The Power of Voices

with Jessica Doyle Mekkes, Author and Vocal Coach

The final episode of our third season of Off Record, On Point is here! Hosts Julia and Kasey dive into the power of voices with Jessica Doyle Mekkes, bestselling author of I'm Speaking, vocal coach and Head of Musical Theatre at East Caroline University. Join us one last time for a deep dive into finding your power on stage, the practices - mental and physical - needed to become a fantastic speaker, and what it's really like getting a book published... For anyone who's ever had jitters when speaking up, you don't want to miss The Power of Voices!

Disclaimer: When we say off the record we mean it; we often touch on sensitive issues and hard to talk about topics. The topics discussed in today’s episode are confidence, learning to speak up, and stage anxiety.

Please listen responsibly and check out our resources below.

Episode Resources

I'm Speaking book – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor - https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath-book

MIND Mental Health Charity - https://www.mind.org.uk/1

0 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking - https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/

9 Tips to Feel More Confident At Work - https://www.betterup.com/blog/confident-at-work

Interested in appearing on our podcast as a guest? We're looking for season four stars to spotlight – if you're up for authentic, open conversation and ready to share your brilliant thoughts and ideas, get in touch today!

About Jessica Doyle Mekkes

Jessica Doyle Mekkes is a professor, researcher, vocal coach, and internationally published writer & speaker in the field of female empowerment & advocacy. She is the current Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University where she has taught voice and vocal pedagogy since 2017. Jessica works with individuals, groups, businesses and NGO’s including SpeakOut Revolution UK, Writer’s Digest, Authority Magazine and Woman&Home to help women and girls harness their power through keynotes, workshops and coaching.

She is a founding member of Learner Centered Teaching Consultants, and proudly sits on the Advisory Council for HERicanes, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and young women through workshops, mentorship, and speaking events.

Jessica’s debut book, “I’m Speaking: Every woman’s guide to finding your voice & using it fearlessly” was released in October 2023 and was called "...a bible in standing your ground without trepidation" by Publisher's Weekly.

Connect with Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/

Jessica's website: https://www.jessicadoylemekkes.com/