Mendez, an audiobook narrator, shares their journey from waiting tables to becoming the voice of Pelé. They discuss navigating accents, challenges in narration, and the intricacies of audiobook production. Mendez also reflects on their upbringing and struggles with fitting in at school, all while exploring their newfound passion for football culture.
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Quick takeaways
Chance encounters can lead to unexpected career paths, as seen in Mendez's journey from waiting tables to becoming an audiobook narrator.
Learning about football culture at work pushed Mendez to assimilate and understand the sport, shaping their identity and interactions with colleagues.
Deep dives
Exploring Personal Experiences in Religious Community Settings
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's early experiences within the Jehovah's Witness congregation, detailing the structured format of the Theocratic Ministry School. The speaker recounts the hierarchical dynamics within the congregation, the oversight by the literate school overseer, and the gender restrictions on addressing the congregation. This insight offers a glimpse into the speaker's formative years and sheds light on the challenges and expectations faced within religious community settings.
Navigating Identity Through Work and Cultural Exposure
The episode unfolds the speaker's journey at McDonald's and the exposure to football culture through colleagues, leading to a conscious effort to understand the sport to fit in. The speaker reflects on learning about football personalities, strategic discourse, and the pressure to assimilate to communal interests. The narrative explores how cultural knowledge and sports engagement became intertwined with the speaker's identity and interactions at work.
Narrating Audiobooks and Navigating Vocal Challenges
Delving into the speaker's career as an audiobook narrator, the episode discusses the challenges faced in voicing diverse characters and maintaining vocal stamina. From narrating iconic sports figures' biographies to adjusting accents and dialects, the speaker shares insights into the meticulous preparation required for recording sessions. The episode also highlights the physical and mental endurance demanded in the narration process, emphasizing the importance of vocal care and performance versatility.
The worst thing you can say to anyone who works in hospitality, Mendez writes, is ‘Maybe you’ll meet someone!’ But a chance encounter while waiting tables lead to their new niche. In this episode, Mendez reads their recent piece about the art of audiobook narration and how they became the voice of Pelé.