The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice

Mary Chan, Organized Sound Productions, Made in Canada
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

How do you, as a podcaster, make an emotional connection with your listeners to create a place where they feel like they belong? This podcast about how to podcast for underrepresented podcasters doing good in the world, who want to build a community of belonging. You'll discover what it takes to be a powerful podcaster and support your listeners to feel like they belong. Go on your podcasting journey to reclaim and redefine what a successful podcast means to you, by thriving on your own terms, with Mary Chan as your host. As a Voice-Over Artist and former radio producer for almost 20 years, she'll share with you what she's learned from creating, recording, and editing, hundreds of thousands of voices; from newbie clients who had to read their very first script to seasoned professionals voicing the very same commercials you hear on the radio and TV. They all have one thing in common with you – they made an emotional connection to a listener, not by the words they use, but by how they use their voice. Now as a Podcast Strategist and founder of Organized Sound Productions, you'll gain the insights to keep you podcasting and have fun while you're at it! How do you want your listener to feel? Learn all the secrets at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com and to work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca.

  1. When Do I Stop? Existential Questions for the Hobby Podcaster

    1d ago

    When Do I Stop? Existential Questions for the Hobby Podcaster

    How do I figure out if my show is still working for me? Summer is a great time to take a break and reflect on your podcast so far. When that reflection leads to questioning whether it's time to stop producing your show or go on hiatus, a lot of tough queries and existential dread can surface. In the final episode of the season, Mary guides you in a thought exercise to help clarify this decision for you. Especially when you're working on a passion project—something that developed from a hobby or avocation—it can be difficult to balance the capacity and financial demand of prepping, recording, producing, and publishing with the rest of your life. By identifying stand-out episodes and any shifts in the deeper why behind your project since it launched, you can design a future that fits. Whether you decide to stop cold turkey, continue as usual, or take a more manageable, stripped-down approach, this episode is required listening for all podcasters wondering whether to shutter their show or stay the course. Reflect on these existential podcasting questions: Why it pays to look back at your favourite episode; The middle ground between the parts of production you love and the parts you don't; Identifying the legacy you want to leave behind; The reality of bankrolling a passion project. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Episode 117 -  How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry Won: https://www.organizedsound.ca/how-your-podcast-can-help-dismantle-the-minority-narrative-with-jerry-won-episode-117/  Episode 100 - Finding Joy in the Serious Work of Podcasting: https://www.organizedsound.ca/finding-joy-in-the-serious-work-of-podcasting-episode-100/ Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    20 min
  2. How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry Won

    Jun 15

    How Your Podcast Can Help Dismantle the "Minority" Narrative with Jerry Won

    Why is it so important for Asian Americans to keep loudly sharing their stories? Jerry Won launched Dear Asian Americans, an interview-style podcast, in 2020. He used this growing permissions-free platform to highlight the often overlooked and "unmarketable" stories of Americans from a vast range of backgrounds. Jerry's deliberate volume-based approach—producing 100 episodes in the first year—aimed to get as close to "sufficient coverage" of Asian American experiences as possible and led to cross-country work as a speaker and presenter. It's impossible to tell every story, Jerry acknowledges in his conversation with Mary, since new ones are being created every day and everyone not featured on his show is just as worthy of sharing their life's account. His overarching goal reflects the significance many Asian cultures place on their ancestors, with a future-focused twist: by speaking up, he strives to be the kind of ancestor his kids will be proud to remember. Six years ago, Asian Americans faced backlash from the pandemic's supposed origins. Today, the tear down of DEI in the western world is another source of stifling. That's why Jerry encourages "minority" storytellers to get loud and not stop, "especially on days when the world is trying to silence you." Raise your voice to tell as many diverse stories as possible: How permission-based media built barriers against diverse storytelling; The math behind the miscalculation of Asian American audiences; How Jerry wound up live-interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris; Navigating traditional familial expectations on an untraditional job path. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Mary's interview on Dear Asian Americans: https://www.justlikemedia.com/show/dear-asian-americans/079-mary-chan-podcast-strategist-coach-and-host-organized-sound-productions-finding-her-voice/  Engage with Jerry: Listen to Dear Asian Americans: https://www.justlikemedia.com/show/dear-asian-americans/  Learn more about Jerry's work: https://www.jerrywon.com/  Connect with Jerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/ Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    51 min
  3. Filler Words: Authentically Human or Unprofessional?

    Jun 1

    Filler Words: Authentically Human or Unprofessional?

    How do you decide which um's and er's to keep and which to cut? You probably grew up hearing that too many "um"s and "like"s when you speak means you aren't educated or eloquent enough. The truth is, these filler words have an important job to do in our speech and conversation: they contribute to emotional impact and authenticity, and generally don't detract from authority at all. Despite the research supporting this, the past decade or so has seen a push by some podcasters and platforms to eradicate filler words from published episodes. Today, there are even one-click AI-driven options that claim to cleanly pull selected "er"s and "uh"s from your recordings. Spoiler alert: they aren't very good at it. All this serves to reinforce the narrative that filler words are "bad," but Mary pushes back on that erroneous assumption. In this episode, she discusses the disconnect between speaker and listener that comes from over-editing. Striking a balance between a stilted monologue that distracts your audience and authentic human connection isn't always easy, but it's always worth the effort. Fight for the right to keep your conversations natural: Why identifying your ideal listener is key to filler word frequency; The reason letting AI edit out your filler words is bound to fail (aka: the context cue imperative); How eavesdropping at your local coffee shop can improve your editing; What the filler word controversy can reveal to you about your own speech patterns. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Episode 18, Why Filler Words Like "Like" Are Powerful with Alexandra D'Arcy: https://www.organizedsound.ca/why-filler-words-like-like-are-powerful-with-alexandra-darcy-episode-18/ Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    22 min
  4. What Publishing 2000+ Episodes Will Teach You with Dave Campbell

    May 18

    What Publishing 2000+ Episodes Will Teach You with Dave Campbell

    What keeps you podcasting in the margins of your days? For Dave Campbell, the answer to this question is, "having nine regular shows, including one that puts out daily episodes."  As a podcaster, you probably have other responsibilities—a full-time job, kids, the continuous task list of being an adult. But when building connection or, as Dave says, "collecting people" is your calling, your podcast is an uplifting and resonant platform for exploring your interests, learning from brilliant and engaging guests, and fine-tuning skills that will serve you on and off the mic. Dave has published more than 2000 episodes across his shows, and he's become something of an expert at squeezing podcasting into the margins. He self-identifies as "curious and improperly supervised," and the results are inspiring: he's building a community of interesting and interested people everywhere he goes. In their conversation, Dave and Mary talk about the experiences and impacts that come with passionate podcasting. Whether you're brand new to hosting or decades in, this consummate storyteller and enthusiastic host will remind you why you launched your show in the first place. Reignite or reaffirm your enthusiasm for podcasting: The many ways to build community when the industry feels lonely; Why getting feedback is paramount to your show's success; Why you should hit record even when your motivating flags; What experimentation can teach you about your audience. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Listen to Mary's interview on Dave's show, The How to Podcast Series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HF819gdIDf7zl9xtelZuC Episode 69, Intangible Values of a Podcast: What it Means for Stats, Metrics, and Monetization: https://www.organizedsound.ca/intangible-values-of-a-podcast-what-it-means-for-stats-metrics-and-monetization-episode-69/ Engage with Dave Campbell: Listen to Dave's shows: https://truemediasolutions.ca/our-podcasts Follow Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-campbell-podcaster/ Get The Canadian Podcaster Magazine: https://truemediasolutions.ca/canadian-podcaster Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    37 min
  5. Headphones are Non-Negotiable in Podcasting

    May 4

    Headphones are Non-Negotiable in Podcasting

    How important is it, really, to wear headphones when you record your show? These days, people immediately associate a person with a mic and headphones with podcasting. And yet, some hosts still push back against the idea—after all, their laptop speakers work just fine for video chats, right? If Mary can convince you of anything this season, it will be to start wearing headphones when podcasting. In this episode, she acknowledges all the reasons you might be hesitant to pop on a pair before you hit record. But when you learn about echoes, feedback, voice monitoring, and the problem with Bluetooth, you'll probably come around. As it turns out, this particular piece of audio gear is so much more than just visual branding for your medium. Turn up the volume on your headset (but not too loud) to find out: The ins and outs of noise suppression settings on recording software; Why you need to be mindful of your headphone volume; Why you need to listen to yourself in your headphones (even if it feels cringey); The question of comfort: how to work around irritating headsets. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Setting up professional audio for Zoom Meetings - https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0059985 Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    19 min
  6. Stop Broadening Your Podcast: How Super-Niche Podcasts Win with Susan Thompson

    Apr 20

    Stop Broadening Your Podcast: How Super-Niche Podcasts Win with Susan Thompson

    What happens when your podcast topic gets super specific? The temptation to broaden your podcast subject matter, to capture a wide range of both guests and listeners, is understandable. But often, something magical happens when you narrow down your focus to the super-specific sub-sub-topic you're most passionate about: your fellow mega nerds find you and become your most loyal following.  Susan Thompson proves this point perfectly. For the last several years, she and her cohost, Holly, have produced "The Voices of the Ancestors", a podcast dedicated to an extremely niche topic: polyphonic folk songs of Georgia (the country, not the state) and the women who sing them. Susan went from not even knowing what a podcast was to speaking with conviction on microphone preferences and the rise of video in the industry. Her show has connected her with a global community of fellow devotees, uncovered numerous opportunities to speak at events all around the world, and elevated underacknowledged voices—precisely because she chose to project her niche passion full-throated across the airwaves. Get inspired to double down on your specialized expertise in your podcast: What's possible when you accept that "every day is a learning day"; Navigating the technological trials of recording; Sharing the workload as a two-person podcasting team; The reality and considerations of continuing a podcast amidst life's busyness. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Voices of the Ancestors, "Nino Kalandadze Makharadze Remembered": https://voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/voices-of-the-ancestors-all-episodes#NinoKalandadze Voices of the Ancestors, "Blessing the Village: Alive Easter with Amer-Imeri: https://soundcloud.com/voicesoftheancestors/blessing-the-village-alive  Engage with Susan Thompson: Connect with Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanthompsonuk/  Listen to Voices of the Ancestors: https://voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/  Follow the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/voicesoftheancestors  Follow the podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgianpolyphony Buy Susan and Holly a coffee (or a mint tea): https://ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    41 min
  7. Why Video is More Challenging for Podcasts

    Apr 6

    Why Video is More Challenging for Podcasts

    As a woman, should you consider adding video to your show? Video podcasting is on the rise. The trend is being driven by huge celebrity players and, most recently, Apple Podcasts, who released HLS video support in late March 2026. And while there are benefits to this evolution, there's also a lot to unpack if you're considering adding video to your show. In this episode, Mary shares a deeply personal take on this shift, interspersed with her podcasting expertise. There are two sides to every coin: video raises the barrier to entry beyond simple audio recording, and it provides an improved experience to people who are hard of hearing. Video gives you the opportunity to show and tell, and it requires a lot more work to edit. Most significantly, podcasting's visual evolution heaps the same unfair standards on women that the film and television industry has for generations. Unpack the heavy demand of video, as a woman in podcasting: Exploring the gender bias that has always plagued women in media; How adding video to your podcast will affect you, mentally and physically; The high-tech requirements of adding a video component; The reality of how video could help your show. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Kings College London, "Almost a third of Gen Z men agree a wife should obey her husband" -  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/almost-a-third-of-gen-z-men-agree-a-wife-should-obey-her-husband "Global News anchors conduct wardrobe experiment. Did you notice?" - https://globalnews.ca/news/10263239/global-news-anchors-wardrobe-experiment/ "Apple introduces a new video podcast experience on Apple Podcasts" - https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2026/02/apple-introduces-a-new-video-podcast-experience-on-apple-podcasts/ "Apple Takes Podcasting Mainstream" - https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/06/28Apple-Takes-Podcasting-Mainstream/ Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    26 min
  8. Priority Production Tasks for the Solo Podcaster with Emma Krebs

    Mar 23

    Priority Production Tasks for the Solo Podcaster with Emma Krebs

    How many different hats do you wear as host and producer of your own podcast? If you actually wrote out everything you do for your podcast besides speaking into the microphone, the list would be extensive. Podcasters often get asked what it means to be a podcast producer. As Emma Krebs explains, that's because "producer" is an umbrella term that encompasses a ton of different roles. Emma is a seasoned podcast and YouTube producer who currently produces celebrity doctor Mark Hyman's show. While she's lucky enough today to have a robust team and suite of tools at her disposal, she remembers what it was like to fly solo. In this episode, she breaks down what her current role looks like and which of the many, many steps every hybrid host–producer should prioritize. From heavy guest research to tracking spreadsheets to really perfecting that intro, Emma's tips and tricks will help you position your podcast as a meaningful contributor to the medium and to positive change across the industry.  Dust off the countless hats of a solo showrunner: How spending more time on show prep will save you time later; The ongoing inequality and hopeful future of women in podcasting; Why you need to think about your intros long before post-production; Why jumping on the video podcast bandwagon might be the wrong move. Links worth mentioning from the episode: Episode 110, "Start Strong with a Purposeful Intro": https://www.organizedsound.ca/start-strong-with-a-purposeful-intro-episode-110/ USC Annenberg, "Inequality in Popular Podcasts? An Examination of Gender & Race/Ethnicity": https://assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/aii-inequality-Podcasts-2025-11-06.pdf Engage with Emma: Learn more about her work: https://www.emmakrebs.com/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byemmakrebs/ Listen to the Dr. Hyman Show, produced by Emma: https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/tagged/podcast Connect with Mary! Leave a voice note with your feedback at https://www.speakpipe.com/VisibleVoice or email visiblevoicepodcast@gmail.com Get the full transcript of the episode at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com Read up on more secrets with the Visible Voice Insights Newsletter https://www.organizedsound.ca/newsletter To learn more or work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca Link up on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/ Engage on Instagram @OrganizedSoundProductions https://www.instagram.com/organizedsoundproductions Show Credits: Podcast audio design, engineering, and editing by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions Show notes written by Shannon Kirk of Right Words Studio Post-production support by Kristalee Forre of Forre You VA Podcast cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

    44 min
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About

How do you, as a podcaster, make an emotional connection with your listeners to create a place where they feel like they belong? This podcast about how to podcast for underrepresented podcasters doing good in the world, who want to build a community of belonging. You'll discover what it takes to be a powerful podcaster and support your listeners to feel like they belong. Go on your podcasting journey to reclaim and redefine what a successful podcast means to you, by thriving on your own terms, with Mary Chan as your host. As a Voice-Over Artist and former radio producer for almost 20 years, she'll share with you what she's learned from creating, recording, and editing, hundreds of thousands of voices; from newbie clients who had to read their very first script to seasoned professionals voicing the very same commercials you hear on the radio and TV. They all have one thing in common with you – they made an emotional connection to a listener, not by the words they use, but by how they use their voice. Now as a Podcast Strategist and founder of Organized Sound Productions, you'll gain the insights to keep you podcasting and have fun while you're at it! How do you want your listener to feel? Learn all the secrets at http://www.visiblevoicepodcast.com and to work with Mary, check out https://www.organizedsound.ca.

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