and joy, and how we might cultivate it in our lives...

From a spicy-brained Super Leo with play always on the mind - enjoy...! Em x

Ever said to yourself "I'm feeling so overwhelmed"? I reckon the answer is probably "yes"...

As creatives, we're often juggling a lot / wearing 100 different hats. When we're in a state of overwhelm, it can be difficult to see a clear path forward.

Join us, as we pull apart what it really means to be "overwhelmed", and - perhaps most importantly - how we can begin to move to a more balanced and resourced state.

For all our creative peeps, juggling it all - we see you! So glad you're here. Em x

Ever felt like: to be a professional, I need to be perfect at what I do? Like: I need to earn my right to belong here?

If you've ever had a thought like that, then this ep. is for you. I (Em) bring this thought to Mon, and together we unpack what it means to be a professional at your craft, to pursue mastery, and to foster a sustainable and meaningful relationship with your artistry.

Come join us - we're so happy you're part of our meaningful community of voice users & artists. Em x

This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation with performance psychologist & opera singer, Hannah Sandison (of Sound Performance Psychology). If you haven’t yet, we recommend listening to Part 1 first - it provides the "whole person" perspective / context, for those navigating the realities of being a performer.

In this ep. (Part 2), we dive into the practical tools / science that supports sustainable high-performance. We break down the "three Ps" model (physical, psychological, physiological), explore stress responses, mindset techniques, nervous system regulation, goal setting, and more.

This chat is just a doorway into psychology for performers - but I know there will be so many lightbulb moments for you (just as there were for me)!