The Audiobook Speakeasy Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

For this very special 100th episode of The Audiobook Speakeasy, I invited back some of my favorite guests from over the past five years: Andi Arndt, Jesse Bickford-Coghill, Robin Miles, Amy Rubinate, and Julia Whelan. Edoardo Ballerini and Carol Monda were also planning on joining us, but unfortunately got stuck in traffic and the airport.

I didn't have any specific plan for the conversation aside from one important announcement, but we all kept coming back to the importance of a good work-life balance. I enjoyed chatting about life in the audiobook world with these giants in the industry just as much this time as I did the first time around. There was plenty of water, sparkling and hot, as well as some wine, a Gin And Ginger, and... my drink. :)

If you haven't heard any of our previous, one-on-one chats, you can find them here:

Andi Arndt, episode 4: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-1#episode004

Jesse Bickford, episode 55: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-3#episode055

Robin Miles, episode 39: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-2#episode039

Amy Rubinate, episode 80: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-4#episode080

Julia Whelan, episode 58: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-3#episode058

My guest tonight is the CEO of Common Mode Inc., Jess Escalona!

Jess tells me about working in a hip hop studio and doing post-production at a television studio while pursuing a degree in music and recording arts from William Paterson University, and finding that the work really didn't suit her; but a meeting with an adviser led to an interview at Common Mode Inc., and that led to immediate employment, and she liked that work so much that she's been there ever since. Jess and I then discuss her various different roles at Common Mode over the years, and how very important good -- and timely -- communication is in this industry. All this and more over some water and a Whoville's Spiced Up Christmas Margarita!

You can find Jess and Common Mode on Twitter and Instagram at @commonmodeinc.

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and life coach Melissa Moran!

Melissa describes how a career in radio morphed into full-time audiobook narration, and how an event that rocked the narrator community in 2020 led her into life coaching. She then tells me about her coaching practice, and how life coaching is a bit like untangling necklaces. All this and more over some Truly strawberry lemonade hard seltzer and a Bitterscotch!

You can find Melissa's acting website at https://www.melissamoran.com, and her coaching website at https://www.melissacoaches.com.  

My guests tonight are narrators and co-founders of the Narrator Alliance, Will Damron and Reba Buhr!

Will shares his background in acting and audiobook narration, and then Reba and I spend a bit too much time talking about our alma mater, Occidental College, before she explains her introduction into the audiobook world. Then they describe the events that led up to the creation of the Narrator Alliance, and the purpose and structure of the meetings. All this over a Vieux Carré, a Kentucky Corpse Reviver, and some sparkling Gatorade!

You can find the Narrator Alliance at https://narratoralliance.org, Will Damron at @jwdamron, and Reba Buhr at @rebubuhr on Twitter and @reba.buhr on Instagram.

Tonight's guest is Canadian (and U.S.!) narrator and narration coach Erin Moon!

Erin tells me about her moves in Canada and the U.S., how she got her start in the audiobook world on the other side of the mic, and how she ended up in British Columbia, concentrating on audiobook narration. Then Erin describes her role at On The Mic Training and how she approaches audiobook narration coaching. All this over some cool, clear, Canadian water and a White Negroni!

You can find Erin at https://www.erinmoonactor.com, and on social media at @mooneybooks.

My guest tonight is Will Dages of Findaway Voices!

Will and I discuss the changes that have happened at Findaway Voices since he was last here at the Speakeasy almost four years ago. Will then tells me all about Marketplace, the newest venture at FV, including a walk-through of an audiobook production using Marketplace tools. All this and more over some tea and a Spicy Paloma!

You can find Findaway Voices at https://findawayvoices.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/findawayvoices, and on Twitter and Instagram at @FindawayVoices; they also have a club on Clubhouse.

My guests tonight are narrators Emily Lawrence and Emily Ellet!

Emily and Emily stopped in to talk about the Professional Audiobook Narrators Association (PANA). They tell me about the roles that they played in creating the organization, how it's structured, and what's required for membership. All this and more over a Paper Plane, Emily Lawrence's favorite beverage (water), and a La Croix!

You can find the Professional Audiobook Narrators Association at https://www.pronarrators.org, and all over social media at @pronarrators.

Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

Tonight's guest is Earphones-award winning narrator Travis Baldree!

Travis tells me how he went from programming video games to owning a video game production company, and his transition from that to audiobook narration. We also discuss his prolific work in genre fiction, progression fantasy, and gamelit. All this over some Nikka Coffey Malt Whiskey and a Manhattan Sunset!

You can find Travis at https://travisbaldree.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TravisBaldreeNarrator, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TravisBaldree.

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions, on the web at https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.  

Tonight's guest is prolific narrator (and TikTok phenom!) Natalie Naudus!

Natalie tells me why she suddenly pivoted from being a rising opera star to an audiobook narrator. She also tells me how she was able to narrate in the middle of a construction zone for over a year with some great pre-planning, and describes one of the most unique, natural solutions I've ever heard of to a problem that has plagued many a narrator, including me. (We were interrupted by an internet connection dying, but don't worry, I edited out all but a few seconds of the downtime.) All this and more over a bourbon and soda and a Jenny's Vanilla Cosmo!

To find Natalie online, just search for her by name.

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com/. 

I'm joined tonight by Guy Oldfield, Senior Director at Macmillan Audio!

Guy tells me about his unusual path to audiobooks, which includes stints in various journalism roles and live music production. He also shares with me some challenges in audiobook production, and talks about how important it is to know when to ask for help. All this and more over a PBR and a Henry Hotspur's Hard-pressed for Cider!

You can find Macmillan Audio at https://us.macmillan.com/audio, and narrators can reach them at narrators@macmillan.com. 

Tonight's Speakeasy chat is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: https://squeakycheeseproductions.com.