The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

My guest tonight is the owner of Mosaic Audio, Amy Rubinate! Amy describes the path she took that led her from being a cabaret singer, to voicing children's toys, to narrating audiobooks. Amy also tells me how the pandemic has changed the way that Mosaic Audio does business, and how important it is to have a generosity of spirit in the audiobook world. All this and much more over some hot water and a rum Negroni! You can find Mosaic Audio at https://www.mosaicaudio.com. This week's Audiobook Speakeasy episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://squeakycheeseproductions.com. This week's episode is also brought to you by David Stever's Raven Rain, narrated by Bill Lord: https://www.audible.com/pd/Raven-Rain-A-Johnny-Delarosa-Thriller-Audiobook/B08NN8SB2B.

My guest tonight is the CEO of Modern Bar Cart, Eric Kozlik! For the first time tonight, I focus on the "speakeasy" aspect of the Audiobook Speakeasy. Eric Kozlik is a writer and a poet who ended up finding his way into the spirits world and founded Modern Bar Cart, a company whose mission is, "...to make great cocktails available to everyone." Eric and I talk about his education in writing and poetry, and how a roommate's "science experiment" turned into a new career. And although we only touch on audiobooks briefly, Eric does have some great advice for any entrepreneur: get comfortable being uncomfortable. All this and more over a Mezcal Negroni and a Ginger & Mary Ann! You can find Eric at https://www.modernbarcart.com and https://www.erickozlik.com, and on Instagram at @modernbarcart.

My returning guest tonight is Studio One and RX guru Don Baarns! Don and I talk about how the audiobook world has changed since he was my guest back on episode 20, from the influx of newer narrators since the pandemic hit to improvements in technology. Don also tells me about his Expert Ears service, a free service he provides to evaluate audio, and his Jumpstart programs for both PreSonus's Studio One and Izotope's RX. All this and more over some lemon-ginger echinacea juice and a SpongeBob RumPants! You can find Don online at https://redbaarnsaudio.com, and at his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/RedBaarnsAudio. His Jumpstart programs are available at https://s1jumpstart.com and https://rxjumpstart.com. Tonight's Speakeasy episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://squeakycheeseproductions.com. Tonight's episode is also brought to you by David Stever's Raven Rain, narrated by Bill Lord and coming to Audible soon!

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and narration coach Christa Lewis! Christa tells me how a chance phone conversation with audiobook legend Debra Deyan led to a sudden career shift from reading the news in English in Germany to narrating audiobooks in L.A. Christa also describes her approach to narration coaching using some appropriately artistic alliteration. All this and much more over a Blue Moon Belgian White and a Delarosa! You can find Christa online at https://www.christalewis.com and https://www.christalewisaudiobooks.com, and on Twitter and Instagram at @LiquidBelles. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com. Tonight's chat is also brought to you by David Stever's Raven Rain, narrated by Bill Lord and coming to Audible in October 2020.

My guest tonight is founder and CEO of Twin Flames Studios Tina Dietz! Tina tells me how everything fell into place for a life-changing move to Costa Rica. And although she realized early on that audiobook narration was not going to be her strong suit, Tina tells me how her love of recording and interviewing starting at a very early age led to the different areas of focus of Twin Flames Studios. All this and much more over a Captain Picard and a Negroni! You can find Twin Flames Studios at https://twinflamesstudios.com, and Tina on Twitter at @TheTinaDietz. The Twin Flames roster that Tina mentions can be found at https://forms.gle/VL4qzdrkrD8Mwha17. Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com. Tonight's episode is also sponsored by David Stever's "Raven Rain," narrated by Bill Lord and coming to Audible in October, 2020. You can find Bill at https://www.nothingrhymeswithorange.us.

My guest tonight is NYT, WSJ, and Audible #1 best-selling author Lauren Blakely! Lauren tells me how she ended up in a career in journalism after majoring in art history, and how that eventually morphed into being a full-time author. Lauren goes on to describe her experiences getting almost all of her books (over 50 of them!) into audio, and the importance of being able to give a voice to characters who don't share your gender. All this and much more over some green tea and a Blue Moon! You can find Lauren at https://laurenblakely.com, and on Twitter at @LaurenBlakely3. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

My guest tonight is the founder of Elephant Audiobooks, Kenny Pappaconstantinou! Kenny tells me how an education in music production at Berklee College of Music eventually led him into audiobook production, and how he came to found Elephant Audiobooks. Kenny also describes the importance of getting your home studio set up correctly, and not rushing the audition process. All this and more over A Terrible Idea (that's an IPA, not a poorly constructed cocktail) and a Spiced Rum Coco Martini! You can find Elephant Audiobooks at https://elephantaudiobooks.com, and you can reach Kenny there at info@elephantaudiobooks.com. He's also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kennypmusic. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is being brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and mentor Ann Richardson! Ann describes the culture shock of moving from idyllic farm country in Nebraska to the San Francisco Bay Area, and how the economic crisis of 2008 led to a career re-evaluation and a move into voiceover. Ann also tells me about the classes she teaches at Voice One in San Francisco, the mentoring she does with new narrators, and the importance of investing in training and equipment. All this over some Amarula and a Toronto Cocktail! You can find Ann at https://hersmoothvoice.com, on Twitter at @hersmoothvoice, and on Instagram (with Herbie!) at @ann_richardson_narrator. You can find information about her Voice One classes at https://www.voiceone.com. Tonight's Audiobook Speakeasy episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.

My guest tonight is audiobook post-production engineer Chrissy Farrell! Chrissy tells me how stage fright may have scuttled her on-air radio career aspirations, but the audio production skills she'd learned while pursuing her goals ended up landing her a job recording an audiobook. Chrissy then describes how that experience helped her land jobs at Audible Studios and then Hachette Book Group, what life is now like as an entrepreneur, and how she feels about some of the more "prickly" aspects of post-production, like breaths and pacing. All this and more over a Tart Deco Mangotango Sour IPA and a Brown Derby! You can find Chrissy on Twitter and Instagram at @nycradiogirl, and by email at chrissy.farrell@gmail.com. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com. 

My guests tonight are partners in narration (and life!) Ralph Scott and Kendra Murray! Ralph and Kendra tell me how they both eventually wound up in Petaluma, California, working on radio plays, and how their love of theater led to a very unique wedding experience. We also discuss their approach to dual and duet narration, and how technology has changed the dual/duet/full-cast narration landscape. All this and more over a Hemingway Special and a couple of Buzzers! You can find Ralph and Kendra, the sponsors of tonight's episode, at http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com, on Twitter at @SQUEAKYCHEESEVO, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/squeakycheeseproductions.