High Notes Season Three: Speaking With Authority

 

 High Notes is a podcast featuring conversations on the art and business of voice, hosted by voice actor and BRAVA CEO, Melissa Thom. From Mongolian throat singing to vocal health, accents, gaming, and more, HIGH NOTES uncovers the craft behind the business.

Bristol (England) Academy of Voice Acting (BRAVA) offers personalized training in the art and business of voiceover. BRAVA says: "If you’re a complete beginner and have always been interested in finding out more about the world of voice acting, or if you’ve been voicing for a while, but need guidance and support, then BRAVA is for you."

BRAVA was founded by experienced voice actor and communications specialist Melissa Thom. Joining Melissa is a highly experienced team of actors, educators, and producers from the UK and the U.S. 

Episode lengths run from 25 to 45 minutes, with most shows falling within the 35-minute sweet spot.  Melissa Thom is a superb podcast host and interviewer. I could just listen to her voice all day, like easy-listening music that relaxes me. 

Thom has a challenging job. Convincing and reminding non-voiceover people that it is an exceedingly difficult job that takes training and commitment. Voiceover work is like sports broadcasting. Everybody believes they can excel at it when, in reality, it requires innate talent, extensive training, and a commitment to improvement. 

In the second season, my favorite episode was the June 30th show about how voice actors are cast for Pixar films was my personal highlight reel. In this episode of High Notes, Melissa chats with Kate Hansen Birnbaum, Casting Director at Pixar, whose credits include beloved animated films such as Inside Out, Soul, Elemental, and 

Luca.  She offers a rare look inside Pixar’s intricate casting process, highlighting the value placed on authenticity, natural vocal tone, and the ability to truly inspire the animation team. 

The conversation touches on Pixar’s commitment to diverse and inclusive casting, including their practice of anonymized auditions to help reduce unconscious bias. Kate also brings the episode to life with memorable stories from her career, particularly the joy of working on Elemental — and shares thoughtful advice for aspiring voice actors.

This is difficult work. I listen to audiobooks and, with a few exceptions, when authors read their own book, I know I'm in for a rough audio ride. 

A show about voiceover acting on an audio podcast is the perfect fit. High Notes glorifies the magic of audio, explains the technical aspect of voiceover work, and celebrates audio done with style and grace.

 High Notes also offers listeners the mellifluous voice of its creator and host, Melissa Thom. I highly recommend the show, even if you are not in the voiceover industry. 

Season 3 of High Notes, the podcast about the business and art of voice, will drop from Monday 27th October for eight weeks. It will see host Melissa Thom talking to leading figures across business, culture, and communication. 

Guests include world-leading speechwriter Simon Lancaster, voice coach Dr. Rockford Sansom, writer and historian Jane Duffus, BAFTA’s Colin Burgess, PR legend Lynne Franks, and broadcaster Janey Lee Grace.

Together, they explore how voice shapes influence, leadership, and true connection at work: how to stay composed under pressure, engage an audience and speak with authority.

The full line up of episodes and release dates are as follows:
10/27/2025 - Simon Lancaster: speechwriter to business and political leaders, on the Language of Leadership and the hidden patterns that make communication persuasive.

11/03/2025 - Jane Duffus: writer and historian, on Women, Wit & the Power of Speech and how women’s voices have shaped and continue to shape public life.

11/10/2025 - Colin Burgess: BAFTA’s Executive Director of Operations, on the Resilient Voice, building legacy, and nurturing new creative voices in film, games and television.

11/17/2025 - Tricia Duffy: leadership coach, on Creative Confidence and finding your voice in times of change and uncertainty.

11/24/2025 - Dr. Rockford Sansom: voice coach to executives worldwide, on Influence & Impact, and how leaders can speak with presence in the boardroom.

12/01/2025 - Janey Lee Grace: BBC broadcasting legend and coach, on Executive Presence, clarity, sobriety and having the courage to speak up.

12/08/2025 - Lynne Franks: author, entrepreneur, communications strategist and fashion pioneer on Leading with Wisdom, and using voice as a force for visibility, purpose, and change.

12/15/2025 - Margaret Heffernan: business thinker, writer and voted one of the "Top 100 Media Executives" by The Hollywood Reporter on Voice, Creativity and Embracing Uncertainty, and why leadership today demands adaptability.

High Notes’ host, Melissa Thom is a speech and communication coach and acclaimed voice actor with decades of experience voicing projects including Grand Theft Auto V for Rockstar Games, Elder Scrolls for Zenimax, LL COOL J, Google, Amazon, Nike and many more.

Melissa is also the Founder and CEO of BRAVA, and has trained thousands of people in communication and voice from the UK and beyond - from rappers and reverends to ad creatives and countesses.

Melissa Thom said: “This season of High Notes is focused on how professionals can use their voice for impactful communication in the workplace and beyond. Our guests bring a wealth of experience from different sectors and creative disciplines - we hope our listeners will both be entertained and come away with actionable tips to supercharge communication confidence.”

High Notes season 3 can be found at brava.uk.com/podcast and all major podcast platforms, from October 27th, 2025.