Wow Thanks Yay #36 💘
In this edition: Friends helping friends, Better together, and Global grooves
WOW
Last weekend, after twelve glorious days at Ash’s dad’s place in New Smyrna Beach, we hopped over to Orlando to take part in the World Voice Organization’s WoVO Con VII. I knew that it was going to be fun to reunite with so many dear friends in the industry for the first time since before the pandemic, but I was not prepared for just how rich it would be.
The motto of World Voices is “members helping members,” and this spirit of mutual sharing, encouragement, and transparency was quite palpable throughout the weekend.
Especially in an industry where you yourself are both the producer and the product, one can get stuck in the mire of misconceptions and limiting false beliefs at times so it is such a healing balm when we come together and tell the truth about our process and our business. That’s how the rising tide can raise all boats.
In this spirit, Ash and I gave one talk together titled, “You Can Do It All Wrong and Still Get It Right. You Can Do It All Wrong and Still Get It Right,” about our very different paths navigating the world of VO.
We also gave some individual talks too- I gave one on how I operate my business backend systems in detail, “Driving Your VO Business,” and Ash gave one offering insights gleaned from her decade working as the client in advertising and brand strategy, “The Other Side of the Glass.”
If you’re curious, you can grab a copy of our slide decks from those talks here.
THANKS
I was very grateful for a number of golden nuggets I took away from the talks and sessions I attended, but I was most grateful for the strong feeling of community and family we all experienced there.
The real magic of a conference like this happens in the hallways, at the lunch table, at the silent disco, or at the table after the bar has long since closed but we still just want to suck the marrow out of this precious time we have together.
A big theme of the weekend for me was emotional connection. My heart was so full at seeing a few of my dear friends when we arrived in the lobby on Friday afternoon that I immediately started crying. And I was moved to tears of joy at least eleven more times that I thought to count over those three days together.
It felt truly incredible to be able to hug and breathe together again with my people in 3D. Several folks I had known only via Zoom prior to last weekend. It was interesting to note just how much of a person’s essence can actually come through a screen, and yet how much of a person can only be known by inhabiting the same space.
We are indeed better together.
YAY
In the spirit of Saturday’s epic and highly celebratory silent disco party, I give you this brilliant rooftop GROOVES mix from DJ Isaac Varzim.
It’s equally great for rocking out in your headphones at work and for some after hours throwdown fun with friends.
Speak to you soon,
Adam