The Voiceover Gurus Podcast

The Voiceover Gurus

Real stories from a real voiceover career. Linda Bruno pulls back the curtain on life inside the booth, sharing the wins, the mistakes, and the lessons that shape a long career behind the mic.

  1. Ep 161 - The Craft of Dialects: From Sound to Story with Steve Corona

    11/10/2025

    Ep 161 - The Craft of Dialects: From Sound to Story with Steve Corona

    On this episode: Actor and dialect coach Steve Corona joins Linda to pull back the curtain on the fascinating world of accents, performance, and character transformation. Steve explains how he studies and analyzes dialects—breaking them down into unique sounds, rhythms, and cadences—and how actors can integrate those nuances into authentic, believable performances. From Scottish and Irish to Texan and Turkish, Steve shares his process for “hearing” the music of a dialect and translating it into emotional truth. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from working on major film sets with stars like Gerard Butler and Helen Mirren, offering a glimpse into the art and psychology of coaching actors under pressure. Along the way, he drops practical tools for any performer or storyteller—like using anchor phrases, shadowing native speakers, and finding emotional connection through voice. Beyond Hollywood, Steve talks about how he’s taken his craft into new arenas—narrating audiobooks, helping business professionals improve their presence, and inspiring others to discover their authentic voice. About Steve: Steve Corona has always been fascinated by psychology and human behavior. Growing up as the fourth of five kids, he had plenty of personalities to study—and plenty of opportunities to perform. His natural empathy and love of storytelling became the foundation for a career built on both acting and coaching. After earning his Master’s in Theatre, Steve launched his on-camera career, landing roles in film and television while also teaching dialects. A chance referral from a casting director led him to coach Gerard Butler on a major action film, sparking a new chapter as a sought-after dialect coach for A-list talent including Helen Mirren, Jason Isaacs, and Amber Midthunder. As an actor, Steve has appeared in projects spanning every genre—from Hamlet 2 and Breaking Bad to The Lone Ranger and Army of the Dead. His on-set experiences deepened his understanding of performance psychology, which he now channels through Corona Productions—where he helps professionals master communication, presence, and storytelling on stage, on camera, and in life. Website: https://www.coronaproductions.org We are honored to be listed in the top 30 of podcasts about Voiceover. Check out the list! https://podcast.feedspot.com/voice_over_podcasts/ FOR MORE INFO ON THE SHOW AND THE GURUS, PLEASE VISIT: Coaching Website: https://voiceover.guru/  and https://learnwiththegurus.com/ Linda Bruno Voice Actress  https://www.lindabruno.com Alyssa Jayson Actress and Musician http://www.alyssajayson.com Kevin Kilpatrick Voice Actor   https://kevinkilpatrick.com/ Join our Circle Community: https://the-voiceover-gurus.circle.so/home

    38 min
  2. Ep 160 - Voiceover Audition Secrets from The Simpsons’ Everett Oliver

    08/18/2025

    Ep 160 - Voiceover Audition Secrets from The Simpsons’ Everett Oliver

    Join Linda Bruno on the latest Voiceover Gurus podcast as she sits down with the incomparable Everett Oliver — renowned voiceover coach, booth director, and all-around industry powerhouse. With decades of experience in the animation world, Everett brings a treasure trove of wisdom from his time working on beloved shows like The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and X-Men Evolution. In this lively, no-holds-barred conversation, Everett pulls back the curtain on his unique approach to coaching VO talent — from fine-tuning auditions so they truly pop to drawing on your own life experiences to bring authenticity to every read. You’ll hear how his high-energy, intuitive style has helped countless actors break through performance blocks, discover their signature sound, and navigate the ever-changing demands of the industry. Plus, Everett shares insider tips on adapting to different markets, honing your skills for animation, and carving out your own niche in this competitive field. Guests Bio: Everett Oliver is a 30-year veteran of both the animation world and voiceover industry. His personal journey has taken him from the Big Apple as a kid to Georgia where he graduated from Clark Atlanta University, and then to Los Angeles.  He has been working in the Voiceover industry for nearly three decades as an International Voice Acting Director and has worked with talent in Africa. Australia, Canada, Europe and Japan. Everett has worked on hit animated shows including: The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Men in Black, Jackie Chan Adventures, Hellboy, and X-Men Evolution, (just to name a few), and has worked with animation industry titans, such as Disney, ColumbiaTri-Star, and Film Roman/Starz.  One of the most valuable experiences that Everett brings to the table is his time as a Booth-Director for an LA based talent agency.  His mission is helping voice actors nail standout auditions with bold choices and sharp direction.  Website: https://www.voiceactingdirector.com/    We are honored to be listed in the top 30 of podcasts about Voiceover. Check out the list! https://podcast.feedspot.com/voice_over_podcasts/ FOR MORE INFO ON THE SHOW AND THE GURUS, PLEASE VISIT: Coaching Website: https://voiceover.guru/  and https://learnwiththegurus.com/ Linda Bruno Voice Actress  https://www.lindabruno.com Alyssa Jayson Actress and Musician http://www.alyssajayson.com Kevin Kilpatrick Voice Actor   https://kevinkilpatrick.com/ Join our Circle Community: https://the-voiceover-gurus.circle.so/home

    42 min
  3. Ep 159 - Email Marketing Insights for Voice Actors

    07/21/2025

    Ep 159 - Email Marketing Insights for Voice Actors

    Welcome to a business focused episode of the Voiceover Gurus podcast with your host, Linda Bruno. This time, we're diving deep into the realm of email marketing tailored for voice actors. Joining us is Jonathon Grant, the founder of Legit Voices, who has created two groundbreaking platforms: VO Inbox and VO Leads. Jonathon shares his transformative journey from a shy tech executive to becoming a voiceover talent and entrepreneur. He sheds light on how these platforms help voiceover talents find clients effortlessly, with specially curated lists and email marketing strategies that remove the hassle of lead generation. In this episode, Jonathon also reveals the secrets behind designing an effective email sequence, dealing with the challenges of email marketing, and the importance of maintaining a focused marketing strategy. He offers valuable insights into the psychological hurdles voice actors face when marketing themselves and provides practical solutions for overcoming them. Learn about the flexible subscription models of VO Leads, the self-service platform, and the white-glove service approach of VO Inbox, where industry professionals manage all aspects of your email marketing campaign. This episode is a gold mine of information for both budding and seasoned voiceover artists eager to enhance their marketing strategies and expand their client base. Don't miss out as Jonathon and Linda explore the intricate web of marketing, from lead generation to building lasting professional relationships in the voiceover industry. Guests Bios: About Jonathon: Jonathon Grant is a voice actor who understands the craft, an entrepreneur who’s built multiple businesses from the ground up, and a developer who builds tools he actually uses. Every product he creates—from curated lead systems to fully managed outreach—is designed to save time, reduce friction, and help other pros land work. He’s also no stranger to the business world. With years in the C-suite and experience working with both private equity and public companies, Jonathon knows how to build for scale—but he still writes the code. Whether it’s job sites, dating apps, weather tools, or cold email engines for VO talent, he builds to connect people with real opportunities. Visit: https://voinbox.com/ And: https://voleads.com/ We are honored to be listed in the top 30 of podcasts about Voiceover. Check out the list! https://podcast.feedspot.com/voice_over_podcasts/ FOR MORE INFO ON THE SHOW AND THE GURUS, PLEASE VISIT: Coaching Website: https://voiceover.guru/  and https://learnwiththegurus.com/ Linda Bruno Voice Actress  https://www.lindabruno.com Alyssa Jayson Actress and Musician http://www.alyssajayson.com Kevin Kilpatrick Voice Actor   https://kevinkilpatrick.com/ Join our Circle Community: https://the-voiceover-gurus.circle.so/home

    49 min
  4. Ep 158 - From Recording Setups to Mastering: Essential Tips for Voice Talent

    06/23/2025

    Ep 158 - From Recording Setups to Mastering: Essential Tips for Voice Talent

    Join us for part two of our insightful discussion with George Whittam and Rob Reider on the VoiceoverGurus podcast. This episode delves into the nitty-gritty of audiobook production, covering essential topics such as handling hot peaks, normalizing audio files, and leveraging iZotope tools for audio restoration. Learn how to achieve consistency in audio quality through mastering and embrace the art of batch processing for efficiency. Discover the significance of maintaining proper recording levels and the importance of choosing the right equipment and setup to enhance your voice talent performance. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro, this episode is packed with valuable insights to elevate your recording sessions to meet audiobook industry standards. Guests Bios: About George: Since 2005 George Whittam has dedicated his life to serving the technical needs of voice actors and recording studio owners. In August 2017 George launched GeorgeTheTech.com to assist anyone who records voiceover with tech support, training, studio design, and audio processing templates. George is a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Music and Audio Technology with a Minor in Communications. George went on to acquire considerable expertise in music recording by working with various musicians and artists in the Philadelphia area, and gained broadcast engineering experience working at 94 WYSP (now WIP) as the remote engineer for the NFL Eagles Radio Network. From a handful of satisfied clients, George has now built his reputation working solely with voice-over studios and clients. He is globally considered a top authority in voice-over recording technology, investing thousands of hours researching studio design, recording equipment, and creating training materials for voice actors. Among his many successful clients are the late Don LaFontaine, Bill Ratner, Melissa Disney, Randy Thomas, Joe Cipriano and Scott Rummell. George is co-host of the podcast The Pro Audio Suite.   Find George at http://georgethe.tech   About Rob:   As a pilot and Hall of Fame air show announcer, Rob Reider has recently retired from that endeavor and now brings his skills to the world of audiobooks. His extensive knowledge of aviation and the military has attracted the attention of authors who need that experience to bring their works to life. Rob’s acting career began in high school, continued in musical theater roles at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and won him 5 Regional Emmys for on-air performance and musical compositions during a 13-year Midwest television career. He’s also an accomplished guitarist and lover of acoustic music. Rob has worked with several audiobook coaches, including Hillary Huber, P.J. Ochlan, and Jennifer Jill Araya to hone his craft and focus on thrillers, non-fiction, and faith-based titles. He recently was the “voice” of James Patterson in his book, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading."   Visit his website: http://www.robreidervoice.com/   We are honored to be listed in the top 30 of podcasts about Voiceover. Check out the list! https://podcast.feedspot.com/voice_over_podcasts/ FOR MORE INFO ON THE SHOW AND THE GURUS, PLEASE VISIT: Coaching Website: https://voiceover.guru/  and https://learnwiththegurus.com/ Linda Bruno Voice Actress  https://www.lindabruno.com Alyssa Jayson Actress and Musician http://www.alyssajayson.com Kevin Kilpatrick Voice Actor   https://kevinkilpatrick.com/ Join our Circle Community: https://the-voiceover-gurus.circle.so/home

    29 min
  5. Ep 157 - Mastering Your Voiceover Space with George The Tech and Rob Reider

    06/16/2025

    Ep 157 - Mastering Your Voiceover Space with George The Tech and Rob Reider

    Ep 157 - Mastering Your Voiceover Space with George The Tech and Rob Reider Welcome to the Voiceover Gurus Podcast, hosted by Linda Bruno and featuring special guest George Whittam. In this episode, Linda, despite nursing a knee injury, dives into a fascinating conversation with George about his unique journey from being an engineer to a voiceover studio tech expert, assisted by Rob Reider. Discover how George's musical family background and interest in gadgets evolved into a passion for audio engineering and voiceover production. Through anecdotes and personal experiences, George shares his path from struggling in college to creating a mobile recording studio in an RV and finally establishing himself in the voiceover industry against numerous challenges. Join the discussion as Linda, George and Rob delve into the intricacies of setting up a home studio, navigating acoustic challenges, and understanding the nuances of audio technology. Uncover valuable tips on making the most out of your recording space, the essentials of normalizing audio, and the balance between front-end and post-processing in voiceover work. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge, packed with insights for aspiring and seasoned voice actors alike, aiming to enhance their understanding and mastery of the techincal aspects of the craft. Don't miss out as the conversation continues in part two next week! Guests Bios: About George: Since 2005 George Whittam has dedicated his life to serving the technical needs of voice actors and recording studio owners. In August 2017 George launched GeorgeTheTech.com to assist anyone who records voiceover with tech support, training, studio design, and audio processing templates.   George is a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Music and Audio Technology with a Minor in Communications. George went on to acquire considerable expertise in music recording by working with various musicians and artists in the Philadelphia area, and gained broadcast engineering experience working at 94 WYSP (now WIP) as the remote engineer for the NFL Eagles Radio Network. From a handful of satisfied clients, George has now built his reputation working solely with voice-over studios and clients. He is globally considered a top authority in voice-over recording technology, investing thousands of hours researching studio design, recording equipment, and creating training materials for voice actors. Among his many successful clients are the late Don LaFontaine, Bill Ratner, Melissa Disney, Randy Thomas, Joe Cipriano and Scott Rummell. George is co-host of the podcast The Pro Audio Suite. Find George at http://georgethe.tech   About Rob: As a pilot and Hall of Fame air show announcer, Rob Reider has recently retired from that endeavor and now brings his skills to the world of audiobooks. His extensive knowledge of aviation and the military has attracted the attention of authors who need that experience to bring their works to life. Rob’s acting career began in high school, continued in musical theater roles at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and won him 5 Regional Emmys for on-air performance and musical compositions during a 13-year Midwest television career. He’s also an accomplished guitarist and lover of acoustic music. Rob has worked with several audiobook coaches, including Hillary Huber, P.J. Ochlan, and Jennifer Jill Araya to hone his craft and focus on thrillers, non-fiction, and faith-based titles. He recently was the “voice” of James Patterson in his book, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading." Visit his website: http://www.robreidervoice.com/   We are honored to be listed in the top 30 of podcasts about Voiceover. Check out the list! https://podcast.feedspot.com/voice_over_podcasts/ FOR MORE INFO ON THE SHOW AND THE GURUS, PLEASE VISIT: Coaching Website: https://voiceover.guru/  and https://learnwiththegurus.com/ Linda Bruno Voice Actress  https://www.lindabruno.com Alyssa Jayson Actress and Musician http://www.alyssajayson.com Kevin Kilpatrick Voice Actor   https://kevinkilpatrick.com/ Join our Circle Community: https://the-voiceover-gurus.circle.so/home

    33 min
4.7
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Real stories from a real voiceover career. Linda Bruno pulls back the curtain on life inside the booth, sharing the wins, the mistakes, and the lessons that shape a long career behind the mic.

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