The Joyful Singer

EP 31: How to Find Your Next Step as a Singer

Feeling stuck? Not sure what your next step is?

In this episode, I’m exploring the power of curiosity and how approaching our challenges with a beginner’s mind can help us move past overthinking, quiet our inner critic, and discover a clearer path forward. Find those answers you're looking for!

You’ll learn how to become a “fascinated anthropologist,” gather information without judgment, and use a simple exercise to explore what's keeping you stuck—before rushing to find a solution.

In this episode:

•

Why curiosity can be more helpful than trying to force an answer

•

How our inner critic and other saboteurs interfere with exploration

•

A practical exercise to help you understand a problem and discover your next steps

Resources mentioned:

•

Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine

•

The 7-Day Vocal Reboot Challenge — November 8–14

•

Find me on Instagram

•

Visit my website

EP 30: Saying No to Protect Your Creative Energy

For the singer who is taking on too much

What if your voice could reach even more people—but you’re so busy saying yes to everyone else that you have very little energy left for your own dreams?

In this episode, we’re talking about protecting your creative energy, letting go of the pressure to do it all, and learning to say no without feeling like you’re letting everyone down.

If you tend to overachieve, people-please, or push yourself past the point of exhaustion, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we explore:

•

Why saying yes to everything can get in the way of your creative dreams

•

How people-pleasing and the need to prove yourself can leave you feeling depleted

•

Why protecting your energy is essential to creativity and freedom onstage

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Three questions to ask yourself before saying yes to another commitment

•

How to make space for your singing, your well-being, and the person you want to become

Your takeaway: You don't have to say yes to everything to prove yourself. Your creative energy is worth protecting!

Resources mentioned

•

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

•

Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherinhttps://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

•

Joyful Singing Starter Kit
My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

Coming in November!

I'm putting together a 7-day singing challenge to help you make more room for your voice, reconnect with your creativity, and bring more intention and joy into your singing practice. We'll have daily check-ins, support from me, and opportunities to connect live. Stay tuned for details!

How to Receive a Compliment as a Singer

Have you ever finished singing, someone tells you how beautiful you sounded, and your immediate response is:

“Really? I thought I sounded awful.”

Do you launch into a detailed explanation of everything that went wrong?

Yep. I’ve done this more times than I can count.

In this episode, we’re talking about why it can be surprisingly hard for singers to receive a compliment and why learning to do so can actually be part of learning to let yourself be seen.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why singers can be so much better at noticing what went wrong than what went right
• Why you don’t have to agree with a compliment to receive it
• The difference between humility and self-rejection
• Why being complimented can actually feel vulnerable when you’re used to hiding or shrinking
• How to stop arguing with someone else’s experience
• A simple 3-second practice for letting a compliment land
• What to say when someone compliments your singing
• How curiosity can replace the urge to immediately dismiss praise
• A simple 7-day Compliment Challenge to practice being seen

CONNECT WITH ME

Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

Joyful Singing Starter Kit:
My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

Step Into the Spotlight Workshop
My free, live workshop about performance anxiety and the “shrinking reflex”—the automatic tendency to pull back when being fully seen feels vulnerable or scary. Check the page for the next workshop date and registration.
https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight

Come find me on Instagram:
@joyfulsingingwitherin
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

Ep. 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers

Have you ever gotten the role, the opportunity, or the compliment you’ve been hoping for… only to start wondering if someone made a mistake?

Or walked into an audition thinking, “Who am I to be doing this?”

We can have years of training, professional credits, successful performances, and plenty of evidence that we belong… and still hear that little voice saying, “Yeah, but…”

In this episode, we’re looking at imposter syndrome as another kind of mind trap and learning how to separate fact from the stories our brains create.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What imposter syndrome actually is and what it isn’t
• The “Yeah, but…” machine and how we dismiss evidence that contradicts our doubts
• Why imposter syndrome can be so selective about the evidence it pays attention to
• How to separate facts from fiction
• Why you don’t need to replace self-doubt with fake positivity
• What changes when you stop trying to prove that you belong
• Creating an “Evidence” file to remind yourself of your actual experiences, accomplishments, courage, and resilience
• Learning to hear doubt without automatically letting it influence your decisions

Create your “Evidence” file

Open the notes app on your phone and create a note called Evidence.

Add things like:

• Roles and opportunities you’ve received
• Performances you’re proud of
• Kind things people have genuinely said
• Difficult things you’ve learned and gotten through
• Risks you’ve taken
• Times you recovered from mistakes
• Things you’ve accomplished that once scared you
• Moments when you sang even though you were terrified

Don’t just include the glamorous stuff.

Your courage and resilience are evidence, too.

QUESTIONS to sit with:

• What are the actual facts?
• What have I done that demonstrates capability?
• What am I still learning?
• What am I assuming?
• What am I afraid people will discover?
• Whose standard am I measuring myself against?
• What would I do if I didn’t need to prove that I belonged?

Resources mentioned in this episode

🌎 Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

🎁 Joyful Singing Starter Kit
My free Starter Kit includes a workbook, a 2-minute guided centering exercise, and a 12-minute vocal warmup.
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

✨ Step Into the Spotlight
My free live workshop about performance anxiety and the “shrinking reflex”—the automatic tendency to pull back when being fully seen feels vulnerable or scary. Check the page for the next workshop date and registration.
https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight

📱 Come find me on Instagram:
@joyfulsingingwitherin
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

And if something in this episode hits home, send me a DM or even a voice memo. I genuinely want to hear from you!!

Ep. 27: Letting Go of Other People’s Not-So-Helpful Feedback

Have you ever had someone say something about your voice that you just can’t seem to shake?

A teacher. A director. A parent. A colleague. A reviewer. Maybe even someone you love.

Sometimes it’s useful feedback that landed badly. Sometimes it was an offhand comment. And sometimes it was just plain unhelpful.

But years later, you’re still carrying it.

And sometimes someone else’s opinion becomes your inner voice.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to become more discerning about the feedback you receive so you can take what’s useful without taking on the shame, fear, or story that came along with it.

We’ll explore:

• Why we can mistake other people’s opinions for facts
• How old comments can shape the way we sing today
• The difference between feedback about your singing and someone defining who you are as a singer
• How to separate the facts from the stories our minds create
• How to ask, “Is there anything useful here?”
• Why you can learn from criticism without beating yourself up
• How to recognize voices in your head that may not actually belong to you
• And how to decide what you want to carry forward and what you’re ready to leave behind

Want a little support?

My free Joyful Singing Starter Kit includes a 2-minute guided At Ease Break to help you step out of mental chatter, reconnect with yourself, and practice choosing where you put your attention.

GET THE FREE JOYFUL SINGING STARTER KIT

Stay connected

Follow me on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin

Find me on Facebook: Erin Stewart Voice Studio

Visit my website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

And if you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast, send me a DM on Instagram! I genuinely love hearing from you and finding out what you're struggling with and what you'd like to hear me talk about.

And if this episode resonated with you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a singer friend. It helps the podcast so much!

Ep. 26: Stop Focusing So Much on Your Voice

Do you find that you’re listening to yourself sing while you're singing way too much?

Did that note sound good?
Am I in tune?
Do I sound okay?
Do they like me?
Ugh. That was terrible.

Like you’re overly focused on your sound and not actually enjoying the act of doing it.

I talked about this during my recent Step into the Spotlight workshop, and two questions that came up during the Q&A really stuck with me because they're things so many singers struggle with.

One of them we're talking about today (the other next week!) and it's about what happens in the moment we're singing—when our attention gets hijacked by our own thoughts and we start monitoring and judging ourselves instead of actually experiencing the music.

That's what we're tackling in this episode.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why you don't have to be a victim of every thought that pops into your head
• How mindfulness and meditation can help strengthen your attention muscle
• My At Ease Breaks—short, two-minute check-ins you can do practically anywhere
• How to notice where your attention has gone without judging yourself for it
• How to gently redirect your attention back to the story, the person you're singing to, the meaning of the lyric, your body, or whatever you want to be focusing on
• Why getting distracted isn't failure—the redirecting is actually the exercise

And we're going to talk about how you can start training your mind now, so that when you're on stage, you have more ability to choose where your attention goes.

The goal isn't to never think about your voice.

It's to stop letting monitoring take over the experience.

A resource I mention:

Peak Mind: Achieve Peak Mindfulness and Unlock Your Full Potential by Dr. Amishi Jha

Dr. Jha is a leading researcher in the science of attention, and her work explores how mindfulness practices can help us train our ability to focus and redirect our attention.

Get my free Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Want to try one of my 2-minute At Ease Breaks?

I've created a free Joyful Singing Starter Kit that includes a guided At Ease Break, plus a 12-minute vocal warmup and other tools to help you reconnect with your voice.

👉Get the free Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Stay connected

Follow me on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin

Find me on Facebook: Erin Stewart Voice Studio

Visit my website: https://www.erinstewart.net

And if you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast, send me a DM on Instagram! I genuinely love hearing from you and finding out what you're struggling with and what you'd like to hear me talk about.

And if this episode resonated with you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a singer friend. It helps the podcast so much!

Keep Going: 6 Ways to Build Resilience as a Singer

What happens when the audition doesn't go your way?

When you lose your voice?

When the gigs dry up?

When your confidence takes a hit, or you simply find yourself wondering, “What now?”

If you're a singer or performer, you already know that the highs can be HIGH… but the ride can also be pretty bumpy.

Because being a singer isn't just about what happens when everything is going well. It's about how you navigate the inevitable rejection, setbacks, uncertainty, changes, and challenges that come with being a performer.

In this episode, I'm sharing 6 ways to build resilience as a singer so you can bounce back from challenges, keep moving toward your dreams, and stay connected to the reason you sing in the first place.

In this episode, we talk about:

🎤 Handling rejection and criticism without allowing it to define your self-worth

🎤 Overcoming vocal blocks and setbacks while taking care of your voice and knowing when to rest or get help

🎤 Staying motivated during dry spells and finding ways to reconnect with inspiration

🎤 Dealing with performance anxiety so fear doesn't keep you from moving forward

🎤 Adapting to changes in the performing industry while still staying true to yourself and your creativity

🎤 Maintaining consistency and finding ways to make singing something that feeds and nurtures you—not just something you have to do to get the next gig

And throughout the episode, we come back to one of my favorite tools: your good inner coach—the part of you that can meet challenges with curiosity, compassion, perspective, and wisdom instead of letting your inner critic take over.

Because resilience doesn't mean you never get discouraged.

It doesn't mean rejection doesn't hurt.

It doesn't mean you're never afraid.

Resilience means learning how to meet those moments and keep going.

🎧 Mentioned in this episode

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The book I mentioned that got me thinking about resilience and what it means to keep moving forward when life gets hard.

Episode 7: 12 Tips for Dealing with Performance Anxiety
If performance anxiety is one of the things that keeps you from fully showing up when you sing, go back and listen to this episode for practical tools you can use.

Episode 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach. Connect to the wisest part of yourself to access the resilience you desire. The part that will help you find the gifts from challenges, who will turn setbacks into opportunities.

💛 Want support putting this work into practice?

If you've been listening to The Joyful Singer and thinking, “Okay, Erin. I get it—but how do I actually DO all of this?”

That's exactly why I created A Course in Joyful Singing.

Joyful Singing is my whole-person approach to helping singers become more free, confident, expressive, and fully themselves when they sing.

Inside the program, we work on the voice—but we also work on the mindset, nervous system, body, creativity, confidence, performance anxiety, inner critic, and all the other things that affect how you show up as a singer.

You'll get:

• The full self-paced Joyful Singing program
• A private community of singers
• Two live group coaching calls with me every month
• Lifetime access to the program
• Support as you work through the real-life challenges that come with being a singer

Enrollment is currently open!

The launch offer ends Friday, September 18th, but I'm giving listeners of The Joyful Singer a special extension.

You can join at the special launch price through Wednesday, September 23rd at the end of the day.

👉 Learn more about A Course in Joyful Singing & join HERE

FREE RESOURCES:

The Joyful Singing Starter Kit (FREE):
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

Let’s Stay Connected

Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin
Facebook: Erin Stewart - Voice Teacher and Mindset Coach for Singers

If this episode resonated with you, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review is one of the most powerful ways you can help more singers find this work.

I appreciate you so much for being here!!

Disclaimer

While we talk about mental, physical, and vocal wellbeing here, this podcast is not a substitute for medical, vocal, or therapeutic care. Please seek guidance from a licensed professional for personalized support.

When You Sing Better Alone (And What to Do About It)

Feeling frustrated that you can sound completely different when you're singing by yourself than when someone is watching?

In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when the attention turns toward us.

I'll introduce you to a concept I've been calling the Shrinking Reflex: that automatic impulse to make yourself a little smaller when you're being seen.

You want to sing.
You want to perform.

And simultaneously, another part of you is saying:

Please don't look at me.
Please don't judge me.
Please don't let me mess this up.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why you can feel like a completely different singer when you're performing
• Why performance anxiety isn't simply a confidence problem
• The difference between eliminating nerves and learning to stay connected to yourself
• How to notice your inner critic without letting it run the show
• How to stay connected to your breath, your body, and your expression when you're being watched
• How to become the person who can coach yourself through moments of vulnerability
• What it means to bring your full self into your singing

Step Into the Spotlight — FREE LIVE WORKSHOP

When You Want to Sing… But Don't Want to Be Seen

📅 September 14, 2026
🎤 FREE + LIVE
⏰ 90-minute workshop

Inside this workshop, we'll explore what's underneath that conflict between wanting to be seen and wanting to hide.

I'll introduce you to the Shrinking Reflex, coach you through a process for beginning to shift out of that automatic tendency to pull back, and help you explore what it means to Claim Your Spotlight while staying connected to yourself.

We'll also explore how to bring more of YOU into your singing.

If you can come live, come live! We'll actually experience this work together, not just talk about it. A replay will also be available to registered attendees.

👉 Register here: https://www.erinstewart.net/step-into-the-spotlight

CONNECT WITH ME:

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! New episodes released every Wednesday.

@joyfulsingingwitherin - Chat with me on Instagram!

The Joyful Singing Starter Kit - Grab your FREE kit.

www.erinstewart.net - See what I’m up to!

If you’re enjoying the podcast it would mean the world to me if you’d SUBSCRIBE + leave a REVIEW!

I appreciate you and your support!

EP 23: How to Find YOUR Voice

(And Stop Trying to Sound Like Everyone Else)

Have you ever wondered if you’ve actually found your voice?

Maybe you’ve spent years taking lessons, practicing, studying, listening to other singers, and trying to improve, but somewhere along the way, you started wondering:

What does MY voice actually sound like when I’m not trying to sound like someone else?

In this episode, I’m talking about my own journey of finding my voice—and what I wish I had understood much earlier.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why finding your voice is about more than vocal technique
• The difference between developing your instrument and trying to erase what makes it unique
• Why “non-traditional” vocal qualities can actually become your superpowers
• How comparison can interfere with discovering your own sound
• Why curiosity and play are essential to artistic growth
• How quiet and stillness help you hear your own inner wisdom
• Why creating safe spaces for exploration can unlock your creativity
• How to begin developing a deeper relationship with your voice

PLUS!!

⬇️

Discovering Your Vocal Superpowers

Try this journaling exercise whenever you’re feeling discouraged, stuck, or unsure about your voice.

1. What do I genuinely like about my voice?
What do I feel proud of?

2. What positive comments have I received about my voice that have stayed with me?

3. What negative feedback about my voice has stayed with me?

4. Which of those comments actually feel true to me? Which ones feel imposed?

5. What qualities of my voice feel most “me” when I’m relaxed and unguarded?

Think beyond technique. Consider tone, emotional expression, phrasing, presence, texture, color, etc.

6. What have I labeled as flaws?

For each one, ask:

How might this actually be a strength?
What does this quality allow me to express that someone else might not be able to?

7. If I stopped trying to sound like anyone else, what do I imagine my voice would sound like?

And:

How would it feel in my body?
How would it change my relationship to singing?

AND.....⬇️

5 Ways to Start Finding YOUR Voice

1. Dabble in other art forms.

2. Don’t learn songs by listening to recordings of other artists.

3. Don't compare.

4. Spend time being quiet.

5. Spend time in safe spaces for exploration.

📚 Mentioned in This Episode

Making Play a Part of Practice — Heidi Moss Erickson
This article explores the role of play, experimentation, curiosity, and discovery in a singer’s practice—and why creating space for exploration can help us become more expressive, connected artists.

Read “Making Play a Part of Practice” by Heidi Moss Erickson

FREE LIVE WORKSHOP: Step Into the Spotlight

Want to feel more relaxed and more fully YOU on stage?

Join me for my free, live 90-minute workshop, Step Into the Spotlight.

We’ll explore a new approach to performance anxiety, including the shrinking reflex, and I’ll walk you through my 3-step process for owning your voice so you can bring your whole self to the stage.

There will also be a live Q&A and 2 free gifts for those who stay until the end.

Save your spot for Step Into the Spotlight

🎁 Want a place to start?

Grab my FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit with a guided centering exercise, 12-minute vocal warmup, and workbook.

Get the Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Let's keep in touch!

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

EP 22: Meet Your Good Inner Coach

How to Grow Your Voice Without Losing Yourself in the Process

In this episode, we explore:

• Why becoming your own teacher doesn't mean knowing everything
• How to become the expert on your own experience
• How to distinguish your intuition from your inner critic
• Why your “good inner coach” motivates through curiosity, encouragement, passion, and joy—not shame
• Three simple practices for strengthening your connection to your good inner coach
• Why learning to listen to yourself can actually make your work with a voice teacher MORE productive
• How to stop outsourcing your knowing while still welcoming guidance and support
• What are saboteurs and how are they holding you back

Your Good Inner Coach

Your good inner coach is that centered, wise part of you that can say:

“Let's see what happens.”

“What does my voice need today?”

“What feels freer?”

“Let's try it another way.”

It isn't the voice telling you that you're terrible.

It isn't the perfectionist demanding that you get everything right.

And it isn't the people-pleaser worrying about whether everyone else approves.

Your good inner coach is curious. Compassionate. Encouraging. Grounded.

And most importantly, it helps you grow without speaking harshly to yourself in the process.

Want to practice connecting with your good inner coach?

Grab my FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit.

Inside you'll get:

🎵 A guided vocal warmup
📝 A workbook with reflection prompts and action steps
🧘‍♀️ A guided centering exercise designed to help you connect with your good inner coach
✨ A habit tracker and strategies for creating lasting singing habits

It's a great place to begin if you want to reconnect with yourself and start approaching your singing with more curiosity and joy.

Get the FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit →

Want to go deeper?

My FREE Joyful Singing Masterclass explores my whole-person approach to singing and the three steps I use to help singers free their voices, build confidence, and reconnect with joy.

Join the FREE Joyful Singing Masterclass →

Episode 21: Why I Stopped Taking Voice Lessons

In my early 30s, after more than 15 years of regular voice study, I stopped taking voice lessons.

Not permanently.... I just needed a break.

At the time, I knew I needed a break. But looking back, I can see that I needed something much deeper: I needed to learn how to trust myself.

I had become overly reliant on outside input. I was filtering my singing through other people’s eyes—worrying about whether I was doing things “right,” whether my teacher was pleased with me, and whether I was performing well for them.

I needed to learn how to hear my own voice, trust what I noticed, and ultimately become my own teacher.

And that experience completely changed my relationship with singing.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 lessons I learned:

1. Learn to HEAR your own voice.
Not just whether you sound “good” or “bad,” but what you are actually experiencing. What feels freer? What feels more coordinated? What is working today—and what isn’t?

2. Learn to TRUST what you notice.
Your intuition isn't the same thing as your inner critic. It’s the quieter voice underneath the noise that can notice, This feels freer. I think I need to try this another way.

3. Become your own teacher.
This doesn't mean you stop taking lessons or stop seeking guidance. It means you stop outsourcing your knowing.

A good teacher brings expertise you don't have—but you are the expert on your own experience.

The goal isn't to stop listening to other people.

It's to stop outsourcing your knowing.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why I stopped taking voice lessons after 15+ years of study
• How people-pleasing and seeking external validation affected my singing
• The difference between learning from a teacher and relying on a teacher
• Why your teacher should be a partner—not the authority over your voice
• How I used experimentation and play to rediscover my voice
• How to develop your ability to hear your own singing constructively
• The difference between intuition and your inner critic
• Questions you can ask yourself when practicing
• Why your voice may need something different from you each day
• How to become more actively involved in your vocal development
• Why becoming your own teacher doesn't mean knowing everything
• How self-trust can lead to more confidence, ownership, and authentic expression

You don't have to figure everything out on your own. You need another set of ears, another perspective, or the guidance of a trusted teacher.

But you can learn to bring your own wisdom into the room, too.

Get the Free Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Want to start developing a stronger connection with your voice and your own inner wisdom?

My Joyful Singing Starter Kit includes:

• A guided 2-minute centering exercise
• A 12-minute vocal warmup video
• A workbook to support your singing practice

DOWNLOAD HERE

Let's keep in touch!

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

Episode 20: How to Release Tension When Singing (11 Tips for a Freer Voice)

Is tension getting in the way of your singing?

You're not alone—and it doesn't mean you're failing as a singer!

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, we're exploring one of the most common frustrations singers experience: tension.

If you've ever felt like your voice gets "stuck," like you're working harder than you should, or like your body just won't let go no matter how hard you try, this episode is for you.

Erin shares why tension happens in the first place, why trying harder often makes it worse, and practical ways to create more freedom and ease in your singing.

You'll also learn the difference between helpful support and unnecessary tension, and why your body may simply be trying to protect you—not sabotage you.

By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with 11 practical strategies to help you sing with more freedom, trust, and joy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why tension shows up when we sing
• How your nervous system influences your voice
• The difference between healthy vocal support and unnecessary muscular tension
• Why "trying harder" often creates more problems
• 11 practical ways to reduce tension while singing
• How body awareness can transform your vocal freedom
• A simple question to ask yourself whenever tension appears

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Joyful Singing Starter Kit
Download your free Starter Kit featuring a guided "At Ease" meditation, a 12-minute vocal warm-up, and a workbook to help you begin singing with more ease and confidence.

Download here:
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

Free Joyful Singing Masterclass
Ready to experience a whole-person approach to singing? Join Erin's free Joyful Singing Masterclass and discover how to sing with more freedom, confidence, and trust.

Watch the free masterclass:
https://www.erinstewart.net/joyfulsingingworkshop

🎙️ Episode 5: Vocal Warm-Ups That Actually Work
Want to learn more about SOVT exercises? This episode explains why they're one of the gentlest and most effective ways to warm up your voice and reduce unnecessary tension.

Listen HERE

Connect with Erin

Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

The Performance Hangover: What to Do When the Show Ends

What happens after the curtain falls?

You've spent weeks—or months—doing the thing you love. You've found your rhythm, built incredible friendships, grown as an artist, and finally started feeling comfortable on stage... and then suddenly it's over.

If you've ever felt sad, lost, unmotivated, or even panicked after a show closes, you're not alone. That post-show slump is real—and in this episode, we're giving it a name: The Performance Hangover.

In this episode, I'm sharing 9 practical ways to navigate the emotional transition after a performance, reconnect with your creativity, and continue growing as an artist—even when you don't know what comes next.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• How to identify what you truly loved about your last creative experience
• The importance of celebrating before rushing to the next goal
• Nine practical ways to keep your creative momentum going
• Why your artistic identity doesn't depend on being cast
• How to create opportunities instead of waiting for permission
• A simple exercise to help you take one meaningful next step this week

This episode is for you if...

• You're coming off a show, concert, recital, or major performance.
• You're feeling the post-show blues.
• You're between auditions or contracts and wondering what's next.
• You miss the sense of purpose, routine, and community that performing brings.
• You're trying to stay inspired during a quieter season of your creative life.

Connect with Erin

Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin

Facebook: Erin Stewart - Voice Teacher and Mindset Coach for Singers

Website: http://erinstewart.net/

Have a question you'd like Erin to answer on the podcast?

Send her a DM on Instagram or reach out through her website. She'd love to hear from you!

FREE STUFF

🎁 Joyful Singing STARTER KIT

📅 Joyful Singing WORKSHOP

Episode 18: 5 Ways to Bring More Joy to Your Singing

What if the thing standing between you and a freer, more confident voice isn't your technique... but what you've been feeding your mind?

If your singing has started to feel heavy, stressful, or full of "shoulds," this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, Erin Stewart explores why joy isn't something you have to earn—it's something you can intentionally cultivate.

You'll discover five practical ways to bring more joy to your singing and create a practice that feels nourishing instead of draining.

Plus, Erin shares The Joy Flip, a simple mindset exercise to help you transform the thoughts that keep you stuck into beliefs that move you forward.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why what you feed mentally and emotionally shapes your singing
• How perfectionism steals joy
• The "Joy Flip" exercise to reframe negative thoughts
• Five practical ways to create a more joyful singing practice
• Why celebrating small wins matters more than you think
• How reconnecting with your original "why" can transform your relationship with singing
• The importance of surrounding yourself with encouraging, supportive community

Mentioned in this episode

• Free Joy Flip Workbook
• The Joyful Singing Workshop (Also free!)
• Follow Erin on Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin
• FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Let's keep in touch!

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

If this episode encouraged you…

Please consider following The Joyful Singer Podcast and leaving a review. It helps more singers discover these conversations and supports the show in a meaningful way.

And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with them. Your support is so appreciated!!!

Have you been missing singing?

Maybe life got busy. Maybe grief, work, family, burnout, or self-doubt pulled you away. Or maybe you simply lost touch with the part of yourself that used to love making music.

If you've been longing to reconnect with your voice but don't know where to begin, this episode is for you.

After receiving countless messages from singers saying things like "I miss singing," "I want to find my voice again," and "I don't know how to start," Erin shares the gentle approach she wishes someone had shared with her after taking a long break from singing herself.

In this episode you'll discover five practical, encouraging ways to reconnect with your voice—without pressure, perfectionism, or unrealistic expectations.

Whether you've been away from singing for months, years, or even decades, you'll leave with simple next steps to help you rediscover the joy that's been waiting for you all along.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why taking a break from singing doesn't mean you've lost your voice.
• The importance of giving yourself permission to be a beginner again.
• How to follow the "thread of delight" instead of the pressure to perform.
• The difference between creating a singing ritual and simply following a routine.
• Practical ways to quiet your inner critic while rebuilding confidence.
• Why reconnecting with your personal "why" can transform your singing practice.
• How SOVT warmups can help gently bring your voice back online.
• Why joy—not perfection—is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen your voice.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Episode 5: Vocal Warm-Ups That Actually Work (SOVT exercises)
• Vocal Reconnect Mini Course (50% off July 22–28, 2026)
• FREE joyful Singing Starter Kit

Loved This Episode?

If this conversation encouraged you, please follow The Joyful Singer Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who misses singing too.

You can also connect with Erin on Instagram and Facebook @joyfulsingingwitherin, or visit https://www.erinstewart.net to learn more about voice coaching, workshops, and resources to help you reconnect with your voice.

It's never too late to come home to your singing voice!!

Have you reached the point where singing just for yourself isn't enough anymore?

Maybe you've been rebuilding your voice. Maybe you've fallen back in love with singing after years away. And now there's a little voice inside saying...

"I think I'm ready for more."

But then the fear shows up.

What if I'm not good enough?

What if people judge me?

What if I fail?

What if it's too late?

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, Erin Stewart helps you move past perfectionism and uncertainty so you can begin sharing your voice in a way that feels authentic, joyful, and true to you.

Rather than waiting until you feel "ready," you'll learn how to identify your next loving step—one that stretches you just enough without overwhelming you.

Whether your dream is singing for one trusted friend, joining a choir, posting your first singing video, or eventually stepping onto a stage, this episode will help you find the courage to begin.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why asking "Am I ready?" keeps so many singers stuck
• A better question to ask instead
• How to identify your next small, loving step
• Why confidence comes after courage—not before
• How to choose goals that empower rather than pressure you
• A visualization exercise to connect with your future singer self
• How to create your own personal "ladder" of singing experiences
• Practical ways to work through fears like:

• "I'm not good enough."
• "What if people judge me?"
• "I'm too old."

You'll leave this episode with greater clarity, a concrete next step, and the encouragement to stop waiting for confidence and start creating it.

Mentioned in this episode

Monday Night Singing
A welcoming online group for singers looking for encouragement, community, and a safe place to grow.
Learn more: https://www.erinstewart.net/group-classes

FREE Joyful Singing Workshop
The 3 Steps to Confident, Joyful Singing
Discover how to quiet your inner critic, build confidence, and create a singing practice you'll actually love.

https://www.erinstewart.net/joyfulsingingworkshop

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/erinstewartvoicestudio

Love the show?

I'd be so grateful if you would:

• Follow The Joyful Singer Podcast
• Leave a review
• Share this episode with a fellow singer who might need a little extra courage today

Episode 15: Is Singing Just for Yourself Enough?

What if you love singing... but have absolutely no desire to perform?

Would it still be worth it?

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, we're exploring a question that so many singers wrestle with but rarely say out loud:

Is singing just for yourself enough?

Whether you've taken a break from singing, are curious about reconnecting with your voice, or simply have no interest in sharing your singing publicly right now, this episode invites you to explore your relationship with your voice from a different perspective.

Erin shares her own journey of returning to singing after stepping away from performing following the loss of her father, and how learning to sing for herself became one of the most freeing and transformative experiences of her life.

Together, you'll explore powerful questions designed to help you uncover your personal "why" and discover what role singing wants to play in your life right now.

You may want to grab a journal for this one.

In This Episode You'll Discover:

• Why singing doesn't need an audience to be meaningful
• How external validation can disconnect us from our true reasons for singing
• The difference between singing as performance and singing as relationship
• Why giving yourself permission to sing for yourself can feel surprisingly difficult
• Powerful journaling questions to help you uncover your deeper "why"
• How singing can be healing, creative, expressive, and deeply personal
• Erin's story of returning to singing after a long break
• Why singing for yourself isn't selfish—it may be one of the most important things you do

Questions to Reflect On

As you listen, consider:

• What does your voice mean to you?
• How do you want your voice to feel?
• What are you longing to experience through singing?
• Is singing something you want to share right now, or is it just for you?
• What is one small step you can take toward your voice this week?

Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Erin on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Website:
https://www.erinstewart.net/

FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit:
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

FREE Joyful Singing Workshop:
https://www.erinstewart.net/joyfulsingingworkshop

Let's Continue the Conversation

Did this episode spark an insight or discovery for you?

I'd love to hear what came up.

Send me a DM on Instagram @joyfulsingingwitherin or reach out through my website and tell me:

What does singing mean to you right now?

Enjoying The Joyful Singer Podcast?

Please follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Every review helps more singers find this work and reconnect with their voices.

And if you have a question you'd like answered on a future episode, I'd love to hear from you.

Episode 14: How to Quiet Your Inner Critic and Build Confidence: A Conversation with Jenny Smith

This week I'm sharing something a little different.

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Jenny Smith on her podcast, You're Not Crazy! It's Perimenopause, for a conversation about confidence, self-doubt, the inner critic, and what it means to truly find your voice in midlife.

If you've ever wondered:

✨ Is it too late for me?

✨ Why is my inner critic so loud?

✨ How do I stop judging myself so harshly?

✨ How do I reconnect with joy, creativity, and self-expression?

Then this episode is for you.

Jenny and I talk about the unique challenges many women face as they move through midlife and beyond, including perfectionism, fear of being seen, changing identities, and the pressure to constantly measure up.

This conversation goes far beyond singing. It's really about learning to treat yourself with more compassion, embracing who you're becoming, and remembering that it's never too late to reclaim your voice.

Connect with Jenny Smith

Website:
https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

FREE Protein Fix Guide:

http://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/protein-fix

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_simple/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoachinghttps://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedLifestyleCoaching

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyaz_simple

Connect with Erin

Website: https://www.erinstewart.net/

FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit:
https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

FREE Joyful Singing Workshop:
https://www.erinstewart.net/joyfulsingingworkshop

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joyfulsingingwitherin/

Enjoying The Joyful Singer Podcast?

Please follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Every review helps more singers find this work and become part of our growing community.

And if you'd like me to answer a question on a future episode, send me a DM on Instagram @joyfulsingingwitherin or visit erinstewart.net.

Episode 13: My Pre-Show Ritual: How I Calm Nerves and Prepare to Sing

What should you do on the day of a performance?

How long should you warmup for? Drink gallons of water? Hide under a blanket until it's time to go on stage?

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, Erin shares her personal performance day ritual—a routine she developed over more than 30 years of performing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, regional theatre, concerts, auditions, and countless performances.

From her very first professional theatre job at age 20 (earning a whopping $100 a week!) to performing as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Erin has learned that the key to a successful performance day isn't perfection.

It's about support, care and rest.

In this episode, you'll learn how to create a performance day routine that helps calm your nerves, conserve your energy, prepare your voice, and get you into the right mindset so you can walk on stage feeling grounded, focused, and ready to share your gift.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why Erin believes the entire day of a performance should revolve around one theme: support, care, and rest
• The truth about hydration (and why chugging water right before you sing isn't the answer)
• How to use gentle SOVT exercises to wake up your voice without overworking it
• Why mindfulness and meditation are essential parts of Erin's performance routine
• The role caffeine, food, sleep, and vocal rest play on performance days
• How to warm up effectively before a show without singing your best notes in the practice room
• A powerful visualization exercise Erin has used throughout her performing career to help manage performance anxiety
• Why what you do after the performance may be just as important as what you do before it

Key Takeaway

A performance day isn't the day to push harder.

It's the day to support yourself.

The goal isn't to spend all your energy preparing for the performance—the goal is to save your energy for the performance itself.

When you approach the day with intention, care, and trust, you give yourself the best possible chance to walk on stage feeling prepared, present, and connected.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Episode 5: Vocal Warm-Ups That Actually Work

Learn more about SOVT (Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract) exercises and why they're one of Erin's favorite tools for warming up the voice.

Episode 7: 12 Tips for Dealing with Performance Anxiety

A collection of Erin's favorite tools and strategies for managing nerves before auditions and performances.

The Joyful Singing Workshop: 3 Steps to Confident, Joyful Singing

In this free workshop you'll learn how to:

✔ Warm up your voice in a way that actually works

✔ Quiet your inner critic

✔ Create a more joyful and sustainable singing practice

✔ Build confidence and trust in your voice

Register here:

https://erinstewart.net/joyfulsingingworkshop

Connect with Erin

Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin

Facebook: Erin Stewart - Voice Teacher and Mindset Coach for Singers

Website: http://erinstewart.net

Email: info@erinstewart.net

Have a question you'd like Erin to answer on the podcast?

Send her a DM on Instagram or reach out through her website. She'd love to hear from you!

If You Enjoyed This Episode...

Please follow The Joyful Singer Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a singer who has a performance coming up.

Your support helps more singers discover a joyful, whole-person approach to singing.

Episode 12: Joyful Singing vs. Traditional Voice Work — A Different Way to Grow as a Singer

What if becoming a better singer wasn't about fixing yourself?

In this episode of The Joyful Singer Podcast, Erin explores the key differences between traditional voice training and the Joyful Singing approach—and why so many singers feel stuck, frustrated, or disconnected despite years of lessons, practice, and hard work.

If you've ever felt like singing became all about technique, performance, or getting it "right," this conversation offers a refreshing alternative.

Joyful Singing is a whole-person approach that recognizes that your voice doesn't exist separately from the rest of your life. Your mindset, nervous system, emotions, physical wellbeing, and life experiences all influence how you sing—and how you feel about singing.

In this episode, Erin shares:

• What Joyful Singing actually means
• The difference between traditional voice work and a whole-person approach
• Why technique alone isn't always enough
• How your life experiences become part of your artistry
• The hidden cost of constantly striving, fixing, and chasing perfection
• Why you are the ultimate authority on your own voice
• What it looks like to build a singing practice rooted in support, sustainability, and joy

Whether you're a professional singer, an enthusiastic amateur, someone returning to singing after a break, or someone who simply longs to sing more freely, this episode will help you rethink what growth can look like.

Singing doesn't have to be driven by harshness.

It can be driven by curiosity.

By creativity.

By self-trust.

And yes—by joy.

Free Resource: The Joyful Singing Starter Kit

Ready to take your first steps toward becoming a Joyful Singer?

Download Erin's FREE Joyful Singing Starter Kit and discover how to:

✔ Reconnect with your voice

✔ Build a singing practice that feels good

✔ Quiet fear and self-judgment

✔ Create habits that actually stick

✔ Warm up your voice effectively and confidently

The Starter Kit includes:

🎵 A vocal warmup

📖 A guided workbook

✅ A habit tracker

🧘 A guided centering exercise

Grab your free Starter Kit here:

👉 https://www.erinstewart.net/starterkit

Connect with Erin

Instagram: @joyfulsingingwitherin

Facebook: Erin Stewart - Voice Teacher and Mindset Coach for Singers

Website: http://erinstewart.net

Email: info@erinstewart.net

Have a question you'd like answered on a future episode?

Send Erin a DM on Instagram. Your question might be featured on the podcast!

Enjoying the Podcast?

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow the show

⭐ Leave a review

⭐ Share it with a fellow singer

⭐ Tag @joyfulsingingwitherin if you share on social media

Every review and share helps more singers discover a joyful, sustainable path to their voice.