Join John Colapinto, author of 'This Is the Voice,' as he unpacks the intricate world of the human voice. Discover how our voices develop from infancy, what draws us to certain vocal traits, and the cultural significance of accents. John dives into modern vocal trends like vocal fry and uptalk while emphasizing the emotional weight carried by our voices. He also discusses the degradation of voice with age and encourages embracing its unique qualities. It’s a captivating exploration of identity through sound!
57:38
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Colapinto's Vocal Journey
John Colapinto, author of "This Is the Voice," damaged his vocal cords while singing in a rock band.
This injury led him to explore the complexities of the human voice, resulting in his book.
insights INSIGHT
The Complexity of Voice
The human voice is a complex system involving multiple organs, not a single vocal organ.
It combines physiological processes with cognitive functions, controlled by the brain.
insights INSIGHT
Why Humans Can Speak
Humans' descended larynx allows for a wider range of vowel sounds, which is crucial for complex language.
Chimps lack this crucial resonating chamber so they can't speak like humans.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'This Is the Voice', John Colapinto delves into the miracle of the human voice, from its origins in ancient species to its role in modern communication. He explores how the voice is used by individuals like Pavarotti, Martin Luther King Jr., and Beyoncé, and examines its ability to convey emotions, identity, and more. The book also discusses the voice's role in various contexts, including professional settings and political campaigns.
Unless you're a complete recluse, you probably use your voice many times a day, whether talking to your spouse, chatting with co-workers, or singing along to music in the car. Yet, you've probably never thought all that much about something that's literally happening right under your nose.
My guest today says that once you do start thinking about your voice, it reveals fascinating secrets to who you are. His name is John Colapinto and he's the author of This Is the Voice. John and I begin our conversation with what exactly the voice is, how the voice develops in babies, why men and women speak in lower and higher voices, and what each sex finds attractive in the voice of the other. We then discuss why people develop accents, and how these accents set boundaries as to who is in and who is out of a group. We dig into the modern phenomena of vocal fry and uptalk, and how, when you end everything in a question, it can sound like you're a submissive supplicant. We get into how singing makes us feel super vulnerable, and why modern pop music can sound soulless when its inherent imperfections are stripped out. We end our conversation with the way our voices degrade as we age, and John's call to own and use your voice.
The Art of Manliness 