Ep 42: Community Choirs & Circle Singing with Chris MacLean
Release Date: 10/13/2024
Your Free Voice
Jo-Anne Suriel, is a compassionate catalyst for transformation. With expertise in the akashic records, reiki, and sound therapy, her grounded approach to healing guides you back to the infinite wellspring of your own inner wisdom. In this conversation Jo-Anne and Julia Norton talk about giving yourself permission to sing, energetic healing through song, ancestral roots and song and Jo-Anne's debut LP 'The Remembering' which has been called a “balm for the current collective overwhelm… with songs that call us back home to ourselves, our bodies, and the earth.” To learn more about...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
Singing in protest is universally recognized as one of the most impactful forms of peaceful protest. Ever since we have had songs we have had work songs, love songs, grieving songs and protest songs. This short episode is a dip into the water of Protest Singing with special gratitude to the people behind the Singing Resistance movement in Minnesota and all those who have gone before them. It also offers some practical guidance on how to keep your voice safe while you're singing for extended periods and in extreme weather. Thank you for listening! Please share with your protesting...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
I can't believe you almost didn't get this episode and it's so good! Jonathon Heather has studied Alexander Technique with global mentors and alongside some of the world's top performing musicians. A life long musician, artist and long distance cyclist, he has a deep love of sharing this work so that others can unlock their natural potential . He says “So far I'm the only trans AT practitioner I know!” “I draw daily on the Alexander Technique as my fount of physical and emotional well-being. I love this work and am happy to have the opportunity to share the inspiration of it...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
For my first episode of 2026 I wanted to address the elephant in the room and remind us all, myself included, of some simple things we can all do, to help us feel better. Moving your body, singing with others, having a 'Cheer the F-UP' playlist and taking action where you can are some of my suggestions. For the whole deal give it a listen and let me know what you're doing to feel better? You can find me at and also here on and here on Thank you SO much for listening and sharing with your friends, if you had a moment to subscribe, like and review wherever you get your podcasts I would so...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
In this episode I'm sharing with you some of my ideas for creative rituals for the winter solstice. I also wanted to make sure this one was properly grounded in our voices and how we feel about them so I offer: Working with the pause between the in breath and the out breath. Writing a Shadow Inventory. Writing a letter from the self you are ready to become. Making a collage. Singing the things from your shadow inventory as you release them into flames. Scanning your body for the holding and stories that are hiding there. I also invited you to join my mailing list which you can ...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
It's that time of year folks! 🎤 If you need your voice to make a living, share your message or bring the joy (I'm looking at you voice actors, podcast hosts and carol singers!!) ..keeping your voice in great shape should be a daily routine, but sometimes it’s even more important. Like during the cold season :) In this episode I take you through my favorite remedies (many of which you can create in your own kitchen) and yu don't even need to take notes because you can grab my free guide An episode full of simple remedies for prevention, relief and comfort, from saline to...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
This is a very quick episode as I’m actually prepping for Thanksgiving hosting, but I wanted to share. Discover how to tweak your gratitude practice (or create one) so that you can begin to manifest your future. 🌟 It’s not selfish to feel gratitude when so many are suffering… in fact it’s essential. ❤️ An intention practice for when you’re bustling through holiday traffic and shopping, to not add an extra burden to those you encounter… you don’t know how many invisible things they are already carrying. 🙏🏻 And a quiet breath. 😮💨 Please subscribe and...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
Warning there are some references to smoking and swear words in this episode! In this episode I'm chatting with my former voice student and current rock star of the moment, Chris Portka. I interviewed Chris a couple of years ago about his earlier album 'TRASH Music', which was fab, but in a very different way to this album. Since I received my vinyl copy it's been on a regular rotation in our house, it's that good. 'The Album That Everyone Wants' was recorded in a frenzy of play and experimentation in a hallowed New York Studio earlier this year and the result is honestly just...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
In this episode I explore some of my thoughts and feelings about what it means to "come home" to your voice. As the nights draw in and we begin to turn inward a journey into 'self' feels a bit more possible. • Can you begin to experiment and play with your voice for just 5 minutes a day? What does it feel like to take off any ideas of being 'good' and just vocalizing freely? • How does it feel to move and vocalize? Dancing to music you love and making up a melody or words that don't match the song can feel really naughty and hilarious. • Which 'coming home' myths resonate...
info_outlineYour Free Voice
Welcome to Your Free Voice Episode 51! A couple of years ago I had the great pleasure of being approached by a young award winning documentary film maker called Colette Ghunim. She was recording voiceover for her latest film Traces of Home and was looking for some voice coaching. I helped her with that, but also we dove into the subject matter of her film, and how to process generational trauma through shadow work, how to manage vocal stress during protest marches, and how to not lose your voice during a gruelling film circuit. She is one of the most courageous, generous, heart...
info_outlineIn this conversation with my friend and colleague Chris MacLean, we talk about her life and career as a singer/songwriter, community choir leader, retreat host, circle singer and so much more. We talk about the logistics of running a choir, fear of death, how to make a living and how we both believe it is everyone’s birthright to sing.
Here is how you can find out more about Chris, her recordings, retreats, performances and her choir. Chris MacLean
Here is how you can find out about Circle Singing.
Here is how you can find out more about the end of life singing know as Threshold Choirs
And here's the link for my final in person event of the year!
Click here for the messy transcript