From Voiceover Dreams to Sci-Fi Realities: My Journey with the Untold Tales Podcast
*The Audio above was released on July 31, 2024 on The Untold Tales Podcast as a BONUS Episode called "ANNOUNCEMENT: Melissa's departure from the production team!" You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Podchaser and most podcast players in the known Universe 😊
Like many, my podcasting journey began in late 2019, just before the world turned upside down. At the time, I was navigating a transition in my voiceover career, seeking new avenues to hone my narration skills and delve into character development. In the entrepreneurial world, creativity is often the key to unlocking opportunities, and for me, podcasting became a way to say "yes" to myself amidst the sea of "no's" in the voiceover industry.
However, my entry into podcasting was anything but conventional. I didn't have a specific idea or character in mind; I simply had a passion for storytelling. Initially, I considered narrating public domain stories—classic literature, children's tales—but none truly ignited my enthusiasm. While editing audiobooks at the time, I thought, why not educate local authors on the intricacies of audiobook production? This approach could open doors to collaborations and perhaps lead to audiobook narration opportunities. But I hadn't envisioned anything beyond that.
In 2019, during a presentationat a writers' meetup in Avondale, Arizona, one particular attendee stood out. He posed insightful questions about audiobook narration, character creation, and the process of selecting narrators. Intrigued, I introduced myself after the session. He was Dr. Jeffrey A. Robinson, a prolific author with numerous books published on Amazon. A lightbulb went off: perhaps he would be interested in co-creating an audio drama podcast. I pitched the idea, but he declined.
Undeterred, I reached out again a few months later, only to receive another polite refusal. It wasn't until the world went into lockdown in early 2020 that I made one final attempt. With in-person book signings on hold, Jeff reconsidered and agreed to collaborate. Thus began our exciting venture into the Untold Tales podcast.
Our initial plan was straightforward: narrate the stories from Jeff's published volumes of Untold Tales available on Amazon. Jeff hoped the podcast would boost book sales, while I was thrilled to have a treasure trove of science fiction stories to bring to life audibly. The diversity of characters and storylines, coupled with the absence of copyright concerns, made it a dream project. We launched the podcast on Anchor.fm, which has since become Spotify for Podcasters. This platform offered both advantages and challenges—while it provided outreach and metrics, it also raised concerns about AI and narration theft.
At the time, Jeff collaborated with co-writer Don Muchow, who contributed significantly to the podcast. This collaboration inspired us to invite guest authors to submit their stories for narration. It was a win-win: authors gained exposure to new audiences, and we enriched our content with diverse voices in the science fiction realm. We had the privilege of featuring works by acclaimed authors such as Victoria Wieck, Howard Loring, Marc Neuffer and Caryn Larrinaga, to name a few.
As we progressed, we produced five seasons of stories, learning valuable lessons about the podcasting landscape. We branded the podcast, uploaded content, RE-branded the podcast, and sold Merch. In all of this enthusiasm, we realized that releasing two episodes a month wasn't sufficient to build a loyal audience; people who would come to events, buy tickets to stuff, snag merch like t-shirts and mugs. Listeners expected daily or biweekly content to binge on. For us, balancing high-quality production with increased frequency was challenging, especially with just Jeff and me at the helm. We would meet via video call every Saturday for years, and eventually every other Saturday, to go over weekly tasks and do all of the project management. Jeff meticulously reviewed over a thousand stories, selecting only those that fit our vision. I handled all aspects of narration and production, including editing and mastering.
Our audience grew, with listeners tuning in from nearly every country. However, the need to monetize became apparent. We started Dreamspeaker Media, LLC and explored sponsorships and advertising, but wanted to ensure any profits were shared with our contributors. For a long time, I maintained a Patreon account that provided some income to cover production costs (I am grateful to ALL of you who contributed any amount that was possible for you ❤️). As we shifted to weekly releases to help boost the algorithm, the demand on our time and resources intensified. To maintain consistency, we introduced encore presentations of past episodes, enhancing some with music to improve the listener experience and safeguard against AI misuse.
By July 2024, my career focus shifted towards animation, character performance, and other paid gigs like audiobook narration and corporate video work. Jeff wished to continue the podcast, so we amicably parted ways, with him taking the reins. Jeff continued to produce new content, narrating his own stories and integrating encore episodes. While I would have loved to continue narrating, engineering and producing for Untold Tales, resource constraints made it unfeasible. Before stepping back in July 2024, I narrated 11 episodes featuring new authors Jeff had onboarded which will play out until 2027! I'm immensely proud of these episodes, as they allowed me to apply my narration expertise to fresh, compelling stories.
Here are a couple of crowd favorites!
🎧 Featured Episode: “Golddigger” (Episode 159)
In this gripping tale, when "the other woman" is excluded from her deceased lover's will, she resorts to extreme measures to claim what she believes is rightfully hers. Written by Canadian author Taija Morgan and narrated by yours truly, this episode delves into themes of desire, betrayal, and retribution. See Taija's post on Facebook
🌟 Featured Episode: “Deathwish” (Episode 21)
Deathwish stands out as a powerful narrative that delves into the psychological aftermath of war. The story follows a soldier grappling with profound loss, guilt, and the haunting memories that linger long after the battlefield has quieted. It's a poignant exploration of trauma and the human spirit's resilience. Listen at the Untold Tales Website
- 🎧 Listen on Spotify
- Watch on YouTube
This episode has resonated deeply with listeners, making it one of the most popular on the podcast. Its compelling storytelling and emotional depth exemplify the quality and impact of the Untold Tales anthology.
🗝️ Key Lessons Learned about Podcasting
Throughout this journey, I learned the importance of defining a specific audience with our messaging and branding. Initially, we didn't pinpoint our target listeners, simply narrating Jeff's stories. Over time, we questioned whether the readership of his books aligned with podcast listeners, especially with a female narrator. Lacking precise metrics, we relied on social media insights and Spotify data, which proved limited. Building a community was also challenging, particularly during a time when in-person interactions were restricted, and our focuses diverged—Jeff on the books, and I on the podcast.
Despite these challenges, we cultivated a dedicated fan base appreciative of both the stories and my narration. However, the anthology format presented its own hurdles. The varying nature of each episode meant that a listener might not connect with one story and choose not to continue, potentially missing out on tales they would have enjoyed later. Unlike genre-specific podcasts, our diverse content made audience retention more complex. This was supported by our coveted review by Audio Drama Reviews.
🏆 Reviewed by Audio Drama Reviews
One of the proudest milestones for Untold Tales was receiving a review from the prestigious Audio Drama Reviews, a platform known for its discerning analysis of narrative podcasts. Getting this review was no easy feat, making it a true badge of honor.
The reviewer, Michael Bergonzi , acknowledged that "Anthologies are notoriously hard to review. Assuming there’s no overarching story connecting them all...". In light of this, he complimented Untold Tales as “clever” and “thought-provoking,” especially highlighting its unpredictable, twist-driven storytelling and how its anthology format stands out by resisting genre tropes. The review also emphasized the podcast’s blend of nostalgic charm and modern creativity.
🧳 My Favorite - The Traveling Salesman Series
The Traveling Salesman Series, written by Dr. Jeffrey A. Robinson, was one of my favorite to narrate, because of the premise and the characters. They didn’t seem to resonate as much with our listening audience, judging by Spotify downloads and user listening time (percentage of the story to which the listener stayed engaged). However, I can see this series turning into something special (possibly animated... where are my Animator friends at?!?) ! I hope you’ll give it a listen, as I made some very strategic choices in the soundscape, SFX, and voice choices. Here is the comprehensive list of the stories in one spot!
- Part 1 – An ordinary man meets an unexpected traveler who offers him intriguing business opportunities.
- Part 2 – Bob and Glactyl continue their adventures, amassing great wealth through unusual business transactions.
- Part 3 – They spend their $10 billion to achieve Glactyl’s real purpose.
- Part 4 – Bob and Glactyl accidentally cause and then resolve the Zombie Apocalypse.
- Part 5 – Bob becomes a trader, and they harvest magnetic monopoles on an alien world at the galaxy's rim.
- Part 6 – They outsmart Paraxian privateers.
- Part 7 – Selling fake Xill artifacts leads them into a vast multidimensional nexus.
- Part 8 – Lost in the multiverse, they escape to an unexpected place.
- Part 9 – Bob and Glactyl regain their footing in 33rd-century Earth.
- Part 10 – They steal back their ship but confront new enemies—a giant criminal syndicate.
- Part 11 – Captured by the Bentusi syndicate, Bob and Glactyl escape... sort of.
- Part 12 – They face the wrath of a galactic moss boss.
- Part 13 – Their best-laid plans go awry.
- Part 14 – Bob and Glactyl have their last hurrah—or is it?
Each episode builds upon the last, weaving a rich tapestry of intergalactic commerce, unexpected challenges, and the evolving friendship between two unlikely partners. If you're interested in more details or behind-the-scenes insights about the series, feel free to ask!
🏆 Untold Tales Honored with ASU's 2023 Ampie Creator Award at Peoria Forward
In 2023, the Untold Tales podcast was honored with the Ampie Creator Award from Arizona State University's J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute. This award recognizes creators who demonstrate exceptional innovation, storytelling, and community impact within Arizona's creative economy. See The City of Peoria's post on Facebook
Receiving this award was a testament to the dedication and creativity poured into Untold Tales. It acknowledged the podcast's commitment to elevating diverse voices in science fiction and its role in fostering a collaborative creative community. Being recognized by ASU's esteemed entrepreneurship division underscored the podcast's impact beyond entertainment, highlighting its contribution to the broader landscape of innovation and storytelling.
🧳 Final Thoughts from a former Producer and Creator
Looking back, Untold Tales was more than just a podcast—it was a crucible for my creative evolution. I grew immensely as a voice actor, learning to shape characters with nuance and emotion. I honed my skills as an audio editor and producer, mastering the delicate art of pacing, sound design, and storytelling in a purely auditory format. As a podcaster, I learned how to connect with an audience, adapt to feedback, and stay consistent despite the challenges. And perhaps most importantly, I developed as a business owner—learning the tough lessons of time management, monetization, collaboration, and knowing when to pivot or step back.
This project challenged me in ways I never expected, but it also gave me space to stretch, explore, and shine. From coordinating with writers to mastering the technical demands of audio production, Untold Tales became a training ground for every facet of my creative and professional self. And one of the BIGGEST benefits this podcast afforded me, was a beautiful body of work from which I've booked several audiobooks, narrations, animated films, audio drama work, awards and representation!
In retrospect, the Untold Tales podcast was a labor of love, filled with creativity, collaboration, and growth. I'm grateful for the experience and the opportunity to bring so many unique stories to life. And I'm grateful for the relationships I've made, projects I've booked, and conversation we've opened with this wonderful endeavor.
Thank you for coming along with me on this Journey!
Melissa