Editor’s Note

Hello Audio Citizens! Welcome to the empire!

I am doing a happy dance and smiling from ear to ear as this first issue lands in your inboxes. I can’t tell you how excited I am! So, sit back and let your eyes do the moving as you scroll through the amazing content we have for you. We won’t be too long, I promise.

In this issue:

• Get some public speaking insights “on the podium,” with Aurea Reis.

• See our notice board for events and opportunities in voice work and content creation!

• Looking for new podcasts to listen to? Find them at The Ace podcast club.

Why Audio Citizens’ Empire?
Our voices colour the world, but sometimes we get so caught up with life that we forget. We forget the impact of our songs, the weight of our words, the rhythm of our voices and the depth of our conversations. So now, our empire is here to remind us. Our space to indulge on things audio. A space for those who love creating and those who love listening. And we will indeed get behind the curtains too and understand the whys of creators as well as get some tea!

Whether you are here for entertainment, information, business, inspiration or curiosity, the empire is yours!

On the Podium with Aurea Reis (Author:Healing Letters)

Her name Aurea, is derived from the Latin word, Aurum, meaning, made of gold. A true reflection of her ability to shine and inspire others through her unique experiences, spanning across continents. She was born in Luanda, Angola then moved to Portugal at a young age due to civil war and eventually settled in the UK in 2008.

• What do you enjoy the most about public speaking? And what got you speaking?

  I got into public speaking through my book Healing Letters. Never thought about it before, and in all fairness, I always hated public speaking. As I started marketing my book, going to interviews and attending events, someone suggested it to me, and one day I tried. The subject was ‘Experiences of a Narcissistic relationship’. The feedback was overwhelming and although I was nervous, and felt like I was going to be sick, I found myself enjoying every bit of it.

  
  The adrenaline was exhilarating! Plus, the idea that the traumas that I live with, regardless of how painful it was, now give me wisdom and different perspectives on life. And I can share this with others perhaps going through the same experiences. After all, knowledge is only powerful if you share it around, otherwise it dies with you. 

• Your most memorable experience!
  I always enjoy all my speaking engagements. But I would be lying if I said that I don't have a favorite one. TEDx Wolverhampton, was no doubt an experience that I will never forget. Until then, I never had to fully write a speech. I tend to speak from my heart, bring some bullet points with me and relate the topic with the event, or on what is asked of me by the organizers. For TED, I had to write a speech that took the audience on a ‘trip’, with beginning, mid and end. It had to be seen beforehand by the organizers, and then I had to memorize and deliver it in 12 minutes maximum. It was 4 months of a lot of practice.

  I learned then that to memorise something you have to verbalise it out loud, train your expressions in front of the mirror when you are talking, and also talk in front of people beforehand, so that you do not freeze when you see faces in the audience on the main day. I also learned to deal with my imposter syndrome. Can you believe that I almost canceled my application close to the day? Yes, I almost called the organisers to say I had COVID. Sounds ridiculous, but those who’ve ever felt the imposter syndrome effect, will understand what I am saying. In the end, I faced that fear, because I knew I would not be able to look at myself in the mirror if I didn’t do it. The feedback was great, people loved my speech, and every time I look at that video, I feel proud of myself.

• Have you ever engaged with a non-responsive crowd ? How did you turn things around?

  Thank God this has never happened to me. But it can happen. Having said that, I did have an event where we were 3 speakers and I was the last one. The other speakers were like ‘sharks’! Super knowledgable, well known in the market and proper business women. Again my imposter syndrome kicked in and I started to feel insecure. To make matters worse, both their speeches covered all my points. I had to think quickly, read the room and improvise. I just thought to myself, “their speeches were great but very technical and professional, I will now talk about something that bothers me a lot when I need to make important moves.” The famous ‘Imposter Syndrome’. Yes, you can laugh… But it worked! At the end, many women came to me saying that many times they too failed to attend something, or go to certain job interviews, or left a great business opportunity, because they did not feel they were worthy of any of that.

  
  

  

• Please share any rituals /practices that you do before getting in front of an audience. Have any tips on being confident?
  I am always nervous before going on a stage so I try my best to sleep early and have dinner early the day before. It needs to be a light dinner, and I avoid sugar and alcohol. On the day of my presentation, I do not eat until after the event. When I wake up, I try my best not to go on social media, unless I really need to post something quick. I do not read or respond to messages and calls, unless it’s from the event organisers. I do this to avoid situations where someone has bad news or negative information to share with me. In all fairness, the news will still be there for me to handle after the event, so I spare myself from the stress.

  I always get to the event an hour or two earlier. During the first hour, I will chill and have coffee, get to know the place and the people around. If possible, I’d rather not interact with the audience unless required and in that case, I still must have one hour or half an hour to myself. I like to be in my bubble, reflecting, praying, meditating (whatever you want to call it). I need silence to tell myself over and over again, that I can do it, I want to do it, I was born to do it, and that my power is to empower others with the wisdom God instructed me. I ask God for guidance, I say thank you for the opportunity of being there, and I finish by saying: ‘God you brought me here, now please help me talk to the hearts of those who need to listen to me the most today, allow me to be the bridge between you and them!’ 

Notice Board

Are you new to voice acting and need some help finding your way? Then Wendy Lands Voiceover coaching might be what you need.

Caveat Emptor/Buyer Be Ware: You Must perform your own due diligence before engaging with any business or service provider and you shall not hold Audio Citizens’ Empire Newsletter liable whatsoever.

This week on the Ace podcast club

Category: Culture/Society/Education

Category : True Crime and Horror

Audio Citizens’ Empire Newsletter features audio talent including but not limited to voice artists, spoken word artists, podcasters, public speakers, radio hosts and so on.
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