The VOHeroes Podcast

Hosted by David H. Lawrence XVII

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Episodes

291

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Voice over is a heroes' journey. Make it your journey. Actor, voice talent and storytelling coach David H. Lawrence XVII takes you on a journey each episode into the art, commerce, science and mindset of voice over as a performing art, and as a profession and business. Presented by VOHeroes.com.

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September 8, 2026Episode 133004 min

13300: Only Use These Two Words When Receiving Feedback

Hey there, hero! I’ve noticed that some people have forgotten, or have never learned, the most useful words you can use when you are getting feedback from those who might give you work. Without judging the quality of the feedback, without deciding whether to use their feedback or not, just say “thank you.” I’ve seen some younger (and older) creative types, when getting feedback, perceive any criticism as an attack. They then launch into an explanation of their choices, or contradicting the logic of the coach, teacher, casting director or editor, or any number of other defenses of their choices. There’s no need to do that, unless asked to explain those choices. If that isn’t requested, just thank the other party and move on. Whether you agree with them or not, there’s no need to feel attacked. I mean, hey - you asked for the feedback (I’m talking about seeking work, not some “fan” telling you that you suck on social media = although “thank you” stops the conversation/trolling there as well), so be gracious about getting it. Just say “thank you.” And listen constructively to whatever else they have to say. Is that how you graciously receive feedback and constructive criticism? Or are you watching this episode and thinking I’m a weak-ass pushover who doesn’t fiercely stand up for his creative choices? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/only-use-these-two-words-when-receiving-feedback/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

September 1, 2026Episode 132994 min

13299: Some People Would Do Anything To Have Your Problems

Hey there, hero! As we work toward a better performance career and face challenges to our progress, even the littlest things can make us feel frustrated. And it’s important to remember that, as challenges go, these speed bumps in our journey need to be kept in perspective. There are people outside the industry who would give up an awful lot to face the problems we face. Keeping that in perspective might make your approach to problems a little less stressful and raise the gratitude level a bit as you go about solving them. Because you will solve them, one way or the other. How do you keep your actor, VO or writing challenges in perspective? How do you celebrate your position in the world as you make your journey better? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/some-people-would-do-anything-to-have-your-problems/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

August 25, 2026Episode 132985 min

13298: PSAs vs Commercials And The Power Of Art

Hey there, hero! Public Service Announcements. PSAs. One of my favorite voice over art forms. They come along all too rarely, and when they do, I cherish them. I had a wonderful opportunity recently to coach a voice talent on a PSA, and we spent some of the time during the session talking about what a powerful opportunity they had to change viewers’ minds about the subject of the PSA (racism). And it was a journey for the client, because they had sold themselves (and the script) a bit short, by equating this PSA to a common commercial. Couldn’t have been further from the truth, and the change in their performance through the session was stunning. Do you ever feel like what you’re being asked to audition for is life-changing? Could you assign that power to more audition opportunities than you do? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/psas-vs-commercials-and-the-power-of-art/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

August 18, 2026Episode 132974 min

13297: It’s Hardly Ever Just One Thing That Makes The Difference

Hey there, hero! If you could talk to your career crush, the one person that you’d trade places with in their artistic journey, would you ask them what the one thing is that made the difference for them? I’d like to propose that there is a better question to ask, and a better answer to hear, because it’s very rare that one thing someone does makes all the difference. I think the better question to ask revolves around how things worked together in their life to make their journey special. Do you feel like there’s a secret your missing? Or do you feel like there’s a recipe you’d like to know about instead? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/its-hardly-ever-just-one-thing-that-makes-the-difference/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

August 11, 2026Episode 132969 min

13296: So...About Those Contradictory Rules.

Hey there, hero! “Look before you leap.” (Get some basic info before you head into the unknown.) …versus… “He who hesitates is lost.” (Be bold, and go for it. Damn the potential pitfalls.) So, which is the rule to follow? The answer is, like in most messy, life-y things, “it depends.” There are plenty of real world examples of “contradictory proverbs” in what we do as performers. In this episode, we talk about one specific clash of “rules” when it comes to your demos. How do you reconcile opposing rules? What strategy do you put in place when there are two (or more) ways of working things out according to the “rules”? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/so-about-those-contradictory-rules/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

August 4, 2026Episode 132955 min

13295: The Dream Is Seductive. The Pursuit Is Productive.

Hey there, hero! If you find yourself looking at how those you know (or you) are really good at coming up with dreams in life, goals to be fulfilled and destinations they (or you) would like to arrive at in life… …but they (or you) never quite get to some, or many, or most, or almost all of them… …remember that the easiest part is to use that creative energy in your makeup and simply envision those dreams, goals and destinations. Finding oneself complaining that one never gets anywhere in life might just boil down to being super diligent about the second half of the title phrase of this episode. Execution. Persistence. The work. And often, all one needs is a reminder: Work the work. One can’t just dream the dream. Let’s look at this simple connection in this episode. Do you know people like that? Might that someone sometimes be…you (I know that, sometimes, it can be me!)? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/the-dream-is-seductive-the-pursuit-is-productive/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

July 28, 2026Episode 132944 min

13294: Consider A Win Audit Instead

Hey there, hero! Not everything we undertake is a complete success. But we also rarely walk away with a complete and utter failure, with no takeaways whatsoever. If you attempt something, try to learn something, stretch outside your comfort zone and find that not everything worked out perfectly…consider taking a moment and doing what I call a “win audit”. There’s always some takeaway (or several) that you can learn from, be happy with and enumerate that help you keep things in perspective, and help you remember that even a partial win is valuable, and even a partial failure is a learning opportunity. How do you view the partial wins? What’s your frame of reference if things don’t work out perfectly? How do you avoid beating yourself up as opposed to looking for the tiny wins in life’s less-than-perfect results? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/consider-a-win-audit-instead/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

July 21, 2026Episode 132934 min

13293: On Arguing For Your Limitations

Hey there, hero! Richard Bach once said, "Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours." Wow…does that resonate with me. And I hear examples all the time…from my students, my colleagues and my peers. People can convince themselves of almost anything, and they often do. I hope you check on all the assumptions you have taken as gospel, and in this episode, I want to help remind you to question the “facts” you “know” about yourself. Do you question your limiting beliefs? Do you ask whether what you tell yourself is actually true? How do you combat this and give yourself more options? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/on-arguing-for-your-limitations/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

July 14, 2026Episode 132926 min

13292: Kostroff Asks: Are You In An Abusive Relationship With Your Career?

Hey there, hero! My buddy Michael Kostroff asks some pretty thought-provoking questions. His course, auditionpsych101 , is filled with such questions, and even some controversial but very useful answers… …even if you’re not an actor. And the title of this podcast episode is one of them. You may have, given recent events, decided that you’re done with the performance side of your professional life. You’re tired. You’re over all this. You’re out. Or, you may have doubled down and told yourself that you’re not going to let the changes in your industry defeat you. I’d love to know. How are you feeling about the way your particular industry has evolved? Is it giving you joy any more? Are you adapting, or just irritated? Or something inbetween? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/kostroff-asks-are-you-in-an-abusive-relationship-with-your-career/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

July 7, 2026Episode 132915 min

13291: Is It As Hard As It Looks? Or As Easy As It Looks?

Hey there, hero! When the audience looks at the end result of what we create, there are some interesting impressions they might walk away with. They might think that it’s an incredibly difficult undertaking with a huge amount of effort - like with a 10 or 20 hour audiobook that’s never recorded in one fell swoop, but in a series of lovely sessions that are much easier to accomplish. They might think that it’s easy - like when a skilled actor, voice talent or writer makes it look effortless, but they are working much harder than they are letting on. The truth may be very, very different than what the end result appears to be. What assumptions do you make when you see a finished product? What assumptions have you been disabused of as you learn your craft? Let me know in the comments below. REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/is-it-as-hard-as-it-looks-or-as-easy-as-it-looks/ #Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you... ... become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ... become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book ( if you’re an author ): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ... be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/ ... master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...