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Whether you are recording for podcasts or voiceovers, sound quality is everything. Jean-Francois Donaldson is a voice actor, demo producer and booth builder, so he knows a little something about booths and sound isolation for VO. We had a chat on Clubhouse about it. We discussed: How Jean-Francois got started with VO 3:34 Booth building 9:00 Soundproofing and the ideal places to set up a booth in your home 16:07 Prerequisites for your recording environment  Materials you can use for sound isolation when recording in a closet Registering as a production studio 31:03 Q&A 38:00 Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/jeanfrancois-donaldson-voiceover-booths   Note: This was my first time recording a Clubhouse room. I didn't catch the first few minutes of Jean-Francois' audio, so you'll miss his side of our back and forth during the introduction.    

My quickest life update yet. Here's what I did in the first quarter of 2021, including a new car and a new job on the horizon! Show Notes - https://www.kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/spring-life-update-1st-quarter-2021

Continuing the ColorVO Collective series highlighting wonderful African American voice actors, this week's feature is Trekina White. Her joyful sound and spirit radiates for such brands as Apple, Amazon, PBS Kids, PlayStation and the Calm app. We talked about how she went full-time in VO, how to vet voiceover resources, auditioning tips, and more! Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/trekina-white-colorvo-collective

As people are forced to explore their new careers in these stressful times, they often devote a lot of effort without having any clear path in mind. If they don’t have the foundation to move forward and sustain their joy from their passions, they will be, or again become, overwhelmed and dissatisfied. Achieving psychological growth to stay happy and motivated is easier than people realize. In this episode, Sabrina Runbeck explains how to master your mental immunity, and prevent your passion from becoming poison. Listen to this episode to learn how to focus, prioritize, stop overworking, and stay open to receive what you need. Sabrina's hectic life as a front line worker 1:35 Experiencing burnout when trying to follow your passion 6:11 How to boost your energy naturally 7:22  Preventing your passion from becoming poison 14:07 Asian Women Who Boss Up 20:40 How to become an peak performer 25:21 Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/mental-immunity

Andrew Lander is a DC native, award-winning African American voice actor based in Atlanta. His passion for voice acting began behind a podium rather than on stage, and juggles his corporate career with corporate VO and commercials. In this show, we talked about getting out of your head, the demand for African American voices, his "not-quite-Urban but distinctly Black (ish) sound," and how it's best to be in "as many places as possible" to market yourself.  Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/andrew-lander-colorvo-collective

Darryll Stinson is a former Division I athlete, author, dynamic motivational speaker and Founder of Second Chance Athletes. After going from suicidal to successful, Darryll uses his experience to help athletes and entrepreneurs shed their past stories, and create a massive impact that aligns with their highest purpose. Darryll shared the details of his failed suicide attempt, and how he has transformed his life and now teaches others how to elevate their mindset so they can start living out their true purpose.  Show Notes - http://kickinitiwithdaree.com/episode/living-as-if

Kesha Monk is another of my talented Black female voice actor friends, and she recently lent her talents for The Soul Train Music Awards and A Little Late with Lilly Singh just to name a few. In this interview, we were just two girlfriends chatting about VO life, her plans to disrupt the voiceover industry, and how we can redefine rejection when we don't get the booking with an audition. So grab some tea and catch these gems we're dropping! Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/kesha-monk-colorvo-collective

January is Mentoring Month. So I thought it fitting to share a roundup of guest content that you can use to mentor yourself and set your path for this new year, or anytime. The past 31 guests who appeared on this podcast answered this question: "How do you define success?" As I produced this episode, I quickly saw themes unfold, and I re-lived their wonderful advice. Please share what success means to you social media @DareeAllen. This is timeless advice! Find the full interviews from these guests and others at kickinitwithdaree.com/episode Show Notes - kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/success-leaves-clues

January is Mentoring Month. So I thought it fitting to share a roundup of guest content that you can use to mentor yourself and set your path for this new year, or anytime. The past 31 guests who appeared on this podcast answered this not-so-simple question: "What advice would you give to your younger self?" As I produced this episode, I quickly saw themes unfold, and I re-lived their wonderful advice. I hope it blesses and encourages you. Please share your best advice to your younger self with me on social media @DareeAllen. This is timeless advice! Find the full interviews from these guests and others at kickinitwithdaree.com/episode

It's that time again—a recap of the highlights and reflections of my life in 2020, including what happened in the past quarter. I hope that it inspires you to reflect, make some decisions you've been putting off, and strategize your plans for 2021!   Show Notes - http://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/2020-recap

Originally a stage actor, Mia Bankston is a full time voice actor in NYC, and my biz bestie. This talented lady voices for clients like OWN, Nick Jr., McDonald's, Toyota, Pandora Internet Radio, Secret Deodorant, Pantene, Shea Moisture,Bank of America, and NBC just to name a few. And in this episode, we talked about how you can slowly and surely transition into full-time voice acting, even if you have a full-time job right now.  This conversation is one where you need to sit down and take notes. Let's go! Mia's VO journey 5:41 Using your life experience and imagination to influence voice acting 10:28 Interpreting copy for auditions 14:42 Managing directed sessions 17:10 Transitioning into freelancing while still working for a full-time employer 22:48 Entrepreneurial discipline and sacrifices 33:25 Auditing your business and celebrating along the way 37:39 Entrepreneurial mindset and goal-setting 43:01 Help clients find you online via SEO 52:56 Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/mia-bankston-colorvo-collective

Are you interested in freelancing or becoming an entrepreneur? Hilary Sutton has some advice for you. As the CEO of HSL Digital she runs a content marketing consultancy from a loft above her bedroom, with a little one in tow! We talked about how the pandemic has created a resurgence in the freelance world, mindset shifts to make when transitioning to working for yourself and working from home, and the best freelance opportunities to get started with. Show Notes: https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/freelancing-hilary-sutton

Marisha Tapera is voice actor in the DC area who has built her long career in VO, by managing her incremental growth as a voice actor and business owner with the concept of "hurrying slowly." In this second installment of my ColorVO Collective series highlighting talented, unknown Black voice actors, she describes how her journey into VO has been full of self-discovery, brought her some surprising advice and truths, and embracing your unapologetic authenticity. Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/marisha-tapera-colorvo-collective YouTube link: https://youtu.be/8Ds0rkmsz0I

In 2006, Stacey Simms' son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, only one month before he turned two. She started blogging about her family's experience with T1D a few weeks later. Stacey now hosts the award-winning podcast, Diabetes Connections, and is the author of the book, “The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom.” In this podcast episode, we discussed: The definition of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2, and what causes it How diabetes misdiagnosis happens Insulin access and the insulin affordability crisis What people without diabetes in their families need to know - 4 signs to watch out for Being "the world's worst diabetes mom" Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/worst-diabetes-mom-stacey-simms

Damon Alums, the Urban Legend of voiceover, celebrated his birthday with me on the podcast. In this first of my ColorVO Collective series highlighting talented, unknown Black voice actors, we had a blast talking about doing VO part-time, how being a Blerd (Black nerd) is an asset as a voice actor in animation, why racial representation and authenticity matters in VO, and how the voiceover industry is kinda like a cut of brisket! I'm so glad to be a part of your smokewood squad, Damon 🙂 Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/damon-alums-colorvo-collective

You can't listen to those who say you can't do it. I've been doing it this year and no signs of stopping. Here's my quarterly life update with lots of gems for you. Biz happenings, breakups and boundaries Watch me Live! (10:04) Mom 2.0 Conference (12:13) Dating #storytime (14:06) The Social Dilemma (21:02) Black Voters Matter (22:39) What's Next? (25:30)

In this episode, I talked to Dr. Lise Deguire, who suffered third-degree burns on two-thirds of her body when she was just 4 years old. After decades of surgeries and treatments to heal her injuries, she shares how she worked through the internal and external pain of her childhood to find a path towards love, health and joy in her life.  Lise also gives you tips on how to cultivate strength and resilience, and offers wisdom and hope for anyone who is suffering from life’s challenges.   Show Notes - https://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/flashback-girl-lise-deguire

We're celebrating the 5-year anniversary of Kickin' it with Daree without much fanfare. For a goal-getter like me, I wish I had more to report now with half of the year over. But as you know, this has been no ordinary year.   Show Notes - https://www.kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/5-years-in+life-update-2nd-quarter-2020

Are you self-aware? Do you know what your triggers are? In these times, we must stand for what we believe in and be clear about it, but that can't happen until we do the work on ourselves. So in this episode I discuss thought work, the George Floyd case, and ways to get actively involved with racial reform and civil rights in America in 2020.   Show Notes - http://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/examine-yourself

Our world as we know it is in the midst of a massive reset, as the COVID-19 global health crisis sparks an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, change, and concern. In a sense, many of us are grieving our sense of normalcy that is gone forever. And for those who are already grieving, the side effects of this pandemic can easily trigger us to remember and reflect on the grief we experienced when we lost our loved ones, and suddenly had to cope and readjust our lives to a new normal. This might be hard to hear, but we can’t go back to the way things were. In this solo episode I share my thoughts and recommendations on dealing with grief, learning acceptance, and moving forward as the pandemic continues.   Show Notes - http://kickinitwithdaree.com/episode/we-cant-go-back