The NAVAgator - official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors

NAVA National Association of Voice Actors
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Semimonthly

This is the official podcast of NAVA - education, advocating and investigating of behalf of the voiceover community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 016 NAVAgator podcast - Audio Description with Roy Samuelson

    May 6

    016 NAVAgator podcast - Audio Description with Roy Samuelson

    NAVAgator host Graeme Spicer talks with Roy Samuelson, a leading audio description (AD) performer with credits for Netflix, HBO, Disney, and A24. They explore the nuanced art of audio description, why it’s a delicate “high-wire act,” how to match tone and genre, AI’s role, and why accessibility and great storytelling go hand in hand. Guest: Roy Samuelson Author of A Voice Actor’s Guide to Audio Description Performance & Founder of The Playback Lounge Timestamps 00:00:00 – Opening clip: The high-wire act of AD00:00:49 – Welcome & episode overview00:02:18 – Introducing Roy Samuelson00:02:43 – What is Audio Description?00:05:22 – Common frustrations for blind audiences00:06:31 – Roy’s personal story that sparked his passion00:08:12 – The High-Wire Act: Balancing performance00:10:50 – Adapting to different genres (horror, comedy, action, kids)00:13:00 – WALL-E vs. Aaron Sorkin-style scripts00:14:25 – Writing his book on AD performance00:16:50 – The Playback Lounge: Practice community for voice actors00:20:15 – How to tell if AD is working00:21:35 – Studio & platform differences00:23:38 – AI & synthetic voices: Pros, cons, and ethics00:28:11 – Business realities and rates00:30:34 – Bridging the gap between studios and blind audiences00:33:09 – Accessibility and artistry reinforce each other00:36:28 – Wrap-up & resourcesLinks Roy’s Book: A Voice Actor’s Guide to Audio Description Performance https://roysamuelson.com/book (https://a.co/d/0fARhcUh)The Playback Lounge https://roysamuelson.com/ad-playback-loungeWebsite & Newsletter: RoySamuelson.com https://roysamuelson.com/blogBONUS - AUDIO DESCRIPTION FREE GUIDE - https://roysamuelson.com/mastering-ad-performance-guide/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  2. 015 NAVAgator podcast - The Origin Story of LAVA — with Memo Sauceda

    Mar 26

    015 NAVAgator podcast - The Origin Story of LAVA — with Memo Sauceda

    In the season two premiere, Graeme Spicer sits down with Memo Sauceda to trace the journey from a WhatsApp group formed at the OneVoice Conference in Dallas to the formal launch of LAVA as a committee within NAVA. Memo shares how a viral manifesto video, a pandemic, and the rise of AI voice cloning galvanized Spanish-speaking voice actors across 34 countries to organize — and why joining forces with NAVA was the right move. Timestamps: 0:00 — Cold open (Jordan Peele / Obama deepfake) 0:41 — Introduction & episode overview 2:12 — What was OVU and what sparked it? 4:57 — Early advocacy: the viral manifesto video 5:55 — The talking points that predicted everything 7:22 — OVU's biggest challenges & why a partnership made sense 8:29 — Reaching out to the NAVA board 12:37 — Transitioning from OVU to LAVA inside NAVA 13:34 — Why a committee model vs. independent affiliate (CAVA comparison) 16:16 — Servicing 34 culturally diverse markets 16:53 — Budget realities & country-specific rate guides 17:21 — Professionalism gap: US vs. Latin American recording standards 20:59 — AI legislation differences across Latin America 21:43 — Membership fees & economic fairness 22:21 — Pricing decision: $99/year (discounts available) 24:54 — LAVA membership vs. NAVA membership benefits 26:07 — AI voice threats unique to Spanish-speaking talent 26:29 — The Amazon anime AI dubbing controversy 30:04 — Memo's vision: What does success look like for LAVA? 32:52 — Paying it forward: mentorship & community 35:57 — Outro & how to get involved Links & Resources: NAVA / LAVA membership: navavoices.orgOVU manifesto video: Instagram @ovuPodcast theme music: The Urban Renewal Project — urpmusic.comKey Quotes: "We say that we want to have a seat at the table on the decisions of what's gonna happen with our voice.""When you want to be better, you get together with people that are better than you.""If we make people understand that it's important to read the contract and really make an informed decision, then we are winning.""My life wouldn't be what it is right now if it weren't for the people that helped me at the beginning." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  3. Mar 11

    014 NAVAgator podcast - the NAVA Gala

    OverviewCarin Gilfry, NAVA board member and gala organizer, discusses with Graeme Spicer the December 2025 NAVA Gala in Los Angeles - the organization's signature fundraising event that raised $80,000 for the NAVA Foundation. 0:00 - Opening 1:12 - Introduction and episode overview 1:36 - "Gala" pronunciation debate and setting the scene 2:42 - Karin's childhood circus party story and the first NAVA Gala 3:53 - Gala origins and financial success - $80,000 raised this year 5:30 - NAVA Foundation vs NAVA: 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(6) explained 6:32 - NAVA Foundation programs: scholarships, contract reviews, emergency funds 7:53 - 2025 Award Winners 8:19 - Voiceover Service Provider Award: Kristin Paiva (Paiva Productions) 10:06 - Be Brad Award split into two awards 11:00 - Be Brad Award: Jeff Burns 11:47 - Voiceover Community Award: Nerds Vote 13:49 - Vocation Curaçao conference (April 23-26) 15:00 - Voiceover Icon Award: Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy and Pluto) 16:39 - Powerline dance flash mob details 17:26 - Red carpet and event atmosphere 18:29 - Ticket sales: sold out in 10 hours (300 tickets in 4 hours) 20:45 - 2026 Gala Date: Friday, December 11, 2026 21:30 - Virtual gala component and closing thanks Key Takeaways450+ attendees at 2025 gala (up from 350 in 2024)$80,000 raised for NAVA FoundationFour awards presentedEvent sold out in 10 hoursVirtual component available for remote attendeesTickets typically go on sale July/August Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min

  4. Jan 28

    013 NAVAgator podcast - NAVA Demo Best Practices PT 2

    In this episode of The NAVAgator, the official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors, host Graeme Spicer finishes his exploration with Tim and Carson about the essential guidelines and best practices for voice actors when working with demo producers. The discussion emphasizes the importance of transparency, trust, collaboration, and integrity in the demo production process. They address key topics like rate clarity, turnaround times, defining relationships, payment terms, and the necessity for voice actors to be demo-ready. The conversation also delves into avoiding scams, ensuring good communication, and the issue of using real brand names in demo scripts. 00:00 Introduction to Part 2 of Demo Best Practices 01:10 Understanding Producer Rates and Turnaround Times 02:12 Building Trust and Collaboration 04:09 Defining Relationships and Payment Terms 05:47 Clarifying Services and Acting with Integrity 08:33 Recognizing When You're Demo Ready 10:22 Avoiding Scams and Promises 12:15 Effective Communication and Feedback 18:55 Final Thoughts and Common Misconceptions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  5. 012 NAVAgator podcast - NAVA Demo Best Practices PT 1

    11/27/2025

    012 NAVAgator podcast - NAVA Demo Best Practices PT 1

    Crafting Effective Voiceover Demos: Insights and Best Practices In this episode of 'The NAVAgator,' the official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), host Graeme Spicer kicks off part one of a two-part series on the role of voiceover demos. Featuring insights from Carson Beck, a successful voice talent and producer, and Tim Friedlander, a renowned voice actor and president of NAVA, the discussion covers the importance of demo integrity, how to distinguish reputable demo producers, and the various purposes a demo serves in different stages of a career. The episode also touches on the significance of 'overproduction', the reality of building rapport with demo producers, and the potential pitfalls of DIY demos. This podcast aims to equip voice actors with the right questions to ask and considerations to make when venturing into the world of demos. 00:00 Introduction to Voiceover Demos 01:12 Meet the Experts: Carson Beck and Tim Friedlander 01:31 Navigating the Demo Production Landscape 04:17 The Role and Purpose of a Demo 07:17 The Importance of Authenticity in Demos 09:15 Avoiding Overproduction and Unrealistic Expectations 12:16 The Subjectivity of Demo Needs 22:15 DIY Demos: Pros and Cons 29:08 Conclusion and Next Steps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    011 NAVAgator podcast - Sexual Harassment in the VO Community

    Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Voiceover Industry: An In-Depth Discussion with Karin Gilfry In this episode of The Navigator, the official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), host Graeme Spicer interviews Karin Gilfry, NAVA Vice President, to discuss the pressing issue of sexual harassment within the voiceover community. The conversation spans definitions of sexual harassment, unique challenges faced in the industry due to its freelance nature, and the creation of a new sexual harassment resource guide by NAVA. They delve into the complexities of addressing sexual harassment without a central HR department and offer practical advice for those who may experience uncomfortable situations. Karin also emphasizes the importance of proactive education, bystander intervention, and the role of alcohol in exacerbating these issues. The episode aims to provide a framework for understanding, preventing, and addressing sexual harassment, advocating for a community informed by mutual respect and professional boundaries. 00:00 Introduction to Sexual Harassment in Voice Acting 01:14 Defining Sexual Harassment 01:42 Challenges in the Voiceover Industry 02:37 Creating Guidelines and Best Practices 03:51 Power Imbalances and Reporting Issues 04:59 Advice for Handling Harassment 06:23 Concerns from Men and Women 07:43 Understanding Grooming Behavior 08:56 Maintaining Professional Boundaries 09:10 Addressing All Gender Scenarios 10:09 Importance of Apologies and Communication 12:34 NAVA's Role and Limitations 16:13 Encouraging Education and Awareness 20:50 Alcohol's Impact on Professional Behavior 21:44 Bystander Intervention and Support 22:49 Conclusion and Open Communication Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  7. 09/02/2025

    010 NAVAgator podcast - On the Streets in Washington and Sacramento: Political Advocacy

    In this episode of The NAVAgator, the team from the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) discuss their political advocacy efforts in Washington and Sacramento. The team, including NAVA President Tim Friedlander, VP Carin Gilfry, and Director of Operations Matthew Parham, shares insights into their legislative focus on protecting voice actors' rights amidst the rise of AI technology. They delve into specific legislation like the No Fakes Act and state level bills aiming to regulate AI and intellectual property. The conversation highlights the challenges of advocating in a dynamically changing technological environment and the importance of bipartisan support and persistence in legislative efforts. 00:00 Introduction and Ideological Unity 00:25 Welcome Back to The Navigator 01:08 NAVA's Political Advocacy Efforts 01:51 Challenges of AI Legislation 05:04 The No Fakes Act and Federal Efforts 11:34 State-Level Legislation and Its Impact 27:25 A Day in Washington: Advocacy in Action 35:16 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  8. 009 NAVAgator podcast - Education update with Tracy Lindley

    06/27/2025

    009 NAVAgator podcast - Education update with Tracy Lindley

    In this episode of The NAVAgator Podcast, host Graeme Spicer speaks with Tracy Lindley, Director of Education at the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA). They discuss the variety and philosophy behind NAVA’s educational programs, which blend performance and business skills to cater to diverse voice actors. Tracy shares her journey, NAVA's mission, unique class offerings, fundraising efforts, and how the organization champions inclusivity and community in the voice acting industry. Listeners are encouraged to participate and provide feedback to help shape future programming. 00:00 Introduction to the Navigator Podcast 00:49 Meet Tracy Lindley: Director of Education at NAVA 03:11 The Role and Impact of NAVA's Educational Programs 04:42 Fundraising and Community Events 05:56 Class Structure and Accessibility 08:17 Resources and Benefits for Members 10:26 Choosing Topics and Instructors 19:21 Inclusivity and Feedback 24:37 Upcoming Classes and Events 26:55 Conclusion and Contact Information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
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This is the official podcast of NAVA - education, advocating and investigating of behalf of the voiceover community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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