The Voiceover Gurus Podcast

Ep 170: Risk, Grit & Improv: How Vaughndio Built a Voiceover Career

"Your uniqueness, everything about your quirks, that's a part of you. You are the package." - Vaughndio Forbes

What happens when a kid from the Bahamas becomes fascinated with movie stunts, starts cold-emailing professionals for advice, and eventually builds a career that spans stunt work, acting, motion capture, creature performance, and voiceover?

In this episode of the VoiceOver Gurus Podcast, Linda sits down with actor, stunt performer, voice actor, writer, director, and motion capture artist Vaughndio Forbes to discuss the winding path that led him from Florida to Los Angeles and into some of the entertainment industry's most unique performance opportunities.

Vaughndio shares how a generous mentor helped shape his early career, the challenges of relocating to Los Angeles without a support system, and how persistence helped him gain traction in the stunt world despite setbacks, injuries, and uncertainty.

The conversation explores the surprising overlap between stunt work, acting, creature performance, motion capture, and voice acting. Vaughndio explains how imagination, observation, and a willingness to take creative risks have become essential tools throughout his career.

Listeners will also hear about his work performing Bahamian dialects for film projects, the importance of embracing what makes you unique, and why performers should never underestimate the value of their own background, culture, or life experiences.

🎙️ Vaughndio's journey from the Bahamas to Los Angeles

How a childhood fascination with movie stunts led to a career in entertainment.

🤸 Breaking into the stunt industry

The realities of starting from scratch, networking, building a reel, and learning from industry veterans.

💥 Learning through setbacks

From losing an apartment after moving to LA to recovering from a serious training injury, Vaughndio shares the challenges that shaped his career.

👾 Creature suits, motion capture, and performance beyond the microphone

What it takes to bring monsters, aliens, and digital characters to life.

🌎 Turning cultural identity into a career advantage

How Vaughndio's Bahamian background helped him land unique opportunities and why performers should embrace what makes them different.

🎭 Imagination is a skill, not a gift

Practical advice for actors and voice actors who struggle with creativity and character development.

🎯 The power of bold audition choices

Why sometimes the thing that books the job is the thing that wasn't on the page.

Ep 169: How to Thrive in Voiceover Without Comparing Yourself to Others

🎙️ What actually keeps a voice actor working for decades? Spoiler alert: it’s probably not obsessing over everybody else’s demo reel. 😅

In this episode, Linda Bruno and Brian Lee dive into the real stuff behind long-term success in voiceover… learning to love your own sound, surviving industry shifts, reinventing yourself without becoming a completely different human, and building actual relationships instead of treating VO like the Hunger Games.

They talk about how commercial reads have changed over the years, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how the people who last in this industry are usually the ones who stay adaptable, grounded, and genuinely fun to work with.

There’s also plenty of honest industry talk, personal stories from years in the booth, and a reminder that connection and rapport still go a long way in voiceover.

Basically? Less panic. More perspective. 🎧

✨ In this episode:
• Why comparison will fry your brain
• Reinventing your sound as the industry changes
• The shift away from announcer reads
• Building long-term client relationships
• Passion vs. profit in VO
• Why liking people still matters in this business 😆

🔗 Resources
🌐 Voice Over Gurus Community
📺 iSpot.tv

🎤 Connect with the Guests
👤 Brian Lee on LinkedIn

Ep 168: Bored in the Booth? Let’s Fix That:Ditch autopilot & bring life back to your reads

In this episode…
What happens when voiceover starts to feel routine?

Linda sits down with voice actor and improv performer Elena Hollander to talk about losing—and reigniting—that creative spark. From the monotony of constant auditions to the mental toll of dry spells, they get real about what it takes to stay inspired in a career that often feels like shouting into the void.

Elena shares how improv, play, and taking unexpected risks in the booth have helped her book some of her biggest work—and actually enjoy the process again. Plus, they dive into practical ways to break out of autopilot, reconnect with your creativity, and bring more authenticity into your reads.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, bored, or just going through the motions… this episode will remind you why you started. 

Ep 167: The Secret to Longevity in Voiceover: Adapt, Embrace Change, or Get Left Behind

In this episode of The Voiceover Gurus Podcast, Linda chats with Susan Berkley about her journey from radio and the Howard Stern show to becoming the voice of major brands like AT&T and Citibank, and building a production and coaching business.

They explore how the industry changed from in-person auditions and ISDN to online studios, IVR work, pay-to-play platforms, and direct marketing—plus practical advice on finding authenticity, marketing yourself, and adapting across decades.

Susan shares lessons on entrepreneurship, coaching, and longevity in voiceover, with tips for newcomers and seasoned pros alike.

In this episode, we explore:

• How radio early beginnings shaped a resilient voice actor
• The transformative impact of the internet on the voice business
• Real stories of rejection, reinvention, and the power of marketing
• Practical tips on staying authentic and flexible in a changing industry
• The importance of community, mentorship, and giving back
• Secrets behind landing major clients like AT&T, Citibank, and lifetime success stories
• Resources for new voice artists: from pay-to-play to direct outreach

Resources & Links

• Voiceover.GURU
• Voiceover Gurus Community — Connect and grow

Connect with Susan Berkley:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Ep 166: The Art of Balancing Voiceover and Full-Time Work

Have you ever wondered how to transition from a radio career into voiceover? Many professionals find themselves navigating that exact path, balancing their current job while pursuing a passion for voice acting.

In this episode of the podcast, Kevin and I talk about our own journeys making that shift. We share real experiences, a few behind-the-scenes stories from the transition, and some lessons we learned along the way that might help guide you if you’re walking that same road. 🎙️ 

Ep 165: Rediscovering My Voice: Loss and Identity in Voice Acting

In this episode of the Voiceover Gurus podcast, Linda Bruno shares her personal journey of losing her voice after the death of her father. She reflects on how her voice was not just a tool for her profession but a core part of her identity. The conversation explores the emotional and physical struggles she faced during her recovery, the impact of personal loss on her professional life, and the lessons learned about identity and community support in the voice acting industry.

 

Ep 164 - Hooked by a Chuckle: Landing That First Big Gig

Most voice actors hit moments where a session goes sideways. Weird client notes, tech glitches, nerves, or just plain chaos. In this episode, Linda Bruno and Barb Lyon swap real stories from the VO trenches and talk about how they handled the mess, the pressure, and the unexpected lessons that came with it.

From difficult clients to AI fears to sessions that absolutely did not go as planned, this is an honest look at what actually happens behind the mic. It’s funny, a little painful, and packed with reminders that even pros mess up, adapt, and come back stronger. If you’ve ever had a rough session or worried you weren’t cut out for this, this episode is for you.

Ep 163 - The Heart Of Voiceover: Acting Fundamentals

Host Linda Bruno and acting coach Alyssa Jason explore how foundational acting techniques—authenticity, vulnerability, listening, and ongoing training—separate good voiceover reads from great ones. They discuss moving beyond technical tone to create living, responsive performances that connect with listeners.

Takeaways include focusing on the "why" behind the copy, using acting and improv training to build a toolbox, letting the script do its work, and joining community workouts that emphasize tactics over tone to develop authentic, three-dimensional reads.