Join us for a conversation with Paul Schmidt, who's been a successful USA-based voice actor for over 25 years and has been working full-time for several of those. But Paul isn't just behind the mic - he's also a voiceover business coach, community builder, and the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan and the VO Pro Community.

We first met Paul at One Voice Dallas, where Helen nearly decorated his white dinner suit with a glass of red wine (oops!). Fortunately, he saw the funny side - and we weren't too mortified to ask him on the podcast!

In this episode, we dive deep into the business side of voiceover - the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that separate hobbyists from professionals. Paul shares hard-won insights from his quarter-century in the industry, from the business processes he couldn't live without to the conventional wisdom he completely disagrees with.

Whether you're just starting to think about the business side of VO or you're a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach, Paul's combination of practical experience and teaching expertise offers something valuable for everyone. This isn't just theory - it's real-world advice from someone who's built a thriving voiceover career whilst helping countless others do the same.

About Paul Schmidt

Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He's been full-time for the last several years and lives in beautiful Richmond, Virginia.

Paul is the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing programme designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level.

Connect with Paul

• ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

• 🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

• 📈 Work with Paul: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

• 🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

• 🎙️ Paul’s voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Upcoming Events & Resources

🎉 The Great Big Voiceover Social - Saturday 7 February 2026 in Manchester Tickets are now on sale! https://greatbigvosocial.com/tickets/

📍 Local Voiceover Social Groups Check out our website for local groups meeting around the UK: https://thevosocial.com/

📧 Join Our Newsletter Stay up to date with all things Voiceover Social: https://thevosocial.com/newsletter/

📅 Social Dates All upcoming social dates are listed at the end of the podcast episode.

The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.

The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

Join us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at building the perfect voiceover home studio recording booth with the multi-talented Emily Jardine!

We also catch up with Annette Rizzo from Equity's Audio Committee to find out what Equity have been up to lately.

When Emily moved house, she didn't just replicate her old booth setup. Instead, she embarked on a carefully planned journey to create her dream recording space. In this episode, we dive deep into every aspect of that process, from the initial planning stages through to the finished studio.

We explore why Emily decided to start from scratch rather than recreating what she already had, when she started thinking about the new booth, and the step-by-step process of bringing her booth to life. Emily generously shares the investmentinvolved (yes, actual figures!), what she's learned along the way, and what she'd do differently if she were to do it all over again.

Whether you're considering building your first home studio, upgrading your current setup, or just curious about what goes into creating a professional recording space, Emily's experience offers invaluable insights. She's refreshingly honestabout the challenges, costs, and unexpected discoveries that came with the project.

About Emily Jardine

Emily is best known to many as a coach and casting director, but did you know she's primarily a voice artist? With thousands of credits under her belt in the last 14 years, you can't switch on the TV, radio, go online or play a game these days without hearing her somewhere. Her family have becomethoroughly bored with the sound of her voice and now refer to her as 'background noise'.

Emily is represented by 45 agents around the world and has production clients spanning 26 countries. Voiceover is her first love and she's thrilled she gets to spend most of her working day in the studio. Some clients include Danone, Bentley,Pantene, WhatsApp, Eurostar, Mr Muscle, University of Cambridge and LEGO.

She was nominated for Female VO of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and in 2022 she won the One Voice Inspiration Award.

·     Meet Elizabooth here - https://www.instagram.com/p/DNoxV1bv-QE/

·     Website - https://emilyjardinevoiceovers.co.uk/

·     Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emily__jardine/

·     LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-charlotte-jardine-award-winning-english-voice-artist-and-singer-1317303b/

🎉 The Great Big VoiceoverSocial - Saturday 7 February 2026 in Manchester Tickets are now on sale!

📍 Local Voiceover Social Groups Check out our website for local groups meeting around the UK: https://thevosocial.com/

📧 Join Our Newsletter Stay up to date with all things Voiceover Social: https://thevosocial.com/newsletter/

📅 Social Dates All upcoming social dates are listed at the end of the podcast episode.

·      Website: https://www.equity.org.uk/get-involved/committees/audio-committee

·      Email: [email protected]

The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

Welcome to another episode of The Voiceover Social! We're your hosts Helen Bee and Rob Bee, and today we're diving deep into the world of audio drama production with the incredibly talented Helen Quigley.

Helen is a freelance producer making audio dramas for B7 Media with impressive credits for BBC Radio 4, including the courtroom drama Barred and the epic nine-part saga Mahabharata Now. She's currently making her directing debut with a festive-themed audio drama broadcasting on Radio 4 this Christmas Eve.

What We Explore

In this fascinating conversation, we discover Helen's journey from voiceover artist to acclaimed audio drama producer. We explore how her production experience has transformed her approach to voicing, why she chose the complex world of audiodrama over simpler voice work, and what makes a truly captivating audio drama performance.

Helen shares invaluable insights about breaking into audio drama, the qualities that make voices shine in this medium, and her thoughts on the BBC's recent decision to cut audio dramas from Radio 3. We also get her top tips for anyone lookingto work in this specialised field.

Helen's Impressive Credits

Beyond her BBC Radio 4 work, Helen has produced Theatre of the Damned (inspired by the birth of Grand Guignol in 1920s Paris), radio soap Greenborne, comic space opera Venna's Planet, and the moving family drama Harry's Home. For Audible, she created The Space Race docudrama and the psychological thriller The Effect. She was also co-producer and dialogue editor on Wondery+'s audio movie Unsinkable, featuring Brian Cox, John Malkovich and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

As a podcast producer, Helen creates business intelligence podcast Principal Navigations, edits The English Heritage Podcast, and produces Iceworld for the British Antarctic Survey. She made history producing some of the UK's first comedy podcasts for Comedy Central UK back in 2006.

Working from her garden office and recording studio in Chelmsford under her boutique production company Soundliness, Helen launched her first in-house seriesHot Flashes: Menopause Monologues in February 2025.

Connect with Helen

Helen Quigley - Soundliness

·     🌐 Website: http://soundliness.co.uk

·     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hqvoice/

·     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenquigley/

·     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HQvoice

Panic Room

This month our question is for Helen about having a photo of yourself on your website

Want to ask a question for The Panic Room?

Panic Room questions are taken from our regular FREE Ask Us Anything sessions. All the details are here… Join our next Q&A session - https://b-double-e.co.uk/events/ask-us-anything/

The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

Voice Actor Rates - with Louisa Gummer

Join us as we dive deep into one of the most confusing aspects of the voiceover industry with the brilliant Louisa Gummer - voiceover rates! If you've ever scratched your head wondering why VO pricing seems so complicated, or if you've struggled to work out what to charge for a job, this episode is absolutelyessential listening.

Louisa brings over twenty years of professional voiceover experience to our conversation, along with her unique background combining trained acting skills, a mathematics degree, and business expertise. You might recognise her warm,authoritative voice from thousands of commercials, corporates, and documentaries - or perhaps you've heard her telling Northern Line passengers where to get off on the London Underground!

What We Cover

Getting Started We kick off by learning about Louisa's unusualcombination of being a trained actor, with a mathematics degree and a background in business.

The Rate Revelation Ever wondered why voiceover rates seem so impossibly complicated? Louisa breaks down the history and reasoning behind our industry's pricing structure, explaining why that £200-for-an-hour's-workmentality is completely missing the point when it comes to broadcast commercials.

Working Out What to Charge Louisa shares her top practical tips for calculating rates, helping you understand the factors that should influence your pricing decisions beyond just the time spent in the booth.

Negotiation Know-How We tackle that dreaded phrase: "We don't have the budget." Louisa offers invaluable advice on how to handle rate negotiations whilst maintaining your professional worth.

Global Perspective How do UK voiceover rates stack up against other international markets? We explore the differences and what that means for British voice talent.

Resources and Guidance Finally, we point you towards the best places to get reliable rate guidance so you can price your work confidently.

About Louisa Gummer

Louisa is an award-winning voiceover artist with over two decades in the industry. Her work spans commercials, corporates, documentaries, video games, animation,museum guides, audio dramas, audiobooks, and even announcements from MRI scanners and airplane cockpits! Born in Essex and raised across England and Wales, her neutral British English accent and warm, intelligent delivery havemade her a sought-after voice in the industry.

Connect with Louisa

·     Louisa’s website - https://louisagummer.com/

·     Louisa’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/LouisaGummer/

·     Louisa’s Instagram - https://louisagummer.com/

The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

Join hosts Helen Bee and Rob Bee from B Double E as we sit down with the brilliant Lizzie Jobling for an inspiring and honest conversation about neurodiversity in the voiceover industry. Lizzie, a full-time voice artist for seven years and coach for five, opens up about her adult diagnoses of ADHD and autism, sharing how these experiences have shaped both her career and her approach to coaching others.

In this episode, we explore the unique strengths that neurodiversity can bring to voiceover work, discuss practical strategies for managing business challenges, and celebrate the importance of representation in our industry. Lizzie's journey from discovering her neurodivergent identity to becoming aCPD-accredited coach offers valuable insights for anyone navigating similar paths.

About Our Guest

Lizzie Jobling is a full-time voiceover artist and founder of the Voiceover Foundations course. With seven years as a full-time VO and five years as a coach, you can hear Lizzie's voice on television, radio, and even in your local supermarket. When she's not recording, she's passionate about supporting others in reaching their VO dreams.

Find Lizzie at elizabethjobling.com or follow her on Instagram @that_voice_lizzie for tips, tricks, and laughs.

Key Topics Discussed

Personal Journey & Neurodiversity

·      Lizzie's path into voiceover and how she got started

·      Her adult diagnoses of ADHD and autism, and the journey of discovery

·      The positive and challenging impacts of neurodiversity on her VO business

·      Unique strengths that ADHD and autism bring to voiceover work

Coaching & Professional Development

·      What inspired Lizzie to start offering coaching

·      Her recent CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation and its benefits

·      How neurodiversity influences her coaching approach

·      Supporting neurodiverse talent in the creative industries

Industry Insights

·      Misconceptions about neurodiversity in creative fields

·      The VO community's response to openness about autism and ADHD

·      Game-changing strategies and tools for business management

·      Advice for neurodiverse individuals considering VO careers

·      Guidance for parents of neurodiverse children interested in creative paths

Connect With Lizzie

·      Website: elizabethjobling.com

·      Instagram: @that_voice_lizzie

·      Course: Voiceover Foundations

Thank you for listening to The Voiceover Social! We're always excited to connect with our community and hear your thoughts on our episodes.

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

In This Episode:Join hosts Helen and Rob Bee as they chat with Anna Cass, the rising star who's taken the voiceover world by storm in just two years. Fresh from winning Best Newcomer at the One Voice Awards, Anna shares her inspiring journey from musical theatre performer to award-winning voice actor.

This episode is perfect for aspiring voice actors and those curious about breaking into the industry. Anna's authentic insights into the realities of starting a VO career, combined with her infectious enthusiasm for the craft, make this a must-listen for anyone on their own voiceover journey.

About Our Guest:Anna Cass is a voice actor from Hertfordshire now based in London, with a background in acting and musical theatre. Despite being relatively new to the industry, she's already made her mark by winning 'Best Newcomer of the Year' at the One Voice Awards in May 2024. When she's not behind the mic, Anna loves travelling (she's just returned from six months exploring South and Central America!), attending music festivals, and caring for her pet turtle, Squirtle.What We Covered:

• Anna's transition from musical theatre to voiceover work and what initially drew her to the industry
• The VO heroes and inspirations that shaped her approach to voice acting
• Her experience of the voiceover community and how it's welcomed newcomers
• The biggest challenges she's faced in her first two years in the business
• What winning Best Newcomer at the One Voice Awards means to her career
• Her long-term goals and where she sees herself in the next decade
• The genres and types of work that excite her most
• Her biggest learning moments and "lightbulb" realisations so far
• How she approaches skill development through coaching and practice
• The most surprising discoveries about the VO industry
• Essential advice for anyone considering a career in voiceover

• Website - https://www.annacass.uk/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annacassvoice/
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-cass-718a09b8/

How to find Anna:

• Website - https://www.annacass.uk/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annacassvoice/
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-cass-718a09b8/

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠The VO Social Website⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠VO Social Events⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠VO Social local groups⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠VO Social Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠VO Social Facebook⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠⁠

About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠⁠B Double E website⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠B Double E email list⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠B Double E events⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠B Double E blog⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠B Double E services⁠⁠

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

We've been hosting the podcast for just over 1 year (yay! And BIG thanks to everyone who listens!), but we've not really talked about what either of us actually do. So this month Rob Bee is interviewing Helen Bee about branding. Asking:

• what the hell branding is anyway
• why it's important
• why it's NOT about how you sound
• where to start when you're branding our own VO business.










For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠The VO Social Website⁠
• ⁠Join the VO Social Email List⁠
• ⁠VO Social Events⁠
• ⁠VO Social local groups⁠
• ⁠VO Social Instagram⁠
• ⁠VO Social Facebook⁠
• ⁠VO Social LinkedIn⁠




About B Double E:

Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.

• ⁠B Double E website⁠
• ⁠B Double E email list⁠
• ⁠B Double E events⁠
• ⁠B Double E blog⁠
• ⁠B Double E services⁠




Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

🎙 In This Episode:

Join Helen Bee and Rob Bee (frmo B Double E) as they sit down with the legendary Tanya Rich, one of the UK’s most experienced voiceover artists and coaches. With a career spanning four decades, Tanya has seen it all – from the golden age of voiceover to the rise of AI, from working in radio to becoming the voice of a lift, a water cooler, and an NHS campaign.

We chat about:

• 40 years in voiceover – how she started and what’s changed
• Managing the punk band ‘Discharge’ – unexpected side hustle?
• Her coaching philosophy – including the mysterious ‘breathing through your arse’ technique
• The future of VO – what’s next for the industry?

Tanya also opens up about her lesser-known disability and the challenges of working in voiceover with a hidden condition.

About Tanya Rich

With over 40 years in the industry, Tanya Rich is one of the UK’s most experienced and respected voiceover artists and coaches. From voicing major brands like Amazon, Audi, and Coca-Cola to lending her tones to TV, radio, IVR, and gaming, Tanya’s versatility has made her a go-to talent for clients worldwide. She was the first female voice used for IVR in the UK and has remained a pioneer in the industry ever since.

Her expertise extends beyond the mic—Tanya is a highly sought-after voiceover coach, having trained countless professionals through RichCraft Voice Coaching and contributed to leading institutions like Bath Spa University. She’s also shared her knowledge through workshops, conferences, and her own podcast, Tanya Talks.

Before her voiceover career took off, Tanya had a stint managing the punk band Discharge, proving that her talents aren’t just limited to the recording booth. Whether she’s voicing a high-profile commercial, coaching the next generation of talent, or discussing industry shifts, Tanya continues to shape and influence the world of voiceover with her passion, experience, and signature no-nonsense approach.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Find out more about Tanya Rich: tanyarich.co.uk

• Want top-notch voiceover training? Check out RichCraft Voice Coaching: richcraft.biz

Voicing Animations with Kate Harbour

This month Rob and Helen Bee are joined by the legendary Kate Harbour – a voice actor with more iconic credits than you can shake a script at.

You’ve heard her in Bob the Builder, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, Octonauts, The Secret Show, Chip and Potato, Go! Go! Cory Carson… Honestly, the list goes on, and if we tried to name everything, we’d be here all day. She’s also a master of radio drama (Doctor Who, Robin of Sherwood), comedy (Puckoon, The Big Ben Theory), and Netflix dubs – basically, if you’ve ever watched TV, you’ve probably heard Kate.

But she’s not just a voiceover powerhouse – she also teaches. Her Acting for Animation workshops have helped countless VOs bring characters to life, whether at top drama schools or in her own private coaching sessions. So, of course, we had to sit her down and grill her on everything:

• How did she get into animation?
• How does she build her characters?
• What makes a great animation performance?
• And crucially, how does her approach to teaching differ from everyone else’s?

It’s a properly juicy episode, full of insights, laughs, and a fair bit of geeking out over characters. Let’s get into it!

We also chat to Annette Rizzo - from Equity’s Audio Committee. She gives us the latest news on Equity's audio audit, BBC audio drama campaign, accessibility for blind/partially sighted for equity website, AI campaign and the Equity audio committee elections.

Kate Harbour’s links:

• Website - kateharbour.com 
• Acting for Animation workshop - info and booking link - https://www.kateharbour.com/a4a-book-ticket

Equity Links:

• Save Audio Drama at the BBC campaign - https://www.change.org/p/save-audio-drama-at-the-bbc

Stop AI Stealing the Show campaign - https://www.equity.org.uk/campaigns-policy/stop-ai-stealing-the-show

VO Social Links

Great Big VO Social blog -b-double-e.co.uk/the-first-great-big-vo-social-a-review/

Great Big VO Social photo gallery - greatbigvosocial.com/photo-gallery/

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Voiceover Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See which events are coming soon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.

Oh, January. The month of relentless goal-setting, family obligations, catch-ups with friends, and wondering why payday feels so far away. It’s exhausting just thinking about it, isn’t it?
This month on the podcast, we’re talking mindfulness –because honestly, who couldn’t use a bit of calm right now? We’ll guide you through a simple mindfulness practice you can do anywhere (yes, even while clutching your 5th cup of coffee) and you can download a free self-care journal, exercise and colouring page to keep your mood boosted, your stress levels low and set some gentle goals for 2025.
Ready to exhale? Let’s make this January a little less frantic and a lot more manageable.

Elroy ‘Spoonface’ Powell, also known as ‘Spoon The Voice Guy,’ or ‘Coach Spoon’,  is an award-winning voice actor, author, and mindfulness consultant with a diverse background in media and communication. His expertise in crafting compelling narratives and engaging audiences has been demonstrated across various platforms, including film, television, and video games.

Spoon’s voice work in global franchises such as Dying Light 2, where he won the One Voice Award for Best Male Voice in Gaming, Harold Halibut and Minecraft Legends showcases his ability to connect with a wide range of audiences. Film projects include Star Wars: Episode VII, Fighting With My Family, Jingle Jangle, and Pirates.His experience spans both entertainment and educational projects, focusing on impactful storytelling.

In addition to his media work, Spoon is committed to using mindfulness as a tool for personal and community development. His approach centres on reframing limiting beliefs through positive affirmations, helping individuals achieve greater self-awareness, inner peace, and productivity. This holistic methodology has proven effective in fostering resilience and promoting well-being in various settings.

Spoon’s blend of voice acting expertise, marketing knowledge, and mindfulness techniques makes him a valuable asset for projects that enhance communication, engagement, and personal growth within diverse communities.

https://spoonsvoices.com

Free Self-Care Journal & Colouring Page - https://pensight.com/x/spoonface1/self-care-journal

https://powellness.org

Voice Over Secrets - https://mybook.to/vos

Great Big Voiceover Social -  25th January 2025, at 53two, Manchester, UK - https://greatbigvosocial.com/

Tickets - https://greatbigvosocial.com/tickets/

For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Voiceover Social Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Credits:

Podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠B Double E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Theme tune by Rob Bee.

All audio production by Rob Bee.