A VO's Journey: Voiceover and more voice over

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Does your voice over logo actually get you work? Gabby Nistico spent 25 years in advertising, casting and copywriting, and she tells us what casting really notices when they look you up. We get into the five-second check she runs on every demo, the minimum a voice over website needs, and why a proper email signature still matters in 2026. We finish with the things we see people wasting money on.

(00:00) Does your logo actually get you work? Short answer from the casting side: no. Plus headshots.

(05:01) What casting notices in...

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Duet, dual and multi-cast audiobooks get mixed up all the time. These are the highlights from our live workshop with narrators Rebecca Heddinger and Caesar Esturco. We get into what each one actually is and how two separate home studios end up sounding like one book. Then Rebecca and Caesar read a short duet scene live, retakes included.

(00:00) Welcome, and meet Rebecca and Caesar.

(02:27) Dual vs duet vs multi-cast. In a dual, narrators alternate chapters or points of view. In a duet, both voices run through the whole book...

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Your ACX auditions aren't getting picked, and it usually isn't the sound of your voice. In this episode I go through what actually decides it, from the first 30 seconds to the quality of your audio, the books you choose, how many auditions you send out, and the performance habits that get you skipped.

(01:03) The first 30 seconds decide it, and often the first one to three seconds. Authors will give you the benefit of the doubt for a little while, but they stop listening long before your two or three minute audition...

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Why do so many voice actors quit after their first year? In this episode I get into the three reasons I see most, and what you can do about each one. These are my personal opinions, and they're the reasons I built everything we do at VO Journey Academy the way I did.

(01:56) The first reason is that they don't get work. Setting up your studio and learning your DAW can take a year on its own. Then it depends on where you train, because some places tell you to train...

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You’re auditioning. You’re posting on social media. You’re working on your website. You’re emailing potential clients. You’re taking classes. You’re trying new platforms.

You’re doing EVERYTHING.

But is all of that work actually moving your voice-over business forward?

In this episode of A VO’s Journey, Anthony Pica breaks down the idea of the WIG — Wildly Important Goal — and why having one clear objective can completely change the way you approach your voice-over business.

Instead of trying to...

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We have published 600 audiobooks with Academy Voices and we are going strong.

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

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Every business owner needs a website, including voice actors. The thing is, the important decision is not if, but when. Most voice actors do not need voice over websites right when they start. The reason is they don't have the audio, like voice over demos, audio samples, and videos to put on a website. 

Check out this latest podcast and think about where you are in your journey and ask yourself this...

Are you building your voice over business THROUGH your website, or are you building your voice over b...

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I firmly believe this is the best time to get starting in voice over. Now is the time to establish yourself as a human voice and build your voice over business. Audio is driving creative growth and there is more room then ever. This episode is all about getting started in voice over in 2026 and how to go from nothing to your first job.

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

...

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In this episode I discuss what Certified Human Voice™ is and what it means for our industry. I am very excited about to future of voice over and that is why it is more important than ever to protect the "Humanality" across the different platforms.

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

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Social Links:   

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anthony_pica_vo/

T...

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In this episode, Gabby and I talk about the "Money Voice" for voice actors and what it means for booking more voice over jobs. 

Your money voice is critical to booking consistent work and getting the most out of your business. Also, I will be posting the follow up to this episode tomorrow.

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

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Ins...

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I’m back! And today I’m diving into the end of the year… the big wins, the momentum, and yeah—some of the stuff giving me major heartburn right now.

A lot of voice actors don’t realize this, but the holiday stretch is prime time for scooping up extra VO work. Tons of actors check out for the season, and they let opportunities fly right on by. Meanwhile, businesses are sitting on leftover budget they have to spend before the year closes. That’s your shot to step in and snag pro...

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Crazy Anthony and VO Trends

In this episode, Anthony is a bit crazy because he drank too much coffee and we discuss where we think the VO trends are and where to double down for your voice over business.

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

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Social Links:   

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Twitter - http...

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In this episode of A VO’s Journey, we dig into a subtle but powerful part of every recording: breathing. Should breaths be left in or taken out of your audio? The answer depends on the style of the read, the client’s expectations, and the overall flow of your performance.

We explore the pros and cons of keeping breaths in—how they can add realism, pacing, and authenticity—and the reasons to edit them out for a cleaner, more polished delivery. You’ll also learn techniques to control your breat...

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How To Fix Sibilance 

In this episode of A VO’s Journey, we focus on one of the most distracting audio issues for voice actors: sibilance. Those sharp, piercing “S” sounds can cut through your recording and ruin an otherwise professional read—but with the right approach, they’re manageable.

We break down what sibilance is, why it happens, and the best ways to control it both while recording and in post-production. You’ll learn mic techniques to reduce sibilance, how vocal delivery plays a role...

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How To Fix Plosives In Voice Over

In this episode of A VO’s Journey, we tackle one of the most common problems voice actors face in their recordings: plosives. Those harsh bursts of air on letters like P and B can ruin an otherwise clean take—but the good news is, they’re fixable.

We break down what plosives are, why they happen, and most importantly, how to prevent and fix them. From mic technique and placement, to using pop filters and windshields, to editing tricks in pos...

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In this episode of A VO’s Journey Podcast, we pull back the curtain on what makes VO Journey Academy unique—every one of our coaches is an active working voice actor. That means the training you receive isn’t just theory; it’s built from real-world, day-to-day experience in the industry.

We also dive into a technical topic every voice actor should understand: noise floor. What is it, why does it matter, and how do you figure it out in your own recordings? We break down what a proper n...

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In this episode of A VO’s Journey Podcast, we dive into the world of voice over conferences—events that bring actors, coaches, and industry pros together under one roof. Are they worth your time and money? We break it down with an honest look at the pros and cons.

On the plus side, conferences can be an incredible way to network, meet casting directors, learn new skills, and immerse yourself in the VO community. But on the flip side, they can be expensive, overwhelming, and sometimes leave you wondering if the...

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In this episode of A VO’s Journey, we dig into one of the most important topics for any voice actor building a business: the difference between marketing and sales. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they serve very different purposes—and both are critical to your success in voice over.

We’ll break down what marketing really means (building awareness, visibility, and brand), what sales really means (converting opportunities into paying clients), and how the two overlap in a practical way for voice actors. From building trust with your a...

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How Are You Going To Get Paid?

In this podcast episode, Gabby Nistico and Anthony Pica talk about how you should use a variety of options when billing customers in order to get the most voice over work you can. 

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

Support the show

Social Links:   

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anthony_pica_vo/

Twitter - htt...

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You Have A Demo - Now What?

In this episode, Gabby Nistico and Anthony Pica talk about what to do after you have your first voice over demo. There are many different paths to take for voice over after you have your demo:

1. Sharing your voice over demo

2. Have a plan

3. Get voice over training

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

Su...

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Open Forum Friday - Toy Voice Overs

Hey everyone, we are going to be publishing our podcast everyday as well as going live Monday through Friday on YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/@AVOsJOURNEY

In this episode, Gabby Nistico (Cohost), and I, talk about Toy Voice Overs, Bonnie Williams, our amazing VO Journey Coach AND new voice of the animated series of Jurassic Work Rebirth (Scarlett Johanssons character).

Check us out here:

50% Off First MONTH FOR VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

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In this episode of A VO's Journey Podcast, we’re diving deep into one of the most important relationships in the voice over industry—your relationship with casting directors. Whether you're just starting out or looking to land higher-level gigs, understanding what casting directors are looking for (and how to consistently get on their radar) is essential to booking more work.

You'll learn:

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I am always excited about different streams of revenue that voice actors can earn and this episode is all about 4 different revenue streams that voice over artists can add into their business. 

I discuss how to use each of these to generate money for your voice over business. 

CHECK OUT VO JOURNEY ACADEMY HERE:  https://www.avosjourney.com

Join Academy Voices Talent Roster Here: https://www.academyvoices.com/offers/4sNBzDc9 

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How To Deal With Rejection

Summary

In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges of handling rejection in the voice acting industry and how to build confidence. They explore the concept of rejection as redirection, the importance of having a systematic approach to auditions, and the emotional responses that come with rejection. The discussion also delves into the difference between seeking feedback and validation, the significance of knowing oneself as a performer, and practical tips for navigating the industry effectively.

Takeaways<...