The Joyful Singer

Erin Stewart
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated 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. 4d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Sep 9

    Ep 24: When You Sing Better Alone (And what to do about!)

    When You Sing Better Alone (And What to Do About It)  Feeling frustrated that you can sound completely different when you're singing by yourself than when someone is watching? In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when the attention turns toward us. I'll introduce you to a concept I've been calling the Shrinking Reflex: that automatic impulse to make yourself a little smaller when you're being seen. You want to sing.You want to perform. And simultaneously, another part of you is saying: Please don't look at me.Please don't judge me.Please don't let me mess this up.  In this episode, we talk about: Why you can feel like a completely different singer when you're performing Why performance anxiety isn't simply a confidence problem The difference between eliminating nerves and learning to stay connected to yourself How to notice your inner critic without letting it run the show How to stay connected to your breath, your body, and your expression when you're being watched How to become the person who can coach yourself through moments of vulnerability What it means to bring your full self into your singing    Step Into the Spotlight — FREE LIVE WORKSHOP   When You Want to Sing… But Don't Want to Be Seen 📅 September 14, 2026🎤 FREE + LIVE⏰ 90-minute workshop Inside this workshop, we'll explore what's underneath that conflict between wanting to be seen and wanting to hide. I'll introduce you to the Shrinking Reflex, coach you through a process for beginning to shift out of that automatic tendency to pull back, and help you explore what it means to Claim Your Spotlight while staying connected to yourself. We'll also explore how to bring more of YOU into your singing. If you can come live, come live! We'll actually experience this work together, not just talk about it. A replay will also be available to registered attendees.   👉 Register here: erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight    CONNECT WITH ME: Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! New episodes released every Wednesday. @joyfulsingingwitherin - Chat with me on Instagram! The Joyful Singing Starter Kit - Grab your FREE kit. www.erinstewart.net - See what I’m up to! If you’re enjoying the podcast it would mean the world to me if you’d SUBSCRIBE + leave a REVIEW! I appreciate you and your support!

    Ep 24: When You Sing Better Alone (And what to do about!)

  6. Sep 2

    Ep 23: How to find YOUR voice (and stop trying to sound like everyone else)

    EP 23: How to Find YOUR Voice  (And Stop Trying to Sound Like Everyone Else) Have you ever wondered if you’ve actually found your voice? Maybe you’ve spent years taking lessons, practicing, studying, listening to other singers, and trying to improve, but somewhere along the way, you started wondering: What does MY voice actually sound like when I’m not trying to sound like someone else? In this episode, I’m talking about my own journey of finding my voice—and what I wish I had understood much earlier. In this episode, we explore: Why finding your voice is about more than vocal technique The difference between developing your instrument and trying to erase what makes it unique Why “non-traditional” vocal qualities can actually become your superpowers How comparison can interfere with discovering your own sound Why curiosity and play are essential to artistic growth How quiet and stillness help you hear your own inner wisdom Why creating safe spaces for exploration can unlock your creativity How to begin developing a deeper relationship with your voice PLUS!! ⬇️ Discovering Your Vocal Superpowers Try this journaling exercise whenever you’re feeling discouraged, stuck, or unsure about your voice. 1. What do I genuinely like about my voice?What do I feel proud of? 2. What positive comments have I received about my voice that have stayed with me? 3. What negative feedback about my voice has stayed with me? 4. Which of those comments actually feel true to me? Which ones feel imposed? 5. What qualities of my voice feel most “me” when I’m relaxed and unguarded? Think beyond technique. Consider tone, emotional expression, phrasing, presence, texture, color, etc. 6. What have I labeled as flaws? For each one, ask: How might this actually be a strength?What does this quality allow me to express that someone else might not be able to? 7. If I stopped trying to sound like anyone else, what do I imagine my voice would sound like? And: How would it feel in my body?How would it change my relationship to singing? AND.....⬇️ 5 Ways to Start Finding YOUR Voice 1. Dabble in other art forms. 2. Don’t learn songs by listening to recordings of other artists.
 3. Don't compare. 4. Spend time being quiet. 5. Spend time in safe spaces for exploration.       📚 Mentioned in This Episode  Making Play a Part of Practice — Heidi Moss EricksonThis article explores the role of play, experimentation, curiosity, and discovery in a singer’s practice—and why creating space for exploration can help us become more expressive, connected artists. Read “Making Play a Part of Practice” by Heidi Moss Erickson   FREE LIVE WORKSHOP: Step Into the Spotlight Want to feel more relaxed and more fully YOU on stage? Join me for my free, live 90-minute workshop, Step Into the Spotlight. We’ll explore a new approach to performance anxiety, including the shrinking reflex, and I’ll walk you through my 3-step process for owning your voice so you can bring your whole self to the stage. There will also be a live Q&A and 2 free gifts for those who stay until the end. Save your spot for Step Into the Spotlight   🎁 Want a place to start? Grab my FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit with a guided centering exercise, 12-minute vocal warmup, and workbook. Get the Joyful Singing Starter Kit   Let's keep in touch! Website:https://www.erinstewart.net Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

    Ep 23: How to find YOUR voice (and stop trying to sound like everyone else)

  7. Aug 26

    Ep 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach

    EP 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach  How to Grow Your Voice Without Losing Yourself in the Process   In this episode, we explore: Why becoming your own teacher doesn't mean knowing everything How to become the expert on your own experience How to distinguish your intuition from your inner critic Why your “good inner coach” motivates through curiosity, encouragement, passion, and joy—not shame Three simple practices for strengthening your connection to your good inner coach Why learning to listen to yourself can actually make your work with a voice teacher MORE productive How to stop outsourcing your knowing while still welcoming guidance and support What are saboteurs and how are they holding you back   Your Good Inner Coach Your good inner coach is that centered, wise part of you that can say: “Let's see what happens.” “What does my voice need today?” “What feels freer?” “Let's try it another way.” It isn't the voice telling you that you're terrible. It isn't the perfectionist demanding that you get everything right. And it isn't the people-pleaser worrying about whether everyone else approves. Your good inner coach is curious. Compassionate. Encouraging. Grounded. And most importantly, it helps you grow without speaking harshly to yourself in the process.   Want to practice connecting with your good inner coach? Grab my FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit. Inside you'll get: 🎵 A guided vocal warmup📝 A workbook with reflection prompts and action steps🧘‍♀️ A guided centering exercise designed to help you connect with your good inner coach✨ A habit tracker and strategies for creating lasting singing habits It's a great place to begin if you want to reconnect with yourself and start approaching your singing with more curiosity and joy.   Get the FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit → Want to go deeper? My FREE Joyful Singing Masterclass explores my whole-person approach to singing and the three steps I use to help singers free their voices, build confidence, and reconnect with joy.   Join the FREE Joyful Singing Masterclass →

    Ep 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach

  8. Aug 19

    Ep 21: Why I Stopped Taking Voice Lessons

    Episode 21: Why I Stopped Taking Voice Lessons In my early 30s, after more than 15 years of regular voice study, I stopped taking voice lessons. Not permanently.... I just needed a break. At the time, I knew I needed a break. But looking back, I can see that I needed something much deeper: I needed to learn how to trust myself. I had become overly reliant on outside input. I was filtering my singing through other people’s eyes—worrying about whether I was doing things “right,” whether my teacher was pleased with me, and whether I was performing well for them. I needed to learn how to hear my own voice, trust what I noticed, and ultimately become my own teacher. And that experience completely changed my relationship with singing. In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 lessons I learned: 1. Learn to HEAR your own voice.Not just whether you sound “good” or “bad,” but what you are actually experiencing. What feels freer? What feels more coordinated? What is working today—and what isn’t? 2. Learn to TRUST what you notice.Your intuition isn't the same thing as your inner critic. It’s the quieter voice underneath the noise that can notice, This feels freer. I think I need to try this another way. 3. Become your own teacher.This doesn't mean you stop taking lessons or stop seeking guidance. It means you stop outsourcing your knowing. A good teacher brings expertise you don't have—but you are the expert on your own experience. The goal isn't to stop listening to other people. It's to stop outsourcing your knowing. In this episode, we explore: Why I stopped taking voice lessons after 15+ years of study How people-pleasing and seeking external validation affected my singing The difference between learning from a teacher and relying on a teacher Why your teacher should be a partner—not the authority over your voice How I used experimentation and play to rediscover my voice How to develop your ability to hear your own singing constructively The difference between intuition and your inner critic Questions you can ask yourself when practicing Why your voice may need something different from you each day How to become more actively involved in your vocal development Why becoming your own teacher doesn't mean knowing everything How self-trust can lead to more confidence, ownership, and authentic expression You don't have to figure everything out on your own. You need another set of ears, another perspective, or the guidance of a trusted teacher. But you can learn to bring your own wisdom into the room, too. Get the Free Joyful Singing Starter Kit Want to start developing a stronger connection with your voice and your own inner wisdom? My Joyful Singing Starter Kit includes: A guided 2-minute centering exercise A 12-minute vocal warmup video A workbook to support your singing practice DOWNLOAD HERE Let's keep in touch! Website:https://www.erinstewart.net Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

    Ep 21: Why I Stopped Taking Voice Lessons
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

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
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Joyful Singer

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