From Sauna to Studio: Turning Trash to Beautiful Booth
The irony cracks me up. My recording booth was too hot, so I bought a sauna to record in. I’ll explain. Recording VoiceOver in a top floor booth with no ventilation was getting unbearable. I decided to move my workspace to the basement. The contractor’s estimate to build me a booth was a bit high and frankly, his design didn’t impress me. So I went on Facebook Marketplace. A guy was selling a broken sauna so I went to look at it. Sitting inside, it just felt right. “THIS is where I want to record my voiceovers,” I said to myself.
Was it a crazy idea? Yes. Did the construction project go smoothly and quickly? Um, not exactly. Am I happy with the finished product? Absolutely!
Sauna Studio: Before and After
It looks beautiful inside and out. I’ve had the sound quality tested, tweaked and approved by several audio engineers.
What did it take to convert that Marketplace seller’s trash into my VoiceOver treasure?
- A friend with a pickup truck and strong muscles to move it to my house
- Many trips to Home Depot, Lowes, and my local hardware store
- Hours watching YouTube videos to see how others built THEIR recording booths
- Discussions and check-ins with Randy Garbin, the person I hired to do the carpentry work
- Journaling and Meditating to keep myself grounded when dealing with weather and supply chain delays, and my own mistakes, like not ordering enough acoustic foam
I had a hunch that some people might find this conversion story interesting so I’m glad I took photos and videos along the way. The image in this blog shows the dramatic difference between “before” and “after.”
And as a bonus, I got a lot of Sauna Studio content to post on social media. It felt good to engage again with whoever’s out there in internet-land. I liked having a topic that I could post about regularly, such as when I celebrated my VoiceOver company’s 20th anniversary with a series of videos about my two decades of recording VOs.
You can see the progress on my YouTube channel. Click the Sauna Studio playlist. The first batch of videos are of the construction process itself. I hope you enjoy the time-lapse video and my spontaneous happy dances as we made progress.
My next blog will go a bit more in depth into the construction project so stay tuned for that.
WoVoCon: A Voiceover Conference Like No Other
I’m not the jealous type. Usually. But for years I was carrying around a big bag of emotional envy and regret that was related to something that some voice actors got to experience, but not me. It was called FAFFCON, a VoiceOver UNconference.
If you’re not familiar with an UNconference, it’s a peer led gathering in which participants decide what to teach and talk about. Apparently it started in the tech world and in the (decade) there were 9 such events held for voice actors. I never got to go but I kept hearing how awesome they were. And I noticed that those voice actors who attended seemed to have really strong friendships that started by meeting and sharing at FAFFCON.
So when after years of attending traditional VO conferences, I learned that the FAFFCON format was being offered in 2024, I jumped at the chance to go. Wow, was it worth it!
The event started with some inspirational quotes: A rising tide lifts all boats. No egos, no eggshells. They were all posted on the walls to remind us of the special ground rules.
Then we discussed with NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the challenges of being self employed voice artists. How validating to see that others were also struggling with imposter syndrome and stress. It’s hard not knowing when the next gig will get booked or the next check will come in! Each learning session was smallish, maybe 20 people, so there was ample opportunity for voice actors to share experiences and offer supportive helpful suggestions.
Similar to other conferences, there was learning. Like other VO gatherings, business cards and laughs were exchanged. But where WoVoCon differed was in the format that created deeper connections. In the atmosphere that felt like a truly safe space. There, we were not just talking actor to actor. We were connecting, human to human.
I learned. I shared. I loved it all. Oh, and I danced too! Silent Disco was the cherry on top of an already fabulous weekend!
The next WoVoCon will be happening in New Orleans October 17-19, 2025. If you’re a voice actor who’s on the fence about going to the UNconference, please get in touch. I’ll share my experience with you and connect you with some others who can help you make an informed decision about whether to go.
For more information, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89584577855?pwd=57T8TBQWNtkhwFI9CMMLQUQx9VTVGP.1
Choosing Between Human and AI Voiceover
With the ease, speed, and cost savings of AI VoiceOver, it’s an attractive option for video producers. But it’s not the end all be all solution for all productions. There are some questions you’d be wise to consider before deciding whether to hire human or use a synthetic voice. I highlighted several of them for an article in the Philly Ad Club’s Ad News magazine, May-June 2025 issue.
Among the reasons to look consider AI: you have a need for speed or if your content will need frequent updates.
Among the reasons to hire human: you want to authentically represent your brand and you want to make an emotional connection with your audience.
The four questions you should ask if you’re considering an AI VoiceOver are:
- Does it fit the brand?
- Does it drive emotional engagement
- Does the script require a nuanced performance
- What if AI makes mistakes?
There are other factors to consider, of course, such as the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence for your narrations. I’ll elaborate on those in a future post.
You can hear more on the topic of AI VoiceOver by listening to this episode of a podcast I was a guest on, along with Jim Kennelly of Lotas Productions.
What’s the MAIN reason you’d choose an AI voice over a human voice? Please share in the Comments below.
How Two Funerals Gave Me a Good Idea
(Lisa Leonard’s birthday post on Facebook.)
I attended two funerals last week. At each of them, people shared how the deceased person touched their lives. Some stories were funny. Some were touching. All made me wonder why we don’t say this kind of stuff to each other when we’re still alive!
With my 59th birthday days away, I decided to ask on Facebook: “How have I helped you?” I invited my contacts to share their memories in the Comments. To my sheer delight, I received more than 50 responses; examples of how I’ve helped aspiring voice actors, old classmates, even people I’ve only met on Zoom!
Have you read the book “The 5 Love Languages?” It’s a helpful guide to knowing what makes you feel loved and how you like to show love. The author, Gary Chapman, has identified that most of us fall into one of these categories: Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Acts of Service. Since my Love Language is Acts of Service, it’s important for me to “do” for others. To help where I can. That’s why I’m an active volunteer with Rotary and the Philly Ad Club. It’s a way for me to give back and be of service.
So to pose this “how have I helped you” question on Facebook and read real examples of how I really did make a positive impact on some people, well, that was a great birthday gift!
So I’m gifting you the encouragement to try it yourself! Post your own prompt and see what responses come back to you. I’ll bet they’ll make you feel good. And honestly, wouldn’t you rather hear some kind words now, rather than at your funeral?
By the way, if you’re looking for a way to make a difference and help people, you’ll find some “no-cost” ideas in one of my earlier blog posts.
The Cure for Post-Olympics Blues: Watching the Paralympics
If you’re missing the daily excitement of the Olympics, I encourage you to check out the Paralympics which run until September 8th. Wheelchair Basketball, Swimming, and Sitting Volleyball are some of the sports you’ll see played by remarkable athletes who have some sort of disability.
I got turned on to the Paralympics while in London in 2012. My friend and I spent a day watching various track and field events and were in awe with what we saw: determination, drama, and remarkable athleticism, just like in the Olympics.
Imagine running without being able to see where you’re going. Imagine swimming towards a pool wall and not knowing when to turn around. For some disabled athletes, guides help make their athletic dreams a reality. Read more about those important Paralympics helpers HERE.
Unfortunately, Paralympians don’t seem to get as much attention or media coverage here, but I promise that viewing the games will be time well spent. It’s inspiring to see the athletes and fans focus on abilities; not disabilities. They are athletes who say “Yes, I can!” in a world that often says, “No, you can’t.” Talk about strength and resilience!
If you want to see drama, intensity, and impressive athleticism, I encourage you to set your DVR to watch some of the Paralympics.
Click HERE for the full schedule of games.
And to read about the life lessons these games can teach us, click HERE.
Hear Me On Healthcare Marketing Podcast
This blog post will be brief. It’s to announce the release of that healthcare podcast episode I recorded at the MM&M studio in Chelsea, NYC. With Jim Kennelly of Lotas Productions, we talked about our lives working in VoiceOver and audio production. We discussed current and future impacts of synthetic voices on our industry. And I got to share some of my love for doing healthcare voiceovers, including the deep sense of fulfillment I feel when I record content I know will help people. CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. Thanks to Senior Reporter Lecia Bushak for hosting the interview. I mentioned my chance meeting with her in my previous post. I’m also grateful that we had Bill Fitzpatrick with us in studio that day. He’s an award winning podcast editor who, by the way, shares an incredible health scare he had in some podcast episodes he hosted as well as produced. You can hear his 4 part series “Me and My Heart” by clicking HERE.
The Power of Networking Mojo
I have a complicated relationship with networking. Meeting new people and finding possible business connections is exhilarating! But sometimes the shyness that plagued me as a child consumes my body and I just want to stand alone in a corner. Thankfully, at most business events, I have enough “networking mojo” to feel happy that I attended. But at some, I have to give myself a pep talk and gather the courage to introduce myself to strangers.
I’m grateful to have learned a lesson in the 90s when I was President of the San Diego chapter of American Women in Radio and TV, now called Alliance for Women in Media. A fellow member showed me her networking technique: extend your hand and introduce yourself. It’s as simple as that! Most strangers will respond in kind and tell you their name. That then paves the way to start a conversation.
Using that technique has led to some lovely connections recently. While at the MM&M Media Summit in NYC, after a full day of listening to impressive, impactful speakers, I stayed around for a cocktail reception. Not knowing anyone, I had to muster up my networking mojo and use that handshake technique I just described. Hi, I’m Lisa, I said to a young woman who happens to work on the MM&M podcast. Minutes into our conversation, she invites Digital Editor Jack O’Brien to join us. Sharing that time together led to my getting invited to be a guest on their podcast. (Watch my socials as I’ll post the link to the podcast when it gets published soon.)
And then at a Marcomm Meetup, I enjoyed chatting with two creatives from Slice Communications as well as the power team of Rick and Jeff of Baker Sound, where I’ve recorded dozens of voiceovers over the past 15 years or so. Then I had some one on one time with members of an Ad Club committee who I usually only see in tiny video boxes on Zoom. All those encounters made me so glad I attended, even though, sure, it would have been easier and more comfortable to stay at home. There’s power in networking and finding ways to help others.
My point in writing all this is to encourage you to get out there and connect with other humans. If you feel shy about it, just try saying, “Hi, I’m ______.” I guarantee, nobody will yell at you or run away from you!
You may just make a new friend or business contact.
VO Anniversary Featured in Philly Ad News
I got a nice surprise today when I opened the new edition of Philly Ad News, the magazine put out by Philly Ad Club about my 20th VoiceOver anniversary. Instead of just a brief mention, I saw a whole paragraph and not one but three photos of me. One of the pictures dates back to my old radio DJ days at WOBM-FM, part of Townsquare Media in New Jersey.
This whole VO anniversary has provided plenty of opportunity for reminiscing. And it’s inspired me to get in touch with old colleagues and collaborators I’ve not spoken to in a while. Looking back at the last two decades reminds me how fortunate I’ve been to have met so many good people along the way. I’m forever grateful for the clients who gave me a shot in the early days. I’m even grateful for the mistakes I made as a newbie. That’s how I’ve learned and grown into the VoiceOver artist that I am today.
To hear some stories about my business journey, click here and watch any of the videos on my YouTube channel.
20 Years of VO: Business Anniversary Videos
In 2003, I started my own company: Lisa Leonard Voiceworks, LLC. (You can read the original anniversary blog post here.). To mark the occasion of my 20th Anniversary, I booked time at Main Line Studios in West Chester where producer Eric LaCasse interviewed me about my career. It was fun to take a stroll down memory lane, while sharing information which I hope will be helpful for anyone who may be considering hiring a voice actor.
I’ve posted 20 different video clips on Instagram over the past month. Some have gone on LinkedIn. And now they’re on my YouTube Channel in a playlist called 20th Anniversary of Lisa Leonard Voiceworks. Each combined video is 60 seconds of less.
I didn’t prepare my responses in advance. My hope is that viewers would get a sense of my experience and professionalism. “She’s been at this for more than 20 years, so she must know what she’s doing!” I also hope that viewers find my content helpful. “Oh, so that’s what I should do before hiring a voice actor!” And a final wish is that the viewer would enjoy a chuckle hearing about some of the more unusual VoiceOver gigs I’ve had. “Yes, my voice really was heard by horse sperm buyers!”
Is there one fact or story you found most interesting, helpful, or entertaining? Please share in the Comments section.
Seize the Moment
I’ll always regret not seizing the moment in the 1980s. Seeing the lead singer of my favorite band, REM, alone on a Manhattan street, and not approaching him. I chickened out. I could have met my idol, had a chat, maybe even gotten an autograph, but none of that happened. “Michael Stipe is a rock star,” I thought, “he doesn’t want to be bothered.” My teenaged brain, full of worry and uncertainty, said “Don’t do it!” 4 decades later, I still feel badly about letting fear and insecurity get in my way.
I share that story because it’s a good reminder to just do the thing! Over the years, I’ve been talking back to that annoying naysayer in my head. I’m saying, “yes,” and “go for it” these days and it’s given me some positive experiences I might not have had otherwise.
Case in point: this weekend in Toronto where I attended a training conference for Rotary members. 400 of us gathered from all over the Northeast USA and Canada. One of the featured speakers was a woman who is a celebrity in the Rotary world. Jennifer Jones made history as the world’s first woman president of Rotary International. Well, as luck would have it, we were in the restroom at the same time! As she was fixing an issue with her beautiful high heels, I seized the quiet moment to say hello and thank her for the wonderful, inspirational work she did in her year as president. We had a lovely chat and even shared a hug and a selfie!
Lisa Leonard with Rotary celebrity, Jennifer Jones
What If I Did Nothing?
What turned out to be the highlight of my conference never would have happened had I not gotten the courage to say, “hello.” I’m grateful that I’ve become braver and bolder over the years. That spirit is helping me now in the VoiceOver business when competition is fierce and older voices like mine are not as in-demand as they used to be. I’m bravely setting out into the world of social media marketing and sharing my new commercial VoiceOver demo with voice buyers.
It’s still a bit uncomfortable and I admit, sometimes thoughts like, “Nah, they’re busy, don’t bother them” rear their ugly heads. But with recent POSITIVE experiences validating my choices to “go for it,” I’m determined to keep seizing the moments.
Has stepping out of your comfort zone helped you in business? Or life? Please share in the Comments.
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