Sarah Kervin, MM, MS, CCC-SLP: Menstruation and the Voice

Sarah Kervin, MM, MS, CCC-SLP: Menstruation and the Voice

In this episode of On The Voice, Sarah Kervin, MS, CCC-SLP, joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV. Sarah is a voice-specialized speech-language pathologist at the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice at Weill Cornell Medicine, currently pursuing her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at NYU, and remains an active working musician throughout NYC. Her path to the field wound through opera, jazz studies, and years of gigging and teaching — including a five-year stretch commuting between New York and a faculty position at Berklee — before a vocal fold injury of her own led her into voice therapy and, eventually, into the clinical and research side of voice science. Sarah walks us through her current research on the known effects that sex hormones have on the voice, including a deeply personal case study in which she scoped and tracked her own voice daily for over 500 days to capture how vocal function shifts across the menstrual cycle. The conversation also covers what's known — and what's still unclear — about how pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause can affect the speaking and singing voice, and why so much of this research is still in its early days. Sarah makes the case for validating what voice users feel in their own bodies, even when the data hasn't fully caught up yet. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Stephen Mark Lukas

In this episode of On The Voice, Stephen Mark Lukas joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, to share his story publicly for the first time - a nearly five-year vocal rehabilitation journey navigated entirely while continuing to perform at the highest level of his profession. Stephen Mark Lukas is a Broadway actor and musical theatre leading man whose career spans some of the most vocally demanding roles in the canon. He made his Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon as the standby for Elder Price, later performing the role in the show's Chicago sit-down production and on tour. He most recently appeared on Broadway in the critically acclaimed revival of Funny Girl, understudying Nick Arnstein opposite Lea Michele before going on to lead the North American tour in the role. He also originated the role of Gaston in Disney's 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast, currently touring across North America, and has appeared in leading roles at premier regional theatres including Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, and Ogunquit Playhouse, in productions including Oklahoma!, Camelot, South Pacific, and Damn Yankees. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Lucian Sulica, MD - Phonotrauma

Lucian Sulica, MD is the Sean Parker Professor of Laryngology and the Director of the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Past-President of the American Laryngological Association. His practice is limited to voice disorders, with a special interest in the medical and microsurgical treatment of vocal fold injuries from voice use, particularly in performers. He was awarded the American Laryngological Association's Casselberry Award for distinguished research on the mechanics of vocal fold injury, and has authored more than 110 journal articles, 45 book chapters, and 3 books. His work has been devoted to establishing clear, evidence-driven principles for the treatment of voice conditions. In this episode of On The Voice, Dr. Sulica joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a comprehensive conversation on phonotrauma - the physical stress placed on the vocal folds from voice use itself. He breaks down what phonotrauma is, what kinds of injuries can result from it, and why approaching vocal injury through the same lens as any other repetitive strain injury changes how we understand and treat it. The conversation also explores how different lesions behave and recur in distinct ways, and what the research actually tells us about risk, recovery, and long-term vocal health. Dr. Sulica also discusses his role in advancing office-based procedures for the treatment of voice disorders, reducing the need for general anesthesia and expanding access to care for professional voice users. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Natalie Weiss

In this episode of On The Voice, Natalie Weiss joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of her career as both a performer and vocal coach. Natalie reflects on her early musical influences, her path through musical theatre and American Idol, and the development of her now widely recognized “Breaking Down The Riffs®” approach. She shares how her ear for detail and collaborative instincts shaped her work in studios, classrooms, and across digital platforms, offering insight into how she approaches storytelling, riff construction, and vocal decision-making across styles. Natalie also speaks candidly about her experiences with vocal injury, including multiple hemorrhages and the uncertainty that comes with navigating a career while managing vocal health. She discusses the psychological impact of injury, the process of recovery, and the awareness she has developed around her voice over time. Throughout the conversation, she offers an honest look at the balance between performance, teaching, and sustainability and what it means to build a career that adapts alongside the voice itself.   Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Morgan Anita Wood

In this episode of On The Voice, Morgan Anita Wood joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV. from aspiring performer to Broadway’s Hamilton, where she has spent nearly eight years with the production and made her Broadway debut as Eliza in 2024. Morgan reflects on the full-circle path that brought her from observing Hamilton auditions at Telsey to performing the role herself, and discusses the personal and artistic growth that has come from sustaining one of Broadway’s most demanding leading tracks.   Morgan also opens up about experiencing a vocal injury just 4 weeks ago during her current Broadway run, describing the frightening onstage moment she realized something was wrong, the emotional aftermath of vocal injury, and the shame, fear, and isolation that occurs as a result of the stigma surrounding injuries in professional voice users. In a candid and moving conversation, she speaks about recovery, resilience, and the unexpected community she found through sharing her story - offering an honest look at what it means to navigate vulnerability while performing at the highest level. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.