The Joyful Singer

Erin Stewart
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Performing Arts
  • Weekly

Hosted by Broadway performer, vocal & mindset coach Erin Stewart, The Joyful Singer Podcast is for singers — professionals, enthusiasts, former singers, and shower singers — who want their voice to feel free, overcome performance anxiety, and reconnect with the joy of singing. Every Wednesday, Erin shares insights on vocal health, creative inspiration, performance mindset, and whole-person well-being — helping you not just grow as a singer, but come back to yourself through your voice. Think of it as your weekly reset toward joy. About Erin: Erin Stewart is a Broadway performer, vocal and mindset coach, and founder of Joyful Singing. She made her Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera, performed the role of Christine Daaé in the Broadway national tour and Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, and the role of Mrs. Nordstrom in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music. A certified Positive Intelligence Mindset Coach with a Master's Degree in Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, Erin combines vocal training with mindset work to help singers build confidence, quiet self-doubt, and navigate the emotional side of using their voice.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 32: Singing Is Self-Care: A New Way to Think About Your Voice

    EP 32: Singing Is Self-Care: A New Way to Think About Your Voice What if, instead of constantly asking your voice to do more for you, you started asking what you could do for your voice? In this episode, I’m exploring the connection between singing and self-care—and how changing the way we treat our voices can change our entire singing experience. We’ll talk about how singing can nourish us, why caring for ourselves supports our singing, and how something as simple as a vocal warm-up can become an opportunity to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with yourself. In this episode, we explore: How singing can be an act of self-care, regardless of how you sound. Why your physical and mental wellbeing matter to your voice. How to approach vocal warm-ups as a way to care for yourself, not just improve. Simple ways to tend to your voice with more kindness and curiosity. Your invitation: The next time you warm up, try approaching it as an act of care rather than a task to complete. Notice what shifts! Resources mentioned Free Joyful Singing Starter Kit — includes a 12-minute SOVT vocal warm-up. Episode 5: SOVT Exercises — revisit the basics of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. The 7-Day Vocal Reboot — join me November 8–14 for a week of vocal TLC, mindfulness, and support. Sign up by November 7! Connect with me on Instagram or visit erinstewart.net.

    Ep 32: Singing Is Self-Care: A New Way to Think About Your Voice

  2. Oct 28

    Ep 31: How to Find Your Next Step as a Singer

    EP 31: How to Find Your Next Step as a Singer Feeling stuck? Not sure what your next step is? In this episode, I’m exploring the power of curiosity and how approaching our challenges with a beginner’s mind can help us move past overthinking, quiet our inner critic, and discover a clearer path forward. Find those answers you're looking for! You’ll learn how to become a “fascinated anthropologist,” gather information without judgment, and use a simple exercise to explore what's keeping you stuck—before rushing to find a solution. In this episode: Why curiosity can be more helpful than trying to force an answer How our inner critic and other saboteurs interfere with exploration A practical exercise to help you understand a problem and discover your next steps Resources mentioned: Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine The 7-Day Vocal Reboot Challenge — November 8–14 Find me on Instagram Visit my website

    Ep 31: How to Find Your Next Step as a Singer

  3. Oct 21

    Ep 30: Saying No to Protect Your Creative Energy

    EP 30: Saying No to Protect Your Creative Energy For the singer who is taking on too much What if your voice could reach even more people—but you’re so busy saying yes to everyone else that you have very little energy left for your own dreams? In this episode, we’re talking about protecting your creative energy, letting go of the pressure to do it all, and learning to say no without feeling like you’re letting everyone down. If you tend to overachieve, people-please, or push yourself past the point of exhaustion, this episode is for you! In this episode, we explore: Why saying yes to everything can get in the way of your creative dreams How people-pleasing and the need to prove yourself can leave you feeling depleted Why protecting your energy is essential to creativity and freedom onstage Three questions to ask yourself before saying yes to another commitment How to make space for your singing, your well-being, and the person you want to become Your takeaway: You don't have to say yes to everything to prove yourself. Your creative energy is worth protecting! Resources mentioned What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/  Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherinhttps://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin     Joyful Singing Starter KitMy free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit  Coming in November! I'm putting together a 7-day singing challenge to help you make more room for your voice, reconnect with your creativity, and bring more intention and joy into your singing practice. We'll have daily check-ins, support from me, and opportunities to connect live. Stay tuned for details!

    Ep 30: Saying No to Protect Your Creative Energy

  4. Oct 14

    Ep 29: How to Receive a Compliment as a Singer

    How to Receive a Compliment as a Singer Have you ever finished singing, someone tells you how beautiful you sounded, and your immediate response is: “Really? I thought I sounded awful.” Do you launch into a detailed explanation of everything that went wrong? Yep. I’ve done this more times than I can count. In this episode, we’re talking about why it can be surprisingly hard for singers to receive a compliment and why learning to do so can actually be part of learning to let yourself be seen. In this episode, we explore: Why singers can be so much better at noticing what went wrong than what went right Why you don’t have to agree with a compliment to receive it The difference between humility and self-rejection Why being complimented can actually feel vulnerable when you’re used to hiding or shrinking How to stop arguing with someone else’s experience A simple 3-second practice for letting a compliment land What to say when someone compliments your singing How curiosity can replace the urge to immediately dismiss praise A simple 7-day Compliment Challenge to practice being seen   CONNECT WITH ME Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/ Joyful Singing Starter Kit:My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit Step Into the Spotlight WorkshopMy free, live workshop about performance anxiety and the “shrinking reflex”—the automatic tendency to pull back when being fully seen feels vulnerable or scary. Check the page for the next workshop date and registration.https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight Come find me on Instagram:@joyfulsingingwitherinhttps://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

    Ep 29: How to Receive a Compliment as a Singer

  5. Oct 7

    Ep 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers

    Ep. 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers Have you ever gotten the role, the opportunity, or the compliment you’ve been hoping for… only to start wondering if someone made a mistake? Or walked into an audition thinking, “Who am I to be doing this?”  We can have years of training, professional credits, successful performances, and plenty of evidence that we belong… and still hear that little voice saying, “Yeah, but…”  In this episode, we’re looking at imposter syndrome as another kind of mind trap and learning how to separate fact from the stories our brains create. In this episode, we talk about: What imposter syndrome actually is and what it isn’t The “Yeah, but…” machine and how we dismiss evidence that contradicts our doubts Why imposter syndrome can be so selective about the evidence it pays attention to How to separate facts from fiction  Why you don’t need to replace self-doubt with fake positivity What changes when you stop trying to prove that you belong Creating an “Evidence” file to remind yourself of your actual experiences, accomplishments, courage, and resilience Learning to hear doubt without automatically letting it influence your decisions   Create your “Evidence” file Open the notes app on your phone and create a note called Evidence.  Add things like: Roles and opportunities you’ve received Performances you’re proud of Kind things people have genuinely said Difficult things you’ve learned and gotten through Risks you’ve taken Times you recovered from mistakes Things you’ve accomplished that once scared you Moments when you sang even though you were terrified  Don’t just include the glamorous stuff. Your courage and resilience are evidence, too.    QUESTIONS to sit with: What are the actual facts? What have I done that demonstrates capability? What am I still learning? What am I assuming? What am I afraid people will discover? Whose standard am I measuring myself against? What would I do if I didn’t need to prove that I belonged?   Resources mentioned in this episode 🌎 Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/ 🎁 Joyful Singing Starter Kit My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup. https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit ✨ Step Into the Spotlight My free live workshop about performance anxiety and the “shrinking reflex”—the automatic tendency to pull back when being fully seen feels vulnerable or scary. Check the page for the next workshop date and registration. https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight 📱 Come find me on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin   And if something in this episode hits home, send me a DM or even a voice memo. I genuinely want to hear from you!!

    Ep 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers

  6. Sep 30

    Ep 27: Letting Go of Other People's Not-So-Helpful Feedback

    Ep. 27: Letting Go of Other People’s Not-So-Helpful Feedback Have you ever had someone say something about your voice that you just can’t seem to shake?  A teacher. A director. A parent. A colleague. A reviewer. Maybe even someone you love. Sometimes it’s useful feedback that landed badly. Sometimes it was an offhand comment. And sometimes it was just plain unhelpful. But years later, you’re still carrying it. And sometimes someone else’s opinion becomes your inner voice.  In this episode, we’re talking about how to become more discerning about the feedback you receive so you can take what’s useful without taking on the shame, fear, or story that came along with it. We’ll explore: Why we can mistake other people’s opinions for facts How old comments can shape the way we sing today The difference between feedback about your singing and someone defining who you are as a singer  How to separate the facts from the stories our minds create How to ask, “Is there anything useful here?”  Why you can learn from criticism without beating yourself up How to recognize voices in your head that may not actually belong to you And how to decide what you want to carry forward and what you’re ready to leave behind   Want a little support? My free Joyful Singing Starter Kit includes a 2-minute guided At Ease Break to help you step out of mental chatter, reconnect with yourself, and practice choosing where you put your attention. GET THE FREE JOYFUL SINGING STARTER KIT    Stay connected Follow me on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin  Find me on Facebook: Erin Stewart Voice Studio  Visit my website: erinstewart.net  And if you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast, send me a DM on Instagram! I genuinely love hearing from you and finding out what you're struggling with and what you'd like to hear me talk about. And if this episode resonated with you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a singer friend. It helps the podcast so much!

    Ep 27: Letting Go of Other People's Not-So-Helpful Feedback

  7. Sep 23

    Ep 26: Stop Focusing So Much On Your Voice

    Ep. 26: Stop Focusing So Much on Your Voice Do you find that you’re listening to yourself sing while you're singing way too much?  Did that note sound good? Am I in tune? Do I sound okay? Do they like me? Ugh. That was terrible.  Like you’re overly focused on your sound and not actually enjoying the act of doing it. I talked about this during my recent Step into the Spotlight workshop, and two questions that came up during the Q&A really stuck with me because they're things so many singers struggle with. One of them we're talking about today (the other next week!) and it's about what happens in the moment we're singing—when our attention gets hijacked by our own thoughts and we start monitoring and judging ourselves instead of actually experiencing the music. That's what we're tackling in this episode. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why you don't have to be a victim of every thought that pops into your head How mindfulness and meditation can help strengthen your attention muscle My At Ease Breaks—short, two-minute check-ins you can do practically anywhere How to notice where your attention has gone without judging yourself for it How to gently redirect your attention back to the story, the person you're singing to, the meaning of the lyric, your body, or whatever you want to be focusing on Why getting distracted isn't failure—the redirecting is actually the exercise   And we're going to talk about how you can start training your mind now, so that when you're on stage, you have more ability to choose where your attention goes. The goal isn't to never think about your voice.  It's to stop letting monitoring take over the experience. A resource I mention: Peak Mind: Achieve Peak Mindfulness and Unlock Your Full Potential by Dr. Amishi Jha  Dr. Jha is a leading researcher in the science of attention, and her work explores how mindfulness practices can help us train our ability to focus and redirect our attention. Get my free Joyful Singing Starter Kit Want to try one of my 2-minute At Ease Breaks? I've created a free Joyful Singing Starter Kit that includes a guided At Ease Break, plus a 12-minute vocal warmup and other tools to help you reconnect with your voice. 👉 Get the free Joyful Singing Starter Kit    Stay connected Follow me on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin  Find me on Facebook: Erin Stewart Voice Studio  Visit my website: erinstewart.net  And if you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast, send me a DM on Instagram! I genuinely love hearing from you and finding out what you're struggling with and what you'd like to hear me talk about. And if this episode resonated with you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a singer friend. It helps the podcast so much!

    Ep 26: Stop Focusing So Much On Your Voice

  8. Sep 16

    Ep 25: Keep Going: 6 Ways to Build Resilience as a Singer

    Keep Going: 6 Ways to Build Resilience as a Singer What happens when the audition doesn't go your way? When you lose your voice? When the gigs dry up? When your confidence takes a hit, or you simply find yourself wondering, “What now?” If you're a singer or performer, you already know that the highs can be HIGH… but the ride can also be pretty bumpy.   Because being a singer isn't just about what happens when everything is going well. It's about how you navigate the inevitable rejection, setbacks, uncertainty, changes, and challenges that come with being a performer. In this episode, I'm sharing 6 ways to build resilience as a singer so you can bounce back from challenges, keep moving toward your dreams, and stay connected to the reason you sing in the first place. In this episode, we talk about: 🎤 Handling rejection and criticism without allowing it to define your self-worth 🎤 Overcoming vocal blocks and setbacks while taking care of your voice and knowing when to rest or get help 🎤 Staying motivated during dry spells and finding ways to reconnect with inspiration 🎤 Dealing with performance anxiety so fear doesn't keep you from moving forward 🎤 Adapting to changes in the performing industry while still staying true to yourself and your creativity 🎤 Maintaining consistency and finding ways to make singing something that feeds and nurtures you—not just something you have to do to get the next gig And throughout the episode, we come back to one of my favorite tools: your good inner coach—the part of you that can meet challenges with curiosity, compassion, perspective, and wisdom instead of letting your inner critic take over. Because resilience doesn't mean you never get discouraged. It doesn't mean rejection doesn't hurt. It doesn't mean you're never afraid. Resilience means learning how to meet those moments and keep going. 🎧 Mentioned in this episode Demon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverThe book I mentioned that got me thinking about resilience and what it means to keep moving forward when life gets hard. Episode 7: 12 Tips for Dealing with Performance AnxietyIf performance anxiety is one of the things that keeps you from fully showing up when you sing, go back and listen to this episode for practical tools you can use. Episode 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach.                                                                                                       Connect to the wisest part of yourself to access the resilience you desire. The part that will help you find the gifts from challenges, who will turn setbacks into opportunities.    💛 Want support putting this work into practice? If you've been listening to The Joyful Singer and thinking, “Okay, Erin. I get it—but how do I actually DO all of this?” That's exactly why I created A Course in Joyful Singing. Joyful Singing is my whole-person approach to helping singers become more free, confident, expressive, and fully themselves when they sing. Inside the program, we work on the voice—but we also work on the mindset, nervous system, body, creativity, confidence, performance anxiety, inner critic, and all the other things that affect how you show up as a singer. You'll get: The full self-paced Joyful Singing program A private community of singers Two live group coaching calls with me every month Lifetime access to the program Support as you work through the real-life challenges that come with being a singer Enrollment is currently open! The launch offer ends Friday, September 18th, but I'm giving listeners of The Joyful Singer a special extension. You can join at the special launch price through Wednesday, September 23rd at the end of the day. 👉 Learn more about A Course in Joyful Singing & join  HERE   FREE RESOURCES:   The Joyful Singing Starter Kit (FREE):https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit  Website:https://www.erinstewart.net    Let’s Stay Connected Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherinFacebook: Erin Stewart - Voice Teacher and Mindset Coach for Singers   If this episode resonated with you, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review is one of the most powerful ways you can help more singers find this work. I appreciate you so much for being here!!   Disclaimer While we talk about mental, physical, and vocal wellbeing here, this podcast is not a substitute for medical, vocal, or therapeutic care. Please seek guidance from a licensed professional for personalized support.

    Ep 25: Keep Going: 6 Ways to Build Resilience as a Singer
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5
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About

Hosted by Broadway performer, vocal & mindset coach Erin Stewart, The Joyful Singer Podcast is for singers — professionals, enthusiasts, former singers, and shower singers — who want their voice to feel free, overcome performance anxiety, and reconnect with the joy of singing. Every Wednesday, Erin shares insights on vocal health, creative inspiration, performance mindset, and whole-person well-being — helping you not just grow as a singer, but come back to yourself through your voice. Think of it as your weekly reset toward joy. About Erin: Erin Stewart is a Broadway performer, vocal and mindset coach, and founder of Joyful Singing. She made her Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera, performed the role of Christine Daaé in the Broadway national tour and Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, and the role of Mrs. Nordstrom in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music. A certified Positive Intelligence Mindset Coach with a Master's Degree in Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, Erin combines vocal training with mindset work to help singers build confidence, quiet self-doubt, and navigate the emotional side of using their voice.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Stewart
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Joyful Singer

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