The Inner Singer Podcast

Do you ever wonder why successful people don't take "failure" as truth? Many amazingly successful individuals were told by "experts" that they did not have what it takes to succeed at their chosen endeavors. What was the thing that made them continue on anyway? This has always fascinated me. I'm not so fascinated with those that had it all from the beginning - but with those "underdogs" who rose a...

This was huge for me and when I finally got it my voice changed almost over night. I know we think about this in life, however, it never occurred to me with my voice until one day on a walk as I was reflecting on why my singing was so difficult and what I was doing to help it be difficult. If your voice is not balanced in this way it will be very challenging to reach your potential as you'll alway...

Over the years I've worked with hundreds of singers who play an instrument while performing. If you do this, you know how challenging it can be to do both well. In this episode I share what my years of experience working with these folks has taught me and how I've been able to assist them in becoming freer with this process. This episode may not appear to be for everyone, however, even if you thin...

Artists and painters use colors to create other colors. They blend and mix and play until they get the "perfect" color. As singers, our colors and paints are our vowels. Rarely is a vowel "just a vowel". As you'll discover in this show, an "ah" is never just an "ah" and an "o" is never just an "o". Listen as I play examples of some great singers to demonstrate this point. When you really get this...

There is no big break anyone can give you that will raise you higher or make you better then the tiny little things you do every day in service to yourself. Don't look outside yourself for your voice or career. Do the things necessary to create your career and voice you love. When you do the little things in all 3 areas (Inner Game, Performance and Singing Technique) you take the power back. Don't...

In this episode I talk about how to manage the 3 components of the Singing Trifecta - The Inner Game, Performance and Vocal Technique. If you've ever had a challenge "thinking" about all 3 at the same time - It's okay...you can't. (-: There is another way and I talk about it in this show. All 3 of these components really do support each other and the synergy of the creates the magic! Listen and en...

In this episode I play with the idea of the Singing Trifecta. That is the Inner Game, Authentic Performance and Singing Technique. Guess which one I put first. Can you guess which one I put last? You may be surprised. (-: All 3 of these are very important, however, one is the cement that holds the others together. One without the other 2 is not enough. When you have all 3, you have "magic". The sy...

It's great to have influences that inspire us as long as we ultimately come into our own, with our own unique voice.   Don't be a "cookie-cutter" sound, or imitate a formula.   Sing with your voice. Discover YOUR voice.   You have a wonderful unique voice – Find it…Use it.   When listening to our favorite singer, too many of us ask, 'What are they doing', perhaps we should instead be asking, 'What...

In this episode I talk about the 3 stages of performing while learning a song or show. This concept will really assist you with singing and performing - at any level. The important thing is to know what stage you're in at any time and BE THERE! This makes it fun and rewarding rather than disappointing and no fun. (-: It's amazing how simply acknowledging what stage you're in with a particular song...

In this episode I get uncomfortably transparent about myself and my voice. This is NOT the episode I had planned, it just sort of came out. What the heck, I can always take it down! Flexibility and going with the flow are definite advantages as far as our singing is concerned. We often can't control the state of our voice, however, we can still love and enjoy singing. I really had to utilize these...

For years I believed that before I could make any progress with my singing I'd have to unlearn all the "bad" stuff I'd worked so hard to learn. Do you have this same belief? I even taught that to my students - unfortunately. It's all I knew. I read a book a few years ago that freed me from that belief. In this episode I bust the myth of the need to "unlearn". There's a lot more in this one too. (-...

Peak performance is a topic that is spoken of often. People refer to peak performance as performing well under pressure, performing when the stakes are high and all sorts of ideas like that. Of course, all that is true. However, that's just a piece of the puzzle. In this episode I go into some of the more important, overlooked aspects of "peak performance", and what it is, from a little different...

Do you listen to your own voice while you're singing? Are you thinking about your voice while you're singing? Or, is your voice totally automatic - like driving? If you're like I am, I love to hear and feel my voice when I'm singing! Why the heck else would I sing?! There are those who say, "Don't listen to yourself while you're singing!"....or, "If you're listening to yourself while you're singin...

Do you have someone in your life who can "gently" call you on your "stories"? A person (if not yourself) who can help you see when you're in a pattern with your stories about your voice or singing. Sometimes we can do this for ourselves and sometimes we are so "in it" that we can't see the forest for the trees. In these situations we need a trusted loved one, friend or mentor to assist us with our...

For years I judged my voice according to a false set of conditions that I made impossible to satisfy. Then one day while teaching, I realized I was NOT holding my students to the same set of conditions or standards. I had  discovered a new set of criteria for accessing my students voices in the moment, that was much more supportive and conducive to their learning and excelling faster! I was judgin...

Okay, I don't care for traffic - I know, who does? Why is it so hard to be where we are? Often when I drive I just want to be where I'm going. When I sing, I just want to be where I'm not vocally. I want to be better. When I'm on a plane I just want to be at my destination. The journey has never really been fun for me. That's too bad. The journey is the real joy. Does the journey ever end? Do we e...

How to gain more confidence is by far one of the most important things I'm asked. As a matter of fact, when it comes to singers, the biggest desire is better high notes (no surprise), however, the second - you guessed it, how to get more confidence as a singer. In this episode I offer some tips on how to feel confident and how to be with yourself when you don't feel confident. Some things may surp...

It was way back in the 80's when I first realized how easy singing was supposed to be. This was a HUGE shock! I used to be the "push a piano with your diaphragm" type. I pushed my voice beyond ALL realistic proportions and didn't even know i was doing it. Eventually, I woke up to the idea of singing for the feeling. When it feels easy it will usually sound great. Now, I'm not being "Pollyanna" her...

Have you ever felt like just quitting singing? I have a million times. I almost quit this podcast for the same reason! Do you ever find yourself thinking, "What's the use, I should just give up"? In the first part of this episode I'll tell you why I almost quit this podcast. And how I became aware of what was going on. Hint - I had some help. Do you trust your intuition regarding your singing? Do...

The Way You Do Anything is the Way You Do Everything... Is this true? It sure is is many cases. Listen today as I share how that's been true in my life and my singing. (-: What does rollerblading have to do with singing? I tell you...and it' has a lot to do with it. Do you have enough space in your life for your singing and the things you love? Or do you rationalize (tell yourself rational lies) a...

Okay, I admit it, even now, vocalizing certain things is easier than actually singing the lyrics! You too? In this Episode I talk about why this is sometimes true, both from an Inner Singer standpoint and a technical standpoint. Now it's important to begin to bring these 2 aspects or our singing together! I feel like we're entering a new phase here on the Inner Singer Podcast. Please enjoy and let...

Is being able to control your voice a good thing? What does controlling your voice mean to you? Can you let go of your control over your voice and still sing well? Can you let go of your control and actually sing better? Am I going to keep asking you questions or answer some? (-: Listen to some new thoughts on the subject of control and get ready to "Let Go"! Enjoy!

Most of us have always thought that we sing for others. Sing for the audience. Share our gifts. All of these seemingly unselfish "ideas". All true and good... But, why do you really sing? In this Episode I'll share what could be a very new concept regarding the answer to this question. A new look at singing from this perspective may be just what you're needing. Enjoy (-:

Are you a perfectionist? I always have been and it is NO fun! If you are, you know the ridiculous standards we hold ourselves to. Yikes! In this Episode we'll look at the concept of embracing our imperfetions the way we embrace those of our idols or the people we love. When we look at our loved ones or our idols we include their imperfection as part of their charm or perfection ! Even I need to li...

Have you ever had a reoccurring bad dream about performing? I have! Not for a while. (-: However, when I've shared mine with other singers, most have had something similar. In this Episode I answer a question regarding this subject. It's actually a question from a student and it inspoired quite a fun and informative discussion. Lots in this one (so much I can;'t remember as I write this descriptio...