The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast

My guests tonight are fellow podcasters and voice actors Paul Stefano and Sean Daeley! Paul and Sean describe how they got into voice acting and other creative endeavors (and I make some good educated guesses about the instruments they played). We also talk about why and how Paul started recording audiobooks, and why Sean chose not to initially but is now interested in doing more audiobook work. All this over a Black-eyed Rye, a Widmer Hefeweizen, and a triple-bitters rum Manhattan! You can find Paul at https://www.paulstefano.com, on Twitter at @paulstefano, and on Instagram at @paul_stefano. You can find Sean at http://dailyvo.com, and on Twitter at @SDaeley; you can also find Sean at the Global Voice Acting Academy, https://globalvoiceacademy.com. Sean and Paul's podcast, The VO Meter, Measuring Your Voice Over Progress, can be found at https://www.vometer.com. 

My guest tonight is writer, podcaster, and audiobook narrator and producer Tanya Eby! Tanya discusses starting out and ending up back in Michigan, with some time in Detroit, Miami, and New York -- where she had a dream job at Carnegie Hall -- in between. She also tells me how much she enjoys having lots of irons in lots of fires all the time, and how important professionalism and trust are in this business. All this over some much needed post-wine-tasting water and a Cake Martini! You can find Tanya at https://www.tanyaeby.com, https://www.blunderwomanproductions.com, and https://www.storybitespodcast.com, and on Twitter at @blunder_woman.

My guest tonight is prolific audiobook narrator and acting coach for narrators Marguerite Gavin! Marguerite describes having "green room kids" and other challenges of being a professional actor for all of her adult life. We also discuss her battle with trigeminal neuralgia last year, and how important tenacity is in this line of work. All this over a filthy martini and a Last Word! You can find Marguerite online at http://www.margueritegavin.com, and on Twitter at @GavinMarguerite. 

My guest tonight is the winner of the 2019 Audie for Best Male Narrator, Edoardo Ballerini! Edoardo describes growing up in both New York and Italy, and how he accidentally stumbled into acting, leading to numerous stage, film, and television roles (including a recurring role on the greatest television show of all time, The Sopranos). Edoardo also talks about how his love of language and subsequent acting career have meshed perfectly in the audiobook world, and how, sometimes, you just need to say the words. All this and more over some local hard cider and a Jasmine! You can find Edoardo online at http://www.edoardoballerini.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/edoballerini, and on twitter at @edoballerini.

My guest tonight is author and narrator Susan Purvis! Susan describes how she ended up on ski patrol and working avalanche search and rescue missions despite working in the Dominican Republic, and how she came to write a book about her experiences. Susan also describes the process of narrating her book for Blackstone Audio, with expert help all along the way from coach and director Jayme Mattler. All this over some very special (and very expensive!) red wine and a Bees Knees! You can find Susan online at https://susanpurvis.com, on Twitter at @susan_purvis, and on Instagram at @susanpurvisauthor. You can find her book, Go Find, on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Go-Find-Journey-Lost-Myself/dp/1538507609/ and on Audible at https://www.audible.com/pd/Go-Find-Audiobook/B07FM9L8NB.

My guest tonight is Earphones award-winning narrator Jim Seybert! Jim and I reminisce for awhile about L.A. radio stations in the 70s and 80s. Then Jim tells me how he went from the radio world to marketing to audiobook narration, about winning an Earphones award for narrating a book that felt like it was written just for him, and how important it is to have confidence and to pursue excellence as an audiobook narrator. All this over some cask strength Booker's bourbon and a rye flight! You can find Jim online at http://jimseybert.com, on Facebook at TheJimSeybertCompany, on Twitter at @jimseybert, and on Instagram at @jimseybertnarrator.

Tonight I'm joined by the founder of the audiobook production company The Audio Flow, Jocqueline Protho! Joc and I discuss how she became an audiobook fanatic as soon as she listened to her first audiobook -- which won the Audie for erotica in 2016 -- and the audiobook-centric podcasts that she started producing shortly thereafter. Joc also talks about how she came to found an audiobook production company, The Audio Flow, and her plans for the company going forward. All this over a Chelsea Sidecar and a Speakeasy, the non-alcoholic drink that Joc came up with in honor of her visit! You can find Joc at http://www.theaudioflow.com, on Twitter and Instagram at @theaudioflow, and via email at jocquelinep@theaudioflow.com. 

Tonight I'm joined by narrator Josh Horowitz and author Maximilian Gray to discuss their experience working together to create an audiobook. Josh and Max knew each other back in high school. When Max finished his novel, Alvin Baylor Lives!, he contacted Josh about narrating the audiobook. We discuss why Max chose to have more of a radio drama feel to the audiobook, how and why Josh approached this book a little differently than he's approached other audiobook narration projects, and how they collaborated during the process. All this over a Wyder's Pear Cider, a Kentucky Mule, and a Gin and Sin! You can find Josh at http://joshhorowitz.com, and on Twitter at @uclafalcon. You can find Max at https://maximiliangray.com. Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by The Audiobook Reviewer. https://audiobookreviewer.com.  

Tonight's episode is a bit different. Just me and you! A chance for me to express my gratitude to my guests, my patrons, and most importantly, my listeners. I'm having a Scofflaw, I hope you'll join me. Cheers!

My guest tonight in the Speakeasy is Audie and Earphone award-winning producer, director, and narrator Robin Miles! Robin and I talk about her theatrical training at Yale, and how she got into audiobook narration. Robin also describes the frustrating experience of contracting an autoimmune disease that went undiagnosed for over two years, and that changed the direction of her career. All this over some French hard cider and some 18-year-old single malt Scotch! You can find Robin online at http://www.voxpertise.com, and on Twitter at @rmilesvox.