The Visceral Voice Podcast

When might a vocal challenge invite us to look beyond technique? In this episode of The Visceral Voice, Christine Schneider welcomes Jessica Luffey and Julia Mihalich of OpusMyo to explore the intersection of orofacial myology, tongue biomechanics, and the singing voice. Drawing on their backgrounds in singing, pedagogy, and vocology, Jessica and Julia share what led them into this work and how they consider tongue function, jaw movement, airway, and whole-body relationships when working with singers. We discuss the distinctions between structural tongue restrictions, muscular tension, and compensatory patterns—and why those distinctions matter. Our conversation also explores Julia’s graduate research on functional tongue-tie restrictions and vocal production, Jessica’s Practical Pedagogy program, and the role of motor learning and sensory input in creating change. Along the way, we consider what voice teachers can observe, when referral is appropriate, and where social media can oversimplify a complex topic. For singers and voice professionals, this episode offers thoughtful questions and a wider lens through which to understand the person behind the voice.

What does it mean when the voice feels tired, effortful, or even painful, but the physical demand may actually be relatively small?

In this episode, Christine sits down with Maurice Goodwin, CCC-SLP, for a conversation about his work, his approach to voice, and some of the questions that shape the way he works with singers and professional voice users.

They explore vocal fatigue, sensory processing, pain, and the possibility that the nervous system can sometimes produce a heightened experience of effort or strain in response to relatively ordinary vocal demands.

How do we tell the difference? And how might understanding that distinction change the way we approach a tired voice?

This episode gives listeners an introduction to Maurice and his work ahead of his upcoming live workshop with The Visceral Voice, Making Sense of the Tired Voice, on Tuesday, October 6 at 12 PM ET via Zoom.

What exactly is myofunctional therapy, and what can the tongue, breathing, swallowing, and oral function tell us about the bigger picture?

In this episode of The Visceral Voice Podcast, Christine Schneider sits down with Renata Nehme, COM, for a conversation exploring the world of orofacial myofunctional therapy.

Renata walks us through what a myofunctional therapist looks at, how she approaches oral function, and why what we see the tongue doing may not always begin with the tongue itself. They discuss tongue thrust, the maxillary bones, breathing, sleep, swallowing, oral rest posture, and the relationships between structure and function.

The conversation also explores where myofunctional therapy may intersect with dentistry, speech and voice, bodywork, and other disciplines, and why collaboration can be so valuable when we’re looking at a system as interconnected as the mouth, airway, and body.

Whether you’re a singer, voice teacher, SLP, dentist, bodyworker, movement professional, or simply curious about myofunctional therapy, this episode offers another lens through which to explore the body behind the voice.

This conversation is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical, dental, or therapeutic care.

In this episode of The Visceral Voice Podcast, Christine Schneider welcomes Dr. Alice Lam back for a conversation exploring the wide range of dental appliances and interventions available today.

From retainers, splints, and orthotics to expanders, aligners, and sleep appliances, Dr. Lam walks us through what these different tools are designed to do, how approaches may differ between practitioners, and some of the considerations that go into determining which options may be appropriate for an individual.

The conversation also moves beyond the teeth to explore relationships between the bite, jaw, palate, airway, cranium, neck, and the rest of the body. Christine and Dr. Lam discuss the value of looking at dental intervention through a broader lens and why communication and collaboration across disciplines can be so important.

This episode is not intended to recommend one appliance or approach over another, but rather to help listeners better understand the options that exist, become more informed consumers, and know what questions they may want to ask when considering dental intervention.

In this episode of The Visceral Voice Podcast, Christine sits down with tenor Jack Swanson to talk about his career as a professional singer and the story behind Vocalise™, the enzyme-based vocal wellness product he helped create.

Together, they explore the challenges of maintaining vocal health through the demands of a professional singing career, what led Jack to search for a different approach to vocal wellness, and the science and development behind Vocalise™.

We also dive into what it means to be both a performer and an entrepreneur, how Vocalise™ differs from other products on the market, and what Jack has learned about caring for his own voice along the way.

A wonderful conversation about singing, vocal health, curiosity, and innovation with an artist who understands firsthand the demands placed on the professional voice.

NEW EPISODE 🎙️
Today on The Visceral Voice Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Craig Stasio, PT, MSPT for a conversation exploring his work and the way he looks at the relationships between the body, the cranium, the airway, and the mouth.
Craig has a way of looking at the body that continually makes me think differently, and I am so excited for you to get to know him and his work through this conversation.
And this is just the beginning! On Wednesday, September 2nd at 12 PM ET, Craig will join us as a guest presenter for Reading the Ribcage Through the Palate, where he’ll take us deeper into how he uses the palate as a window into the organization of the ribcage.
This information is absolutely fascinating, and you do not want to miss this class.
🎧 Listen to the new episode today on your favorite podcast platform.
Then join us September 2nd to learn from Craig live!

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What if the challenges you are experiencing in your voice are not just physical?

In this conversation, I sit down with Mike Zhao to explore the deeper relationship between the brain, body, and voice. Mike brings a unique perspective, integrating biomechanics, clinical psychology, and neurobiology to understand how we move, respond, and express.

We talk about how emotional experiences live in the body, how the nervous system shapes movement and voice, and why focusing on technique alone often leaves singers feeling stuck. This conversation opens the door to a more complete understanding of voice work, one that includes not just structure, but state, perception, and lived experience.

If you have ever felt like you are doing everything “right” but something still is not clicking, this episode offers a different lens.

Mike Zhao has been a biomechanics specialist since 2016 and has developed an interdisciplinary clinical model that integrates contemporary psychoanalysis with advanced movement rehabilitation through the common language of neurobiology and systems theory. He is a credentialed clinician of the Postural Restoration Institute and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University.

This episode is an invitation to expand how you think about the voice, not just as something you produce, but as something that reflects your entire system.

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Respiratory training devices are becoming more common in voice and performance spaces. I do not use them in my personal or professional practice, which is why I was interested in learning more. What you see in this episode is essentially my first time working with a respiratory muscle training device in this context.

In this episode, I sit down with Katelyn Swiader, M.S.Ed. CCC SLP, a speech language pathologist with a background that bridges clinical voice work and performance. Katelyn received her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and her Bachelor of Music from George Mason University. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency through ASHA and is a member of SIG 3, focusing on voice and upper airway disorders.

Katelyn has worked across pediatric and adult populations in schools, hospitals, outpatient settings, and private practice. She is also the founder of Sound Waves VC, where she brings together her work in speech pathology, voice, and communication to support individuals in reaching their goals as speakers and performers. Alongside her clinical work, she has performed professionally, taught voice, and continues to work with individuals on developing more compelling and effective communication.

Together, we explore respiratory training devices, what they are designed to do, and how they are currently being used. This conversation offers perspective on their potential role within a broader approach to breathing and voice work.

As you listen, consider your own context. The body is not one size fits all, and tools that influence airflow and pressure require awareness of how each individual system organizes and responds.

This episode is intended to open inquiry rather than provide definitive answers. It is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and continue developing your own clinical or personal lens when working with the breath and voice.

This conversation is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Christine Schneider or The Visceral Voice.

#TheVisceralVoice #VocalHealth #BreathWork #VoiceScience #SingersHealth #Biomechanics #RespiratoryHealth #VoiceTraining #VocalResilience #SingingTechnique

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In this episode of the Visceral Voice Podcast, Christine Schneider is joined by physical therapist, educator, and Applied Integration Academy co-founder Mike Cantrell for a wide-ranging conversation on dentistry, neurology, respiration, and whole-body organization.

Together, they explore how straight teeth do not always equal a well-organized system, and how focusing on teeth alone without considering the cranium, spine, nervous system, and airway can lead to unintended consequences throughout the body.

Mike shares his professional journey, beginning with his realization that orthopedic pain is often a symptom rather than a root cause. He explains how his work led him to understand the central role of neurology and respiration in movement and healing, and ultimately to recognize the unique and often underappreciated power dentists hold in influencing whole-body function.

The conversation examines why modern faces and palates are becoming narrower, including the impact of dietary changes, reduced chewing demands, and early oral restrictions such as tethered oral tissues. Christine and Mike discuss how feeding, sucking, swallowing, and tongue function in infancy shape craniofacial development and set the stage for future airway and postural organization.

They dive deeply into orthodontics, addressing why moving teeth is always possible, but why the timing and context matter. Mike explains how aligning teeth on a crooked cranium and asymmetrical body can disrupt neurology and proprioception, often contributing to symptoms such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, TMJ dysfunction, and unresolved musculoskeletal pain long after braces are removed.

A major theme of the episode is the role of teeth as neuro proprioceptive organs. When teeth are straightened without addressing cranial and body patterns, they can falsely signal stability to the nervous system, preventing the body from adapting, rotating, and grounding efficiently. This has implications not only for movement and pain, but also for breathing, balance, and vocal function.

Christine brings the conversation into the voice, highlighting how dental work, tongue position, and occlusion directly influence airway regulation, pressure management, and sound production. Mike explains how dentists, myofunctional therapists, and body based practitioners can profoundly affect vocal efficiency by influencing neurology above and below the vocal folds.

The episode closes with a call to collaboration. Christine and Mike emphasize the need for practitioners across disciplines to communicate, build teams, and educate themselves beyond their silo. They underscore the importance of continuing to share this work through teaching, research, podcasts, and clinical care so that performers, voice professionals, and patients are supported by science informed, compassionate systems.

Topics covered include
 • The role of dentistry in neurology and whole body regulation
 • Why orthopedic pain is often a symptom rather than a cause
 • Cranial compliance, patterning, and its relationship to teeth
 • How orthodontics can impact headaches, dizziness, and posture
 • Teeth as neuro proprioceptive organs
 • The relationship between occlusion, grounding, and movement
 • Tethered oral tissues and early development
 • Airway regulation, tongue function, and voice production
 • Interdisciplinary collaboration for long term health and resilience

If this conversation resonated, consider sharing it with a colleague or leaving a review to help others find this work.

To learn more about Christine’s courses, programs and events, visit www.thevisceralvoice.com

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In this episode, I sit down in Mexico City with my dear friend and collaborator, voice teacher Maria Palomar, to talk about our shared projects: Stamina Lab and our upcoming October retreat, Stamina Within. Together, we dive into how Stamina Lab was created as a space for singers to explore movement, biomechanics, and resilience in their voices, and how it has grown into a dynamic, international event. We also share the vision behind Stamina Within, our immersive retreat in Tepoztlán, Mexico, designed to restore, recharge, and expand your connection to body, voice, and artistry. Join us for a conversation about friendship, collaboration, and the exciting opportunities ahead with The Visceral Voice and MPStudio.

María Palomar is a renowned voice teacher based in Mexico City. She incorporates full-body biomechanics into her vocal practice to help top performers in the musical theatre and pop industries unlock the full potential of their voice. Her work is transforming the way artists connect with their bodies to find freedom, strength, and authenticity in their sound.

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