You'd think that in an industry where people compete for gigs, representation, and recognition, its members would be more cutthroat or selfish with how they act and behave. But, as Heath Martin has learned firsthand, in the voiceover industry, the good guy finishes first. Through cultivating relationships with well-known coaches and voice actors, Heath has become well-known in the industry himself by both his peers and his heroes, not just for his talent, but for his kind and giving nature. He embraces the VO community as it has embraced him, and his passion and gratitude for it is unwavering.

With a voice perfectly suited for tough guys and sinister villains, Heath Martin has played many such roles in prominent video games, web dramas, radio dramas, and other forms of media over the years (along with many other voiceover projects). Much like the characters he's voiced, and because of the culture he grew up in, for most of his life, Heath felt like he wasn't allowed to express his emotions for fear of being seen as "unmanly". Now, he expresses himself authentically without fear or shame, showcasing both the highs and the lows of his life. Through doing so, he hopes that others who are struggling might see him and know that they're not alone, their feelings are valid, and things get better.

(Note: I apologize for my microphone quality. I decided to film video content during this episode for the first time, and I moved my mic away from my face without considering anything about how I'd sound. Lesson learned!)

Paul Schmidt is no stranger to anxiety, although, for most of his life he thought he was. It was only two years ago he learned that what he thought was just an annoying personality trait turned out to actually be a mental heath issue. Now, thanks to treatment and skill building, Paul is able to better handle life's stressors and appreciate being in the moment, both in and outside the booth.

Kath Crumrine falsely believed for much of her life that she didn't measure up professionally or personally. Now, she teaches others how to harness the power of their nervous system and overcome imposterism & performance anxiety. Training to become a somatic experience practitioner, Kath is learning why some bodies and brains fight, flee, freeze & what you can do about it. Which, as it turns out, is a lot.

Jason Lasky's love of theater brought him halfway across the world, first as a student and then a teacher. With a curriculum that combines acting and mindfulness, he's passionate about teaching students the importance of emotional literacy, self-respect, and safeguarding their well-being as actors. Now, living in a war-torn country with his with wife and three kids, he's learned how to find gratitude wherever he can, and shares these values with his family, students, and peers.

In this episode, I explain who I am, what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and all your other burning questions. Pretty much like the trailer, but with slightly more details. By far the most exciting episode, yet!

Intro by the incredibly talented Iman Kishawi

Welcome to The Mindful Voice Actor. In this podcast, we will discuss different topics related to mindfulness and mental health. These topics will include what mindfulness is and how it can be applied in our lives as voice actors, both in and outside the booth.