Conversation with Justin Berkowitz

Technical Talks: Too Abrasive

Direct Without Being Abrasive: Tools for Collaborative Workplace Communication   Voice expert and coach Margaret Izard Oskoui addresses common feedback like “too intense,” “too abrasive,” or “not collaborative,” arguing the issue is often not directness itself but how it’s delivered. She explains that direct communication is efficient and reduces misunderstanding, but different vocal deliveries can make the same words land very differently. To help direct communicators sound inclusive and collaborative without watering down content, she teaches four practices: consistent inflection, “continuous sound” (a legato-style, less rhythmic speech pattern that avoids sounding like barking), creating volume with “wide air, wide sound” for a more inviting “vocal hug” rather than directional volume, and regular practice combining these techniques before meetings or conversations so the body is set up to communicate with warmth and clarity.   Watch: How to Use Inflection to Keep Listeners Engaged [https://youtu.be/MqjNOSoaIWY]  Read: Inflection: Speak with Confidence and Keep People Listening [https://www.peacockvoices.com/your-voice/inflection-speak-with-confidence-and-keep-people-listening] Read: How to Practice: The Peacock Voices Guide for Sustainable, Long-Term Vocal Change [https://www.peacockvoices.com/your-voice/how-to-practice-the-peacock-voices-guide-for-sustainable-long-term-vocal-change]   00:00 Direct Feedback Problem 00:22 Directness Is A Strength 01:07 Tone Changes Meaning 02:15 No Fluff Needed 03:27 Use Inflection 05:03 Continuous Sound 06:37 Vocal Hug Volume 08:01 Practice And Combine 09:33 Results And Wrap Up LINKS 🌐 Website: www.peacockvoices.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockvoices  🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacockvoices/ 🎬 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peacockvoices 🤓 Ready to start with the basics? Get our FREE video resource featuring our 3 favorite breathing techniques: https://peacockvoices.kit.com/freevideoguide  👋 Work With Us! www.peacockvoices.com/consultation

Conversation with Justin Berkowitz

Fundraising, Flexibility, and Vocal Health: A Conversation with Justin Berkowitz   In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret speaks with Justin Berkowitz, executive director of the William Ferris Chorale and director of operations for Art Song Chicago, about his path from voice performance to arts administration through ticketing and development work at Lyric Opera and event programming at The Executives Club of Chicago. They discuss how singers’ skills translate to nonprofit and corporate settings, including extreme preparation, flexibility, and managing mistakes without fear of immediate consequences. Justin shares strategies for handling donor meetings and board dynamics, using vocal tone, resonance, humor, and structure to guide room energy. The conversation also covers vocal sustainability in loud networking spaces, singer technique such as soft palate “lift,” hydration and rest (especially the day before), pacing speaking, and how diet, reflux, and aging affect the voice. Justin names opera director David Gately’s distinctive low speaking voice as a favorite and credits his mentorship and kindness.   00:00 Meet Justin Berkowitz 00:12 Two Nonprofit Roles 01:38 From Singer to Admin 05:11 Transferable Singer Skills 07:37 Perfectionism vs Workplaces 10:59 Flexibility in Fundraising 16:27 Steering Board Meetings 19:05 Voice Presence and Control 21:52 Surviving Loud Receptions 25:45 Singer Technique for Stamina 28:02 Opera Power Without Mics 28:28 Resonance And Soft Palate 30:46 Voice Care On Long Days 33:23 Hydration Starts Yesterday 37:35 Diet Myths And Reflux 43:24 Voice As Athletic Training 4 7:01 Favorite Voice And Lessons LINKS 🌐 Website: www.peacockvoices.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockvoices  🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacockvoices/ 🎬 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peacockvoices 🤓 Ready to start with the basics? Get our FREE video resource featuring our 3 favorite breathing techniques: https://peacockvoices.kit.com/freevideoguide  👋 Work With Us! www.peacockvoices.com/consultation

Conversation with Leigh Folta

Breath, Listening, and Raising Confident Communicators: A Conversation with Leigh Folta Host Margaret interviews Leigh Folta, a former professional choral and opera singer with vocal performance degrees. Leigh now works in arts administration running a discount ticketing program in greater Boston. Leigh traces her path from teaching lessons in Los Angeles to ticketing at Lyric Opera of Chicago, a brief move into development managing a board, and back to ticketing and organizational partnerships.  They compare communication demands across customer service and board work, emphasizing listening, translating ideas into action, and adjusting to differing motivations and expectations.  The conversation explores how posture and breath affect speaking, how breath functions as “punctuation,” and how low, supported breathing can help parents stay calm and model regulation and clear communication for children. Leigh describes intentionally speaking to her children using adult language and tone to build confidence and self-advocacy.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:07 From Teaching to Ticketing 03:19 Customer Service vs Board Work 06:30 Nuance and Vocal Storytelling 09:59 How Voice Shifts by Situation 12:34 Motherhood and Speaking Style 15:07 Breathwork for Calm and Control 19:03 Breath as Punctuation in Speech 21:50 Reading Aloud and Voice Modeling 23:36 Voices And Inflection 24:32 Default Voices In Daily Life 26:17 Talking To Kids Like Adults 29:42 Baby Voice And Authority 31:34 Voice As A Physical Skill 35:16 Alexander Technique And Adaptability 40:15 Communication Skills For Any Career 41:24 Favorite Voice Anika Noni Rose   LINKS 🌐 Website: www.peacockvoices.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockvoices  🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacockvoices/ 🎬 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peacockvoices 🤓 Ready to start with the basics? Get our FREE video resource featuring our 3 favorite breathing techniques: https://peacockvoices.kit.com/freevideoguide  👋 Work With Us! www.peacockvoices.com/consultation

Conversation with Francisco Hernández-Cáceres

Accents, Authenticity, and Depolarization: A Conversation with Francisco Hernández-Cáceres In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret welcomes three-time Emmy-winning producer and former television host Francisco Hernández-Cáceres.  Francisco shares how his 15–20 year career in television evolved from being on-camera to running a production company focused on translating university and academic research into engaging, accessible video content—including documentaries and training videos—with an emphasis on reducing polarization and bringing communities together.  He connects this mission to his personal history as a gay kid in El Salvador during the civil war and reflects on how division shaped his understanding of human connection, voice, and language.  Margaret and Francisco discuss the differences in how he speaks Spanish versus English, including shifts in vocal tone, confidence, and humor, and how fatigue and word-finding can affect vocal control in a second language.  Francisco opens up about past insecurity around his accent, taking accent reduction classes, and how improv helped him focus less on perfect pronunciation and more on emotional connection.  They explore the entertainment industry’s mixed messages about accents, Francisco’s experience feeling celebrated when working in English-language media, and the idea of “clarification” rather than accent reduction.  The conversation also examines how Francisco’s communication style has changed as he moved from fast-paced morning show environments to behind-the-camera leadership—shifting from talking to be heard toward listening and making words count.  He describes directing professors at Harvard for a workplace training video on constructive disagreement, using improv and playful techniques to help them relax and speak authentically on camera.  Margaret and Francisco talk about tone, intent, and approaching difficult conversations with a learning mindset rather than a need to win, as well as how emotions and personal triggers can affect communication.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:15 From TV to Academia 03:38 Why Unity Matters 05:52 Bilingual Voice Shifts 11:17 Accent Identity and Industry 15:09 Embracing Uniqueness 18:12 Behind the Camera Now 19:38 Listening and Directing 23:39 Depolarization Conversations 27:05 Authenticity and Emotions 32:59 Favorite Voice 35:34 Closing Thanks and Farewell   LINKS 🌐 Website: www.peacockvoices.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockvoices  🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacockvoices/ 🎬 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peacockvoices 🤓 Ready to start with the basics? Get our FREE video resource featuring our 3 favorite breathing techniques: https://peacockvoices.kit.com/freevideoguide  👋 Work With Us! www.peacockvoices.com/consultation

Technical Talks: Pitching for Entrepreneurs

Mastering Your Pitch: Voice Techniques for Entrepreneurs In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret Izard Oskoui, a voice expert and coach, provides insights on how early-stage entrepreneurs can use their voices effectively in pitch competitions and investor meetings. Margaret explains the significance of vocal characteristics and offers a four-step process: learning your voice, understanding vocal characteristics, speech diagramming, and practicing. This episode aims to help entrepreneurs create engaging, consistent, and impactful pitches to secure funding. Listeners are encouraged to visit www.peacockvoices.com to explore the online course for Entrepreneurs. https://www.peacockvoices.com/courses 00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of Pitching 00:17 Meet Your Voice Coach: Margaret Izard Oskoui 01:06 The Importance of How You Say Your Pitch 02:41 Step 1: Learn Your Voice 03:27 Step 2: Vocal Characteristics for Success 04:03 Step 3: Mastering Speech Diagramming 05:19 Step 4: The Power of Practice 06:10 Conclusion: Perfecting Your Pitch 06:31 Deep Dive: Pitch Virtuoso Online Course LINKS 🌐 Website: www.peacockvoices.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockvoices  🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacockvoices/ 🎬 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peacockvoices 🤓 Ready to start with the basics? Get our FREE video resource featuring our 3 favorite breathing techniques: https://peacockvoices.kit.com/freevideoguide  👋 Work With Us! www.peacockvoices.com/consultation