Voice actor and content creator Tawny Platis returns to The Mike Lenz VO Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about building a sustainable creative career—without waiting around for permission.

Tawny shares how she landed her first voiceover job at just six years old, why she stepped away from entertainment to build a "safe" business (spoiler: it wasn't safe at all), and how that business experience became the secret weapon that helped her thrive once she went full-time in voice acting.

We also dig into the real role social media plays in today's VO landscape—how Tawny approaches content as creativity (not advertising), why "auditioning all day" isn't always the smartest path, and what it means to build a brand that attracts the right opportunities.

Along the way, Tawny talks about the mindset shifts that changed everything: staying consistent, being willing to experiment, learning the business side of VO, and not being afraid to try new directions—even if not every idea lands.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How Tawny's business background helped fuel her VO success

Why the business side is the biggest hurdle for many voice actors

What makes content connect (and why audiences tune out "ads")

How to keep your brand fresh without losing what makes it recognizable

Tawny's evolving perspective on AI—and what matters most moving forward

Her best advice for creatives: take control, create your own opportunities, and don't fear being "cringe"

Find Tawny online at tawnyvoice.com, and follow her across platforms at @TawnyPlatis (YouTube: @theTawnyPlatis).

On this episode, Mike gives an update on his career including:

• The powerful advice he received after he moved into voiceover, audiobook narration and podcast producing full time almost eight years ago.
• How networking and attending conferences propeled his audiobook narrration career forward and how he booked his first Union audiobook title.
• The importance of health and well being to maximizing your vocal performaqnce in the booth.
• His Audiobook Narrator Workouts that Mike launched recently and how they help narrators work on their craft in a small and safe environment.
• His podcast producing journey and how the creation of his VO Podcast led to becoming a producer of other podcasts.
• The four most important words you can say to someone!

Join Mike for this exicitng update full of great information and inspiration.