The Agentic Voice

In this episode we chatted with Jules Hurn . We discussed how her past experiences as a performer and music educator have impacted her as a speech-language pathology fellow and the value of social support in trauma-informed care and career development. The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educatio...

In this episode we discussed neurodiversity and gender affirming voice care with Ruchi Kapila . The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect a variety of viewpoints that do not necessarily represent the...

In this episode we discussed empowering singers through the use of storytelling with Bill Wesbrooks.   The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect a variety of viewpoints that do not necessarily represe...

In this episode we discussed a trauma-informed care tool kit for voice care professionals with Gwen Merrick . The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect a variety of viewpoints that do not necessarily...

In this episode we discussed moral injury and burnout in speech-language pathology and gender affirming voice care with Becks von Duering (they/them/theirs). The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect...

In this episode we discussed coping with the stressors of reinventing yourself as a performer with Harolyn Blackwell.  We also discussed how soft skills can help sustain a singing career and taking up space as a singer. The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a su...

In this episode we discussed building a new voice institute with Christine Estes, some of her latest research with singers, and the importance of trauma-informed principles such as “safety,” “collaboration and mutuality” and “empowerment, voice and choice.”  The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and ed...

In this episode we discussed comparative voice pedagogy and the Feldenkrais Method with Elizabeth Blades. To find out more about Feldenkrais, check out Betsy’s short courses with the Voice Study Centre entitled, Singing with Your Whole Self: An Introduction to Feldenkrais Awareness through Movement and May the Ease be with You: Taming Tension and Performance Anxiety with Feldenkrais Awareness thro...

In this episode we discussed singer agency and self-advocacy with Olithea Anglin . Olithea is a singer, performer and teaching artist. Find out what she has to say about the joy of being a teaching artist, mentorship, finding her authentic voice as an artist and performer, and self-advocacy. The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided i...

Are trauma and resilience both embodied? Find out what Erin Schmura of Helou Laboratory and Schmura Studio has to say. Also tune in for a discussion of her capstone project at the University of Pittsburgh and her journey as a professional voice user and voice care practitioner. To request a free copy of the Voice and Trauma info-poster, go to https://www.voiceandtrauma.com/schmura-helou and follow...

In episode 20, “Heather Gross on Shared Stories and Lived Experiences,” co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz chat with Heather Gross, MS, CCC-SLP, RYT of Live Vocally about how our voices become silenced and the healing process for unlocking a silenced voice. We also discussed the power of shared stories and lived experiences as part of a healing journey.  We were so grateful to have heard Heath...

Is racial trauma really real? Find out what actor and speech-language pathologist Dr. Jonathan O. White of Elevated Speech Therapy and Talks With Jon , has to say about his own experiences with discrimination, posttraumatic growth and resilience.  The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational p...

What is the biggest barrier to singing across genres or styles with ease? Find out in episode 17, “Brian Gill on Agency Across Styles and Genres.” In this episode co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz chat with Dr. Brian Gill, DMA, of Gill Mindful Voice Training about training singers to cross genres with ease.  For more information on The Science of the Singing Voice course mentioned during this...

How can we encourage greater collaboration among voice care practitioners? Find out what Joshua Glasner, MM, PhD , has to say.  The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect a variety of viewpoints that d...

What exactly is a laryngoresponder? And does mindfulness improve vocal agency? Find out what Diana Rose Becker, M.S., CCC-SLP and colleagues discovered in their research.  The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and spe...

What exactly is the problem with muscle tension dysphonia? Listen to our chat with Judith Wodzak, M.A., CCC-SLP of Voices Ablaze to find out! The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Guests and speakers reflect a variety of vie...

In episode thirteen, “Jeremy de Tolly on Community and Connection,” co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz talk with Jeremy de Tolly about singing with joy, the importance of communities and connection, and regulating ourselves before, after and during performance tasks related to communication (e.g. singing and speaking). He reintroduces us to the concept of Ubuntu, a South African concept, broug...

In episode 12, “Megan Durham on Empowerment, Voice and Choice,” co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz chat with Megan Durham of Respire Vocal Wellness about empowerment, voice and choice as a key principle of trauma-informed voice care. Megan led somatic practices around the concepts of dignity, humility and consent which were inspired by the work of Kai Cheng Thom, who is a Writer, Somatic Coach...

In episode eleven, Ring Out the Old and Ring in the New with PAVA, co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz discuss beliefs and practices to leave behind in 2022 on our way to implementing trauma-informed voice care. This episode was created with the Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA).  Check out their website here . The Agentic Voice Podcast does not contain medical/health advice. The me...

In episode ten, Responding through Policies, co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz are joined by special guest Sean Moonsammy , a singer and voice-specializing speech language pathologist in New York City. They spoke about intersectionality, representation and responding to trauma through policies. The Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2021 is designed to increase representation of underre...

In episode nine, Agency Through Trustworthiness and Transparency, co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz are joined by special guest Jillian Paige of Meisner in Music in New York City. They talked about gaining expressive freedom through acknowledging the truth of what we are feeling in the moment. Trustworthiness and transparency is one of the six key principles of a trauma-informed approach. Cre...

In episode eight, Take Up Space, co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz are joined by special guest, Marcia Lesser , a somatic experiencing practitioner. They discuss the psychological and physiological implications of contraction, or not “taking up space.” They explore the role of social interaction and socio-cultural systems on learning and development; and how these systems serve to enhance or...

In episode 7, Recognizing and Responding to Dissociation, co-hosts Kristen Ruiz and Geneva Mayne talk with special guest, Dr. Elisa Monti, about how voice care workers can recognize and respond to dissociation within a trauma-informed approach. Dissociation can occur on its own or be a symptom of PTSD and functional neurological disorder with communication symptoms such as muscle tension dysphonia...

In episode 6, Dismantling Power Imbalances, co-hosts Kristen Ruiz and Geneva Mayne discuss manual therapy as an agentic practice with special guest, Walt Fritz, PT. Though manual therapies can be highly effective, it is important for clinicians to explain what they are doing and why before palpating, massaging or repositioning a patient’s larynx. We also discussed how shared decision-making can he...

In episode five, In Pursuit of Obligation or Freedom, co-hosts Geneva Mayne and Kristen Ruiz are joined by special guest, Jeremy Aye. They discuss the challenges singers encounter when faced with the competing loyalties of vocal expectation and vocal authenticity. “Should Statements” are cognitive distortions that can increase anxiety and create self-defeating energies within the singers’ inner wo...