Getting Over The Sound Of Your Own Voice

Many of us shy away from hearing our own voices, whether it's in podcasting, broadcasting, or speaking in public. This video tackles the common challenge of disliking the sound of one's own voice, a hurdle many face when starting their podcasting journey. Drawing from my 18 years of experience in radio and podcasting, I share personal insights and practical tips to help you embrace your voice and confidently step into the world of podcasting. From using simple tools like a voice recorder app to practicing and improving your vocal delivery, this guide is designed to instill confidence and encourage podcasters at any level.
Key Takeaways:
Overcoming the discomfort of hearing your own voice.
Practical steps to get comfortable with and improve your vocal presence.
The role of practice and familiarity in enhancing voice confidence.
Strategies for effective voice recording and delivery.
Time Codes:
00:00 - Introduction to overcoming voice self-consciousness
01:15 - Personal experiences and the journey to voice acceptance
02:30 - Tips for getting comfortable with your voice
03:45 - The benefits of using a voice recorder app
05:00 - Techniques to improve your vocal delivery and confidence
06:00 - Final thoughts on embracing and improving your voice
👇 Discover More Valuable Resources Below 👇
🎙️ Looking for Podcast Equipment Recommendations?
Explore my Essential Equipment Guide to start your podcast journey:
🔗 www.theshanman.com/pages/podc...
🚀 Ready to Launch Your Podcast but Unsure of the Steps?
Grab my comprehensive Podcast Launch Checklist:
🔗 www.theshanman.com/pages/podc...
📈 Interested in Monetizing Your Podcast?
Learn strategies with my Podcasting Payouts eBook:
🔗 www.theshanman.com/pages/podc...
#VoiceConfidence #PodcastingTips #EmbraceYourVoice

[@ShannonHernandez]

📌Did this video help you out? Consider making a contribution to this channel to keep more content like this coming . You can learn more about keeping this KZbin channel alive here: www.theshanman.com/contribute-to-my-youtube-channel

[@joenuts348]

you still checking this video 5 yrs later 😂

[@ghostinthewaves2130]

I've always been insecure about my voice and hated it so much that I wouldn't talk much growing up, I thought my voice was really weak and quiet, I stuttered sometimes because I would talk fast and stumble my words. Thanks for the video 👍😊

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're welcome. Your impact on the world lies behind your voice. You're going to stumble, talk fast and not be able to get thoughts out in the beginning, but as you practice, you get more confident about what you want to say and how you want to say it. I'm glad this video has helped you out. :)

[@dreamvisionsbecourageously859]

Good tips - I also recommend a voice over class - it helped me a lot. Comments from class students were helpful too... I have found people do not hear words the same.... Another tip that worked for me is, if you script a podcast or something - Start reading it out loud at home, like when making coffee & breakfast, doing daily shores, watering the lawn and so forth - also I record and remix through a mixer in post... Just some thoughts.

[@namelessarm6273]

I’ve been procrastinating recording my french speaking exam for lots of reasons but mostly I despise my voice, but this really helped so I might actually do it :)

[@ShannonHernandez]

Great!! Good luck on the exam!

[@namelessarm6273]

@@ShannonHernandez thanks :))

[@asterglaceon]

Did you pass?

[@namelessarm6273]

@@asterglaceon I don’t remember that specific one, but i did way better than i expected in my final speaking exam last year! are you studying french? x

[@flocon_fosu]

​@@namelessarm6273je suis français tu comprends ce que je dis du coup ? 😀

[@CTViewer07]

I'm knocking on wood on hoping that this would help me since I'm starting to record my own gameplay to submit to other better players to review my gameplay for improvements (I play Overwatch and I main one of the characters that are dependent on communication, Sombra). Eversince Childhood, I've always hated the sound of my voice that I actively avoid any recording playback. When I know I'm being recorded, I clam up.

[@ShannonHernandez]

Don't even worry about your voice, my man. What you have to offer to the world is what people will care about the most. I used to hate my own voice too, but after a while you realize that people care about what you say because they don't even care what you sound like. Trust me on this. :)

[@uxoy]

Same

[@bennyjj8454]

same and especially as a 13 year old i get a lot of hate for my voice

[@brianel3006]

Doing our second show and really needed this. I'm so quiet lol. But I'm passionate about the content. Thank you!!

[@ShannonHernandez]

When you're passionate about the content, you tend to not worry about your voice at all. Stay passionate because you will inspire someone to listen or even take an action. :)

[@jeffdrawingstudio]

Hey Man, thanks for the info. people always told me that I have a radio voice. I said to myself that I don't think so. I feel that my voice is too deep. people use to pick on me of my voice when I was young. So, by listening to you it gave me some tools to use to get over what I hear in my voice. like you also said, it is a mental thing. Thanks! keep helping people with your work.

[@ShannonHernandez]

What I would give to have a deep voice for radio! You've got a gift! You should definitely use it and let others know that you have something you want to share. And don't let the critic on the inside keep you from doing something that you know you are capable of doing. The inner critic is the worst, so you have to just ignore it and all of the other critics and just do your own thing.

[@ScullyPopASMR]

Man, I'm very happy I found your channel. I've written two thrillers, and I am reading them with sound and b-roll. There are lots of people reading books on the platform, but they're not the actual authors. I feel like I've hit a vein of gold, and I am digging furiously now.

[@ShannonHernandez]

This makes me happy to hear! If you see an opportunity, then I say go for it!

[@whosaidilikechease]

as someone w selective mutism, and dealing with hatred for my own voice and scared of what i sounded like; wouldn’t meet other’s expectations..this actually helped alot. thank you

[@Cluby2]

Shannon, good advice here. Tony Kubek, former New York Yankees player, in preparation for becoming a broadcaster would read poetry, doing exactly what you described.

[@ShannonHernandez]

I love that you put this example on here. There are a lot of us that are so conditioned to think our voice sounds weird or isn't good enough. I used to HATE my voice before I got into radio and after I started hearing it more and more, I realized the sound of it doesn't even matter to anyone. It's all about practice. :)

[@cobwebbyargos6953]

The bass of your voice

[@ShannonHernandez]

Aaaaah! I'm glad that you like it! Have you seen the video where I teach you how I get it to be like this?

[@cobwebbyargos6953]

Shannon Hernandez No I have not, i just found your videos. I'll check it out now though😁

[@ShannonHernandez]

Perfect!! I hope it helps you! Here's the link if you can't find it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGabl52nqKapqNk

[@bigjoe274]

Amazing! 4 years later and this is the message that would free me from myself! I literally hate my voice! This will definitely help. Therapy. Thanks 💯

[@ShannonHernandez]

SirJoseph X you’re so welcome!

[@shields91]

Thank you for the technics! I've struggled with this problem for years but I've been looking for ways to change my thinking. And these were great tips! Thanks again!

[@ShannonHernandez]

I am glad this has helped you out! Once you change your thinking, then you're going to create great things! Glad the tips could help out!

[@RobFlajnik]

So True Mr Shannman. Great info!!

[@ShannonHernandez]

Thank you, Rob Flajnik FlanMan!! how ya been?

[@chidinmablessing7641]

Thanks so much for this tip You have no idea how helpful this was to me...bless your heart

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're welcome!! I'm glad it has helped!

[@naomiwiddison5]

I was brought up in two different countries. I hate my accent so much. Other people don't seem to mind. I even get compliments. But my voice is always changing depending on who I talk to and how long I've spent with one culture versus the other, so I can never get used to it.

[@lollol-ko3pf]

You're a legend.

[@ShannonHernandez]

Jared Simpson hahaha! Thanks I guess. 😂

[@TheMilkmaidman]

Great video and tips! Getting over the sound of my voice is the 1st step. Thank you !!

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're welcome!!

[@Siphonazi]

Awesome advice

[@blessing7695]

I needed to hear this, thanks.

[@ShannonHernandez]

You bet! I hope it helps you get over the hump!

[@alexanderwilliams1731]

I really needed this thank you 😊!!!!

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're so welcome!

[@french2572]

you are so awesome for this. god bless!

[@ShannonHernandez]

I'm glad it has helped!!

[@charlesmurphree]

Sound advice thanks for the tips on audio recording with your phone. I especially enjoyed the high school teaching technique.

[@ShannonHernandez]

Sometimes you have to just start on your phone in order to get used to it. I remember when I was way younger thinking that my voice wasn't worth being anywhere. 99% of the fear of our own voice. But I can assure you that your ideas paired with your voice are 99% better than the person who doesn't take action with their voice. :) Thanks for watching!

[@tamikalewis2766]

Thank you

[@l2j867]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@ShannonHernandez]

You bet!

[@thewestofwaterfordpodcast5039]

Love the content sir! I'm stuck between having an Irish accent and using the "broadcast" voice! Personally I choose the accent version but I can get a rather "Yeeeuch" feeling when I hear it back. It definitely takes time to get used to it.

[@HorrorLe1L]

Thank you Shannon Hernandez 🙏🏽 I'll practice these Mr Miyagi tricks lol. They sound very effective the more one tries them

[@malikwilliams2351]

Great video. Thank you

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're welcome!

[@kashkrop8588]

Big Help my brother, best inspiration to start the day 😈

[@ShannonHernandez]

Kash Krop Glad this helped out! Enjoy the start of the day!

[@holliemae412]

Thanks! This really helped because I have just started doing voice over and I thought my voice sounded really cringey!

[@ShannonHernandez]

I’m glad it helped out!

[@SamSam-vr2kr]

@@ShannonHernandez you still reply to comments and like them?

[@spencersileo]

I like your work! Keep at it

[@ShannonHernandez]

Big thanks! I appreciate it, Spencer!

[@just_lillythestupid4612]

I want to start streaming and I'm really self-conscious about my voice, It's either too high or too deep. People I play games with online say It sounds nice but I'm still not sure, and a lot of those people are just guys flirting with me since I'm a girl and going "you sound hot, you have a boyfriend?" -_-

[@newolku]

You have good great deep voice. Love it.

[@ShannonHernandez]

Hey thanks! 👍

[@mizheard]

Your voice is so perfect! H-HOW????

[@ShannonHernandez]

Magic! ✨ 🤗

[@rjwinters3276]

A true radio voice. My voice is literally torturous on playback because I have a breathing disorder that doctors refuse to acknowledge is real, and I actually don't breathe through my nose very well and everybody in the world can hear that I'm nasal and says that I'm nasal except doctors, who literally think everything is fine +like mouth breathing is actually not fine+ and you know I'm sure that literally 0.0% of the comments are people mouth breathers, or would want to admit it because it's so commonly used as an insult even though it's literally a craniofacial deformity and not the fault of the person who's the mouth breather, so it would be great if the person who made this could actually see this and maybe address the mouth breathing part of it, that when you're a mouth breather you are very nasal and it does sound bad and you do hate the sound of your voice because of that. Not everybody can do what you do.

[@loveline2100]

In French class, our teacher made us write about ourselves then record ourselves. We recorded today and tomorrow we're gonna listen to everyones in front of the class and I'm terrified because not only do I not like my voice (I never listen to it anyways so this will be even scarier) but I'm not the greatest at speaking French

[@ShannonHernandez]

Don't worry. Only you are the only one that thinks your voice sounds silly. It happens to everyone. Embrace your voice and who you are are. There's no one else out there that's like you, so you might as well love yourself for who you are. You're unique!

[@QuintusAurelius]

good advice thanks

[@ShannonHernandez]

You're welcome. Let me know how else I can help out!

[@keensterd3654]

Great advice...thanks

[@ShannonHernandez]

Glad this has helped! Let me know if there's any other way that I can help you out!

[@keensterd3654]

Shannon Hernandez Thanks Shannon! I've been watching your vids and they've been very helpful. I just recorded my first podcast recently and I'm really excited (still dislike my voice but hey maybe someday I'll get used to it). There were some awkward pauses/transitions in my podcast (but I can edit the pauses) but perhaps I should make notes for the future. Also, I need better recording equipment. I really want my podcast to be both informational and entertaining like yours! Btw, you have a great speaking voice so you're perfect for Podcasts. I'm envious!

[@ShannonHernandez]

Oh great! It makes me so happy that you have been watching them! And I'm glad that you have been recording and getting your podcast ready for launch! And yes, there are some pauses that you can edit out. As you start podcasting more, you'll actually edit less. :) As for better recording equipment, have you checked out my Quickstart guide? It shows you all the equipment you need to start recording. And thank you for the compliment! I'm still not sure I have a great broadcasting voice, but I know how to use my voice for sure. Anyone can do it, really! :)

[@manuele.itriagom.728]

And self taught singers as well. I struggle with tracking my voice. If I do a single microphone take with my guitar and voice, I feel really comfortable compared to when I take that track and decide to multi track and I try to record my voice alone. It’s horrible…. I hate it. Plugins help, adding reverb or compression to the in track, helps. But still hate it

[@ShannonHernandez]

I just hit my 24th year in radio and I know that I have eventually gotten used to the sound of my voice. I believe this just takes practice hearing it over and over again before you realize that your voice is more about your audience than it is about you. You'll get used to it. I promise. Just keep at it!😎

[@gogo_crunchy8926]

i havent tried it yet but youre so nice and lovely that i liked the video :D

[@ShannonHernandez]

Thanks for watching it! :)

[@Aot_tech]

👌👌👌

[@mikegolab7882]

This was very helpful, brother. I am just starting my new journey in Podcasting. I definitely do not like the sound of my voice in play back. But I will try your tips to help get past it. Thank you!

[@ShannonHernandez]

I'm glad you liked this video. If it makes any difference, just realize that the information that you're going to be presenting is going to be of value to your audience. They really won't care how you sound because they will be more fixated on what you have to offer! Let me know how else I can help! 💪

[@djefx8303]

Shannon Hernandez thanks for the reply brother. That makes a lot of sense. When I listen to podcasts or anything talk radio I never payed alot of attention to their voices. As long as they had good material and can keep me engaged, that was all that mattered. I think as I do this long enough, I will get used to hearing my own voice. Definitely don't want that being the reason not to have my own show. I appreciate the insight. Definitely subscribed!

[@ShannonHernandez]

You'd be surprised by how often I hear someone doesn't start a podcast because they don't like how they sound. The one gift we've been given is our own unique voice figuratively and physically. Most people put themselves down because of it. I want peoe to realize their voice is what makes them unique.

[@djefx8303]

Shannon Hernandez very well put!

[@szilagyipeter6698]

I want to start a youtube channel and narrating so your video was really helpful :D thank you

[@ShannonHernandez]

Glad I could help!

[@dangofluff2193]

I feel like i cant record my first vlog yet until i literally get the hell over my voice on record this rlly helps 😶

[@irenelynette3845]

great pointers

[@ShannonHernandez]

Thank you!

[@irenelynette3845]

I meant it oh, everyone else I listened to was not as thorough and did not discuss things such as getting used to your own voice and wasted practice

[@irenelynette3845]

ways to practice....spell check lol

[@ShannonHernandez]

Aaaaaah, I️ figured that was what you meant! My phone sometimes doesnt do what I️ want and then I️ screw up entire messages. Haha! I’m thrilled you found this useful. If there is something you would like me to tslk about, please let me know and I️ will put it in a video!

[@MaxTheSpycar]

came here to see what it was about. never thought about it, but now that I am, I dont like the sound of my own voice. So no problem, came here, problem, left with tools to fix the problem. Funny how brain works.

[@basedinliberty9322]

Hey Shannon. I'm about to start my own podcast! I love your content, but I see you haven't uploaded in a year. When are you making more epic content for us budding podcasters out there?

[@ShannonHernandez]

Funny that you say that, dude. I've been working since January to create more for this channel as I see there is a need for it! I've actually been in front of the computer editing for the past 2 weeks, so things are coming. Definitely subscribe because once I get a few more pieces in place, I'll be sharing a number of things out about podcasting and creating quality listening experiences for people who create podcasts. Promise with a big cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye!

[@sunny8084]

I’m rlly insecure about my lisp in my voice I’m trying to get more used to it or come to terms with it before I start using y voice in videos thanks 😄

[@deadlytract5864]

Thank you man, really hoping to start a yt channel lol

[@Cartergames64]

Thank you for sharing this! How do you handle when your mind is moving faster than words coming out. I struggle with that and i think it affects my voice quality. I’m sure it’s my nerves. If that make sense. .

[@ShannonHernandez]

I'll try to answer this on this week's edition of The Podcast Therapist! I'm literally getting ready to edit it right now. I can add some bonus stuff to that episode too.

[@Cartergames64]

@@ShannonHernandez i just listened to your last podcast! Thank you for answering my question❤️ and it makes total sense more practice, bullet points and just being comfortable with the content I’m producing ☺️

[@anunexpectedjourney9729]

can you please make a video on how you edit your audio

[@ShannonHernandez]

You bet I will!! Is there any particular way you want me to edit the audio? Like, how I would edit a podcast?

[@tipidiem8708]

Does this apply to rappers and singers.

[@ranichennamma4436]

Hey Shannon, Thanks for your videos..We have a difficulty in the flow of the speech being Indians while we have great technical content to be podcasted to the world. Though English is popular in India, I strongly feel flow should be fast enough to create energy and interest in the whole pod-casting experience. I see big difference between the native English speakers and Non-natives in the pod-casting arena. Sometimes I feel that I have to write the whole speech in order to avoid the missing of flow. But I don't like to do that as I am really good speaker outside the pod-casting environment. How to overcome this? Will this be a big problem for successful pod-casting? Please give some tips for Non-native English speakers.

[@ShannonHernandez]

Hi Rani! Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate it. Even though I'm not a voice coach in the sense that I know how to make an English accent more fluid, I do know that a lot of it does take a lot of practice learning how to clean up your accent. The practice takes dedicated practice over the course of months. Critically listening to audio from American accents might help a bit. Although, I do believe that your accent will be the defining part about you and your podcast, I wouldn't change that about you too much. Consider a couple of things when it comes to creating your podcast: • Which type of audience are you looking to acquire? • Where do you want them to be from? If you are trying to penetrate a US / UK,market, then you should consider working on cleaning up the accent so that others will be able to decipher your message easier. Typically an acting coach can help you work on your accent and help you overcome that obstacle. If you feel too self-conscious I would recommend reaching out to my friend Vishnu on Twitter twitter.com/neoelemento. Maybe he can offer some insight on this. He's taken the leap into podcasting and may be able share some encouragement. Check out the Writer and Geek show: twitter.com/writerandgeek

[@ScullyPopASMR]

Also, once I develop a stronger community, I plan to write a novel live on KZbin, allowing the chat to influence the fate of the novel.

[@ShannonHernandez]

How are you planning on developing that community? Are you doing it now or are you planning on it?

[@JohnathanPhoenix]

Easter keg hunt LOL THURSDAY

[@charlie-ty4nj]

i just have a weird sounding voice, i’m starting to record music cause it’s something i really like, i record something, listen back and just can’t stand it and end up deleting it

[@dylaneatontrains2]

When the mix is great that shouldn't matter for me it's recording content 😅

[@annspirit24]

I'm trans and this video is very helpful 😊

[@ShannonHernandez]

Don't let the world make you feel self-conscious about you and your voice. We already make it hard on ourselves with our own thoughts. Do what makes you happy and remember that the sound of your voice isn't as important as the true sound of your message.

[@staceylynnwells]

Hi Shannon, thanks for the tips! I record into Audacity and I've tried the voice monitoring as I'm recording, but there's a lagging between what's coming out of my mouth and what I hear. Do you know if this is a common issue or maybe a computer issue? Thanks so much!

[@ShannonHernandez]

thanks for the comment! Hmmm, it could be a number of things. It could be the CPU of your computer, but it could also be Audacity itself. Since it's open source software, it might have some bugs. What I do know is that as open source software it's prone to have bugs. Not all are the same for people. Depending on your CPU it could be that. Do you mind if I ask what setup you're using?

[@staceylynnwells]

@@ShannonHernandez I don't mind at all, and thanks for the quick response! I have a Lenovo ThinkPad with an Intel i5, 2.60 GHz processor, 8 Gigs of ram, and 64-bit Win 10 Pro. I use a USB Marantz Pro Podpack1 and, of course, Audacity. I figured it's probably the computer, but I don't want to invest too much right now until I see if this thing is actually going to go anywhere, lol!! Thanks!

[@kizawon1430]

I want to sing but I hate my voice, is this where I need to be?

[@ShannonHernandez]

This video can help and is mainly for podcasters, but if you don't like the sound of your singing voice, I would recommend you get used to it if that's the thing you want to do.

[@homosapien.a6364]

What if someone told you that your voice is sukks and you need to stop speaking😭💔

[@ShannonHernandez]

Honestly, I would ignore them and continue to speak. Ignore the haters.

[@linusorri]

How about a video on how to edit a podcast? How about you watch a video on how to edit a podcast?

[@ShannonHernandez]

I actually have a paid training course on that process if you're interested. I have a deep discount going on it for a little while longer if you're interested in that. You can go to my about section on KZbin and find my email if you want to reach out to me directly. :)

[@BrokenGamerYT]

Not much my voice, but how young it sounds, while all my friends of the same age is sounding like they’re fricking 35 years old, I’m here sounding like I’m 9 🥺🥲 ( me and my friends are 13)

[@shane658]

im having the same issue, i cant even reveal my voice to my best friend on discord of a whole year just cause im so self concious of my damn voice

[@lebest8415]

Same

[@SherylLoch]

*****, I have this come up a lot when it comes to people doing videos. You are much nicer about how to handle it than I am. I tell them that what they hear is what the rest of us hear when they talk, so just get over it or just stop talking. I have people tell me that I sound mad on my videos...I tell them video is when I use my nice voice, so beware if you meet me in person. ;-}

[@ShannonHernandez]

Sheryl Loch Hahaha! Yeah, I suppose you have to be somewhat rigid when it comes to coaching people. I know that this is what I experienced when I first got into radio. When I coach new part-timers at the radio station, I tell them, "It's cool if you don't like the sound of your voice. I guess you're not going to be on the radio that long because you're going to *have to get used to it* if you want to be in it for the long haul! Perhaps I'll meet you at one of these conferences sometime soon! We can sound mad together. ;)

[@angelinaquintero598]

I have to edit a video I made with my voice in it and I am so scared of hearing my cringe voice- T_T

[@Llama_Loca]

How did it go?

[@angelinaquintero598]

@@Llama_Loca I ended up deleting the video T^T i never posted it onto my channel. I will do a voice reveal when I hit 1000 subs hopefully-

[@blonded99]

H3H3H3?

[@ShannonHernandez]

Tuanus huh?

[@IaconDawnshire]

My voice is pure garbage and I should be a mute so everyone else won't suffer for it

[@plica06]

Starts at 2:02