For this very special 100th episode of The Audiobook Speakeasy, I invited back some of my favorite guests from over the past five years: Andi Arndt, Jesse Bickford-Coghill, Robin Miles, Amy Rubinate, and Julia Whelan. Edoardo Ballerini and Carol Monda were also planning on joining us, but unfortunately got stuck in traffic and the airport.

I didn't have any specific plan for the conversation aside from one important announcement, but we all kept coming back to the importance of a good work-life balance. I enjoyed chatting about life in the audiobook world with these giants in the industry just as much this time as I did the first time around. There was plenty of water, sparkling and hot, as well as some wine, a Gin And Ginger, and... my drink. :)

If you haven't heard any of our previous, one-on-one chats, you can find them here:

Andi Arndt, episode 4: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-1#episode004

Jesse Bickford, episode 55: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-3#episode055

Robin Miles, episode 39: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-2#episode039

Amy Rubinate, episode 80: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-4#episode080

Julia Whelan, episode 58: https://www.richvoiceproductions.com/audiobook-speakeasy-3#episode058

My guest tonight is the CEO of Common Mode Inc., Jess Escalona!

Jess tells me about working in a hip hop studio and doing post-production at a television studio while pursuing a degree in music and recording arts from William Paterson University, and finding that the work really didn't suit her; but a meeting with an adviser led to an interview at Common Mode Inc., and that led to immediate employment, and she liked that work so much that she's been there ever since. Jess and I then discuss her various different roles at Common Mode over the years, and how very important good -- and timely -- communication is in this industry. All this and more over some water and a Whoville's Spiced Up Christmas Margarita!

You can find Jess and Common Mode on Twitter and Instagram at @commonmodeinc.

My guest tonight is Hachette Audio producer Lisa Cahn!

Lisa and I reminisce a bit about our alma mater, Occidental College: we were apparently there for a year concurrently, but, alas, didn't know each other. Lisa then tells me about her journey from journalism into publishing, including her experience abridging books for audio back when that was the norm, and how she just might be at least partially responsible for the "celebrity narrator" trend (which, thankfully, appears to be waning). All this and much more over some Klinker Brick 1850° red wine and a Mexican Firing Squad!

You can connect with Lisa at [email protected].

My guest tonight is director, filmmaker, playwright, and award-winning audiobook narrator Leon Nixon!

After a chat about whiskey, gin, and growing in up in Southern California, Leon tells me about his 30-year career as a law enforcement officer in Los Angeles and how he transitioned from that to narrating audiobooks. Then we discuss authentic casting, calligraphy, how important it is to be kind (in business and in general), and more. All this over some Uncle Nearest Tennessee Whiskey and a Pink Lady!

You can find Leon online at https://www.leonnixonvo.com.

My guest tonight is legendary audiobook producer and director David Rapkin!

David tells me a great story about meeting a music legend on the streets of New York many decades ago and starting a career in audio engineering shortly after. He then goes on to discuss some of the many high-profile audiobooks he's worked on over the years, and offers up some great advice for narrators of all levels. All this and much more over an Agua Libre and a Tuxedo No. 2!

You can contact David at [email protected]. 

Tonight's guest is Podium Audio casting director Stephanie Cicatiello!

Stephanie tells me how she got into the audiobook world shortly after studying about various aspects of the entertainment industry at Drexel University. We then talk about her experiences at Common Mode, Hachette, and Podium Audio. All this over some Caravella Limoncello and a Naked And Famous!

You can find Stephanie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/audiobooksteph/. You can find Podium Audio at https://podiumaudio.com.  

My guest tonight is Head of Audiobooks at Scribe Media, Jeff Guillot!

Jeff tells me how a single plane flight convinced him to move from the East Coast to the West Coast, and how an education in psychology led him to a career in audiobook production. Jeff then tells me about his experiences at Deyan Audio and Scribe Media, and the importance of a good recording space. All this and more over a LaCroix Passionfruit Sparkling Water and a Good Cork!

You can find Jeff on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jguillot81 and on Instagram at @jeff_thevegan. You can find Scribe Media at https://scribemedia.com. 

Tonight's guest is prolific romance narrator and founder of Pink Flamingo Productions Sarah Puckett!

Sarah tells me how being an avid audiobook listener brought about a career as a narrator, and how important coaching was in the early days of that career. She then describes the genesis of Pink Flamingo Productions, the recent acquisition of Fireside Horror (now Fireside Audio), and plans for the future. All this over a cherry vodka soda and a Bramble!

You can find Pink Flamingo Productions at https://www.pinkflamingoproductions.com, on Twitter at @PFPAudiobooks, and on Instagram at @pinkflamingo_productions. You can find Fireside Audio at https://www.firesideaudio.net. 

Tonight's guest is voice actor, vocal coach, and accent and dialect coach Nic Redman!

Nic tells me about how her acting background eventually led to a voiceover career. She goes on to describe her continuing education in voice studies, and how that led to being able to help voice actors take care of their voices, as well as how to speak with different accents and dialects. All this over a bog standard, builder's brew cup of tea and a two-orange French Mimosa!

You can find Nic online at https://www.nicredmanvoice.com, and on Twitter at @NicRedmanVoice. The brand new course she mentions in the interview can be found at https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/vocal-empowerment-programme/. 

My guest tonight is narrator and medical myofascial therapist Melissa Kay Benson!

Melissa tells me how her work as a myofascial therapist and folding laundry led to a career as an audiobook narrator. She goes on to describe how educational spending eight hours a day for two weeks in a cadaver lab can be, and why slouching is really, really bad, but opening up the body is really, really good -- especially for narrators. All this and more over a Sazerac and a Tootsie Roll!

You can find Melissa at https://mkbenson.com, and on social media by searching for #BoothHealth.

My guest tonight is audiobook narrator and life coach Melissa Moran!

Melissa describes how a career in radio morphed into full-time audiobook narration, and how an event that rocked the narrator community in 2020 led her into life coaching. She then tells me about her coaching practice, and how life coaching is a bit like untangling necklaces. All this and more over some Truly strawberry lemonade hard seltzer and a Bitterscotch!

You can find Melissa's acting website at https://www.melissamoran.com, and her coaching website at https://www.melissacoaches.com.