The Great Voice Podcast

Building Buzz: Branding, Books, and Breakthrough

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice talent Susie Hackel, a former reading specialist who transformed her lifelong love of storytelling into a flourishing voiceover career.

After walking away from voiceover decades ago (back in the cassette demo days!), Susie restarted in 2020 with The Great Voice Company and today she’s narrated dozens of children’s audiobooks, booked indie games and animation, built steady momentum on Fiverr and the pay-to-plays, and recently signed with Stewart Talent.

Susie shares how she landed her dream children’s narration work, built a strong LinkedIn presence, and branded herself as “Bee Your Voice.” 

Then, listen in as Susan works Susie through a commercial script, uncovering the emotional journey of the spot and elevating the performance beat by beat.

 

Chapters

• 05:40 Fiverr experience and building her portfolio
• 08:23 Most successful projects and direct marketing
• 11:31 LinkedIn strategy and networking tips
• 36:03 Overcoming imposter syndrome and enjoying success

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Tanya Wade

This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM.

Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits.

Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more. 

Unlocking Voiceover Success: Insights and Techniques

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students Steven Tanner and Mike Shivley (Shy-vlee), two men stepping into voiceover from very different paths.

 

Steven shares why he sees e-learning as his starting point and how leaning into his natural Midwestern sound could open doors. Susan coaches him on one of the biggest lessons for new talent: why the microphone “eats energy” and how becoming an enhanced version of yourself can transform a read.

 

Then Susan sits down with Mike, whose career spans Navy service, direct mail sales, and years as an audio engineer in television studios and live sports. They explore the surprising connection between selling through print and selling through voice before Mike steps up to the mic with a carefully prepared Applebee’s script.

 

Listen as Susan explores script reading techniques, the importance of energy in delivery, and insights into auditions. 

 

Chapters

• 08:48 Enhancing Energy and Delivery
• 12:01 Understanding Voiceover Auditions
• 21:01 Creating a Delicious Read for Commercials
  

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Tanya Wade

This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM.

Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits.

Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more. 

Day Jobs and Audiobooks: Two Narrators at Work

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students and audiobook narrators John Bejarano and Terri Dien, two professionals building exciting audiobook careers alongside their full-time work.

 

Susan kicks things off with John Bejarano, who shares how a second try at voiceover, thanks to the support of Great Voice training and encouragement from fellow student Terri, led to multiple audiobooks now available on Audible. John talks about narrating epic sci-fi and fantasy titles, including Echoes of the Fallen World and the Smoke series, and the challenge of keeping dozens of characters consistent across long-form storytelling. Susan then coaches John through an audiobook audition, showing how raising the stakes and letting the narrator “know more than the characters” can add depth, drama, and intrigue.

 

Next, Susan sits down with instructional designer, chef instructor, and audiobook narrator Terri Dien. Terri shares how earning her Home Studio Masterclass certification gave her the confidence to jump into ACX auditions and how just seven auditions in, she landed her first two audiobook offers. With eight audiobooks completed and a ninth in progress, Terri discusses workflow, momentum, and why audiobook narration fits naturally with teaching and storytelling.

 

Listen as Susan helps elevate audiobook auditions with stronger intention and higher stakes and hear how John and Terri are building fulfilling voiceover careers one book at a time. 

 

Chapters

• 06:04 Balancing Voiceover with a Day Job
• 11:46 Character Development and Storytelling
• 14:57 Raising the Stakes
• 30:01 Workflow in Audiobook Narration
• 39:00 Advice for New Audiobook Narrators

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Tanya Wade

This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM.

Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits.

Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more. 

Mind, Medicine, and the Mic:Two Powerful Paths to the Mic

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students Rebecca Cherry and Tanya Wade. 

 

Rebecca Cherry, MD is a pediatric gastroenterologist with a fascinating specialty: using clinical hypnosis to help patients of all ages manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Rebecca shares how the power of the voice can literally change the way the nervous system responds by helping people learn, heal, and self-regulate more effectively. A lifelong lover of reading aloud and learning, she’s exploring voiceover as a fun, flexible sideline that fits beautifully alongside her medical practice.

 

Tanya Wade wears many hats: senior director of clinical operations at a community mental health center in Chicago, practicing therapist, and voiceover artist for Season 3 of The Great Voice Podcast show opener. With roots in acting, spoken word, and a lifelong love of voices, Tanya found her way back to performance through voiceover. She shares her powerful personal journey, including meeting her biological mother for the first time and discovering a shared vocal connection, and how creativity and voiceover have become an essential outlet alongside her meaningful work in mental health.

 

Listen in as Susan gives performance techniques for medical narration, audiobooks, and the nuances of commercial voiceover work. 

Chapters

• 08:02 The Intersection of Medicine and Voiceover
• 11:50 Voiceover Performance: Medical Narration
• 22:07 Exploring Audiobook Narration
• 32:45 Bringing energy to Commercials
• 41:10 Learning to Act for Commercials

From Performance Skills to the Right Setup

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice student Don Bly and Full Compass representative and voice artist Nick Marzock. 

Susan kicks off the episode with Great Voice Community member Don Bly. Don shares his journey from radio and a 30-year career in online retail to discovering voiceover through a simple Facebook ad. He talks about the wholehearted support of his wife that helped him take the leap. Then, Susan gives a coaching session enhancing Don’s read of a corporate script. 

Next up, Susan sits down with musician, producer, voiceover artist, and Full Compass rep Nick Marzock for a fun and incredibly useful conversation. They dive into the exciting new partnership between The Great Voice Company and Full Compass—bringing students and listeners top-tier voiceover gear, unbeatable pricing, and truly standout customer service. Nick makes the tech feel easy, breaking down how different mics work and why a good USB mic can absolutely deliver broadcast-quality sound. He and Susan trade stories, studio wisdom, and real-world tips that every voice talent can put to work right away.

Listen as Susan helps Don build character, intention, and shows how specificity can transform a good read into a great one. And learn about Full Compass, the new partnership with Great Voice, and what that means for you!

Chapters 

• 03:27 Script Coaching Session
• 10:13 Conversational Techniques
• 21:41 Partnership with Full Compass Sound
• 23:33 Home Studio Setup Tips

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Tanya Wade

This episode is sponsored by Full Compass and Less Annoying CRM.

Great Voice and Full Compass have partnered to provide great quality equipment at the best prices. Visit GreatVoiceGear.com to see Great Voice Company exclusive kits.

Take advantage of an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast Listeners on a CRM designed for voiceover businesses. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm to learn more. 

Music, Science, and the Art of Voiceover

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students Stan Read and Morrie Barembaum.

 

Stan Read is a seasoned performer with deep roots in music, including time as a backup singer for Harry Belafonte! These days, he’s adding to his entertainment portfolio with voiceovers. He even developed a passion project: writing and voicing heartfelt letters to his grandson. In his coaching session with Susan, Stan works on energy, clarity, and connection, discovering how personal storytelling can bring any script to life.

 

Morrie Barembaum has spent over 30 years teaching astronomy and physics to high school and college students. (He’ll even explain why Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet!) Now approaching retirement, Morrie is turning his love of teaching into a second act in voiceover, with a special interest in eLearning narration. In this episode, Susan works with Morrie on understanding audience and context, helping him translate his classroom skills into engaging voiceover delivery.

 

Listen as Susan helps Stan energize his reads with warmth and personality and guides Morrie in shaping his natural teaching voice for eLearning and beyond.

 

Chapters

• 01:01 Stan Reed's Entertainment Journey
• 18:25 Enhancing Voiceover Performance
• 30:08 Morrie Barembaum Talks Astronomy to Voiceover

Cameras, Clay, Audiobooks! Creative Journeys to the Mic

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students Randy Boyum and Kathy Bruins.

Randy Boyum has spent over 35 years in corporate video production as a production manager and behind the lens as a camera operator for live events. Along the way, he launched a second creative outlet in clay animation. Now, he’s inspired to do voiceover work and maybe even narrate his own book!

Kathy Bruins is an award-winning writer and publisher who helps creatives take the next step through her coaching and teaching. She also founded The Well Publishers in Southwest Michigan. Originally drawn to voiceover for audiobooks, Kathy’s Great Voice training opened her eyes to even more possibilities!

Listen as Susan works with Randy on pacing, breath control, and connecting his storytelling to voiceover and to Kathy as she explores character development and powerful audiobook narration.

Chapters

• 03:10 Randy Boyum’s talks about  Clay Animation
• 14:41 Learning Breath Control and Recording Tips
• 20:31 Kathy Bruins talks about Publishing and Audiobooks
• 23:27 Susan Teaches Narration Techniques and Character Development

 

The Financier, the Judge and the Mic

The Great Voice podcast is a valuable way for you to grow your voice over performance skills by listening in as voice over expert Susan Berkley coaches members of the The Great Voice community. 

You’ll come away from each episode with actionable tips and techniques to use in all your auditions and recording sessions. 

It’s like having a free voice over training library on your smart phone to enjoy anywhere you go!

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Great Voice students George Rodman and Marquis Jones.

George Rodman spent over 40 years in the financial industry, retiring in 2022 as Director of Broker Dealer Services for a major FinTech firm. Now, George has a second act in voiceover.

In this episode, George shares how he transitioned from finance to the mic, what he's learned along the way, and about  a legendary cold call that landed him a multi-million-dollar client (yes, really!). 

Listen as  Susan helps George bring an audio drama character to life that plays to his strengths: age, presence, and that signature gravel in his voice. 

Marquis (pron. Mar-KEE) Jones has lived a remarkable life—military veteran, judge, and now, voice actor. After over a decade in the U.S. Air Force and a prestigious legal career, including time on the New Jersey family court bench, Marquis is embracing a new kind of service: storytelling through voiceover. He shares what inspired his creative shift, how voiceover and therapeutic learning have helped him grow. Plus, how Therapy for the World, a weekly class rooted in the teachings of renowned Brazilian psychoanalyst Dr. Norberto Keppe with Susan Berkley, has been transformational for both his craft and his personal life.

Listen as Susan helps Marquis transform a corporate script into a personal conversation, unlocking the voice of a friendly hardware guy talking to his buddy Frank.

Chapters

• 05:27 George Rodman Talks Jobs and Learning Experiences
• 21:25 Using Sales Techniques in Voiceover
• 27:26 Creating a Unique Character in Audio Drama
• 47:05 Marquis Learns how to be relatable in a Corporate Script

 

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Daron Macke

This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for Great Voice Podcast listeners.

You can find George at https://georgethevoice.com/ 

Learn more about Therapy for the World by emailing: support@greatvoice.com.