In December, 2017 I was a burned out, stressed out, senior level corporate VP at a $700 million dollar seafood company. I routinely received or was copied on 200-300 emails per day, and was literally drowning under the relentless volume of a workload that was only poised to grow larger in 2018. On Christmas eve, I took a phone call from an angry customer. Upon completion of the call, I was consumed with thoughts of fear and shame and asked myself how it was possible the trajectory of my career had led to that phone call on that day. The truth was I was dreading 2018, and deep down I knew my career path was unsustainable. The time had come to take my life back.
Two weeks later I emailed the CEO and tendered my resignation. He asked me what I needed. I explained to him where I was at mentally. I told him I needed a complete break. He understood. My leave of absence commenced in March. I handed off all my responsibilities and left with no guarantee of a job when I returned.
Countless times over the years, friends, family, and strangers told me I had a natural voice for radio. I thought about this as I embarked on a solo trip to Europe. For two months I explored Greece and Crete. Fortunately, my wife supported me 100%. I explored my passion for ancient Greek history. I followed the “footsteps of Herodotus”. In Crete I found refuge in a small seaside village. I took long coastal hikes in splendid isolation, training my mind and body for the 800 km Camino de Santiago in Spain.
I walked the Camino for 35 days. I made friends with fellow pilgrims from all over the world.There, buried under years of corporate stress, was my spiritual side. I reveled in the reconnection. I listened to several audiobooks while walking the Camino. I knew the audiobook and podcast market was expanding rapidly. The encouraging words of friends, family and strangers came back to me. I wanted to learn how to use the gift of my voice for narration.
Upon return from Europe, I registered for Krystal Wascher’s audiobook narration course. I learned various narration techniques. I set up a soundproof home studio with an advanced recording microphone and the software needed. I started auditioning for projects. Over the course of that summer I recorded audiobook narration for two books. A Legend of Ireland by Linda Caroll Bradd, and Aegean Intrigue by Patricia Kiyono.
I reveled in the fact that both books reflected parts of who I am. I am of Irish Ancestry and I adore the Aegean Sea! As the years went by, a new artistic path opened for me. I continued to take audiobook work and build the foundation for a career beyond corporate life. Today I have a healthier work-life balance. I get to hike and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest where I live, work and play with my family and friends.
I’ve consistently added audiobooks to my portfolio. My other audiobook work includes: The Secret of Altamura: Nazi Crimes, Italian Treasure by Dick Rosano; The Roots of Irish Wisdom: Learning from Ancient Voices and Celtic Song: From The Tradition of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, both by Cindy Thomson. I also have a robust Tiktok following where I post poetry orations from my walks in the woods.
I am actively seeking new projects where I can lend the strength of my voice. My voice is described as resonant, deep, scholarly, friendly and masculine.
Check out my work to see if my voice is right for your project.
