24. Michael Scott: Voices That Play, Fight, and Feel Real
Release Date: 12/15/2025
24. Michael Scott: Voices That Play, Fight, and Feel Real
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Michael Scott: Voices That Play, Fight, and Feel Real In this episode of Tales from the Booth, host Paulette Lifton welcomes Michael Scottâa powerhouse performer, director, and educator whose work spans film, television, animation, and the full spectrum of modern voiceover. Known for his distinctive, award-winning voice, Michael has helped define characters and campaigns for some of the worldâs most iconic studios and brandsâfrom Warner Bros., DreamWorks, HBO, Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Hulu to global names like Apple, LEGO, Nike, Pepsi, McDonaldâs, Toyota, Verizon, and...
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23. Gene Vassilaros: Casting Characters That Breathe, Break, and Belong
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Gene Vassilaros: Casting Characters That Breathe, Break, and Belong In this episode of Tales from the Booth, animation casting and voice director Gene Vassilaros joins host Paulette Lifton for a deep dive into the creative heartbeat of animation. From shaping iconic voices that define entire worlds to guiding performances that balance comedy, vulnerability, and truth â Geneâs storytelling instincts and sharp ear for authenticity have made him one of the most trusted voices in the booth. Together, Paulette and Gene unpack the delicate art of casting chemistry: finding that perfect...
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22. Andy Roth: The Art of Voice Casting and the Humanity Behind Performance
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Andy Roth: The Art of Voice Casting and the Humanity Behind Performance In this episode of Tales from the Booth, renowned casting director and voice coach Andy Roth joins host Mimi Maynard for an illuminating conversation about the human side of voice acting â where authenticity, empathy, and instinct meet craft and precision. From his early work casting some of animation and gamingâs most memorable voices to mentoring hundreds of actors around the world, Andy shares his philosophy on what truly makes a performance click. He and Paulette dive deep into what casting directors...
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21. Jonathan Reiner: The Heart Behind the Hustle and Being a Talent Manager.
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Jonathan Reiner: The Heart Behind the Hustle and Being a Talent Manager. In this episode of Tales from the Booth, Emmy-winning showrunner and talent manager Jonathan Reiner joins host Paulette Lifton for an intimate conversation about passion, perseverance, and the business of show. From his early days as an entertainment journalist to producing for major networks and founding The PaRĂŠ Way (launching October 2025), Jonathan shares the lessons learned from a career built on both creativity and compassion. Hear how Paulette and Jonathanâs friendship began at the Thatâs...
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20. Sebastian Zancanaro Localization Expert and Dubbing Casting Director
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸Tales from the Booth Podcast: Sebastian Zancanaro Localization Producer and Dubbing Casting Director Sebastianâs impressive resume includes: đĽ Director, Producer, Writer, Actor, and Casting Director đ Specialist in Creative Dubbing & Localization đ Society of Voice Arts & Sciences nominee for Casting in Motion Picture Animation đ Winner of Outstanding Dubbing in an Animated Motion Picture for Deep Sea With over 13,000 hours of dubbing across 85+ TV shows & films, and 3,258+ dubbed episodes aired globally, Sebastian is a powerhouse in the world...
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19. Jeff Howell Master of Commercial Voice Over & Dubbing Pro
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Tales from the Booth Podcast: Jeff Howell Master Commercial VO & Dubbing Pro. With over 30 years in the voiceover industry, Jeff Howell has worn every hatâagent, casting director, producer, dubbing director, and coachâshaping some of the most recognizable voices in media. His credits span Emmy-winning animation, award-winning promos, major ad campaigns, and audiobook collaborations with icons like Leonard Nimoy. From Magic: The Gathering to Netflix and HBO Max dubbing, Jeff brings a rare mix of creative vision and performance expertise. In this episode, he shares his...
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18. Rudy Gaskins & Joan Baker of SOVAS and the Power Behind the Mic
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Tales from the Booth Podcast - Rudy Gaskins & Joan of the SOVAS Awards and the Power Behind the Mic In this special episode, we step into the legendary world of Rudy Gaskins and Joan BakerâCo-Founders of That's Voiceover!⢠Career Expo and the prestigious SOVAS Voice ArtsÂŽ Awards. From humble beginnings to global recognition, Rudy and Joan share their extraordinary journey building the premier platform that celebrates excellence in voice acting. đ§ Learn the origin story behind SOVAS, how That's Voiceover! became a must-attend event for VO pros and hopefuls alike, and get...
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17. From Solid Snake to X-men Franchise: The Incredible story of David Hayter
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸ Tales from the Booth Podcast: From Solid Snake to X-Men â The Incredible Story of David Hayter This episode explores the incredible journey of David Hayterâfrom voicing the iconic Solid Snake in the Metal Gear Solid franchise to writing blockbuster screenplays like X-Men and X2: X-Men United. We dive into his creative process, transitioning into screenwriting, and navigating career challenges. David's story is a testament to resilience, versatility, and the power of storytelling across mediums. Highlights: Early career and landing Solid Snake Behind the scenes of Metal Gear...
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16. Get Signed: Micaela Hicksâ Guide to Winning Over VO Agents
Tales From the Booth Podcast
đď¸Tales from the Booth with Micaela Hicks Voice Over Agentâwhose career has taken her from Osbrink to top-tier agencies like Solid Talent, Atlas Talent, and VOX. Hosted by Eric Talent, this candid conversation gets into the real deal of what agents are actually looking for in todayâs voiceover market. Michaela shares invaluable insights on: What makes a talent truly stand out from the crowd How agents assess submissions (and what gets them excited) Tips for finding and keeping strong representation Common mistakes to avoid when reaching out to agencies Whether you're...
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15. Podcast Mashup Straight from Sovas with Kathy Grable
Tales From the Booth Podcast
Podcast Doppelgänger Alert! đď¸ What happens when two powerhouse podcast hosts, both up for the same award, finally meet face-to-face? You get a must-hear mashup! After crossing paths at the 2024 SOVAS Awards, Paulette Lifton (Winner of Best Podcast Host) and Kathy Grable (Nominee in the same category) made a pact: win or lose, theyâd interview each other. And now, theyâre making good on that promise. In this special crossover episode, Paulette and Kathy dive into what it really takes to host a standout podcast and stay relevant in the ever-evolving world of voiceover. Itâs honest,...
info_outlineđď¸ Michael Scott: Voices That Play, Fight, and Feel Real
In this episode of Tales from the Booth, host Paulette Lifton welcomes Michael Scottâa powerhouse performer, director, and educator whose work spans film, television, animation, and the full spectrum of modern voiceover.
Known for his distinctive, award-winning voice, Michael has helped define characters and campaigns for some of the worldâs most iconic studios and brandsâfrom Warner Bros., DreamWorks, HBO, Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Hulu to global names like Apple, LEGO, Nike, Pepsi, McDonaldâs, Toyota, Verizon, and the United States Army.
Michael dives into the craft behind standout roles such as Damon in the beloved cozy game Wylde Flowers, Tyreese in The Walking Dead, and Darryl Waterhouse in the Criticsâ Choiceânominated animated series Young Love. The conversation also explores his expansive work across major franchises and fan favorites including Boss Baby, Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Marvel Rivals, Street Fighter 6, Resident Evil, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater.
Beyond the mic, Michael is a sought-after voice and performance-capture director, currently helming multiple high-profile, NDA-protected projects with top studios such as Nerdy Bear Studios, Formosa Interactive, NetEase Games, The Halp Network, and Insomniac Games. Together, Paulette and Michael unpack what it takes to build emotionally grounded performancesâwhether youâre animating heroes, crafting game worlds, or guiding actors through complex storytelling.
This episode is a masterclass in versatility, intention, and creative leadershipâperfect for actors, directors, and anyone who loves the artistry behind the booth.
Follow the Voice Masters team for more inspiring conversations:
đ§ Instagram: @voice.masters
đ Website: voice-masters.com
đ¤ Paulette Lifton: @paulette_lifton
đŹ Mimi Maynard: @maynard.mimi