Ep 64: Voice Notes from VASTA

Before you do anything else, could you do me a quick favor and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts... noone knows about me because I don't run adds to this show. Thank you!!! In this episode you'll hear me 'live recording' fellow voice nerds at the VASTA conference at Cal Poly Pomona in Los Angeles in October. I asked them questions like:  What's one story about your voice you've been able to let go of?   What are you excited about in the realm of VOICE right now?  What got you interested in being a 'voice professional'in the first place? For most of these people this was the first or maybe second time they'd met me, so I was really grateful for them taking the time to chat with me.  Here are the folks I spoke to: Lori Triolo  Meghan Malloy Jenny Greer Sarah Nichols Daniel MacAlistair Gott Nancy Krebbs (link for the book 'Sensing Speech' on her website) Larissa Kelloway Elijah Kranski Nick Curnow Vivian Majkowski Michael J Barnes Here's where to find out about VASTA  Here's where to stay in touch with me :) My performance site My coaching site On LinkedIn YouTube Stay in touch here         

This episode is for anyone who uses their voice for work or play and doesn't want a seasonal cold to get in the way! I am NOT a medical health professional, but I'm sharing a few remedies and solutions that have worked really well for me and my voice students over the years. Herbal remedies, homeopathy and essential oils are medicine and not to be taken lightly, but the few I have mentioned are all known for being generally very safe. However it's always a good idea to do your own research first and talk to your doctor especially if you are pregnant or have an existing health condition. Oh and NEVER put neat oils on your skin. If you would like to download the free e-book which has everything I mention in this epsiode, plus links and videos and shopping lists for your pantry, you can get that HERE.  Finally, please don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends, I don't have any advertising on this show to boost the algo and I'd loved to keep it that way! Stay healthy and thanks for listening! Oh and here's my website for more resources! www.yourfreevoice.com  

Do you find you have recurring stories that keep popping up about your voice?  "My voice isn't strong enough, or loud enough." "I can't sing on pitch." "No one can hear me in meetings." "Who would want to hear me sing/pitch/present, anyway?" In this short, but very practical episode I'll be taking you through a quick thought/journalling exercise to help you see those stories for what they are and release them for good!   Of course that kind of change takes awareness, intention setting and pattern interupting, so I'm also sharing some techniques to help you with that.  As I mentioend in the episode, if you need a simple guide into a warm up practice, new vocal straws, or a breathing exercise take your pick from a variety of resources on my website. As always, please make sure you're subscribed wherever you get your podcasts and share with a friend! Happy listening and release those old stories!!  

This episode is actually a cheeky little replay of epsiode #48, but with a couple of updates and tweaks. Even if you listened to it the first time around, there's some really juicy stuff in here to help you begin to understand and overcome your fear of standing up in front of people to speak! Did you know that 75% of the population rate public speaking more scary than death, spiders and heights! So if you get a little anxious when the time comes to speak up in a meeting or pitch to a new client (or be interviewed on a podcast), you are NOT alone! In this episode I'm talking about my experience of performance anxiety and how I help other artists, entrepreneurs and leaders transform the stories running in their unconscious minds, so that they can step onto the stage and shine.  If you're interested in grabbing a spot in my public speaking class 'The Stage Fright Transfomation' you can find out more and snag yourself a seat in the link below. yourfreevoice.com/speaking Click here for the show notes and a messy transcript.

Jo-Anne Suriel,  @TheEnergeticWell  is a compassionate catalyst for transformation. With expertise in the akashic records, reiki, and sound therapy, her grounded approach to healing guides you back to the infinite wellspring of your own inner wisdom. In this conversation Jo-Anne and Julia Norton talk about giving yourself permission to sing, energetic healing through song, ancestral roots and song and Jo-Anne's debut LP 'The Remembering' which has been called a "balm for the current collective overwhelm… with songs that call us back home to ourselves, our bodies, and the earth." To learn more about Jo-Anne's services and to listen to her beautiful album go to: https://www.theenergeticwell.com  https://theenergeticwell.bandcamp.com/album/the-remembering  https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-remembering/1836487428 To learn more about Julia's holistic approach to voice coaching, Jungian Coaching and Voice Movement Therapy and to try the 5 minute warm-up mentioned in the episode visit https://yourfreevoice.com Thank you SO much for listening, please subscribe, leave us a review and share with a friend 🙏🏻 Julia  

Singing in protest is universally recognized as one of the most impactful forms of peaceful protest.  Ever since we have had songs we have had work songs, love songs, grieving songs and protest songs. This short episode is a dip into the water of Protest Singing with special gratitude to the people behind the Singing Resistance movement in Minnesota and all those who have gone before them. It also offers some practical guidance on how to keep your voice safe while you're singing for extended periods and in extreme weather.  Thank you for listening! Please share with your protesting friends and family! 🙏🏻🎶🎤 Here are links to some of the resources I shared in this episode: My Free Five Minute Warm Up Video Other podcast episodes you might want to listen to are: 12 Tips for a Healthy Voice this Cold Season There are 5 short episodes about warming up starting here: All About Warming Up Part One Then Cool Downs and how to use vocal straws.  Cool Downs and Straws Where this new wave is beginning: The Singing Resistance grass roots organization video. Singing Resistance Marin Then finally, if you would like to read a messy transcript of this episode click here. 

I can't believe you almost didn't get this episode and it's so good!  Jonathon Heather has studied Alexander Technique with global mentors and alongside some of the world's top performing musicians. A life long musician, artist and long distance cyclist, he has a deep love of sharing this work so that others can unlock their natural potential . He says "So far I'm the only trans AT practitioner I know!" "I draw daily on the Alexander Technique as my fount of physical and emotional well-being.  I love this work and am happy to have the opportunity to share the inspiration of it as I teach.  There is a spacious beauty and a peacefulness (as well as so many practical benefits) that is hard to define, but which for me, is at the core of learning the Technique." This episode will benefit singers, actors, voice over artists, musicians and anyone who wants to have a deeper, more fluid connection with their body, their instrument for expression.  You can read more about Jonathon at his website here www.jonathonheather.co.uk Or follow him on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/bodywise2jq/ For the FULL transcript and images associated to this episode go to Episode 58 Show Notes   You can find out more about my work at www.yourfreevoice.com  or follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/julianortoncoaching/ LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianorton/ And you're interested in more resources to Free Your Voice go to:https://yourfreevoice.com/resources/

For my first episode of 2026 I wanted to address the elephant in the room and remind us all, myself included, of some simple things we can all do, to help us feel better. Moving your body, singing with others, having a 'Cheer the F-UP' playlist and taking action where you can are some of my suggestions. For the whole deal give it a listen and let me know what you're doing to feel better? You can find me at yourfreevoice.com and also here on Instagram  and here on LinkedIN Thank you SO much for listening and sharing with your friends, if you had a moment to subscribe, like and review wherever you get your podcasts I would so deeply appreciate that.  Now do a little deep breathing and then make that playlist! Love Julia For many free resources including warm ups, meditations and my cold season voice tips  click here. How to Feel Better - through, breath, movement, song and connection.  Click here for show notes and messy transcript

In this episode I'm sharing with you some of my ideas for creative rituals for the winter solstice.  I also wanted to make sure this one was properly grounded in our voices and how we feel about them so I offer: Working with the pause between the in breath and the out breath. Writing a Shadow Inventory. Writing a letter from the self you are ready to become. Making a collage. Singing the things from your shadow inventory as you release them into flames. Scanning your body for the holding and stories that are hiding there.  I also invited you to join my mailing list which you can do here to be the first to know about #7 which is the new resource I'm creating for the new year about releasing ancestral blocks.  Take care of yourself in these cold months, give yourself up to the darkness for a moment to relax and listen to what your body is telling you. You'll be glad you did.  And lets make 2026 the year you fully Free Your Voice! Happy Holidays! Julia Click here for show notes and messy transcript

It's that time of year folks! 🎤 If you need your voice to make a living, share your message or bring the joy (I'm looking at you voice actors, podcast hosts and carol singers!!) ..keeping your voice in great shape should be a daily routine, but sometimes it's even more important.  Like during the cold season :) In this episode I take you through my favorite remedies (many of which you can create in your own kitchen) and yu don't even need to take notes because you can grab my free guide Get that here.  An episode full of simple remedies for prevention, relief and comfort, from saline to nebulizers, to self massage, it's all inside the guide. Stay healthy my friends 😷 ❤️ Important disclaimer - I'm NOT a medical professional, but I've been coaching singers and actors for over 25 years and have found these remedies to be super helpful.  Please help me get the word out about this podcast 🙏🏻 Follow rate and share with your friends especially the ones who need to step into their light and shine!🌟 Follow me on Instagram: @julianortoncoaching   Visit my website: Your Free Voice     #voice #singing #vocalhealthtips #vocalhealth #voicecoach    Click here for show notes and messy transcript