In this episode my guest is Natalia Łastowiecka, an SLP specializing in voice, swallow, and upper airway.

Natalia shares her personal journey from being a classical voice performance major to discovering her passion for speech-language pathology after facing vocal challenges herself. We discuss the importance of having a supportive team, including laryngologists and SLPs, especially for professional voice users.

Learn about the significance of baseline assessments, the impact of vocal habits like throat clearing and coughing, and the best practices for maintaining vocal health. Natalia also highlights the importance of hydration, vocal warm-ups, and understanding vocal load to prevent injuries.

Whether you're a singer, voice teacher, or just someone who uses their voice regularly, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips to keep your voice healthy and strong.

00:00:20 - Natalia's Journey to Becoming an SLP 00:02:09 - Importance of a Voice Care Team 00:02:37 - Laryngologist vs. Otolaryngologist 00:03:09 - Baseline Endoscopy for Singers 00:04:37 - Visualizing the Voice 00:05:02 - Impact of Throat Clearing and Coughing 00:07:33 - Creating Educational Content 00:09:05 - Basics of Vocal Health 00:11:10 - Preventative Vocal Health Measures 00:14:07 - Vocal Load Management 00:14:44 - Speaking Tips for Vocal Health 00:17:08 - Common Vocal Injuries 00:19:44 - Overall Health and Vocal Health 00:22:04 - Treatability of Vocal Conditions 00:24:22 - Study on Performance Spaces and Acoustics 00:25:42 - Where to Find Natalia Online

Natalia's Instagram

Alida Vocal Studio on Instagram.

For more info please visit: www.alidavocalstudio.com

In this episode, I speak with the inspiring Elise Besler, a somatic voice and boundary coach known for her empowering and compassionate approach as a practitioner. Elise integrates somatic practices and nervous system regulation to help clients overcome barriers to singing, self-expression and communication.

She shares her insights on the connection between the nervous system and effective boundary-setting, explains the role of the vagus nerve in singing, and discusses how singing can be a powerful tool for self care and healing.

We also discuss exercises for managing performance anxiety, the challenges marginalized groups face in setting boundaries, and the importance of self-care in activism to prevent burnout.

00:00:32 - Elise'sJourney and Approach 00:02:38 - The Deeper Well: Fear and Trauma in Voice Coaching 00:03:16 - Nervous System Regulation and Boundaries 00:05:28 - Singing and the Nervous System 00:07:54 - Radical Self-Care Through Singing 00:08:43 - Overcoming Fear of Criticism in Singing 00:10:27 - Childhood Experiences and Voice Suppression 00:13:42 - Practical Exercises for Performance Anxiety 00:19:26 - Tapping Exercise for Grounding 00:21:48 - Understanding Healthy Boundaries 00:24:42 - Universal Challenges in Boundary Setting 00:28:40 - Activism and Self-Care 00:32:07 - Negative Self-Talk and Imposter Syndrome 00:35:24 - Combining Somatic Work with Therapy 00:38:13 - Where to Find Elise

Elise's Instagram

Elise's Website

Alida Vocal Studio on Instagram.

For more info please visit: www.alidavocalstudio.com

In this episode, I speak with Megan Durham, a singing voice specialist and vocologist from Respire Vocal Wellness. Megan offers valuable insights into vocal rehabilitation, unlearning perfectionism, and the importance of body awareness for singers. She also discusses how we can transform the traditional 'master/apprentice model' in voice education, advocating for a more trauma-informed approach that fosters growth for both educators and students.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Megan Durham 00:00:32 - Unique Approaches to Vocal Rehabilitation 00:03:55 - Unlearning Perfectionism 00:07:02 - Managing Perfectionism and Excellence 00:08:20 - Addressing Shame and Self-Criticism 00:12:24 - Compassionate, Body-Aware Voice Training 00:18:42 - Master-Apprentice Model in Voice Education 00:23:15 - Importance of Consent in Voice Training 00:28:26 - Creating Trauma-Informed Voice Education 00:33:10 - Self-Work for Educators 00:34:21 - Grounding Practices for Singers 00:39:27 - Integrating Yoga into Daily Life 00:41:32 - Where to Find Megan Durham

Megan's Instagram: @respirevocalwellness

Megan's Website

Alida Vocal Studio on Instagram.

For more info on singing courses and singing lessons please visit: www.alidavocalstudio.com