Constantly throughout the day, our brains are filtering out all sorts of stimuli, visual, auditory, etc. One of the few things your brain is tuned into and prioritizing is the sound of the human voice. That makes the ability to speak well publicly such a valuable tool.

Today’s guest on The Holly Hughes Podcast has spent his entire professional career using his voice to tell stories, communicate ideas and to bring art to life. Brian Lafontaine is an actor on stage, screen, and voice overs for more than 30 years. Today he also helps other creative professionals find footing in voice acting and public speaking.

Brian Lafontaine and Holly Hughes sit down for a conversation about how Brian uses his voice professionally. Brians talks about his background in the arts, particularly his love for live theatre. He also shares some of his philosophies for creativity, public speaking, and tuning into your own unique perspective to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Follow Brian Lafontaine online at brianlafontaine.com.

Get your copy of Holly’s book, Real Not Perfect: How to Become Your Happy, Authentic Self.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of an Actor: Beginnings and Influences

03:03 Storytelling in Acting: The Art of Performance

06:08 Stand-Up Comedy: The First Stage Experience

09:00 Hecklers and Audience Engagement: Navigating Challenges

12:04 Family Dynamics: Support and Understanding in the Arts

15:01 Voiceover Work: A Unique Career Path

18:00 The Impact of AI on Voice Acting and Creativity

23:51 The Art of Standing Out

25:00 Vulnerability in Creative Expression

27:54 Navigating Authenticity and Safety

30:42 The Challenges of the Creative Industry

35:19 Physicality and Standards in Acting

41:16 The Magic of Live Theater

46:05 Public Speaking and New Ventures

48:23 Mastering Public Speaking Techniques

52:33 The Importance of Authenticity in Communication

58:22 Exploring Creativity Beyond Public Speaking

01:02:56 Finding Your Unique Voice

01:09:07 The Power of Sharing Your Story