In this episode of The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, I sit down with the incredibly versatile Melissa Mirren, a professional voice actor with over eight years of experience spanning commercials, corporate narration, e-learning, animation, and video games.

Melissa shares her path from childhood performances and college theater to a multifaceted voiceover career shaped by persistence, creativity, and personal transformation. A former therapeutic recreation specialist and motivational speaker, Melissa brings a unique blend of heart and hustle to the VO world.

We dive deep into her early days booking work through agencies, platforms, and direct clients; the evolution of her career from commercial reads to character-driven animation; overcoming major life challenges—including a vocal surgery, a ski injury, and a period of caregiving during her children's health crises; her return to full-time voice work in 2023 with renewed purpose and momentum

We also talk about her fast-growing presence on TikTok, where she showcases her character work through creative dubs and voiceover sketches—plus her upcoming plans for community engagement and collaborative projects.

In this episode, you'll learn: how to pivot your VO niche and embrace versatility; strategies for recovering professionally and vocally from setbacks; the role of resilience and real-life experience in shaping your creative voice; tips on editing, syncing, and refining character reads for social media success.

Melissa’s story is a moving reminder that your creative journey doesn’t have to be linear—and that sometimes the detours shape your most compelling work.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and connect with Melissa at @melissamiranvo on TikTok or melissamirren.com.

Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/

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On this episode of The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, I chat with bestselling author Grace Worthington, whose sweet romance novels are as heartwarming as they are hilarious.

I had the pleasure of co-narrating a 4 book Renovation Romance series for Grace and we had so much fun talking about that process!

We explore her creative journey from the musical theatre stage to the world of romantic fiction—and how she brings characters to life with humor, wit, and emotional authenticity.

Grace Worthington eats, breathes, and geeks out over sweet romcoms. So it’s no surprise she believes that laughter and love are a cure-all for just about everything in life. After a stint in musical theatre (where she often played comedic roles), Grace now writes novels full of witty banter, lovable characters, and small-town charm. Her inspirations include ‘80s and ‘90s romcoms, beachside towns, and her own family’s delightful chaos.

We also discuss:

• Her transition from actress to author

• The behind-the-scenes of how we collaborated to bring her Renovation Romance series into audiobook form

• How she approaches tone, pacing, and voice in her stories

• Why being “willing to be bad at something in the beginning” is key to finding your creative voice

Whether you're a narrator, author, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and lots of laughter.

Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/

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On this special solo episode of The Mike Lenz VO Podcast, Mike takes a moment to reflect on some incredible milestones in his voiceover journey — including narrating over 300 audiobooks and surpassing 200,000 podcast downloads.

He shares insights on the vital role that networking, conferences, and coaching have played in his growth, and why staying connected and coachable continues to make all the difference.

With heartfelt gratitude, Mike also opens up about what it means to use his God-given gift to communicate through the spoken word — both as a voice actor and audiobook narrator.

Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned creative, this episode is a reminder of the power of community, perseverance, and purpose.

You’ll hear about:

• Reaching 300+ audiobooks and 200K podcast downloads

• Why conferences and networking matter more than ever

• The impact great coaches have had on Mike’s journey

• Embracing your unique gifts and using them with intention

Thank you for being part of the journey!

Check out more episodes over at: https://mikelenzvopodcast.com/

Voice 123 15% Discount Code link: https://bit.ly/3BsPSaw