Speaking of Talking

🎧 Speaking of Talking When Your Voice Stops Working and No One Knows Why – Functional Neurological Disorder, Muscle Tension Dysphonia, and the Search for Answers Guest: Dr. Jeff Waugh, Neurologist, UT Southwestern Medical Center Episode Summary In this episode, Jenni sits down with Dr. Jeff Waugh to talk about Functional Neurological Disorder and what it has to do with the voice. FND is a conditi...

🎧 Speaking of Talking: Your Accent Is Not the Problem: A Conversation About English Pronunciation Training Guest: Jessica D. Turner, Speech Coach and Accent Specialist, Jenni Steck Voice & Speech Services Episode Summary In this episode, Jenni sits down with her colleague, Jessica D. Turner, to talk about English pronunciation training - often called "accent reduction." They start w...

Guest: Dr. Lesley Childs, Laryngologist, Associate Professor, and Medical Director of the Clinical Center for Voice Care, UT Southwestern Medical Center 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, Jenni sits down with Dr. Lesley Childs to talk about Muscle Tension Dysphonia, a voice disorder that doesn’t show up on a scan or announce itself with something visible. It lives in the body’s muscle memory, in...

🎧 Speaking of Talking: Show Up to Contribute, Not to Be Perfect Guest: Dana Cobb — Founder, Vokol Group PR Agency Run Time: ~1 hour Episode Summary: In this episode, Jenni sits down with her longtime friend and PR powerhouse Dana Cobb to explore one of the most pervasive obstacles in professional communication: imposter syndrome. With decades of experience prepping spokespeople, celebrities, and...

🎧 Speaking of Talking: The Show Must Go On (Even with a Sore Throat) Guest: David Marquis — Performer, Writer, Activist, Educator Run Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes Episode Summary: In this episode, Jenni sits down with performer, writer, activist, and lifelong “teacher” David Marquis for a rich, wide-ranging conversation about voice, performance, and what it truly means to use your voice for a living....

Marybeth Miceli is a leader in the world of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)—a field keeping our bridges, buildings, and planes safe. In this episode, she shares how she found her voice in a male-dominated industry, why vocal confidence matters, and how she’s mentoring the next generation of women to speak up, take up space, and lead with power. “Don’t give up,” she says. “You have to keep getting ba...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, Jenni reconnects with Jeff Pegues, a veteran journalist whose career has spanned three decades across ABC, CBS, and now his own media company. From the football fields of Miami University of Ohio to the front lines of justice and crime reporting, Jeff shares his journey through the highs of national news, the toll of relentless coverage, and the unexpected chal...

Samantha McIntyre is a seasoned television writer and screenwriter whose credits include Unicorn Store , People of Earth , and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist . In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on the pitch process in Hollywood—sharing how she prepares, performs, and powers through rejection. Samantha opens up about finding her footing in the writers’ room, what it’s like to write comedy...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, Jenni sits down with Barry Nash, a veteran TV news talent coach with over four decades of experience, to explore how the broadcast industry is evolving—and why voice and authenticity matter more than ever. With the rise of AI, TikTok news, and automated studios, Barry shares his insights on what truly connects with audiences and how communicators can stay relev...

Speaking of Talking is your go-to podcast for everything voice-related. Whether you're a public speaker, executive, teacher, or anyone who relies on your voice for success, we're here to help you sound your best. Join us as we demystify what makes a voice truly compelling. In each episode, we'll dive into topics like vocal health, the art of speaking in front of live audiences, and eve...