Hire the voice. Not the birth date.

Hire the voice. Not the birth date.

Episode Title: Hire the voice. Not the birth date. Summary:In today's episode, I’m sharing a personal story about a recent casting experience - and a broader reflection on how voice work is often misunderstood. When we hire based on numbers instead of nuance, we miss the real magic: the ability of a voice to embody character, emotion, and story, far beyond traditional labels like age. A professional voice actor is trained to adapt — to sound younger, older, sicker, sexier, cooler — to be whatever the story needs. This episode is a reminder that in voice acting, the voice itself is the instrument. Not the birthdate behind it. In this episode: Why age shouldn't define casting decisions How trained voice actors shape-shift vocally The importance of focusing on performance, character, and storytelling A gentle call to rethink how we cast voices in creative work... 🎧 Bonus for paid subscribers:Paid subscribers get exclusive access to bonus content, where I dive deeper and share a story about one of the most bizarre things a client ever said to me. Thank you for listening and supporting my work!If you enjoyed today’s episode, feel free to share it or leave a comment — I love hearing your thoughts. Here's my Substack: https://ebclarke.substack.com [https://ebclarke.substack.com] Here's my website: https://emmaclarke.com/ [https://emmaclarke.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe [https://ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

📣 Radar Pings Are Live! 📣

I’m making something new… I’ve just launched a new feature for paid subscribers called Radar Pings - short weekly voice notes sharing what’s pinging on my creative radar. * Cool stuff I’ve discovered - music, books, podcasts, random curios… * Intriguing questions I’m mulling over * Creative struggles - when the stuff I’m making just isn’t working * What I’m trying to do better - I mean, like, everything… * Unexpected moments of joy, wonder, fear… * …and so on… 🎧 Have a listen to the first FREE Radar Ping at the top of the page. 🎧 🔥 Paid subscribers get other exclusive, bonus stuff too! 🔥 🐣 And until 21st April, you can get 20% of annual subscriptions - that works out at 92p per week! Think of Radar Pings as audio postcards from my studio. It’s another way of connecting for those who want deeper glimpses into the work I do. Want in? 📣 Upgrade to paid to receive your first Radar Ping this week. 📣 Thank you, as always, for being here. Whether you’re reading, listening, supporting, or silently cheering - it means the world. PS. 🐣 Don’t forget, my Easter Annual Subscription Sale is on until 21st April. Get 20% off for 1 year - that’s just £3.66 per month…£0.92 per week! Thanks for reading Who Do You Think I Am?! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe [https://ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

🚨 So we're now in a global trade war. 🚨

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ebclarke.substack.com [https://ebclarke.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7] 🔥 Paid subscribers get additional content. 🔥 🎙️ So We're Now In A Global Trade War Emergency Weather Report: Surviving the Creative Storm Welcome to this emergency episode of The Weather Report — a regular podcast feature on my Substack for creatives navigating the shifting skies of art, culture, and self-expression. I’m Emma Clarke: artist, broadcaster, voice actor, and creative strategist. Think of this as part forecast, part dispatch, always grounded in lived experience. In this episode, I share an Emergency Weather Report for April 2025. With a global trade war brewing and creative freelancers caught in the crosswinds, I unpack what it means — and how we can respond. You’ll hear: Why this isn’t collapse, but recalibration The five things freelancers need to do now to adapt and stay visible A call to create the kind of work this moment demands: steadying, strange, truthful This episode is part strategy, part survival kit. 🔒 For paid subscribers: The Extended ForecastYou’ll also receive: 🎧 Open Studio Tape — an unscripted audio reflection on how I weather creative turbulence in my own practice To access this, upgrade to a paid subscription — and support independent, interdisciplinary work in the process. 💌 Subscribe to my Substack: https://ebclarke.substack.com [https://ebclarke.substack.com] Get new episodes direct to your inbox. You can find out more about me and my work on my personal website: https://emmaclarke.com/ [https://emmaclarke.com/]

The Ground is Shifting. So Am I.

🎙️ Show Notes Episode Title: The Ground Is Shifting. So Am I. Subtitle: This month's Weather Report: global noise, inner clarity, and what’s next. In this episode of The Weather Report, I share what’s stirring in the wider world—and inside my own creative life. 🌍 The external weather includes: A global mood of disruption and resistance The quiet cultural pivot back to real voices and crafted work Longer days inviting more focus, space, and intentional creation 🌿 The internal weather? Launching my new art business and website Starting work on the score for an indie film Protecting space to compose, reflect, and build slowly Softly evolving my income streams to align with where I’m heading next This is the kind of episode I record to stay grounded. I hope it helps you do the same. 🔒 Bonus content for paid subscribers: A sneak peek from my memoir-in-progress A deeper studio reflection on composing for screen What I’m building slowly in the background (and why I’m not rushing it) Subscribe or upgrade here: https://ebclarke.substack.com [https://ebclarke.substack.com] Explore more of my work: 🎨 Visual art and graphic scores: emmaclarkeart.com [https://www.emmaclarkeart.com]🎙️ Voice, sound, and story: emmaclarke.com [https://www.emmaclarke.com] Thanks for listening—and for being part of this thoughtful, creative space. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe [https://ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

From Lingerie to Care Homes: How Ageism Silences Female Voice Actors

Episode Notes: "Past My Sell-By Date? Ageism in Voice Acting" Episode Summary:What happens when your voice—once the go-to for major brands—slowly fades from the commercial scene? In this episode, I take a deep dive into ageism in voice acting, particularly how it affects women. From once booking high-profile campaigns to suddenly being asked to voice care home ads and funeral planners, I share my personal experiences of how the industry sidelines female voices as they age. We’ll explore the ‘shelf life’ myth, the problem with photo requests in an audio industry, and how industry bias allows men to ‘mature’ into authoritative voices while women simply ‘age out.’ Plus, I’ll break down how we can challenge these biases and reclaim our space in the industry. In This Episode: 🔹 A personal story: how my bookings shifted from high-energy brands to ‘mature’ voiceover requests🔹 The ‘silent drop-off’—when major clients stop calling without explanation🔹 The myth of a voiceover ‘shelf life’ and how it disproportionately affects women🔹 Why casting directors are now asking for headshots in a voice-only profession🔹 The industry’s obsession with youth and how it fuels gendered ageism🔹 How we can push back against this bias and stay relevant Two Versions Available: 🔓 FREE LISTEN: The core episode is available to all subscribers.🔒 PAID LISTEN: For my wonderful paid subscribers, I’ve included an extended version with bonus content at the end, where I share additional behind-the-scenes insights and strategies for navigating this industry shift. Resources & Links: 🎧 Listen to the full episode now.📩 Join the discussion in the comments—have you experienced ageism in voice acting?🔒 Paid Subscribers Only: Get exclusive insights & behind-the-scenes content. Support the Show: If you found this episode valuable, consider upgrading to a paid subscription to support independent content like this. Your support helps keep these important conversations going and allows me to create even more in-depth episodes. 👉 Share this episode with anyone who needs to hear it. Let’s make this a conversation the industry can’t ignore. Find my Substack here: https://ebclarke.substack.com [https://ebclarke.substack.com] For more info about me and my work, here's my personal website: https://emmaclarke.com/ [https://emmaclarke.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe [https://ebclarke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]