Mike Lenz Voice - A Journey Into Voice Acting

152 - Tawny Platis Interview - From Child Actor to 1.8M Followers: Tawny Platis on Consistency, Creativity, and Career Growth

Voice actor and content creator Tawny Platis returns to The Mike Lenz VO Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about building a sustainable creative career—without waiting around for permission. Tawny shares how she landed her first voiceover job at just six years old, why she stepped away from entertainment to build a "safe" business (spoiler: it wasn't safe at all), and how that business experience became the secret weapon that helped her thrive once she went full-time in voice acting. We also dig into the real role social media plays in today's VO landscape—how Tawny approaches content as creativity (not advertising), why "auditioning all day" isn't always the smartest path, and what it means to build a brand that attracts the right opportunities. Along the way, Tawny talks about the mindset shifts that changed everything: staying consistent, being willing to experiment, learning the business side of VO, and not being afraid to try new directions—even if not every idea lands. In this episode, you'll hear: How Tawny's business background helped fuel her VO success Why the business side is the biggest hurdle for many voice actors What makes content connect (and why audiences tune out "ads") How to keep your brand fresh without losing what makes it recognizable Tawny's evolving perspective on AI—and what matters most moving forward Her best advice for creatives: take control, create your own opportunities, and don't fear being "cringe" Find Tawny online at tawnyvoice.com, and follow her across platforms at @TawnyPlatis (YouTube: @theTawnyPlatis).

151 - Mike Lenz Update

On this episode, Mike gives an update on his career including: The powerful advice he received after he moved into voiceover, audiobook narration and podcast producing full time almost eight years ago.  How networking and attending conferences propeled his audiobook narrration career forward and how he booked his first Union audiobook title.  The importance of health and well being to maximizing your vocal performaqnce in the booth.  His Audiobook Narrator Workouts that Mike launched recently and how they help narrators work on their craft in a small and safe environment.  His podcast producing journey and how the creation of his VO Podcast led to becoming a producer of other podcasts.  The four most important words you can say to someone!  Join Mike for this exicitng update full of great information and inspiration. 

150 - Sanya Simmons Interview - From Classical Flutist to SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Narrator

IIn this episode, Mike sits down with audiobook narrator and author Sanya Simmons to talk about her path from classical musician to becoming a voice actor and audiobook narrator. What We Cover: Building an Audiobook Career: Moving from ACX royalty-share projects to working directly with publishers The real time investment: why 5-10 hours of finished audio takes 30-40+ hours total Prep strategies for fiction vs. nonfiction projects Getting family help with research to save time Using Your Musical Background: How Sanya's flute and vocal training helps her narration Treating your voice like an instrument for better breath control and phrasing Avoiding monotonous reads by "hearing" what the author intended Networking That Actually Works: Why relationship-building beats transactional approaches How APA committee work and APAC conferences led to unexpected opportunities Staying in touch with producers without being pushy The power of showing up consistently Expanding Beyond Audiobooks: Getting into political VO and broadcast narration Dealing with union rules in right-to-work states The reality of competitive commercial and promo markets Social Media Without the Overwhelm: Building authentic presence with help from others Choosing the right platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) Why "good enough" content beats perfect content you never post From Author to Narrator: Sanya talks about her book "A Single Mom's Guide to Raising Black Gentlemen" and how her parenting experience shapes her storytelling approach. Plus, how her sons contributed to both the book and audiobook. Key Points: Balance active projects with ongoing training Reliability builds lasting relationships: communicate early, deliver clean work, say thank you Think like a business owner: proper structure, strategic investments, tax planning Community matters: connect with mentors, peers, and people you can help Whether you're starting out or scaling up your audiobook business, Sanya shares practical advice on production, relationships, and sustainable growth. Connect with Sanya: Book: "A Single Mom's Guide to Raising Black Gentlemen"  Real talk about building a thriving audiobook career while keeping your sanity and artistic integrity. Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/ Voice 123 15% Discount Code link:  https://bit.ly/3BsPSaw

149 - Melissa Mirren Interview

In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, I sit down with the incredibly versatile Melissa Mirren, a professional voice actor with over eight years of experience spanning commercials, corporate narration, e-learning, animation, and video games. Melissa shares her path from childhood performances and college theater to a multifaceted voiceover career shaped by persistence, creativity, and personal transformation. A former therapeutic recreation specialist and motivational speaker, Melissa brings a unique blend of heart and hustle to the VO world. We dive deep into: Her early days booking work through agencies, platforms, and direct clients The evolution of her career from commercial reads to character-driven animation Overcoming major life challenges—including a vocal surgery, a ski injury, and a period of caregiving during her children's health crises Her return to full-time voice work in 2023 with renewed purpose and momentum We also talk about her fast-growing presence on TikTok, where she showcases her character work through creative dubs and voiceover sketches—plus her upcoming plans for community engagement and collaborative projects. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How to pivot your VO niche and embrace versatility Strategies for recovering professionally and vocally from setbacks The role of resilience and real-life experience in shaping your creative voice Tips on editing, syncing, and refining character reads for social media success Melissa’s story is a moving reminder that your creative journey doesn’t have to be linear—and that sometimes the detours shape your most compelling work. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and connect with Melissa at @melissamiranvo on TikTok or melissamirren.com. Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/ Voice 123 15% Discount Code link:  https://bit.ly/3BsPSaw

148 - Rom-Coms, Witty Banter, and Beach Towns – Inside Grace Worthington's Sweet Romance World

On this episode of The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, I chat with bestselling author Grace Worthington, whose sweet romance novels are as heartwarming as they are hilarious. I had the pleasure of co-narrating a 4 book Renovation Romance series for Grace and we had so much fun talking about that process! We explore her creative journey from the musical theatre stage to the world of romantic fiction—and how she brings characters to life with humor, wit, and emotional authenticity. Grace Worthington eats, breathes, and geeks out over sweet romcoms. So it’s no surprise she believes that laughter and love are a cure-all for just about everything in life. After a stint in musical theatre (where she often played comedic roles), Grace now writes novels full of witty banter, lovable characters, and small-town charm. Her inspirations include ‘80s and ‘90s romcoms, beachside towns, and her own family’s delightful chaos. We also discuss: Her transition from actress to author The behind-the-scenes of how we collaborated to bring her  Renovation Romance series into audiobook form How she approaches tone, pacing, and voice in her stories Why being “willing to be bad at something in the beginning” is key to finding your creative voice Whether you're a narrator, author, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and lots of laughter. Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/ Voice 123 15% Discount Code link:  https://bit.ly/3BsPSaw