This year, 10 Audiobook Adventurers received nominations for the 2026 Audie Awards, across multiple categories (yes, including Audiobook of the Year). 🎧✨

In this episode, host Elise Arsenault gathers finalists - graduates of The Great Audiobook Adventure, to celebrate, share honestly about what this milestone feels like, and share what they’ve learned along the way.

If you’re building your own audiobook narration career, curious about how nominations happen, or you just need a little encouragement on your creative path, this one’s for you.

We talk about:

• How self-submitting to awards works (and why you might consider it)
• The emotional reality of being recognized (hello, imposter syndrome)
• Full-cast projects, credits, and what happens behind the scenes
• Navigating heavy material and historic stories with care
• Networking, self-promotion, and staying resilient in a noisy industry

Most importantly: your work is worthy, whether it comes with a nomination or not. 🌿

Featuring:

• André Santana @andreonthemic
• Angel Pean @angelpean_
• Cerris Morgan-Moyer @cerrismm
• Emana Rachelle @emanarachelle
• Emma Faye @emmafayeactor
• James Aaron Oh @jamesaaronoh
• Mieko Gavia @sooo_grood
• Mirai @hi.mirai
• Nicole Cash @nicolecashchronicles
• Tyla Collier @tyla_collier

Please join us in celebrating them, and if you’re active on Instagram, their handles can be found above!

• Join our next Celebrations & Intentions Room happening Friday, March 6th: https://www.patreon.com/posts/access-march-151487675
• In NYC? You’re invited to The Global Actor Industry Brunch happening Tuesday, March 3rd: www.theglobalactor.com/brunch

The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon supporters. Thank you, thank you. 💛

Special shoutout to our Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips. We’re so grateful for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there really enough work out there for all of us as actors?

Can you actually make the leap from side hustles and scarcity to creative abundance—and what does it look like to manifest those opportunities?

You've heard the whispers: "There's no work," "Don't get into audiobooks," "If you share, there’s less for you..."

But what if the truth is there’s so much more available than you think?

This week on The Global Actor Podcast, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the bright light who is award-winning audiobook narrator and actor, AhDream Smith! A graduate of The Great Audiobook Adventure™ with over 40 audiobook titles, an AudioFile Earphones Award, and a background in both regional and Off-Broadway theater, she’s living proof that a creative life built on service, abundance, and integrity is possible.

Let’s keep the convo going beyond today’s episode!

Links:

✨ Enrollment is now open for The Great Audiobook Adventure™ at www.audiobookadventure.com

Join us for our Next Celebrations & Intentions Room happening Friday, Feb 6th - https://www.patreon.com/posts/celebration-149768530

The Girls Who Grew Big ~ Leila Mottley

Strange Fruit ~Ya Ya Schoefield

@chasingAhDream

Narrate Your Way To Abundance Free Class https://audiobookadventure.com/class/

The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. Thank you, we are so grateful for you!

If you’re listening to this and would like to be a part of our patreon community we would love to have you and support you there! Head over to https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheGlobalActor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Audiobooks are still a phenomenal place to grow your creative career in 2026, and in this episode I’m sharing one of the biggest reasons why: the odds and access can be wildly better than traditional submissions.

When a publisher requests an audition, you’re often one of only a handful of narrators they reached out to, not one of 2,000 actors submitting for the same TV role. That shift changes everything: momentum, confidence, and consistency.

We talk about what “publisher-requested” really means, why it boosts booking odds, and how to start playing the long game so opportunities come to you.

Key Topics include:

🎤 Why audiobook narration remains a reliable income stream in 2026—even in the age of AI

🎤 Stats and stories about working actors earning at least $25k+ per year from narration

🎤 The ongoing demand for human connection through storytelling

🎤 How audiobook work supports union actors in reaching SAG AFTRA health and pension minimums

🎤 The power of building relationships with publishers—leading to more direct bookings and fewer auditions

🎤 The creative satisfaction and confidence boost narrators experience from consistent, meaningful work

Let’s keep the convo going beyond today’s episode!

✨ You’re invited to my upcoming LIVE class Narrate Your Way to Abundance, happening later this month, where I’ll break down the audiobook path, teach you tools to get started and answer your questions in real time. www.audiobookadventure.com/class

Links:

Narrate Your Way To Abundance Free Class https://audiobookadventure.com/class/

The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. Thank you, we are so grateful for you!

If you’re listening to this and would like to be a part of our patreon community we would love to have you and support you there! Head over to https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheGlobalActor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.