The Intelligent Vocalist – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John shares three simple but powerful questions that can completely shift how you approach your singing practice. He explains how taking time to reflect on what you're doing, when you're doing it, and how you're doing it keeps your growth intentional and rewarding. These questions are a guide to staying focused, motivated, and connected to your vocal journey.

Episode highlights:

• You can't plan your practice until you know what you want to improve.
• Make your goals specific to see real progress.
• Focus on a small toolkit of targeted exercises for your voice.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John talks about the unique challenges singers face because the mind and voice are so deeply connected. He shares how stress, perfectionism, comparison, and burnout can creep into your practice and performance, often without you realizing it. Give your mind the same care and attention you give your voice.

Episode highlights:

• Protecting your mental health is just as important as protecting your vocal health.
• Social media, comparison, and negative self-talk can erode your joy in singing.
• Rest, balance, and self-compassion keep both the mind and the voice strong.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John digs into the idea of criticality, the brain's "sweet spot" for learning, creativity, and performance. He explains how singers can get stuck in either too much control or too much chaos, and why the real magic happens right in between. Find that balance so your singing feels easier, freer, and more fun.

Episode highlights:

• Great singing happens in the balance between control and freedom.
• Stress, lack of sleep, and overthinking can pull you out of your brain's sweet spot.
• Short, focused practice sessions and even mental rehearsal help the brain stay in flow.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John explains the four levels of competency, and what it really means to reach your highest level of singing.

Episode highlights:

• There is bliss in the first level, unconscious incompetence, but that disables us from growth.
• We may experience frustrations as we progress through the levels of competency.
• All the work we put in during the lower levels of competency is what gives us freedom at the highest level.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John talks with drummer, singer, and author Jason Thomas Gordon about his book, The Singers Talk. Jason spent nearly a decade interviewing some of the greatest vocalists in modern music to compile this wonderful resource guide for singers.

Episode highlights:

• Singers don't seem to have many resources compared to other musical instruments.
• This is a book you can continuously to learn from.
• Even these incredible professionals struggle with self-doubt.
• Jason asked questions that these singers were never really asked before.

To learn more about Jason Thomas Gordon and his book, visit https://thesingerstalk.com/.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John talks about the three terrible Cs that can affect your singing growth.

Episode Highlights:

• Our own human nature can trap us in the three Cs.
• Your journey is to uncover and express the best, most honest version of you.
• Singing and the voice provide continuous learning.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John talks with Kerrie Obert, a Speech-Language Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist, and Voice Teacher, about vocal tremors that can develop in aging voices, and the current treatments available to help find stability in the voice again. 

Episode Highlights:

• There is unfortunately still not a lot that is known about what can cause a tremor to develop
• A tremor and vibrato have some shared neurological origins
• The techniques in Kerrie Obert's course can also help with wobbly vibrato

You can learn more about Kerrie and her courses at: obertvoicestudios.com and getvocal-now.com

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how frustration can actually be a guide for us in our singing journeys, and how to better navigate frustration when we experience it.

Episode Highlights:

• Frustration shows that something is important to you and that you care
• Quitting is not always wrong
• Frustration is like a "check engine" light
• Asking "What, why, and how?" can help you work through frustration

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode, John and singing teacher Lisa Perks explore the hidden cost of vocal shame. They share personal stories and strategies to overcome self-doubt, making it a riveting listen for all.

Episode Highlights:

• The Challenge of Vocal Wobble
• The Psychological Consequences of Vocal Damage
• The Impact of Losing One's Voice

To find out more about Lisa and her programs, visit epiphanyvocalstudio.com.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, online courses, Vocal Assessments and Voice Lessons with his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com.

In this episode, John engages in an enlightening conversation with Heather Baker, a distinguished vocal coach and the first British teacher certified as Level 5 in Speech Level Singing (SLS)—their discussion centers around the intriguing relationship between singing and gesturing. 

Episode Highlights:

• The neuro side of singing
• The advantages of gestures to singing
• The use of gestures in conducting singers

To find out more about Heather and her programs, visit thesingingteacher.biz.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, online courses, Vocal Assessments and Voice Lessons with his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com.