What happens when a former international journalist swapsfrozen peas, Russian winters, and breaking news… for villains, audiobooks, andcorporate commercials?
James Brown swapped the newsroom for the booth and built a thriving voice over business from scratch in his Devon studio. In this episode, he reveals the unfiltered truth about starting a creative business later in life, the wins, the mistakes, and the skills he never knew he’d need.
We explore James’s journey from documentary-maker in Russia to voice actor, covering how he navigated family responsibilities, COVID, and the total career pivot that came next. You’ll hear practical strategies for finding work through audition sites and direct marketing, tips for self-directing from a home studio, and why corporate and commercial work became his foundation.
We also dive deep into resilience, why having a savingsbuffer matters, and James’s take on AI vs. human creativity and why authentic storytelling will always win. Plus, he shares a glimpse into his latest gaming project, including a chilling live performance as The Lord of Lonelinesshimself.
If you’ve ever dreamed of building a business around yourvoice, or any passion, this episode will inspire you to start, adapt, and keep creating.
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Frustrated at Work? Want to know if you are ready for a career change? Answer these 10 questions and find out!Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Career Change and Voiceover Industry
04:10 James Brown's Journey: From Consultancy to Voiceover
08:33 Experiences in Russia: Journalism and Documentaries
16:58 Cultural Insights from Russia: A Unique Perspective
25:20 Voiceover Artistry: Crafting Characters and Stories
30:41 Crafting Compelling Brand Narratives
33:08 The Art of Voice Direction
36:09 From Journalism to Voiceover: A Journey
40:39 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape
45:20 AI's Impact on Voiceover and Creativity
49:52 Exploring New Horizons in Voice Acting
56:16 End and close