The VO Valentine: How to Love Your Voice for the Long Haul

Anne Ganguzza
7 hours ago
4 min read

with Lau Lapides

BOSSes, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, Anne Ganguzza and her co-host Lau Lapides tackle a topic that lies at the very heart of the industry: the relationship we have with our own voices. The Bosses argue that how to love your voice isn't about constant infatuation with your sound—it's about a deep, committed relationship with your craft. By redefining love as a professional commitment, VO talent can move past the "slippery slope" of self-criticism and into a place of authentic performance and business growth.

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Chapter Summaries

The Specter of Comparison

(01:54) Many talent get into voiceover because they are told they have a "great voice," but hearing it played back can be jarring. Anne and Lau discuss how comparing your natural sound to legends like Demi Moore or Kathleen Turner—or even peers on social media—creates an unrealistic standard that prevents you from showing your own voice the "love" and respect it deserves.

Love as a Commitment, Not a Romance

(05:38) Lau provides a powerful redefinition of love: it is a commitment to something you care about, even when you don’t "like" the current circumstances. Just like a long-term marriage, your relationship with your voice will have bad days. Accepting this reality allows you to move forward without letting a bad audition or a lack of bookings define your worth.

The Slippery Slope of Self-Sabotage

(12:10) Creatives are notorious for self-sabotage, where one small piece of negative feedback (like being told your studio sounds "boxy") can trigger an avalanche of insecurity. The hosts emphasize the need for a "trigger" to pull yourself out of a funk, suggesting active breaths, water, or simply rising above digital trolls to maintain professional focus.

Advertising’s Love Language

(16:59) The hosts discuss how the corporate world has embraced the word "love." From Subaru to Cheerios, "love" has become a powerful tagline because consumers crave connection and appreciation. The Bosses note that the creative path often fills a void for those who felt underappreciated in their previous corporate "9-to-5" lives.

Perspective and Resilience: The Circus Lesson

(13:46) Using the analogy of a circus performer, Lau explains that when you fall, you must get right back up to prevent a fear of the fall from taking root. Anne shares her personal journey as a cancer survivor, explaining how that life-altering event gave her the freedom to stop second-guessing herself and focus on the joy of the craft.

The Energy of Gratitude in Healing

(29:08) Anne shares a recent story of being diagnosed with a viral eye infection and choosing to find gratitude that it happened in her "bad eye." This mindset shift, she believes, actively aided her healing process. The hosts conclude that bringing this same energy of gratitude to your booth will fundamentally improve your performance and your business.

Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors:

Redefine Love: View the love for your voice as a long-term professional commitment, not a day-to-day emotional state.
Stop Judging in the Moment: Avoid over-analyzing your sound in your headphones while you are trying to act; it kills the performance.
Find Your "Why": Regularly remind yourself why you entered the industry to stay anchored during slow periods or bad feedback.
Embrace the Dark Side: Realize that every career has moments of pain, hurt, and isolation. These moments define your relationship with the craft.
Create a Recovery Trigger: Have a specific action (breathing, water, movement) to pull yourself out of a "funk" immediately after a bad session.
Avoid Toxic Comparison: What you see on social media is a highlight reel. Focus on your own growth and your own unique "vocal fingerprint."
Love Your Audience: You must have genuine empathy for the person listening to your message to be an effective communicator.
Get Back on the Horse: When you fail or get rejected, get back to work immediately to prevent the fear of failure from setting in.
Self-Care Fuels Your Voice: You cannot be a healthy voice actor if you are neglecting your physical or mental health.
Freedom in Perspective: Understand that business isn't personal. Realizing that you are more than your work provides the freedom to take creative risks.

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