May 9, 2021
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/.
April 4, 2021
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.
January 3, 2021
Tonight's guest is the founder of the Aural Fixation romance audiobook fan group on Facebook, Lydia Rella!
Lydia tells me about being a voracious young reader, and her introduction into the romance genre at an early age. Then we discuss her motivation for creating a Facebook group for romance audiobook listeners, and what makes a romance audiobook great. All this and more over some coffee spiked with some boozy eggnog and some homemade spiced rum!
You can find Lydia at the Aural Fixation Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/auralfixationaudio, and on Twitter and Instagram at @auralfixationfb.
Tonight's speakeasy chat is 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.
December 20, 2020
My guest tonight is independent audiobook producer and director Elishia Merricks!
Elishia describes how her focus changed from acting to directing during her time at Royal Holloway (the university, not the prison). Elishia then describes how she found her way into the world of audiobooks after a move across the pond. All this and more over an English Garden riff and a French Laundry!
You can find Elishia at http://www.englishgirlinnewyork.org, on Twitter at @elishia_e, and on Instagram at @elishiasbooks.n.bobs and @elishia.in.newyork.
Tonight's episode is brought to you by Squeaky Cheese Productions: http://www.squeakycheeseproductions.com.
Tonight'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.
December 6, 2020
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.
November 22, 2020
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.
October 18, 2020
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!
September 27, 2020
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.
September 13, 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.
