A Voice and Beyond – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on A Voice and Beyond, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jennifer Nash, a leadership expert and consultant who has guided Fortune 50 organizations such as Google, Ford, Exxon Mobil, JP Morgan, IBM, Boeing, and Verizon to exceptional success. As the founder and CEO of Jennifer Nash Coaching & Consulting, Dr. Nash has dedicated her career to helping leaders connect people and performance, driving remarkable results.

With a distinguished 25-year career, Dr. Nash has held executive and leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting and Ford Motor Company. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan. Her insights have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, and she has presented her research at Columbia University. As a Harvard/McLean Institute of Coaching Fellow, she continues to influence the field of leadership coaching. In 2023, Dr. Nash published her acclaimed book, "Be Human, Lead Human.”

In today's episode, Dr. Nash shares her inspiring journey from the creative arts to the corporate world, navigating the challenges of a male-dominated business environment. Through her observations and research, she has identified the key characteristics of outstanding leaders, and Dr. Nash's mission is to reintroduce the human element into business leadership, focusing on essential topics such as parenting, role modeling, conflict resolution, self-care, and the intrinsic work necessary for effective leadership.

Dr. Nash also addresses the current leadership pandemic, discussing how COVID-19 and social media have exacerbated this issue. Join us for a compelling conversation filled with valuable insights and practical advice for leaders at all levels. Don't miss this captivating episode of A Voice and Beyond.

Ready to transform your life with the power of gratitude? The Ultimate Gratitude Journal is your guide to cultivating joy, positivity, and mindfulness with daily prompts, inspirational quotes, and space for reflection. Enjoy a special 30% discount for one week only by visiting www.drmarisaleenaismith.com/journal Start your journey to a more grateful and fulfilling life today!

In This Episode
0:00 - Transform your life with the power of gratitude
6:57 - Imposter syndrome and career transitions
12:06 - Leadership and management practices during Covid-19
20:24 - Relationship building and the impact of technology on mental health
29:28 - Sponsor the Podcast and reach a global audience
33:31 - Personal growth and conflict resolution in the workplace
51:03 - Leadership skill, empathy and self-care

Find Jennifer Online

• Jennifer's Website
• Jennifer's Book
• Jennifers's Instagram

Ready to reach a global audience with your product or service? We offer multiple opportunities for advertisement sponsorship on A Voice and Beyond. Email info@drmarisaleenaismith.com or visit the sponsor page to learn more.

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/176.

In this episode of A Voice and Beyond, we welcome the remarkable Andrea Arlington as our guest. Andrea is a trauma-informed Certified ICF Professional Life Coach, interventionist, minister, former television personality, model, and the author of "Revelations of a Bad Mom."

Andrea bravely shares her powerful journey through generational trauma, family recovery, mental health, homelessness, and addiction. She opens up about her unintended rise to infamy following her daughter’s heroin addiction, which led to thefts from numerous Hollywood celebrities like Orlando Bloom, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton, a saga documented in the movie "Bling Ring." This episode delves into the generational trauma Andrea unknowingly passed down to her daughter and the profound impact it had on their lives.

Andrea’s upcoming book, "Revelations of a Bad Mom," goes beyond her personal story, addressing the deep-seated insecurities many women, especially mothers, struggle with. It’s a raw and heartfelt exploration of how these insecurities shape our lives and the journey of healing through addiction, loss, and family turmoil. Andrea’s story is one of resilience, showing how she and her daughter have emerged, not just surviving, but thriving.

As a professional life coach, Andrea now dedicates her life to mending the intricate webs of family systems, healing generational trauma, and nurturing relationships, with a keen focus on reconnecting with the often-neglected inner wounded child.

Join us as Andrea Arlington shares her inspiring story and recovery message, aiming to motivate others towards healing and empowerment.

Ready to transform your life with the power of gratitude? The Ultimate Gratitude Journal is your guide to cultivating joy, positivity, and mindfulness with daily prompts, inspirational quotes, and space for reflection. Enjoy a special 30% discount for one week only by visiting www.drmarisaleenaismith.com/journal Start your journey to a more grateful and fulfilling life today!

In This Episode
0:00 - Transform your life with the power of gratitude
7:07 - Mental health, addiction, and relationships
18:29 - Addiction, trauma and healing with a mother and daughter
27:15 - Sponsor the Podcast and reach a global audience
40:27 - Healing generational trauma and repairing family dynamics
53:14 - Improving relationships through self-awareness and communication  

Find Andrea Online

• Andrea's Website
• Andrea & Alexis's recent Netflix interview
• Andrea's Instagram
• Andrea's YouTube

Ready to reach a global audience with your product or service? We offer multiple opportunities for advertisement sponsorship on A Voice and Beyond. Email info@drmarisaleenaismith.com or visit the sponsor page to learn more.

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/175.

This week on Voice and Beyond, we revisit an enlightening episode with my dear friend and colleague Dr. Travis Sherwood. Travis, who was recently honoured for his article “Powerful Dynamics: Exploring the Evolution of the Master-Apprentice Tradition,” has been recognized with an honorable mention in the 2023 Richard Sjoerdsma Award for Excellence in Writing.

Travis holds advanced degrees from the University of Southern California and just recently was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Voice at San Diego State University's School of Music and Dance. His active performance career includes recent engagements with the Amarillo Opera, Opera a la Carte, La Jolla Symphony, and various international festivals.

In addition to his performance career, Travis frequently leads masterclasses and lectures on artistic literacy, student-centered pedagogy, voice pedagogy, and vocal literature. He recently presented “A Compassionate Shift to a More Student-Centered Pedagogy” at the Cal-Western NATS Conference.

In this episode, Travis delves into his research on the master-apprentice model's traditions and limitations. He explains how this model enforces a hierarchy in the teacher-student relationship, often leading students to prioritize their teacher’s insights over their own, hindering their expressive and autonomous voice exploration. Travis advocates for evolving teaching practices to create safer, more supportive learning environments.

Join Dr. Travis Sherwood and I for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges traditional teaching methods and encourages reflection on fostering creativity and independence in voice education.

This episode is proudly sponsored by The LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™ . Go to www.somaticvoicework.com and reserve your spot today to become part of a growing community dedicated to revolutionizing vocal education for generations to come.

Are you constantly battling with food cravings, struggling to resist temptation, and feel like you just can't break the cycle? My dear friend Dr Glenn Livingston has a transformational new book that you can read for free as a listener of A Voice and Beyond. Visit  www.DefeatYourCravings.com

In This Episode
0:00 - Sponsored Ad: The LoVetri Institute of Somatic Voicework™
7:52 - History and impact of the master-apprentice model in music education
19:29 - Limitations of the master-apprentice teaching model in voice lessons
26:11 - The limitations of a traditional teaching approach
31:17 - Sponsored Ad: Free Book ‘Defeat your cravings’ by Dr. Glenn Livingston
52:27 - Teaching voice lessons, emphasizing student-centered practices
53:48 - Sponsor the podcast
1:07:11 - Student-centered learning in voice education

Find Dr. Travis Online

• Website
• YouTube

Ready to reach a global audience with your product or service? We offer multiple opportunities for advertisement sponsorship on A Voice and Beyond. Email info@drmarisaleenaismith.com or visit the sponsor page to learn more.

For more, go to drmarisaleenaismith.com/166.

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This week’s guest is Alfred Jackson.

Alfred is a pop and R&B recording artist from LA. Just recently, I had the great pleasure of meeting Alfred on a cruise ship, where he was a guest entertainer performing with the boyband, Uptown. I was captivated by Alfred’s talent, energy, charisma and charm on stage and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview him in person on the ship. This was a fascinating conversation with Alfred who shared his professional journey, throughout the entertainment industry, which began at the age of nine and has led him to numerous and a diversity of career highlights. Some of these include being cast in numerous musical theatre productions such as the Book of Mormon in Sydney Australia, directing West Side Story, touring in the Man in the Mirror across the US, entertaining at Universal Studios Japan and performing with numerous boy bands.

Alfred has also had a very successful recording career as a singer-songwriter being signed to numerous music labels. At the age of 14, he was signed to his first record deal and he talks about how he was mistreated and body shamed at such a vulnerable young age. He shares with us that it was his mother who kept him grounded in an industry that could have destroyed his life. Over the years, Alfred has released two original albums which have been inspired by his own life experiences. His latest body of work is titled, UGLY, in which he shares his deeply personal account of his life and the importance of legacy. Alfred also discusses how he takes care of his physical, mental and emotional health in an industry where self-care is. You are going to love this interview with Alfred Jackson as he shares his stories, experiences and advice for others wishing to pursue a career in the music industry.

In this episode
07:27 — Alfred’s Singing Journey
10:00 — Singing Influences during his Young Age
12:48 — Transitioning to a Professional Singing Career
14:26 — Having a ‘Momager’ and its Impact on His Career
22:44 — Belonging to a Boy Band Group
25:48 — Singing a Healthy C5 in Pure Belt
30:32 — Our Voice Tells Us Where to Listen
32:26 — Impact of Traveling
34:19 — Warm-up Rituals
41:35 — Learning to Support the Voice
42:17 — Getting Into Musical Shows
44:48 — Working in Universal Studios in Japan for 4 years
47:45 — What Do You Do for Self-Care?
50:08 — Was There Ever a Time in Your Career That You Didn’t Feel Enough? 
54:40 — Alfred’s New Album “U.G.L.Y”
56:14 — Advice for up-and-coming Artists
57:13 — Piece of Advice for Singing Teachers

Find Alfred Online
Website: www.alfredjackson.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alfred.jackson.7
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ajismusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alfredjacksonmuzic

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/76

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This week’s guest is Walt Fritz.

As a voice teaching community, it is vital to keep an open mind to the various kinds of modalities that can be of assistance for a singer who may need help. This week’s guest is Walt Fritz, a licensed physical therapist who has taught Myofascial Release continuing education since 1995 and set up his training program, Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars™. In 2020, Walt rebranded his work and launched Manual Therapies Seminars, a new training program that he continues to teach all types of therapists including massage therapists, speech-language pathologists, voice professionals, physical therapists, and occupational therapists internationally. Walt also runs a closed physical therapy practice in New York where he treats select patients, including singers. He believes that singers are vocal athletes, and he realised the benefits of applying manual therapies to singers, a modality that was and still is typically thought to be applicable exclusively for traditional sports athletes. Walt describes his approach as creating a therapeutic relationship with his patients, where he asks them to collaborate in a constant back and forth, seeking to elevate and empower them to be a true partner in the process of evaluation and decision making. This is a truly informative interview with Walt as he also shares how issues regarding postural alignment can be overplayed, the importance of meeting and accepting patients where they are at, how we must allow a person to be heard, and listen to them without judgement and as practitioners, it’s not about the approaches we use, it’s about offering compassion and empathy. There is so much more. You are going to love listening to this episode with Walt Fritz.

Instagram: @waltfritzpt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walt.fritz/

Website: www.WaltFritz.com

In this episode
04:50 - Walt’s Training Background
09:19 - What is Myofascial Release?
12:42 - Benefits of an Iterative Approach
15:28 - Deficit as a Blessing
17:58 - Athletes Within Artists
22:02 - The Aid Which Physical Therapy Gives to Singers
26:15 - Diagnostics Preview
31:07 - Priors: A Concept in Psychotherapy
34:05 - Emboldened Patients with Therapist’s Selflessness
38:27 - Reimagining Yourself to Embrace Changes
41:51 - Significance of Proper Posture
48:09 - The Method of Patient-Centered Care
51:12 - Ensuring Mutual Learning is Possible and Judgements are Mitigated
56:05 - Defining Touch Base Intervention
1:02:45 - Greatest Lesson Learned About the Voice
1:03:47 - Piece of Advice for the Singing Voice Community

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/75

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Is your life needing an injection of happiness and positivity? Maybe it’s time to give your attitude to life a spring clean? Perhaps your thoughts and behaviours need a massive sprucing up. You may be someone who blames life, blames others, your job, the pandemic, anything and everything, but have you ever considered that it could be you that’s the problem? Your lack of happiness could be a result of some negative behaviours and your current circumstance is a manifestation of these. You may not realise that your happiness and success in all parts of your life is your personal responsibility. It’s time to become accountable and stop blaming external situations or other people for your shortcomings or your lack of joy.

Not everything in life is in our control, but our actions are and positive action is necessary for a joyful and remarkable life. Today, I am going to share with you five unwanted behaviours that I believe have the potential to stifle your happiness and once these are banished from your life, you will be far better off. My hope is that by the end of this episode, you will be able to catch yourself next time you are about to fall into the trap of one of these five behaviours so you can start to experience the happiness and desire and truly deserve.

In this episode
01:06 — Is Your Life Needing an Injection of Happiness and Positivity?
02:38 — Life Is Always Not Smooth Sailing
04:12 — Number 1: Stop Trying to Please Everybody
05:09 — Don’t Let Anyone Tell You What Is Realistic and Achievable or Not
07:23 — Number 2: Stop Talking Negatively About Yourself
09:03 — Out Thoughts Are Not Always the Truth
10:45 — Number 3: Stop Gossiping About Others
13:24 — Become Cheerleaders and Not Haters
14:40 — Number 4: Stop Holding On to the Past
15:45 — See How Far You’ve Come in the Present
18:01 — Number 5: Stop Stressing About the Future
21:04 — Conclusion

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/74

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This week's guest is Shannon Coates.

This is part II of my interview with Dr Shannon Coates, who is an educator, international presenter on Voice Pedagogy, creator of The Vocal Instrument 101 Online Course and in more recent times creator of the VoicePed UnDegree. In this episode, we continue with Shannon’s candid interview as she delves deeper into some of her teaching philosophies, and her beliefs regarding the current state of academic systems that are presently not delivering the training required to equip CCM singers for a professional career. Some of the topics Shannon shares her views on include, how we as voice teachers must ensure that what we think and what we do aligns with our core values and that it is essential that we check in with our biases in order to create inclusive voice studios. Furthermore, Shannon explains that there is more than one way to achieve results, and as voice teachers, we must be open to the possibilities of what a voice can do and how the voice can work efficiently to create the tonal outcomes required by the singer. We must not get stuck in a binary system where something is either right or wrong because the voice is a complex system that is different from person to person. Shannon’s mission is to continue to make vocal pedagogy practical, applicable and accessible, for everyone, especially for those outside of academia. There is so much more in this is a brilliant interview with Dr Shannon Coates.

Online Course: https://drshannoncoates.com/the-vocal-instrument-101-online-course/

03:24 – Personal experience with being silenced
07:49 – Discussion Post
10:13 – Dr. Shannon’s Pet project
13:42 – Teaching different techniques
15:08 – Understanding the possibilities of what the Voice can do
18:44 – Treating Voice as a complex instrument
21:04 – Understanding Formants in voice
26:32 – Things missing in terms of Singer’s Higher Education Training
31:09 – The Academic system’s promise
33:34 – Is CCM teachable in the academic system?
35:52 – Finding your authentic sound
40:38 – The Voiceped Undegree program
42:41 – What’s next for Dr. Shannon?
46:42 – Thoughts on Methodologies
51:52 – One piece of advice for the singing voice community

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/73

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This week’s guest is Shannon Coates.

This is part I of my interview with Dr Shannon Coates, who is an acclaimed voice teacher, international presenter and creator of The Vocal Instrument 101 Online Course. This is a candid interview with Shannon as she begins by sharing her earliest memories of how she discovered the joy of singing as part of a musical family and the journey that led her to a highly successful teaching career. Shannon tells us that she began her teaching career, as an independent studio voice teacher where she worked with a broad range of students. Shannon explains that her own professional and teaching experiences, inspired her to create training programs and resources for teachers outside of academia to equip them with the skills and knowledge that are most useful for them. Shannon had discovered that all the classical tuition received did not give her the tools she needed for contemporary singing. The other realisation for Shannon was that the majority of voice pedagogy classes were being taught by classical voice teachers who had never owned or operated an independent voice studio themselves. Furthermore, she believed that independent studio teachers, were unable to access the training they required without sacrificing time away from the studios, and losing income. In this episode Shannon also shares with us the qualities that she believes that a good teacher should possess, the core components of her training programs and how these are relevant and beneficial to the teaching voice community. Remember this is part 1 of a 2 part interview with Dr Shannon Coates and part 2 will be released next week.

Online Course: https://drshannoncoates.com/the-vocal-instrument-101-online-course/

In this episode

04:00 – Getting to know Dr. Shannon Coates
07:15 – Earliest memories of singing
12:12 – Musical education history
14:12 – Dr. Shannon’s work experience
15:42 – Being a Worship Leader
17:36 – Say ‘Yes’ and figure it out
19:48 – Choosing not to teach
20:46 – First teaching gig
23:09 – Obtaining a Classical Voice Degree
25:31 – Transitioning from Traditional to Online voice lessons
28:48 – Creating resources and working with Voice Teachers
30:39 – The Vocal Instrument 101
40:55 – Finding independent studio teachers
45:27 – Important things a Voice Teacher should know

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/72

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How often do you start your day feeling tired, and you find that you’re stressed out, burnt out and maxed out even before your work day has commenced? We all want to feel more alive, full of joy and energized, but some of us don’t know how to make this happen. If you’re lacking the mental focus and the energy you need to deliver the best of yourself, you can begin by customising and carving out a morning routine that will help you set the tone for your whole day. In today’s show, I am going to share some ideas on how you can win back your life, upgrade your happiness, and be more present, more productive and have the energy you need, just by making some changes to your mornings. Don’t waste the opportunity to live your best life. It’s time now to realign with your passion and purpose. Make that choice, to create change and I promise you that by setting up a three step morning routine that works for you, it is possible to live the life you dare to dream of.

In this episode
01:10 – Making changes to your morning routine
03:57 – Align yourself with Purpose and Passion
05:22 – The 5AM Club
09:26 – Step 1: The First 20 Minutes is to exercise or just move
10:58 – Gentle reminder for singers
12:27 – Step 2: Meditation
14:53 – Mental Fatigue and Lack of Mental Focus
15:46 – Step 3: Journaling or Personal Development
17:30 – Find things that will bring you joy
18:32 – Personal Development
19:29 – Conclusion
20:57 – Learn the simple discipline of mourning routine

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/71

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This week’s guest is Serena Sterling.

When someone feels as though they are being silenced, this can have tremendous physical, and psychological consequences for that person as they feel ignored or not heard. This week’s guest is Serena Sterling, who is a certified Life Coach and author of the book ‘Pain: A Love Story'. In this episode, Serena shares her story regarding the chronic physical and emotional pain that she endured as a result of feeling ignored at various times in her life. Serena tells us that in her childhood, she began to complain about “imaginary” pain to gain attention from her family, and after months of pretence, this eventually manifested into Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a condition she still has today. While working as an international journalist, Serena was based in New York's financial district during the September 11 attacks. As a result of the trauma she experienced during those attacks, she was later diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was told by her doctor that there was no cure. Serena’s life began to spiral as she started snorting cocaine in her kitchen to help her cope and hold down her job. Not wanting to accept this as a lifetime fate, she discovered mind-body healing techniques that transformed her mental, emotional, and physical health. Witnessing what seemed like a miraculous transformation, Serena decided she needed to share this with the world. She later received a master’s and a doctorate in clinical psychology in order to bridge the gap between science and emotional health. Serena is committed to helping others with physical and emotional pain feel better fast with various modalities that have been proven to cure chronic pain. This is a candid interview with Serena as she not only shares some of the darkest moments in her life but also offers advice to those who feel as though they are being silenced as well as how we can all listen better.

In this episode
05:08 – Donna’s Childhood
07:56 – Seeking Attention from Parents
09:09 – Psychosomatic Disorder
10:03 – Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
15:20 – Coping with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
17:16 – Depression + PTSD
19:10 – Cocaine helping her Chronic Fatigue
23:20 – Victim Mentality
26:29 – Body Mind Healing Techniques
28:25 – Communicating with the body
32:40 – Diagnosing patients through Kinesiology
40:19 – Message behind the book “Pain, A Love Story”
46:18 – Advice to someone experiencing pain
50:37 – Best way to help someone in pain
51:36 – What's the greatest lesson you've learned about yourself?

https://www.drserenasterling.com/

Instagram: @drserenasterling

Book, Pain: A Love Story

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/70

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